Review – The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz @lauriestolarz #YA #thriller #NewRelease
Synopsis
Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with a thrilling novel where an eighteen-year-old girl’s search for answers lands her in one of the most terrifying situations imaginable.
Four days…
Trapped in a well, surrounded by dirt, scratching at the walls trying to find a way out.
Four days of a thirst so strong, that when it finally rains, I drink as much as possible from the dripping walls, not even caring how much dirt comes with it.
Six months…
Since my escape. Since no one believed I was taken to begin with – from my own bed, after a party, when no one else was home…
Six months of trying to find answers and being told instead that I made the whole incident up.
One month…
Since I logged on to the Jane Anonymous site for the first time and found a community of survivors who listen without judgment, provide advice, and console each other when needed.
A month of chatting with a survivor whose story eerily mirrors my own: a girl who’s been receiving triggering clues, just like me, and who could help me find the answers I’m searching for.
Three days…
Since she mysteriously disappears, and since I’m forced to ask the questions: will my chance to find out what happened to me vanish with her? And will I be next?
Amazon * B&N * Kobo * Indiebound
Book releases March 16, 2021
Review
This book took me on a wild ride, one I wasn’t sure how it was going to end.
It starts with a very unreliable narrator, Terra. She was kidnapped but all of the evidence points otherwise and this causes a lot of grief and anxiety for Terra. Luckily, she finds an online support group to share her fears and story. But we all know that people may not be who they appear to be online, is that the case here?
Besides her own life, she has become attached to one of the other survivors on the board, Peyton. There are other characters in the chat and it is interesting how they interact with each other and show concern for the others. I had to wonder why Terra was so honest with all of the details. I think her age and naivete played a part in her actions, she is 18 after all.
I felt for Terra and thought her character might be able to move forward. That is until nearly everyone seemed to believe that her story wasn’t true. It is hard to prove when there is no physical evidence that proves she was kidnapped and her aunt doesn’t seem to miss her for the four days she was gone. The stress of the event has Terra on edge and acting erratically. I can’t blame her, I can’t imagine the stress of surviving the kidnapping can take on a person.
This book had my thoughts and beliefs all over the board. I wanted to believe Terra, but here was all this evidence (or lack of evidence) that said otherwise. Thankfully, she has a new friend, Garrett, that believes her. He seems like a good guy, but in the back of my mind, I wondered if he was involved in the situation. The story picks up steam near the end as everything comes to a head. The truth was quite surprising and not one I expected.
Overall, we enjoyed this book and give it 3 1/2 paws
About the Author
Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz’s titles have been named on various awards lists.