Little Secrets, by Jennifer Hillier {Book Review}

Just like that, we are saying goodbye to 2020….but we all know that 2020 will be with us forever. I truly don’t know what to say about my hopes for 2021, because at this stage all I pray for is good health. For myself, for my family, for my friends….for anybody reading this. If you have been sick, affected, lost somebody close, lost your job…..I honestly pray that 2021 brings healing and abundance to you. Please people, let’s be kind to ourselves and kind to each other <3

Okay, back to the topic at hand! Something that has gotten me through 2020, besides social distancing and Vitamin C supplements, is my love of books. Being able to escape among the pages of a good book, has truly been a blessing for me. Today I am reviewing Little Secrets, by Jennifer Hillier. I’ve had my eye on this one for quite some time, and a few months ago I reviewed Jar of Hearts from the same author. After Jar of Hearts, I knew that I needed more!

What is Little Secrets about?

Marin had the perfect life. Married to her college sweetheart, she owns a chain of upscale hair salons, and Derek runs his own company. They’re admired in their community and are a loving family—until their world falls apart the day their son Sebastian is taken.

A year later, Marin is a shadow of herself. The FBI search has gone cold. The publicity has faded. She and her husband rarely speak. She hires a P.I. to pick up where the police left off, but instead of finding Sebastian, she learns that Derek is having an affair with a younger woman. This discovery sparks Marin back to life. She’s lost her son; she’s not about to lose her husband, too. Kenzie is an enemy with a face, which means this is a problem Marin can fix.

My Review

Characters and Story Line

If you’ve read my book reviews, you may know that I am so intrigued and a sucker for books that involve child kidnappings. My worst fear, so much so that I cannot breath thinking about what the protagonist is experiencing… But I am like a moth to a flame for these stories! Little Secrets did not disappoint in fueling my anxiety.

Marin is a pained character, and I found the use of counting in days how long Sebastian has been missing, really added to the reading experience. For us as readers to imagine her anguish….at going 300….400 days without her son. Every day adding to that tally…gut wrenching stuff! I thought the author did such a good job with her character and really getting us into her head.

Derek we know is an apple-hole early on, because we find out about his affair…..but you can’t help, but also feel for all he has been through. One needs to remember that he too lost his son.

My Thoughts

I really enjoy Jennifer Hillier’s writing style, it’s very easy to read….it’s immersive and gripping, without bogging you down with unnecessary detail. As with Jar of Hearts, this book is also broken up into parts. Jennifer does throw breadcrumbs down in Little Secrets….so when the plot twists start coming you go: How did I miss that???

This book was so much more than a missing son and infidelity…. It’s heartache, it’s lost love, it’s betrayal, suspense….it’s A LOT! Basically it’s a rollercoaster. I thought the pace was good and Little Secrets had me going: Just one more chapter! Until I was done in 2 sittings. The ending was a bit rushed, but it also came together in a way I appreciated. This was the PERFECT book to get me out of my reading slump.

My Rating

Little Secrets has a Goodreads rating of 4.19 and it’s definitely a solid 4 stars for me. Jennifer Hillier has been added to my ‘auto buy’ list, so I highly recommend that you pick up one of her books. Creep is next on my list to get my hands on.

I picked up my copy at Bargain Books for R315.

Looking for more book reviews? All my book reviews can be found over HERE. For mini reviews and new book announcements, check out my Instagram page over HERE.