All My Secrets

De: Lynn Austin

Narrado por: Sarah Zimmerman

Three generations of women in one family must reckon with the choices they have made and their hopes for the future.

New York, 1898. The only thing more shocking than Arthur Stanhope III’s unexpected death is the revelation that his will bestows his company—and most of the vast fortune that goes with it—to the nearest male heir, leaving his mother, wife, and daughter nearly impoverished. His widow, Sylvia, quickly realizes she must set aside her grief to ensure their daughter, Adelaide, is launched into society as soon as the appropriate mourning period passes. If Sylvia can find a wealthy husband for Addy before anyone realizes they’re practically destitute, there will be little disruption to the lifestyle they’re accustomed to.

Sylvia’s mother-in-law, Junietta, believes their life could use a little disruption. She has watched Sylvia play her role as a society wife, as Junietta once did, despite what it cost them both. Junietta vows to give her granddaughter the power to choose a path beyond what society expects. But for Addy to have that chance, both mother and grandmother must first confront painful truths about their own choices. Only in bringing their secrets to light can they hope to reshape their family inheritance into a legacy more fulfilling than they ever dared dream.

©2024 Lynn Austin (P)2024 Recorded Books

INCREDIBLE

I loved this entire story! I didn’t want it to end. It would make a wonderful movie.

Loved it!

I appreciate the way Lynn Austin tells a story and develops characters. The three main characters in this novel are dynamic and at the same time endearing. She captures the historical context with grace and accuracy. I couldn’t stop listening to. Absolutely loved the journey and felt wonderful after the book was finished. Highly recommend

Excellent story

I liked it all! Lynn Austin never disappoints! Her books are clean and wholesome. This book would make a good film.

Feel Good & Uplifting

Lynn Austin’s books never disappoint. This warm and poignant story greatly helped to distract and warm my heart and feel more hope during a painful time.

cannot quit listening

I have read everything that Lynn Austin has ever written and this was maybe the best. definitely not disappointed!

BRILLIANT! ANOTHER WINNER FROM LYNN AUSTIN!

This book was a fantastic read — I told myself to not be a pig and gobble it up just like I have all of Ms. Austin’s other books, but I finished the whole thing within 24-hours (What can I say? NO self -control)! The further into the book I got, the harder it was to stop listening.

This was a wonderful story of three generations of strong women — grandmother, mother and daughter at the end of the 1800’s. Each generation faced her own struggles and suffered with self doubts, her future and which life path to take.

The great grandfather of the clan was ruthless and he used his ability to bully others and his ruthlessness to become fantastically wealthy. The man even bullied his own family members and stole property from his MOTHER. He sentenced his mother and brothers and sisters to live a life of poverty, while he was a multi millionaire, living in his mansion like a king, without an iota of guilt or remorse.

After his death and the death of his son, the women learned that ALL of his wealth had been left to two male heirs, leaving them without any means of maintaining the lifestyle they had almost always known. They lived in a mansion with over 100 rooms and numerous servants, and no money for upkeep or monthly bills.

The three women had to figure out ways to save their home. The mother felt their only hope was for her daughter to quickly capture the heart and the eye of an extremely wealthy bachelor.

The grandmother was very much opposed to this, encouraging the granddaughter to marry only for love and to find herself as a person; to find her passion in life and pursue whatever that passion turned out to be. She toms her granddaughter that money was never a reason to marry — even though it was the exact reason she (grandmother) and mother had married the men they had, explaining that in their day, that was society’s expected born.

As the story unfolds, the early lives of the grandmother and mother are told, and the circumstances leading up to their decision to marry as they had are revealed, bit by bit. Each woman has her secrets and reasons.

As always, Ms. Austin weaves a VERY inspirational story without cramming “religion” down her readers’ throats.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book and do not regret for a moment the money I spent on the purchase. If you are a fan of Ms. Austin, I HIGHLY recommend this book.

If you have not yet read one of Ms. Austin’s books, this is a great one with which to start. You don’t have to have read any of her other books to understand this one — it’s great as a stand alone novel.

As soon as I submit this review I am starting the book all over again. It’s been a while since I read all of Ms. Austin’s other books. This one gave me the itch to go back and read all Ms. Austin’s other wonderful books over again.😊

True meaning of life

It was nice and refreshing to listen to a powerful story spanning generations of women that found their purpose and passions in life. Sweet love stories as well.

A mothers love and desire to give a child the best life possible

This is a story , though set in a different time is so familiar to all mothers. The things that we will sacrifice for our children’s safety and happiness is endless. Beautifully written. I love all books with multiple timelines and this one did not disappoint. Great story and great narration.

The characters were wonderful.

I loved this book! The characters were brave and made me remember to trust God and follow my giftings. God will lead us where we should go as long as we trust him! This book was full of wonder and made me love each character! Everyone will learn and grow from it.

past and present

This is a sweet story of three generations of women and all their secrets that make them who they are and who they are becoming.