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86th out of 3,528 books
—
684 voters
The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes
by
Diane Chamberlain (Goodreads Author)
An unsolved murder.A missing child.
A lifetime of deception.
In 1977, pregnant Genevieve Russell disappeared. Twenty years later, her remains are discovered and Timothy Gleason is charged with murder. But there is no sign of the unborn child.
CeeCee Wilkes knows how Genevieve Russell died, because she was there. And she also knows what happened to the missing infant, because...more
A lifetime of deception.
In 1977, pregnant Genevieve Russell disappeared. Twenty years later, her remains are discovered and Timothy Gleason is charged with murder. But there is no sign of the unborn child.
CeeCee Wilkes knows how Genevieve Russell died, because she was there. And she also knows what happened to the missing infant, because...more
Paperback, 522 pages
Published
January 1st 2008
by Mira Books
(first published January 1st 2006)
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Sep 01, 2008
Julie (jjmachshev)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
mothers
Shelves:
2008-reads,
requested-review
What makes a mother? Genes? Childbirth? Love? And once a mother bonds with her child, is there anything that can break that bond? Diane Chamberlain’s novel “The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes” gives us the story of a teenage mother and her child. But there’s a lot more to it than just that and one small review can’t possibly describe the incredible and fascinating twists and turns the story takes.
CeeCee’s mother died when she was just twelve. But she left her daughter a legacy of letters. Each let...more
CeeCee’s mother died when she was just twelve. But she left her daughter a legacy of letters. Each let...more
Overall, a really great book. Despite the gumption she often showed as a teenager, with all of her big plans, I really believed that CeeCee was still naieve enough to succumb to Tim's charms.
My one criticism is in the character development of Cory during the last quarter of the novel. CeeCee/Eve was incredibly fleshed-out as a character, but I found Cory a bit lacking. First, the transition of her from a girl too scared to stay in college at Chapel Hill alone to one that cuts off her family com...more
My one criticism is in the character development of Cory during the last quarter of the novel. CeeCee/Eve was incredibly fleshed-out as a character, but I found Cory a bit lacking. First, the transition of her from a girl too scared to stay in college at Chapel Hill alone to one that cuts off her family com...more
Set in the state of North Carolina, The Lost Daughter tells the story of a vulnerable and naive sixteen-year-old orphan, CeeCee Wilkes, whose mother passed away when she was just twelve-years-old. CeeCee never knew who her father was, and after spending the past four years of her life in various foster homes, CeeCee finds herself working as a waitress in order to save money to eventually go to college. Due to her mother's death and her years in foster care, CeeCee is starving for love and affect...more
I loved this book. It was so hard to put down. If I had not needed sleep, I would have read it in one sitting.
"Twenty-eight years ago a North Carolina governor's young, pregnant wife was kidnapped. Now her remains have been found and a man charged with her murder. Only one person -- CeeCee Wilkes -- can refute the charges against him. But CeeCee disappeared years ago . . ." (from summary on goodreads.com)
I thought the young naive CeeCee was a believable character. I felt her pain of losing her mother at such a young age. I loved the letters her Mother left her to tell her what to expect from life - givi...more
I thought the young naive CeeCee was a believable character. I felt her pain of losing her mother at such a young age. I loved the letters her Mother left her to tell her what to expect from life - givi...more
Jul 21, 2008
Kelly
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone!
Recommended to Kelly by:
People magazine
Wow, I could not put this book down! This book would make a great movie. I can't wait to read others by Diane Chamberlain!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jul 29, 2011
Karen
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mums-cast-offs,
gave-away
Why? Why do I do it to myself? Why do I, once a book finds its way onto my bookshelf, feel a personal responsibility to usher it safely, chapter-by-chapter, to Read-dom and its ultimate resting place (be that the 'favourites' bookshelf or the charity shop)?
The cover even warned me: "For fans of Jodi Picoult this is a must read". I've had my fill and then some of JP and her creative writing class assignments.
But somehow I'm still labouring under the misapprehension that, if only I could just get...more
The cover even warned me: "For fans of Jodi Picoult this is a must read". I've had my fill and then some of JP and her creative writing class assignments.
