Anissa S. (Anissa419) - , reviewed Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm, Bk 2) on + 69 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book was very good a little drawn out some of the background on the charcters could have been brought out earlier but otherwise it was a good read. But be prepared not a real quick page turner. I have read other books by this author and I have enjoyed them.
Denise C. (dscrawford) reviewed Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm, Bk 2) on + 175 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
One to read and savor..., November 7, 2009
This novel was an excellent multi-layered story. I loved how the point of view changed with each chapter so that the reader got to hear from each character in the novel. Although this is a sequel to Before The Storm, you do not need to have read it to appreciate this book.
Maggie has spent a year in prison for her intent to set a fire in order to allow her boyfriend to advance in the fire department. Her half brother, Keith was severely burned in the fire and was the one who tossed a lit cigarette into the fuel that caused the conflagration. Another half brother, Andy, was initially thought to be the culprit, but he was since absolved of any responsibility. These siblings, related through their mothers and their fathers, have a complicated relationship.
The story begins with Maggie's release. She returns home to find that the townspeople can't forgive her for the fire and the subsequent deaths. She has to do community service as part of her release, but everywhere she goes, she's scorned and dismissed. Keith, in severe pain from his burns, has taken to beer and Percocet for survival. Andy, with his fetal alcohol syndrome, is finding life difficult juggling a girlfriend and dealing with his sister. At the start of the story, Keith's mother disappears and he is left on his own to deal with both Maggie's release and his own well being. Enter a stranger who quickly endears herself to the fearful Maggie and to the lonely Keith. Who is Jen and why is she not being totally honest with these siblings?
The plot is revealed by chapter as Sara, Keith's mother, explains her life and dilemma. When she disappears, Keith has no choice but to accept financial help from Maggie's mother and uncle -- but he hates them! Their convoluted relationship baffles and distresses him -- but all the while he wonders why and where his mother has gone. Maggie, Keith and Andy all share the details of how they come to grips with the aftermath of the fire and their lives.
This is a wonderful novel and one to be savored. You don't need to have read the previous book to "get" this story but I can imagine that it would only add to the total enjoyment. The characters are well developed and the reader is drawn easily and completely into their lives.
Recommended!
This novel was an excellent multi-layered story. I loved how the point of view changed with each chapter so that the reader got to hear from each character in the novel. Although this is a sequel to Before The Storm, you do not need to have read it to appreciate this book.
Maggie has spent a year in prison for her intent to set a fire in order to allow her boyfriend to advance in the fire department. Her half brother, Keith was severely burned in the fire and was the one who tossed a lit cigarette into the fuel that caused the conflagration. Another half brother, Andy, was initially thought to be the culprit, but he was since absolved of any responsibility. These siblings, related through their mothers and their fathers, have a complicated relationship.
The story begins with Maggie's release. She returns home to find that the townspeople can't forgive her for the fire and the subsequent deaths. She has to do community service as part of her release, but everywhere she goes, she's scorned and dismissed. Keith, in severe pain from his burns, has taken to beer and Percocet for survival. Andy, with his fetal alcohol syndrome, is finding life difficult juggling a girlfriend and dealing with his sister. At the start of the story, Keith's mother disappears and he is left on his own to deal with both Maggie's release and his own well being. Enter a stranger who quickly endears herself to the fearful Maggie and to the lonely Keith. Who is Jen and why is she not being totally honest with these siblings?
The plot is revealed by chapter as Sara, Keith's mother, explains her life and dilemma. When she disappears, Keith has no choice but to accept financial help from Maggie's mother and uncle -- but he hates them! Their convoluted relationship baffles and distresses him -- but all the while he wonders why and where his mother has gone. Maggie, Keith and Andy all share the details of how they come to grips with the aftermath of the fire and their lives.
This is a wonderful novel and one to be savored. You don't need to have read the previous book to "get" this story but I can imagine that it would only add to the total enjoyment. The characters are well developed and the reader is drawn easily and completely into their lives.
Recommended!
