Stephanie Sullivan: Review - The Art of Inheriting Secrets

September 18, 2021

TITLE: The Art of Inheriting Secrets

RATING: ★★★★

Summary (from Goodreads): When Olivia Shaw’s mother dies, the sophisticated food editor is astonished to learn she’s inherited a centuries-old English estate—and a title to go with it. Raw with grief and reeling from the knowledge that her reserved mother hid something so momentous, Olivia leaves San Francisco and crosses the pond to unravel the mystery of a lifetime.

One glance at the breathtaking Rosemere Priory and Olivia understands why the manor, magnificent even in disrepair, was the subject of her mother’s exquisite paintings. What she doesn’t understand is why her mother never mentioned it to her. As Olivia begins digging into her mother’s past, she discovers that the peeling wallpaper, debris-laden halls, and ceiling-high Elizabethan windows covered in lush green vines hide unimaginable secrets.

Although personal problems and her life back home beckon, Olivia finds herself falling for the charming English village and its residents. But before she can decide what Rosemere’s and her own future hold, Olivia must first untangle the secrets of her past.

REVIEW: Although it took me a while to get interested in the story, I’m glad I hung in there, because it has quite an intriguing plot. The first few chapters were a struggle, but halfway through it really picked up, and from then on I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. There are many interesting characters in this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about every one of them, especially Olivia and Samir. Their love story is so endearing, and the author did a wonderful job bringing it to life. If you love a good story with lots of twists and turns - and romance - then I encourage you to read it.