Customer Reviews

Family Secrets

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Fitting in at a new school is tough, especially when your first new friend turns out to be your worst new enemy. Such is the case in Family Secrets, a contemporary romance for young adults written by Gail Jones.

After an unwanted move, Rachel's life is in enough turmoil. Then Emma, the schoolyard diva, turns on her after an imagined provocation. "Your family has a little secret and from what I've heard and seen it's one that you know nothing about," Emma spills in front of everyone. "Fourteen years ago, Michael Brook, your father, adopted a little girl, then moved away from the area to avoid publicity."

This callous announcement sends Rachel on a quest to learn her true identity, but her discovery nearly destroys her family.

Ms. Jones offers us a tightly-woven story, threaded with foreshadowing and colored with a few satisfying plot twists. I very much appreciated her smooth, seemingly effortless prose and a variety of creative word pictures. Consider the following clip: "All the brilliant colours of spring glowed around me and it didn't see right, how could they be so bright when my life was such a mess? Turning I ran my fingers down the rusty chain on the swing. Amongst all the new life of spring, this old swing was falling apart, just like my life." Beautiful.

From the first paragraph, Ms. Jones has our attention. We're drawn into Rachel's problems, into her world of makeup and texting and school. The plot moves logically. It's a little coincidental at times, but it works. And we're treated to a feel-good ending.

I had a difficulty swallowing the characterization, however. Rachel, while she's obviously going through an emotional crisis, completely overreacts at times, blaming her parents, her boyfriend, lashing out in an irrational manner that alienates her from me. I didn't feel such strong reactions were always warranted, and her heated arguments with her parents and with her boyfriend sometimes seemed long and repetitive.

Emma, the bully, is a little one-dimensional. I felt like I could predict her words and actions.

But Luke, ah, Luke is well-rounded and loveable. I was so surprised when this sporty, confident jock suddenly hangs his head and turns red. He's shy! And we find out he's not as perfect as we thought, which makes him perfectly endearing. He's flawed and compassionate, insecure, from a real family with real problems, with believable reactions and motives. I loved him.

Overall, I enjoyed Family Secrets and believe it would be a satisfying read for any girl ages thirteen and older.

This book is so captivating, once I started reading I could not stop until I had read it.

I was enthralled with it from the first page right to the last

Enjoyed every word! About a girl discovering herself and learning a few life truths along the way.

Get this book if you like a tear jerker, a giggle and a little bit of lurve!!