Synopsis:
At first glance, Marion Andrews would seem to have it all. She’s just been promoted at her job at the top home design magazine where she’s worked for a few years on the creative team, and she’s earned it, even after a few blunders. Her personality and work ethic have taken her far, but not everything is as it seems in her personal life.
Marion’s been hiding her biggest insecurity for years, and now that she’s working closer with her handsome and austere boss, Mr. Shaler, she’s never felt more unsure about whether or not she should reveal it. Mr. Shaler isn’t as intimidating as Marion thought and she never expected things between them to be quite so friendly.
During her transition in her new position, she meets Charlie, a stranger who insinuates he knows things about her past. Charlie keeps popping up in her life, revealing more each time, and getting closer to Marion in every way.
Caught between her tragic past and her dramatic present life, Marion realizes she doesn’t have control over everything and has to find a way to navigate how she can “have it all” without the unforeseen drama that comes with it.
Favorite Lines:
“Gratitude is always the best attitude.”
“‘What do you have against hot drinks?’ I asked. ‘The concept of soaking ground bits of vegetation in boiling hot water feels wrong to me,’ he explained.”
“I moved closer, resting my head on his chest, hearing his heart beneath me, and appreciating the sound of every single beat.”
My Opinion:
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
Julie L. James’s Hearing My Secrets is a heartfelt and quietly powerful novel that blends workplace drama, hidden disabilities, and unexpected romance into something utterly engaging. From the opening pages, we’re drawn into Marion’s world—a young editorial assistant at a glossy home design magazine who is trying to keep a tightly held secret: she wears hearing aids.
The strength of this book lies in its honesty. James doesn’t sugarcoat Marion’s insecurities, frustrations, or her deep desire to be seen for her talent, not her limitations. The writing is warm, often funny, and steeped in the little textures of life—fabric swatches, late-night train rides, whispered lobby secrets. There’s something incredibly comforting in how ordinary everything feels, even as major emotional shifts are happening.
The story evolves gently, but not without stakes. Between a blossoming workplace crush, office politics, and glimpses into Marion’s painful childhood accident, Hearing My Secrets keeps you hooked with emotional resonance rather than high drama. And when romance sparks, it’s the kind that feels earned—tender, tentative, and full of chemistry.
It’s rare to find a novel that explores disability, ambition, and love with this much grace. This is a quiet triumph of a story—one that champions sensitivity without sentimentality, and strength without loud declarations. You’ll be rooting for Marion from the first page to the last.
Summary:
Overall, this book is full of warmth, wit, and an eye for every day beauty. It offers a slow-burning romance wrapped in emotional honesty, making it a refreshingly grounded and relatable read. If you like romance with a splash of comedy, then this book could be for you. Happy reading!
Check out Hearing My Secrets here!