The Secrets We Conceal by S.R. Fabrico

Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 300 pages

Genre: Coming of Age, Women’s, Psychological and Family,

Relationships Abuse/Child Abuse

Release date: March 15, 2022

Synopsis

A riveting coming of age story, that will make you laugh, cry and root for Laura to find happiness.
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Laura Shirk is a normal, happy, go-lucky, little girl playing with Cabbage Patch dolls and Legos. Until she isn’t. Set in the late 1980s-early 90s, a visit to her aunt and uncle’s house changes everything.

What follows is a nerve-racking story shedding light on child sexual abuse. As the tragedy unfolds, Laura mutters through life concealing her secret from everyone. Feeling alone and isolated, she struggles to navigate her younger years wondering if she can or will ever find happiness.

Then, Laura meets ‘the perfect man’ for her. Can he heal her heart and break down her steel walls?

The Secrets We Conceal, S.R. Fabrico’s debut novel is a riveting coming of age story that beautifully conveys how love and strength can heal all wounds.

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Review

If you have never been a victim of child sexual abuse, count yourself lucky. While I have not experienced what Laura experiences in this book, I felt like I was living it with her. The words were powerful and hard for me to read, but I kept plugging away and came away with a perspective I hope I never have to experience in real life with anyone that I know.

This is set during a time when there was less focus on this sort of abuse, or it was not as common as physical abuse. We see Laura change from a happy little girl to one that lashes out at everyone trying to wrap her mind around why this happened to her and why no one would stop it from happening. As I thought about it, I wondered if her cousin, Susie, endured the same thing because her actions and reactions to certain things seemed to be the same as Laura’s. I also had to wonder if Penny knew what was going on or if she was truly that clueless. And if Susie was also abused, why did she not try and shield Laura more from her father? I actually found myself angry at Penny for allowing this to happen, but she might have been a victim just as much as Susie and Laura.

I wondered why Laura didn’t speak up to either her mother or Penny, but this was also a time when it was not discussed that you should report such things. And then when Laura did say something to her mother nearly 10 years later, why did no one go after Max and put him in jail or something like that?

The first half focuses on the events surrounding the abuse and I felt that this was the best part of the book despite the topic. The second half was Laura’s attempt to deal with the situation, her low self-esteem, and self-worth. Once she gets into college, she isn’t successful with relationships at that point either until she meets Tom. I have to say that I appreciated their relationship with all of the ups and downs including multiple miscarriages and Laura’s mother’s cancer. It is amazing that Laura is able to hold it all together and while she has her moments dealing with the trauma and memories, she is a survivor.

I really did like her confrontation with Uncle Max near the end. It was what she needed to move forward with her life. You’ll have to read the book to find out what that is all about.

Overall we give it 4 paws up.

About the Author

Born a raised a Yankee who loves NY style pizza and Philly cheesesteaks. I was introduced to the amazing world of Southern BBQ after moving to Tennessee where I live with my husband and two children. My family is my main priority, everything I do is for them. I attended college in the 90s and received a degree in mathematics with a minor in secondary education, I went on to coach cheerleading and dance for 20 years and won a Hip Hop Dance World Championship. Anything and everything creative is my absolute favorite, so writing has always been a hobby. When I’m writing, I like to wife hard, mom hard, paint, read good books and watch good movies.

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Giveaway

Win a signed copy of THE SECRETS WE CONCEAL and a $25 Visa Gift Card (one winner / USA only) (ends May 6)

THE SECRETS WE CONCEAL Book Tour Giveaway