Book Review: The Art of Keeping Secrets

By Sara Steven

Little secrets grow up to be big lies…

They’ve been best friends since their sons started high school together, and Felicity, Emma and Neve share everything … or so they thought.

But Flick’s seemingly perfect marriage hides a shocking secret which, with one word, threatens to destroy her and her family’s happiness. Emma is in denial about a potential custody battle, her financial constraints, the exhaustion she can’t seem to shake off and the inappropriate feelings she has for her boss. And single mum Neve is harbouring a secret of her own; a secret that might forever damage her close-knit relationship with her son.

When the tight hold they have each kept on their secrets for years begins to slip, they must face the truth. Even if that truth has the power to hurt the ones they love, and each other.

Perhaps some secrets weren’t made to be kept. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I’ve had friendships that have spanned a few decades of my life, and some of those friendships have included our children who started out as babies together, and are now going through that awkward tween phase. It’s amazing how much we end up having in common, because we’re all dealing with pretty similar experiences when it comes to having to raise a tween, and finding a balance between giving them as much love as we can possibly handle, and letting go so they’re able to learn and adapt to becoming an adult. It’s something I’m glad I can talk with my friends about, developing our own special support system.

But sometimes, it can be really hard to be honest with those closest to you, as witnessed by the close-knit circle of Felicity (Flick), Emma and Genevieve (Neve). We want to present a certain type of image or front, to make things look like they’re ok, to not show any weakness. We want to hide and protect what we perceive to be big flaws, or maybe we don’t want anyone to know about the drama that lurks under the surface.

And that’s where this close-knit circle finds itself. As much as they want to share what’s going on in their worlds, there’s fear of judgement, of losing wonderful friendships because of choices that were made, damage that has been done. There’s also the added pressure of feeling as though a mother has to always have it together, whether it’s self-imposed or brought on by others. it

I appreciated how Rachael Johns handled difficult subject matter, relevant issues that the three women are facing in their own lives and within their friendship. I was really surprised by Flick’s secret the most. I didn’t see it coming, but I’m glad it did. The way the women deal with everything is told from a very honest and candid perspective. It doesn’t always sit well, but it’s honest and it gave me the opportunity to see things from the other side of the coin. Life isn’t always about the happily ever after. Sometimes, it’s the new beginnings that might come from a fallout that can be the biggest learning experience of all.

Thanks to Kaye Publicity for the book in exchange for an honest review. The book can be purchased here.