Like so many people Julia is looking for a fresh start. While she understands that it’s probably not possible, she wants to leave the past behind, most of all the aftermath of the choice she made. Sometimes no matter how great our intentions, the right thing to do may just turn out to be the wrong thing.

I loved the sound of this story and not having read a book from Lucy Dawson before, I jumped at the chance to read this when the opportunity presented itself. Full of tension, suspense and twists and turns, The Secret Within is an exciting read.

Ok, now for the characters…I don’t think I have read and detested two male characters more than Hamish and Nathan! My word they are so horrible and vile but, have been perfectly created and written to make you feel these emotions. I did really like Julia’s character and her strength to be able stand up and do the right thing.

Lucy Dawson has a very easy style and does a great job of keeper the reader engaged and wanting to keep flicking those pages. The pace for the first half of the book is on the slower side but, things do pick up making for a more thrilling second half.

All up The Secret Within is a gripping and tense psychological thriller and has been a great introduction for me to Lucy Dawson’s work. I will definitely be reading more from her. It was a pleasure to read and review The Secret Within which I recommend.

Thank you to Lucy Dawson, Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Secret Within, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Lucy Dawson can certainly write engaging and must-keep-reading domestic thrillers!  The Secret Within is another hit with alternating storylines and twists every where you turn.  It's also a frightening look at gender roles within established organizations and the real questions of whom to trust.  Devoured in a day!

This book was a wild ride! I love a book with  strong female lead, and a book with a despicable character,  so I got both with this book! 
Julia is hoping for a new start when she starts a new job, and then she meets her colleague Nathan.  
As much as I enjoyed the chapters from Julia's perspective,  the chapters from Nathan's perspective are what made me turn the pages so fast. I love getting inside the heads of horrible people (I don't know why) and very few authors write the type of horrible characters that I love, so I was delighted to find this author. 
I loved every minute of this 5/5

Great book. A long one, but gripping storyline.  A medical thriller. Lies and intrigue abound. Shows how females havev to fight in a male dominated workplace. Not for the squimish.

Julia Blythe has just accepted a new job as a plastic surgeon at a hospital in Devon.  She had left her previous position because she blew the whistle on some things that happened.  Her husband, Ewan, will be working as a department head at a local school.  Her stepdaughter, Cass, and son, Alex, both 13, will attend the same school where Ewan will be teaching.

Mr. Nathan Sloan is an arrogant plastic surgeon who uses his good looks to impress people.  He thinks he can just slip through life schmoozing his patients.  He knows what happened with Julia in her previous job, and is determined to keep her complacent so she doesn’t blow the whistle on him and others.  Hamish is another doctor practicing with Nathan and also his best friend.  He covers for Nathan which makes both of them dangerous men.  The vile things Nathan gets away with is shocking and when Julia gains knowledge of it, she knows she has to expose him.  

Nathan and Hamish are both very vindictive as well and are determined that Julia will not get away with ruining their lives and careers.  When she realizes the lengths to which they will go to save themselves, their ruthlessness is very frightening.

This is a rather long book but the story is mesmerizing so the reader could never be bored.  It really gave me the creeps to think that a doctor of mine could be this vile while putting my life in danger.  I applaud the author for the enormous amount of research she had to have done to write this medical thriller.  Well done!  Done miss it.  I bet you won’t be able to put the book down.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First, I want to thank Lucy Dawson, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review. 

The Secret Within by Lucy Dawson was a very interesting look into the world of plastic surgeons. It was very fascinating but at the same time disturbing. It was unlike any book I have read in the past. 

Lucy took me off guard right from the start with her prologue. I am an open minded reader but that scene I was not expecting. That being said it was a very intriguing way to start out her book. 

The humor in The Secret Within had me snickering! It was too funny!

I loved how this book was based around the medical field. I found the case of the abdominoplasty very interesting and what Nathan was willing to do to get it approved. Having one myself I could empathize with both the surgeon and the patient in this matter. 

Oh how uncomfortable I felt for Julia when her ex husband Dom showed up wasted to pick up their son from school. Not only that but in front of her new work colleague Nathan. Just so inappropriate for him to do! 

Lucy picked a very unique name in Hamish for one of the characters. Never have I heard of that name before.

