While the rest of the world reels from World War II, Miller Dreeser remains focused on his obsession born of ambition, and sweet Caroline Bennett, whose heart is as big as her father’s fortune, proves susceptible to Miller’s charms. A man with a secret that could destroy anyone caught in his web. A woman whose youthful folly could destroy her family and her future. A story that spans two … two decades, the most defining moments of the 20th Century, and five intertwined lives from America’s Greatest Generation.
This suspenseful, page-turning post-war drama is a must-read for fans of historic fiction and Tess Thompson alike.
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Miller Dreeser is a greedy, obsessed orphan who decides that rich Caroline Bennett will become his wife. He wants everything Caroline and her wealthy family can provide. Even though he does not love her, he will play the part. After all, he is a consummate actor. He can charm anyone.
Then there is Philippa an unwed, pregnant, young woman who has nothing as comes to work for Miller. He wants her too. Author, Tess Thompson has written a wonderful, exceptional historical fictional novel depicted during World War II. Chance meetings intertwine two women with a man who will do anything to get what he wants. Tess writes with deep compassion of what it was like for probably hundreds of women who gave themselves to their lover, only to have him never return from the war. What are these women to do? Banished from the only home they knew and penniless, how were they to care for their child? A story of poverty and great wealth, but most of all the greed of one man who thinks he deserves it all.
I received an advanced copy of this excellent book from the author. The comments and review are my honest opinion.
Miller’s Secret by Tess Thompson
This is a wonderfully written story. The characters are so relatable and believable.
It is the story of good versus evil. The have and the have nots. Love and hate. A mother willing to do anything to protect her child even it if costs her her own happiness and future. It is a story of second chances and new beginnings.
Ms. Thompson has a way of bringing characters to life that is like no other. She masterfully draws the reader in and before you know it, you are fully vested in the characters and their outcomes.
This is a book you will not want to put down! Clear your day and sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy this great book!!
Wow! What an intriguing story!
It always amazes me when an author is able to run more than one tale in the book and successfully bring all of them together in the end and this is exactly what Tess Thompson has done in her book.
The suspense is gripping, the characters are well formed, the secrets are well kept until they are made known, the second chances at love are superb… Altogether these things made this a very entertaining and enjoyable book to read.
Tess Thompson’s Miller’s Secret, set during WWII, is the story of Miller Dreeser and Caroline Bennett and the other characters in their lives. Miller Dreeser, an orphan, first sees Caroline Bennett, a wealthy kindhearted girl, when Caroline and her family are delivering presents to orphans on Christmas Eve. From that point on, Miller becomes obsessed with becoming a member of the Bennett family. Miller’s Secret, a story about love, deceit, heartbreak, power, control, and happiness, shows how the characters are affected by each other’s decisions. A well-written story with twists and turns and an unexpected ending, you will find yourself believing in second chances and redemption.
An amazing journey about the lives we touch and how our actions affect others. Caroline Bennett is a child of privilege, but her parents are raising her to remember the plight of the unfortunate. Thus, one Christmas Eve when she’s still a child, she accompanies her father to the local orphanage to deliver presents. Miller Dreesen is one of those orphans and the two children surreptitiously share a secret that night. Years pass and Miller and Caroline meet again. Miller has never forgotten Caroline and has vowed some day she would be his, not for any great love, but for greed. And while their family grows, so do the cracks in their lives–until Miller will stop at nothing to have it all, including the Bennett wealth and the young woman he’s taken as his mistress. Set against the backdrop of a turbulent time in US history and spanning over a decade, this is a meaty, emotional ride. Lovely and thought-provoking.
I won a copy of this book and was anxious to read it. The are three main male characters – Miller, Julius, and Henry. The two main female characters are Caroline and Phil. The story is set during WWII and afterwards. It begins with an insight into Miller as a young boy in an orphanage and Caroline as a young girl helping her parents doing charity work. At various points in the book, we are introduced to Henry as an injured soldier, Phil as an unwed pregnant teen whose one great love is killed during the war, and Julius who was Caroline’s best friend growing up.
As their individual lives get interconnected and intertwined, we learn more about each character. Caroline is a trusting soul head over heels in love with Miller. Miller is a motivated young man who wants the best the world has to offer and will stop at practically nothing to get it. Phil, as a young unwed mother, is forced to make some very difficult choices to keep her child safe. Henry, as an injured soldier, must adapt to life after the war. Julius, who saw his dream shatter just before the war, must also adapt to life after the war.
I definitely did not see the ending coming.
This is a page-turner. I normally read women’s fiction, but thoroughly enjoyed this stand-alone novel from one of my favorite authors.
I enjoyed this historical book set around WW2 and it’s characters. It was a real page turner for me and kept me entertained throughout the entire book. Thank you to the author for sharing this 5 star book with me.