Title: The Secret Between Us
Author: Barbara Delinsky
Summary: (from Publishers Weekly) Relationships are brought to the limit in Delinsky’s splendid latest exploration of family dynamics. On a rainy night, Deborah Monroe and her teenage daughter, Grace, are driving home when their car hits a man. The victim, who turns out to be Grace’s history teacher, is unconscious but alive. Although Grace was driving, Deborah sends her home and takes responsibility for the accident when the cops show up. Deborah is juggling a lot: as a family doctor, she is in private practice with her über-demanding widower father, who is trying to hide a drinking problem; her son, Dylan, is vision impaired; her mother’s death continues to affect the family; Deborah is still dealing with her ex-husband’s new, separate life; and her unmarried sister, Jill, has just announced she’s pregnant. Grace’s guilt about not taking responsibility for the accident makes her withdraw from friends and family, and the accident victim turns out to have a more complex private life than anyone imagined. The author seamlessly resolves relationship issues without sentiment, throws in a promising romance for Deborah and offers a redemptive scene between Grace and her grandfather. Delinsky combines her understanding of human nature with absorbing, unpredictable storytelling—a winning combination.
Positive Elements: This book does a great job of highlighting the love a parent has for a child. How far are any of us willing to go to protect the ones we love? Both minor children in the book are especially mature and insightful for their ages (10 and 14). Grief, unresolved anger and lonliness are issues explored throughout the book. Instead of being a depressing read, the author uses those issues to develop the characters and provide us a compassionate look in the complex relationships that exist within a family. This book is an easy read. There are no long descriptive narratives. The writing style is similar to that of Jodi Piccoult.
Sexual Content: None
Violent Content: None
Profanity: None
Drug Use: Some discussion and reference to teenage drinking. The topic is addressed in a positive manner.
Conclusion: I really liked this book. It was an easy read and a great story. The major characters are likable and the story keeps you engrossed for a long time. However, be prepared to face some tough questions about family roles and relationships. This book would great for a book club discussion. The book examines the complexity of family dynamics. How much of your parents’ parenting style to you adhere to? How dissimilar or similar are we to our parents? Are we bad parents if we let our children fall or does falling help them to grow? I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: (from Publishers Weekly) Relationships are brought to the limit in Delinsky’s splendid latest exploration of family dynamics. On a rainy night, Deborah Monroe and her teenage daughter, Grace, are driving home when their car hits a man. The victim, who turns out to be Grace’s history teacher, is unconscious but alive. Although Grace was driving, Deborah sends her home and takes responsibility for the accident when the cops show up. Deborah is juggling a lot: as a family doctor, she is in private practice with her über-demanding widower father, who is trying to hide a drinking problem; her son, Dylan, is vision impaired; her mother’s death continues to affect the family; Deborah is still dealing with her ex-husband’s new, separate life; and her unmarried sister, Jill, has just announced she’s pregnant. Grace’s guilt about not taking responsibility for the accident makes her withdraw from friends and family, and the accident victim turns out to have a more complex private life than anyone imagined. The author seamlessly resolves relationship issues without sentiment, throws in a promising romance for Deborah and offers a redemptive scene between Grace and her grandfather. Delinsky combines her understanding of human nature with absorbing, unpredictable storytelling—a winning combination.
