It's tough living in the shadow of a dead girl. . . .
In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda's death, Miranda Mathison has wonde... read full description
reviews
Jan 20, 2011
This one for me was one of those that I started -- just wanting to read the first few chapters -- and then three a.m. came and I closed the book, finished. It was THAT addicting. Not only did it suck me in but it also broke my heart a little AND made me happy I'm no longer in high school. I couldn't put TELL ME A SECRET down, but it was the story that kept me reading, not the MC. While Miranda wasn't my favorite narrator ever, I did appreciate the ending she got. Character growth + real life fee
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Jun 19, 2011
Reading Angel
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This was such a heart-wrenching story. Rand is such a fantastic character. She swept me into her world and wouldn't let me go until I devoured every last page. She's strong and vulnerable at the same time. She's not sure who she truly is, trying to act like her dead sister in order to feel closer to her, she begins to lose the parts of herself that make her, her. When she finds out that she's pregnant, she tries to deny it, until it gets to the point where that becomes impossible. She fina
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Nov 30, 2010
Erin
rated it: 
I had assumptions when I picked up Tell me a Secret by Holly Cupala. I guess it had been a while since I read all the reviews for this book and of course I didn’t read the back cover because I had heard so many positive reviews that I knew I just wanted to read it. Needless to say, I was surprised by the contents of this book. Rand, the main character, has a lot of issues to deal with throughout the course of the story. Just to name a few, she’s dealing with her sister’s death from 5 years ago,
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Jun 07, 2011
Jenna Christy
rated it:
FINALLY DONE! What an EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER journey it has been! Whew! After losing myself in this book, crying my heart out, my ripped and crashed 4-chambered heart is now recovering. The ending whipped up in a nice way. The story kinda reminded me of the 5 stages of grieving. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. Though the story didn’t go through all of it, but the thought is that.
Rand (Mandy) lived up to her late sister Xanda’s shadow, when she was a live and still aft More...
Rand (Mandy) lived up to her late sister Xanda’s shadow, when she was a live and still aft More...
Oct 12, 2011
Ashley
rated it:
Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala is a powerful Contemporary novel. Miranda lives every day with the memory of her beloved older sister's death. Alexandra (Xanda) was the bad-girl, the rebel and Miranda worshiped her. But, after her sister's death, Miranda became what her parents most wanted, what she thought they needed, and she was the good girl who always followed the rules, never rebelled and did as she was aske More...
Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala is a powerful Contemporary novel. Miranda lives every day with the memory of her beloved older sister's death. Alexandra (Xanda) was the bad-girl, the rebel and Miranda worshiped her. But, after her sister's death, Miranda became what her parents most wanted, what she thought they needed, and she was the good girl who always followed the rules, never rebelled and did as she was aske More...
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Dec 31, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
I have really mixed feelings about Tell Me A Secret, on the one hand I thought the teenage pregnancy aspect of the story was extremely well written. The things that Rand goes through during the pregnancy and her labour painted a realistic picture of what women go through, especially a teenage mother. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book although I did find the scenes after the birth where Rand spends weeks hiding out at the hospital were unrealistic and I wanted to see her grow up and take
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Jan 31, 2012
Morgan
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Tell Me a Secret was a story of a girl's journey. A journey through some really tough things like death, pregnancy, and her family falling apart.
Five years after Miranda (Rand's) sister (Xanda) died, she finds out that she is pregnant. At first this is not bad since she knows she has a supportive boyfriend, friends, and family. But soon all of that disappears. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, her friends are no longer speaking to her, and her mom is acting like Rand is dead to her. More...
Five years after Miranda (Rand's) sister (Xanda) died, she finds out that she is pregnant. At first this is not bad since she knows she has a supportive boyfriend, friends, and family. But soon all of that disappears. Her boyfriend breaks up with her, her friends are no longer speaking to her, and her mom is acting like Rand is dead to her. More...
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Feb 18, 2012
Danielle
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Miranda, no, Rand is a girl with secrets. Yes, we all have secrets but not many of us have secrets that could forever change the landscape of the lives of everyone surrounding us. Unfortunately for Rand her secrets have huge consequences. And it’s just one of many secrets that have sent her and her family in a continuous downward spiral even since before she was born.
