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Want to Know a Secret?. Sue Moorcroft

by Sue Moorcroft (Goodreads Author)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 81 ratings · 22 reviews

Paperback, 336 pages

Published November 1st 2010 by Choc Lit

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Jul 30, 2012 Penny Grubb rated it 5 of 5 stars

What I like about Sue Moorcroft’s books is that she writes real people and manages to keep them real even when they plummet into some pretty dire situations. Want to Know a Secret is a fascinating journey through the day-to-day struggles of people unexpectedly thrown together by sudden catastrophe. Pity poor Diane finding out her husband’s duplicity from the equivalent of a policeman on the doorstep. And even then, it isn’t the deception she automatically assumes – it unravels in layers affectin...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Tom Benson rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found the story engrossing, because it was well told and from the outset and the characters were realistic. The opening paragraphs introduce Diane as she is informed by two policemen that her husband has been involved in a crash – a helicopter crash. Diane’s emotions are sent into a spin because as she sits in her modest little house out in the country she can’t imagine Gareth (her domineering husband) having anything to do with helicopters.

When it’s confirmed that it’s her husband in A &...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, fiction, read-2011

This novel - which I read on my Kindle after an inexpensive download - begins with what could have been rather a cliched scene: two large policeman dominate Diane's kitchen, bringing some bad news. Her husband Gareth has been in an accident, although they think he will pull through. But it rapidly becomes almost surreal. The circumstances surrounding the accident sound so unlikely that Diane wonders if it's in fact a different guy. And then, when persuaded that it is indeed her husband, she meet...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was given to me to review by Choc-Lit publishing. I was not paid for my review and the opinions are entirely my own.

Normally if I was in a book shop, I would avoid this genre I am ashamed to say. No more! I loved this book.

Diana Jenner gets a visit from the Police to say that her husband has been injured in a helicopter crash. She tells them they must have the wrong person as her husband wouldn't be in a helicopter. She is shocked when they confirm that it is her husband. She then disc...more This book was given to me to review by Choc-Lit publishing. I was not paid for my review and the opinions are entirely my own.

Normally if I was in a book shop, I would avoid this genre I am ashamed to say. No more! I loved this book.

Diana Jenner gets a visit from the Police to say that her husband has been injured in a helicopter crash. She tells them they must have the wrong person as her husband wouldn't be in a helicopter. She is shocked when they confirm that it is her husband. She then discovers that he has been hiding a big secret from her and their daughter Bryony. How many other lies has he told? How many other secrets is he hiding? They are not very well off and she is shocked when she finds out that the lies involve a lot of money.

Diane then meets James North, whilst uncovering many other lies. He has lots of money but also an alcoholic wife who is draining the life out of him. His chance meeting with Diane turns things upside down when they fall for each other.

This is a story of secrets and lies; love and hate; bitterness and intrigue.

Who could believe that chic-lit books could be such a good read? Not me! I couldn't put this down and read it in two days, which is almost a record for me. I loved how all the lies unfolded and how the families lives weaved themselves. The relationships that were formed throughout the book were intriguing.

I knew how I wanted the book to end, but couldn't see it going that way at all, as too many people were getting in the way. There were a lot of characters involved in this book, but unlike other books I have read recently, this didn't put me off and I managed to picture each of these characters in my mind, due to the way the author described them.

I loved how the story came together and enjoyed the intrigue and the way the lies unfolded. I will certainly be reading more of Sue Moorcrofts books, and will never again say never to chic-lit style books. A thoroughly enjoyable read and a book I would read again. I can't wait to share this!

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Apr 25, 2011 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In a tangle of “in-law” relatives that she did not know existed, Diane Jenner changes into a vibrant, can-do woman after twenty-five years of being controlled by her disgruntled husband Gareth. Gareth had told his secret family that she was in poor health and agoraphobic. When James, the secret brother-in-law, tries to manage her time and affairs, she informs him that she is not ill, is not an imbecile, and will not tolerate being patronized.

