Book Review: Our Little Secret

By Becky Gulc

‘A sparkling story about what happens when you let someone into your life… but they turn out to want more than you’d bargained for!

Sarah has the perfect life. A high-flying job in a law firm, a beautiful daughter and a house to die for. So how does she find herself looking in through the kitchen window while another woman enjoys it all?

When Sarah takes pity on a struggling young graduate who can’t get a job, she thinks she’s doing the right thing. She’s being kind, generous and helpful to others, as she always is. But as Sarah allows the younger woman into her home, her law firm and even her family, is there more to this pretty youngster than meets the eye? And could this be a good deed that goes further than expected?’ (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)

Claudia Carroll is one of my favourite authors, she writes such engaging novels that I can’t put down and Our Little Secret is no different. I’ve read some great novels by Claudia that I would say are more traditional ‘chick lit’, with others (equally good) that have a darker edge but whilst retaining somewhat of a ‘chick lit’ basis. Her range of work means I’m always kept guessing as a reader as to what her new book will offer, whilst always being confident it will be a great read.

Sarah is quite newly separated from Tom, she lives with her teenage daughter Darcy and works as a lawyer. Whilst she’s a busy woman, she likes to do good. When she meets Lauren when having her nails done and finds she is working as a beautician whilst trying to get her break in a law-firm, Sarah wants to do what she can to help her. Soon Lauren is working at her firm, lodging at her house, and being chief confidante to Darcy. Question is, where is this leaving Sarah? Is Lauren all she seems to be?

Our Little Secret was immediately engaging. The narrative suggests straight away that something is amiss, that this story is going to offer more than a lighthearted read. As someone who enjoys a thriller, this drew me in straight away, just what is the story with Sarah’s new friend Lauren? Well it takes a long time to find out and I loved every minute of it. The narrative switches between Sarah, Sarah’s best friend Liz, and Darcy. This kept it fresh and balanced the viewpoints of Lauren, we know Sarah is too trusting, too welcoming, but thank goodness for Liz who sees things differently.

Lauren was a great character to hate. So two-faced, manipulative, and deceitful, but it’s a slow process to uncovering her true colours. As a reader you are slowly seething at how quickly she is infiltrating Sarah’s life. Sarah is a nice character; I felt quite sorry for her, sad at the end of her marriage but resolute that’s the way it should be, sad for her struggles in connecting with her daughter. She may seem to let someone in her life quite easily, but I could also empathise with her too. Darcy was also a great character, what happens to her made me despise Lauren even more. I felt very protective!

This is a wonderful, gripping read that transcends genres in a balanced way that won’t disappoint loyal readers and fans of ‘Chick Lit’.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK for the book in exchange for an honest review.

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