I gave up. Whiny cardboard characters.

I am really stretching it, giving this book three stars. It is about a hundred pages too long and is obviously a first novel, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward phrasing at times. It is obvious from the beginning what the "shocking act" in the description is likely to be. There is far too much emphasis on the ins and outs of female friendships and alienation. Certainly those subjects are worth mentioning, but in this book they drag on and on and on. Both female protagonists, despite th...

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...The female protagonists in this story are excruciating: they are desperate for acceptance from their peers and they cannot shake this emotion even as young adults. It was painful to watch develop, coupled with the fact that the majority of male characters are portrayed as predators. The author makes it obvious where the story is headed and, in the end, I found I was bored and restless reading this novel.For my full review, v...

I found the characters shallow and it was extremely hard to like or care about any of them. The book plods alongs for 200 pages, hits the important part and just ends very quickly like the author had to wrap it all up neatly.

When Lindsey finishes college she gets a summer job as a nanny for a wealthy family with two children. Their daughter Georgie is a fourteen year old with a rebellious nature and wants a summer job of her own.One evening when Lindsey and Georgie are out at the lighthouse an incident happens that changes their lives forever.Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

I got as far as 40% in but then packed it in. The big "event" hadn't occurred by then and I was getting bored with it. By the time I gave in we'd pretty much only learned which blokes the girls fancied and it all came across as more like a YA story than for someone my age, in her 50s.Somebody reviewing this described it as "suspenseful and dishy" which I find an odd word to use and a couple of times she referred to 'on island' and not on the island, and I imagine that is possibly the way they sp...

Of all my Amazon First Reads options this month, this book appealed to me because of the themes it promised, and what was sold to me as an examination of why those who experience horrifying events often choose to hide it instead of try to get the world to confront it. What I got was a not particularly good book that felt written to be akin to 90210 or The OC and wasn’t particularly good at tackling the themes it proclaimed in its blurb. It probably has an audience in mind that isn’t me, but it’s...

SOMEONE ELSE'S SECRETBY JULIA SPIROI have recently been in a terrible reading slump and am thrilled to say that this phenomenal book gave me a reprieve and I can't recommend this one highly enough. If I could give it 100 stars I would. Both the plot and characterizations were absolutely fantastic. There is so much I want to say about this tale and how it affected me but I don't want to give away spoilers. This novel had me feeling so much empathy and compassion for it's many character's except f...

There is no shortage of pitfalls, when it comes to being young and female; this author nails it.SOMEONE ELSES SECRET was not like anything else I have read. My feelings upon finishing the book are not so much conflicted, as polarized. What I liked about the book, I REALLY liked. What I didn't like, was serious enough, to dock it down to three stars. I'll start with the good, but first, a warning: if you are bothered by sexual content, you will need to pass on this one.The Good Stuff: This story

A story about friendship and secrets. An incident witnessed ten years ago had its effect in the present time.A slow moving book with the characters going through a lot of angst. Parts of it were difficult to read, yet parts captured me. The ending was rushed, just felt the story needed a bit more time to breathe.Overall, a good read.

I didn't really know what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is an impressive debut with amazing descriptions that made me feel like I was right there next to the characters. I could feel the summer heat and smell the ocean. I enjoyed reading both Lindsey and Georgie's perspectives. I got so frustrated on their behalves sometimes. They both had a great depth of emotion that really brought them to life. The story was well-written with lots of layers to work through and...

So lame. By now, I should know better; almost every single time, the free monthly books from Amazon First Reads are worth exactly what I paid - nothing. I got what I paid for.The story revolves around two characters, Lindsey and Georgie, taking alternating points of view with each chapter. Neither one is interesting, and some scenes are repeated from each perspective (which weren’t all that complicated, and definitely didn’t merit a second perspective!) Both characters are so immature, shallow a...

Important readingExcellent novel of the price some women pay to pursue their dreams. Also an interesting look at another type of privilege...

A broken friendship, a terrible secret, the makings of a most enjoyable story.The story has lots of teenage angst, jealousy and a brutal incident that changes lives forever.I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

SecretsThe story is written well. The author writes with grace and poise. I think a lot of women will relate to at least one of the characters. It's a shame women feel so powerless. So indebted to others for what they must endure to achieve more in life. The story gives something for women to cling to no matter which character they identify to. No matter what their experiences have been.

Ms. Spiro's first novel knocks you out of the field! It's a novel you need to read, as well as your sisters, your daughters, your nieces, and your cousins.The first 2/3 of the story is set at Martha Vineyard with a young nanny and her two charges, a 5-year-old and his 14-year-old sister. The nanny, having just graduated from the presitgious Bowdain College and trying to find a job in the world of art, is on the outskirts of the summer people of the area and falls for a local guy. Both kids are t...

It was good. Georgie is young, so I can understand her troubles. Lindsey, to me was too old to be acting the way she was. The rest of the characters didn't care about anyone but themselves!! The way they treated people and acted had me shaking my head!! A lot of self esteem issues and peer pressure. Rose was the most real character!! Lindsey should have kept here as a friend! She was the only one who seemed to have sense!! I refuse to loose myself to fit in someone else's bubble!

4.5 stars!Georgie is a teenager from a well-to-do family, and while spending the summer on Martha’s Vineyard, she hopes to become more independent, make new friends, and find young love. Lindsey is fresh out of college and dreams of landing a job in the art world. In the meantime, she accepts a job as a nanny for a family who could help her get her foot in the door at a Boston art gallery. Sounds perfect, right?Lindsey and Georgie develop a bit of rocky friendship as the summer progresses, but o...