Luisa Mulligan Can't Keep A Secret

by Jane Betteley

Have you ever uncovered a secret, one whose revelation could inflict harm upon those you hold most dear - your own family and friends? Would you find the strength to keep it locked away, or would the weight of that knowledge drive you to act? It’s 2018, Luisa Mulligan, a devoted single mum to Lucy and an unwavering friend to Megan and Janet, lives in the picturesque village of Copcut Green. Her dabble into the world of online dating one summer evening unwittingly leads her to a revelation of staggering proportions. As we journey alongside Luisa, we witness the turbulent aftermath of this discovery and the subsequent tumult that envelops her life.Intrigue, deceit, and the quest for redemption form the core of this story, plunging you headlong into a family on the brink of dissolution. Can this secret ever fade into oblivion? Will their lives ever regain the semblance of normality they once knew? The odds are slim, yet you can expect moments of both laughter and tears along the way.

306 pages, Paperback

Published March 15, 2024

Reviews

[Smut and Stabby NICOLE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read!! Loved the development with luisa and her daughter the secrets were so crazy!!! And had me with my mouth on the floor also the ending was bittersweet.

[Iain Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slice of life book, following Luisa Mulligan, who is a single mother of Lucy. Lucy is a typical mid-teen, trying to find her place in the world, and clashes with her mum to the point of moving in with her dad and his partner (Maxine). Luisa is a school receptionist, with friends. She works with Janet, who has her own problems. She’s best friends with Megan, who has a daughter of her own. When Luisa finds herself alone in the house every day, she joins a dating site and meets Martin. He’s nice. He has a son. We follow this evolving storyline until, about sixty percent into the book, we discover the secret Luisa can’t keep. It’s not earth shattering, but it will affect everybody she knows.

The characters are lovely. Jane draws each one with care and attention, and I invested heavily into them. I worked out the secret early on, but I needed to see how Luisa dealt with it, and the ramifications afterwards. The ending is satisfying, with the last couple of chapters flicking through years in a montage of events to let me know how everything turned out in the long run.

[Arini Vlotman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book checks all the boxes for me. I found myself getting involved with the characters almost at once. The build up and description was phenomenal but the best part of this story was how unpredictable it was. Luisa Mulligan, the main character and her merry band swept along for the ride. Reading about an older FMC was refreshing and the author's voice was incredibly entertaining.
There was humor, depth, multiple plot twists, and a very satisfying ending. I found myself laughing and tearing up and I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.
Highly recommend!

[Emma Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my normal genre but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read it !! Amazing story !