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Little White Secrets
A DAUGHTER PUSHING THE LIMITS. A MARRIAGE READY TO CRACK. A SECRET THAT CAN BREAK THEM.
For Emily Rossi, life my not be perfect, but it's pretty close. She has a great career, a house in the country, a solid marriage to Eric and two wonderful children - tennis superstar Daniel and quiet, sensitive Zara. But when her fourteen-year-old daughter brings home a toxic new best friend, Emily's seemingly perfect family starts to spiral out of control.
Suddenly Zara is staying out late, taking drugs and keeping bad company. And just when Emily needs Eric to be an involved father, he seems too wrapped up with his job in London to care. What's more, he's started drinking again.
When a dark secret from the past emerges, Emily's life is turned upside down. Struggling to protect the people she loves, can she save her damaged family? Doing so may mean keeping a secret of her own. . .
RUNNING TIME ➜ 9hrs. and 25mins.
©2020 Carol Mason (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
For Emily Rossi, life my not be perfect, but it's pretty close. She has a great career, a house in the country, a solid marriage to Eric and two wonderful children - tennis superstar Daniel and quiet, sensitive Zara. But when her fourteen-year-old daughter brings home a toxic new best friend, Emily's seemingly perfect family starts to spiral out of control.
Suddenly Zara is staying out late, taking drugs and keeping bad company. And just when Emily needs Eric to be an involved father, he seems too wrapped up with his job in London to care. What's more, he's started drinking again.
When a dark secret from the past emerges, Emily's life is turned upside down. Struggling to protect the people she loves, can she save her damaged family? Doing so may mean keeping a secret of her own. . .
RUNNING TIME ➜ 9hrs. and 25mins.
©2020 Carol Mason (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
Audio CD
First published May 1, 2020
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About the author
Carol Mason
31 books412 followersI am the Kindle #1 and Amazon Charts bestselling author of After You left, The Secrets of Married Women, The Last Time We Met, Send Me A Lover. and The Shadow Between Us. My brand new novel, LITTLE WHITE SECRETS, publishes May 1, 2020 but for the month of April it's an Amazon First Reads pick, so if you have Amazon Prime you can download it free! (if not, it's still on sale for $1.99 through April).
Please feel free to follow me on Amazon to be notified when I have a new release. https://amzn.to/2QrkK4W
Come friend me on Facebook or like my author page as I love interacting on there! https://www.facebook.com/CarolMasonAu...
I always enjoy getting comments about my books (especially lovely ones!), and am always willing to attend your book club or do a phone conference if you'd like to have me.
If you read my books and enjoy them, do consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon too. It can be very short if you want, but I cannot stress how important reviews are for authors.. If you have left a review already, then thanks so much!
Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.
Please feel free to follow me on Amazon to be notified when I have a new release. https://amzn.to/2QrkK4W
Come friend me on Facebook or like my author page as I love interacting on there! https://www.facebook.com/CarolMasonAu...
I always enjoy getting comments about my books (especially lovely ones!), and am always willing to attend your book club or do a phone conference if you'd like to have me.
If you read my books and enjoy them, do consider taking a moment to leave a review on Amazon too. It can be very short if you want, but I cannot stress how important reviews are for authors.. If you have left a review already, then thanks so much!
Wishing you many happy hours of reading! Best wishes, from Carol.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
May 5, 2020
3-4 Stars rounded up
The Rossi family seem to have the perfect life. Father Eric has a good job in London, mother Emily has a part time lecturer job at Leeds University, son Daniel is a promising young tennis player and daughter Zara seems to be doing well. Within six months their lives start to implode revealing the cracks they are papered over in the last few years. It’s apparent Eric is hiding several things, Emily’s work life is about to undergo a worrying upheaval but most alarming of all is that Janet and daughter Bethany Brown Exeter their loves and Bethany’s malign influence over fellow teenager Zara is to become frightening in its power. The story is told by Emily and Eric.
The characters are well portrayed and some are likeable such as Emily and Daniel. Janet and Bethany are strange, both are quite rude and abrupt and very easy to picture. The teenagers are their behaviour is well depicted and shows very clearly how easy it is for lives to be utterly derailed extremely rapidly when one person exerts control over another. Eric is delusional about a lot of things and is only truthful when he has no choice but he is interesting. His behaviour in the past shows that one wrong decision can have a tsunami effect even years later. The plot is believable, the pace is good and it’s well written and their spiralling out of control lives make for entertaining reading! There is tension and suspense between characters which comes across clearly. The ending is surprising and unexpected and though not necessarily morally right it is believable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for a copy of the book.
Overall, an easy read which shines a light in how seemingly perfect lives can be uprooted by an unlucky chance with resulting destruction of a family.
The Rossi family seem to have the perfect life. Father Eric has a good job in London, mother Emily has a part time lecturer job at Leeds University, son Daniel is a promising young tennis player and daughter Zara seems to be doing well. Within six months their lives start to implode revealing the cracks they are papered over in the last few years. It’s apparent Eric is hiding several things, Emily’s work life is about to undergo a worrying upheaval but most alarming of all is that Janet and daughter Bethany Brown Exeter their loves and Bethany’s malign influence over fellow teenager Zara is to become frightening in its power. The story is told by Emily and Eric.
The characters are well portrayed and some are likeable such as Emily and Daniel. Janet and Bethany are strange, both are quite rude and abrupt and very easy to picture. The teenagers are their behaviour is well depicted and shows very clearly how easy it is for lives to be utterly derailed extremely rapidly when one person exerts control over another. Eric is delusional about a lot of things and is only truthful when he has no choice but he is interesting. His behaviour in the past shows that one wrong decision can have a tsunami effect even years later. The plot is believable, the pace is good and it’s well written and their spiralling out of control lives make for entertaining reading! There is tension and suspense between characters which comes across clearly. The ending is surprising and unexpected and though not necessarily morally right it is believable.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for a copy of the book.
Overall, an easy read which shines a light in how seemingly perfect lives can be uprooted by an unlucky chance with resulting destruction of a family.
May 3, 2020
Secrets and deceit. Carol Mason has crafted a fast-paced addictive story filled with drama, lies, and misdirection. Emily seemingly had the perfect family a loving husband, a super athlete son, and a sweet daughter. That is until it all began to unravel one secret at a time. What I really liked most about this book is Emily was such a likable character. She seriously did not deserve the hot mess that her life turned into. Struggling to keep her family afloat while her husband grew more and more distant and her daughter found her way into a bad situation. And then to compound things the past starts to rear its ugly head. Tense, riveting, compulsive, entertaining, and dark. This is a book that will definitely appeal to anyone who is a fan of a dark domestic drama with some unforgettable twists.
