The Secrets We Keep
Kate Hewitt, 2018
Bookouture
356 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781786816306
Summary
My whole body aches. I trawl memories of her, now so precious… my darling child. I can’t lose her.
When Tessa arrives at the little house by the lake with her two children, it is an escape. The rental house may be a bit small—but it’s theirs for the summer. A place to hide…
However, their isolation is disrupted by the family from the big house next door. Three children and their glamorous mother Rebecca—who seems determined to invite Tessa into their lives.
Rebecca, however, is harbouring a dark secret. And when it becomes too much for her to bear, Tessa seems to be the only person she can turn to.
But as powerful bonds form between the two families, choices will be made that can never be undone. And as the summer comes to an end, nothing can keep everyone safe. And one family will pay the ultimate price (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
Kate was born in Pennsylvania, went to college in Vermont, and has spent summers in the Canadian wilderness. After several years as a diehard New Yorker, she now lives in a small market town in Wales with her husband, five young children, and an overly affectionate Golden Retriever. (From the author's website.)
Book Reviews
It had me on the edge of my seat with tears in my eyes. It is a very heart wrenching book to read and incredibly moving.
Goodreads reviewer
Captivating, suspenseful, entertaining novel! This beautiful thriller kept me on the edge of my seat while I was reading it!
Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
An intriguing tale of friendship, loyalty and family… I loved it.
Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for THE SECRETS WE KEEP … then take off on your own:
1. Given their two distinctly different lives, what draws Tessa and Rebecca to one another? How would you describe the dynamics of their relationship and its complications?
2. Talk about how outward appearances—in this book and especially in real life—can be deceiving. Do you know someone like Rebecca? If so, how do they evade detection? How do they sew together the frayed edges of their lives into a the appearance of a seamless whole? Or, ahem… yourself?
3. The novel is told from the points of view of both Tessa and Rebecca. Describe each of the women. Do you find one of them and/or her story, more sympathetic than the other? Did your feelings change during the course of the book?
4. The book's title is about the secrets we all tell. Tell to whom?
5. Talk about the way the book leads up to its climax. Did the plot hold your attention, is it suspenseful—edge-of-your-seat suspenseful? Were you kept guessing, or did you have an inkling of what was coming?
(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online and off, with attribution. Thanks.)