Listen free for 30 days
-
His Secret Family
- Narrated by: Helen Duff
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
People who bought this also bought...
-
Lost Daughter
- By: Ali Mercer
- Narrated by: Helen Duff
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Your life isn’t perfect, but you’re still happy. Your husband has stuck by you, and he’s a good dad. Your daughter, Becca, makes your heart explode with love. And then, in the time it takes to say ‘bad mother’, there’s no longer a place for you in your own family. Your right to see your child has disappeared. Life goes on in your house - family dinners, missing socks and evening baths - but you aren’t there anymore. Becca may be tucked up in bed in Rose Cottage, but she is as lost to you as if she had been snatched from under your nose.
-
-
Excellent Debut Novel
- By CDG on 28-09-19
-
No Time to Say Goodbye
- By: Kate Hewitt
- Narrated by: Lisa Rost-Welling
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nathan West loved his wife Laura with all his heart. But now she’s gone, taken from him in a seemingly random act of violence. Laura was the glue that held their family together. And for Nathan, life without her feels almost meaningless. As he tries to find hope in the darkness, his three young daughters express their grief in different and challenging ways - with one set on a path of self-destruction that could devastate their family all over again.
-
-
Stunning, beautiful and moving
- By Treehugger on 27-04-20
-
A Hope for Emily
- By: Kate Hewitt
- Narrated by: Lisa Rost-Welling
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves 4-year-old daughter Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision - one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with. Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James - and it’s his new wife, Eva.
-
-
Disappointing
- By Karen Dearnaley on 30-07-20
-
What My Husband Did
- By: Kerry Wilkinson
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I return home to our beautiful house on a chilly winter evening expecting to find my handsome husband Richard waiting for me by the fire. We’re still so in love, and he always takes care of me. He usually comes straight back from work. But tonight, our antique clock ticks on through the dark evening, with no sign of him. Then a knock at the door shatters my perfect life. A 12-year-old-girl, Alice from the village, has been found unconscious in the field behind our house. They say she was last seen getting into Richard’s car.
-
-
Decent Thriller
- By Janet biglari on 24-12-20
-
The Light in the Hallway
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Nick’s wife Kerry falls ill and dies, he realises for the first time how fragile his happiness has always been, and how much he’s been taking his good life and wonderful family for granted. Now, he suddenly finds himself navigating parenthood alone, unsure how to deal with his own grief, let alone that of his teenage son, Olly.
-
-
An easy listen
- By Anonymous User on 01-02-20
-
My Husband's Daughter
- An Absolutely Heartbreaking and Gripping Emotional Page-Turner
- By: Emma Robinson
- Narrated by: Anne-Marie Piazza
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is past 10 o’clock on a cold Friday night when Rebecca and her husband Jack’s doorbell rings. Outside is a woman who introduces herself as Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Cara. And she’s holding the hand of a shivering, blue-eyed, four-year-old girl who she claims is Jack’s daughter. Rebecca is shocked to discover he has a child from his last relationship - even one he hadn’t known about. Because becoming parents isn’t part of their life plan.
-
-
What a wonderful story
- By Patrick Dee on 08-11-20
-
Lost Daughter
- By: Ali Mercer
- Narrated by: Helen Duff
- Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Your life isn’t perfect, but you’re still happy. Your husband has stuck by you, and he’s a good dad. Your daughter, Becca, makes your heart explode with love. And then, in the time it takes to say ‘bad mother’, there’s no longer a place for you in your own family. Your right to see your child has disappeared. Life goes on in your house - family dinners, missing socks and evening baths - but you aren’t there anymore. Becca may be tucked up in bed in Rose Cottage, but she is as lost to you as if she had been snatched from under your nose.
-
-
Excellent Debut Novel
- By CDG on 28-09-19
-
No Time to Say Goodbye
- By: Kate Hewitt
- Narrated by: Lisa Rost-Welling
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nathan West loved his wife Laura with all his heart. But now she’s gone, taken from him in a seemingly random act of violence. Laura was the glue that held their family together. And for Nathan, life without her feels almost meaningless. As he tries to find hope in the darkness, his three young daughters express their grief in different and challenging ways - with one set on a path of self-destruction that could devastate their family all over again.