*** Big thank you to Lake Union for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
*** Big thank you to Lake Union for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
May 2, 2020
5☆ An Enthralling Dark Domestic Drama, I Couldn't Put Down!
Emily and Eric have a lovely home and the perfect family but Eric spends alot of time away from home working and he is clearly hiding lots of things from Emily. His behaviour towards her starts to deteriorate especially when he turns to drink to get him through the week!
Zara (14yrs old) has always been quiet and sensitive. Unlike her older brother Daniel (16yrs old) who plays Championship Tennis and is the current Winter Cup Winner. Zara always seems to go under the radar, until she meets Bethany!
Zara meets ‘Bethany when she knocks on Emily's door with her mum asking for charitable donations for abused women.
But something about ‘Bethany & her mother feel off with Emily. She just can't put her finger on it.
So the last person she expects to see Zara hanging out at home with is ‘Bethany.
But the more Zara hangs around with Bethany the more Zara's behaviour rapidly changes. Sneaking around, drinking, being deceitful, being rude.....But just what is so appealing about Bethany.
Slowly Emily's perfect world is crumbling around her and she has no clue what to do.
Can Emily find a way to fix her family before it's too late?
One character I did adore was Otis the Lurcher, what a sweetheart.
Little White Secrets is such a thrilling, Pacy, domestic drama, I devoured it in two nights.
It's a lil suspenseful, dark, gripping, intriguing, enthralling and a Page Turner.
The story deals with mental health, grief, deceit, addiction, plenty of teen angst, family relationships and friendships.
The characters are brilliantly portrayed, complex, flawed not all are likeable but perfect for the plot.
I loved the cleverly plotted twists and turns as the story progresses, secrets are divulged.
So if you are looking for a gripping, tense, domestic drama, that will keep you hooked, has plenty of teen angst, secrets and deceit then I can't recommend reading Little White Secrets enough!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Emily and Eric have a lovely home and the perfect family but Eric spends alot of time away from home working and he is clearly hiding lots of things from Emily. His behaviour towards her starts to deteriorate especially when he turns to drink to get him through the week!
Zara (14yrs old) has always been quiet and sensitive. Unlike her older brother Daniel (16yrs old) who plays Championship Tennis and is the current Winter Cup Winner. Zara always seems to go under the radar, until she meets Bethany!
Zara meets ‘Bethany when she knocks on Emily's door with her mum asking for charitable donations for abused women.
But something about ‘Bethany & her mother feel off with Emily. She just can't put her finger on it.
So the last person she expects to see Zara hanging out at home with is ‘Bethany.
But the more Zara hangs around with Bethany the more Zara's behaviour rapidly changes. Sneaking around, drinking, being deceitful, being rude.....But just what is so appealing about Bethany.
Slowly Emily's perfect world is crumbling around her and she has no clue what to do.
Can Emily find a way to fix her family before it's too late?
One character I did adore was Otis the Lurcher, what a sweetheart.
Little White Secrets is such a thrilling, Pacy, domestic drama, I devoured it in two nights.
It's a lil suspenseful, dark, gripping, intriguing, enthralling and a Page Turner.
The story deals with mental health, grief, deceit, addiction, plenty of teen angst, family relationships and friendships.
The characters are brilliantly portrayed, complex, flawed not all are likeable but perfect for the plot.
I loved the cleverly plotted twists and turns as the story progresses, secrets are divulged.
So if you are looking for a gripping, tense, domestic drama, that will keep you hooked, has plenty of teen angst, secrets and deceit then I can't recommend reading Little White Secrets enough!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
June 18, 2020
So impressed with this book from Carol Mason! A great read that had me turning the pages deep into the night. Pick this one up if you are a fan of Liane Moriarty!
March 11, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected pub date: May 1, 2020
Little White Secrets by English author Carol Mason, is the ultimate “family skeletons” drama.
Emily Rossi and her husband Eric have a seemingly perfect life; both have great careers, an ideal country house and two beautiful children, one of whom is on his way to becoming the next great tennis star. When her daughter, Zara, starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, Emily and Eric must band together to try and keep Zara away from the life of drugs, lying and partying that is following her. However, in doing so, Eric’s little secrets also pop up, revealing themselves in a vicious way. Between their daughter’s dangerous behaviours and Eric’s potentially life-changing secret, can the family survive?
This novel is the first one I’ve read by this author and I’m intrigued! A new novel in a done-to-death genre always has me a little skeptical going in, assuming a trite storyline, banal characters and predictable twists, but “Little While Secrets” surprised me!
Emily is a great character, full of spunk and intelligence, taking on anyone who interferes with her family and the life she has worked so hard to build. Right from the beginning, the reader knows that Eric has secrets he is keeping, but Mason does a decent job at keeping him relatively likable as we try and sort out his mystery.
This novel hooked me from the get-go and didn’t slow down. I found it very easy to read, and I was easily pulled into the plot. Dramatically told and well-developed, Mason has found her calling in writing. She knows what she’s doing and she does it well.
As an avid (ridiculously avid….almost dangerously so) reader, I was able to predict most of the ending before it got there. But it was still a heck of a ride getting to the end point, and I was satisfied with the way it played out all the same.
A delightful surprise of a novel, bound to draw in fans of women’s fiction and family dramas, with great characters and a satisfying ending!
Expected pub date: May 1, 2020
Little White Secrets by English author Carol Mason, is the ultimate “family skeletons” drama.
Emily Rossi and her husband Eric have a seemingly perfect life; both have great careers, an ideal country house and two beautiful children, one of whom is on his way to becoming the next great tennis star. When her daughter, Zara, starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, Emily and Eric must band together to try and keep Zara away from the life of drugs, lying and partying that is following her. However, in doing so, Eric’s little secrets also pop up, revealing themselves in a vicious way. Between their daughter’s dangerous behaviours and Eric’s potentially life-changing secret, can the family survive?
This novel is the first one I’ve read by this author and I’m intrigued! A new novel in a done-to-death genre always has me a little skeptical going in, assuming a trite storyline, banal characters and predictable twists, but “Little While Secrets” surprised me!
Emily is a great character, full of spunk and intelligence, taking on anyone who interferes with her family and the life she has worked so hard to build. Right from the beginning, the reader knows that Eric has secrets he is keeping, but Mason does a decent job at keeping him relatively likable as we try and sort out his mystery.
This novel hooked me from the get-go and didn’t slow down. I found it very easy to read, and I was easily pulled into the plot. Dramatically told and well-developed, Mason has found her calling in writing. She knows what she’s doing and she does it well.
