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House of Secrets, Book Review with Giveaway

January 8, 2012 by 5 Minutes for Books

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Bailee Cooper’s life is going very well. She is on a successful career path at a growing publishing company, and the boss’s son Mark, who happens to be a really nice guy, would love nothing more than to develop a relationship with her. Unfortunately, Bailee resists emotional ties with anyone, except for her younger sisters. Although they are adults, Bailee can’t help but feel responsible for them, and she refuses to take on jobs or relationships that could interfere with caring for their needs. Bailee’s difficulties stem from the past–she saw her father drug her mother as a child, and her mother died during the night. She has kept this secret since childhood, while vowing to stay strong for her younger sisters who rely on her like a mother.

When Bailee’s father asks the girls to come to their summer home for an announcement, Bailee heads to Washington state to meet her family. Bailee’s dad shares a surprise with the girls, but their response shocks him. As the secrets and pain from the past come out, the tenuous threads holding the family together unravel. In a moment of distress, Bailee calls Mark, who drops everything and heads to Washington to offer support during the confusing and traumatic time. Bailee must deal with the past and work on the present crisis before she can deal with any thoughts of the future. With Mark’s support, and God’s love, Bailee works to find healing and hope.

House of Secrets is a touching and dramatic story. At its core, House of Secrets exposes the difficult challenges that families face when a loved one is suffering from mental illness. Although mental illness ranges in severity, I don’t know many families who have not dealt with the pain and devastating effects related to mental illness in some way. Author Tracie Peterson does an excellent job of portraying the suffering, the anger, the challenges, and even the guilt that family members face. While the details of Bailee’s story are extreme, the story resonates easily with anyone who has been touched by these difficulties.

House of Secrets is a moving, fast-paced novel that is difficult to put down. The emotions are real and raw, and I grieved for the loss and struggles experienced by the three sisters. Tracie Peterson has crafted a well-written story that exposes the realities of mental illness, while offering hope for healing. I recommend it to all of you.

Thanks to Bethany House, we have one copy of House of Secrets to giveaway (U.S. shipping address only). Please leave a comment on this post. We’ll announce the winner in our book review column here on January 23.

  • The winner of the Mr. Popper’s Penguins ebook is #11 Sue Borowiak.
  • Our giveaway for the women’s fiction novel One Moment, One Morning is still open another week.
  • Check out all our current book giveaways at 5 Minutes for Books right now!

 

Original review by 5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer: Lauren is a wife, mother of two, and an avid reader. She blogs at Baseballs and Bows.

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About 5 Minutes for Books

5 Minutes for Books is the 5 Minutes for Mom sister site devoted to reviewing books for adults -- fiction, memoir, and nonfiction -- and kids of all ages.

Managed by Jennifer Donovan, other contributors are Dawn, Lauren, Nancy, and Elizabeth.

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60 Comments

  1. Ashley says

    January 22, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    This giveaway is wonderful!

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    January 22, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    This book looks great!

    Reply
  3. Betty says

    January 22, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    There is nothing like a snowstorm that has me check what books I have tbr. Great review, and this plot line does not sound like they mystery/thrillers I have been reading

    Reply
  4. DebbyM says

    January 22, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  5. Gigi S says

    January 22, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    This book looks like a wonderful read.

    Reply
  6. Candie L says

    January 22, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Sounds like an interesting read. thank you

    Reply
  7. Claire says

    January 22, 2012 at 2:20 pm

    I’d love to win, thanks

    Reply
  8. Diana Bradford Hatch says

    January 22, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win!

    Reply
  9. Jeanne says

    January 21, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    Would love to read this book. Thank you for this awesome giveaway. 🙂 Jeanne

    Reply
  10. Laurie Harrison says

    January 19, 2012 at 1:47 am

    I would like to win. This book sounds like something I can relate to. (mental illness) I don’t know if I will remember to come back and check to see if I won so please email if I am the lucky one. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Laurie

    Reply
  11. trish says

    January 16, 2012 at 12:56 pm

    I would love to win this book, it sounds wonderful!!!

    Reply
  12. Kelly Marceau says

    January 16, 2012 at 9:14 am

    I haven’t read this one yet and would really like to.

    Reply
  13. rebeka deleon says

    January 15, 2012 at 9:37 pm

    i need a good, new book.

    Reply
  14. Van says

    January 15, 2012 at 8:06 pm

    This book sounds to be a really great read.

