Secrets She Kept by Cathy Gohlke

 

Book Description: All her life, Hannah Sterling longed for a close relationship with her estranged mother. Following Lieselotte’s death, Hannah determines to unlock the secrets of her mother’s mysterious past and is shocked to discover a grandfather living in Germany.

Thirty years earlier, Lieselotte’s father is quickly ascending the ranks of the Nazi party, and a proper marriage for his daughter could help advance his career. Lieselotte is in love―but her beloved Lukas is far from an ideal match, as he secretly works against the Reich. Yet Lieselotte never imagined how far her father would go to ensure her cooperation.

Both Hannah’s and Lieselotte’s stories unfold as Hannah travels to Germany to meet her grandfather, who is hiding wartimes secrets of his own. Longing for connection, yet shaken by all she uncovers, Hannah must decide if she can atone for her family’s tragic past and how their legacy will shape her future.

My Thoughts:  Last summer I read Saving Amelie by Cathy Gohlke and was so enthralled with the story that when this book, Secrets She Kept, came out this summer, I jumped at a chance to read it. 

My!O!My!What!A!Story!

This story takes place thirty years earlier and is more about Hannah's parents and then intermingles with Hannah's "today" life.

Hannah wants to know the secrets of her mother's past (hence the title Secrets She Kept).

Unfortunately, any time one tries to uncover a secret, the past or the secret isn't all that one will hope for nor is it always good to uncover what someone has gone through in the past.  Sometimes, people keep secrets because the hurt and hopelessness they had to go through felt too hard to share.  Or maybe, they keep a secret because they don't want to hurt their loved ones....whatever the case, Hannah uncovers more than she knew was lurking underneath the family skeletons.  

Such a poignant story! And yet, so sad that at times I felt as if my heart would break.  {This, to me, is not just the sign of a great book but the sign of a fantastic author!}  
Another fantabulous story by Cathy Gohlke!

A definite must read for all WWII fans!

• ISBN-10: 1496400801
• ISBN-13: 978-1496400802