As an avid (ridiculously avid….almost dangerously so) reader, I was able to predict most of the ending before it got there. But it was still a heck of a ride getting to the end point, and I was satisfied with the way it played out all the same.
A delightful surprise of a novel, bound to draw in fans of women’s fiction and family dramas, with great characters and a satisfying ending!
May 1, 2020
The picture was Emily Rossi's favourite, it was a picture that portrayed a happy family, a picture of perfection. Emily, her loving husband Eric, their son Daniel who was a tennis superstar and their quiet,sensitive daughter Zara. If it is true that every picture tells a story then the Rossi families would be a fairy tale.
But their fairy tale is about to take a dark turn when Zara brings a bad apple into their perfect world, a girl who Emily takes a instant dislike to. Soon Zara is sneaking out, drinking, possibly taking drugs and hanging out with bad company. Emily has no idea what to do and really needs Eric to be an involved father but he seems more concerned about his job in London... plus, he is drinking again.
Emily's picture perfect world is crumbling apart and she is not prepared to just stick her head in the sand and pretend it's not happening. But how far is she prepared to go to save her damaged family?
This enthralling, domestic drama is voiced almost entirely from Emily's perspective, a character who I didn't like or feel any sympathy towards for various reasons. I know many readers will probably have thought that Zara was a brat but I actually felt a lot of empathy towards her and fully understood why she behaved in the way that she did. I can also say the same for poor Bethany, she didn't stand a chance in life really but that didn't excuse her behaviour. The difference in the two girls upbringings raised the question, does whichever side of the social decide that a child grows up on affect their behaviour as they grow up and strive for their independence? I spent most of the book disliking Bethany's mother Janet but then the truth behind her actions was revealed and I suddenly felt quite guilty for being so judgemental. Interspersed throughout the book was chapters that slipped back in time and were voiced from Eric's perspective. I had mixed feelings about Eric as the story unfolded, there was times when I felt sorry for him and other times when I found him very unlikable.
Little White Secrets is a well written, captivating Domestic drama that hooks you in and draws you into the author's diverse characters fictional but realistic world. It's a tale of deception, addiction, mental health issues, lies, teenage angst and relationships that plays with the reader's emotions and pulls at your heart strings. I really enjoyed this book and would happily read more of this author's books in the future. Very very highly recommended.
But their fairy tale is about to take a dark turn when Zara brings a bad apple into their perfect world, a girl who Emily takes a instant dislike to. Soon Zara is sneaking out, drinking, possibly taking drugs and hanging out with bad company. Emily has no idea what to do and really needs Eric to be an involved father but he seems more concerned about his job in London... plus, he is drinking again.
Emily's picture perfect world is crumbling apart and she is not prepared to just stick her head in the sand and pretend it's not happening. But how far is she prepared to go to save her damaged family?
This enthralling, domestic drama is voiced almost entirely from Emily's perspective, a character who I didn't like or feel any sympathy towards for various reasons. I know many readers will probably have thought that Zara was a brat but I actually felt a lot of empathy towards her and fully understood why she behaved in the way that she did. I can also say the same for poor Bethany, she didn't stand a chance in life really but that didn't excuse her behaviour. The difference in the two girls upbringings raised the question, does whichever side of the social decide that a child grows up on affect their behaviour as they grow up and strive for their independence? I spent most of the book disliking Bethany's mother Janet but then the truth behind her actions was revealed and I suddenly felt quite guilty for being so judgemental. Interspersed throughout the book was chapters that slipped back in time and were voiced from Eric's perspective. I had mixed feelings about Eric as the story unfolded, there was times when I felt sorry for him and other times when I found him very unlikable.
Little White Secrets is a well written, captivating Domestic drama that hooks you in and draws you into the author's diverse characters fictional but realistic world. It's a tale of deception, addiction, mental health issues, lies, teenage angst and relationships that plays with the reader's emotions and pulls at your heart strings. I really enjoyed this book and would happily read more of this author's books in the future. Very very highly recommended.
April 27, 2020
The reader is told that the husband in the story has a secret from the outset. From outlookers Eric has the perfect family but it's all a facade. There are a multitude of cracks tearing their family portrait and it's barely clinging together. There's not a lot of drama until you're well and truly towards the end of the story but it didn't seem to compensate for the long drawn out first half of the book.
This felt like a fairly predictable domestic read and a good 'holiday' read. I've read other reviews claiming they thought there was a huge twist in the story but it all felt too easy. It's a dark book with cracks forming in the various character's friendships, relationships, home and work lives respectively. It wasn't easy to keep picking the book up and I felt a bit disappointed that I'd instinctively figured out the ending of the book. Clearly I read too many mystery books.
Having said that, it's a well written book and one that has an accessible style to read easily. Mason has created realistic characters who are easy to sympathise with. She paints the picture of living with an alcoholic in brutal honesty. The denial, anger and chaos they inflict upon those they love is captured in painful clarity.
Not an easy read but on which shows the importance of telling the truth to our loved ones. Not all little white secrets are as little as they seem.
This felt like a fairly predictable domestic read and a good 'holiday' read. I've read other reviews claiming they thought there was a huge twist in the story but it all felt too easy. It's a dark book with cracks forming in the various character's friendships, relationships, home and work lives respectively. It wasn't easy to keep picking the book up and I felt a bit disappointed that I'd instinctively figured out the ending of the book. Clearly I read too many mystery books.
Having said that, it's a well written book and one that has an accessible style to read easily. Mason has created realistic characters who are easy to sympathise with. She paints the picture of living with an alcoholic in brutal honesty. The denial, anger and chaos they inflict upon those they love is captured in painful clarity.
Not an easy read but on which shows the importance of telling the truth to our loved ones. Not all little white secrets are as little as they seem.
April 3, 2020
Rated 3.75 rounded up.
Meet the Rossi family - Emily and Eric and their talented son Daniel, who is a star tennis player, and quiet daughter Zara. A seemingly perfect family is introduced. We soon see the layers of this idyllic family peel away.
Zara starts a new friendship with a wild, troubled girl and they are hanging out with the wrong crowd. Eric works out of town living apart from his family during the week, his drinking is excessive and he's keeping secrets from Emily. And a new, attractive neighbor has Emily re-evaluating her marriage. The family is in crisis.
The author does a good job in keeping the story interesting and tense. You may figure out the big revelations, but it doesn’t take away from the journey. You’ll be rooting for Emily and hope that there is a path to happiness.
Review posted at MicheleReader.com
Meet the Rossi family - Emily and Eric and their talented son Daniel, who is a star tennis player, and quiet daughter Zara. A seemingly perfect family is introduced. We soon see the layers of this idyllic family peel away.
