Review: Secrets She Left Behind by Diane Chamberlain

*Warning, this is a companion novel to Diane Chamberlain’s BEFORE THE STORM, so the review may contain spoilers from the previous novel. Please do not continue reading unless you have read BEFORE THE STORM by Diane Chamberlain.*

One afternoon, single mother Sara Weston says she's going to the store--and never returns. In her absence, she leaves her teenage son alone with his damaged past and a legacy of secrets.

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Summary from Goodreads







Released: June 1st, 2009
Published by: Mira Publishing
Series: Before the Storm, 2
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Source: Friend of my Mom’s
Page Amount: 490
Age Group Recommend: 12 and up

I have reviewed BEFORE THE STORM by Diane Chamberlain on here before, which was borrowed from my mom’s friend. Well, since my mother felt bad since she has kept these books for so long, she told me that I should read SECRETS SHE LEFT BEHIND so she could give it back to her friend.

SECRETS SHE LEFT BEHIND was a easy, fast-paced read, just like the previous book. It leaves you hanging with the end every chapter.

The cover of this book isn’t my favourite, it is not too bad. I don’t like how you can see her eyes, but it is not as bad as some covers. It could have been better though.

I love the plot of this novel, as though I did for the first book. I can’t say too much without spoiling it, but I loved how it finished off a little less than a year after BEFORE THE STORM was set, because it was perfect, and it answered most of my questions about what happened next right in the beginning.

This novel is full of like able characters. I am one of the few people who love Maggie to death. In this novel, Andy was by far my favourite character. I couldn’t wait through the whole novel until it went back to Andy’s point of view, because I loved him so much. I felt as if in this novel he grew up so much from the point that he was left off in BEFORE THE STORM.

The problem progressed quickly yet slowly enough. In most novels, I don’t like it when it moves very fast, but I love that about Diane’s novels.

I love Diane’s writing style to death. It is just so easy and flawless, and you can’t help but love it.

I have to say, I am so in love with Topsail Island. I will have to make sure that I get there before I die. I mean, seriously. Diane does the best job ever to describe this beautiful beach paradise. I can see it thoroughly in my mind, and I can just see myself freely walking down the beach and seeing Jamie’s church. Although it probably isn’t actually there.

Diane’s novels are defiantly one of my favourites of all time. Everybody needs to read her novels, because you will fall in love with Diane’s world.

Plot 9/10
Like able Characters 10/10
Problem Development 10/10
Solution Effectiveness 10/10
Writing Style 9/10
Character Development 9/10
Cover 8/10
Setting 10/10
Ending 9/10
Beginning 8/10
=
92%

Love,
Sierra