There is a lot to like in this book but some parts made me feel uncomfortable whilst reading them. And that cost the book a star, Joy is a lovely character and her story is sad but ultimately uplifting. This is a romance afterall. The other characters are a real mix of the good the (not so) bad and the ugly. I know Mawgan Porth well and it is always good to be able to relate to a book's setting. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an advanced copy of this book to review

This was a cute romance, with an interesting premise and a sweet heroine.

Set in Cornwall, 29-year-old Joy Pentire tragically lost her firefighter husband 3 years ago. She works as a carer at a nursing home (rather than her true love and vocation of teaching), but she can’t seem to move forward. Hope, a resident of the home and dear friend of Joy’s, passes along a gift to Joy before she dies. I won’t spoil the mystery of the gift (there’s a bit of the supernatural here), but it involves a way to help others through life’s challenges, as well as leading her to open a new chapter in her own life, career-wise and romance-wise. An enjoyable, uplifting story.

My thanks to #NetGalley , #HarperCollinsUK and #OneMoreChapter for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

A Secret Gift is an engaging story with a healthy dose of magical realism. I enjoyed getting to know 30-year-old Joy, the main character who has lost her husband, lives with a delightful cat, has a relatable relationship with her parents, gets a new job, struggles with and makes new friends, and is given the secret gift. I liked the story best when she used the gift while also actively trying to help people – later in the story she is encouraged to trust the magic and not get so involved which I thought was disappointing. I liked the names of the characters she meets along the way, like Hope and Grace, which feel like a clear Biblical connection to me but are not used that way. Though the story is uplifting and ends happily, it was sad to me that it relied on a made-up convention through the magic of the gift and could leave the readers wishing for a world that can just never be rather than offering real hope. This could be a good one to read with a buddy or a group to talk about. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an early copy to read and review.

I absolutely loved this story! As someone interested in pebbles and crystals I found it heartwarming and beautiful. I love to help people and could feel this through all the characters. As a background the feeling of grief was present and was very well written. It resonated with me and this book was just brilliant.

A Secret Gift by Amanda James

A gem of a book.
The story of Joy who is dealing with the grief of losing her husband .
She works in a nursing home and meets Hope who is nearing the end of her life.
They form a friendship where they both share things about their lives an Hope passes on something that has the ability to change lives.
A beautiful ,beautiful story with gentle, wonderful characters.

What a beautiful book. The story is unique, superb and very well told. I loved Hope, Joy and Grace and their quests. What a beautiful gift to have. I literally could not put this book down- I kept picking it right back up for ‘one more chapter’. I have never read any previous books by this author and will seek more out. Gorgeous feel good book. Loved it

My word this is the first book I’ve read by this author and will not be the last for sure it was simply outstanding and didn’t want to put it down at all. It’s a heartwarming read full of promises hope happiness starting again and friendships with romance in and to and the characters are simply brilliant along with the plot. It’s worth far more than five stars and you will want to keep reading it’s a delightful read.
Joy lost her husband and has for three years trying to get through life she’s worked in a care home and got close to patients there. She’s living in Cornwall by the sea with her cat but life isn’t what it use to be. But when one of the old ladies gives her a jar of pebbles and tells her to continue giving them out to others to spread joy and happiness things start to change. She starts making new friends while giving them out and spreads so much joy to others and their lives change around but can she change hers. She decides to go back to old profession and applies to be a TA in a school. She gets the job and again makes new friends and spreads her joy with many in the school. Problem is she also sees herself falling for the deputy but can she find love when she still loves her husband who died. She tries to fight her feelings but can she beat them and be happy herself after spreading joy to so many others.
A magical perfect read to curl up and enjoy.

I really enjoyed this book. The concept of the Secret gift is really interested.

It's a lovely connection between, Hope and Joy and Joy and Grace. The friendships are so lovely to read about.

I loved the reactions from people when Joy did her job. She was such a lovely character who had lost a loved one and wasn't quite herself, Hope got her back on her feet with the gift that she passed on to her.