Gareth and his half-sister Valerie are in a helicopte...more In a tangle of “in-law” relatives that she did not know existed, Diane Jenner changes into a vibrant, can-do woman after twenty-five years of being controlled by her disgruntled husband Gareth. Gareth had told his secret family that she was in poor health and agoraphobic. When James, the secret brother-in-law, tries to manage her time and affairs, she informs him that she is not ill, is not an imbecile, and will not tolerate being patronized.

Gareth and his half-sister Valerie are in a helicopter crash and unconscious in the hospital when Diane learns Gareth has been lying to her about money and lots of other things. While she’s been living in an out-of-the-way area, with no car, and on a limited budget that she supplements by sewing and selling customized clothing, he has been living quite well. While he is unconscious, she emerges from her ‘doormat’ mode and takes control. She feels empowered to have control of money, car, and her own life. Not even Gareth’s half-brothers, that have always expected him to give them money, can dissuade her from managing her own affairs—a managing that does not include supplementing their incomes for the luxuries they do so love.

While Gareth and Valerie mend in the hospital, Diane’s relation with his secret family blooms. James, Valerie’s husband, is intrigued by her. She is so different from his wife and daughters that accept his providing for and protecting them as their just due, while Diane makes her own way. His daughter Tamzin, even though fragile and beset with clinic depression, gravitates to Diane. Harold, Gareth’s, father, is a dear that reminds Diane of the life of privilege she lived before marrying Gareth.

James, wealthy and an excellent manager of situations and finance, is drawn to Diane and wants to help her, but is summarily put in his place when he tries to take over her business plans. He is so accustomed to managing everything in his business and in his family’s life he is not even aware he is doing it. He admires her strength, competence, common-sense, intelligence, and her motivation. He sees Diane marching on to build a productive life while Valerie seems bent on self-destructing—a process she’s been working at for years.

The secondary characters add sub-plots that involve greed, social issues, social mores, and psychological issues that devastate at times. Diane and Gareth’s daughter Byrony, George, a cousin, and James’ daughter Tamzin wrestle with young adult issues in a sub-culture unique to that age group. Their involvement with the adults and particularly Diane reveal deep-seated fears, hopes, and dreams. The extreme highs and lows in their lives create some anxious moments and exciting moments.

Harold, Gareth’s and Valerie’s father, carries a burden of guilt that touches the heart. His efforts to rectify wrongs make the reader very aware that youthful indiscretions can leave deep wounds that never quite heal. While Harold works to make a better life for his family, Gareth, with his hang-ups and manipulative ways, makes one want to say, “Grow up”.

With a touch of subtle humor, Sue Moorcroft weaves flawed and vulnerable characters into the plot and sub-plots as she moves them toward fulfilling lives. To me the plot seems a little unfocused so the love story almost gets lost in the mundane pursuits of the characters. However, the metamorphosis of Diane that sparkles with joy is beguiling and the secrets that keep coming to light keep one turning pages.

originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...(less)

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Nov 04, 2010 Blodeuedd Finland rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I do like Moorcroft, she keeps it real.

Plot:

Diane's husband is in a helicopter crush, and what he did in it in the first place she does not understand, until all the lies come out at once (almost all). He has been keeping some big secrets from her, and because of these secrets she meet James, loyal the core, nice, and there is something there.

My thoughts:

Like I said, Moorcroft keeps it very real, I can see all these things happening so easily. Romance is there, but it's slow, truthful and filled...more

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Jan 07, 2011 Annie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really like Sue Moorcroft's writing - Starting Over was superb, and All That Mullarkey even better, both highly recommended. This one's a really good read, but seems to be by quite a different kind of writer - until I realised it's a re-published older novel (Family Matters) and has more in common with Uphill All The Way than her newer stuff. Don't come to it expecting chick lit, because it really isn't. The story's excellent though - Diane's husband Gareth is a real toad, and she's a well des...more

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Nov 19, 2010 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-2010, for-review

