Secret Keeping for Beginners

Even the closest families have secrets ... it's when they are shared that things begin to change. The lives of three very different sisters collide in this witty new novel from bestselling author Maggie Alderson.

Recently divorced Rachel is juggling her new dream job in interior design PR with the demands of two young daughters. She's full of creative ideas but - even with a colourful childminder or two - some days she can't make it into the office in time and in matching shoes. Her life is balanced more precariously than she cares to admit.

Tessa, a talented muralist, is feeling flat. Her kids are growing up and she's feeling upstaged by her husband's new-found celebrity as the host of a reality TV fireplace restoration show. But everything turns on its head when she gets a surprise from her past.

Youngest sister Natasha leads a glamorous jet-setting life - she's one of Vogue's favourite make-up artists who regularly creates the looks for the biggest shows in Paris and Milan. Single and childless, she's been focused on her career - but when the lie she's concealed for years threatens to come to light, the truth will make her question everything.

Meanwhile their mother, Joy, a hippy vegetarian caterer, is carefully ignoring the letters that keep arriving at her door.

Into the mix comes Simon, Rachel's urbane boss, hiding secrets of his own. And everything lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly happy family is about to come out ...

'Stylish and engaging ... an elegant treat' The Lady

'Maggie Alderson is a national treasure. Her writing is pithy, warm, incisive and touching, her characters extremely lovable and relatably flawed.' Lauren Sams, Cosmopolitan

'Classy, entertaining, smart ... Seriously, buy this book, pour yourself a bath and crack open the chocolate. Your Friday night is now sorted. You're welcome.' Set in Motion

'Maggie Alderson has a light touch, a well-sharpened wit and lots of heart' Better Reading

'A lovely combination of glamour, humour and poignancy.' Marian Keyes on Handbags and Gladrags

'Brimming with wit and wisdom' Courier-Mail