Thank you to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for my copy of We Both Have Secrets by Emma Robinson.
Ellen and Robert have been together for over twenty years, raised two daughters and are looking forward to the future.
Or are they, is someone keeping a secret?
I was so invested in this book, I couldn’t put it down. So enticing, brilliant read that keeps you glued to the page.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

Ellen and Robert are empty nesters and accept an offer from old friend Lucy and husband Joe to spend time with them in their holiday villa in Málaga, Spain. There are two daughters each, Grace and Abigail and Charlotte and Emily. While Ellen is looking forward to a few days in the sunshine, Robert seems oddly distracted. Some strange interactions happen and then Ellen finds an unfinished letter to her.

This is sold as a gripping family drama with two devastating secrets that the married couple are keeping from one another. The blurb is melodramatic and the snippets of Robert's letter to Ellen make you think the worst. When the first secret is then revealed, it's a major let-down. I was sitting and thinking, that was it? Why couldn't he tell her that?

The emotional upheaval and marital conflict that man creates just because he doesn't know how to communicate is kind of typical for some men. It meant though that we got half a book full of speculation about parentages and affairs. The second secret is more serious in my opinion, but also something that should have been discussed when it happened, and not decades later.

Once the secrets are out the book becomes a lot more harmonious, and I really liked the happy ending and the renewed friendship between the two couples and their children. It isn't enough to save the book though and it also ends at 86%, which is one of my pet peeves. I do not want pages and pages of marketing and excerpts from the author's other books, I just want to read this one, if you don't mind.

Boy, did I stink at guessing the secrets!! I smugly thought I the big secret figured out by the second chapter. Wrong!
Then I bounced from assumption to assumption just like Ellen did, more mistakes!
When the secrets were revealed I was relieved because I was tired of striking out.
Secrets can gnaw away our security and peace so all of these needed to be flushed and there some serious secrets.

Good book! There weren’t too many characters to keep track of and the character development was well done. My favorite character was Robert. I can’t really give my reasons why I liked him because I don’t want to give spoilers. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and I look forward to reading more.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ellen and Robert have been together since university days, twenty five years later they have two daughters, Grace and Abigail who have both flown the nest with Abigail recently going to university and Ellen and Robert now have the time to rekindle their own dreams of travelling, so when old uni friend Lucy invites them to her villa in Malaga for a long weekend with her husband Joe, they decide to take her up on it, even though they lost touch in their final year, but Ellen thinks it will be a chance to spend some time with Robert who has been a bit distant recently. Sadly, it's not the romantic getaway she hoped for as he distances himself even more over the coming days and, when she discovers a note from him she believes the worst, but he's not the only one with a secret and hers could potentially blow their world apart.

We Both Have Secrets is the the latest domestic drama by Robinson, set between Malaga in Spain and the UK and told across multiple timelines throughout. This is a fast paced rollercoaster read which, in true Robinson style, deals with some very complex subjects sympathetically and with dignity. Both Ellen and Robert are hiding major secrets which could change their lives, for different reasons, once they are finally revealed, and it was clear that they were both trying to protect their family by keeping quiet. This author has created a story with realistic, relatable characters which will tug at your heartstrings, leaving me in tears time and again, its a tale of friendships and deep rooted love that had me gripped throughout and Robinson, one of my go to authors, has smashed it out of the park AGAIN!

I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval. I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

I got engage in between pages, but in earlier chapters, somehow i feel its too long and dragged too far. Little predictable at the ending, but good mystery build

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We Both Have Secrets is one of those books where you think you know what you’re getting maybe some drama, a bit of tension but then it slowly unpacks itself and you’re like .oh. This is deeper. Heavier. And you can’t put it down.

The story follows two people, both hiding something, and the way those secrets slowly unravel is honestly gripping. Emma Robinson has this way of writing characters that feel so real flawed, layered, vulnerable. You’re not just watching the story unfold; you’re feeling it with them.

It’s not a thriller, but the suspense is definitely there more emotional than plot twist which I actually loved. It’s about trust, love, grief, and how much of ourselves we really show the people closest to us. Super introspective, but not in a preachy way.

Only reason it’s not a full 5 stars for me is that it took a little while to really hook me the first few chapters are a slow build. But once it got going? I was in.

