The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn Review

 Good Morning Sweet Friends :)

I pray today finds you all doing well, and I'm so thankful you've taken the time to drop on by The Preppy Book Princess today for another book review.

It's been awhile my friends, and I'm excited to finally be back reviewing for you all today.

This is actually the first post I am writing after my hiatus, even if it might not end up being the first actually posted after this time.

I had some medical complications that I may talk about at a future time, and it was necessary to take a little time off to rest and recuperate. As well, I was feeling a little burned out on book blogging, so taking some time off to deal with medical issues had the added bonus of giving me some time away to come back feeling refreshed and renewed towards something I've always loved getting to be a part of.

Today's review is going to be for an upcoming June release from a very favorite author, and this particular title is quite different from what this author usually writes.

I can't wait to tell you guys all about it, and I hope you'll keep reading down below for today's full review.

The Summer of Keeping Secrets by Jill Lynn:

Source: Author via NetGalley

Publisher: Love Inspired

Publication Date: June 25th, 2024

Genre: Contemporary/Clean Romance/Christian Fiction

Synopsis:

For fans of Denise Hunter and Susan Mallery, a captivating story about a single summer that could completely break a family apart—or bring them back together. Recently widowed Marin Henderson considers time with her two adult children a gift. And she’s intent on not prying into their lives while they’re all together, cleaning out her late parents’ Colorado home. But from the start, nothing goes as planned. Her free-spirited daughter, Slade, and her strait-laced son, Reed, both arrive ahead of schedule, and no one is explaining why. Marin knows they’re hiding issues in their personal lives. But she can only push so far because she, too, is keeping secrets. Setting aside family tensions, the three of them get to work purging the house. But when Slade discovers a decades-old newspaper clipping about a body found on the rocks below the house, questions arise. Marin insists the death was ruled an accident, but Slade’s curiosity is piqued. And when a roof leak compels Marin to call on an old friend and flame for help, it’s the catalyst for a wave of revelations. Between a daughter bent on distracting herself from her own career turmoil, a son desperate to hold on to his marriage and a mother forced to confront her choices from that long-ago summer, pieces of the past and present begin to unravel. And before the summer is over, they each must decide what to hold on to and what to let go…

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

Jill Lynn is a masterful storyteller, and I was looking forward to seeing how she was going to tackle her first full length feature novel for Love Inspired Trade. The Summer of Keeping Secrets was a heart wrenching, yet beautiful contemporary story about the importance of family amidst struggles and tragedy, and the depths we'll go to keep them protected from the secrets that have the power to turn worlds upside down.

Marin has returned to her small hometown to close up and sell her deceased parents home. Joined by her adult children, Reese and Slade, all three know that this project will not be for the faint at heart. Only the project turns into something much more when each is harboring a secret that has the potential to harm the life they've all grown to know and love. As reveals are made, lives are changed in ways none of them could have seen coming, and they'll have to realize that what happened in the past can't always stay in the past if it continues to affect the present.

With bold storytelling, a masterfully crafted plot, and characters that felt both real and authentic, The Summer of Keeping Secrets was a novel that I had a hard time putting down, and I found myself completely wrapped up in the stories of Marin, Slade and Reese. The setting matched the plot perfectly, and I loved how the author was able to craft a type of suspense story interwoven with a women's fiction title about loss, grief, and the depths we'll go to protect our families. 

Jill Lynn has written a beautiful story that I would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of clean contemporary stories with a bit of mystery woven in. I highly enjoyed this one, and I can't wait to see what the author has in store for her readers' next.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Jill Lynn for allowing me to read and review this title!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author (Jill Lynn) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review. 

Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great rest of your day :)