Her home is at stake…and her first love holds the key. Joy Gordon’s life is far from perfect. The lavish house she lives in with her children was loaned to her by a wealthy philanthropist–and his death means she has to give up her home. To satisfy his controlling father, Chase Asher must take his great-uncle’s property from the woman he once loved…but what will he do when he learns he … learns he fathered Joy’s twins?
From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
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A Mother’s Secret is a beautiful story of forgiveness, second chances, faith, and standing up for what’s right. I should also mention the power of prayer, and what makes a true family, are big components of the story. Meyer had my attention from beginning to end – I nearly read it in one sitting (if only lunch breaks were five minutes longer!). I had such an emotional connection to the characters, that latched on pretty quickly I might add, and just couldn’t tear myself away.
Joy is such a wonderful heroine. She is flawed, and yet always has the best interest of others at heart. The fact that she took on fostering 3 children, after already having young twins, is extraordinary. This selfless act of love is something I want to see more of in Christian fiction. Let me start by saying I am a huge believer in family, in a traditional sense. But sometimes God has other plans for people, and sometimes that means being a single parent by means of fostering or adoption. I have a huge heart for adoption and fostering – I wish more people would do it really. Meyer has painted of beautiful picture in this story in how fostering and adopting can change lives – and not just the lives of the children.
I have to admit that I was drawn to Chase from the start, but some things he did really bothered me. Like not standing up to his father. But honestly, even though it drove me absolutely crazy, I could understand him and it actually made him pretty relatable. How many of us have someone in our own lives that we struggle to stand up to? It may not be a parent, but the concept is the same. Chase’s journey to learning about true family and its place in his life was so sweet to read about.
Contemporary romance fans are going to love this sweet story of second chance love. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love the setting of A Mother’s Secret. It is set in an old historical mansion! As you begin the book, you will feel as if you, too, are entering this house. The contemporary story takes place in a small town in Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Out of all of Meyer’s books, this might be my favorite. It has so much heart in the story. The mother in the story feels so much connection to her family, her community, and this house. She will do just about anything to keep everything together.
I love the small town setting and family life that this story is all about and I think you will enjoy it, too!
(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
This was such a sweet story! I really enjoyed the theme of forgiveness and second chances! I really admired Joy and her dedication to helping foster kids. I also liked Chase and how he stood up for his family.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Wow, this was such a touching book! This is the first book that I have read of Gabrielle Meyer’s and I loved it. It was such a sweet book that taught you how to forgive and trust God even when things feel crazy.
A Mother’s Secret is a book that tells the story about a young single mom trying to raise 5 children on her own, two are her own and the other three she is fostering. She loves her kids, but it isn’t easy being a single mom especially when the past starts to creep up.
Chase Asher thought that this was going to be an easy job, get in and get out. But things do not go the way he thought it would, God has different plans for Chase. He will have to decide how he will respond and what kind of person he wants to be.
Joy Gordon was such a cool person. She didn’t grow up with a good home and so she wanted to make sure that her children never had to go through what she went through. She loved her children and wanted the best for them. It was so amazing how she tried so hard to give her kids a good home, not only providing everything they need but also giving them a loving and caring environment.
I fell in love with Chase at the beginning. He was so kind. He had made some mistakes before, but he was trying to do his best to make up for it. I really felt for him, as he learned not to let his fear of his father control him and instead do the right thing, even though it was hard.
Joy and Chase were really sweet together and they encouraged each other as they tried to work through the obstacles that were thrown at them. I loved as they did their best to show the children love and encourage them. The children were so sweet, I loved the girls from the beginning and it was so cute how the boys looked up to Chase.
This book reminded me to trust God even when life feels crazy. Joy and Chase had to figure out what they would do when it doesn’t look like things will work out. But in the end they learn that God is faithful.
I am so glad that I read this book. It had a wonderful story with lovely characters. A Mother’s Secret also taught me lessons. I am so excited to read more of Gabrielle Meyer books. I give this book 5 stars!
A mother will do anything to protect her children and that’s exactly what Joy has done for her twin girls Kinsley & Harper for the past four years. Keeping them away from their father Chase Asher was an unfortunate result of his father’s ruthless dominance of his life. She never told Chase about her pregnancy but when he literally shows up at her doorstep, the truth could tear them apart. Or could it build a life together stronger than before? Joy has her hands full with not only her gregarious twin girls but three rambunctious boys she’s fostering. Living in Bee Tree Hill is a dream come true and the kind of stability this little family needs.
I have loved Gabrielle Meyer’s Love Inspired Historical novels and I was so excited to learn she is now writing for the contemporary line. Her stories are always heartwarming and emotional, “A Mother’s Secret” is no exception! Having been a foster child most of her life, Joy has been raising three young boys in need, so she understands what it’s like to have someone care for & protect them. Her generous heart and loving ways have caused them to blossom into well adjusted boys. When I learned of the reasons they were in foster care, my heart ached for all they had been through. When Chase came on the scene, they took to his influence as if he belonged. Doing “guy” things together helped build their confidence; I loved how Chase treated them as if they were the most important people in his world. He was the kind of caring man Joy needed as well. Watching them overcome the past was emotionally wrenching, but at the same time, they needed to tackle the unpleasant task of untangling what went wrong.
“When we make choices based on fear, we often make the wrong decision. It’s the choices we make based on faith that really matter. But thank God that whatever the enemy intents for evil, God will use for good. Nothing has been broken that can’t be fixed, Chase. Jesus was a carpenter. He’s in the business of mending and repairing. ~page 170”
One other thing I loved about this story was that Gabrielle Meyer gives us true life history of Bee Tree Hill or what’s called Linden Hill in real life; Chases family legacy. It really was built in the 1890’s by lumber barons and the author’s family lived in the carriage house just as Chase did. So she’s very familiar with the nine acre property and the history behind it! Today it’s used as a conference & retreat center and can be toured if you are ever in the area. She combines her love of history with a contemporary twist and it’s a fantastic story to get lost in!
This is a hard book to put down once you start it; the author compels you to stay a while as you get caught up in Joy, Chase and the children’s lives. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry, all while reflecting on what makes a family….love, affection, God in the center, and a lifetime of someone by your side helping you along the way.
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*