Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Those Secrets We Keep, by Emily Liebert {ends 8/1}

Sometimes it was hard to separate Hillary the friend from Hillary the family counselor. Was she analyzing Sloane's every word? Her every expression? Was she judging her for being sent into a tailspin over running into an ex-boyfriend? Hillary had a front-row seat to witness the train wreck of her long overdue reunion with Luke, when, apparently, not only had the cat gotten her tongue, but he'd run off with it. What if she'd observed a significant look or emotion? What if she'd seen Luke's eyes meet Sloane's and noticed the unspoken dialogue they had exchanged? Would she say something to Greg? Would Greg say something to Eddie? Did Sloane even care? It wasn't like she'd done anything wrong by running into Luke.

There was also the considerably more likely scenario that Sloane was reading the situation as if it were an epic love story when in reality it was nothing more than a cheap paperback relegated to the sales bin at the supermarket. 

I reviewed another of Emily Liebert's books almost two years ago (You Knew Me When) and enjoyed that one, so I had high hopes for this one. Those Secrets We Keep is a fun beach read - I actually started reading it at the Grand Haven, MI beach when I was there a few weeks ago - although a little slow in parts.

Official synopsis:
Three women. Three lives. Three secrets.

On the surface, Sloane has the perfect life—an adoring husband, a precocious daughter, and enough financial security to be a stay-at-home mom. Still, she can’t help but feel as though something—or someone—is missing....

Hillary has a successful career and a solid marriage. The only problem is her inability to conceive. And there’s a very specific reason why....

As the wild-child daughter of old family money, Georgina has never had to accept responsibility for anything. So when she realizes an unexpected life change could tie her down forever, she does exactly what she’s always done: escape.

When these three women unite for a three-week-long summer vacation in beautiful Lake George, New York, even with the idyllic location as their backdrop, the tensions begin to mount. And they quickly discover that no secret can be kept forever....

Sloane and her friends Hillary and Georgina are staying at Sloane's aunt's cottage in Lake George, NY, when Sloane runs into Luke, a former boyfriend. Sloane has a perfectly nice husband at home, Eddie, who will be joining the girls with Greg (Hillary's husband) at the house in a few weeks, but seeing Luke makes feelings come back from the one summer they spent together.

Meanwhile, Georgina decides to crash the trip last-minute, and she's running away from something, though Hillary and Sloane aren't privy to this info until later on in the novel. Hillary may seem perfect, but she's also harboring a secret, especially from her husband, and it's a secret that could be life-changing.

This book was definitely a quick read, although I haven't had a lot of time for reading lately so it took me a week or so to finish it. I liked You Knew Me When (see above) a little more than this one, but that novel focused on two women and this one focuses on a group of friends (three women); in the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, she mentions that she wanted to try writing about three women instead of two this time. 

The ending was also very open-ended, which I always dislike in books, but the author said not to count out a sequel, which would satisfy me - I'd like to see more of these characters.

I'd recommend this book for anyone who likes a "beach" read (aka: a quick read) or who likes "chick lit." Liebert has written one other novel, too, When We Fall, and I'd like to check that out at some point too.

3.5 stars out of 5.

{Click here to purchase}

*Disclosure: I received a copy of this book for reviewing purposes. The opinions expressed here, however, are my own.

More about the book, from the author:

GIVEAWAY:

Enter via the widget below. Winner will receive one paperback copy of Those Secrets We Keep. 

Giveaway will end on Saturday, August 1st, at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be emailed the next day and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

Those Secrets We Keep