Ellesea Loves Reading: New Book Publication Spotlight & Review: The Secret Notebook by Julia Wild

Thursday, 15 July 2021

New Book Publication Spotlight & Review: The Secret Notebook by Julia Wild

The Secret Notebook by Julia Wild

When Izzie Dean’s beloved nan, Molly Blackshaw, passes away, Izzie returns to the Blackpool bungalow where she grew up, to say goodbye once and for all. When Izzie’s homecoming reunites her with her first love, Justin Swift, every emotion that Izzie has repressed since the day he broke her heart comes rushing to the surface. But then an unexpected discovery changes everything.

Between the pages of the battered secret diary Molly kept during WWII, Izzie discovers a story of love, heartbreak, and the incomparable hardship of life in a world at war. Reading her grandmother’s words soon puts her own story into perspective, and suddenly Izzie realises that the only thing holding her back from happiness, might be herself. Now she just has to convince Justin that they deserve a second chance at forever…

Lies, deceit and sibling rivalry all play a part in this fascinating and emotionally charged dual-timeline novel.

When Izzie Dean finds an old diary belonging to her late grandmother, Molly Blackshaw, it shines a light on how her grandparents met and married during WWII. However, the notes expose an unexpected family secret. Meanwhile, everything Izzie thought she knew about her own past life and marriage to her late husband is shockingly exposed as lies, as the past comes back to haunt her.

Ms Wild has written an exceptionally well thought out novel highlighting the daily struggles people experienced during wartime; how social attitudes of the day impacted those who found themselves in unfortunate circumstances. Reading about Molly's life gave food for thought and highlighted the precariously balanced lives people had during difficult times.

Izzie's life, although sad in parts very much reflects current attitudes on how we handle and go about our everyday life whilst dealing with painful situations. Some sections of the contemporary narrative didn't hold my attention as well as the historical one however the final twist more than made up for it. Everyone loves a happy ending and this was more than satisfying.

Overall, fans who enjoy novels set during WWII and those who enjoy dual timeline romances will enjoy the hidden surprises within The Secret Notebook.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher One More Chapter via NetGalley***

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RS6JBRJ/

Lancashire born, I moved to Bedfordshire in the late seventies, married and started a family. I’m a past Hon Sec of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, have been a member since 1993 when I joined their New Writers’ Scheme as a probationer. That came about after winning a week’s historical writing course on the strength of the first chapter of my third Poldark-era romance. The tutor on the last day loved the story and handed me details of the Romantic Novelists’ Association – she said I absolutely must join as they would be able to help me towards publication.

Some four years later my first published book, Dark Canvas, won the RNA’s New Writer’s Award in 1997, the sixth, Illusions, won the RNA’s Romance Prize in 2003.

After working in the local library service for 18 years, during library cut-backs I took the leap to become self-employed as a writer and worked on releasing my backlist as eBooks for Kindle.

Most recently, I’ve had the pleasure of working with amazing Charlotte Ledger when she pulled me from the writing wilderness and have now signed a three-book deal with One More Chapter.