💕 “Hidden Secrets Between Them” (Hope Crossing #5) (2024) 💕 – Book Review
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Hidden Secrets Between Them by Mindy Obenhaus hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Hidden Secrets Between Them Also Available:
My Review
While this is the fifth book in the series, this is my fourth visit to Hope Crossing. I wasn’t able to read book two. It and a few of her backlist titles are on a TBR that’s rivaling the Mariana Trench in depth/height. And, while I recommend people read the previous books in the series, it seems only the first (1st), third (3rd), and fourth (4th) books are connected.
Like she usually does, Obenhaus’ characters become like old friends, even the new ones we meet along the way. Some of the past characters return, while merging new ones:
📺 Gloriana (The
Cowgirl’s Redemption – book #1)
📚 Jillian (Her Christmas Healing – book #4)
🐕🦺 Aggie (Jillian’s service dog)
🏫 Alli (Loving the Rancher’s
Children – book #3)
🥼 Gabriel
🚓 Brady
🩺 Kirsten
👦🏻👦🏻 Trevor & Scott (Kirsten
and Brady’s 4-year-old twins)
👩🏻🦳 Carol (Kirsten’s mom)
👨🏻🦳 Hank (Brady’s dad)
🍪 Kyleigh (Gloriana and Justin’s daughter)
Even though this is a clean read, there are topics that some readers could be sensitive too. In Hidden Secrets Between Them, Obenhaus tackles medical illnesses such as cancer (what Kirsten’s dad died from) and Huntington’s Disease – a progressive generative disease – what Brady’s mom was afflicted with. And; as pointed out; it doesn’t just affect the patient, but their family as well. There is also a slight hostage situation.
Readers met Brady James back in The Cowgirl’s Redemption. And, sadly – I actually forgot who all was in that book 🫣
Then again, it feels like I JUST read the fourth book in this series. That was almost a year ago (November 2023).
Getting back to this one …
Where do I start? I want to say the beginning, but that starts with the cover. This year, Love Inspired (and some of the other Harlequin books) had some MAJOR changes. One being the size – while it is a bit easier to hold (more floppy) – trying to put them in boxes and on the shelf?? Nightmare 🫣
But, another change happened – the cover designs. Back when I was re-introduced to the line, they had different color spines and different “artwork”. Then, they went to one color – light blue façade. The spines have a different tinge of blue, gone is the border. And, on some books – it really looks better. Like this one. I LOVE the contrast of the golden land graduating up to the purplish sky. Then again, I love purple. For some reason, this gives it a Hallmarkesque cover, and definitely highlights the tone of the book.
Unlike some “secret child” romance books, this starts right off with the mom (Kirsten) telling the dad (Brady). Absolute game-changer there. Had me from chapter one. Knowing his medical history, that leaves Brady concerned that he’s sentenced Kirsten and the twins.
Of course, the one person Brady is going to go to – his father, Hank. The man who lost his wife to the disease Brady fears. And, it was that fear that led to Brady parting ways with Kirsten, and his “no kids” rule. His father, Hank, then suggests the genetic test that would put Brady’s fears to ease. Brady is afraid it’d only justify that. Kind of agree there. Women have been going through that testing because of the BCRA gene for breast cancer.
Either way, Brady knows there are going to be changes ahead. The boys deserve a dad, but his closest idea is friends. His father, like most good fathers, tries to talk some sense into him, even accusing Brady of rushing through life. And, after seeing a picture of the boys – he tells him they are a precious gift.
However, once Kirsten learns the truth, she urges him to get the testing. If not for himself, then the boys.
Brady knows he’s being selfish. Like Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases, there is no cure. Then again, as a former military member, and a member of the police department – he’d sworn to protect and serve.
That’s another thing on his mind – his campaign for sheriff. Not because his father was once the sheriff, but Brady can’t stand the current guy. There is also the Boot Scoot ‘n Barbecue Bash which Gloriana wants him to work on. Despite her changes, he still can’t get over a betrayal from here when they were in high school. I had to laugh about him stating he didn’t know anything about kids, and she asked him what fun things he would’ve wanted. In truth, that is the best way to do it.
In a chance incident, Brady meets his sons. He then agrees to Kirsten’s dictate – the testing. He also wants a relationship with the boys which leads to a new fear in Kirsten – Brady wanting the boys. However, he then wants Kirsten’s help with the barbecue.