But somehow I'm still labouring under the misapprehension that, if only I could just get...more
Am I ever so glad I picked up this book, in Kroger and started reading it. I didn't buy it. But I did track it down at the library and check it out. :)
One thing I learned or was reinforced from this book was how family is not just nature. Mothers and fathers are people that raise you, and make you who you grow up to be, the good and the bad. Genetics are a smaller part of who we grow up to be, and possibly more superficial - hair & eye color and such.
I actually got chills while reading this...more
One thing I learned or was reinforced from this book was how family is not just nature. Mothers and fathers are people that raise you, and make you who you grow up to be, the good and the bad. Genetics are a smaller part of who we grow up to be, and possibly more superficial - hair & eye color and such.
I actually got chills while reading this...more
I have been a fan of Diane Chamberlain's writing since I read the first book when I was living in Alexandria, Virginia. At that time, she had a private psychotherapy practice in Alexandria, and I am always interested in local authors. Chamberlain's books usually involve phobias, problems in personal relationships or some psychological issue, no doubt because of her background in psychotherapy.
This is a heart wrenching story of the consequences of youthful bad choices. The only issue I can take w...more
This is a heart wrenching story of the consequences of youthful bad choices. The only issue I can take w...more
May 10, 2008
Tammie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Jodi Picoult and women's fiction
Not having ever read one of Diane Chamberlain's books I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Except for a little frustration at the main characters bad decisions early on, Diane did a great job at making you feel the main character really had no choice.
From the middle of the book on, I had a hard time putting it down and really enjoyed the pace.
If you want to read more about my review of this book, you can click over to my blog about women's fiction at http://tammiemcelligott.blogspot.com. Di...more
From the middle of the book on, I had a hard time putting it down and really enjoyed the pace.
If you want to read more about my review of this book, you can click over to my blog about women's fiction at http://tammiemcelligott.blogspot.com. Di...more
I've just started the book, but I can usually tell in the first couple of chapters if it's going to snag my attention or not. This book has so far. I'll add more later.
What a great story! This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking for more. I generally enjoy suspense riddled books, but this is a very entertaining story about a 16 year old girl who falls in love with the wrong guy and how this affects this rest of her life. It's been a while since I have enjoyed a boo...more
What a great story! This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be looking for more. I generally enjoy suspense riddled books, but this is a very entertaining story about a 16 year old girl who falls in love with the wrong guy and how this affects this rest of her life. It's been a while since I have enjoyed a boo...more
Diane Chamberlain is good at the intricacies of human relationships. CeeCee is sixteen when she falls in love with a charmer who asks her to help him in a plot to kidnap the governor's wife. The goal is for the kidnappers to convince the governor to commute the sentence of Tim's sister.When the kidnapped woman gives birth to a premature infant and starts to hemmorrhage, CeeCee is alone with her. The quick decision she makes changes the course of her life and the child's. A good read....
At the age of 12, Cee Cee Wilkes lost her mother to breast cancer. Now that she's 16, she's out of the foster homes and on her own. Cee Cee falls for a customer at the diner at which she works, and she gets sucked into an elaborate plan to save his sister from being executed for a crime. Cee Cee agrees to assist her boyfriend and his brother when they kidnap the governor's wife...however, she didn't plan on the wife's high-risk pregnancy...
Couldn't put it down!
Couldn't put it down!
Jul 19, 2008
April
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes to read about drama/relationships/choices/life
This is a another great book by Diane Chamberlin. Quick, easy read, and good. There are a few spots that seem somwhat unrealistic in a "realistic" type fiction book. I enjoyed it very much. The main character CeCe is a deep and thought provoking character. Some assumptions were made about another characters mental health based on CeCe's upbringing of her...I didn't really get that. Probably the weakest part of the story. Anyway, great book to get lost in!
Apr 12, 2008
Gloria Bernal
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
mystery and domestic fiction lovers
Recommended to Gloria by:
her
Don't let the silly title fool you. There is a lot to captivate you between the covers of this novel. Diane Chamberlain never disappoints! I eagerly anticipate each new release and wonder what it will be like.
Each of her novels are unique plot lines, with believable characters, colorful settings, a few surprises thrown in. I have read every one. If you haven't tried her, treat yourself and pick up anything by her and you will be hooked.
Each of her novels are unique plot lines, with believable characters, colorful settings, a few surprises thrown in. I have read every one. If you haven't tried her, treat yourself and pick up anything by her and you will be hooked.
I loved this book! It's the first book that I've read in a long time that I couldn't put down.