Zara starts a new friendship with a wild, troubled girl and they are hanging out with the wrong crowd. Eric works out of town living apart from his family during the week, his drinking is excessive and he's keeping secrets from Emily. And a new, attractive neighbor has Emily re-evaluating her marriage. The family is in crisis.
The author does a good job in keeping the story interesting and tense. You may figure out the big revelations, but it doesn’t take away from the journey. You’ll be rooting for Emily and hope that there is a path to happiness.
Review posted at MicheleReader.com
May 5, 2020
I loved this book so very much! Every character was so believable and real; their actions relatable- still thinking about them now weeks after reading thus stunner of a book. So many twists and turns. A heart breaking, thrilling, tense and pacy gem of a story. I couldn't put it down. Beautiful, original, so we'll written and just brilliant all round. A beautiful story of the unravelling of a family - just FAB! Very highly recommended.
March 5, 2020
OMG just WOW. As a book blogger I get to read some pretty amazing books but now and again I come across one that absolutely blows everything out of the water – and Little White Secrets is one of them!
Right from her first novel, Carol Mason has delivered an evocative and almost poetic style of prose, and over the years I have seen this grow into something that is quite remarkable. Her last book The Shadow Between Us saw a slight shift away from her usual genre of Women’s Contemporary Fiction, with the plot bordering Psychological Suspense. This was one of my favourite reads for 2019 and how the author has now managed to push the boundaries of her already exceptional voice yet again is quite beyond me. But she has, and Little White Secrets delivers a domestic noir style narrative at its absolute finest.
In true Carol Mason style, the protagonist, Emily, is a strong female character who is both easily identifiable and likeable. At the beginning of the novel it seems as though Emily has a pretty much perfect life: a happy marriage, nice home, two happy and successful children. However; as the story progresses small seeds of doubt are cast as to just how perfect this family is – first with Zara, her introverted daughter who lives in the shadows of her successful brother; and then Eric, Emily’s husband, who not only works away but sometimes chooses to stay away at weekends. The story begins with Emily and her family being interviewed for a newspaper, as her son, Daniel, is a teenage local tennis celebrity. This event leads to the story’s intriguing hook that had me whizzing through so fast, at one point it felt like I was watching the scene playout in front of me with the remote control stuck on fast forward! How was this person involved in Emily’s life – I just had to find out.
The novel is structured around both a dual perspective and timeline. The present day is from Emily’s perspective, and the past timeline is from Eric’s perspective. This complex structure not only draws the reader into the lives of both characters it also adds a layer of dramatic irony as we start to understand how what happened to Eric in the past is affecting the problems his family are facing in the present; and all the while Emily is left in the dark and you're just itching for her to find out. When reading Emily’s present-day perspective you start to think Eric is a bit of a dick, especially when the reader is privy to flashback scenes. But when drawn into Eric’s past timeline you really empathise with him – but just how much can you trust him?
But this twisted and heart-wrenching plot is only part of what makes this such a brilliant read, and as the sub-plots merge, Emily’s true strength of character is revealed, making for one extremely satisfying read. I really can’t recommend this fabulous novel enough, and I am absolutely certain that as brilliant as Carol Mason’s previous books are, this is the one that will bring her reputation as the outstanding and exceptional writer that she is, well and truly under the spotlight.
I would recommend this book for anybody who likes any of the iconic Queens of Domestic Noir such as Louise Jensen, Lisa Jewell, Jane Shemilt, Jane Corry …
Right from her first novel, Carol Mason has delivered an evocative and almost poetic style of prose, and over the years I have seen this grow into something that is quite remarkable. Her last book The Shadow Between Us saw a slight shift away from her usual genre of Women’s Contemporary Fiction, with the plot bordering Psychological Suspense. This was one of my favourite reads for 2019 and how the author has now managed to push the boundaries of her already exceptional voice yet again is quite beyond me. But she has, and Little White Secrets delivers a domestic noir style narrative at its absolute finest.
In true Carol Mason style, the protagonist, Emily, is a strong female character who is both easily identifiable and likeable. At the beginning of the novel it seems as though Emily has a pretty much perfect life: a happy marriage, nice home, two happy and successful children. However; as the story progresses small seeds of doubt are cast as to just how perfect this family is – first with Zara, her introverted daughter who lives in the shadows of her successful brother; and then Eric, Emily’s husband, who not only works away but sometimes chooses to stay away at weekends. The story begins with Emily and her family being interviewed for a newspaper, as her son, Daniel, is a teenage local tennis celebrity. This event leads to the story’s intriguing hook that had me whizzing through so fast, at one point it felt like I was watching the scene playout in front of me with the remote control stuck on fast forward! How was this person involved in Emily’s life – I just had to find out.
The novel is structured around both a dual perspective and timeline. The present day is from Emily’s perspective, and the past timeline is from Eric’s perspective. This complex structure not only draws the reader into the lives of both characters it also adds a layer of dramatic irony as we start to understand how what happened to Eric in the past is affecting the problems his family are facing in the present; and all the while Emily is left in the dark and you're just itching for her to find out. When reading Emily’s present-day perspective you start to think Eric is a bit of a dick, especially when the reader is privy to flashback scenes. But when drawn into Eric’s past timeline you really empathise with him – but just how much can you trust him?
But this twisted and heart-wrenching plot is only part of what makes this such a brilliant read, and as the sub-plots merge, Emily’s true strength of character is revealed, making for one extremely satisfying read. I really can’t recommend this fabulous novel enough, and I am absolutely certain that as brilliant as Carol Mason’s previous books are, this is the one that will bring her reputation as the outstanding and exceptional writer that she is, well and truly under the spotlight.
I would recommend this book for anybody who likes any of the iconic Queens of Domestic Noir such as Louise Jensen, Lisa Jewell, Jane Shemilt, Jane Corry …
June 23, 2021
This was a great book that I really enjoyed all the way through. My first read by Carol Mason but certainly not my last. I knew from very early pages I was going to like this one.
Carol depicts her characters very realistically, even her grasp on moody teenage girls is impressive! As the book and the story really revolves around a cast of mixed characters I really liked the way I could connect. The book seamlessly moves back and forth in part between two timeframes and not for one moment was that disconnecting me from the book. It added a layer of questions that were not answered until the end and then that reveal was worth waiting for.
Families. Marriage. Friends. Teenagers. Neighbours. Secrets and Lies. You will get a blend of all this in Little White Secrets. Carol manages to give you enough teasers to want to taste more without giving away too much. My feelings about each character changed TOTALLY from beginning to end. I love it when a book can do that, play with my emotions around characters. This would make a great TV mini-series.
