I have read several of Amy Hatvany's other books, enjoyed them all, but decided I wanted to read her first book, Best Kept Secret. At first I was a little put off because I couldn't keep track of where she was in her life, was she drinking or not. But I soon got tuned in to the story.

I found her descriptions of drinking brilliant. I was married to a recovering alcoholic. He was sober for 32 years when he passed away. Ms. Hatvany's depiction of the course and curse of alcoholism was spot on. Great book. ( )

Good story, quick read, and very similar to Jennifer Weiner. ( )

Cadence Martin had a rather nice life until her marriage fell apart. She felt not only the bitterness and betrayal of the divorce but the pressure to be the do-it-all single mom, needing to prove to her husband and her friends that she and their son would survive just fine without him. But Cadence, like many single moms, cannot do it all. Rather than ask for help, she copes with a glass of wine at the end of the day; then two. And, eventually, she's binge-drinking at home but keeping up such a believable front that no one suspects until her ex-husband finds her passed out and their son fending for himself. Cadence loses custody and beings a long, fraught struggle to sobriety. A realistic portrait of how easily a mother might slip into alcoholism and how frighteningly good women can be at hiding it. ( )

Recently, I read Amy’s latest book, “Heart Like Mine” and loved it, so working my way back as want to read all her books, as she has been added to my favorite author list. I love her writing style and her subject matter --the way her characters come alive. I did not want to put this book down (it was amazing)! I had a lot of work and appointments this week, so anxiously awaited my quiet reading time to find out what obstacle Cadence was to overcome next.

Hats off to the author for putting herself out there to help other women with this inspiring and poignant story of the everyday and realistic struggles of alcoholism and motherhood. Every woman, whether old or young, mother, single, aunt, sister – needs to read this book. There are so many additions out there today which are as bad as alcoholism; unfortunately, they do not have the stigma attached (shopping, pill popping, workaholics, eating disorders, and many compulsive disorders which wreak havoc on lives of women daily which are sometimes hidden) as they try and keep up to be the “perfect” woman.

There are many takeaways from this book and a lesson for us all in some way or another. We all have problems and sometimes we cannot turn around our life until we help someone less fortunate. In doing so, we help them as much as ourselves by opening our hearts to accept new things, as we broaden and enrich our lives.

I have a beautiful, driven, and successful girlfriend (single), who has been through some rough times and has turned to alcohol and Xanax to cope for years. Her mother was an alcoholic and died years ago. Unfortunately, my friend has not faced her problem yet. She gets angry when drinking and drives away everyone close to her. She believes every day is happy hour at 5pm and this is the norm. Her life is spiraling downhill and she has turned away so many friends who have tried to help. This book helped me to realize these friends need our love, support, compassion, and no judgments. I look forward to sharing this book.

I loved Jess (the sister), her humor and personality and the way she supported her sister. Even her mother came through for her in the end. Oh Charlie – I just wanted to reach out and hug him as he was adorable.

Again, thank you Amy for your candidness in writing such a powerful book which I cannot wait to pass along to my friends. I highly recommend as this is a 5 Star .
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Cadence didn't set out to become an alcoholic. She had recently divorced Martin (a mommy's boy) and was having trouble sleeping, dealing with a young child, and struggling financially. She would just have a glass of wine at night to help her sleep. A glass of wine turned to 2 bottles of wine per night before long. She didn't see that she had a problem. One night she was out of wine and left her young son at home by himself to run and grab a bottle (I didn't like her much then) The author did not pretty up Cadence's character. She made her real. She could be you or I.
Eventually Cadence does lose control and her ex husband takes her child. She ends up in rehab and begins seeking help. The author of this book does an amazing job of taking you through the process of alcoholism's recovery. You cheer for this character and you cry with her.
If you have known someone that struggles with alcohol's grip or have been there yourself this book is amazing. Aww heck it's amazing anyways. ( )