The Secrets We Keep
Author: Trisha Leaver
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mystery
Release Date: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Summary:
Ella and Maddy Lawton are identical twins. Ella has spent her high school years living in popular Maddy’s shadows, but she has never been envious of Maddy. In fact, she’s chosen the quiet, safe confines of her sketchbook over the constant battle for attention that has defined Maddy’s world.
When — after a heated argument — Maddy and Ella get into a tragic accident that leaves her sister dead, Ella wakes up in the hospital surrounded by loved ones who believe she is Maddy. Feeling responsible for Maddy’s death and everyone’s grief, Ella makes a split-second decision to pretend to be Maddy. Soon, Ella realizes that Maddy’s life was full of secrets that caught her popularity intact but that slowly destroyed her from the inside out. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options: confess her deception and risk devastating those who loved Maddy, or give up all her own dreams and live her sister’s life.
First Sentence: I don’t remember her room being so cold.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
The Secrets We Keep was one of my most anticipated books of 2014 because of, let’s face it, TWINS. I’ve mentioned this before and I’ll mention it once again: I am obsessed with books about twins. If a book has twins in it, I’m almost guaranteed to read it. Add the fact that The Secrets We Keep is about a twin taking another twin’s place and I just NEEEEEEEEEEEED. I expected to love The Secrets We Keep (because how could I not?), but to my disappointment, I only mildly enjoyed reading it.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered before I laid the phone on the floor beside her and left the room. Waking her now was pointless. I wasn’t ready to deal with her tears. (ARC 224)
Although The Secrets We Keep is contemporary and is supposed to be realistic, I found myself side-eyeing parts of it. Yeah, sure, I believe that a high school boy can love his girlfriend so much that he’ll protect her from anything, but for a guy to understand the high school popularity ladder and organize his girlfriend’s popularity image to a T?
“And, she didn’t have me. There are plenty of people here willing to take your place. One wrong move and you’ll be exactly where she is now – at the bottom, staring up at where you used to be. I can help you, cover for you and keep you safe, make sure that doesn’t happen, but you gotta let me.” (ARC 127)
Yes, that was a guy speaking all that. A bit much, don’t you think? I’m sorry, but I just can’t believe that. There were also other parts of the book that was a bit over the top, especially the ending, but those are spoilers.
The Secrets We Keep did pull out several emotions from me and I did feel myself tear up once, but it didn’t pull up the amount of emotions I wanted it to for a book this grief-stricken and dark. Instead of feeling sad for Ella’s loss and her struggles with taking Maddy’s place, I only felt half the emotions I was supposed to feel.
Overall, there’s sadly nothing much to really say about The Secrets We Keep without spoiling some major plot points. If you also love reading books about twins, I’ll suggest you give The Secrets We Keep a try, but just don’t expect too much from it.
I’m definitely intrigued by books about twins, but I can’t remember if I’ve ever actually read one. I’ve started the Pretty Little Liars series, and I know that Sara Shepard’s Lying Game series is about twins, but I just haven’t gotten to them.
This one looks like one I’d be able to read quickly, and I’m happy that there aren’t like a million books to figure out what’s going on. I’ll keep in mind that it might not be an epic read for me, but I’m glad to see that you semi-enjoyed it. It just seems a bit unrealistic that Maddy just took over Ella’s life, but I’ve seen that happen in YA novels about twins before.
Erin @ The Hardcover Lover recently posted…Damsel Distressed: Six Month Bookiversary Bash
this is a very interesting book. i might add this on my tbr pile! it’s just sad you cannot give out much bc of the plots that you might spoil but great review btw. ;)
Yani @ Paper Boulevard recently posted…Review: Lailah by Nikki Kelly
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been wondering about this one. I’m also a sucker for twins, but I was worried it was going to be over the top.
Great review.
Danica Page@Taking it One Page at a Time recently posted…Review: Learning to Live by Jerrica Knight-Catania
In my opinion, I didn’t really think it had much of a plot. The “secret” that was exposed didn’t feel like… enough to me. I think it was partly of the way it was presented. I did like the MC, though. I thought she was pretty great and she never did bother me haha
Nova @ Out of Time recently posted…ARC Review: The Secrets We Keep – Trisha Leaver
I think I’ll still read The Secrets We Keep, eventually, but I’m glad I know not to have too many expectations for the story. Though I’m super curious about the things you couldn’t talk about that would be spoiler-y. And you’re so right. I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy who talks that MUCH. A whole paragraph is unrealistic. I actually thought it was a girl talking until you said it was a guy…I hope your next book about twins is a lot better than this one! :D
I’m not into twins but I have been on a look out for this one. I don’t have a lot of contemporaries on my tbr. The boyfriend sounds kinsa creepy though and a bit controlling. The popularity game has been done a lot of times in high school setting.
I want more info… This one got my attention because of the twins, and the cover. Now I am not so sure. Kind of worried, actually. that quote?!
Jaime Lester recently posted…A Trick of the Light
Yeah, I think I may be skipping this one. Too many people have talked about the unrealistic aspects of it. Thanks for the review.
Cynthia recently posted…Friday Finds
Aww…I’m sorry this was a bit mediocre for you Kelly, but I can definitely see where you’re coming from. I was highly anticipating it too – for the same reasons as you (stories about twins fascinate me too), but the unrealistic aspects of the story make me a little wary. I think I’m still going to give this a try (probably because the premise sounds too good to pass off), but I’ll remember to prepare myself for some unrealistic scenes. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
Zoe @ Stories on Stage recently posted…The Culprit POV
Good review. I don’t usually read books about twins. Pivot Point was a book withe a girl in alternate universes and I thought it was about twins. ;)