Spanish House Secrets by Susan Gray

 Spanish House Secrets

 by Susan Gray

Spanish House Secrets was published in 2023. My thanks to Susan for sending me a copy to review and to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to take part on the tour.

Synopsis

In 2019 Grace’s memories from childhood are stirred by the sound of a melody. Her home in 1950’s England was a Spanish House. A house with secrets.

1920’s England…loveable, likeable Simon receives a letter on the eve of his twenty-first birthday. A letter that will change the course of his life.

Dainty, demure Olivia has so much to be thankful for: a doting husband, a beautiful house and a thriving business…but a nagging doubt. In the last years of the Roaring Twenties this doubt is compounded by the discovery of a discarded item.

Elise has known many harsh blows in her young life. Returning to her home in Madrid in 1922, she knows she must pick herself up and move on. Can she continue to live in this Spanish House? The arrival of a visitor creates a new dimension for her.

Spanish House Secrets is a story of love, life, loss, jealousy and forgiveness set in the twentieth century.

My Review

What a beautiful story this is in so many ways. I absolutely loved it from start ot finish. This is a story of love, life  and loss and how it affects Simon, Grace, Olivia and Elise.

As in all good stories, especially those that are built on a dual timeline with chapters that focus on an individual at a  specific time, there will be characters that you will love straight away, those who you will grow to love and those who you will positively loathe.

Spanish House Secrets ticks all the above boxes and more. There is mystery, romance - will they won't they - and "Whoa, I didn't see that coming !!!!" moments, all based around the intrigue of a Spanish House built in England.

The story is incredibly well-written in an engrossing way that pulls you into the characters, their personalities, secrets and outcomes. All the characters develop well  as this easy to read story progresses. There are no corners cut in its delivery, every aspect is well thought through and executed with the skill of an accomplished writer who knows how to keep her readers hooked.

Consequently I was really surprised to learn that this is Susan's debut novel and I sincerely hope she is already planning, and writing,  her next as i , for one, am already looking forward to it.

it is so good to come across a new writer with this skill level.

About the Author

Susan Gray lives with her husband in northeast England. She has a son and daughter, both married, two granddaughters and a grand dog. After a career in primary teaching, she embraced retirement fulfilling her ambition to travel, attend Wimbledon and write a novel. She enjoys reading, walking, crafting, doing puzzles, catching up with friends over a coffee and being a gran. She has written several novels – Spanish House Secrets is the first to be published.