The Twenty-One-Year Contract: Sequel to Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox

by L.B. Griffin

The Twenty-One-Year Contract A poignant journey of resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of memory.

Kathleen Gray’s life in Somerset begins with promise and affection - but fate has other plans. When tragedy strikes, she must shed her past and become Kate Westfield, forging a new identity in the heart of London. What unfolds is a deeply moving story of survival, friendship, and the courage to rebuild.

As Kate unravels the secrets tucked inside a shoebox of hidden answers, she discovers that the past never truly stays buried, and that healing often begins with truth. From adored daughter to independent woman, her transformation is both heartbreaking and inspiring.

Perfect for readers who cherish emotionally rich narratives, The Twenty-One-Year Contract explores how love, loss, and resilience shape us across decades. Fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, and Santa Montefiore will find themselves swept away by this elegant and unforgettable tale.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2022

About the author

L.B. Griffin, born and raised in Bath UK absolutely loves writing fiction. She is happily married and surrounded by her family in Wiltshire.

She has always written around the full-time paid job and pays tribute to everyone she has taught and met along the way. They have been her inspiration to write.

Whilst her stories touch upon social issues, and the harsher realities of life, they are filled with gentle hints of romance. Her women are strong, courageous, and yet easy to identify with and have simply touched the hearts of many.

Griffin’s debut novel, Secrets, Shame and a Shoebox was released world-wide mid-2021, and immediately received rave reviews. The sequel, The Twenty-One-Year Contract, also standalone, continues to receive fabulous 5-star reviews. These are complete works of fiction.

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Reviews

[Richard Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

L.B. Griffin pens a masterful work with The Twenty-one-Year Contract, as she takes us on a journey from post-war England and through the 1950s and 1960s. And if you are a child of the 60s like I was, where the Fab Four and the Stones ruled the airwaves, James Bond lit up the silver screen, and Twiggy was the posh bird of fashion, Griffin took me there straight away.

This is a beautifully written tale of a gifted young girl who rises above the tragedy of personal loss to become a strong, determined, and intelligent woman. Thank God for Uncle Jack--every little girl should have one :-)

Griffin's characters were/are believable, real, and human who are not without personal challenges. I wouldn't be surprised if she too had individuals in her life who were supportive and caring.

I do not typically read books of this genre but because of L.B.'s gifted hand and imagination, I think I will be in the future. I thoroughly enjoyed The Twenty-One-Year Contract and I hope that young girls on both sides of the pond have a chance to meet and get to know Kathleen.

5 Stars for you, L.B., well done

[Mark Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This tale is a trip back to a simpler time, but there’s nothing simple about this story. There are flashbacks to World War II, with all the emotions and challenges of the day. Then the journey moves forward, through the fifties and into the sixties, bringing plenty of images that make it easy to visualize England during that period.

Griffin does a wonderful job, drawing you in with characters that are easy to like and identify with. Kathleen is a determined, talented young woman with a bit of a stubborn streak. Her life has been daunting from an early age, yet her strong will and intelligence carry her through.

There are plenty of surprises and twists along the way as she comes of age, along with a little romance amongst the players.

This was a very enjoyable read that I highly recommend.

[Debbie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age novel set in 1940s-1960s England
This women’s fiction book tells the story of a fierce girl who grows into a strong independent woman launching her own fashion design line. The story begins with the sudden loss of her adoptive family, and as she grows up, attending school, making her way in the world with her uncle Jack’s support, she makes new friends and learns more about her family. Her path to maturity intrigued me, especially given her young age and the time period. The elements of suspense and romance were nicely layered. Overall, a very enjoyable read – and while this is a sequel, I found that it easily stood alone. I might have to circle back to the first one now, though!

[Kim Ligon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the first book and couldn't wait for this one. Once again LB Griffin has given us a heroine who feeds on the adversity in her life to make her bolder and stronger. Kathleen Gray transforms herself into Kate Westfield through careful planning and personal strength. She continues to take chances to further her career. I was delighted when she ran into Harriet, the woman of inner strength from the first book. I loved the twists and turns along the way and the supporting cast of quirky characters who enrich Kate and Harriet's lives. You could read them each as standalone, but I was glad I'd read Shoebox first. Be sure to put it on your to be read list.