Money, love and family. Which matters most? When Diane Jenner’s husband is hurt in a helicopter crash, she discovers a secret that changes her life. And it’s all about money, the kind of money the Jenners have never had. James North has money, and he knows it doesn’t buy happiness. He’s been a rock for his wayward wife and troubled daughter – but that doesn’t stop him wanting Diane. James and Diane have something in common: they always put family first. Which means that what happens in the back...more Money, love and family. Which matters most? When Diane Jenner’s husband is hurt in a helicopter crash, she discovers a secret that changes her life. And it’s all about money, the kind of money the Jenners have never had. James North has money, and he knows it doesn’t buy happiness. He’s been a rock for his wayward wife and troubled daughter – but that doesn’t stop him wanting Diane. James and Diane have something in common: they always put family first. Which means that what happens in the back of James’s Mercedes is a really, really bad idea. Or is it?

I’ve never read any of Sue Moorcroft’s work but I do actually have three of her novels on my shelf, Starting Over, All That Mullarkey and her latest release Want To Know A Secret? (which was originally published as Family Matters in 2008). With a review slow to fill, I decided now would be the perfect time to try one of Sue’s books and I started it not really knowing what to expect and was sufficiently pleased with the read that I got.

In Want To Know A Secret? the main theme of the story is, as you might expect, secrets. As the book opens we meet Diane Jenner as she learns that her husband Gareth has been in an accident. Diane is then shocked to discover that not only was Gareth in an accident, but it wasn’t of the car variety, he was actually in a helicopter with his step-sister Valerie. Diane has never heard of Valerie, and long believed Gareth of never having a father so everything that comes out as a result of the helicopter crash leaves Diane utterly stunned. I found the opening of the book very compelling – a helicopter crash? Secret family members? It really managed to pull me in.

Once Diane reaches the hospital after learning of Gareth’s crash, she gets the chance to meet Valerie’s family, her husband James, father Harold and daughter Tamzin. They’re as stunned to meet her as she them and Diane finds herself vaguely attracted to James, culminating in them ending up in the back of James’ Mercedes doing something they really shouldn’t. Usually, any hint of an affair would put me off a novel but I understood what drove Diane and James to do what they did. It made sense, and I enjoyed the struggle as they tried to deny their feelings for each other whilst being tied to their respective partners, despite what their partners did to them. Plus the whisper of an affair carries on the theme of secrets, as you might expect.

I found myself quite liking Diane and James. The situation they find themselves in isn’t something that happens every day and definitely isn’t one I’m usually on board with (for my rant about people having/potentially having affairs please come back another day) and I liked the way they dealt with the situation. They seemed very real and I found myself really hoping everything would end for the best for them. As for the minor characters in the novel, I wasn’t enamored with Valerie or Gareth, neither were particularly likeable, but I found the rest of the characters very interesting. I loved Tamzin, she was probably my favourite character of all, and her little plot line was fairly hard-hitting, it has to be said and I felt so sad for her. Harold, Gareth and Valerie’s father seemed like an interesting character and it was a shame we didn’t see more of him. I didn’t know what to make of the other characters – we don’t see much of Bryony, Diane and Gareth’s daughter, and any of the wider family, but they all seemed as good as the rest.

There was quite a twist at the end, something I wasn’t particularly expecting, and it definitely woke me up! However what I didn’t like about the novel was the repetition of words. ‘Cool’ is completely overused by all the younger adults in the novel – Tamzin, George, Bryony and it begins to sound a bit fake after a while that everything is cool. The way the young adults are portrayed is a tad cliched and despite liking Tamzin, I did find most of the scenes hard to swallow. It happens with other words, too, and some of the writing itself was a bit too sweet for me, but apart from those niggles I did find the book very readable and finished it in three days. I would definitely recommend it, because it does get easier to get past the way the younger folk in the book are written, honestly! Sue Moorcroft can definitely tell a story, and I do look forward to reading her other two novels and any more she will be having published.(less)

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Sep 20, 2011 Chanpreet rated it 3 of 5 stars

Diane is completely blown away when police officers show up at her humble house and let her know her husband Gareth was involved in a helicopter accident. She's in disbelief until she gets to the hospital and find out not only was her husband in a helicopter, but he's been hiding a whole family and many other things. I'm leaving a lot out, but trust me, you;d rather not have me spoil it for you!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I read the synopsis, but it sure wasn't this!This book is real...more

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Feb 25, 2011 Teresa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, romance, modern-fiction

Sue really does create delicious heroes. James is the support mechanism in his family, and you find yourself really empathising with him.