-
-
Stunning, beautiful and moving
- By Treehugger on 27-04-20
-
A Hope for Emily
- By: Kate Hewitt
- Narrated by: Lisa Rost-Welling
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rachel’s worst nightmare comes true when a rare auto-immune illness leaves 4-year-old daughter Emily in a coma the doctors say she may never come out of. And Rachel has to make a heartbreaking decision - one that her ex-husband, Emily’s dad James, doesn’t agree with. Terrified she’s going to lose her daughter for good, Rachel knows she must find a way to keep the hope alive for Emily. But there is only one person she can turn to for help to convince James - and it’s his new wife, Eva.
-
-
Disappointing
- By Karen Dearnaley on 30-07-20
-
What My Husband Did
- By: Kerry Wilkinson
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I return home to our beautiful house on a chilly winter evening expecting to find my handsome husband Richard waiting for me by the fire. We’re still so in love, and he always takes care of me. He usually comes straight back from work. But tonight, our antique clock ticks on through the dark evening, with no sign of him. Then a knock at the door shatters my perfect life. A 12-year-old-girl, Alice from the village, has been found unconscious in the field behind our house. They say she was last seen getting into Richard’s car.
-
-
Decent Thriller
- By Janet biglari on 24-12-20
-
The Light in the Hallway
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Nick’s wife Kerry falls ill and dies, he realises for the first time how fragile his happiness has always been, and how much he’s been taking his good life and wonderful family for granted. Now, he suddenly finds himself navigating parenthood alone, unsure how to deal with his own grief, let alone that of his teenage son, Olly.
-
-
An easy listen
- By Anonymous User on 01-02-20
-
My Husband's Daughter
- An Absolutely Heartbreaking and Gripping Emotional Page-Turner
- By: Emma Robinson
- Narrated by: Anne-Marie Piazza
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is past 10 o’clock on a cold Friday night when Rebecca and her husband Jack’s doorbell rings. Outside is a woman who introduces herself as Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Cara. And she’s holding the hand of a shivering, blue-eyed, four-year-old girl who she claims is Jack’s daughter. Rebecca is shocked to discover he has a child from his last relationship - even one he hadn’t known about. Because becoming parents isn’t part of their life plan.
-
-
What a wonderful story
- By Patrick Dee on 08-11-20
-
The Man She Married
- By: Alison James
- Narrated by: Jan Cramer
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since Alice’s fiancé walked out on her, she never thought she’d meet "The One". But all that changes when she meets Dominic. Handsome, charming, and kind, Alice can’t believe her luck when he proposes a few months later and moves into her West London home. Three years on, Alice’s catering business is thriving and she is married to a man she adores. So when she sees that little blue line, it should be the happiest moment of her life: they’re going to have a baby. But then the police knock on her door and Alice’s whole world is turned upside down...Dominic is dead.
-
-
Great story !!
- By Danny on 20-01-20
-
The Girl You Gave Away
- By: Jess Ryder
- Narrated by: Annette Chown, Rosamund Hine
- Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It is Erin’s 40th birthday party. Pink and silver balloons drift through her garden, the platters of food are empty and the recycling is overflowing with empty wine bottles. Erin mingles with groups of family and friends, surrounded by love and laughter. Then a little red envelope lands on the doormat and everything changes. Inside is a birthday card from somebody she never dreamed would get in touch. Its message is a chilling reminder of the dark past that Erin has worked so hard to bury, a past that could put her precious family in terrible danger....
-
-
Not great
- By Zoe Norton on 20-04-20
-
Trust Me
- By: Sheryl Browne
- Narrated by: Katie Villa
- Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Emily and Jake are the perfect couple. Or so everyone says. But Emily just read a letter that has shattered her perfect world. Now she only has one thing on her mind. Which one of her friends is sleeping with her husband?
-
-
Trust me it’s good.
