4.5 stars
Having read Jennifer Hillier's other book, Jar Of Hearts, I was really interested to read something else from her. And I was not disappointed with this book.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this as it had me wanting to read more.
The unexpected twist towards the end was one that I hadn't even anticipated, which is quite the feat for a book like this, where you might assume that it will go one way or the other.
It wasn't your typical 'child has been kidnapped' story, which is why I enjoyed it as much as I did.
What you think about certain characters the whole way through actually isn't as it seems, which really added to the story and you saw the characters in a different light.
It was a bittersweet ending for me.
And I would definitely read more books from Jennifer Hillier going forward. I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by this author and I really like her and the way she writes. I really enjoyed this book, it had me gripped from the start. The twist in the book I didn't see coming until it was spelt out for me. Good fast paced story, definitely recommend this.

Thanks netgallery for this advanced opt of this book.

This started really well and stayed tense and believable until about halfway when the connections started feeling a little forced. That said, I raced through it and thoroughly enjoyed the sometimes silly ride:)

This was a really enjoyable and brilliant read. Thriller and suspense filled, with lots of subjects crossed, child adduction, self harm, relationships.... Lots of twists and turns, and a great finish to the book. Would love to try more reads from Jennifer Hillier

Jennifer Hillier is one of my favorite authors! I liked this book and will definitely read other books that she writes in the future.

Wow this book takes the wind out of you from the beginning. I was hooked and holding my breath through out . It had twists and turns keeping you engrossed. It was heart wrenching in parts and I was so angry in other parts. It had me using every emotion from happy, sad, angry, tearful, and laughing . I sort of figured it out about 75% in but wasn't sure . This is a book that I will remember

I was very excited to learn Jennifer Hillier had written a new novel following her huge success with the award winning “Jar of Hearts”, I loved that book and therefore had very high hopes for this her latest, “Little Secrets”.
The story is based on the after effects, emotionally and physically, when Marin’s four year old son Sebastian, is taken by a stranger during a trip to a Christmas market. Fast forward 485 days and Marin wakes up every day, barely hanging by a thread, to a text from her best friend and ex lover ‘Sal’ asking ‘you alive?’ Although Marin and her husband Derek have the perfect life, successful business, lots of money and everything materialistic they could want, their missing son and the ‘what if’s’ are all Marin thinks about, every hour of every day. Having experienced for myself that few minutes of sheer terror when you think your child has disappeared, I truly felt every emotion Marin endured and understood totally her fears. Thankfully I found my son instantly but Marin and Derek weren’t so lucky and their lives and relationship changed overnight. When she discovers Derek has been having an affair with a much younger woman for the last six months, the fight in Marin returns and she vows to get her husband back at all costs.
After reading a couple of very slow books categorised as thrillers, I was lulled into thinking this too was going to be a slow burn story but I need not have feared, the story soon captures your attention and becomes thoroughly addictive. Although I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, they play their parts perfectly, all the emotions were spot on and even though the denouement was slightly predictable, it was still thrilling and was executed with edge of your seat tension.
Knowing that the author is a mother too, I can only imagine the feelings she had writing the story herself, protecting and guarding your children from harm’s way is a mothers lifelong duty and she captures all the emotions, from attending therapy groups, visiting doctors and even hiring a private detective, perfectly and with compassion.
Twisty, addictive, highly entertaining, I loved “Little Secrets” and can’t wait for more again by Jennifer Hillier in the future.
4 stars

*Thanks to @netgalley and the publishers @atlanticbooks for this #gifted ebook to read and give an honest review (sorry it's so late)

Could you imagine having your child or family member there with you and then a second later you look away and they are gone!!! ⠀
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This was another book that kept me flicking page after page, well on my kindle, as I just needed to know what was going to happen and how this emotional rollercoaster was going to end 😱⠀
The narrative is split between the two main female characters, which is great as they have really distinct voices and the readers get to know their personalities so much better. ⠀
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All the characters are pretty much dicks, but you do end up liking them and then you don't and then you do 🤷‍♀️ it's more like pity I felt. ⠀
I sort of guessed where it was going to go at some parts and maybe knew who the kidnapper was, but how it all turned on it's head in the end really surprised me!!! So, well done on that 👌⠀
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I'm going to give this 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 as it was a bit of a slow burner for me but then halfway through it starts building to where you were hoping it would go 😊 ⠀
I will definitely be reading more from @jenniferhillierbooks such a great thriller author who keeps the suspense going. ⠀
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Every parents' nightmares include one where their child is taken.

This book brings it home and forces you to assess what you would do if it happened to your own family.

In the book, the parents have significant disposable income and that makes their actions and decisions easier, but is does not remove them from the readers sphere of understanding and compassion.

A really enjoyable thriller.

Thanks Netgalley for this. This is my first read by this author and it wont be my last - I loved it! It was everything I love in a thriller and I'm off to discover more from Jennifer

Thank you to Netgalley and Atlantic Books for this e-copy in return for my honest review. Gripping from the start, this book reeled me in and didn't let go. Tense writing, thrilling read.

A fast-paced riveting read in spite of a broad cast of truly atrocious, hateful characters. Hooked from the off and would recommend.

This was such a good book to read, I really enjoyed this story something a bit different for me. I usually don’t like reading about children going missing but, this one had me gripped right the way through. At times I found thinking how awful it was for the mother of the child and then I was thinking that she had something to do with it. This book was very twisty and I’m glad I read it all the way through. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

4 stars! While I enjoyed this book I did find it a bit slow after the initial chapters but it redeemed itself as it got further on and definitely picked up the pace. Lots of twists and turns (and secrets!).

