Reviews

The Family Secret by Kiersten Modglin

bevrocky79's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

blcknwhtenred's review against another edition

3.0

I have read one of Modglin's standalone novels before and both have followed a similar template, however, this one was far more spicy. Modglin kept the suspense up with the question of what was going on and since the title is "The Family Secret" I kept on hoping I would find it out. Austen, the main protagonist, was quick to move from one focus to another, which not too unlike a true to life character is fine, but it also was frustrated as a reader when I wanted to her just keep digging. The twist at the end was actually heartwarming and reaffirming to not be so quick to judge, but man - was she a judge throughout the book instead of just stopping to actually ask questions.

I listened to this book, and enjoyed it, but I did not think this was as good as The Reunion, also by Modglin.

booklovertamisha's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

cbustamante22's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

jenniferlwatson's review

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

mango11's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Liked:

• The narrator
• Overall the plot was intriguing and I didnt expect the plot twist with Emily 
• After the initial beginning it was fast-paced a made me want to figure out the twist

Didnt like:

• The characters were meh (Austyn could've made better decisions, Lowell have me the ick, I didnt really like Emily in the beginning and the others were kind of just there) 
• I was a little confused at some points (maybe because I was listening to the audiobook I didnt catch some stuff or they went a little over my head) 
• It was a bit slow in the beginning

dai2daireader's review

fast-paced

2.75

litwithleigh's review against another edition

Thank you Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

**I do not give star ratings to audiobooks as I cannot analyze the prose**

Audiobook Rating: lol | Plot: 2.5/5 | Ending: 2/5

Many moons ago I DNFed [b:The Arrangement|56484743|The Arrangement (The Arrangement, #1)|Kiersten Modglin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1609368217l/56484743._SY75_.jpg|88133200] after the first chapter because the writing was so juvenile, my journalism degree burst into flames. But you can't get on Goodreads or Bookstagram (when I had one) without seeing Miss Modglin and her latest book, and so, curiosity has once again killed the cat.

There's absolutely zero chance I could've made it through this with my eyeballs. The storyline was as basic as Pumpkin Spice lattes in the fall, and the characters were Flat Stanley (one dimensional). What in the actual fk was happening between miss thang and Dallas????? The juvenile "flirty" banter was legit giving me second, third, and fourth-hand embarrassment. And why was she tryna dj her clit while holding onto some mystery diary? I was confusion.

Also did she really pick Bass as the last name for the uber rich family? Like Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl? (btw Chuck Bass got a major redemption arc from an attempted r@pe on an underage girl to fans shipping him and Blair more aggressively than an MLM hun and essential oils). Idk if this was an attempt to not-so-subliminally get the readers thinking of Mr. Bass and elevate this simple story in their mind to something more scandalous a la Gossip Girl? And I get that the house was called "The Pond" because of their last name, but according to Google there are more than 20,000 species of fish out there sooooo...

Anyways. This was lol, but I can appreciate the entertainment value others may find in it. No shade. At least there wasn't an incest twist and she didn't say I love cashmere twice in the span of four sentences. Choose your fighter: Kiersten Monthly Release Modglin or Freida McFraudulent?

pages_and_papercrafts's review

4.0

“Family ends where lies begin.” This book has a heavy dose of family drama and plethora of secrets as Austyn travels with her husband Lowell to his family home after the death of his parents. Some of the plot was a bit far fetched, but overall a fast-paced, easy read that had me wanting to read just one more chapter to reveal the secrets…and a twist I wasn’t expecting. One favorite quote: “Blood doesn’t make a family. Love does.” 

erinbrook's review against another edition

3.0

In true Modglin fashion, this is another fun, fast paced and twisty book that you can easily finish in just a couple of sittings.

I always have a good time with them, but I never seem to remember details a few months down the road.