Customer Reviews

The Secret

5 star:		(119)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

All of Julie Garwood's books are wonderful - some of her books are classics - this is one of them! What exactly made this book stand out from all of the others? Easy I read it so fast I had to re-read the next day to enjoy the parts I missed. This book has everything: a friendship between two women that was part of the story not just a passing paragraph. I was able to read about a true friendship instead of a jealous rivalry. Most books pit one woman against another, it was refreshing in itself to read about Judith and Frances Catherine's relationship. Not to mention the friendships between the men. In my opinion, this is just one of the reasons that made this book special. Judith Hampton was a strong heroine, independent yet vulnerable. I loved her interaction with various characters and how her love for Iain became a part of her. But I have to admit one of my absolute favorite things about Judith was her reaction everytime she had to use her midwifing skills! LOL! Iain Maitland. Well, what can you say about a gorgeous highlander with a heart! He was breathtaking, strong, capable but most of all he was tender. The romance was a beautiful thing to read and their interaction together was hilarious! I laughed so much my sides hurt and I cried so much my head ached! The secondary characters made this book come alive. Brodick, Ramsey, Frances Catherine and Patrick were all part of the fabric of this wonderful story!

I would give this book 10 stars if possible. The story of Judith and Iain is wonderful. I finally re-purchased this book after the 17 layers of tape could no longer hold it together. If you have not yet read Garwood this is a perfect one for you to start with. The story is touching, funny, romantic did I mention funny? It really is a love story between two people and a love story about a family. After you read this one pick up the sequal "The Ransom" you won't be disappointed I promise!

This book was exciting, funny and absolutely difficult to put down. I found myself trying to sleep but couldn't until I finished it. My family thought I was crazy from all the laughter they would here. I recommend it to EVERYONE! I can't wait to read RANSOM and see what happens to 2 other wonderful characters from this book. Julie Garwood is the BEST!

The story begins with the formation of a friendship between two little girls who normally would have never been friends. Judith Hampton is Engish but her loving aunt and uncle live on the border between England and Scotland and take her to the border festival where she meets Frances Katherine Kirkaldy. A punishment rock and a vicious little bee forges the girl's friendship forever.

Now it is years later, Frances Katherine is about to have her first child and Judith has promised to be there. Frances Katherine defies her husband's clan and requests that Judith be brought to her, despite the fact that they hate the English. Convincing the council of her bond with Judith, Iain Maitland, the clans laird and Frances Katherine's brother-in-law agrees to go to England and retrieve Judith. Besides, Judith is not only a woman but English, she will never keep to her word and agree to follow the barbarians into the Highlands.

Judith Hampton is packed and ready to leave when Iain Maitland and his warriors arrive at her home. Shocking the warriors by leaving without any hesitation, Judith begins the long journey to the Highlands and into Iain's heart.

As the book progresses Iain struggles with making Judith understand that he is laird and she should obey all of his commands. Judith has a hard time understanding all of the Highlanders rules. Once they reach the clan, Frances Katherine is overjoyed with Judith's presence. Fearing for her life with the birthing of her babe, Judith soothes Frances Katherine by telling her all of the knowledge she had acquired in the last few years about being a midwife. Her knowledge turns into the clans saving grace from the current evil midwife.

Now Judith is finally making her place with the clan. Wait, did I mention her father is the Maitland's sworn enemy?

Births, fights, a backwards Clan Council, one stubborn laird, and a kidnapping make The Secret a great read!

Judith is a great heroine. She's tough, strong, self-assured but knows when things are too much and allows herself to lean on Iain for his strength and support. Iain is such a good alpha. He is stubborn, strong-willed and forceful. However, he knows that his defenses are no match for Judith.

For series enthusiasts: The Secret has connecting characters with the book, Ransom, and The Secret should be read first.

I know I have one, and this book is definitely in the top tier. There are some books by romance authors that you can just go and read over and over again, and I find that this is one of the best.

The story starts out charming and doesn't stop there. You're introduced to two little girls -- Judith and Frances Catherine, who should not be friends -- because one is English and one is Scottish. Of course, that never stopped anybody! They become best friends and maintain this bond through the years.

Fast forward a bit and Scottish Frances Catherine is expecting her first baby, and wants English Judith to be at her side. The laird, Iain Maitland, figures that Judith will say no to this request, and takes 3 of his men to go get her. To everyone's surprise, Judith is not only ready, but she's practically begging to be taken away from her abusive household.

Along the way, Iain and Judith fall in love, and the Secret of Judith's past threatens to tear them apart for all time. Of course, it won't because this is a romance novel, but there is still a lot of mystery and conflict surrounding the refreshingly innocent Judith.

There is a ton of humor in this book -- you will laugh over what the Scottish men say when they discuss Judith. You'll laugh over Judith's actions as she worries herself into a panic. I laughed my head off at the beginning of the book, with the strange friendship between Frances Catherine and Judith. It is obvious that Julie Garwood has a love for life and loves to laugh -- it is inherent through her books.

I cannot stress how much I love this book! Judith is very innocent and stubborn, and has had a hard life. You'll find yourself really cheering for her as the story goes by, and wanting everything to work out for her. She charms everyone she runs into (and charms the reader as well) Frances Catherine is a gem and I found that Iain was very easy to fall in love with. This is a story where all the characters are perfect, and fun to read about. No long, extended arguments, no long, extended seperations, none of the things that normally drive me nuts in a romance book -- Julie Garwood has made 'The Secret' into romantic perfection.

