The Curator's Secret

by Denise Weimer

It’s taken six years for Lacey Colbert to escape the heartbreak that caused her to disappear from Golden Isles Christian Camp and the life of her summer sweetheart, Trent Stevenson. Then a museum curator job at a Gilded Age resort lures her back to Georgia’s Jekyll Island. Lacey finds Trent no longer an employee in his dad’s lawn care business, but director of landscaping right in her historic district.

Winter Haven cottage’s century-old mystery of a vanished fiancé compels Lacey to settle her own past with Trent. Just one thing stands in the way … the fact that someone else likes uncovering secrets, too—Lacey’s. And her unknown foe won’t hesitate to use them against her.

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2025

About the author

Denise Weimer writes historical and contemporary romance from her home in North Georgia and also serves as a freelance editor and the Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books. A mother of two daughters, she always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.

Reviews

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story of secrets, danger, and forgiveness. Lacey is a great character who starts a new job working at a museum as a curator. Her job is fascinating as she discovers some historic facts that give her excitement. I wonder if she will find out what happened to Clara who left a legacy. I liked how Lacey is trying so hard to reconcile with someone she hurt at one time.

Trent is a breath of fresh air to the story. He has a history with Lacey and wants to try to find out why she left without a word all those years ago. He is such a kind hearted person who is grounded in the Word. He becomes very protective of Lacey when unexplained things start happening to her. Is someone from her past stalking her? I really had a hard time figuring out who was terrorizing her. There are many suspects but I did have one person in mind.

Just wait till you see what happens between Trent and Lacey. A huge secret will shatter Trent’s world. My heart broke for him as he realizes what Lacey has hid from him all these years. The emotion during this part of the story can be felt deeply. Lacey is so crushed and feels alone. Secrets always have a way of being revealed. The author shocked me with the big secret that Lacey was hiding from Trent. Through everything that is going on in the story we are reminded, “ God puts boundaries up to protect us.”

We all make mistakes and Lacey knows that her past needs to be addressed. I love seeing her start to turn to God and ask Him for help. Her deep pain has made her feel unworthy. Lacey needs to forgive herself. “We all have imperfections. Everyone deserves a chance.”

Beautiful story where forgiveness heals wounds and restoration begins to heal hearts that were broken. The ending is oh ….well you need to read the book to find out.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the history of the novel. It’s the Gilded Age. But it’s not current. Actually, it is current. But it really isn’t. Let me explain. It’s present-day because Lacey is a curator of a museum. But it is history as well because Clara left her legacy behind for them to figure out.

There is mystery and there is danger. Okay. I’m going to be honest. I feel that I’m cheated out of a bit of the novel. Because I really was expecting to flashback to Clara. But that never happened. I love a good dual-timeline novel. I’m not sure why I thought this was going to be one, but as soon as I learned about Clara and her mystery I just kept thinking it would become one. Imagine my surprise when I read that the author actually first wrote this as a dual timeline but then changed it! Bring it back, please!

Please know I’m not saying it’s a bad novel. On the contrary, this is a wonderful novel. I love Lacey. And her job is amazing. Her stalker is definitely not amazing. And neither are the misunderstandings and broken promises between her and Trent. They definitely have some talking and working out of things to do.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story packed quite a punch. Between secrets, revenge, forgiveness, family drama, and even a stalker. There was a lot to this deceptively smaller story.

Six years after Lacey Colbert's heartbreak, she finally has her dream job. To be the curator on the historical resort of Jekyll Island. However, not only has her troubles followed her, but she also runs into her ex-boyfriend, Trent, who previously she ran from, taking a big secret with her. They have to work together now. Things are a bit stressful to say the least. Lacey has a stalker who has followed her and causing quite a bit of trouble for her, but also Trent not only is still interested in her, but he also has some questions about the past he would like her to answer.

All of this drama takes place with the backdrop of Jekyll Island and its own history of another young woman and her fiancé that were tragically torn apart. As Lacey delves into their story, she finds hope for her own. Not only are emotions running rampant and secrets being unleashed, but a hurricane is barreling down on them. Like I said, a lot was going on that had me turning those pages as fast as I could.

I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review, and all views and opinions are my own.

https://pausefortales.blogspot.com/20...

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curator’s Secret is a romantic suspense novel with themes of faith, love, and second chances. The story centers on Lacey, a museum curator, and Trent, an easy-to-love character who is seeking answers.

When Lacey returns to Jekyll Island for a job as a museum curator she is met with the surprise that someone from her past works there as well. It is effortless to connect with her. I enjoyed her interest in history and that her secret wasn’t obvious. I ADORE Trent! He’s a sweetheart and I really wanted him to find answers. He ran me through a myriad of emotions, and I empathized with them both. Their connection is sweet and unmistakable. I just love a second chance story – one of my favorite tropes!

The story has twists, secrets, mystery, and great pacing, I especially appreciate the elements of faith that show God loves us, guides us, and is so merciful. The tension makes this a relatively fast and satisfying read.