Like he didn’t tell her about the disease he feared, Kirsten too has her own fears – that perhaps he’ll want custody.
But, another fear she is having – them being seen together having a negative impact on Brady’s campaign. Ugh, politics 🤢 Gloriana said it right “there are a lot of people whose greatest joy in life is stirring the pot”. Though, that is true on about anything. Look at most social media posts – no matter what the subject is, even an innocuous one like a cat being playful.
Brady begins to see that his father and Kirsten are right about living life to the fullest – and the place God has for them all – even the good and the bad.
A touching read from the first page to the last with a lot of heart and emotion packed into it. And one, that has a lot of life’s lesson’s woven into the pages.
One such lesson – the part about rushing through life, and how Brady’s mom cherished every moment, reminds me of a saying …
Life isn’t by the number of breaths we take; but by the moments that take our breath away.
It was a favorite of someone I admire; and became my second favorite inspirational phrase. No one knows what the future will be – bad health or catastrophic accidents. And, what happens is not how long we live, but how we live.
Like she has done in the past, Obenhaus had me in tears a few times and then I was laughing. One example of giggling was the result of a dinner Brady planed – lasagna, Cesar salad, and bread are my favs. When Brady said most of it was from frozen, it reminded me of my own “mediocre” cooking skills, and the fact I’d just bought some frozen veggie lasagnas at the store. I was also swooning about Brady’s love of Star Wars. Incidentally, when the first movie came out in 1977, I got to so see it, and we were living in Texas at the time. And, no, it wasn’t my mother’s idea, and definitely not appropriate for a baby. Still, the memory is slightly amusing.
Some of the inanimate connections I had … the urgent care clinic having been transformed from a former gas station and repair garage. My doctor’s current office (my mom’s doctor is there as well) was converted from a Walgreens pharmacy about 8-10 years ago. While some façades can be changed, this is far too obvious. It’s just missing the signage.
Another connection (and “laugh”) I had was Kirsten saying the February weather could be ice or sweltering heat. That brought back a memory of a particular February where I live (Nevada). On February 26th in 1996, Las Vegas had a freak snowstorm. It was one-day, and the accumulation varied throughout the valley (https://lasvegassun.com/news/1996/feb/26/snow-blankets-las-vegas-valley/). Well, it was still considered winter.
But, just 10 days before? I was wearing shorts and a sleeveless shirt 🤣 I know because my mom had just bought a car that day (we didn’t keep it long, but that’s how I knew). The phrase, “don’t like the weather, wait five minutes it’ll change” isn’t just about my home-state of Texas, but Nevada as well. It’s even confused my phone. Many times it would be raining while the phone app says sun, or the other way around 😳 and, I do have pictures. So, I definitely understood what Kirsten meant. Just par for the course for Texas. My mother lived there for a few years before I was born so she knew about the weather. Anyone want to see some heavy snow pics from the late 1970’s?? 🤭
To say I enjoyed this is so inadequate. I enjoyed it, devoured and savored it. I was immediately drawn in and couldn’t put it down. I almost forgot about dinner 🫣 thankfully a stomach rumble reminded me. I literally read it in less than eight (8) hours, and even stopped to help a neighbor assemble something. I was paid in some yummy cheesecake flavored froyo 🍦
While I’ve enjoyed Obenhaus’ books, this was – despite the heavy topic of the degenerative disease – one of my favorites! A gentle request … if y’all (authors) are going to keep writing these books this way, please send a little pocket pack of tissues with the bookmarks 😉🤭
Like usual, this has some moderate tones of faith in it. Though the beautiful story wouldn’t be the same without them.
Since there is a final book coming in the series, I can’t wait to return, though I’m sad to leave. Reading books in Texas – even fictional cities and towns – is always like a homecoming for me. Until that book comes out, like Kirsten was in preparing her clinic, I’ll keep “busier than a squirrel in a nut factory” 🐿️🌰🤭
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html; update: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
About the Author
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Hidden Secrets Between Them and a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 28, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on September 4, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeletei looooooooooooooooooove the new covers!!! This one is especially lovely :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks absolutely brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review on "Hidden Secrets Between Them" and for being part of the blog blitz.
ReplyDeleteGreat author, beautiful cover and a fabulous story!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
This sounds like a great book! Deff added to my tbr!
ReplyDelete