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Sep 01, 2008

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it:

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 o More...

10 comments like (18 people liked it)

Mar 02, 2008

Alison rated it:

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 More...

1 comment like (7 people liked it)

Jul 20, 2008

Lisa rated it:

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.

2 comments like (9 people liked it)

Aug 23, 2008

Darby rated it:

"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 e More...

2 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jul 21, 2008

Kelly rated it:

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!

3 comments like (13 people liked it)

Jul 09, 2008

Robin rated it:

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 More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Mar 17, 2008

Jeanne rated it:

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 iss More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

May 10, 2008

Tammie rated it:

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. More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 27, 2008

Linda rated it:

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 h More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 25, 2008

Jill rated it:

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....

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 26, 2008

Erin rated it:

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!

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 19, 2008

April rated it:

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!

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 12, 2008

Gloria rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 17, 2008

Lakjo3 rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jan 01, 2009

Sue rated it:

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 m More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 29, 2008

Preppymama rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 26, 2010

Karla rated it:

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...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 19, 2008

Erin rated it:

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!

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Aug 19, 2008

Liz rated it:

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!

1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Jul 28, 2008

Kristen rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 18, 2008

Stacy rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jul 31, 2008

Becky rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 16, 2008

Sina rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 14, 2008

Melissa rated it:

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.

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jan 26, 2008

Melissa rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Mar 20, 2008

Kimber rated it:

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.

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 11, 2008

Lisa rated it:

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!

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Sep 14, 2008

Jenn rated it:

I read this book in 3 days! I absolutely LOVED IT!!!!!!

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jul 19, 2008

Ginna rated it:

One of the best books I have ever read!

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Mar 17, 2011

PlatoR rated it:

I was moved: moved by the events and characters in the book, and the cleverness of the author who crafted them.

At first, and even quite far into the book, I was hesitant to continue reading - felt it was quite formulated and so might get disappointed if I continued (even though it was an easy read).

Anyways, I continued reading, and by the end of the book, I concluded it was worth it after all. I was proved wrong.

Oh, and as I bonus, there are bookclub-questions-to-p More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

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