First Line: “He found me.”
Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense
Author: Denise Weimer
Page Count: 209

#CoverLoverBookReview received a complimentary copy of this book.
Opinions are 100% my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curator’s Secret is a contemporary romantic suspense novel by Denise Weimer. Weimer weaves a story filled with faith, love, second chances, and more. Lacey Colbert has spent the last six years trying to overcome the hurt and pain resulting from her forced disappearance from Golden Isles Christian Camp and the life of her summer sweetheart, Trent Stevenson. Lacey accepts a Museum Curator job at a Gilded Age resort on Jekyll Island in Georgia, which lands her where Trent works.

With mysteries of its own, Winter Haven Cottage and its residents draw Lacey in and fascinate her while dangerous and unexplained events plague her. As she and Trent get to know each other, Lacey’s past, her secret, and present collide into one devastating event.

The author does an excellent job building a story that keeps you reading, shows how God’s grace, mercy, and love translate into second chances, and allows Lacey and Trent to move on from the pain of their past.

So, if you are looking for a Contemporary Romantic suspense novel, check out The Curator’s Secret by Denise Weimer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Historical Mystery is a great genre. The Curator's Secret by Denise Weimer is the latest in this genre that I have read.

The storyline started strong and was very intriguing throughout the book. The 2 main characters are Lacey Colbert  and Trent Stevenson. Lacey and Trent were sweethearts many years ago, during their teenage years. They grew apart and Lacey moved away. She comes how many years later to Jekyll Island to begin a job at Gilead Age Resort. Lacey feels the need to reconcile with Trent, but someone is uncovering Lacey's secrets and it might jeopardize things with Trent. I really LOVE how Trent stands by Lacey and helps her uncover the Mystery of who is telling Lacey's secrets. Trent is an outstanding person and I was happy for Lacey and Trent as their relationship rekindled. The book is one of Mystery, Faith, and Romance. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Romance and Mystery. GREAT BOOK!

[Mary Hake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This intriguing novel has a main character who is plagued by a huge secret. Lacey is also plagued by a stalker, with increasing incidents that threaten to ruin her life. I had a difficult time figuring out who could be behind all the thefts and damage to property and character. The location on historic Jekyll Island and the characters themselves draw the reader in and keep them engaged. The story shows how keeping a deep secret can be harmful to self and others who are hurt by it. Past choices can lead to pain in the present until the situation is properly dealt with. Both the historic element of the setting and the relational drama combine for a compelling story here. I did think the reactions to some past happenings seemed too strong, such as Lacey didn’t say anything that bad to her friend’s fiancé—no specifics but an honest response. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Curator's Secret is another good read from author Denise Weimer. I loved her previous historical romances and was curious to see that she has written a contemporary suspense. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, Lacey and Trent. They had good chemistry together. I wanted to keep reading their story to find out how it would all end and seeing the conclusion of "who did it". A quick page turner for me.

I am going to give The Curator's Secret a very well deserved five plus stars.. I recommend it for reader who love to read clean Contemporary Romantic Suspense. I would be interested in reading more like this from Denise Weimer in the future.

I received a paperback copy of Denise Weimer's The Curator's Secret from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I loved the setting and I loved how the author incorporated history into her story. I loved how the story of the past helped the people in the present. I also loved the second chance romance theme. I also liked the mystery as we tried to see who was trying to hurt Lacey. I liked how the secrets were revealed and I liked seeing how God helped in the healing process. I liked how the characters had to deal with different feelings but finally were able to forgive and move forward.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a second chance at love. It is also a mystery. It is about forgiveness. The mystery kept me turning the pages. The ending of the book made my heart both rejoice and cry a little. I really liked this book. I would like to read more books like this one from this author. If you like clean romance and mystery together without gory details and no one being killed than "The Curator's Secret" by Denise Weimer is a must for you.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

[Cindy Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard fought forgiveness story

Weimer has woven a heart-warming, suspense-filled tale that reminds us of God's promise of grace and mercy. Seeing Jekyll Island through the eyes of a museum curator added an interesting layer to the story. This author always brings her stories to life with rich details and a deep conflict that can resonate with readers on some level.

[Alicia L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. Had some mysterious twists along the way. Relatively quick read. Story with mystery and grace.

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t like it. Couldn’t get into it. Not my style of writing. Won’t pursue more from the author. Just not for me.

[Karla Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the historical setting for The Curator’s Secret, even though the story itself is contemporary. Jekyll Island was apparently a popular resort area during the Gilded Age, and the heroine of the story accepts a job as a curator at a museum there. How much fun would a job like that be?

The characters are believable and likable—well, except for the ones you aren’t meant to like. But even they are believable. I appreciated the inspiring aspect of the plot, which addressed dealing with past hurts. The secondary “whodunnit” mystery throughout the book added intrigue. Overall, it was a satisfying read.

Disclosure: I voluntarily received a complimentary ebook from the author. All views expressed are my own.

[Becky Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I found it to be well written and easy to read. I was interested and drawn in and wanted to keep reading so I could know what was going on and who was the stalker. I look forward to reading more books by Denise Weimer.