📱E-Book Review📱

The Secret Between Us
Kate Hewitt

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I just love psychological thrillers and especially those with secrets.
This book had me hooked from the start and I raced through this to find out just what each of the characters was hiding ....and from who!?

This story is told though the different pov's of our two main characters, Elise and Harriet.
This meant that I just had to keep on reading on as each change of POV left us with a little mini cliffhanger and I was so impatient to find out what came next.

I felt quite sorry for Elise - finding Harriet mushing into her life and with all the community events, it was impossible to keep her at arms length.
I absolutely hate infidelity - but when it comes to my thrillers, I think it's such a great way to spread mistrust - so this really had me doubting all of the characters.

I love the school setting - I remember my many years spent as a school mum and it really does create a toxic atmosphere - trying to keep it together for the children's sake - but desperately wanting to distance yourself from all the dramas.

The writing style had me hooked and on edge throughout.
This was packed with twists and turns which kept me guessing - but there were also some emotional scenes too that take us on a rollercoaster.

My first read by this author and I know that I'll be back to read more soon.

📆 single, linear timeline
👀 dual POV.
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
💬 "Maybe this is all we can do - find the happiness and the peace within the sorrow and the brokenness, and let it be enough."

I started reading this thinking it was going to be a fast-paced psychological thriller, which is entirely my fault for not reading the blurb between applying for the tour and actually reading the book. But despite that, I just could not put this down. I kept telling myself "just one more chapter" as I was desperate to know what secrets were being hidden.

I can’t pretend that I have any idea what life is like for the wealthy New Yorkers portrayed in 'The Secret Between Us', it's a life that seems to be the polar opposite to my own. And whilst on the face of it, it seems idyllic, I'm not actually sure it's so great. Hewitt has written characters that I completely believe in, they were exactly as I imagine the mega rich to be. Bitchy, holier than thou and kind of annoying.

But this book also had a depth that I wasn't expecting, the messages around blame, and how we often apportion it incorrectly, really made me think, and I love a book that does that.

This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last.

A family drama rather than psychological thrill, this one from Kate Hewitt is still a good read. A slow burner but once in I couldn't put it down.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

I think this book is suffering from a mismatch with the description and what it really is. The title and description make it seem like it will be a psychological thriller. It is definitely not that. It’s more domestic drama.

Once reframed that way the book is ok. It was slow at first but then got to a point where I did want to keep reading.

I found neither of the female characters particularly likeable. I wanted them both to grow up and act their age. Both had heavy back stories that were contributing to their bad behavior.

Overall, if you like domestic dramas this one is interesting. There is lots of illness discussed but there is also a theme of the redemptive power of honesty and communication.

#KateHewitt scored again with her latest suspenseful & unputdownable novel. I was reading as quickly as I could to reach the fulfilling end. The intricate circles the characters created were all revealed.

Elise is always outwardly calm and controlled, but underneath, she has a seething mass of secrets and suspicions. Harriet is the new mum at the school picnic; she is unconventional and causes a stir at the school gates. It's a compelling story of dangerous emotions, malicious gossip, and toxic relationships, but conversely, it is also about self-realisation, found families, and the value of living in the present. Both women change and develop, and they live through a nightmare emotional journey. It's a suspenseful story, but with believable characters and relatable life events that draw the reader into the women's world and make what happens to them matter. The relationship dynamics are well-described, and the story has thought-provoking moral dilemmas. The satisfying ending shows the effect of the women's emotional journey and their character development. I like the characterisation, the suspense and the compelling storytelling that makes this a riveting read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I've read and enjoyed several books by Hewitt courtesy of Bookouture. The Secrets Between Us has surpassed all of those and has nailed it's place as my favourite of hers to date.

You always know it's gonna be a goody if there are secrets waiting to be unearthed...and the secret between Harriet and Elise was just the tip of the iceberg...

Told from the POV of both women the story takes you on an emotion strewn journey through motherhood, friendship and resentment.

Pacey and powerful the story had me hooked, and I stayed up way later than I should have reading it.

Heartbreakingly good.

Another great book by Kate Hewitt. I think the main point of this book is that some secrets just should not be kept as they can just ruin lives

Secrets…Betrayal…Identity

The Secret Between Us by Kate Hewitt is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, where secrets that sting, identities unravel, and suspense runs high.

