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Best Kept Secret: A Novel [Paperback]

Amy Hatvany
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 7, 2011
Cadence didn’t sit down one night and decide that downing two bottles of wine was a brilliant idea.

Her drinking snuck up on her - as a way to sleep, to help her relax after a long day, to relieve some of the stress of the painful divorce that’s left her struggling to make ends meet with her five-year old son, Charlie. 

It wasn’t always like this. Just a few years ago, Cadence seemed to have it all—a successful husband, an adorable son, and a promising career as a freelance journalist.  But with the demise of her marriage, her carefully constructed life begins to spiral out of control.  Suddenly she is all alone trying to juggle the demands of work and motherhood.               

Logically, Cadence knows that she is drinking too much, and every day begins with renewed promises to herself that she will stop.  But within a few hours, driven by something she doesn’t understand, she is reaching for the bottle - even when it means not playing with her son because she is too tired, or dropping him off at preschool late, again.  And even when one calamitous night it means leaving him alone to pick up more wine at the grocery store.  It’s only when her ex-husband shows up at her door to take Charlie away that Cadence realizes her best kept secret has been discovered….

Heartbreaking, haunting, and ultimately life-affirming, Best Kept Secret is more than just the story of Cadence—it’s a story of how the secrets we hold closest are the ones that can most tear us apart.

 


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Best Kept Secret: A Novel + The Language of Sisters: A Novel + Outside the Lines: A Novel
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Grabs you from page one and doesn't let you go. The writing is visceral, the problems are real, and there are no clear solutions. You won't want to put it down."  --Emily Giffin, bestselling author of "Something Borrowed"

"Touching, hopeful, and so real. I loved these characters and this novel." --Luanne Rice, bestselling author of The Silver Boat

"Rarely do I find a book that stays with me long after I've finished it, but this is one. Warm, witty, thoughtful and heartbreaking, and that ending--I'm still thinking about it." --Stefanie Wilder-Taylor, Sippy Cups are Not for Chardonnay

"Haunting, hopeful, and beautifully written. I couldn't put this book down, and I can't stop thinking about it." --Allie Larkin, bestselling author of Stay

"A captivatingly honest book that you won't soon forget."  --Lisa Tucker, bestselling author of Once Upon a Day

About the Author

Amy Hatvany is the author of Outside the Lines, Best Kept Secret, and The Language of Sisters. She lives in Seattle with her family.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Washington Square Press; Original edition (June 7, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1439193312
  • ISBN-13: 978-1439193310
  • Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #437,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Amy Hatvany graduated with a degree in Sociology only to discover most sociologists are unemployed. Soon followed a variety of jobs - some of which she loved, like decorating wedding cakes; others which she merely tolerated, like receptionist.

In 1998, Amy finally decided to sell her car, quit her job, and take a chance on her passion: writing books. She is the author of BEST KEPT SECRET, OUTSIDE THE LINES (a Target book club pick for 2012 and a Costco's Buyer's pick), THE LANGUAGE OF SISTERS, and HEART LIKE MINE.

Amy lives in Seattle with her husband and children. For more about Amy and her books, please visit www.amyhatvany.com.


Customer Reviews

She expresses the feelings of her characters so well, you feel very connected to them. Carole Bishop  |  20 reviewers made a similar statement
Cadence's story is one that surely every woman can relate to. Cubskers  |  18 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I'm Not Keeping This One A Secret! June 4, 2011
Format:Paperback
Best Kept Secret is one of the best and most thought-provoking books I've read in a long time. It was heart-breaking and uplifting all at the same time. At the center of this novel is Cadence, a single-mom who is trying the best that she can to get through her days raising a whirlwind of a happy little boy and struggling to make it as a freelance writer. When life becomes more and more difficult, she starts suffering from insomnia, and a glass of wine at night helps her to sleep. That glass of wine becomes two and three, which then turns into a couple of bottles a night. Within a year, she is a full-blown alcoholic on the verge of losing the most important thing in her life: her young son Charlie.

I adored little Charlie and my heart broke for Cadence, who was as real as a character could possibly get. If you are a mother or a daughter or a sister, you will see a part of yourself in her character. She's so real, flawed and lovely, you'll want her to succeed in everything: her fight for sobriety, and her fight for custody of Charlie.