Finding Grace was an extra bonus along the way and someone she could talk to about it all.

I love the building relationship between Joy and Jowan and all that comes with that.

This book is really lovely, full of Hope and centred around feelings both positive and negative and how Joy can improve those feelings.

This is pure magic!! Simple as that, I loved every single word that was written and was engrossed from the start!!! I love love loved it and urge everyone to read it

Fantastic unique plot, wonderful memorable characters and a beautiful setting in Cornwall. What more can you ask for, maybe a touch of an unexplainable mystic gift? There is that too!

I cannot find the words to write how much I enjoyed being the world of this book. I wish that this were “real life”. If only there were truly people that had the gift within this book.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I like to read “new-to-me” authors and sometimes find a gem, as I did this time. I was immediately drawn into the story since I adore older people and think the world of them. It is not common to have a nursing facility in a book portrayed in a positive light. I applaud the author for including older characters and showing them as worthy and cherished beings.

The main character, Joy, is such a lovable person, and I found myself quickly wanting to be her friend and wishing her happiness. The cast of other characters in the book soon wove their way into my heart as well. From the beautiful cat, Sebastian to the older woman that becomes a close friend to Joy, Grace. I miss them now that I have finished the book.

This definitely was a book I did not want to put down, but also I did not want to continue to read, since that would mean it would end. Since I have finished it, I still am thinking about all the lovely people I was lucky enough to have met through this book. I recommend reading The Secret Gift very highly.

I want to thank HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for giving me the immense pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is written freely as a hobby, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It had great characters and a very different story. I would definitely recommend this book.

Joy is trying to get her life back on track after the death of her husband.
She is working in a care home and one day a elderly lady gives her a jar of pebbles and a gift of helping others.
A feel-good story to lift your spirits.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins, One More Chapter for my e-copy in exchange for and honest review.

book about changing your life and finding happiness. Returning to the career she loved after grieving the death of her husband 3 years earlier. Joy rediscovers happiness, new friendship and romance.
A light hearted tale that will put a smile on your face.
I hope there is a follow-up with some of the supporting characters.

This is an absolutely warm and delightful book to read. Joy, the main character, is great. She is immediately likeable and I felt for her from the beginning. The other characters are believable and each of them make an wonderful addition to the story.

The author has created a unique and moving story that left me feeling warm and cosy with a smile on my face. Wouldn’t it be nice if this could really happen ?

The setting sounds beautiful and I would love to live there. This is simply an awesome book that is the perfect pick me up! I thank One More Chapter and Harper Collins UK for inviting me to read this delightful book via NetGalley.

With grateful thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion.
What a wonderful uplifting book of how we can help each other in life by helping others were also helping ourselves this was a really nice easy read which packed a big punch one to look out for.

What a delightful book... thoroughly enjoyed although wasn't sure I would initially. Joy works in a nursing home and one of her charges..Hope is nearing the end of her life. She lets Joy in to a secret before she does and Joy carries on her legacy spreading love, courage, faith among people who need it most.
A gentle read. I loved Joy and her quest to improve things for others.
Would recommend

Thank You One More Chapter for this eARC!

Here is another stunning read from Amanda James!
A Secret Gift!
I read and very much enjoyed one other book by this author, I was eager to find out what A Secret Gift was all about. Completely different and unrelated to the others, but in a very good way!
Because I really got into this story!

Joy lost her firefighter husband. And it crushed her. She is not the same woman she was three years ago.
While working at a nursing home being a caretaker she meets Hope who is a resident at this facility.
Joy receives a gift from Hope that soon changes her life forever.
While in Cornwall Joy discovers a new life with new friends and a community of people who are always going to be there for her.... And finally at last she soon finds her joy again!

As much as I wanted to race through the pages devouring every single word,
I didn't want the story to end.
I loved every single character in this wonderful book.
This was an absolute brilliant book and I really enjoyed it!

A Secret Gift is a lovely uplifting story about a woman who is given a secret commission to help those in need who then in turn find ways to pay it forward. The story is original and a joy to read. Read the book description and then read the book. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.