It Started With A Secret By Jill Mansell

‘It Started With A Secret’ is the latest book by Jill Mansell.

The trouble with secrets is that you can’t guess what the consequences will be. Lainey has lost everything. Luckily one little fib (OK, quite a big fib) helps nail her dream job. Soon she’s living in a stunning house by the sea, fending off obsessed fans for a retired – if far-from-retiring – actor and organising his charming but chaotic family. It’s definitely worth the challenge of keeping her secret. At least Lainey isn’t looking for love. It’s time for a break from all that. And yet . . . Seth, the actor’s grandson, really is rather attractive. There’s growing chemistry and a definite connection between them. But how would he react if he knew she hadn’t been honest with him? Lainey’s not the only one with a secret, though. Seth has one of his own. And everything’s about to start unravelling.

I spent my Saturday morning, curled up with Jill Mansell’s latest book and it really was an enjoyable story.

The story is seen through the narratives of Lainey and Seth. Lainey is working in France with her best friend Kit, as housekeepers in a gorgeous chateau. Sadly the owners are no longer able to keep the pair on due to financial problems and they find themselves unemployed and back in the UK. One day Lainey discovers a position for housekeeping in a seaside town working for Majella and her son Seth. Lainey and Kit pretend to be a couple to secure the job and find themselves living a lie, which is difficult as Lainey finds herself attracted to Seth whilst keeping up a pretence.

The characters are great in this story, Lainey is instantly likeable and relatable, she’s kind and bubbly personality that makes people drawn to her as well as confide in. Seth is charming and caring with a huge heart that is well hidden behind his mysterious personality. The insights from the duo make for lovely reading as they both battle with emotions as Lainey keeps up her pretend relationship and Seth deals with a new over eager relationship.

The accompanying characters from the charismatic and hilarious Richard, an elderly and retired actor that still has carloads of fans appearing at as door hoping for a glimpse or a reply to their fanmail. There’s also Majella, who’s tentatively putting herself back into the dating scene with hilarious results.

A smaller sub story which makes for tender reading is off Wyatt Hilstanton, who’s girlfriend turns his proposal offer down and we join on his journey of soul searching.

‘It Started With A Secret’ is a beautifully written that really pulls the reader in. With charismatic and relatable characters and real life issues that impact on everyone, such as sickness, love, getting back into the dating scene as well as finding your place in life.

A witty and tender story that really gets under the readers skin, ‘It Started With A Secret’ is an emotional rollercoaster of a story that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

You can buy ‘It Started With A Secret’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.