The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg


Fiction - Drama
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 09/03/2025
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg by Charlotte French is a character-driven novel set in the small town of Woolloolobah. It explores themes of love, redemption, forgiveness, and the complexities of human relationships. The story follows Jasper Scragg as he navigates the fallout of infidelity, guilt, impending fatherhood, and the tangled connections between his past and present relationships, including his wife Zoe and Yasmin, a woman he becomes entangled with. French captures the raw emotions and vulnerabilities of her characters, portraying Jasper's internal conflict and the consequences of his choices with honesty. The novel is filled with vivid descriptions of the serene landscapes of Woolloolobah and the chaotic dynamics of Jasper’s personal life.

The pacing is engaging and steady, balancing moments of tension with introspective passages that allow readers to connect with the characters. Charlotte French’s writing style draws readers into the world of Woolloolobah, with moments of tenderness and heartbreak. The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg examines the complexities of love, loyalty, personal growth, and self-discovery. Readers of M.L. Stedman’s The Light Between Oceans and Liane Moriarty’s The Husband’s Secret will find familiar tropes in French’s novel as they each explore themes of moral dilemmas, secrets, and the emotional consequences of choices. They explore complex relationships, parenthood, and the longing for connection, as well as the ripple effects of personal choices on relationships and family dynamics. The ending incorporates themes of redemption and personal growth with twists that add emotional depth and keep readers guessing, making the conclusion impactful rather than formulaic. French skillfully weaves a familiar storyline with a uniqueness that gives it appeal.

Salina Coria

The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg by Charlotte French is about Jasper Scragg, who lives in Woolloolobah with his wife, Zoe. Zoe is a midwife who loves her job and has struggled with infertility for years. At Woolloolobah's spring fair, Jasper and his wife run into Yasmin, a young woman with whom he had a one-night stand a few months ago. This encounter brought back regrets and memories he thought were buried; little did he know that his secrets were about to be uncovered. Yasmin was on her way to an abortion appointment when her car broke down, and Jasper offered her a lift. This was an awkward situation when Jasper found out Yasmin was pregnant and that he was the child's father. He was confused and didn't know how to tell his wife. However, she had a change of mind about the abortion and decided to have the baby. But the truth can't stay hidden forever.

The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg by Charlotte French explores themes of infertility, betrayal, friendship, forgiveness, family, and redemption. Zoe was a strong woman; her strength and courage inspired me. Charlotte's writing style is detailed, engaging, and captivating. I appreciated Bryam, Jasper's elderly supportive friend, and also Ned and Sabine for being there for him and all the advice and comfort they gave him. The pacing was just perfect; it wasn't too fast or too slow, making it easy for me to navigate. Charlotte did a great job on the characters; they were so relatable, especially Zoe. I could feel every emotion and struggle she went through; it was like everything was happening right before me. This book helped me reflect on my life and taught me lessons that changed my perspective on how I see life. I recommend this book to those drawn to raw, emotional stories about complex relationships and personal growth, and also to readers willing to give their marriage a second chance.

Anne-Marie Reynolds

The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg by Charlotte French is a wonderful Aussie drama. Jasper got caught cheating, and in a bid to save their marriage, he and Zoe have moved to Woolloolobah. But things can’t ever be that simple, and his infidelity just can’t stay buried. Xoe has given up on ever becoming a mother, and Jasper couldn't be more relieved. After all, he’s hardly great parent material. He’s determined to put things behind him and be the best husband a man can be, but his mistake is about to become more than a one-night stand. Jasper gets news that leaves him in a bit of a quandary and facing an uncertain future. Will he make the right decision? What is the right decision?

The Secret Life of Jasper Scragg by Charlotte French is set in small-town Australia and is a character-driven drama at its best. It’s a simple tale of betrayal and atonement, of trying to rebuild a relationship and facing one disaster after another. It does have some bad language in it, but not much, and it totally fits with the story. The characters are developed very well, especially the two main ones, and they’re easy to like and relate to. The story is full of action and drama, with some unexpected twists to keep you on your toes. It’s an age-old story of betrayal, but it’s a unique take in a lovely setting, and one that you’ll be fully invested in from start to finish. A thoroughly enjoyable story with a surprising ending that will thrill anyone who reads it.