Krista L. (Kristalo) reviewed Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm, Bk 2) on + 70 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was just ok. There were so many characters, and they were all "related" or closely a part of the family, that the characters were easy to forget. Each chapter was told from a different person's viewpoint, and I had to stop and think "Who is this?" before reading. Also, couldn't we have at least one person who wasn't totally messed up in some way? I was really hoping for a great forgiveness story like Kristin Hannah's "Night Road" but that's not what I got. I didn't feel like much of anything was resolved.
Helpful Score: 1
I chose this book because the summary sounded really interesting "One afternoon, single mother Sara Weston says she's going to the store - and never returns". The first several chapters I found very difficult to get "into" as they jump around from character to character. It might have been easier if the first chapter was sort of a summary of the characters and how they related to one another. The dialogue was weird too, it was written more like a book for teens or young adults, I would have classified this as juvenile fiction.
All that said, the book wasn't bad at all, the characters were very likable once you figured them out and the plot was interesting enough for me to read the entire thing in a day so I could find out the big secret. I've never read any other books by this author, so maybe this book is a fair representation of her writing style, or maybe it's something different from the way she usually writes, I couldn't say. This would be the perfect book to take with you on vacation or while traveling because it's a quick, easy read.
All that said, the book wasn't bad at all, the characters were very likable once you figured them out and the plot was interesting enough for me to read the entire thing in a day so I could find out the big secret. I've never read any other books by this author, so maybe this book is a fair representation of her writing style, or maybe it's something different from the way she usually writes, I couldn't say. This would be the perfect book to take with you on vacation or while traveling because it's a quick, easy read.
Robin S. (Lucyvp) reviewed Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm, Bk 2) on + 48 more book reviews
This is the sequel to Before the Storm
Gerry H. (FrontRoyalGerry) reviewed Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm, Bk 2) on + 209 more book reviews
This is the sequel to "Before the Storm" and another wonderful story by Diane Chamberlain! Highly recommended!
Tracy S. (allister) -
This book was engaging, and I finished in a day. I would recommend it.
However (!!!) the big fatal flaw to this book is that it lacked a protagonist. As others have said, it was written from the different points of view of nearly all major characters. Not one of these was likable (maybe one) and most I nearly hated. They all had flaws -- big ones ranging from infidelity, to wife/child abuse, to arson and manslaughter, possible murder and attempted murder, to just being a jerk. Overwhelming. I finished the book to see how it ended -- and it was interesting, but I really didn't care what happened to anyone.
I like to be able to root for at least one character to have a happy ending.
Maybe it matters that I didn't read the first book. Will continue to read this author.
However (!!!) the big fatal flaw to this book is that it lacked a protagonist. As others have said, it was written from the different points of view of nearly all major characters. Not one of these was likable (maybe one) and most I nearly hated. They all had flaws -- big ones ranging from infidelity, to wife/child abuse, to arson and manslaughter, possible murder and attempted murder, to just being a jerk. Overwhelming. I finished the book to see how it ended -- and it was interesting, but I really didn't care what happened to anyone.
I like to be able to root for at least one character to have a happy ending.
Maybe it matters that I didn't read the first book. Will continue to read this author.
Vivian Q. (bellasgranny) -
I don't agree with any of the reviews I've read. Don't get me wrong - I love Diane Chamberlain's books, but this one didn't do it for me. It was way too long and while it gives a back story to some of the events of "Before the Storm", honestly, who cares? We knew of all of this from the first book. Two thirds into the book, I was so tired of all the whiny characters. Most of the book is boring filler and didn't move me at all. I also feel that Jen should also have been given a voice so that I could have better understood her actions at the end. Why the tower? and why Andy? Most readers think that the author will revisit the Lockwoods in another book. I can't understand why and I'd likely pass.
Cindy S. (mamacindy) reviewed Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm, Bk 2) on + 34 more book reviews
I really liked this book. Diane Chamberlain never lets me down.
Krista (berries674) -
I loved this book. A blurb on the cover compares Chamberlain to Piccoult. I see the similarities, but IMO...she's better!
Loved the different points of view as this "family saga" unfolds. Character development was awesome. I read the almost 500 pages in just a few days!
Definately would recommend!!!
Loved the different points of view as this "family saga" unfolds. Character development was awesome. I read the almost 500 pages in just a few days!
Definately would recommend!!!
Excellent story! I just loved it! I think it's her best so far!!!!!!!