    Reply
  15. Sandi says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    I’ve enjoyed many of Tracie Peterson’s books, and am sure I would also enjoy this one. Thanks for the opportunity of a chance to win.

    Reply
  16. Julie Lynn Bickham says

    January 15, 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway, looks like a great read!

    Reply
  17. Ann* says

    January 14, 2012 at 4:16 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book. I worked for a lady with a adult with mental illness and its a subject alot of people arent familiar with or know how to handle .

    Reply
  18. eg kaufman says

    January 14, 2012 at 7:52 am

    Sounds like a great read, thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  19. Staci A says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    I would love to read this!

    Reply
  20. Anita Yancey says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    Sounds like a really good book. I would love to win it. Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  21. Marci says

    January 13, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    sounds wonderful, I want to read it!

    Reply
  22. Garrett says

    January 12, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    This book sounds so good, I am reading it first, then pass it on to my girlfriend next.

    Reply
  23. Joni says

    January 12, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Now I’m curious! I would love to read it.

    Reply
  24. Bethany says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:46 am

    This book is on my to-read list, I would love to win a copy!

    Reply
  25. Liz says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    Sounds riveting if read at the right time.

    Reply
  26. jennifer lane says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:00 pm

    Sounds like a really good book!

    Reply
  27. Linda Kish says

    January 11, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    I would love to win a copy of this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  28. Melissa says

    January 11, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    Sounds great, would love to read it!

    Reply
  29. Audrey Griffis says

    January 11, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    sounds liek my kind of book Awosme- [email protected]

    Reply
  30. Tami says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Sounds good to me! Love to read it – thanks!

    Reply
  31. John says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:01 am

    Thanks for the chance to win this book.

    Reply
  32. Natalia says

    January 11, 2012 at 11:00 am

    Would like to own this book.

    Reply
  33. Christina Gould says

    January 10, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    I’d like to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  34. Lindsie says

    January 10, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    sounds like a good read, thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  35. samantha w says

    January 10, 2012 at 8:36 pm

    love to read in my free time, this would be nice

    Reply
  36. Amy S says

    January 10, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Would love to win! Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  37. bunny says

    January 10, 2012 at 5:00 pm

    ive been meaning to start reading more so i would love to win thsi book =)

    Reply
  38. Beth C says

    January 10, 2012 at 3:01 pm

    I enjoy books that are fast paced and hard to put down! Sounds very good!

    Reply
  39. Don says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    This book sounds so interesting.

    Reply
  40. Jennifer says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity! This looks like a good one!

    Reply
  41. angie says

    January 10, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    sounds interesting thanks for the giveaway
    [email protected]

    Reply
  42. Gail says

    January 10, 2012 at 8:39 am

    I’ve enjoyed other Tracie Peterson books and this one sounds a bit different, I’d like to be in please!

    Reply
  43. Jeni Monroe says

    January 9, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    Thank you for a great review and giveaway =)

    Reply
  44. riTa says

    January 9, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Families dealing with mental illness–that interests me.
    Thank you!

    Reply
  45. Chuck says

    January 9, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    My wife would love to read this book, thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  46. Angie says

    January 9, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    This sounds intriguing! Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  47. CAndie L says

    January 9, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Thank you for the opportunity

    Reply
  48. Brenda Smith says

    January 9, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    I would love to win this book

    Reply
  49. Alison S. says

    January 9, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    I’ve enjoyed her books before. I’d love to read this one, too.

    Reply
  50. Idaho Jill says

    January 9, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    This looks super interesting, thanks!

    Reply
  51. Angela E. says

    January 9, 2012 at 10:41 am

    This book sounds so good, hope to win, so that I can read it.

    Reply
  52. Kristin D says

    January 9, 2012 at 10:07 am

    I am definitely adding this book to my wish list!

    Reply
  53. June says

    January 9, 2012 at 9:10 am

    I would really love to read this book, it sounds so good.

    Reply
  54. Tammy Gordon says

    January 9, 2012 at 7:04 am

    Looks like a good book!

    Reply
  55. Terra Heck says

    January 9, 2012 at 3:25 am

    I’d like to read this book. Thanks.

    Reply
  56. Barbara H. says

    January 8, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    I love Tracie Peterson, and I haven’t read this one yet. Would love to win! Thanks for the opportunity.

    Reply
  57. Meghan says

    January 8, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Great giveaway…thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  58. Maddy says

    January 8, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I’m a bit tentative, but I trust your take on it.

    Reply

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