Some of it was totally unexpected for me and other bits I did see coming from early on, however I think each reader will have a different perspective reading this, I highly recommend for book clubs as it would make for hot discussion. I am a sucker for a bunch of dysfunctional, imperfect people in a novel and Carol delivered this really well. I thoroughly enjoyed Little White Secrets and am eager to read more from Carol, born in the North East of England like myself she must be a fabulous person. Recommended reading for sure.
Carol depicts her characters very realistically, even her grasp on moody teenage girls is impressive! As the book and the story really revolves around a cast of mixed characters I really liked the way I could connect. The book seamlessly moves back and forth in part between two timeframes and not for one moment was that disconnecting me from the book. It added a layer of questions that were not answered until the end and then that reveal was worth waiting for.
Families. Marriage. Friends. Teenagers. Neighbours. Secrets and Lies. You will get a blend of all this in Little White Secrets. Carol manages to give you enough teasers to want to taste more without giving away too much. My feelings about each character changed TOTALLY from beginning to end. I love it when a book can do that, play with my emotions around characters. This would make a great TV mini-series.
Some of it was totally unexpected for me and other bits I did see coming from early on, however I think each reader will have a different perspective reading this, I highly recommend for book clubs as it would make for hot discussion. I am a sucker for a bunch of dysfunctional, imperfect people in a novel and Carol delivered this really well. I thoroughly enjoyed Little White Secrets and am eager to read more from Carol, born in the North East of England like myself she must be a fabulous person. Recommended reading for sure.
May 19, 2020
Review coming soon.
September 1, 2020
Disclaimer *My review contains spoilers*
*Proceed at your own risk*
The writing style was great. The plot was alright. The story was somewhat interesting.
There are some negative things though that I need to point out.
1. If Em (the main character) knew that her husband was an alcoholic, why didnt she get him to go to an AA meeting earlier in book rather than the end? Was it because they were both in denial about his problem?
2. If Em's best friend knew her BF's husband was a drunk why didnt she say anything?
I think the only major plot that was in here was the fact that Bethany turned out to be Erics biological daughter after a drunken one night stand. Can you already guess that problem with this plot? That's right. I already guessed it. It was mean enough that I guessed it the chapter right before the truth came out which is super annoying. If I had already guessed it I should've stopped reading from there on right? Nope. I carried on.
The story bascially centers around the daughter and the new girl she met at school. It was good to start with I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it then just became annoying the more the story went on. The daughter, Zara kept doing the opposite of what her parents said, she kept running away. Her new friend Bethany was a very bad influence on her - even if she was technically her half-sister. It mainly focused around Zara and Bethany. Not so much the brother Daniel. It did at the begining but boy did it go downhill from there.
The ending I feel could've been better. I wanted more. I get that it was an okay ending but it wasn't a happy ending, well I suppose it was, Em got the hot doctor steve and a divorce but I feel like I need more.
The ending was a flashback confirming out what was already suspected. We knew that as soon as Em said it. Why did the writer have to confirm it. It could have been a so much better ending. Maybe I am being selfish about wanting more.
*Proceed at your own risk*
The writing style was great. The plot was alright. The story was somewhat interesting.
There are some negative things though that I need to point out.
1. If Em (the main character) knew that her husband was an alcoholic, why didnt she get him to go to an AA meeting earlier in book rather than the end? Was it because they were both in denial about his problem?
2. If Em's best friend knew her BF's husband was a drunk why didnt she say anything?
I think the only major plot that was in here was the fact that Bethany turned out to be Erics biological daughter after a drunken one night stand. Can you already guess that problem with this plot? That's right. I already guessed it. It was mean enough that I guessed it the chapter right before the truth came out which is super annoying. If I had already guessed it I should've stopped reading from there on right? Nope. I carried on.
The story bascially centers around the daughter and the new girl she met at school. It was good to start with I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, it then just became annoying the more the story went on. The daughter, Zara kept doing the opposite of what her parents said, she kept running away. Her new friend Bethany was a very bad influence on her - even if she was technically her half-sister. It mainly focused around Zara and Bethany. Not so much the brother Daniel. It did at the begining but boy did it go downhill from there.
The ending I feel could've been better. I wanted more. I get that it was an okay ending but it wasn't a happy ending, well I suppose it was, Em got the hot doctor steve and a divorce but I feel like I need more.
The ending was a flashback confirming out what was already suspected. We knew that as soon as Em said it. Why did the writer have to confirm it. It could have been a so much better ending. Maybe I am being selfish about wanting more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2020
Little White Secrets by Carol Mason was my first read from this author, and I was certainly impressed by her ability to draw the reader in with an intriguing storyline and richly developed characters. This is a compulsively readable domestic drama that will engage you from the very start.
Emily Rossi, to all outward appearances, is living a life that others would envy. A loving husband, two children who are her pride and joy, and a challenging career provide the foundation of a near idyllic life. Everything changes, however, when fourteen year old daughter Zara brings home a new friend, Bethany, and as the lives of the Rossi family members begin to unravel, Emily knows that her perfectly ordered life will never be the same.
This is an engaging read that, in my opinion, lands solidly in the genre of domestic drama, rather than mystery or thriller, although there are certainly some elements of surprise. Wonderful characterization and a few well-placed plot twists will keep you turning the pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.
Emily Rossi, to all outward appearances, is living a life that others would envy. A loving husband, two children who are her pride and joy, and a challenging career provide the foundation of a near idyllic life. Everything changes, however, when fourteen year old daughter Zara brings home a new friend, Bethany, and as the lives of the Rossi family members begin to unravel, Emily knows that her perfectly ordered life will never be the same.
This is an engaging read that, in my opinion, lands solidly in the genre of domestic drama, rather than mystery or thriller, although there are certainly some elements of surprise. Wonderful characterization and a few well-placed plot twists will keep you turning the pages.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC.
April 23, 2020
Secrets unravel the illusion of the perfect middle class family life. Emily Rossi's life slowly falls apart as her husband's past transgression has serious repercussions on their current life. I didn't much care for any other characters and found Emily and Steve's instant attraction rather unbelievable. The sexual nature of the abuse of the Emily's teen daughter Zara -- instigated by her unbeknownst half-sister no less -- was depressing and disturbing. This was definitely not a light nor fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to book in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This was an enthralling and captivating read from Carol Mason and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. This is the first book by her I have read and I will definitely be seeking out more of her books!
The Rossi family from the outside look like the perfect family but then Zara (the teenage daughter) brings home a new friend one day (Bethany) and a series of secrets, lies and events unfold that turns the seemingly perfect family on its head.
This was an enthralling and captivating read from Carol Mason and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. This is the first book by her I have read and I will definitely be seeking out more of her books!