[Corinne LaBalme · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed Secrets, Shame and a Shoebox as much as I did, this book will be a delight as it functions both as a prequel and a sequel. You'll find many people you've met previously, but in different times, situations and seen from other points of view. Ms Griffin has created a complex world filled with charming and disarming characters... and a few nasty ones too since the world isn't always perfect. A great read -- even as a stand-alone -- I predict it will make you head for the first book after finishing it!

[Susie Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenager Kathleen Gray’s idyllic life in rural England is shattered when her adoptive parents and baby brother are killed in a car crash. While her only living relative, Uncle Jack, her mother’s brother, steps up to fill the void, the lifelong bachelor ex-pat living in the United States is incapable of being both father and mother to his teenage niece. Thinking he’s done the best thing for her Jack enrolls Kathleen in boarding school. But Kathleen, a talented seamstress, has a much different vision of the direction her life should go next. She runs away to London, re-invents herself, and becomes Kate Westfield-designer extraordinaire.
Author L. B. Griffin has written an emotionally taut plot driven by betrayal, love, loss, trust, family ties, youthful angst, and the inner strength one must summon to face adversity created by human fallibility and fate. The story moves at a comfortable pace with flawed but believable characters who drive the plot. The characters evoke strong emotions in readers right from page one. This reader wanted to hug Kate on one page and throttle her on the next. Griffin creates enough conflict with an exciting backstory to keep readers turning the pages to see how it all turns out in a blockbuster of a surprise ending that ties all the ribbons together that the author has deftly woven throughout the plot.
Part coming of age, part romance, part redemption with a second chance at life, The Twenty-One Year Contract will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a story fueled by a mixture of heartbreak and hope and believe that things are not always what they appear to be. This terrific book has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has given it.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

THOUGHTS: This is the perfect sequel to the author’s first book “Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox”. Actually, it’s more a continuation of the story but from a different point of view. In this one, we’re following Kate (Katherine) instead of Harriet, though their stories are definitely intertwined in ways you can’t imagine. Adopted as a baby, Kate goes through the tragic loss of her family at age fourteen and ends up under the guardianship of her uncle Jack. Unfortunately, his job doesn’t allow him time to have a family, so he sends Kate off to boarding school. Though school isn’t awful, all she thinks is that she’s been abandoned again and she starts to plan her getaway.

Adept at designing clothes, she escapes to London, changes her name from Katherine to Kate, and gets a job at an upscale dress shop. She eventually meets Harriet and the two become fast friends. When her uncle finally finds her, they have a long talk about everything and settle their differences. But there is something strange going on–Kate discovers that young girls often go missing from the fancy club she goes to. When she tries to interfere, she is beaten and warned off.

After recovering, Kate moves on with her life, but she can’t forget what’s happening and she and Harriet come up with ideas to help the less fortunate. Their twenty-first birthdays are coming up – the same day! and both will come into inheritances, which will help with their plans, but life is never that easy for these two young women.

This is an amazing sequel to the first book and definitely worth reading if you’ve read the first–which you really should do, first. And I hope there is more coming for the people in these books.

Definitely recommended.

[Laura Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique historical story from a writer with a very original voice. I liked the characters, who are real and diverse, and I loved the time period when it was set. You don’t see many stories set in the 1950s-1960s and this one felt so real, it was like being there. Though I hadn’t read the author’s previous book, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox. I was able to jump right into this story which read a little bit like an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Kathleen is a young woman of spirit who answers misfortune by stepping out on her own to achieve extraordinary things. Along the way she meets an amazing cast of characters. She doesn’t know it, but many of them are entwined in her life, which is another thing I enjoyed. Nothing is accidental here, and a strong thread of destiny runs through everything. The story really made me think about the people who have gone before us and the secrets they did, and did not keep.