I had a hard time putting this one down. I praise it above most romance novels for the simple reason that it doesn't follow any of the 'rules' or 'formulas' that are so obvious in most of the genre.

First, there's more than one plot weaving through this novel, and each is interesting, well-developed, and important to the story. Second, each of the many characters is well-developed, fascinating, and human--with motives, emotions, and drives that resonate and draw you into the story.

I hate when romance novelists force a contrived reason to keep the lovers apart, or when they insist on writing heavy-handed, hot and heavy love scenes--words like 'manrod,' 'creamy white thighs,' and 'luscious breasts' are nowhere to be found, thankfully. Those types of romance novels insult my intelligence, and leave me amused but completely uninterested.

This is the story of a strong woman, taking a great risk for a friend and hoping to find some answers for herself by leaving England to go to the Scottish Highlands. She is escorted by a strong, handsome laird. And the scene is set for romance...but the romance is almost incidental--which is what I praise so highly, because the subplots are so much more interesting than a simple boy-meets-girl saga could ever be. There is intrigue, conflict, fears and angers, politics, and play, and any number of twists and turns that kept me reading long into the night.

Basically, it's just good fiction--well-written, great story, great setting, and it just happens to include a gripping love story as well. I am thrilled to have discovered Julie Garwood, for this novel and the promise of her others as well. I'm already half way through another Garwood novel, 'The Ransom,' that features another Highlands Laird, a character from 'The Secret,' and am thrilled that there are a number of novels featuring members of the clans that are introduced in 'The Secret.'

Wow! This book is definitely a keeper! I have reread this more than 5 times and still get the same reaction. It is excitingly a page turner. This book brings about all sorts of emotions, from the beginning to the end, no boring scenes whatsoever! The friendship of Frances Catherine & Judith is impressively well designed. The adjustment of Judith to the Highland ways & how the people reacted to her was surely a roller coster, mixed emotions-which I find utterly heart quenching. Of couse, not to forget the hero/heroine... The love story of Iain & Judith completely warms my heart, they are both different yet perfect for each other. Even the secondary characters, all uniquely described and well written. The friendships, trust & loyalty, the love and acceptance...all made this book a perfect 10. 5 stars rating is simply an understatement. J.G. have outdone herself this time!

Sequel: RANSOM - Another perfect story. A must read after SECRET.

Note: I would like to enumerate some scenes that makes this book a perfect 10 for me but it's not fair to mention only one or even two, as I find all situations/scenes, even the smallest of all.... interesting, hilarious, exciting, tear jerker & endearing in its own magical ways. This book is worth your time! READ IT.

Judith Hampton is a loyal and proud friend, that is why when her Scottish friend wants her by her side when she is about to give birth, she leave England for Scotland.

Laird Iain Maitland agrees to make the journey to England to retreive Judith. At first he doesn't believe the englishwoman will go with them. he's ready to take her by force. But he's surprised when Judith is waiting and willing to go. Judith and Iain are instantly drawn to eachother, but Judith is an englishwoman, the Scot's hated enemy.

Eventually Iain and Judith fall in love and marry, although she is not immediately accepted into the clain. Strong spirited Judith doesn't let that stop her from winning over the clan, but she has one big secret. She is the daughter of Laird Maclean, the Maitland clan's sworn enemy.

If you love a great medeival romance, The Secret is calling out to you. Julie Garwood brings the reader to beautiful medeival Scotland in the wonderful love story.

As children, Judith and Frances met and formed an unbreakable friendship, not knowning that english and scottish are supposed to hate each other. Now the time has come for Judith to fulfill her childhood promise to Frances and come to the scottish highlands and help her with the birth of her baby. The highlander and laird Ian, Frances's brother-in-law, has come to England to escort Judith back to his clan and to Frances. He fully expects her to dishonor her promise and not come -she's english after all. He is shocked to find, not only a beautiful women, but one with a stubborn streak a mile wide that enchants all of his men -including himself. During the journey, Ian and Judith find themselves fighting their growing attractions. They both know that once they get to the highlands and to Ian's clan, they must go their separate ways. For Ian cannot be with an englishwoman and Judith is hiding a shocking secret.

I absolutely loved this book and its sequel Ransom. I loved the way Garwood portrayed Ian the best. He not an idiot and doesn't fight his attractions toward Judith -that's refreshing. He's tender and kind to her in so many ways, especially helping her get over her fears of birthing and then of her secret. He is so accepting of her and never degrades her -well almost never. I really liked that. Judith is great too, so strong-willed and yet not afraid to admit that she loves Ian.

This one is a shelf-keeper for me, as all of Garwoods highlander books are. A wonderful writer.

I was in the library in between classes one day and not interested in studying, so I browsed the paperback section for something to read to kill time. I noticed this book, grabbed it and starting reading it. Needless to say, I could not put the book down. I finished my classes for the day, went straight home and finished the book.

This was the first book I had read by Julie Garwood. She has heroines you cannot help but fall in love with. They are regular people that get themselves into difficult situations, especially the character from this book, "Judith", who travels into the Highlands from England to help her best friend birth her child.

I recommend all of Julie Garwood's books. I have copies of all of her books. I reread several of them at least every year, especially the following selections:

Prince Charming, Castles, Guardian Angel, Ransom (a sequel to The Secret), The Bride, Honor's Splendour and Saving Grace.

You cannot go wrong with Julie Garwood!