The Secret Sister: A thrilling family saga (Fairham Island Book 1)

After the death of her infant daughter and a divorce from her unfaithful husband, Macy moves back to Fairham Island. She hopes to rebuild her life and begin writing children's book again, and help her brother with his mental issues. She has issues with her mother so she decides to live in a cottage on the family property. There she runs into Rafe, a man from her youth. Rafe lives there with his blind daughter, doing work on the cottages. During his work he finds pictures of Macy's childhood and discovers pictures of a sister she didn't know she had. She begins to search for answers about a missing sister, like is she dead and who could have killed her. There are several suspects in her mind. The story has some twists that were not expected but interesting and the ending is very good. This is a story of redemption and learning to trust and love again. A very good read. Waiting for the next installment.

Maisey Lazarow returns to place she swore she would never come back to...Fairham and her controlling mother. Her brother, Keith is also there, he's the reason for her return. His drug addiction almost killed him. Maisey refuses to live with her mother in the mansion, which upsets her mother. Maisey goes to one of the bungalows where she remembers she always had a fond memories of her and her dad there. But they have been hit by a bad storm and need of repairs. Rafe Romero is there and repairing them. This is the same person that Maisey had a one night stand with when they were in high school. Rafe finds a metal box inside the walls of one of the bungalows. It shows a girl in it and Keith, but it isn't Maisey. Is there a sister she doesn't know about? What happened to her? Where is she? Is she dead or alive? Why is this a secret? You will have to read the book to find the answers to these questions and more that happens in this book.

Maisey Lazarow decides to return home to Fairham Island off the coast of South Carolina to try and heal from a divorce, loss of her only child and to help her brother who is dealing with issues of his own. Maisey trying to find her way back to living her life again, ends up having her life turn in directions she never expected.This book has such an unexpected ending. It leaves you craving for the next story in the saga. I loved the twists and turns the story took. Once you start to believe one thing another thing happens that makes you rethink your own belief. There are so many things that make Maisey a person we can all identify with one way or another. Keith, her brother, is someone everyone has either known, or knows and you understand why Maisey wants to be there for him. There are other characters that are identifiable too but you MUST read the book to see exactly what I am talking about.Brenda Novak has done it again! Another fantastic book written by an author that can grab the readers attention and keep it until the very end. I can’t say enough about the talent in her writing and the feelings her books invokes as you read. This a a definite MUST read!

I thought this book looked interesting enough to download and pass the time. However, I found I couldn't put the book down! The characters were well developed. The family relations well thought out. I loved the way Maisey kept trying to fix her family even though I wanted to yell at her to give up! Keith, her brother, has relapses into drugs, I didn't know whether to trust him or not. Ms. Novak kept me guessing. I loved the relationship between Rafe, Maisey and his daughter. I liked the way they had the instant attraction, but it grew beyond that into something real. The twists were amazing. I really enjoyed this book. i read it in one shot, until the middle of the night. I was ready to download the next in the series, and was sad it's not out until July. I would have continued to read throughout the night!

Maisey Lazarow left Fairham over 10 years ago, she moved to New York City after marrying someone who her mother disapproved of. Maisey has now gone through a painful divorce after her husband cheated on her and the baby girl died from SIDS. Totally lost herself she has come back to Fairham to help her brother Keith, a really troubled man who has been struggling with drugs and a suicide attempt. Maisey refuses to live in the family home and tells Keith she will stay in the vacation cottages which according to her father’s will, will someday come to her. What she was not prepared for is Rafe Romero the wild and reckless boy whom she lost her virginity to at sixteen is the contractor her mother has hired to remodel the cottages. As other’s reviewer’s have mentioned this book grabs you and leaves you wanting to know the characters better along with a gripping storyline. Nothing could have prepared Maisey for the discovery of a box of old photographs in the wall of one of the cottages and exploring the attic to find letters written to her father that looks like he was being blackmailed. So grab your favorite blanket, hot cup of tea, and tell your family your enjoying yourself for the next unaccountable time to enjoy this great story.

Another great story. The only reason I did not finish in 3 days (like her other books) is that I had to return to work and therefore couldnt read during the day. But again this book has you wanting more (so I purchased #2 of Fairham Island series) and cant wait to get started.Maisey gets a divorce and returns to the island from NY to reunite with her mother who is not the easiest to get along with. She moves into the bungalows owned by her mom and being renovated by Rafe who along with his daughter who is blind become entangled in Maisey's life. When Rafe removes the walls to one of the bungalows and finds a box of pictures, he immediately gives them to Maisey.And the adventure begins when she sees pictures of a sister who her brother said died many years ago. But as she delves into the story behind the pictures, she comes away with much more than she bargained for. Great story of romance and mystery.

I love Brenda Novak's style of writing. Each of her books that I read, I become more addictive. The way that she weaves romance, suspense, sadness, pride, determination into her stories, plus a lot more, makes Brenda Novak's books my top of the list to read. Looking forward in reading the next one.

Managed one third at a struggle but could not carry on. Did not like the main character at all as she was so boring and self pitying. Struggled even to read one third as was quite bored before then.

Decent storey

It made me gasp in amazement at the twist, I’m normally quite good at working things out but I wasn’t expecting this one!!!

I enjoyed reading this, not what I expected. Am looking to reading other books by this author. It is always pleasant to find new books.

Really enjoyed this book , a tale of family and how we all fitness d happiness. Gripping drama, suspense and love .

One word -Brilliant!!

A good holiday read

This is the very first book that I have read by Brenda Novak, and I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to many more as she is a talented author. The Secret Sister is an engaging novel centering around the Lazarow family, specifically Maisey, who returns home after losing both her baby daughter and, subsequently, her husband. Home is the last place she wants to be, but her brother needs her and she needs time to heal and think about her future. She decides to stay in one of her family's rental cabins, though most are in the process of being renovated & is surprised to discover that the Raphael in charge of the renovations, and her new next door neighbour, is none other than Rafe, her first lover. Rafe is running his own business and raising his young daughter, who is adorable and blind.As Maisey works to rebuild her life and try to resurrect her career, deal with her controlling Mother and help her brother deal with his addictions, she is shocked when Rafe brings her a box of photos hidden in the wall of the cabin he is renovating. She is shocked to find that the girl in the pictures is not her. With vague memories of a sister, backed up by those of her brother, and her Mother's denials, Maisey strains family relationships as she tries to unravel the mystery.The characters and their relationships are well-developed and the storyline is engrossing. There is a fabulous twist at the end, making this all in all an incredibly enjoyable book.

... but it won’t be my last. Good bedtime novel, which I read all in one go. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Light reading with enough serious content to keep you interested. I would recommend The Secret Sister and I’m starting on its sequel, The Secrets She Kept.

I didn't have any expectations of this book and quite enjoyed it. The blurb implied it to be gripping, but I didn't find this to be the case. It was more chick lit with a bit of a mystery that tried to be sinister but wasn't. Still a good story though.

I really enjoyed this book, the mystery of the Secret Sister had a dramatic effect on her whole family. The parents, two other sisters all tried hard to find her, a great read and I recommend that you read it.

Nicely written, bit of a chick lit book with handsome Him and Lovely Her shouldn't be together but get together against parental opposition and fight the odds to discover the secret sister and right all wrongs. How nice things can turn out in books.

Well written and kept my interest even though I gagged at the name Maisey. Who would hate their child that much? Likewise also annoyed at the indecision time and time again regarding her attitude to Rafe. Yes, no, yes, no, get a grip Maisey!

Was not one of her better novels