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Twenty-One-Year Contract by L.B. Griffin is a poignant and empowering sequel to Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox, offering a tale of loss, reinvention, and the resilience of the human spirit. Kathleen Gray's idyllic life in rural Somerset is upended by tragedy, leaving her under the care of Uncle Jack, who struggles to fill the void. Determined to create a new path, Kathleen transforms into Kate Westfield, forging an independent life in London.

With captivating storytelling, Griffin weaves a narrative of self-discovery and perseverance, as Kate's journey reveals unexpected friendships and long-buried truths housed in a mysterious shoebox. The richly drawn characters and heartfelt exploration of grief, identity, and ambition make this 336-page novel a compelling read. Perfect for fans of emotional and uplifting stories, this sequel resonates with hope and the courage to overcome life’s unexpected challenges.

[Terry Segan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this story takes you on an emotional roller coaster filled with tragedy, sadness, and hope. I immediately got drawn in by the main character, Kate, whose life is full of love from her family and friends. Tragedy occurs quickly and turns her world upside down. As she takes destiny into her own hands, I have nothing but admiration at her strength and drive to succeed. Her only shortcoming is not trusting in those who love her. The author weaves a wonderful story with believable characters and villains. Griffin paints beautiful scenes in her descriptions of the British countryside and London in the 1950’s. You’ll want to savor every word until the final twists and turns of the very end.

[Kat Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming of age in 1960s London.

About The Book: orphaned as a young teenager, Kathleen Gray struggles to find her own way in the world, including learning more about her birth mother. But the laws governing release of information on adoption are strict. Kathleen, now Kate, learns to make a family of her heart—and eventually finds what she’s been looking for all along.

Our Review: The Twenty-One Year Contract is more than a coming of age during the turbulent 1960s. It is more than traveling the road of sex, drugs and rock & roll. It is a story of a hard fought battle for self-reliance, self-awareness and friendship.

On a scale of 1-5, The Twenty-One Year Contract deserves a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

[Anastasia Abboud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I hated for this book to end! What a wonderful story. The characters grab your heart and don't let go. They're just so real and loveable.

Brilliant author. She has us right there in the 1950s to the early 1960s, saying “groovy” and traveling from the bucolic English countryside to experience a seaside vacation in Cornwall, a young girl’s first trip to Paris, and the London party scene.

It’s not always pretty. This is a multi-layered story with many unexpected twists and some painful turns. We fall in love with Kate as a young girl. Almost hope against hope, we get to watch her grow into a brilliant young woman.

Her uncle Jack is a beautiful character.

In the end, The Twenty-One Year Contract is a story about self-discovery, family, friendship, and -- most of all -- about the strength of the human spirit.

Absolutely beautiful.

[Michelle Ryles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and adored Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox, I couldn't wait to read the sequel, The Twenty-One Year Contract and I am delighted to say that it is just as outstanding as its predecessor.

Whilst it is a sequel, it can definitely be read as a standalone but for anyone who has read Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox, it's like seeing that novel in high definition as I saw some of that story from another angle. This book concentrates on Kathleen's story from her tragic beginnings to her later success and friendship with Harriet, a character I remember fondly from the previous book.

The writing is sublime; L.B. Griffin doesn't just write with her heart, she writes with her heart and soul. You can't help but be drawn into Kathleen and Harriet's stories as they ebb and flow and eventually intertwine. The characters are so well developed that they leap out from the page and I feel like I know them and consider them friends. So much so that I'm not ashamed to admit that I shed a tear or two at the end.

With an exquisite storyline, I devoured every single page and I'm not mentioning any plot details at all as it is sure to spoil it for other readers and I really do urge you to discover L.B. Griffin's novels for yourself. The Twenty One Year Contract is described as a sequel but it is so much more than that as it accompanies and enhances Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox.

