Dorinda's Secret' is one of those hidden gem novels that swept me off my feet when I stumbled upon it last year. The story revolves around Dorinda, a quiet librarian who discovers an old diary hidden in the basement of her workplace. The diary belongs to a woman from the 1920s, and as Dorinda reads, she uncovers a scandalous family secret tied to her own ancestry. The deeper she digs, the more dangerous it becomes—someone doesn’t want the truth coming out. The book blends historical mystery with a touch of romance, and the pacing keeps you hooked. What I loved most was how the author wove in themes of identity and legacy, making it more than just a thriller.
Dorinda’s journey is so relatable, especially her internal struggle between curiosity and fear. The supporting characters, like her skeptical best friend and the enigmatic local historian, add layers to the plot. By the end, I was flipping pages like crazy, desperate to see how everything connected. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind, making you wonder about the secrets buried in your own family tree.
If you’re into atmospheric mysteries with a strong female lead, 'Dorinda’s Secret' won’t disappoint. Dorinda starts off as this unassuming protagonist, but her discovery of the diary turns her life upside down. The diary entries alternate with her present-day investigation, revealing parallels between her life and the past. There’s a haunting quality to the way the past echoes in the present, and the small-town setting amplifies the tension. I got serious 'Kate Morton' vibes from the dual timelines and family drama. The climax was unexpected but satisfying—no loose ends, which I appreciate. Plus, the prose is gorgeous without being overly flowery.
Dorinda’s Secret' hooked me from the first page. The diary’s entries are so vivid, they almost feel like a separate story within the story. I loved how the past and present intertwined, with Dorinda piecing together clues like a detective. The final confrontation had my heart racing—it’s rare for a book to surprise me, but this one did. And that last line? Chills.
This book is like peeling an onion—each layer reveals something new and surprising. Dorinda’s investigation takes her from dusty archives to abandoned houses, and the descriptions make you feel like you’re right there with her. The secret itself is juicy, involving illicit love, betrayal, and a cover-up that spanned generations. What stood out to me was Dorinda’s growth; she starts off timid but finds her courage by the end. The romantic subplot is subtle but sweet, never overshadowing the main mystery. Perfect for fans of historical fiction with a twist.
Imagine finding out your family’s history isn’t what you thought—that’s Dorinda’s reality in this book. The plot twists are clever, especially the reveal about the diary’s true author. I won’t spoil it, but the way The Secret ties into Dorinda’s life had me gasping. The author does a great job balancing suspense with emotional depth. Even the minor characters feel real, like the grumpy old man at the antique shop who knows more than he lets on. It’s a quick read but packs a punch.
2025-12-12 14:32:28
5
View All Answers
Scan code to download App
Related Books
The Mafia Don's Secret
Holland Cisca
0
8.6K
"I didn’t even know it was yours! I never agreed to this—none of this was supposed to happen!"
"Supposed to happen or not, that child is mine. And I don’t let what’s mine out of my sight."
****
Clara had no choice other than selling her eggs to pay for her family's medical bills. But a mix-up lands her carrying the child of a dangerous Mafia lord, Mateo De Luca.
Now, two months pregnant and trapped by her uncle’s debts, Clara faces the impossible choice of keeping her baby or losing everything.
But Mateo isn’t done with her yet. He’s determined to find the woman carrying his heir—and when Clara realizes who the father is, everything changes.
"This is my first time... it hurts... oh, it’s bleeding..." Allie winced as a cut from the kitchen knife throbbed on her finger. Liam glanced at her, his face full of concern, and applied the medicine with a sharp, almost angry tone: "I’ve told you not to go near the kitchen! Just tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll make it for you!"
For Allie, her 20th birthday gift was discovering her boyfriend's betrayal with her best friend in bed. Furious, she turned her back on Nick and married Liam Hart, the city’s most influential and untouchable man. From that moment, she faced endless challenges: Nick’s constant manipulations, Liam’s family scheming against her, and the toxic people in their lives. Everyone sees Liam as the perfect, doting husband—no one knows the price she pays for his love.
Exhausted, Allie faced Liam one night, her voice trembling with frustration: "Liam Hart, you are a monster in disguise."
Liam, looking hurt, replied with a soft grin, “You wound me, darling. How could I possibly be a monster when I’m the one who’s supposed to protect you?”
On the day of my prenatal checkup, I found out my husband Don had booked me a termination surgery instead of a postpartum care package.
I thought he had placed the wrong order and was about to tease him, but Vincenzo spoke flatly.
