Book Review: Her Family Secret by Melissa Wiesner

Love a bit of family drama? I’m sure you do! Check out this latest review to get your fix.

Goodreads Blurb

June Westwood is devastated by the news the father she never met has died. Now the truth about why Jasper abandoned her as a child will be buried forever. Escaping to the secluded beach house she’s inherited, June hopes to spend time bonding with her two little daughters, away from her hectic job and failing marriage.

On the wild shores of the Pacific Northwest, her father’s hideaway leaves June breathless. But it’s his oil paintings decorating every wall that surprise her most. How could someone paint other people so beautifully, but reject those closest to him? And why is every drawer in her father’s workshop locked? June hopes her new neighbor—her father’s apprentice Caleb—will provide the answers. But Caleb won’t talk about the past.

Then, hidden in her father’s workshop, June discovers a box of newspaper clippings that reveal the shocking reason why her father left years ago—and uncovers Caleb’s own devastating secret…

When her old life comes calling, June has an impossible decision to make. Unsure what’s best for her girls, and if she can trust Caleb, will digging deeper into her father’s dark past heal or destroy her precious family?

Review

What I liked about Her Family Secret was that the drama of the story carried some serious messages within it. It is difficult to touch on these messages without giving the entire plot away but the author wonderfully explores mental health, the importance of family, and the negative impact giving up your own dream for the sake of others can have.

The enjoyment of “drama” itself I think will be down to the preference of the reader. For myself, I was expecting something a bit more. A bit more wild, I guess. I’ve spent too long reading psychological thrillers! Also, I wasn’t expecting there to be so much of a love story element, and that contributed toward my lukewarm feeling toward Her Family Secret.

At the same time, I loved the relationships between June and her sisters, and well as Caleb and his brother. I think exploring these relationships a bit more and putting them front and centre would have made for a better read for me. However, that is just my personal opinion. There are many different elements for many different types of readers to pick up and run with in this book. Its enjoyment really will come down to the individual.

Like to give Her Family Secret a read? Pick up your copy of the book here.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.