The historical fiction book “All My Secrets” by Lynn Austin was released in paperback on February 6, 2024.

It tells the tale of three generations of Stanhope family ladies negotiating love, grief, and social expectations in the context of New York’s luxurious Gilded Age.

This is a brief synopsis of the book:

The narrative features three female generations: Adelaide, the daughter; Sylvia, the mother; and Junietta, the grandmother.

Setting of the Gilded Age: The novel takes place in late 19th-century New York City, a time of great wealth and social inequality.

Family secrets: The plot develops as the characters deal with past secrets that have influenced their lives.

Decisions and consequences: The narrative examines the decisions made by women and the repercussions they encounter when operating under social norms.

Storyline

The narrative starts in 1898 with the passing of the wealthy Stanhope family patriarch, Arthur Stanhope III. This leaves Adelaide, the daughter, Junietta, the mother, and Sylvia, the wife, in a precarious situation. They have to decide how to continue their opulent lifestyle despite a diminishing legacy left to a distant relative after experiencing financial difficulties.

Secrets from the past start to come to light as they struggle with their circumstances. Sylvia is forcing Adelaide into a marriage of convenience while urgently trying to maintain their social standing, while Junietta harbours deep regret for a love she gave up. But Adelaide longs for love and a deeper purpose in life.

The book delves into how these ladies deal with their personal issues and how their lives come together when they face the past and make decisions that will affect their lives in the future.

The matriarch of the family, Junietta Stanhope, is a wise and stern figure who carries a secret from her early years.

Sylvia Stanhope: Arthur’s widow, who would do anything to uphold their social status, including sacrificing her happiness.

Adelaide Stanhope is a lively young girl who aspires to love and a life that truly suits her.

Additional characters: Other people involved in the women’s lives, including Gilded Age society leaders and possible love partners, should also be anticipated.

The novel All My Secrets has garnered favorable feedback due to its intricate examination of complex family dynamics, well-developed characters, and rich historical backdrop. Readers praise Austin’s skill in fusing together themes of faith, love, sorrow, and the value of listening to one’s heart.

The following are a few quotes from reviews:

A gripping book of historical fiction… Each character had a strong sense of development and was believable.” (Goodreads)

A sumptuous novel, rich in character and spiritual depth…” On Amazon

“…masterfully weaves together the stories and secrets of three generations…” (Publishers Weekly)

All My Secrets might be ideal for you if you are a person who enjoys historical fiction with strong female characters, intriguing social themes, and a hint of romance.

let me introduce you, A well-known author of fiction novels is Lynn Austin.

In 1992, Lynn left her job as a teacher to pursue her writing full-time. She has released 27 novels since then. Eight of her historical fiction books—Hidden Places (2001), Candle in the Darkness (2002), Fire by Night (2003), A Proper Pursuit (2007), Until We Reach Home (2008), Though Waters Roar (2009), While We’re Far Apart (2010), and Wonderland Creek (2011)—have received Christy Awards for excellence in Christian fiction. 2013 saw her admitted to the Christy Award Hall of Fame. All She Ever Wanted was selected as one of the five inspiring top picks of 2005, and Fire by Night was one of the five inspirational fiction works selected by Library Journal for their best picks of 2003. Actress Shirley Jones stars in the Hallmark Channel adaptation of Lynn’s book Hidden Places. For her role as Aunt Batty in the movie, Ms. Jones was nominated for an Emmy in 2006.