The Rossi family from the outside look like the perfect family but then Zara (the teenage daughter) brings home a new friend one day (Bethany) and a series of secrets, lies and events unfold that turns the seemingly perfect family on its head.
October 11, 2020
Nothing new to me.
Family having marriage problems.
Youngest daughter befriends a bad girl that starts to get her in trouble.
Mother can't stand the bad girl nor her mother.
Father has a secret which is noticeable right away.
Plus fathers a drunk.
Nothing new I haven't read before. Just okay.
Family having marriage problems.
Youngest daughter befriends a bad girl that starts to get her in trouble.
Mother can't stand the bad girl nor her mother.
Father has a secret which is noticeable right away.
Plus fathers a drunk.
Nothing new I haven't read before. Just okay.
April 23, 2020
Outstanding. A gripping, beautifully-written novel that gradually peels back the layers of the truth behind the image of a family that appears to have it all. I loved that this book didn't tick all the neat boxes. Yes, it's part women's fiction, part psychological suspense, and a portrait of a marriage unraveling. But it's also a powerful story about the devastating impact of secrets, lies, and alcohol abuse on one family. From page one, I had no idea where the story was heading, but I knew the author would deliver. And she did! I read many chapters with a pounding heart. I will not soon forget the characters or the storyline.
May 29, 2020
Thank You to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this eBook!!
For Emily Rossi, life may not be perfect, but it’s pretty close. She has a great career, a house in the country, a solid marriage to Eric and two wonderful children, Daniel and Zara. But when Zara brings home a toxic new best friend Bethany, Emily’s seemingly perfect family starts to spiral out of control.
This was an intense book!! It's full of suspense and twists that keeps you turning pages to find out the little white secrets (which btw were not little at all) !!
For Emily Rossi, life may not be perfect, but it’s pretty close. She has a great career, a house in the country, a solid marriage to Eric and two wonderful children, Daniel and Zara. But when Zara brings home a toxic new best friend Bethany, Emily’s seemingly perfect family starts to spiral out of control.
This was an intense book!! It's full of suspense and twists that keeps you turning pages to find out the little white secrets (which btw were not little at all) !!
September 29, 2020
I volunteered to read this book, through netgalley in exchange, for an honest review.
An exceptional read with so many twist and turns, I couldn't put the book down. I became invested in the characters that had so many layers
An exceptional read with so many twist and turns, I couldn't put the book down. I became invested in the characters that had so many layers
May 4, 2020
FirstLine ~ PROLOUGE: 'Zara?' I shout, as I stare at my face in the mirror at the bottom of the stairs.
This book was a quite the read. It had a lot of twists and turns that I certainly did not see coming. It was an intense domestic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! I loved the characters and how dynamic all the relationships were. You definitely had some breadcrumbs laid out for you, but you never quite knew where the intense intersections of the plot/subplots were going to come to a head. Brilliant!
This book was a quite the read. It had a lot of twists and turns that I certainly did not see coming. It was an intense domestic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! I loved the characters and how dynamic all the relationships were. You definitely had some breadcrumbs laid out for you, but you never quite knew where the intense intersections of the plot/subplots were going to come to a head. Brilliant!
April 23, 2020
Little White Secrets is an easily readable and well-developed domestic drama with a bit of a twist. The story opens up well as it begins with a staged photograph of the family for a newspaper article, showing the appearance of a perfect family. But the cracks in Emily's life are slowly unravelled, as you become eager to find out where it all went so wrong.
We know from the beginning that Eric has a secret, but whilst I guessed early on what that was, Mason often convinced me that I had got it wrong. She plots her story well, and the tension builds successfully until everything is finally laid out bare.
Although I enjoyed Mason's writing, I struggled to connect with her characters. I didn't particularly like Emily because she was at a point in her life when she was very fed up, and that oozed through her narrative. But Mason voices her characters well. Emily still felt genuine, and I always understood and agreed with her actions and feelings despite not feeling much compassion for her.
Mason really seems to understand Emily's emotions and the situation regarding her married life was explored really well. It's not often you would encourage a character in Emily's situation to do what she does, both against her family (regarding Steve) and for them (regarding Bethany), but you want Emily to stand up for her family as well as to do something for herself and find happiness at the end of it all.
However, it wasn't the fight to save her marriage that I thought it was going to be. Emily would do anything for her children, that was obvious, but she wasn't willing to fight for Eric anymore. She had given up by this point, and there was no love left. I don't blame her for that because Eric's actions are inexcusable and I thought from the beginning that she deserved better than him, but this just meant that it didn't have the sense of undying love that I expected it to have. It's more realistic than that, and whilst there may be some kind of happily ever after, this definitely wasn't a fairytale.
Whilst there's a lot that I could identify with, I still felt very disengaged with all of the characters which prevented me from loving this book. I think the problem was that I sympathised with the daughter more than the mother, so I was looking at the situation as my 14-year-old self rather than in any maternal way. Although Emily's actions speak loud enough towards the end, I didn't always agree with her actions beforehand and was pleading with her to see things from Zara's point of view more often and to be more sympathetic.
Overall, Mason details a number of personal struggles with a brilliant approach, creating very honest and real characters with relatable issues. It could have been rounded up more quickly at the end, but the rest of the book makes for a very intriguing read.
This is Mason's sixth novel and I'm certainly interested in reading more from her after reading this.
We know from the beginning that Eric has a secret, but whilst I guessed early on what that was, Mason often convinced me that I had got it wrong. She plots her story well, and the tension builds successfully until everything is finally laid out bare.
Although I enjoyed Mason's writing, I struggled to connect with her characters. I didn't particularly like Emily because she was at a point in her life when she was very fed up, and that oozed through her narrative. But Mason voices her characters well. Emily still felt genuine, and I always understood and agreed with her actions and feelings despite not feeling much compassion for her.
Mason really seems to understand Emily's emotions and the situation regarding her married life was explored really well. It's not often you would encourage a character in Emily's situation to do what she does, both against her family (regarding Steve) and for them (regarding Bethany), but you want Emily to stand up for her family as well as to do something for herself and find happiness at the end of it all.
However, it wasn't the fight to save her marriage that I thought it was going to be. Emily would do anything for her children, that was obvious, but she wasn't willing to fight for Eric anymore. She had given up by this point, and there was no love left. I don't blame her for that because Eric's actions are inexcusable and I thought from the beginning that she deserved better than him, but this just meant that it didn't have the sense of undying love that I expected it to have. It's more realistic than that, and whilst there may be some kind of happily ever after, this definitely wasn't a fairytale.