- By Sandra Wadkin on 03-01-21
-
The Daughter's Promise
- By: Sarah Clutton
- Narrated by: Olivia Beardsley
- Length: 11 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two years after a family tragedy, and still consumed by her grief, Willa receives a strange letter from halfway across the globe. She has inherited a house in Australia, in a town she’s never heard of, from a woman she doesn’t know.... Following the mystery to the inviting shores of Sisters Cove, Willa is entranced by the dilapidated old Chapel House she now owns, perched high on a windy cliff within the grounds of Merrivale Estate.
-
-
The Last quarter was Great !
- By leebee 112 on 07-09-20
-
The Perfect Sister
- By: Sheryl Browne
- Narrated by: Katie Villa
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Claire is shocked when she receives a message out of the blue from Sophie, a beautiful young woman who tells Claire that she’s their father’s secret child. Having spent years nursing her sweet little daughter, Ella, through a life-threatening illness whilst dealing with the emotional fall-out of a devastating marriage breakdown, Claire feels tentatively excited to meet Sophie. Perhaps she might finally have someone in the family to lean on....
-
-
Confused
- By Nan on 20-09-20
-
The Stepdaughter
- By: Georgina Cross
- Narrated by: Barbara Barnes
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s a normal afternoon when I walk out the patio doors of our kitchen to check on Mia, my stepdaughter, who is swimming in our backyard pool. But she’s gone. My heart stops when I see the back gate is open, her pink, fluffy towel lying folded on a chair. I was just feet away. Why didn’t I hear her scream? Who took our little girl?
-
-
Repetitive and boring in my opinion.
- By Janalgarve on 10-01-21
-
The Wife
- An Unputdownable Psychological Thriller with a Breathtaking Twist
- By: Shalini Boland
- Narrated by: Katie Villa
- Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Zoe was sitting in her hotel room, in her perfect white dress, looking forward to the moment when she would make kind, handsome Toby her husband. Then, there was a blank. They said she must have fainted, overcome with emotion. But nothing felt quite right afterward. Did something happen in that missing time?
-
-
fantastic
- By Suzanne sims on 16-10-20
-
One Moment
- By: Linda Green
- Narrated by: Joan Walker, Gareth Bennett-Ryan
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Finn and Kaz are about to meet for the first time. Ten-year-old Finn, a quirky, sensitive boy who talks a lot and eats only at cafes with a five-star hygiene rating, is having a tough time at school and home. Outspoken Kaz, 59, who has an acerbic sense of humour and a heart of gold, is working at the café when Finn and his mum come in. They don't know it yet, but the second time they meet will be a moment which changes both of their lives forever....
-
-
Rather Gentle Story - Does Have a Point Eventually
- By David M on 02-12-19
-
The Mother's Mistake: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller
- By: Ruth Heald
- Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Claire has everything she’s always wanted. A newborn baby. A doting husband by her side. A picturesque home in the countryside. But behind closed doors, Claire’s life is falling apart. Her husband is barely ever home, she’s struggling to bond with her baby girl, and she swears that she is being watched in the remote, lonely cottage. And when a threatening note is posted through her letterbox, saying she doesn’t deserve her daughter, it’s clear that someone knows about the terrible mistake that Claire made.
-
-
Gripping, unpredictable and very enjoyable
- By Nicola Grounds on 23-07-19
-
The Day She Came Back
- By: Amanda Prowse
- Narrated by: Amanda Prowse
- Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When her loving, free-spirited grandmother Primrose passes away, Victoria is bereft, yet resilient - she has survived tragedy before. But even her strength is tested when a mysterious woman attends Prim's funeral and claims to be the mother Victoria thought was dead. As the two women get to know each other and Victoria begins to learn more about her past, it becomes clear that her beloved grandmother had been keeping life-changing secrets from her. Desperate for answers, she still struggles to trust anyone to tell her the truth.
-
-
Teenagers
- By Jennifer Jefferson on 21-07-20
-
The Other Daughter
- By: Shalini Boland
- Narrated by: Katie Villa
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Two-and-a-half-year-old Holly is playing happily in a pink, plastic playhouse, while her mother Rachel sips coffee and chats with a friend nearby. It should be an ordinary day for all of them. But, in the blink of an eye, it turns into every family’s worst nightmare. Holly is taken by a stranger and never found. Nine years later, Rachel is living a quiet life in Dorset. She’s tried to keep things together since the traumatic day when she lost her eldest daughter.