Two women. Two families. Worlds apart until their lives collide in ways neither could’ve imagined. Told through the gripping dual perspectives of Elise and Harriett, this story pulls readers into an emotional rollercoaster of truth, tension, and heartstring-pulling moments that leave you on the edge of your seat wanting more.

Totally book hangover-worthy.

If you enjoy a slow-burn domestic drama with secrets simmering just below the surface, this one’s for you.❤️💌

The story follows Elise, whose world starts to shift when a new mom, Harriet, takes an unusual interest in her husband. What starts as a casual introduction at a school picnic quickly becomes unsettling. From coffee dates to uninvited visits at home, Harriet begins to blur the lines between friendly and intrusive.

The tension builds gradually, and the central mystery, why Harriet is inserting herself into Elise’s life adds an intriguing hook. The story explores themes of marriage, motherhood, and loyalty.

Harriet and her daughter bring their own struggles into the picture, particularly surrounding the health of her daughter’s father, which adds complexity to her character and motivations.

The plot leans heavily on the miscommunication trope and a series of illnesses and accidents that sometimes felt overdone. This is a solid pick for those who enjoy stories about trust, betrayal, and keeping your family close, even when someone’s trying to wedge their way in.

What a read!!! Full of secrets, this book is fast paced, intense and will grab hold of you!! It kept me on the edge of my seat with the crazy twists and turns!

Thank you NetGalley and BOOKOUTURE for the advanced copy!!!

The Secret Between Us explores how well we know the people we love the most. I found it compulsive reading because of Kate Hewitt's engaging style of storytelling. Her way of describing emotional reactions to everyday, down-to-earth situations gave me plenty to think about. I did not predict how the complex interplay of relationships between bohemian Harriet, ultra-formal Elise and charming Michael would eventually play out, but I enjoyed trying.

Harriet and Elise are thrown together when Harriet's daughter joins the expensive private school attended by Elise's twin sons. Elise is securely married to a handsome surgeon and Harriet is caring for her daughter's father, who is terminally ill. There are no prizes for guessing who has the most influence with the PTA when the novel opens, but the balance of power shifts when Harriet and Michael form a risky friendship.

The three children also have relationship issues which at first appear to reflect what their parents are going through, but develop in a separate and fascinating manner.

I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy emotional fiction by authors like Jodi Picault.

As always, an emotional read from this author. This book is very well written and the story just pulls at your heartstrings.
The characters were realistic and worked well together.
It was wonderfully written and once again made the reader think.
This book had me sucked in from the very beginning! I felt so many emotions while reading this book.

The Secret Between Us by Kate Hewitt is a complicated rendition of a relationship between two women who really don’t know one another. They are both moms of kids at the same school. One is beautiful, polished, and a leader; the other is less than ordinary, but she loves her kid. Harriet does not dress like the other women; she is “shabby,” but for some reason Elise is drawn to her and invites her to join the gala committee. That is not Harriet’s thing at all but she is willing to try. At Elise’s home she spends much of her time in the kitchen with Elise’s husband, Michael. Elise assumes one thing, the reality is much different. Michael is a neurosurgeon; Harriet’s present roommate, the father of her daughter, has been diagnosed with ALS. She is looking for support. Because of what Elise saw in her parents’ marriage, she makes assumptions. Everything goes wrong, almost immediately.

This is a complex story, full of past traumas and incorrect assumptions. This school that is so touted is full of gossipers and they make everything worse. People get hurt. Literally. It is so sad. The characters are terrific; they play their parts just as they should, never caring about anyone but themselves. The plot is complex and draws the reader in, full of curiosity about where this is all going. It is a very emotional book and one has to appreciate how well Hewitt handles it all. She is such a proficient author, she skips from genre to genre so one hardly knows what to expect then opening a book. Worthwhile read.

