Customer Reviews

A Deep Dark Secret

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Seven-year-old Jillian was the happiest little girl in the world. She was finally going to get a father and soon a new baby sister. She grew into a responsible teenager, obeying her parents, exceeding in school and being a loving, attentive older sister to her baby sister. On the outside, Jillian is your typical energetic teenager, but on the inside, she's protecting a deep, dark secret.

Afraid to tell anyone because she knows they wouldn't understand or believe she wasn't telling the truth, she carried the awful pain alone. Her schoolwork begins to suffer and she starts to draw into herself, until a teacher inspires her to keep a journal. As time goes on, Jillian develops strength and courage to gain control of her life.

Written with compassion and warmth, A DEEP DARK SECRET is a stirring piece of literature which focuses on a serious issue that is running rampant, and how a family overcomes and survives the dark cloud that hovers over their lives. Roby skillfully influences the reader to float into the heart and soul of Jillian's character and feel her anguish. The subplot ties in perfectly as the story unfolds. A DEEP DARK SECRET...a tender masterpiece of family loyalty, friendship, and peer pressure.

Reviewed by Sharon Lewis
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

I've only read two books by Kimberla Lawson Roby with A Deep Dark Secret being the second book. I was little apprehensive about reading it because of the subject matter. I'm glad that I decided to give it a chance. It was written really well. I like the fact that the story was narrated from Jillian's point of view. I could actually get a sense of the pain this twelve year old was going through. There were times when this book was too painful to read. It's really short but Kimberla was able to wrap it up nicely. I don't know anyone personally that has been sexually abused. This book has opened my eyes to what millions of children are going through. After reading this book, I sat my 9 year old daughter and 7 year old son down and had a lengthy discussion about sexual and physical abuse. I wanted them to know that if someone were to do anything inappropriate to them to let me know right way. I don't care how bad they think it is or if they're scared that I might get upset. I don't care who it is....they need to let me know. My husband and I are happily married and I can't fathom their own father or anyone else in my family doing the things that were done to Jillian, but you never know. The people who you love and trust the most are at times the actual perpetrator. After reading this book, I've told myself that I would make sure that I know all the warning signs and keep my eyes and hears open. There needs to be more awareness brought to this subject. Children shouldn't have to suffer in silence. I'm hoping that more children have the courage to come forward and get the help they need.

Seven year-old Jillian Maxwell's life could not be better. She had a new step-daddy that she adored and a new baby sister. On the day her baby sister was born, Jillian's life began to change. Her dream daddy became her worst nightmare when he started to make secret visits to her bedroom. Jillian knew what they did during these visits was wrong, but her daddy told her not tell anyone about them because no one would believe her and she would have to leave home. Therefore, Jillian endured years of being manipulated by her step-dad to do things she knew was not right. Jillian successfully disguised her anguish, by putting on a happy face for her family, friends and teachers. In this novella, A Deep Dark Secret, by Kimberla Lawson Roby, the plight of Jillian and other young ladies with her problems came to light.

Statistics show that one in five girls will be abused by a trusted family member by age 18. As a former child protective services worker, I have witnessed that girls respond in a variety of ways. They will become sullen and withdrawn, an over-achiever, become sexually active at a young age or have an intense dislike for the opposite sex. It is usually when the perpetrator tries to take the abuse to another level that will make the child react, by either telling or fighting back. In this novella, Ms Lawson Roby presents two opposite reactions to the abuse by the parents and by the girls. I think this novella is a good book for mothers and daughters to read together and could open up an excellent dialogue between them on the perils of keeping secrets.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club

This is a fast read. It has more of a novella feel than an actual regular book. WHile the subject matter is uncomfortable, and graphic at times, I just wasn't impressed with the writing. I think the author was way off the mark at how 12 year old girls and younger act and think.

I found the story to have an amateurish feel to it. The ending was a little too out there as well.

I wasn't impressed with this book. I am glad that Roby did finally start a story with new characters. She used the past ones to death.

I loved this book.It was totally unexpected, but a very welcome fictional account of one teen's struggles with molestation, shame and the resulting havoc on her family. In a very real way, Roby brings to the reader's attention all of the anxiety, grief, fear and self-loathing that can result from molestation. Great read.

ALTHOUGH I ENJOYED HIS BOOK, IT WAS VERY DEPRESSING AT TIMES. I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY ADULTS FEEL THEY MUST MESS WITH CHILDREN. I'M SO GLAD JILLIAN'S MOTHER STOOD BY HER DAUGHTER, BECAUSE A LOT OF WOMEN DON'T BELEIVE THIS IS GOING ON, LIKE JILLIAN'S FRIEND'S MOTHER. THE END MADE ME FEEL BETTER, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SHE HAD TO BE ON PROBATION, WHAT AN INJUSTICE.

This novel was not very interesting. The author did not develop the characters. More attention could have been focused on how the main character had to deal with the sexual abuse after the mother became aware of the situtation. Also after a tragic act, everything does not go back to normal.

This book is short but very deep. I am not going to say Love it because it so so sad. :( Child Molestation a topic that most people do not want to talk about it. I am glad she wrote that about child molestation because does happen all the time. I pray that child molestation does stop because it is Wrong....

I absolutely loked this book! I read it on my way somewhere (i forgot where) and i couldn't and didn't put it down! I loved the plot, the characters, the revelations, and the little subtle hints that were dropped along the book that makes you wonder if something happened a while ago. The author did a really really good job in describing the feelings of an abused child. The book makes you kinda angry because of some of the girl's actions, but you've got to remember that it is a confused, inexperienced-in-life child that doesn't necessary have the wisdom and knowledge you have. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great, interesting, page-turning read. I told my friend who doesn't read much about this book and somehow my kindle ended up in her purse for a night, so she read it and said it was so good and she couldn't put it down and read half the book in one sitting before bed!

This book was an exceptionally great view into the story of a little girl with a secret. I believe stories of this magnitude should be revealed to victims of abuse- before and after. Many young girls live with this secret forever and are never healed. This book was not only about the secret, but it was based on strength. Thanks for writing this novel, Mrs. Roby!