This is my second review in a row on a book with the word 'secret' in the title. And no, I am not giving anything away this time either, I wouldn't want to put my foot in it...
The blurb
If crime writer Lottie Lucas hadn’t landed a three-book-deal, she’d never have met Ryan. Older, suave, confident, refined Ryan. Or Relic Ryan as bestie Jen calls him.
However, there’s something Lottie hasn’t told Jen. Ryan has an ex-wife – well, Lottie thinks Heather is an ex-wife, and Ryan wouldn’t lie, would he? It’s galling that Heather is still on the scene, and Lottie knows Jen wouldn’t approve.
But Lottie is hugging a bigger secret. This one is something else and, like a nasty spot, it’s threatening to come to a head and cause a mess entirely of Lottie’s own making.
If Jen found out she’d bash Lottie over the head with one of her size sevens, and if Ryan caught wind – well, that would be an entirely different scenario.
So, when an opportunity arises to escape to Cornwall, Lottie grabs it like a drowning person clutching a lifebuoy. A change of location seems like the perfect solution to both issues. But Lottie is about to discover that secrets have a habit of catching up with you – and this one is tracking her like a supersonic missile…
This was the first time I read one of Debbie Viggiano's books, and I must say I am hooked because this one goes further than your average romcom. Sure, Lottie's Little secret is full of laugh-out-loud moments, but there's more. It's also heartbreakingly aggravating at times. All the romcom elements are there: love in the air, wrong boy, right boy, and a happy ending.
Deeper layer
But there's a deeper layer, I thought, and one that enraged me -- don't get me wrong I appreciate the gift of an author to enrage you. It adds another dimension, you root even harder for Lottie. Throughout the book Lottie relays how she got financially abused by her first husband. I think if that had been me, and my ex had drained our assets like Lottie's ex had done, I might have turned to something a lot more criminal than Lottie's little secret. And now it seems her new love interest is also taking her for granted, or maybe not, hmm, that's for you to find out...
I enjoyed getting to know the little villagethat Lottie moved to after things had came to an all time low with herhusband; it even has a sulky cat in it, and a village gossip of course. Lottie's friend Jen who lives nearby, is the best and unwittingly points Lottie in the right direction at a crucial part of the story, albeit not in the kindest of manners -- as only true best friends can.
More mature
Throughout the book Lottie, at 48, does finally learn to stand up for herself. Without giving any spoilers, she does! And I was applauding her along the way, also enjoying the fact that the main character was a more mature woman. I think we should get more of these heroines.
The story comes to a head at their so-called love escape in a castle. A great setting for dramatic highs and lows, I am sure you'll agree. And in the end, what did I think when I found out Lottie's little secret? To be honest, I didn't think it was that big a deal. But it did add yet another hugely entertaining element to the story.
Debbie Viggiano
Prior to turning her attention to writing, Debbie Viggiano was, for more years than she cares to remember, a legal secretary. She lives with her Italian husband, a rescued pooch from Crete, and a very disgruntled cat. Occasionally her adult children return home bringing her much joy... apart from when they want to raid the fridge or eat her secret stash of chocolate.
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