I was invited to read The Secret Between Us by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #KateHewitt #TheSecretBetweenUs

Another emotional read from Kate Hewitt. Secrets galore are causing pain and suffering to all concerned, but a satisfactory resolution with all the ends tied up by the final page.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

I went into this expecting an “unforgettable page- turner” so I was expecting a fast paced suspense filled thrill ride. What I got was a slow paced family drama that was more about character introspection than anything. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I just would have liked to know that going in.
Two moms from different worlds meet and dont care for each other when their kids start going to school together. Each of them has their own issues and secrets and their meeting sets in motion a chain of events that ultimately mutually benefits them both, much to their surprise. The atmosphere of the elite private school helps to elevate the drama and the cliquey parents with all their differences help to move the plot line along.
If you need a story about secrets and lies, friendships and motherhood, this may be the book for you. Be warned there are some mental health triggers.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Communication.
If people would just talk to each other so many issues wouldn’t ever arise and get blown out of proportion.
I thought I knew how this story would go , but as usual, Hewitt said “think again” because she threw in so many curveballs.
Toward the end I was super stressed out for the characters because I didn’t know how many more issues would befall them.
Ultimately, all is ironed out, partly due to communication!

3.5 ⭐ rounded up for touching on physical and mental illness related topics
Pull up a chair and grab some snacks because these drama mamas are sure to give you something to talk about. 🍟🍿🍾

Before diving into the story, I need to mention that the marketing on this one can be misleading. It is styled very much like a thriller, but it is NOT. The cover, title, even the way it's described oozes suspenseful thriller-ish vibes, until you read it. This is technically listed as women's fiction which is a better fit. After reading this I'd also say that the title is misleading. 🤷🏻‍♀️I guess The Lack of Communication Between Us doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

Harriet has recently moved back to New York and has enrolled her eight-year-old daughter in The Garden School which takes a more inclusive, artistic, gentle approach to learning. She catches the ire of Elise when she spots Harriet being chatted up by Micheal her neurosurgeon husband. Elise has long suspected Micheal of infidelity and sees this exchange between he and Harriet as another bump in the road. Sure that Micheal's charm has ensnared yet another woman, the claws come out.

Adults Behaving Badly

Heavy on the catty tactics but so very real if you have experience with this sort of thing. Elise goes out of her way to belittle Harriet and make her feel left out at school functions. Harriet has a level of pettiness that she could win an award for. Of course, the more mud is slung the more the gossip mill churns. Micheal is his own can of worms. ✋🏻I wasn't excusing this guy for a second. He gets no pass from me. They all need soooo much therapy. Their children are in the same class, and I was wondering how long until things would boil over. The kids read as younger than third grade to me. The middle does drag some, but the beginning and ending are tighter and hold things together.

The author takes things to a deeper place by fully fleshing out these characters. She shows them warts and all. Their flaws, unresolved issues, stressors, health issues, fears, and uncertainties. And how despite being very different people both of these moms love their children. Showing the why behind the behavior gives the novel a dose of humanity. That's where the novel flexed strong wings and made me care. The smooth conversational writing made it easier to engage with this type of story.

May the mean mommies we know become marvelous mamas!!!🥂(😉maybe)

Grab this if you love a delicious dose of drama!

Content Warning
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bullying
blood
OCD
ALS
dementia
infidelity

Thank you to Bookouture for providing an ARC via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First time reading @katrhewitt1 and won’t be my last. It definitely didn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed #TheSecretBetweenUs
I was totally immersed from the very beginning, and all the way through until the final page. I couldn’t put this book down. A beautifully written story about secrets, motherhood, friendship, mistrust, jealousy, health issues, bullying and insecurities. It’s told through the POV’s of Elise and Harriett keeping the story interesting and entertaining. The characters have depth and are multi layered. They are characters that you love to hate and hate to love. Just brilliantly drawn. All the twists and turns work well as they kept coming, keeping you turning the pages. I liked the authors writing style and how she writes in away that makes the topics covered realistic and relatable.
It’s gripping, powerful, emotional, suspenseful, thought provoking and dramatic. Such a rollercoaster of a read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Definitely recommend this book as it’s well worth the read.
With thanks to #NetGallery @bookouture for an arc of #TheSecretBetweenUs in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 24 July 2025

This is my first Kate Hewitt book and I definitely want to read more. I love how she turns an everyday life into a gripping read.

Two women on opposite ends and a woman protecting her family after seeing her husband interacting with the second protagonist. I like the tones of their differences, the conflicts, relationship struggles, family, revenge and trust. It is quite well written and the atmosphere of an elite school and the parents only heightens the plotline.

Thank you Bookouture and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.