Book Review: The Secret of Lies

Title: The Secret of Lies
Author: Barbara Forte Abate
Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing
Book: Paperback, 304 pages
Buy: Amazon.com

Synopsis: 
           Propelled by an insurmountable sense of desperation, Stevie Burke is recklessly abandoning home, husband, and outwardly contented life under cover of night; at last resigned to defeat in her long battle against the tortured memories of her past.
         Days later, lost and floundering in a dreary motel room without plan or destination, it is a long ago song playing on the radio that gently tugs Stevie back through the dust of remembrance. 1957 - The last summer spent at the ancient house overlooking the North Atlantic. A season which had unfolded with abundant promise, but then spiraled horribly out of control - torn apart by a shattering tragedy that remains splintered in fragments upon her soul. And it is only now, when Stevie at last lifts her eyes to stare deep into the heart of her long sequestered memories, that the long held secrets of past and future are at last unveiled.

Review: 

           This is one of those coming-of-age books that brings you back to your teenage years and fills you with hope and sorrow at the same time. The setting of the story sounds perfect; 1950's summers spent in Long Island away from their family at their Pennsylvania farm. Stevie meets and falls for a boy at the beach and it seems her teenage days are to be spent like any other girl's; until a shocking discovery leads to tragedy and the beginning of her changed life. 

          You never expect the twist when it comes, and especially the downward spiral of events following. Not only does it affect Stevie on so many levels, but the repercussions of this event are felt for years by everybody it involves. Stevie's once planned-out life becomes uprooted and she has to sacrifice so much of herself to do the right thing. In the process, she falls in love with someone that works at the farm and tries to cope with her inner tragedies while holding on to the one she loves. I could feel the emotions that echoed in Stevie during the whole novel; happiness, betrayal, shock, guilt, sadness, love... it was a roller coaster of events and feelings and you were with her every step of the way. 

           The book itself is beautifully written and flows nicely from chapter to chapter. I wished I could have seen more of the boy she fell for at the beach but when you abruptly leave some place and never come back, how easy is it to stay in touch with someone you leave behind? I think it says a lot about the characters and their chemistry to wish to see more of them, as well as the consequences of teenage summers. 

           All in all, given Stevie's circumstances, I imagine most would find themselves floundering through life with their mind stuck in the past and no vision for what the future might bring. I think she did well by the choices she made, some insanely stupid but human, and the ending leaves on a hopeful note, which is always nice. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in order to create this review. The opinions expressed are of my own. Thank you to Barbara!