Secrets Well Kept

By: Lynn Ames

Narrated by: Emily Beresford

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

It's March, 1943. World War II rages across the globe, and 25-year-old Nora Lindstrom is about to take a huge leap of faith. One of the few women in the male-dominated field of physics, she travels to an undisclosed destination to undertake a vital, top-secret project that the government insists could help the Allies win the war.

At 18, Mary Trask is ready to put high school and the boy who wants to marry her in her rear-view mirror. But what alternative could the future hold for the dyslexic daughter of a train conductor? When a cousin in Tennessee provides Mary with a cryptic job opportunity, she jumps at the chance to rewrite her life.

Nora and Mary are drawn together under impossible circumstances. As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, they find solace in their love for each other. But in a place where secrecy is paramount, their relationship is forever changed by the consequences of secrets well kept.

In this new historical fiction novel, award-winning author Lynn Ames returns us to a time where the contribution of women was often overlooked and the casualties of war were not always limited to the battlefield.

©2019 Lynn Ames (P)2019 Lynn Ames

The Rest of the Story

Lynn Ames offers a pointed look at a period of American History from the perspective of two women who fall in love when the stakes were incredibly high if discovered. America is involved in a World War and the efforts of the nation are concentrated solely on achieving military superiority and victory over Japan. It was also a time period when being discovered in a relationship with someone of the same sex meant you could be fired at will, even imprisoned. We know the ending of Nora and Mary's story from Lynn's book, Chain Reactions. What we don't know, is how the love developed between the formidable Dr. Lindstrom nor how they managed to have a relationship at such great peril to themselves while enveloped in a secret world at Oakridge. Ames answers the questions that burned in my mind when I finished Chain Reactions and gave me an incredible history lesson while doing it. She is a master at creating fiction based in fact. She never disappoints. Emily Beresford's narration is, as always, masterful. She brings out the innocence of Mary's character and Nora's constant worry for them both. Extremely well done.

Lesbian love story, the Manhattan Project work.

I have enjoyed the book. However, there were some historical inaccuracies. It was "Warm Springs" Ga where FDR died. Not Hot Springs. Also Mary's father would not be "flown" home after being wound. He would go by Hospital ship. Kleenex did not exist until the 1950's. However, I enjoyed the plot and characters. Mary's obvious dyslexia which she struggles with, before it had a name. Nora's shyness. Mary says "I love you" very soon in the relationship; but despite this. Their relationship grows in the secrecy of the Manhattan Project. All in all, I had to give five stars all around, especially for the narration which was excellent!

I love a good love & war story

WW II had a big part in making life better for lesbian and gay folks. We found each other during the wartime chaos and then found ways to stay together afterward. I really enjoyed this book. I love Lynn Ames as an author. Her new book 46 is unparalleled. At first, I thought this book took too long with exposition. But then I realized I have been listening to books about fully liberated lesbians who already knew whom they are. This book give more detail for folks who might not be familiar the coming out process. In that way, I think it likely could be herstorically correct. In the end, I was very glad that I kept listening. Lynn Ames is an amazing author. I love her stories. Emily Beresford is also a believable and good narrator.

Too melodramatic for my taste, especially the narration style

Appreciate the historical aspect and the romance yet was awfully schmalzy and simplistic and too melodramatic in the narration. Only my second story by this author. '46' set a high bar, though also devolved into schmalz in conversations between lead characters.

Keeping secrets

Secrets We’ll Kept is a historical lesbian fiction story that takes place during World War ll. As you read or listen to this story you realize that there were a lot of woman that helped with the war effort. They may not have known what they were actually doing but they did their best. This story illuminates the life Nora and Mary and the way they find their way to each other. Emily Beresford does a fine job as usual.

WWII stoty of women in scirnce

I enjoyed reading this book . Lynn Ames' writing style reminded me of Jane Austen's depiction of characters and conversations. It was interesting reading about a lesbian relationship during the 1940s. I look forward to reading more of her work!

Very enjoyable

We listened to this over a two day weekend. It's a captivating story and we hated to put it down. I highly recommend all of Lynn Ames books and especially Secrets Well Kept.

Another home run of a book by Lynn Ames

Great Sequel. Lynn weaves facts of real life events that turns into a terrific story.