Customer Reviews

Past Secrets

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read numerous Cathy Kelly novels, and this does not disappoint in following her typical recipe. That does not make it any less good or worth reading, but it is starting to indicate to me that it may be time for a change. All of her books center around a group of women with different issues (in Past Secrets everyone has some sort of secret) that are somehow either strongly connected at the beginning or will be by the end. This was an entertaining book, with good characters that were all more or less likeable, even if you wanted to kick some of them for their stupidity at times. It was, however, very predictable. I do want to stress that in spite of its predictability, it is still good book, and fun to read. It isn't Kelly's best effort in my opinion, but if you know what you are getting into, you will not be disappointed - it is a solid story.

I love Cathy Kelly's books and I was so excited to see a new one. The four main characters all had something to hide from the ones they loved and had to overcome them in order to be happy and move on. As the story unfolds you learn of each secret and how it affects the lives of the four women. Although, none of the secrets are anything as horrible as you're led to believe. It's a really cute summer book with interesting characters and a good storyline. I can't wait for more!

I agree with the other reviewer in that it was a nice, easy read. The characters were well developed and their stories were interesting. I would definitely check out her other novels.

This book was the first book I read of Cathy Kelly's. It was cute and a very easy read. I thought that the book flowed very well and each character came full circle. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes easy reads.

It took some time to get into the story, but once I was in, boy was I in! The characters were all so full of life, they could be real people living down your street. Everything blended well together although some things dragged on a little too long for my taste. Over all, I liked the book a lot. I'd never read a Cathy Kelly before and will definitely look for other books from her.

The characters in this story were all so likable, it made the story that bit better to read.

Each of the main characters has been keeping secrets that could change their lives. All women have secrets that are quite surprising giving their personalities. Christie, a kind women, who seems to have it all has been holding onto her secret for the past 25 years. Beautiful Maggie has her own surprising secret that really hits a nerve with readers has been holding on to it for over a decade and Faye who has spent 18 years lying to her daughter feels that by telling her the truth now could ruin there relationship which is already falling apart.

This was my first Cathy Kelly book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters had depth, their problems and the ways they worked through their problems and life situations were very interesting. I found the setting, Ireland, to be intriguing. But I would have enjoyed more detail about Ireland. Living there has to be vastly different from living in the United States, but nothing indicated that fact. Living in Los Angeles, I can say that the part of Amber coming to Los Angeles was very credible. The author has either been to L.A. or picked someone's brain who has lived here. I did notice that everyone resolved their secrets and problems tidily, but I found that satisfying. Who wants to read a book with a bad ending? I don't! I purchased several other books of Cathy Kelly's at the same time I got Past Secrets and am looking forward to reading them.

I like Cathy Kelly books, and have read them all, but I think this might be my last for a while. There is a sameness about them creeping in, and as I read this book, felt like I had read it before - just the names had been changed. Yes, its easy to read, no-brainer and the story won't challenge or surprise you. I pretty much worked out how it was going to end fairly early on in the book. I would love to see her tackle some other theme and location as I think Cathy Kelly is a great writer with some good stories to tell - just really want to hear a different story next time.

I have read several reviews of Cathy Kelly's books. Most of them are positive but then there are those who say that this is not important/serious literature. Or that it is nice for a boring flight or when you are half asleep on a sunny beach.
People in her books are too nice, problems are mostly solved in the end, it's relaxing reading - in other words, happy readers have a too good time for Kelly to be credited as an excellent author. Excellent authors are deep and brooding, they seem to say. Well, at least that is how I interpret it.

Personally, I love opera, but I must say it would have been nice if an opera could at times have a happy ending. The music and the beautiful voices would not have been less entoxicating with a romantic story ending in a huge wedding and pure bliss.

But back to Caty Kelly and her last "Secrets". A purely wonderful, intelligent and not the least FUNNY book. My partly miserable love life is usually not my favourite topic, but when Kelly says "in order to get over a man, you have to get under another", I just crack up. And whatever misery might have been, suddenly seems much less important. Humour is a fantastic healer. Also the following proclamation "We screwed up, but hey, we are still here club" adds attractive upwards wrinkles and a guaranteed longer life. It's great art to make people laugh. It's also great art to write about life. Life as it is for most people.

Cathy Kelly writes beautifully. OK, most of her main characters are likeable with the jerks/bitches looming in the background. But even the nicest heroines/heroes are no saints. Like all of us, they have made their mistakes, have been - and may still be - unhappy. Tragedies are hidden in their lives and there are lessons still to be learnt and problems to be sorted out.

Behind lace curtains and blue painted doors in idyllic Summer Street, life is real and varied and challenging. But in telling her story in that warm, funny way of hers, Cathy Kelly makes it entertaining and highly enjoyable. Summer Street and its residents come to life in front of me where I'm sitting at the café with a latte and seeing it all.

Since I read her first book, I have read them all, and never once have I been disappointed. Cathy Kelly is right up there in the league with Maeve Binchy, Patricia Scanlan and Rosamunde Pilcher. Normally, I don't like to compare but this is where Kelly has placed herself in her short career.

Especially if you are feeling a bit down, try an injection of Cathy Kelly's sunny sparkle. Irresistible!

Set primarily in Dublin, Ireland, Past Secrets tells the story of three women who all live on Summer Street, and who all have secrets they are hiding from their families.

There's Christie, the kind and devoted wife, mother and grandmother; 30 year old Maggie, who moves back home with her parents after a relationship crisis; and Faye, whose teenage daughter runs away to America with a wanna-be rock star.

Past Secrets is typical chicklit, ideal for a lazy beach read with minimal concentration required. It doesn't challenge you, change your thinking, or even stay with you long after you've read it. And it doesn't seek to. With no pretensions, Past Secrets is a simple, easy and pleasant enough read. If you're looking for more, look elsewhere.