Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Book Review: The Secret Between Us

If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult, you'll like this book by Barbara Delinsky. The story reads much like a Picoult novel: it's engrossing and fast-paced, but I felt a bit cheap after reading it. I mean, everything is a bit contrived. The dialogue is stilted, the characters all a bit too familiar, and my emotions feel manipulated.

Still, it's a great plot read. The basic story: Sixteen-year-old Grace hits and kills a man while she is driving home from a party, and her mother covers for her. Of course the lie—the secret between them—gets out of control and ends up being worse than the truth itself. Within the 300+ pages are all sorts of family relationships in turmoil, identity crises, etc. The ending happens quickly and everything is tied up all nicely and unrealistically.

I won't be hurrying out to find another Delinsky novel, unless someone gives me a compelling reason to try another; but if you want something fast to read that doesn't take much concentration—and if you are a Picoult fan—go ahead and try The Secret Between Us.

2 comments:

Marbel said...

...I felt a bit cheap after reading it

Oh, I am laughing because I know just what you mean!

Eileen said...

I feel the same way about the book. I read it a few months ago.