"I didn't book it wrong. I need to come clean with you about something."
"I've been keeping another woman. She's a good girl. She doesn't want a title or to take your place as Donna."
"But she got pregnant recently. I've already made her suffer enough. I can't let her child suffer too. I have to give the child the Moretti family name."
I froze on the exam table, my voice shaking uncontrollably.
"Then why did you abort my child?"
He wiped the ultrasound gel off my belly and smiled.
"I just want you to adopt Giuliana's child. I'm having yours terminated because I'm afraid you'll play favorites and treat her kid differently."
He handed me the consent form, calm and composed.
"I promise you will always be Donna. No one will ever take your place."
I gave him a long, hard look, then was wheeled into the operating room.
"Never mind."
"Vincenzo Moretti, you're going to regret this every single day for the rest of your life."
He didn't know it, but I was the only woman in the world who could ever give him a child.
In the seventh year of being in love with the Don, George Grimaldi, I said yes to his proposal.
Inside a top-tier luxury bridal boutique, I stood in front of the mirror wearing the first wedding gown of my life. I looked at myself again and again and couldn’t stop smiling. Behind me, he watched in silence for a long moment.
Then suddenly, he spoke, “Oh, right. We can’t get married for now. I’m married to someone else.”
For a second, I thought I had misheard him. However, my entire body went stiff. The color drained from my face.
“Josie is a benefactor of my family,” he explained casually, like he was talking about the weather. “My father insisted I register with her. But don’t worry. She won’t affect our relationship.”
My ears rang. It took me a long time before I could finally process his words.
“So you’ve been lying to me for seven years?”
He frowned, as if I were the unreasonable one. “I wasn’t lying. I just forgot to tell you. This is my fault. If you don’t mind, we can still hold the wedding as planned—the gown, the ring, the honeymoon. You’ll have everything you deserve.”
I lowered my gaze. My hand drifted down and rested gently against my lower abdomen. There was something else here, too—a secret I had planned to tell him today.
Candice Channing thought she had her life figured out. She worked hard, married the man she loved, and was ready to start a family. But her perfect world crumbled when she caught her husband cheating—with her best friend. Heartbroken and lost, she decided to take control of her own future.
But a shocking mistake changed everything.
A hospital mix-up left Candice pregnant with a stranger’s child. And not just any stranger—Dorian Anderson, the cold, ruthless rich and power gang leader who secretly runs the city’s most powerful crime family. He wanted an heir without complications, not an unexpected connection with the fiery woman now carrying his baby.
Dorian doesn’t trust easily. Candice doesn’t back down. And when dangerous enemies start circling, neither of them can walk away.
She never planned to be a mother like this.
He never planned to fall for her.
But some mistakes come with unexpected surprises… and maybe even love.
Vincent Beckett has everything—money, power, and a famous legacy that’s being passed down to him. However, beneath the calm facade he usually presents to everyone lies a secret that could bring him and his family legacy down. To make it worse, his beloved grandmother threatens to take away everything that he’s worked hard for if he does not get married soon.
After discovering that her boyfriend married her bestfriend, Eve’s life fell apart.
Amidst her anger and pain, Eve accidentally destroys a set of the movie being filmed and is bound for jail when an opportunity arises to help fix the crisis she got herself into. Everything seemed to be going well for her until she found out who her boss would be, her long-time rival, Vincent Beckett.
Meeting each other might seem like fate, but instead, it seemed to be the answer to both of their problems. Vincent and Eve started their fake relationship to appease their families and meet the expectations placed on them, but the lines they set up slowly began to blur as the chemistry and undeniable attraction they had for each other grew. Will they continue to play the game of marriage for the sake of their families, or will they deny themselves the love they deserve to protect themselves?
The Billionaire’s Secret is a captivating story of love, trust, second chances, and the battles between family duty and personal desires, where two people must overcome their pasts to create a future together.
Dorinda's Secret' wraps up with this bittersweet twist that I totally didn't see coming at first. After chapters of Dorinda struggling to keep her supernatural abilities hidden, she finally confides in her childhood friend Liam during this intense midnight confrontation at the old lighthouse. The way the author describes the storm raging outside while their friendship fractures—then rebuilds—gives me chills every time.
The ending reveals that Dorinda's 'secret' wasn't just about her powers but about her guilt over accidentally causing her sister's disappearance years earlier. When Liam helps her uncover the truth—that her sister actually ran away to protect Dorinda—it's this beautiful full-circle moment. The last scene where Dorinda uses her powers openly to light up the town's winter festival? Chefs kiss.