Secret Sisters

Madeline and Daphne became friends as young girls at a summer resort, bonded by a traumatic incident they experienced together. Years later, Madeline returns to the resort town after her grandmother's death and discovers troubling questions about that long-ago summer. Jack Rayner, a security expert with his own painful past, joins forces with Madeline to investigate the resort's history and her grandmother's final days. Their search leads them through old hotel records, family secrets, and a web of small-town connections. As Madeline reconnects with Daphne, both women must confront their shared history while navigating present-day dangers. The investigation reveals patterns of deception stretching across generations at the isolated resort hotel. The novel explores themes of friendship, trauma, and the ways that secrets can echo through time. Against the backdrop of a Pacific Northwest resort town, the story examines how childhood bonds can shape adult lives.

Readers rate Secret Sisters as a solid romantic suspense novel, though not among Krentz's strongest works. The book holds a 3.9/5 on Goodreads (14,000+ ratings) and 4.3/5 on Amazon (800+ ratings). Readers appreciated: - Fast pacing and quick plot movement - The atmospheric hotel setting - Balance between romance and mystery elements - The protagonist's competence and independence Common criticisms: - Predictable plot twists - Underdeveloped secondary characters - Romance that felt rushed or forced - Too many convenient coincidences Several readers noted the book works better as a mystery than a romance. One reviewer said "the relationship takes a backseat to solving the crime." Another mentioned "the chemistry between leads never quite ignites." Multiple reviews praised the audio narration by Tavia Gilbert in the audiobook version, calling it "perfectly matched to the story's tone." Barnes & Noble readers rated it 4.1/5 based on 150+ reviews.

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🔎 Author Jayne Ann Krentz has written under seven different pen names throughout her career, including Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle 💫 The book combines elements of romantic suspense with paranormal touches, a signature style that helped establish Krentz as a pioneer of the romantic suspense genre 🏨 The story's luxury hotel setting was inspired by grand historic hotels of the Pacific Northwest, where Krentz has lived for many years 📚 "Secret Sisters" debuted at #19 on the New York Times bestseller list in December 2015 🔍 The protagonist's occupation as a hotel consultant reflects Krentz's own background working in academic and corporate libraries, where she developed expertise in research and organizational systems