I found it creepy that Nathan took videos of his consults with his patients so he could watch them during his leisure. However, laughed when he almost got caught by his child. 

I had to smile and chuckle when Julia stated she went into becoming a surgeon to prove that her small hands could do something important. I too have very small petite hands, love the medical field-but would never want to become a surgeon to prove something to someone. 

I didn’t care for the whole body shaming scene between Hamish and Nathan. Too many times in this book I got upset with Nathan for this mentality. 

The climax to The Secret Within I never saw coming. My heart went out to Julia and felt compassion for what she was going through.

Well, I'll be damned first impressions are key and Julia knows just what to do to get the job!
However, I'm not so sure she'll want this job once she sees the surgeon in charge (Nathan is NASTY.)
Actually, nasty should be his middle name because he's atrocious in every regard, a man with no moral compass, a man full of lies.
Speaking of which -Hamish- where are you-my man!
You're up - to explain yourself- and this damning photo you took of Julia and Nathan to her spouse? You'll correct the wrongs-won't you?
You'll save these women from further embarrassment and possible death from infection -won't you?
You'll step up and do the right thing alongside your pal and buddy Nathan -won't you?
I know readers want to know the bloody details but they are sketchy at best in the beginning. It's not until you reach the climax that we finally uncover the disaster behind the knife.
What the hell is with the codes? What is up with the cinema at the boutique hotel? What the hell is wrong with Nathan and Hamish -you both need some severe consequences to your actions.
Women just wanted to get implants not be subjected to film making 101, nor crafty signings, nor less body parts.
Julia may seem crazy to the naked eye but behind every good man is a greater woman! BELIEVE THAT!
Breaking News: This just in Julia's son Alex cannot be located. Last we heard Hamish and Nathan were just discussing him in private. Well, well -what could they have discussed.
You know that karma train is a comin' and folks who try to sneak by using injustices, lies, corruption, betrayal are never going to make out fine. They'll pay the price.
Hamish has just been found and things are going so well for him. Unfortunately, we're sad to say he's .....
Well, one less may not be a concern for Julia after his alleged plot alongside his master to do the things he's done to these woman -the sick sob.
Wait, What did you just say about Nathan?
He's in love with his wife and son? Nah, that's a joke-he's actually in love with ....
OMG! Shut the front door, he's not, can't be, no way!
Yes, he is and was and now he's .....
GONE?! Where? How? With Whom?
Why?
That ending was a final nail in the coffin sort of but is it time for dinner...Yet?
Lucy - you rock - my friend!
Can't wait for the next thriller to arrive.

After plastic surgeon, Julia Blythe, whistleblows on a fellow colleague for dangerous medical
practices she finds herself the victim of a witch hunt by the hospital trust.

Deciding to put the past behind them herself and her family move to Devon where Julia gains employment at a local hospital specialising in cancer and breast augmentation.  Her 3 colleagues at first seem welcoming however, Julia begins to suspect all is not as professional as should be and is placed in a position again of having to report one of colleagues for inappropriate behaviour towards vulnerable patients making herself the target of extreme retaliation for her actions.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable tale of doing the right thing and sticking to your principles.  An element of female solidarity runs through the book which is highly refreshing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great read that me hooked from the first few pages. 
Julia has had a difficult few months but things look to be changing when she’s offered a new job. She wants to move away and this new job gives her and Ewan the ideal opportunity. 
With their children getting on ok at school, life is good but then Julia meets Nathan, a fellow surgeon who claims to be in love with her. 
Julia refuses his attempt to kiss her but working together, soon becomes awkward. 
Something comes to Julia’s attention about Nathan and she has no choice but to take action. 
Life then becomes complicated and Julia worries if her and her family will get through this. 
I liked the way the story kept pulling me in different directions and Nathan is just a despicable human being. 
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The Secret Within is an intense psychological thriller and the epitome of the saying "no good deed goes unpunished." It's July 2017 and Julia Blythe, a wealthy and successful plastic surgeon is attending an important job interview, although she doesn't tell them that she took her last employer to court due to sexual harassment in the workplace and a colleagues sub-par surgeries which turned into the old boys club bullying her out of her male-dominated job at Royal Grace hospital and spreading malicious lies about her. Misogyny at its most toxic. However, with all the media coverage she knows they'll be aware of her past but surprisingly they don't seem phased by it at all. She impresses the interviewers enough for them to hire her on the spot and just like that she has a new job at Exeter Memorial hospital. In preparation for the job she uproots her family - husband Ewan, son Alex and stepdaughter Cassia - and relocates with them to the Devon coast. Luckily, Ewan has bagged a job as Head of Department at St. Ben's, the local school that Alex and Cassia will both be attending. But once again Julia finds herself working alongside powerful men who often think they can act with impunity, especially towards women. The team she is part of comprises Tanveer Husain, Hamish Wilson and big shot Nathan Sloan - Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and a consultant for over fifteen years; the surgeon Julia would be sharing an office with. 

