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d52s's review against another edition
3.0
This was definitely like reading a Picoult novel. It was a good book for the most part, but the ending read a little too much like a soap opera. Plus, the author didn't stay true to the characters at the end. An unexpected twist is nice, but the unexpected actions of some character made the ending implausible.
jessrunsforpie's review against another edition
5.0
Great book! Diane really knows how to tell a good story and keep you interested with plot twists.
mschrock8's review against another edition
3.0
When I got a few chapters in, this was very familiar to me. Single mom, older sister, son with disabilities. Church fire at a lock-in.
ashleysilver7's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good book - I liked the "twist" at the end. I knew there had to be a twist, but I didn't see it coming. I look forward to reading the next book in the "Before the Storm" series.
aliciagriggs's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent book. Kept me gripped from start to finish.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Another winner by Diane Chamberlain! Similar to the controversial topics of Jodi Picoult books (have read all her books) and being Diane is one of my favorite authors, could not wait to dive in. I had to get up at 5:30am to finish it as could not wait for the finale!
The book takes you through the lows of Laura –postpartum depression, alcoholism, and (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) FASD and the consequences of losing her children for a wakeup call and her struggles to find her way back. Along the way two brothers (Jamie and Marcus), best friend Sara, and the disability of Andy (her son) whom she lost years ago and a daughter whom she was not there for in the first years of her life. Combine it with arson, secrets from the past, and affairs---a page turner with a lot going on. Diane has a way of keeping the suspense coming throughout the book! I have purchased Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm #2) and look forward to the this powerful sequel.
The book takes you through the lows of Laura –postpartum depression, alcoholism, and (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) FASD and the consequences of losing her children for a wakeup call and her struggles to find her way back. Along the way two brothers (Jamie and Marcus), best friend Sara, and the disability of Andy (her son) whom she lost years ago and a daughter whom she was not there for in the first years of her life. Combine it with arson, secrets from the past, and affairs---a page turner with a lot going on. Diane has a way of keeping the suspense coming throughout the book! I have purchased Secrets She Left Behind (Before the Storm #2) and look forward to the this powerful sequel.
newfylady's review against another edition
This was a fun one. Lots of drama and intrigue. I enjoy the device of using different characters to tell the story in the first person. If the lawyer had been given a chapter or two I'd have thought this was a Jodi Picoult.
punnygirl789's review against another edition
3.0
This almost gets 4 stars because it is a good story, but the characters are simply too unlikable. Also, the ending felt rushed.
sarah_reading_party's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story, but the character's circumstances (fetal alcohol syndrome, abandonment, fires, broken family ties, etc.) made it hard to read.