I received this book free from net galley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
When I received this book I was excited. I love books about women's friendships and the idea of three women having the chance to be together for three weeks bonding with the beautiful setting of a "cabin" by a lake sounded wonderful. I love the cover, a beautiful setting of three women sitting together on a dock by a lake.
Sloane is a stay a home mom who has been unsettled since the death of her sister Amy. She's questioning so much in her life so when her daughter Maddie is away at camp and her aunt offers her the "cabin that is not a cabin" for three weeks, she jumps at the chance taking her friend Hillary with her. On the way up to the lake, the train wreck that is Georgina phones her from England and bulldozes her way along too.
First of all I don't know anyone who can drop everything and go away tomorrow for three weeks. But more importantly, I didn't like these women very much. All through the book, I kept asking myself, "why are these people, primarily Georgina and Sloane, even friends, much less best friends?"
Friendships among women are complicated and fragile but being friends with someone a long time is not enough to sustain a friendship and no reason to keep it going. There is nothing wrong with letting someone go, they may have been friends forever and it's difficult to cut the cord, but these two seemed to have nothing between them but history. There was resentment, neglect, disdain, selfishness and a little nastiness and Georgina had no idea of what it meant to be a friend.
And then there's the secrets. Each woman had a secret and while I don't want to be all judgy because we all have had secrets at some time, it also played a part in my dislike for the women, not necessarily for the secrets but also how they played out. I was bothered by Sloane's treatment of Luke. A lot of us have "the one that got away" and while it's nostalgic to look back and wonder "what if", I think we look back at that time with rose coloured glasses and don't have a clear picture. Luke was a bit destroyed when Sloane left all those years ago. It's not so much Sloane's emotional affair that I didn't like as she gave no thought to the future or how it would affect Luke if she left again. That being said, sometimes you have to lose something before you realize how much it means to you. Would Sloane have realized that if she hadn't spent those three weeks at Lake George?
Hillary was the one of the three that I liked the most. While her secret did not show her in the best light, I found her to be the most genuine and caring. She'd be the one I would want as a friend, definitely not the other two.
Georgina, I had to struggle to find a redeeming quality. Sure, she seemed fun and she's probably a hoot at a party, but my appeal for her ends there, she's just a mess.
While you don't have to like the characters of a book to like the book, if the story is going to be about friendship between women, then realistically they have to be friends. There was a little bonding and good times, but they wasted time they could have had together with all the angst going on.
This book is a quick read, fine for a beach read as it isn't too deep but if you are looking for a warm fuzzy feel good book about friendships with women, this isn't it. ( )

Title: Those Secrets We Keep
Author: Emily Liebert
Publisher: NAL
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Those Secrets We Keep" by Emily Liebert

What I liked about this novel....

This was a beautiful told story of three very exceptional but different women who all had one thing in common...their friendships and secrets along with some scandal. The title really fits this story because as you read you will find out that each of these ladies had some rather different complexities that really made this such an interesting storyline. From Sloane who was the main character in this novel... whom you would think had the perfect marriage but did she? Then there is Hilary a friend of Sloane who again thought to have had a good life but did she? And last their is Sloane's friend Georgina who was quite a person being a college friend, but now there seems like things had changed between these two.
The reader will find from the read that each of these women have some troubles in their lives that will ...well, I will stop here and say you must pick up this good read to see how this author will lay it all out to the reader. It will be one interesting read that will keep your attention all the way to the end!

What will happen when these three women are alone for a three week long summer vacation in the New York Adirondack on Lake George? What secrets will come out as they unite in this friendship which seems to also go into their life's' with their own families. Be ready for a story of some real drama..... along with even a ex lover, more complications as one friend will feel left out, dilemmas, 'hidden agendas, strong personalities, tensions all giving the reader a wonderful story of the power of female friendships and in the end the road of healing.'

The author does a great job of bring out the realness of these women's...Sloane, Hilary and Georgina...their issues, fears, insecurities to their dreams. Bye the end of this story...none of these characters will be the same. Wow, what a good read this was for me as from the young to all where each one will be able relate to this unique story.

What I especially liked from the novel...

At the end of the novel I liked the question and answer section that this author included at the end of her novel. Very well done to the author. ( )

Emily Liebert returns after You Knew Me When and When We Fall, with a contemporary chick-lit THOSE SECRETS WE KEEP, exploring the complexities of three different women; their friendships, dirty little secrets and scandals--for a sizzling summer beach read.

Meet the three women:

Sloane is the main character, and the central focus of the three women. A stay-at-home mom, married with a perfect life (on the outside); with husband, daughter, and financial security. However, after losing her sister Amy to cancer she is depressed. As mid-life crisis approaches, she decides a laid back gals’ weekend may be just what she needs. Her aunt’s house on Lake George will be a perfect setting for the weekend with her friend Hilary.

Hilary has a good life, career and personal family life, except no baby, as she has been unable to conceive. She also has a secrets.

To add more drama into the mix, Sloane has a friend from her past, from college. A trip planned for only Hilary and Sloane. However, Sloane steps in (hate it when that happens) and invites herself. So now three, which makes it a little awkward. Sloane is in the middle of a new friend and old friend. (This is asking for trouble). Hilary of course does not have the history as the two old friends.

Sloane and Georgina have a shared past. Georgina is irresponsible, a wild child from old family money, and always escapes when the pressure of life comes her way. Georgina is everything Sloane is not. Sloane is responsible, kind, and has a stable life; whereas, Georgina is impulsive and irresponsible. As always, with this difference, life is always greener on the other side.

Making for some complex human dynamics, they were not all three friends before going to the lake. As we all are aware, we are not the same person as we were back in college and our new friends may not share in the history. With three distinct personalities, there is always the odd (woman) out.

As the three women unite for a three week long summer vacation in the New York Adirondacks with a beautiful setting--can they keep their secrets of the heart? What is behind their façade, and the perfect face many women put on, when fearing if their friends know the real person with the issues, they may not like them. Not only are they keeping secrets from their friends, but also with their respective families.

There always has to be an ex-lover involved to crank up the intensity and sizzle. There are many more complications when you get three women together, versus two, with taking sides. With hidden agendas, strong personalities, and tensions, a story of the power of female friendships, and the road to healing.

Fans of Emily Giffin, Sarah Pekkanen, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinnke will be drawn to the issues of modern women, their fears, insecurities and dreams. Young to middle age women, single, married and mothers will relate.

I discovered Emily years ago, and highly recommend Those Secrets We Keep and her previous books, if you have not had an opportunity to read. She has used two women in her previous books, and does a nice job of adding in another layer with a third strong personality. Nice Character development!

“You can’t expect people to change their colors and act the way you want them to act when you’ve accepted them for who they are for this long.”

Looking forward to Emily's fifth book, Some Women, set to release on April 5, 2016. ( )