But all is not what it seems and there are dark and disturbing motives as to why Exeter Memorial decided to hire her. As Julia strives to deliver at work and tries to settle her family down in their new nest, it seems history may be repeating itself. Initially, Julia doesn't realise clinical lead Nathan has form as a philanderer but she is grateful (and mortified) when her ex-husband, Dominic, turns up drunk and Nathan jumps in to save the day. It doesn't take long before Nathan seemingly becomes obsessed with Julia and things get increasingly tense and scary. She once again feels as though her job could be on the line depending on how she responds to his increasingly frequent advances. He professes his love her and has taken a photograph that could easily be misinterpreted as risqué. It later becomes clear that no one is who they claim to be; the three colleagues and the friends they've met in town are all hidden behind a facade under which dark secrets and terrific danger lurks. And then thirteen year old Alex goes missing... This is a riveting, highly original and ripped from the headlines story about toxic masculinity, workplace harassment and deeply entrenched misogyny. As the uncomfortable plot unravelled there was reveal after reveal with plenty of action and a large dose of deceit. Fast paced, full of mystery and intrigue, and some superb twists that came right out of leftfield, this is a thrilling and enthralling read from start to finish. Highly recommended.

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Secret Within’ by Lucy Dawson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Julia Blythe has started a new job at the Exeter Memorial Hospital after initiating a scandal against a colleague at her previous hospital.  She needs this job as her husband Ewan is now teaching at the local school and their children Cassia and Alex are settling in and making friends, but her new colleague, Nathan Sloan, has professed to be in love with her and has taken a photo of her which could be misinterpreted.  When the men in Julia’s department close ranks against her and one of her children goes missing Julia’s world starts to collapse and she finally finds out who can be trusted.

‘The Secret Within’ is a disturbing thriller that made me feel so uncomfortable I wanted to stop reading but couldn’t, needing to keep going until I knew what was happening to Julia and that she was safe.  It’s been exceptionally well-written with a gripping plot that kept me enthralled from page one until I’d reached the epilogue which became sinister and disquieting.  This is another amazing thriller from the very talented Lucy Dawson which I thoroughly enjoyed and can highly recommend.

This is a really difficult book to review as it's evoked so many conflicting emotions for me. I really didn't like the first half of the book, it was slow and there wasn't much of a thriller about it. I really had to persevere to make it to the midway point, at which time I would have struggled to give it 3 stars. However, once I hit 50% everything changed, it was action packed and I absolutely loved it. The second half of the book was definitely a 5 star read.

I do like the fact that the author has tried to highlight gender equality, especially in an environment where some men consider themselves to be Gods. I especially liked Storm, her introduction highlighted to the reader just how you have an unjustified perception of someone based on their name and the car that they drive. She was such a brilliant character. 

I loved Kate and the relationship she had with her family; both her husband and her ex, and the way the dynamics work with her children. However, I would have preferred it if a little less time was spent establishing these relationships and more on the action of the novel, 

As characters go Nathan is one on his own, that bloke is seriously screwed up and Hamish is just pure evil. As the author seemed to want to highlight gender equality I would have liked it if she'd managed to show that it's an issue with "everyday" men, not just those who are mentally unbalanced. But I still appreciate what she's done. 

