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Frances Garrood
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Cassandra's Secret: Sometimes the only way to move forward is to go back... Kindle Edition

by Frances Garrood (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 210 ratings
A powerful voice in women’s fiction. Perfect for fans of Marian Keyes, Rachel Joyce and Jojo Moyes.

Secrets can’t stay buried forever…

1960s England

Cassandra Fitzpatrick’s family isn’t quite like everybody else’s: her house is always full to bursting with the various misfits her mother houses as lodgers.

The creative and chaotic household is all she has ever known and loved, until something awful happens that changes everything.

Cass loves her mother deeply, but, as she gets older, she becomes more and more aware of her flaws.

Will Cass have to distance herself from her family to find happiness? Or is she destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps?

As Cass reflects on her memories, she must lay the ghosts of the past to rest and make peace with the secrets that have haunted her adult life…

CASSANDRA’S SECRET is both a coming-of-age story and poignant return to the past, an intricate family drama of the close bond between mother and daughter, and the strength of love needed to overcome abuse and grief.

"Garrood's thoughtful prose tells the story of an extraordinary girl's passage to womanhood." The Big Issue in the North and The Big Issue Cymru

"This is a delightful book, combining some emotional issues with humorous comments and moments." BCF Reviews

"Frances Garrood is a magnificent writer" thebookbag.co.uk

*** PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AS THE BIRDS, THE BEES AND OTHER SECRETS ***
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  1. Print length
    319 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 10, 2018
  4. File size
    1.5 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079SRF3KG
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sapere Books (May 10, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 10, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 319 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 210 ratings

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Frances Garrood

Frances Garrood

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
210 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Karri Williams
    5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put the book down! The characters remind me of me and my mom. I want a second book. I cannot wait to read other books by Franes.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    You are going to love this author
    It touches a lot of subjects that are difficult. I highly recommend reading this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Allyson A.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2018
    Cassandra Fitzpatrick doesn't come from a conventional home. She, along with her brother Lucas live with their mother and a host of other roommates. Due to Cass's moms welcoming anyone. There's a person at any given time, referred to as the Lodger, who lives in the basement. Uncle Rupert and Greta, the mother's friend to name a few.

    Cass's mother suffered from mental illness, which requires everyone to pull together during these times. When not in a depression, Cass's mom, is a free spirit, the life of the home and often throwing parties for any occasion. Despite references to wanting Cass and Lucas to have their own lives, there are often undertones to keep the children at her beck and call. Often seeking comfort with strange men, but never married.

    After Cass has a terrible experience with someone, and her mother tosses the individual out of the home. Cass has trouble coping and her mother sends her to a boarding school. Cass does well and feels that she's past the experience.

    When Cass's mother announces that she is expecting, Cass and Lucas are not happy. Once Octavia is born, Cass and Lucas fall in love with her. Much like with Cass and Lucas, Octavia has no named father. The entire household helps raise the baby.

    When Cass gets word of a tragedy, and returns home to help support her mother, her life takes a different turn. She seeks out to become a nurse, but finds the past haunting her on many fronts.

    Despite the dysfunction of the family environment, I loved how the author gave the reader the knowledge of how close knit Cass and Lucas were with their mother. Cass and Lucas were more of caregivers at times to their mother; whereas, the mother was more of a friend to her children, but she loved them. Cass came into her own little by little, and it was no surprise the man she fell in love with, considering how much Cass wanted a father figure in her life. Enjoyable read!

    I received a free ARC from NetGalley via Sapere Books in exchange for an honest review.
    One person found this helpful
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  • *TUDOR^QUEEN*
    5.0 out of 5 stars Touching story of unconventional British household through the decades
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2018
    **4.5 Stars rounded up to 5**

    When Sapere books offered me this book for review and I realized that the author was Frances Garrood...I jumped at the chance. In recent months I read her exquisite book "Dead Ernst" for which I awarded a full 5 stars. So, the bar was set high for this book straight off, and I was not disappointed. From the first page, I immediately settled into Ms. Garrood's very natural, easy and flowing writing style.