Whilst there's a lot that I could identify with, I still felt very disengaged with all of the characters which prevented me from loving this book. I think the problem was that I sympathised with the daughter more than the mother, so I was looking at the situation as my 14-year-old self rather than in any maternal way. Although Emily's actions speak loud enough towards the end, I didn't always agree with her actions beforehand and was pleading with her to see things from Zara's point of view more often and to be more sympathetic.
Overall, Mason details a number of personal struggles with a brilliant approach, creating very honest and real characters with relatable issues. It could have been rounded up more quickly at the end, but the rest of the book makes for a very intriguing read.
This is Mason's sixth novel and I'm certainly interested in reading more from her after reading this.
July 28, 2020
Middle of the road read for me.
This is not a mystery/thriller, instead a domestic/family drama. Had that been established at the start I may have had more appropriate expectations. There are some twists, yes, but they were hardly surprising.
The cast is pretty much a horrible and unlikable group, definitely all the main characters. Was it well written? Yes, decent premise, good pacing and I was overall entertained. Had I done a little digging and realized that this was a drama I think it would have gone down a little better. If you’re into that then I think you will enjoy this. I would check out more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.
This is not a mystery/thriller, instead a domestic/family drama. Had that been established at the start I may have had more appropriate expectations. There are some twists, yes, but they were hardly surprising.
The cast is pretty much a horrible and unlikable group, definitely all the main characters. Was it well written? Yes, decent premise, good pacing and I was overall entertained. Had I done a little digging and realized that this was a drama I think it would have gone down a little better. If you’re into that then I think you will enjoy this. I would check out more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Amazon Publishing UK for a copy in exchange for a review.
May 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, it was easy to fall straight into, at first I felt it wasn’t giving me quite enough thrills and wasn’t moving as quick as I would have liked it to however the author was very clever at building the picture up and getting you really hooked to the characters and the twisted plot.
.
I found a few characters frustrating and felt quite cringy reading about the husband Eric! I just didn’t have a very good feel for him through the whole book and thought he came across as an absolute pig!
Overall a capturing read and an absolute page turner!
.
I found a few characters frustrating and felt quite cringy reading about the husband Eric! I just didn’t have a very good feel for him through the whole book and thought he came across as an absolute pig!
Overall a capturing read and an absolute page turner!
July 28, 2020
This is my first book by Carol Mason, but it certainly won't be my last.
Emily Rossi seems to have it all - as near perfect as she could wish for; a good marriage, two teenage children who are both happy and well adjusted and a career that fits in around it all. Until, that is, her daughter makes a new friend and suddenly life isn't as perfect after all . . .
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this author; surprisingly, given her bio, she isn't one I had heard much about before. This is a story which will ring true to anyone who has, or had, teenagers, but this isn't just about the kids - there is so much more going on! Secrets have a way of worming their way out and this novel has more than you would think. Smoothly written, I found myself really invested in the Rossi family and very quickly became immersed in all the goings on. As things unfold, there are still secrets hidden away - all of which come out eventually (as secrets do) and there was more than one surprise! A really well planned novel with believable characters and scenarios, this is a most enjoyable read and I already have another two by this author waiting to be read. I'm very happy to recommend this book and the author, and give this one 4.5*.
Emily Rossi seems to have it all - as near perfect as she could wish for; a good marriage, two teenage children who are both happy and well adjusted and a career that fits in around it all. Until, that is, her daughter makes a new friend and suddenly life isn't as perfect after all . . .
I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this author; surprisingly, given her bio, she isn't one I had heard much about before. This is a story which will ring true to anyone who has, or had, teenagers, but this isn't just about the kids - there is so much more going on! Secrets have a way of worming their way out and this novel has more than you would think. Smoothly written, I found myself really invested in the Rossi family and very quickly became immersed in all the goings on. As things unfold, there are still secrets hidden away - all of which come out eventually (as secrets do) and there was more than one surprise! A really well planned novel with believable characters and scenarios, this is a most enjoyable read and I already have another two by this author waiting to be read. I'm very happy to recommend this book and the author, and give this one 4.5*.
June 14, 2020
A brilliant family drama with secrets brewing underneath.
My first book by this author, I loved how the cracks in a perfect family were slowly revealed by the author. Written in dual timelines, the story was slow to start with, but soon picked up pace.
An engrossing read.
My first book by this author, I loved how the cracks in a perfect family were slowly revealed by the author. Written in dual timelines, the story was slow to start with, but soon picked up pace.
An engrossing read.
April 13, 2020
Carol Mason British author and this is her sixth novel. I'm not sure how I missed reading her books but after reading Little White Secrets I plan to read her earlier books. This was a well written book about a family in trouble and the lengths that a mother will go to make sure her family is safe.
Emily and Eric Rossi live in a small town in England. Eric works in London and only comes home on the weekends and Emily is a professor at the local university. They have two children: 18 year old Daniel who is a tennis superstar and Zara, 14 years old, who is quiet and sensitive and doesn't fit well into her school life or her family life. Life may not be perfect for the Rossi family but it's pretty close to perfect. As the reader gets to know the family, we see the cracks developing that may tear them apart. Emily resents Eric being gone all week and leaving the parenting to her. Eric is developing a drinking problem. Zara who hasn't had a friend since they moved finds a new friend and she and Bethany become inseparable . The problem is that this friendship is toxic - Bethany has no respect for authority, drinks and has a boyfriend 10 years older than her. Bethany's mom turns a blind eye to all the trouble that her daughter causes and doesn't get involved in her life. When Emily finds out that Zara has been skipping school and hanging out with Bethany's older friends, she forbids Zara to see her friend again. We all know how well that works out with a teenage daughter! We are aware that Zara has secrets but it's the secrets that Eric and Emily are keeping from each other that may implode this family. Even small secrets, over time can become major. Can Emily save her family as the secrets come to light or will the secrets keep her family from surviving.
This is the story of family and love and acceptance. It's full of suspense that keep the pages turning and make it into a very satisfying novel. It kept me up most of one night to see how it would end. If you enjoy family-centric novels, this is one to add to your to-read list.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Emily and Eric Rossi live in a small town in England. Eric works in London and only comes home on the weekends and Emily is a professor at the local university. They have two children: 18 year old Daniel who is a tennis superstar and Zara, 14 years old, who is quiet and sensitive and doesn't fit well into her school life or her family life. Life may not be perfect for the Rossi family but it's pretty close to perfect. As the reader gets to know the family, we see the cracks developing that may tear them apart. Emily resents Eric being gone all week and leaving the parenting to her. Eric is developing a drinking problem. Zara who hasn't had a friend since they moved finds a new friend and she and Bethany become inseparable . The problem is that this friendship is toxic - Bethany has no respect for authority, drinks and has a boyfriend 10 years older than her. Bethany's mom turns a blind eye to all the trouble that her daughter causes and doesn't get involved in her life. When Emily finds out that Zara has been skipping school and hanging out with Bethany's older friends, she forbids Zara to see her friend again. We all know how well that works out with a teenage daughter! We are aware that Zara has secrets but it's the secrets that Eric and Emily are keeping from each other that may implode this family. Even small secrets, over time can become major. Can Emily save her family as the secrets come to light or will the secrets keep her family from surviving.
