Title: The Secrets We Keep
Author: Trisha Leaver
Publication: April 28, 2015
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Source: NetGalley
Genre Category: YA Fiction
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
A girl takes over her twin sister’s identity in this emotionally charged page-turner about the complicated bond between sisters.
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. Caught in a web of lies, Ella is faced with two options—confess her deception or live her sister’s life.
REVIEW:
I love YA fiction. I find a lot of great stories, easy reads, and overall fantastic artistry in books in this genre. I have never read a book by Trisha Leaver before, but she has just been bumped into my favorite authors. ‘The Secrets We Keep’ was an incredible book. If you quote me on anything, quote me on that.
I’ve always been intrigued with twins. What would it be like to have another person just like you? Or someone who looks just like you but is nothing like you? The experience is definitely a rare one. Identical twins that could not be farther apart in personality… that is what this book centers around. You have one who is shy, quiet, and keeps to herself and another who is the social butterfly, co-captain of the field hockey team and all around loved by all it seems. When a tragic accident tears one away and one is mistaken for another, do you keep up with that lie or tell the truth? What if being the other sister means everyone around you is better off? Will it lessen your guilt? Not likely, in my opinion.
I read this book in 4 hours. No, it wasn’t ridiculously short. It was ridiculously good! Leaver had characters that you wanted to read about. You wanted to see what happened next. Enough of the upcoming story was hinted at without giving away the end game. Leaver kept you turning the page!
I feel my words do not accurately portrait how good this book is. I do not give five stars away easily, as no book is perfect, but this was so good I cannot help but give it five stars. I will definitely be picking up Leavers other books ‘Creed’ and ‘Hardwired’, both of which she co-authored.
If you are looking for a good story with interesting and relateable characters… and very well written… pick up ‘The Secrets We Keep’ by Trisha Leaver on April 28 or pre-order now! It is available on Amazon or you’ll be able to get it in your local bookstore when it releases! I highly recommend it! Fantastic job by Leaver!
Make sure to follow Trisha Leaver on Twitter for her upcoming projects!
