ALL MY SECRETS by LYNN AUSTEN is a beautifully written historical romance novel that takes place in New York during the Gilded Age, at the end of the nineteenth century. There is a strong Christian message of redemption and forgiveness together with that of making one’s life count by looking after those less fortunate rather than wasting money on living a lavish lifestyle and trying to impress one’s wealthy acquaintances. There is also the horror of losing one’s reputation and providing gossip for the gossipmongers. Society “friends” tend to be rivals who live for the latest bit of gossip.
Adelaide Stanhope is the third daughter of A.B. and Sylvia Stanhope, and when her father dies unexpectedly,she, her mother and grandmother, are left in a bad financial situation due to the family inheritance being entailed to a male heir.
Sylvia is desperate to keep up appearances and spends what little money they have to try and find a rich husband for her daughter, determined to keep the grand Stanhope mansion and give Addie the opulent life she is used to. This is the second time Sylvia has lost everything.
Grandmother Junietta, however, after being blackmailed by her father in law into a loveless marriage, sees this as an opportuity to escape from prison for Addie where she will be able to marry for love and even pursue a career if she wants to do so. It is hard for Addie who dearly loves her mother and feels she is honour bound to save the family. She also dearly loves her grandmother and does not want to'disappoint her.
Junietta is very natural and outspoken. The thing that is most important to her is the Stanhope Foundation which she started and which she runs. She hopes to instil her ideas into Addie whilst telling her her rather scandalous life story and showing her what life is like on the other side of town. She encourages Sylvia to tell her daughter about her past and hidden dreams.
Another person who has an important part to play is the young lawyer, Howard Forsythe, whose father is a minister and who advocates prayer and quotes Scripture and is also rather good looking. He is helping Sylvia sell excess furniture and manage her money.
This novel gives one a great deal of food for thought as we watch the characters make life changing decisions, some leading to feelings of guilt which can only be dealt with when taken to the Lord in repentance. It is interesting to see the secrets of this proud old family unfold…..
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
Lyyn Austen is one of my favourite authors and I cannot recommend this latest novel of hers highly enough.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely myown.
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