If you’re into emotional reads with secrets, depth, and characters that’ll stay with you after the last page… this is it. Definitely recommend pairing with a blanket, tea, and maybe a box of tissues just in case.💔


✨Thankyou bookouture for the arc copy ❤️


❤️shaye.readss

We both have secrets- Cancel all plans while reading - I inhaled this amazing book over one weekend and resented everything that kept me away from it! The writing was top notch and the characters were very real.

This book felt quite different to Emma Robinsons usual story, but I can easily say that I still loved it. It had parts that had me guessing so much. I thought i figured it all out from the beginning but nope not even close.

This book has the Emma Robinsons signature of making my eyes leak, naturally. I think I've cried at most of her books now. They are the perfect palette cleanser in-between fantasy books.

The friendships Emma write about just make me crave that in my own life. Women supporting women and family dynamics that are just lovely to read.

Another fab book as always Emma, but didn't expect anything less.

Richard and Ellen have accepted an invitation from Ellens friend, to join her in Malaga for a much needed break.

Their children have left home and they are to embark on a new chapter in their lives.

BUT..... secrets and lies threaten to destroy everything.

This is an exciting read and I loved how the author made me think I knew exactly what would happen next only to leave me guessing once more..

A brilliant read and perfect for the beach..

And dont they just

Ellen and Robert go, on a whim, to stay with their old Uni friend Lucy ( not seen for many years ) over in Malaga but as soon as they arrive Ellen feels something is not quite right, in fact it is very wrong and when Lucy’s daughter arrives ‘unexpectedly’ to stay her fears double….

However I thought I had this all sewn up and knew exactly what was afoot and cockily carried on waiting for it to all come out, of course it did but totally different to what I had expected, true to say this book did shock me and I was completely wrong in everything I had workex out…more than that wont say

I loved being in Malaga and the lifestyle there, the town, the food, the weather and enjoyed meeting the characters,good and bad, bad and good!

Really enjoyable, very thoroughly researched book and thrilled to read a thriller that wrong footed me all the way

Great read

I often mention, in my reviews, how important secrets are to a story. Well! This book is very open about the subject of SECRETS by including the fact(s) in the title. I couldn't wait to get into it.

The main characters are Ellen and her husband, Richard. They have recently become empty nesters. Right from the beginning, there is a subtle overtone of unease. Ellen is somewhat neurotic and paranoid of everything. Richard is aloof and seemingly detached from the relationship. Trouble!

So, all the trouble (each secret)comes to a head, one at a time. The secrets weren't exactly what I was expecting, but they kept me turning the pages. Conversely, some events were predictable. But, it all kept me engaged, waiting to see how everything resolved itself.

The ending is satisfying. This book is entertaining, easy to read. Some of the drama is a little over the top, reminiscent of a soap opera.

My rating is 3.5 stars, rounding it up to a four.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

The narrative commences with Ellen grappling with a profound confession that has the potential to transform her life and marriage with Robert. As she observes her youngest daughter embarking on her university journey, Ellen reflects on the sacrifices she has made for her family. This moment of pride is overshadowed by the unsettling realization that her husband is emotionally distancing himself, engendering anxiety about the future of their relationship.
An unexpected invitation from their longtime friend Lucy to visit her residence in Malaga presents itself to Ellen and Robert. Initially, Ellen harbors hopes that this trip will rejuvenate their romance; however, Robert's demeanor becomes increasingly withdrawn. His prolonged walks and enigmatic notes exacerbate Ellen’s fears, leading her to suspect that he may be concealing a significant secret. The narrative oscillates between past and present, unveiling the intricacies of their shared histories with Lucy and the clandestine matters each character harbors.

As Ellen navigates her feelings of betrayal and uncertainty, she uncovers that Robert's secret is far more devastating than she could have anticipated. Concurrently, Ellen is confronted with her own suppressed truths, which threaten to dismantle their family dynamics. The tension intensifies as both characters are compelled to confront their respective secrets, prompting them to question whether they can restore the trust that has been irrevocably damaged.