I was drawn to this book for so many reasons. As a mom to three children very close in age, I know what it's like to need something to calm the nerves when you're at your wit's end, when you think you might blow a gasket over spilled milk. I also discovered that two of my absolute favorite authors, Emily Giffin and Sarah Pekkanen read, loved and blurbed Best Kept Secret. And, there have also been times in my own life that I have been unable to care for my own children because I've been too hung over. This book hit home for me, and I'm very confident that Best Kept Secret will unearth feelings in every woman out there. All women can see a part of themselves in Cadence, whether they find themselves craving a glass of wine, needing a Xanax, or wanting to satiate the storm within with a pile of carbohydrates.

Amy Hatvany is a born storyteller. Her characters are real, and Best Kept Secret could be a tragic story that might damage a family forever. However, Cadence is Charlie's superhero and rises above all conflict to overcome and be the best mother she knows she's capable of being. I'm recommending this book to everyone!
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets that aren't really secrets June 8, 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
In the beginning of the novel,we meet a happy succesful journalist who is recently married and overjoyed with a new baby on the way. In the words that follow, we find a devastated divorcee with a dwindling income, an active toddler whom she loves with the depth of her being. She begins with a couple glasses of wine in the evening to "help her sleep". Then a couple in the afternoon to take "the edge off" before she makes dinner. Her life went downhill from there. Why shower, she wasn't going anywhere. She didn't need make-up or clean clothes..same reason. The ultimate rock bottom was the night she realizes she's out of wine! The store is only 6 minutes away...Charlie is sound asleep,he won't wake up. Her life is then taken out of her hands.
What follows is the slow climb through recovery, rehab, AA, with the ultimate goal of regaining custody of her son.
It is the beautiful story of the strength of women, the bond of motherhood, and her renewed faith in the need for supporting friends and family.
I was not surprised at the end of the novel, that the author has lived and traveled the journey herself. Some women [or men] might be turned off by the loss of control of Cadence. Some may see their stories in an author's work.
I'm new to reviewing books, I don't usually write more than a few words. This story called my name.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Story With Relatable Characters August 1, 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Best Kept Secret was such an engaging read that I'm still thinking about it days later. Cadence's story is one that surely every woman can relate to. The pressures of being perfect in all aspects of life can get to all of us. We all have vices and outlets that we seek when we are overwhelmed - Cadence happened to gradually slip into her alcohol addiction.

I applaud the author for taking on such tough subject matter and turned it into such a special story that sticks with the reader. Highly recommend!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!
A good read! I didn't see the outcome of the story,as I was reading it. Very realistic for today society.
Published 9 days ago by Kristine A. Laga
5.0 out of 5 stars This was an excellent book
I could not put this book down. It was so well written and the story was so well told I felt like I was right there with the characters. Read more
Published 9 days ago by F. Mcallister
4.0 out of 5 stars very good story
the story was slow to start but mid way thru it's gets very interesting. I Would recommend it to anyone.
Published 23 days ago by Paula A Daigle
4.0 out of 5 stars Emotional yet very real read
Cadence didn’t sit down one night and decide that downing two bottles of wine was a brilliant idea.
Her drinking snuck up on her - as a way to sleep, to help her relax after a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by GlendaG
5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional reading at its best!
review I loved it! It was a difficult read for me, emotionally. My brother died from alcoholism, at 38 years old. I feel tremendous empathy for the struggling addict. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carole Bishop
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish there were more of these types of books available for those in...
The thing I liked best about this book is how real the disease of alcoholism can take control of your life and doesn't care how it destroys you! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Daniella
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional
This was just an exceptional book. Rarely do I meet a book that reaches inside me and touches my soul. The tough subject of addiction was handled with grace and compassion. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Caren
4.0 out of 5 stars The Human Condition: One Woman's Story
This story covers a relatively short period of time in a woman's life. Best Kept Secret: A Novel reveals the secret of alcoholism and illustrates the sneaky spiral, the dire... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michelaneous by Michele
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story
Another true to life story you won't believe but have to. Shows the determination of the human spirit and how we do not have to become a product of our upbringing.
Published 2 months ago by Kindle Virgin
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Insight to Women and Addiction
I recently have a sister facing alcohol addiction. I felt like this book gave a very insightful and accurate look inside how she may be feeling and coping. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mom2Three
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