    This story takes place in England during the time period of 1961-2001, and follows the life of one Cassandra Fitzpatrick. As the book begins, Cassandra is in hospital at the bedside of her Mum who is dying. This is a peaceful time for reflection on their life together, and serves as the formula that the book takes...that of talking to each other around the deathbed as their story unfolds throughout the decades.

    Cassandra's Mum is both eccentric and fetching with no shortage of boyfriends. Alas, Cassandra and older brother Lucas have no idea who their fathers are, and neither does their Mum. At a time when it was still scandalous to have children out of wedlock, Cassandra's Mum somehow makes it all seem acceptable. In fact, there's nothing quite normal about their rambling and dilapidated Victorian household, which sports a "Lodger" in the basement (whose personage can change from time to time and still be called "Lodger"), Uncle Rupert in the attic (on the dole, but spends time inventing things), Greta- a friend from Switzerland who barely spoke English and was often susceptible to tears, Richard- a homeless person/tramp spotted playing the ukulele outside Woolworths, and "Just Call me Bill," the nice man from the chemist who kept falling out with his landlady. Apparently, Mum Fitzpatrick was kind-hearted and non-judgemental and thrived upon the disorder, intrusions and chaos these residents added to her household. There was no "normal" nuclear family, but their own version of family.

    As a young teenager, Cassandra is alone in the house when a shocking incident occurs. Although she suffers no physical harm, this leaves an indelible mark and constant source of conflict for Cassandra throughout the book. In a sort of role reversal between child and parent, Cassandra's like an old soul, feeling as though she must pick up the pieces whenever Mum suffers depression...even though the madcap cast of characters at home provide some tactical support.

    Cassandra is the heart and soul of this book. You will admire her strength, intelligence, sacrifices, fragility, and strong sense of family. There are all kinds of families, and as misshapen as these puzzle pieces were, it was a very heartwarming, unique and touching read.
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  • Kelly D
    4.0 out of 5 stars unique, sad yet uplifting, poignant
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2018
    Unconventional home. Unconventional mother. No structure. And a scary incident. All of these things put together shape Cass' life. In some ways good, in some ways bad. She took care of herself all of her life and as an adult had to take care of her mother, who was never really there for her. Could she live her best life, or did she hold back ? Can she love and be loved ? How does history figure into all of it ? Get the book and find out. It's a really good read.
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  • Lupine Smile
    3.0 out of 5 stars Not As Compelling As I Was Expecting
    Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2018
    I was given the opportunity via Sapere Books to read Cassandra's Secret. This review reflects my honest opinion and it is freely given.

    Although Cassandra Fitzpatrick's story was quite compelling, the writing format did not convey her thoughts and feelings in a cohesive fashion. The story fluctuated between the past and the present, in an attempt to show how Cassandra's actions as an adult were cemented when she was a child. Her relationship woes, with her family and with others, are a direct result of the mental trauma she suffered. Yet, I really did not feel Cassandra's anguish, nor did I feel her anger. My connection to her was tenuous at best, which left me feeling that the book represented a missed opportunity by the author to make the reader feel fully invested in Cassandra's story.

    The pacing of Cassandra's Secret was spoiled by the time shifts, as the abrupt changes of perspective allowed the focus to slide. I was expecting to be mesmerized by Cassandra's story, by her valid reasons for her failed relationships, but the author just did not carry me into her world. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend Cassandra's Secret to other readers.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • sandylady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is the third book I have read by Frances Garood. I love her storytelling, the characters are believable and there is always a good mixture of humour and sadness included throughout.
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  • A. Guicciardi
    3.0 out of 5 stars Generazioni di donne in un difficile confronto.
    Reviewed in Italy on March 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Simpatiche le protagoniste, una storia moderna, forse un po’ prevedibile.
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  • NoMercy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read.
    Reviewed in Australia on January 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Again Garroods ability to draw out characters and emgage the reader is at play here. Very much enjoyed this book.
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  • J Palmer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle, yet lively read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I love Frances Garrood's books! Her characters are so well described they come alive from the page and are eccentric enough to be fascinating and amusing, yet always relateable. She deserves to be a better known and more popular author.
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  • AmaMags.zon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another great novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Once again another great read. True to form Francis Garrood has given us a book with lots of laughs, lots of tears and lot's of love.
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