The Secret Between Us written by Kate Hewitt is a powerful and an unforgettable page turner full of secrets, mistrust, health issues, bullying, motherhood, friendship, jealousy, and insecurities. After loving The Last Stars in the Sky the first book I have ever read by this author, Kate has become an auto read author for me, her stories are gripping, powerful, and emotional. The Secret Between Us was no exception, I was instantly hooked from the very beginning all the way until the very last page. I know this is a work of fiction, but I love how Kate writes about real life situations in the most realistic ways, in this book she shows the complexities of motherhood and friendships. I won't lie, I was a bit hesitant to read this book because I thought it wasn't going to be as emotional as her previous books, but boy was I wrong, it was definitely an emotional page turner that left me reading late into the night. I can't recommend this book enough, if you are looking for a book about secrets, friendships, motherhood, and etc, then mark your calendars for July 24th, 2025 because you won't want to miss out on the release of The Secret Between Us written by the wonderful and talented author, Kate Hewitt. I was so surprised by everything that was happening, I just couldn't put this book down. The gasps were gasping. If you are still hesitant to read this book like I was, JUST GO FOR IT!!!!!!!

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND BOOKOUTURE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!

"Loving someone who has the whole world at their feet can be exhausting. Frustrating. But as long as you know where you stand, and that they love you back even if it doesn't always feel like it.....well then you can.....manage".

"You can't choose the people you love, or why you love them. You can only do whatever you can to try to get them to love you back".

"Are you okay?" My heart twists. "A child should never have to ask that question of their parent".

"Maybe some secrets aren't meant to be kept".

"If you loved me at all, you would support me, and not her".

"Does hearing a juicy secret give someone a thrilling kind of power?"

"Earning someone's approval is NOT the same as being loved".

Elise Dunnett is the head of the PTA at The Garden School which is a private preschool. Elise is a mom to her two sons, Luke and Lewis who are fraternal twins in the third grade at The Garden School. It took Elise nine years and five failed IVF attempts before she became a mama at the age of forty-one, no matter how hard it was, Elise never gave up, her resilience was so powerful and inspiring. Elise has had a rough life, she was just five years old when she found out about her father's first of many affairs and Elise had to keep too many secrets from her mother. Well Elise's husband, Michael, reminds her of her own father. Elise also suffers from fairly severe OCD. Michael is a neurosurgeon, he and Elise met at an art show. Elise has loved Michael so fiercely, devotedly, and silently for twenty years, but one day at a picnic at the school, Michael meets Harriet and Elise second guesses everything she knew about Michael and their marriage. Michael makes people feel like the center of the world but specifically his world. Their marriage works best when they don't talk about serious things. Michael has been caught flirting, low laughter, and murmured words a numerous amount of times with different women. Well, after this picnic, Elise and Michael better learn how to communicate because their marriage is about to unravel.

Harriet Tierney just moved to New York City from Texas, she's a single mom to her daughter Kyra who is also in the third game, the same age as Michael and Elise's children. Harriet isn't necessarily pretty, but she's somewhat attractive according to Elise Dunnett. Harriet is a pottery artist, and she's nothing like the other mom's at this private school. Allan- Kyra's father works and lived in New York City, but they haven't seen Allan is seven years because they never had a serious relationship and Allan never wanted kids, but he paid for Kyra's tuition, so he could have more time with his daughter because he has a very serious health issue, Allan has ALS- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, meanwhile he has also been an absentee father for eight years. Allan has been keeping his health issues a huge secret from his daughter, but Harriet knew the stats and did a bunch of research before moving to New York City. Harriet just wants more parent friends since she's new, but at this picnic she meets Michael, they are chatting so intimately with each other, which of course Elise notices. Here's where things get wild, Elise thinks Michael and Harriet are having an affair, but you will need to read this book to find out what happens and how things are handled because I don't want to say too much and spoil the book, so please go read this book immediately.

Such a tense read as secrets seep through family dinners and late night texts that leads to fractured trust and simmering suspicion.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret Between Us.

Elise and her daughter are starting over, new city, new home and new school. Harriet is the perfect house wife, and mum to boys twins. Harriet takes an instant dislike to Elise when she's see's her husband and Elise chatting and laughing.

The two women cross paths daily and Harriet finds out that her husband, Michael and Elise are spending a lot of time together.

Things turn nasty and people end up hurt, physically and mentally.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story is about Elise and Harriet who dislike each other.

Elise and Harriet who moves to New York, their children attend the same private school. Elise begins to suspect that her husband is having an affair with Harriet and that begins the way Elise reacts towards Harriet.

The story had other things happening that Elise wasn’t aware of, such as Harriet moved in with her child’s dad who has ALS, which was sensitively handled.

I recommend this book.