The depth of all of the main characters and the effects of the decisions that they made were the things that made this book so good for me. It reinforces the idea that people are generally good, but are sometimes forced into horrible situations where bad decisions are made.
The depth of all of the main characters and the effects of the decisions that they made were the things that made this book so good for me. It reinforces the idea that people are generally good, but are sometimes forced into horrible situations where bad decisions are made.
Jan 01, 2009
Sue Seligman
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
women who enjoy both crime and "chick lit" novels
Recommended to Sue by:
read about it on various web sites
Wow! I just finished The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes, and it was really good. At first, I wasn't sure I would like it...it seemed a bit slow setting the scene, and then I grew impatient waiting for the crime that I had figured out was going to happen. Things really clicked for me when CeeCee became Eve and her new life began to evolve. When everything started to unravel, I couldn't put the book down, and I read over 200 pages today.
The aspects of the book that drew me in were the mother-daught...more
The aspects of the book that drew me in were the mother-daught...more
LOVED IT!!! I read it in two days and was sad when it was done because I wanted the story to go on!! As a social worker I really felt connected to the book and its characters. As a mother I felt myself being pulled emotionally whenever I thought about the little girl growing up and what really is the best for the child. I hate to give anything away.
The beginning of this story really had me riveted. It was suspenseful with the diabolical scheme that as a reader had me captivated and on edge. Then things slowed to a rebuilding phase and showed the damage the toll of events brought on. I felt for all the characters and learned new aspects of psychological issues like phobias holding CeeCee prisoner. This ultimately crippled young Corinne with co-dependency and even worse phobias as she matured. I liked how it showed all sides of this family a...more
I flew through this book in about two days. It was a very fun and entertaining read. The author reminded me on Jodi Picoult, who I love. The story was about a woman who made a choice when she was 16 that changed her life forever. The writing was clear, and beautiful. Fun book!
Aug 19, 2008
Liz
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Julie!
Recommended to Liz by:
Holly - Target Book Clubs
Shelves:
finished
Anyone who got sucked into Jodi Piccoult with My Sister's Keeper and then became disappointed with one or more later of her books will find this book a welcome reprieve. The author uses similar moral choice twisters but in a fresh way. Great summer read!
Hands down one of(if not the) best book I have ever read. A true page turner from start to finish, I never wanted it to end and when it did all I wanted to do was read more. Finally found an author who is as good as Jodi Piccoult. Can't wait to read another one.
Really, I want to give this 5 stars... it was a great story. Sad, crazy, what-were-you-thinking, mad at every character, love every character, enveloping story. I think that I got through this book faster than I have read in a while, I could not put it down.
This was overall a pretty good book. The young CeeCee was naive enough to let herself get involved in a botched kidnapping attempt and as a result, spent her life as a new person with a child to raise. I kept reading to find out how it would all end.
This is a great story of a life transformed and how guilt never goes away. I found myself wanting to pick this book every free second I had to to see what happens next. I thought it ended well and it kept me captured from start to finish.
I really enjoyed this book. I even blew off a couple nights of correcting so I could read. It was a quick read and I was always anxious to get back to it. I'm going to see what else this author has written.
This was a good book. It is about a naive young girl who makes a wrong decision and then has to live with it. Throughout the book we see this "girl" grow up and how she deals with what life has thrown at her.
I loved it.Another book about women and families.I liked the fact that no one was perfect, some people couldn't forgive and she made the best decision of abad situation.Easy read with interest.
I loved this book. It was the kind you don't want to put down and when you have to put it down all you can think about is the next time you'll be able to pick it back up!! Loved it!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| only $9.81 at booksonboard.com! | 9 | 53 | Aug 22, 2012 02:14am | |
| Read by Theme: The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes | 3 | 21 | Jul 04, 2012 12:17pm |
I'm the author of 22 novels published in more than eleven languages. I like to write complex stories about relationships between men and women, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and friends. Although the thematic focus of my books often revolves around family, love, compassion and forgiveness, my stories usually feature a combination of suspense, mystery and intrigue.
I live in North Car...more
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“She felt happy these days, yet there was always an undercurrent of sadness just below the surface”
—
16 people liked it
“You got dealt some crappy cards. But you're the one who has to decide how to play them.”
—
3 people liked it
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It's a great read and was a pleasure!!
J
Sep 23, 2008 01:02pm
Apr 14, 2012 07:03pm