Marin and Derek have it all - a beautiful house, plenty of money and a gorgeous little boy. Three days before Christmas and Marin is doing some last minute shopping with 4 year old Sebastian. It’s warm and he is getting tired and whiny - she promises him she will buy him a big colourful lollipop once she is done. While she answers her phone she lets go of Sebastian’s hand and a short time later realises he is not beside her.

The police arrive and it is almost as though he has vanished without a trace. The last sighting if him is a grainy image on CCTV showing him walking out of the shopping centre with Santa Claus and clutching a big colourful lollipop.

16 months later and the trail has gone cold. Marin and Derek are barely communicating with one another and Marin has hired a Private Investigator to try to find Sebastian. When she tells Marin that Derek is having an affair with a young graduate student - Marin sees red and for the first time in 16 months she feels rage and is filled with a sense of purpose. She has lost her son there is no way she is willing to lose her husband too - not without a fight.

I could say a whole load more but I don’t want to risk any spoilers.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Die Geschichte nimmt einen sofort gefangen, fesselt mit ihrer Dramatik, ist spannend erzählt. Man kann Marins schreckliche Situation nach der Entführung ihres kleinen Sohnes sehr gut nachempfinden. Da sie für kurze Zeit unaufmerksam war, nimmt sie die ganze Verantwortung auf sich. Für Marin ist in dem Augenblick die Welt stehen geblieben, aber Ehemann Freunde und der Therapeut wollen nun über ein Jahr später, dass sie beginnt sich durch die Trauer zu arbeiten. Es folgen dann erste Andeutungen über ein Geheimnis. Marin hält, auch als Besitzerin von mehreren Friseursalons, dank Beruhigungs- und Schlaftabletten eine ganz gute Fassade aufrecht. Aber innerlich ist sie zerstört und stellt sich jeden Tag, wenn sie den Verlust nicht mehr aushalten kann, ihren eigenen Selbstmord vor. Auch nach 16 Monaten kann sie die Hoffnung nicht aufgeben und bezahlt immer noch eine Privatdetektivin, die sie dann mit einer überraschenden Entdeckung konfrontiert.
Die Erzählung ist sehr intensiv, nah an den Figuren dran, man fühlt sich mitten in den Ereignissen. Die Autorin lotet die emotionalen Tiefen für Eltern mit verschwundenen Kindern überzeugend aus. Der geschickte Perspektivwechsel zwischen den Teilen erhöht die Spannung. Der Teil aus Kenzies Sicht erzeugt ein mulmiges Gefühl, man nimmt an dem Verfolgtsein förmlich teil.
Zum Ende kommen die Enthüllungen Schlag auf Schlag, das ganze Kartenhaus aus Lügen stürzt ein. Den komplexen Verwicklungen, die dann zu Tage treten wäre ich nicht auf die Spur gekommen.
Einer der besten neuen Thriller des Jahres bislang.

Jennifer Hillier is a new author to me, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. After reading it I can honestly say, she is now one of my favourite authors. This book blew my mind. It's a brilliant psychological thriller which keeps you guessing all the way through. It's dark in places because Marin goes through so many emotions.when she loses her son. You immediately soak in the pages from the beginning and before you know it you're at the end with a lump in your throat, and tears trickling down your face. I'd highly recommend this author if you like dark, chilling, fast paced, explosive endings and twists that will blow your mind. An amazing author who draws you into the story like a moth to a flame.

A great read. I have read many stories of a missing child but this was really with a difference and such a great plot. An array of different characters. Great twists and a fantastic ending.

I would firstly like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved 'Jar of Hearts', and yet again, Jennifer Hillier has delivered a truly powerful read that had me hooked from the very start!
Marin was a character that I instantly had so much time for. Written so incredibly well, her emotions were my emotions. I felt her guilt, desperation, despair and shock as she prays for her son to be safe and sound, and as she uncovers secrets about those around her. Shocking!! My heart never stopped aching for her!! The whole read was dark, disturbing and very unsettling, but I couldn't put it down!
Definitely a must-read!
Can't wait for this author's next!

Echoes of little Jamie Bulger in that Sebastian goes missing as his mum drops his had for a second in a crowded mall.

Not the most exciting book I’ve read at the beginning and I thought that it would be predictable however I was totally wrong I loved it - I ended up enjoying it thoroughly and did not see it coming !

Marin appeared to have the perfect life. A happy marriage to Derek, a chain of designer salons, and a beautiful son, Sebastian. But when she takes her eye off Seb for a minute whilst Christmas shopping at a busy market, her whole world falls apart. Wracked with guilt, she attempts suicide, and every day she wonders if she can carry on living. Derek and her are no longer a team, and her only comfort is the support group she attends for parents of missing children.

Unbeknowst to her husband, Marin hired a private investigator when the police found no leads. But things go from bad to worse when the PI informs Marin that her husband is having an affair with a much younger woman, Kenzie. Her sadness is replaced with rage, and when her best friend Sal says he knows a man who can make Kenzie disappear, she meets with him. The cost for offing her is $250 000 and with a kind of madness taking over her, she transfers the money.

But there is a twist that Marin could never have imagined. She calls the hit off, but then Kenzie goes missing. And what the PI discovers will stun and devastate Marin.

A fast-paced and at times, heart-wrenching story of a mother's desperation to find her missing son, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last chapter.