I would definitely read more by Lucy Dawson in the future

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC. This is a tough call. I can’t say I really enjoyed this book. Most of the characters were very unlikable and some of the plot points were extremely implausible. It was a two star read for the majority of the book. I did appreciate the message of women empowerment and righting of wrongs. Toward the end, the tension increased, but unfortunately led to an unsatisfying conclusion. It definitely had moments of suspense and shock. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️. The last book I read by Lucy Dawson was five stars.  I will read other books by her in the future.

Julia Blythe is a plastic surgeon. She lost her last job after a case aainst ttwo of her male collegues. She's now at an interviewwhere she needs the two men acrosss the table to trust her. She needs to keep her past secret from these men. But what she doesn't know yet is that if she convinces them to hire her, she'll be putting her children into danger.

Julia, her husband and their two children need to make a fresh start after Julia took the hospital she worked at to court and whistle blowed on two of her collegies. hey have now moved to a new location and Julia has just secured herself a new job.

Julia is a strong character who's not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. The story covers gender inequality in the woekpalce. he story is told from Julia, Hamish and Nathan's points of view and told in alternating chapters from Julia and Nathan. There's lots of twists but i did find the story could have ended long before it did. The ending was satisfactory.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #Bookouture and the author #LucyDawson for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lucy Dawson never disapoints and The Secret Within is another great twisty turny psychological thriller with well written characters, some who you love to hate, and a brilliant ending.

If you love a good thriller with some medical drama thrown in, then this is definitely the book for you.

After blowing the whistle at the previous hospital she worked in, Julia has been forced out and moved her family to another part of the country.  She has just landed a job at a new hospital, her husband, Ewan, has a job at the local school and her two children, Cass and Alex,  are starting at the same school.

Everything seems to be going well until her ex-husband, Dom, arrives drunk at the school gate but fellow surgeon, Nathan Sloan, saves the day.  Why is Nathan so happy and willing to help Julia? Is he genuine or is there more to his helpfulness?

What follows is a whirlwind for Julia.  Firstly Nathan tells her he has fallen in love with her and then she discovers something about her fellow surgeon that she can’t possibly keep to herself.  But what will be the repercussions of Julia blowing the whistle again ? Will her family survive another ordeal ?

The story is told from the point of view or both Julia and Nathan, as well as their fellow surgeon, Hamish.  I really love this style of writing as you see the story from different perspectives and see how the same situation can be seen in so many different ways.  This is a great thriller that will keep you hooked from the very start to the very last page !!

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

This book was like driving past a car crash - you know something went very wrong but you have to know.  
Julia left her previous job at a hospital after reporting a male colleague's dangerous and unethical practices.  After the trial forcing the hospital to reinstate her, Julia quits. 
She takes a surgical position thus sharing an office with three men - Tan, Hamish and Nathan. Julia hopes this will be a new start - new school for her children, new jobs for her and her husband.  Until Nathan begins his pursuit.  
Chilling.  Fast paced,  messed up lives and people. Ridiculously realistic. Slow at times but I had to know.  
This book does an amazing job focusing on women in a male dominated world.  Patients at their Dr's mercy. Staff abuse. Women's repercussions for reporting men in powerful positions.  Well done.

The Secret Within, by Lucy Dawson, is an addictive, electrifying and heart pounding adrenaline rush! Congratulations and thank you Lucy Dawson for writing such a powerhouse book about choosing between right and wrong and the emotional turmoil of love, hate, secrecy, rumors, obsession, deceit, fear, revenge and determination! I’m a huge fan of Lucy Dawson, and I’m excited to share that The Secret Within is her best book yet! With a gripping plot, dark and twisty characters and a setting full of shadows, The Secret Within is a thrill ride of threatening secrecy and surprises. The nail biting suspense kept me hanging on to every word, gasping in surprise and clinging to the edge of my seat! It is definitely worthy of 5 stars, and I’d rate it higher if I could! I felt drawn into the story from the very first page and was desperate to find out what happens next. The anticipation of discovering the unknown was immeasurably powerful! It was so compelling that it was impossible to put down! I was so fully absorbed while I was reading that I didn’t even notice the passing of time! Clear your schedule because once you start reading you won’t be able to stop! The epic shocks and dangers lurking throughout the book blew me away! Filled with jaw-dropping twists, Lucy Dawson has created a masterpiece that is the pure definition of psychological thrillers! The Secret Within was a mind blowing experience that kept me spellbound and captivated, and the explosive ending left my mind reeling! I was shocked to my very core! WOW! Lucy Dawson NAILED IT!

