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khermann912's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thephdivabooks's review
3.0
I am just getting around to writing my review for The Secrets You Keep by Kate White, which I would give a solid 3/3.5 stars. Kate White is kind of my go-to author when I'm in a reading slump, because her books are fantastic, quick-reads, and they always pull me in when I have trouble focusing on other books.
The Plot
This book tells the story of Bryn, an author who has recently suffered from memory loss surrounding a car accident she was in that took the life of her colleague Paul. Bryn continues to have dreams related to the accident, but she awakens before understanding what her subconscious is trying to tell her. Bryn has moved out of NYC for the summer to relax, recover, and work on the proposal for her new book with her husband Guy.
As the story unfolds, Guy start exhibiting strange behavior that Bryn has not seen before. They've been long-distance their whole relationship and marriage so far. So of course the reader (and Bryn) are left wondering if this is just typical learning about your partner that you get when you are now with them every day. Or is something going on with Guy?
When a woman in town is found murdered and she has a recent connection to Bryn and Guy, Bryn becomes entangled in the investigation. Secrets are uncovered, doubts form, and someone is making sure Bryn knows they are following her every move. Will Bryn uncover the secrets behind her marriage and the murders in time to save her life? And what happened in the car accident that her subconscious is trying to tell her?
Final Thoughts
This is a fast read, and I enjoyed it. At a certain point, it becomes clear to the reader that Guy is an effective manipulator, though it is not clear why he is being deceptive. There were a number of possibilities that went through my brain, and I'll say the answer was not the one I predicted as the most likely! I found Bryn to be somewhat frustrating as a character. She continually convinces herself she is fragile, when it is clear she is much stronger than she allows herself to ask. She also at times questions herself for things that are beyond her control. I did like her, though.
This is certainly a fun read, particularly if you know you enjoy Kate White books.
The Plot
This book tells the story of Bryn, an author who has recently suffered from memory loss surrounding a car accident she was in that took the life of her colleague Paul. Bryn continues to have dreams related to the accident, but she awakens before understanding what her subconscious is trying to tell her. Bryn has moved out of NYC for the summer to relax, recover, and work on the proposal for her new book with her husband Guy.
As the story unfolds, Guy start exhibiting strange behavior that Bryn has not seen before. They've been long-distance their whole relationship and marriage so far. So of course the reader (and Bryn) are left wondering if this is just typical learning about your partner that you get when you are now with them every day. Or is something going on with Guy?
When a woman in town is found murdered and she has a recent connection to Bryn and Guy, Bryn becomes entangled in the investigation. Secrets are uncovered, doubts form, and someone is making sure Bryn knows they are following her every move. Will Bryn uncover the secrets behind her marriage and the murders in time to save her life? And what happened in the car accident that her subconscious is trying to tell her?
Final Thoughts
This is a fast read, and I enjoyed it. At a certain point, it becomes clear to the reader that Guy is an effective manipulator, though it is not clear why he is being deceptive. There were a number of possibilities that went through my brain, and I'll say the answer was not the one I predicted as the most likely! I found Bryn to be somewhat frustrating as a character. She continually convinces herself she is fragile, when it is clear she is much stronger than she allows herself to ask. She also at times questions herself for things that are beyond her control. I did like her, though.
This is certainly a fun read, particularly if you know you enjoy Kate White books.
pagesplotsandpints's review
2.0
Read Completed 1/30/24 | 2 stars
This was a 3 star book until the end, which did nothing for the rest of the story. I picked this one up because I had read a couple other Kate White books and enjoyed them, and I liked the narrator for this audiobook (Amy McFadden), so it was a good fit... but the story wasn't.
The concept was good, but this story was stretched too thin with things going off in too many different directions. It would have been fine, but the author did a terrible job of connecting everything. Some things weren't connected, which also would have been fine, but the answers to a lot of the mysteries were... stupid. There just wasn't a lot that made the book worthwhile. I still don't get why everything happened in the first place.
Not much to say about this one. Everything just felt a little sloppy and disjointed. Sadly, this wasn't for me.
This was a 3 star book until the end, which did nothing for the rest of the story. I picked this one up because I had read a couple other Kate White books and enjoyed them, and I liked the narrator for this audiobook (Amy McFadden), so it was a good fit... but the story wasn't.
The concept was good, but this story was stretched too thin with things going off in too many different directions. It would have been fine, but the author did a terrible job of connecting everything. Some things weren't connected, which also would have been fine, but the answers to a lot of the mysteries were... stupid. There just wasn't a lot that made the book worthwhile. I still don't get why everything happened in the first place.
Not much to say about this one. Everything just felt a little sloppy and disjointed. Sadly, this wasn't for me.
ktmitzlaff's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
beeta_laskowski's review
2.0
I struggled reading this. I started losing patience around 50 pages in, but I I try not to give up on books because who knows- maybe it's just a rocky start. I'm happy to have finished it but I don't feel like I would have missed anything otherwise.
The plot was well set, but I was more put off by the writing style and the main character. I found myself rolling my eyes that Bryn would so easily share information with strangers, even after telling herself she wouldn't.
What really got to me was the over-done "dun dun dunnnn" moment at the end of every chapter. Okay, we get it. Another plot twist.
The plot was well set, but I was more put off by the writing style and the main character. I found myself rolling my eyes that Bryn would so easily share information with strangers, even after telling herself she wouldn't.
What really got to me was the over-done "dun dun dunnnn" moment at the end of every chapter. Okay, we get it. Another plot twist.
taymarum's review
3.0
2.5 ⭐️
Very average thriller style book. Not super exciting but not awful either. The main characters aren’t the most relatable and it felt kind of dragged out.
Very average thriller style book. Not super exciting but not awful either. The main characters aren’t the most relatable and it felt kind of dragged out.
chloraffe's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marypetrushko's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
debtat2's review
3.0
Although this isn't a stand out novel in this steeped category it is still a quick entertaining read.
The main character was more than a little annoying and the storyline pretty easy to predict but even so I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of book and I will be keeping an eye on Kate White's books in the future.
The main character was more than a little annoying and the storyline pretty easy to predict but even so I would still recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of book and I will be keeping an eye on Kate White's books in the future.