This is the story of family and love and acceptance. It's full of suspense that keep the pages turning and make it into a very satisfying novel. It kept me up most of one night to see how it would end. If you enjoy family-centric novels, this is one to add to your to-read list.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
May 4, 2020
To me it remains a bit of a secret why other people find this a great book.
I mean the writing is great, but the story never really hooks me. From the first few chapters I already knew where the story was going and how it might end. For this type of book it’s not what you want.
Emily seems to have a perfect family, but in the first few chapters you already know this absolutely isn’t the case. The only character who seems to be ‘perfect’ is her son, but he only rarely makes an appearance. The story is about her daughter, Zara, and her husband Eric. Zara seems quiet and a thoughtful soul until she brings home a new friend who sets in motion a slew of life changing events for this family.
As I mentioned before I found this book unsurprising and highly predictable. You’d expect twists and turn and surprising secrets and reveals in this book, but it didn’t have it for me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
I mean the writing is great, but the story never really hooks me. From the first few chapters I already knew where the story was going and how it might end. For this type of book it’s not what you want.
Emily seems to have a perfect family, but in the first few chapters you already know this absolutely isn’t the case. The only character who seems to be ‘perfect’ is her son, but he only rarely makes an appearance. The story is about her daughter, Zara, and her husband Eric. Zara seems quiet and a thoughtful soul until she brings home a new friend who sets in motion a slew of life changing events for this family.
As I mentioned before I found this book unsurprising and highly predictable. You’d expect twists and turn and surprising secrets and reveals in this book, but it didn’t have it for me.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
May 11, 2020
LITTLE WHITE SECRETS has been a roller coaster, not for a second allowing me to anticipate events. It is an enthralling family drama I could not put down.
Emily’s life is picture perfect with a wonderful husband, a striving career and two adorable children – a tennis champion, Daniel and a very quiet teenage girl, Zara. She couldn’t wish for more, some would say. But when her fourteen year old daughter starts hanging out with the wrong people, it all goes downhill.
All of a sudden, Zara is skipping school, taking drugs and hangs out with the exact people you wouldn’t wish your child to even meet. And, as Emily’s marriage seems solid, she needs her husband more than ever but he proves to be unreliable and hiding a very dark secret that turns her life upside down. Her marriage lasted all these years through lies that are now tearing her apart and I have to admit that I thought this will be a story with no survivors or one where the bad guy wins.
I can definitely say that this terrifying story will grip the hearts of every mother and wife out there. All throughout this novel deals with addiction, infidelity and bad choices, teen drama, mental health and loss getting you more and more involved. As the events unravel, the reader receives shock after shock with each new discovery more painful the previous. I have to say that Mason did such a good job portraying each character. They are all complex, far from perfect and not easy to like but most certainly suited for the plot.
This novel is full of twists and turns, of secrets divulged as you dive into the story and I have to admit that I had times when I had to stop and get a grip. As soon as I went over one shock I had to get back, desperate to know what happens next. So if you are looking for a five star domestic drama that will keep you hooked, grab LITTLE WHITE SECRETS by Carol Mason
Emily’s life is picture perfect with a wonderful husband, a striving career and two adorable children – a tennis champion, Daniel and a very quiet teenage girl, Zara. She couldn’t wish for more, some would say. But when her fourteen year old daughter starts hanging out with the wrong people, it all goes downhill.
All of a sudden, Zara is skipping school, taking drugs and hangs out with the exact people you wouldn’t wish your child to even meet. And, as Emily’s marriage seems solid, she needs her husband more than ever but he proves to be unreliable and hiding a very dark secret that turns her life upside down. Her marriage lasted all these years through lies that are now tearing her apart and I have to admit that I thought this will be a story with no survivors or one where the bad guy wins.
I can definitely say that this terrifying story will grip the hearts of every mother and wife out there. All throughout this novel deals with addiction, infidelity and bad choices, teen drama, mental health and loss getting you more and more involved. As the events unravel, the reader receives shock after shock with each new discovery more painful the previous. I have to say that Mason did such a good job portraying each character. They are all complex, far from perfect and not easy to like but most certainly suited for the plot.
This novel is full of twists and turns, of secrets divulged as you dive into the story and I have to admit that I had times when I had to stop and get a grip. As soon as I went over one shock I had to get back, desperate to know what happens next. So if you are looking for a five star domestic drama that will keep you hooked, grab LITTLE WHITE SECRETS by Carol Mason
April 1, 2020
Who knew there could be so many little secrets in the Rossi family! The son Eric is a star tennis player and the daughter Zara is the introvert living in her brothers shadow. The protagonist Emily is a strong female who teaches a communications course at University. Eric is the father/husband who works in London and comes home on weekends. The story is told in the past and present from the prospective of Emily and Eric.
Zara starts staying out late, drinking and taking drugs when she starts hanging out with the new girl Bethany. Emily realizes that Bethany is no good for her daughter and tries everything to keep them apart. This is where the story starts to unfold along with all the little secrets. Eric's past is slowly revealed and you start to understand how it is affecting his present family problems. Emily is in the dark when it comes to Eric's past, but hell knows no fury like a woman scorned.
There are characters I felt sorry for and characters I hated. The book is a well written intense story that kept me turning the pages. I figured out one of the secrets but still enjoyed the book and the ending. If you like stories filled with suspense, anger, and family issues, I highly recommend this book. This is the first book I have read by Carol Mason and I will be looking up her other books. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Zara starts staying out late, drinking and taking drugs when she starts hanging out with the new girl Bethany. Emily realizes that Bethany is no good for her daughter and tries everything to keep them apart. This is where the story starts to unfold along with all the little secrets. Eric's past is slowly revealed and you start to understand how it is affecting his present family problems. Emily is in the dark when it comes to Eric's past, but hell knows no fury like a woman scorned.
There are characters I felt sorry for and characters I hated. The book is a well written intense story that kept me turning the pages. I figured out one of the secrets but still enjoyed the book and the ending. If you like stories filled with suspense, anger, and family issues, I highly recommend this book. This is the first book I have read by Carol Mason and I will be looking up her other books. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book and this is my honest review.
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