-
-
Excellent, riveting story with a huge twist!
- By Treehugger on 23-11-19
-
The Housewarming
- By: S. E. Lynes
- Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
- Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Ava only left her daughter in the pushchair for five minutes. The buckle was fastened, and she was sure it was safe. But when she came downstairs, the door was open and Abi was gone - she walked down the road, past the Lovegoods' house, and was never seen again. A year later, the Lovegoods throw a housewarming party, showing off the results of their renovation. Ava doesn’t want to go. She can’t bear to look down that end of the road, to see the place where Abi vanished, and she doesn’t want to spend time with people who don’t share her grief.
-
-
A Gripping Story
- By Ms. M. Gendiboyd-nayli on 25-10-20
Summary
It’s a beautiful day for a wedding. White roses scent the air and the summer sunlight streams in. A spoon chimes against a champagne flute and the room falls silent. And there he is - my husband - getting to his feet to propose a toast. He’s still handsome. His new wife is next to him, gazing upwards, oblivious.
I’m not supposed to be here. All these years in the same town and I had no idea until I saw his name on the seating plan. He lived with me, once. Loved me. Small-town memories are long, but the people in this room don’t want to remember.
They say the healing is in letting go, but after what he did, he needs to know we haven’t gone away just because he’s shut his eyes.
So I take Daisy by the hand and step forward from the shadows. He notices us and his eyes widen. The champagne glass falls from his hand and smashes. Then he sags forward, making a terrible sound - a sort of strangled scream....
A powerfully emotional novel with a dark secret at its heart. This family drama will keep you hooked until the very last chapter. Perfect for fans of The Silent Wife, Kate Hewitt, and Jodi Picoult.
More from the same
Author
Narrator
What listeners say about His Secret Family
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- pleun brevet
- 14-11-19
Soooooo sad
This story is so sad, nothing happy happens coz even the happy stuff was made sad. Narrator was also sad. If you're looking for a downer, this is your book! Otherwise steer clear!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mini Ward
- 26-02-20
His secret family. By Ali Mercer
His secret family. By Ali Mercer. I Really disliked the whole book and didn’t even like the narrator either. By the end of it I was so bored that I couldn’t even cared less about any of the children or who their parents were!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 09-03-20
Confusing. Gripping. What the hell.
First book I’ve read/listened to by Ali Mercer. I was absolutely gripped within the first chapter. I’ve finished the book in 2 days. It was fantastic but so confusing and the twists and turns will keep you on your feet. Highly recommend.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cleopatra
- 16-05-20
Pleasant listen with interesting characters
The narrators voice is easy to listen to which is one of the most important things for audio book. Ali Mercer has created a great pretext for a story and hearing the story unfold from a number of different perspectives made the best use of tension as the story that initially unfolds takes an unexpected turn. With the story involving single mother Jenny and her two teenage daughters, Ava and Emily there are lots of different elements going on. With a hint of the supernatural thrown in for good measure I wondered which way the story would take. This was a fairly gentle yet involved listen that has accompanied me through lockdown nicely
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Karen J
- 31-03-20
great story
Intriguing insight into all the characters of the book. kept listening to the end despite the irritating narrator.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- SarahK
- 10-12-19
Enjoyable family drama
A really enjoyable listen - I liked the various characters’ viewpoints, and loved the family dynamics. The narrator was excellent.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Anonymous User
- 09-04-20
Pointless
You kept waiting for something to happen. This book went on and on and had no climax or real ending. Don’t waste your time.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- mamasguardianangel
- 02-03-20
I really loved this story. I even cried.
I thought it ended to quick. He should have had to answer for his actions!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Joyce Lareau
- 29-02-20
Way to long
Although this was a pretty good story, it Went into so much detail you could probably take out two hours and have the same story. The ending was a big let down. I would say save your credit.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Vicky Frank
- 27-05-20
Terrible....
I wasted 11 hours on this book... many storylines were started, but they were either forgotten or ended up being nothing.