The story profoundly explores themes of love, vulnerability, and the ramifications of concealed truths within relationships. It underscores the necessity of communication in a marriage, illustrating how secrets can erect barriers that obstruct intimacy. Ellen and Robert’s journey resonates with the challenges many couples encounter, particularly during transitional life phases, such as navigating the empty nest syndrome.

Ultimately, "We Both Have Secrets" serves as a poignant examination of friendship, love, and the lengths individuals will go to safeguard their loved ones. The novel delivers a tumultuous emotional experience, intertwining past and present, culminating in a satisfying resolution that underscores the potential for healing and reconciliation. Emma Robinson’s adept writing style and relatable characters render this work a compelling addition to contemporary women's fiction.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘We Both Have Secrets’ written by Emma Robinson in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Ellen and Robert have been invited to stay with Lucy and her husband Joe at their home in Malaga which was unexpected as they haven’t seen Lucy since leaving university in the mid-1990s. Ellen feels Robert is drifting away from her and hopes being in Malaga will encourage him to reveal what’s troubling him, but when she sees him in deep conversation with Lucy and her daughter Charlotte she fears she’s losing him.

‘We Both Have Secrets’ is the dramatic story of friendships that are made at university and the secrets they’ve kept until the present time. The chapters regularly revert back to the mid-1990s when Ellen first met Lucy and Robert, and tell of Ellen’s complicated history that she kept a secret until she felt it was time to reveal it. This is a well-written novel that doesn’t divulge the secrets until later in the story, and although I thought I’d guessed them I was completely wrong. I liked the characters who seemed to grow in stature while facing their fears before eventually becoming a close-knit group of friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel that kept me attached to my Kindle until I’d reached final pages that concluded with a happy-ever-after ending bringing a smile to my face.

Another wonderful book by Emma Robinson. Likeable (apart from Ian obviously) and believable characters, a beautiful setting in Malaga and lots of secrets. What more can a reader ask for? This had me completely engrossed and I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely brilliant. Well done Emma 👏🥳

I love Emma Robinson’s books and so the bar was set high for this one.

We both have secrets is a tale of family, health scares, friendship, growing up and trust. It is a story of old friends coming together and skeletons being unearthed.

The bar was set high so to say this book didn’t quite for me hit my expectations is only a small criticism. I think for me this book didn’t have quite the same ethical/moral dilemma as I have come to expect from this author and so on this point it lost a star for me. That said the storyline and characters were brilliant, I loved going on the journey with them and meeting Ian was a wonderful scene!

A very good read, for me not the author’s best so if you loved this you are in for a real treat with her other books! Definitely worth the read

This is a book which has the reader up and down, twisting and turning on a journey of unexpected events and is an emotional rollercoaster. Set over a dual timeline and following our female protagonists from college to later adult life, as they meet for the first time in 30 years.

The book is a good strong female cheerleader, as the children of both female leads have strong independent daughters, this being proved by the final section of the book. It is well written and emotionally thoughtful, despite covering some complex subjects such as date rape, coercion, gaslighting and the trauma of keeping secrets for many years.

I would definitely recommend reading this.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

We Both Have Secrets is a heartwarming, emotional domestic story. It starts with a half written confession, but doesn't say who is confessing or what they are confessing.

Ellen and Robert, married for many years, are saying goodbye to their youngest daughter who is off to university. Invited by a mutual friend from their university days, they take a trip that should be full of romance and mark the beginning of their next phase in life. This, however, does not come to fruition as they both have secrets they are keeping from each other.

Filled with all the elements of a great domestic novel, this was an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Emma Robinson knows how to write a great tear jerker, so have plenty of tissues nearby. The characters, though unreliable, are likeable and well written. After all, who doesn't have a little secret or two from their past they don't want to come out. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy

I finished this book in one sitting it was a quick fast paced read that made me want to be in a foreign country sitting around a pool so bad. I can't wait to read more by the author

This suspenseful book is fast paced fun. At only a little over 300 pages it’s the perfect summer book to read at the beach. the pool or on your porch with a cold beverage. You could easily finish it in a day.

Robert, Ellen, married since right after graduation, and Lucy were college friends years ago. They reconnect decades later and they all have secrets and daughters.

I want to visit the house in Malaga and enjoy some of the meals prepared by Lucy. It all sounds lovely.