As someone who went to private school, the rumor mill and the perfect mom facade couldn't have been more spot on. I had friends who had moms just like Elise. I didn't really care for her character, but with much character development over the course of the book ( albeit very slowly), I was able to begin to sympathize with her.

I honestly can't say that I loved Harriet either. She was honestly a bit petty. It doesn't take a genius to know what her interactions with Micheal looked like to outsiders.

I loved this story overall but my God the characters were frustrating! So many of the issues could have been resolved if the adults in this book simply acted like adults. Has no one ever heard of open communication in a relationship?! But I suppose that would have made for a quick and boring story and I'm not afraid to admit, I do like a bit of drama.


I read and listened to this book. I do have to say that the narration for the audiobook was absolutely fantastic. She did a phenomenal job bringing all the characters to life.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Full of emotion and a good complex story . It flows quite well , dragged a little in the middle but picked up pace again towards the end

The story focuses on two central characters, Elise a mother to twin boys and wife of a handsome and popular surgeon and Harriet, arriving in New York for a fresh start with her young daughter Kyra.
The start of a new school term brings our characters together and newcomer Harriet gives the other mothers plenty to gossip about standing out with her laid back appearance.
Elise and Harriet could have become friends but each of them has secrets and this causes jealousy and mistrust to seep into their relationship.
I love how Kate Hewit slowly pieces together the characters outlooks on life and pieces together their lives and perspectives.
The story has its fair share of jealousy, revenge, sadness, tenderness and eventually forgiveness and I really enjoyed how it moved between the characters using short chapters which helped me as the reader to not take sides.
I felt sorry for both Elise and Harriet but also felt that Harriet’s behaviour and secrecy around Elise’s husband caused a lot of the problems that ensued in the story and found myself wishing she had done things differently.
Thank you to Netgalley and Bookcouture for the ARC copy.

When Elise Dunnett sees her husband, Michael, talking to Harriet Tierney at the annual school picnic she is immediately on high alert and is even more dismayed when Harriet’s daughter Kyra is newly enrolled at the same private school as her twin boys. From this innocent first meeting Elise is wary of Harriet and does her best to keep her away from her family with devastating consequences.

The plot is so gripping that I read the book quickly as I couldn’t wait to see what would unfold next as it really is a story which gets under your skin especially as the secrets which are being revealed are so cleverly placed that you can’t help but be left wondering whatever is going to happen next in this twisted tale of jealousy and revenge. All credit must go to this talented writer who weaves such a complex plot in which most of the main characters are largely unlikeable, this takes an inordinate amount of skill and it really pays off in an intricate story of secrets, lies and pure malice.

Fascinating and complex, The Secret Between Us is an emotional domestic drama which had plenty of twists and turns, compelling characters, and a real page turner of a plot.

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for an early copy to enjoy. Wow what a good read! This was a really powerful read, full of emotion. Full of playground politics,insecurity, freindships and jealousy, well let's face it, it wouldn't be normal if it wasn't like that would it.
Michael and Elise on the surface seem to have the perfect marriage however underneath their lives are not what they seem. Elise believes Michael is having an affair.
A vision on Michael with his hand on talking and making a gesture by touching her arm makes Elise see red but this other woman is very different to the other mothers. She doesn't dress to 'compete'.
Hewitt compares and contrasts the relationships and human nature's complexities and although this is my first book that I have read of hers, it will most certainly will not be my last! A 5* read!

This story had a very slow pace. There was an underlying tension throughout the book until the last chapter. It made you want to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. There were some original twists, but the secrets were not as gasp worthy as I would have liked.

I enjoyed the read and I will definitely read her next one.

This talented author has written a page turner. Realistic characters kept the story moving quickly. Suspense and red herrings kept me guessing. What would happen next? Family and friends…the secret…the husband…which characters could be trusted? Enjoy unraveling this mystery. Thanks Netgalley.

Kate Hewitt has delivered another thought provoking, gripping, moving, dramatic, and captivating book that I read in one day! I did not want to put The Secret Between Us: A powerful, suspenseful and unforgettable page-turner down as I was engrossed in this book about two women, a private school, secrets, bullying, trust/mistrust, jealousy, insecurity, friendship, motherhood, and health issues.

Elise and her doctor husband, Michael, are parents to twins who attend a private school in New York where Elise is very involved. Their marriage, like Elise, looks picture perfect; however, Elise has always suspected that her husband has been unfaithful to her. Harriett and her daughter have moved to New York to be with her daughter's father Allan who has been given a bleak health diagnosis. When Elise sees her husband, Michael speaking to Harriett at a school event, she sees red!

This book is told through the POV of both Elise and Harriett. Elise instantly dislikes Harriett who she suspects is after her husband. Harriett is the new mom at school and prides herself as being an artist. She stands out from the other mothers at the school as she is artsy and doesn't dress to impress. As the women circle around each other the tension mounts. Both are experiencing stress in their lives while trying to be good mothers.