After news of sordid and scandalous revelations destroy life as Julia Blythe knows it, she moves with her family in hopes of getting a new start. Julia is fully aware that it’s more important than ever to impress the gentlemen who are interviewing her if she wants to work alongside them at Devon Exeter Memorial Hospital. The interview goes better than she could’ve imagined and she was offered the job on the spot. Her husband, Ewan, is hired as the head of a department teaching too, so they are finally able to start trying to settle in.  Julia strives to meet the expectations of her colleagues Hamish, Tanveer, and Nathan. Although her children Alex and Cassia  are struggling for different reasons, Julia does her best to help them adjust and is optimistic. 

As hard as Julia tried to put her past behind her, she knew it would follow her. She wasn’t prepared for (or aware of) the dark and sinister motives for being hired at the hospital. Initially Hamish and Tanveer are easy enough to work with, but her first impression of Nathan is negatively harsh. Since they are all doctors performing on equal levels though she is determined not to let it interfere with her work. Nathan surprises Julia with his generosity when he goes out of his way to deter her ex from causing problems. Realizing she was wrong about him, Julia befriends him and life continues to move in a positive direction. Julia and her three fellow colleagues are getting along well and she feels at ease working with them. She’s introduced to people in town and even her children start to become more relaxed and involved. 

It slowly becomes increasingly and dramatically obvious that her colleagues are not who she thought they were and neither are the “friends” she met. Nothing could’ve prepared Julia for what would happen on the weekend getaway, for the intentionally hidden discoveries she would find, for the position she would find herself in or for the threatening turn of events. Furthermore nothing could’ve prepared her for the tragic decisions, actions and consequences she would have to face or the emotional upheaval that would threaten to destroy the lives of everyone she loves.

Thank you Lucy Dawson, Bookouture, and Netgalley for allowing me to preview The Secret Within. My feedback is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

My complete reviews can be found on the links listed below to my group and page Booklovers’ Best and Ultimate List of Must Read Books. I will keep my reviews posted permanently so that they are always accessible. I also posted reviews on the sites I attached to this review.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/376986410130265/?ref=group_browse

https://m.facebook.com/groups/376986410130265/permalink/452289755933263/?ref=group_browse

https://m.facebook.com/mustreadfavorites/?ref=bookmarks

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=171152431433263&id=101513968397110

Julia is a successful plastic surgeon who has had a difficult past.  At her former employer she was harassed, and she stood up to the good ol’ boy network only to have it cost her and her career while he quietly retired.  Julia and her family are looking to move to a new area and a new hospital but first she must get through the interview. When Julia gets her job and her husband a teacher finds one as well, she starts to think things are getting better.  But when her ex shows up on the first day of school totally intoxicated at her son new school, her new coworker steps into help her out of a bad situation. Julia is grateful to Nathan but at the same time she is unsure how this will affect her work.
Julia tries to be part of the team of men she works with and agrees to go on a weekend trip with their families.  While Julia is out for a morning run when she come upon Nathan.   Nathan tries to kiss her, and Julia pushes him away. Nathan declares his love for her, and Julia is totally disgusted.
When Julia’s son Alex goes missing, she is overwhelmed with concern.  Where could he have gone?  Did someone take him?  Is he being held against his will? Could Nathan be involved in his disappearance?
This is a story really makes you over think just how the stories can be changed to meet someone’s individual narrative.  It is amazing how the same facts can be presented, and different conclusions can be made.  I enjoyed this story and if you like psychological thriller stories you will love this one.
Thanks to Netgalley for complimentary copy.  The thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a compelling book that grabbed my attention from the first page and couldn’t stop until I reached the last page. This was my first book of this author and I look forward to reading more. 

Julia was such a strong character, who wouldn’t afraid to stand up to her beliefs. Every character was intriguing and pace was perfect. I couldn't guess some of the twists and was blown by the reveals.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for sharing this arc copy with me in exchange for my honest review.