The Twenty-One Year Contract is a genre busting novel that will appeal to so many readers; it's historical, family saga, women's fiction, mystery and contemporary. It's poignant, hopeful, heartwarming and utterly breathtaking. So very highly recommended.

Many thanks to L.B. Griffin for sending me an ARC to read and review; all opinions are my own.

[Terry Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the age of 14, Kathleen Gray, adopted at birth, loses the only family she has known to a car accident. She only has her Uncle Jack left.
Feeling she’s a burden to the jet setting bachelor, she flees to London where she becomes Kate Westfield, budding fashion designer. Little did she know that when she started her new life, she would also discover secrets about her past. Secrets that affect her and those she loves.
L.B. Griffin’s masterful tale, The Twenty-One Year Contract, is a companion to her debut novel, Secrets, Shame, and a Shoebox, but you don’t need to read the first to enjoy the second.
The story, a coming-of-age novel, places you firmly in mid-twentieth century London, on the cusp of the cultural revolution of the 1960s. You see the excitement of the era through the eyes of Kate, her Uncle Jack, and her friend Hattie.
The plot is brilliant. Just when you think you’ve figured out what’s going to happen next, Griffin throws in a completely unexpected—but believable—twist so you’re compelled to keep turning the pages.
She’s gifted us with remarkably believable characters and gives us the privilege of seeing into each one’s mind. You’ll see the emotional struggles of all of the very real people who populate this book and find yourself invested in each of their lives.
The Twenty-One Year Contract will have you laughing, crying, and cheering. It’s a must-read.

[Diane Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1950s, young Kate is devastated when her adopted parents are killed in a car crash. But her handsome Uncle Jack takes over her care. However, his busy life precludes him from being a day to day surrogate father. He sends her to boarding school. Kate, at fifteen, realizes she needs to forge her own life and runs away to London. Her dream is to be a clothing designer. She also laments over who were her birth parents. Why did they give her up?

She finds a job at a small design company, but soon meets a shady woman named Dorian. Dorian offers her contacts, assignments, but she has a darker side that could destroy Kate if she doesn't cooperate.

After Kate meets Hester, they quickly bond, but Hester is also heading down a dark road with an unscrupulous man. How can they help one another?

Secrets from both their pasts surface in surprising ways.

Author Griffin dribbles in hints of secrets and lies throughout the story. Kate is a likeable heroine, talented and determined. She involves herself in charity, showing her kindness.

This is not an action-packed story, but one about family, betrayal, emotion, and love. I enjoyed finding out the truth about Kate's past.

[Shmuel Yaccoby · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting story with twists

When a personal tragedy occurs for a teenage girl, life could turn upside down or an opportunity for a new horizon harboring surprises. A narrative that is not easy to write convincingly, yet this author seems to successfully pass such a challenge.

In a positive note, this book reminded me of good classic British TV series. I like the interactions between the characters and the way each scene is visualized. Also, the writing filled with dialogues, leaving out unnecessary telling.

[Ellen Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

When 14 y/o Kathleen’s adoptive parents die in an accident, and her Uncle Jack becomes her guardian, he’s unprepared for the responsibility. He enrolls her in a boarding school. She’s miserable there but doesn’t want to burden him.

If only Kathleen could escape, she feels she could find happiness. She has a dream of becoming a clothing designer, and she’s an excellent seamstress. Wise beyond her years, she makes a plan and runs away. But pieces of her life are missing. Who is she? Some of the interesting people she meets are hiding secrets while others are digging up the truth in this emotion evoking novel.

The author did an excellent job of developing her characters, and sprinkling in plot twists. By the end, she had seamlessly woven their stories together. All this along with the vivid imagery, fantastic dialogue, and mystery kept me turning the pages.

I highly recommend this book. --

[Dave Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed Secrets, Shame And A Shoebox I was looking forward to reading the Sequel. All I can say is wow, I was not disappointed. This book moves along at an ever increasing pace and I found I could not put it down. The characters are so real that they jump off the page. Can I suggest that you read Secrets, Shame And A Shoebox first.
Hopefully there will be a third book to follow!