The secrets just keep coming... Diane gets a wake up call in life basically. She learns to fight back and take charge, though still managing to put her family first, like James, which creates a great conflict for their relationship. And we all LOVE conflict! But I loved Diane, enjoyed watching her get stronger and stronger.

As I've seen someone else review, Su...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Lucie Wheeler rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am a huge fan of all of Sue Moorcroft's books. This is the third book I have read, written by her, the other's being Starting Over and All That Mullarkey.

This book is about Diane Jenner, Gareth Jenner, James North and Tamzin North, mainly. Having suddenly found out a secret, after a helicopter crash, that will change their lives forever, James and Diane begin a journey that will be like no other.

The one thing they have in common? Money. James has money, Diane has none - but neither of them p...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Sandra Mackness rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: completed

Different from earlier Sue Moorcroft books I'd read but so, so rewarding. I'm not a seamstress but I loved the tiny, intricate swathes interwoven through the chapters and enjoyed heroine Diane's career prospects enhancing as her marriage became undone. Beautifully finished, like the designer garments so perfectly described. The characters are extremely human in this well-crafted novel.

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Feb 14, 2012 Rhoda Baxter rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. When Diane is summoned to hospital to see her husband who is injured in a helicopter crash, she finds that he has been lying to her for years. The mystery of what her husband has been hiding from her unravels slowly and ties in beautifully with the budding romance between Diane and James.
Diane is a strong and admirable character. It's nice to read about a heroine whose troubles and reactions are realistic.
James in a likeable hero. It's nice to read about a man who is...more

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Dec 29, 2012 Mati rated it 3 of 5 stars

konusu güzel, dram ve romantizm bir arada gitmiş, akıcı bir şekilde okunuyor
ancak bir acelecilik var sanki. Bazı yerlerde olaylar biraz daha detaylandırılabilirdi.
Bu olmayınca biraz üstünkörülük hissi verdi.

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Jan 03, 2012 Aunty Janet rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Enjoyable romantic escapism. Secrets, lies and intrigue; with characters I enjoyed. I would like to read more by this author.

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Aug 23, 2012 Liz Willoughby rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another great book from Sue, different from her other Choc Lit novels but still a good read.

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Jan 30, 2013 Sandie rated it 4 of 5 stars

An enjoyable read, full of typical family problems, it seemed so real. Would recommend.

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Jan 12, 2011 Aileen rated it 5 of 5 stars

A brilliant book just couldn't put it down, it took me a while to get into it.

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Mar 06, 2012 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book it took a while to get going but it wasnt a typical story although it did have its moments it was a good read.

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May 15, 2012 Fiona rose crossley rated it 4 of 5 stars

not my normal choice in books but i did fall in love with it x its worth the read

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Mar 17, 2013 Shelley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook

I enjoyed this book, kept me interested throughout. A little disappointed at the ending, it was almost like the author had to finish it quickly. Maybe an opportunity for a follow up book!!

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Jun 14, 2011 Tracey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, sue-moorcroft

What a wonderful book that kept me guessing throughout... If you haven't read any of Sue's books yet, i recommend that you do.

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May 19, 2013 Marle Tapia marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Mhairi Scott rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 16, 2013 Maisha marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 CookieDemon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, chicklit-romance

May 12, 2013 Sarah marked it as to-read

May 10, 2013 Ann Cooper marked it as to-read

Apr 30, 2013 Gabby rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 08, 2013 Stacie Leonard rated it 5 of 5 stars

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About Sue Moorcroft

I was born near Monchengladbach in Germany, where my mother happened to be at the time. We were an army family so moved on to Cyprus and Malta. Malta is my favourite place in the world.

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