Nichole Bernier

It's a great story, well told, with interesting characters, deep feelings and thoughts on friendship, marriage and a healthy dose of self-examination.

I was pulled in right away by the premise. I've always been curious about what people who are not famous, or public figures, do with their personal writing. I wonder how many make provisions for their words, thoughts, and perhaps secrets? Lots of food for thought on that alone.

Nicole does a great job delving into her main character, Kate's dismay, shock and anger when given the awesome responsibility of how or if to disseminate her friend's journals.

From my perspective: I'm writing a novel that also involves questioning how well we really know each other, and aspects of ourselves we hide or suppress, especially through the lens of marriage. Hence, I was very interested in how she handled the relationship complexities once Kate realized how little she knew her friend. This brings about insecurities in her own relationship, and I have to say I agree with Nicole's handling of the outcomes. It is has a satisfying resolution.

A minor hiccup early on: Elizabeth's first journal entries are way too self-aware for a preteen/teen, and I found that distracting but once past that the book is real gem.

Nicole writes beautifully with lovely descriptions of settings and scenes "...sun-bleached Valentine paper hearts drained to gray." An effortlessness that is really a testament to skill not simple writing.

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