This book has the word 'secret' in the title but for me it all comes down to communication, listening, and honesty. I was glued to the pages and felt for both women. I wanted to pull both aside and have private chats with both - especially Elise! By the end of the book, I also wanted to hug them both.

Kate Hewitt has quickly become a favorite author of mine. I love how she showcases the complexities of relationships and human nature. She deals with real life situations in realistic and relatable ways. I enjoy how her characters have depth and are layered. The Secret Between Us: A powerful, suspenseful and unforgettable page-turner was wonderfully written, well thought out, and riveting!

I can't wait to read what Kate Hewitt writes next!

I had both the book and the audiobook which made for a very enjoyable reading experience!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Secrets Between Us is a powerful, slow-burning novel about grief, guilt, and the fragile threads that hold families together. Kate Hewitt has a real gift for exploring the inner lives of her characters, and here she weaves a story that’s both heart-wrenching and full of quiet hope.

The dual perspectives worked really well clearly showing how two women, brought together by tragedy, can be so different and yet mirror each other’s pain. The emotional weight is heavy at times, but never overdone. You really feel the impact of every choice and secret that unfolds.

Some parts dragged a little in the middle, which is why it’s not a full 5 stars for me, but overall, I was deeply moved. If you enjoy stories about motherhood, loss, and redemption, this one will stay with you long after you turn the last page.


❤️shaye.readss

The Secrets Between Us is a character lead domestic drama packed with emotion and some twists. When Harriet’s daughter Kyra joins the same school as Elise‘s twin boys, the two women take an instant dislike to each other. Both women were quite unlikable and their feud was almost completely avoidable had they had a very simple conversation. Elise, the wife of a surgeon, loves to "rule the school", and the cast of characters mostly encompassing bitchy, gossip-loving women, were a huge contrast to misfit Harriet, who just wanted the best for her little girl but was inadvertently dragged into Elise's drama. I really didn't like Elise, can you tell? Haha! But as the layers of the story peeled away and her truth was revealed, I felt sympathy for her and far more understanding.

I love Kate Hewitt’s writing; it flows seamlessly and is always oozing emotion, leaving me wrung out at the end, in the very best way!

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kate Hewitt and Bookouture, for an ARC of this book.

Two different women are forced to work together but secrets and gossip makes it even more complicated. This story is told from both points of view and kept interesting and entertaining.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

If you are looking for a quick engaging read that is not total fluff, this is for you. This is a novel about two women who become enemies. They both have children at a local private school in New York. One protagonist believes that the other is having an affair with her husband and develops a growing hatred largely based on that. There are other things in the mix, like the woman accused of the affair lives with the father of her child and the father has ALS. I think the ALS is handled realistically and with empathy.
I think if I have any issues with the novel, it is that one protagonist (the one accusing the other of the affair) is just so unlikeable. I wish that she had been a bit more subtly drawn. Also, I think that the ending was a bit unrealistic, as if the author wanted to make sure there was a happy ending. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing with this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Secret Between Us’ written by Kate Hewitt in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Harriet and eight-year-old Kyra move to New York at the request of Kyra’s dad Allan who’s been missing from their lives since his daughter’s birth. Kyra is enrolled in The Garden School where the mums gathering at the school gate look down on Harriet for being different to them so when she meets Michael, the dad of Luke and Lewis, she feels an affection for him as he’s the only parent to welcome her. But Elise, Michael’s wife and organiser of the school’s fund-raising Gala, has over the years put up with Michael’s flirting and is not going to let it happen with Harriet.

‘The Secret Between Us’ is an unforgettable page-turner that once started is impossible to stop reading until the end is reached. Kate Hewitt is a prolific writer whose books I’ve been reading for quite a few years and I can honestly say there’s not been one yet that I haven’t enjoyed. The story of this latest novel is told by the two main characters Elise and Harriet who I’ve immediately felt an affection for. They have totally different characters and the manner in which they first met didn’t give them any reason to form a friendship, but I couldn’t help but sympathise with them both and the situations they’ve found themselves in. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written novel that I’m sorry to have finished as I wanted to know more about the characters and how their lives have progressed.

Elise and Harriet tell their sides of a story that might seem a bit familiar because it's so much like real life can be. Harriet is new to town and the two of them meet at school pickup. Elise has a secret. Harriet is flirting with Elise's husband Michael. This weaves mental health, chronic illness, infidelity, paranoia, and mean girl vibes into a well done domestic drama. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. The short chapters make it easy to keep reading so you'll like this one for travel or vacation.

This was a great emotional read.. I highly recommend this book. I liked all the characters….I enjoyed it very much.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC for an honest review…..

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. Unfortunately I just could not get on with this book, and gave up about a third of the way through. The characters were unlikeable, and the story was not engaging enough for me to persevere. Hewitt used a dual narrative effectively, and I liked the New York setting, but this book wasn't for me.