Do you keep secrets? Secrets can be some of the most damaging things we carrying with us. Sometimes we do it because w More...
Do you keep secrets? Secrets can be some of the most damaging things we carrying with us. Sometimes we do it because w More...
Dec 26, 2011
Alashua
rated it:
This book took me by complete surprise. I thought it would be about just another teenage girl who is through pregnancy but Rand's story is so much more than that. This book tells the story of girl and how her life drastically changes when she is forced to grow up within a time span of a couple months. At first Rand is like every other teenage girl she has faults : she doesn't see how her best friend is using her to get to her boyfriend. She is literally drowning in her story, she has no voice. S
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May 10, 2011
Kristi
rated it: 
I was really curious about this book after reading the reviews, and after the recent light shed on teen pregnancy, thank you MTV. I don't think I was expecting such a heartfelt and unusual story though. Miranda "Rand" gets pregnant basically from a one-nighter with Kamran (sp), and is in denial for the first couple of months that she's actually pregnant. After that, it's pretty sad and heart breaking to watch Rand go through her pregnancy essentially by herself. Her mom is a total b
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Feb 17, 2011
Susie
rated it:
We had Holly as a guest speaker during my class and I won Tell Me a Secret in a post-class raffle. How lucky!
Like others, I did find it just a tad hard to get into initially, but after awhile, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I ended up reading it in one evening. Your heart breaks for Rand. She has to deal with a sister dying, her mom being (what I consider) a HORRIBLE mom, and other teen realities. Not to mention, she got pregnant somehow.
What I liked most about the book w More...
Like others, I did find it just a tad hard to get into initially, but after awhile, I couldn't put it down. In fact, I ended up reading it in one evening. Your heart breaks for Rand. She has to deal with a sister dying, her mom being (what I consider) a HORRIBLE mom, and other teen realities. Not to mention, she got pregnant somehow.
What I liked most about the book w More...
Dec 14, 2010
Lauren (365 Days of Reading)
rated it:
I am not a fan of books about pregnancy. This is mostly because they make me cringe and never want to have children. Ever. Luckily, Tell Me a Secret focuses not so much on pregnancy, but more on its consequences and how it changed the main character’s life (and also, how the main character confronts her past).
Miranda’s struggle was not only believable; it was powerful. Her emotions were so easy to feel as a reader, and the last hundred pages, especially, were gripping. I could not beli More...
Miranda’s struggle was not only believable; it was powerful. Her emotions were so easy to feel as a reader, and the last hundred pages, especially, were gripping. I could not beli More...
Nov 16, 2010
Brigita
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 14, 2010
Kelly
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It took me a while to get into Tell me a Secret and I put it down, and then forced myself to pick it back up again. I liked the characters, I could relate to Miranda (I refuse to call her Rand) and my heart strings did tug a little when she found out she was pregnant, and when her friends turned their backs on her. Her parents were extremely hard to like – especially her mother, but I think everybody has said that. And towards the end, after the baby was born, Miranda’s mother did warm up to her
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Aug 12, 2010
Brandi
rated it:
This is an emotional novel exploring the issues of teen pregnancy and death of a sibling, and it does both well. The main character Miranda (Mandy or Rand if I switch up are nicknames) is easy to relate to and understand. Though the first few chapters talk about characters in depth with not much explanation who they are or where they come in the story. But it slowly unfolds and you realize who these people are to Miranda- or at least you think you know.
Essence, the old best friend More...
Essence, the old best friend More...
Jul 23, 2010
Sarah-Greenbeanteenqueen
rated it:
About the Book: Miranda has spent the past five years living in the shadow her sister, who died and left Miranda as part of a family that is falling apart. Her mother has always told her not to end up like her sister, but when two pink lines appear on a pregnancy test, Miranda's perfect daughter act is up. Her boyfriend has left her for her best friend, who might not really be a friend at all, she ditched her former best friend and now she won't talk to her, and all Miranda wants is her sister t
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Jul 21, 2010
Dominique
rated it:
Tell Me a Secret definitely tugs plenty of heartstrings with Rand's honest and heartfelt account. She has to deal with her dysfunctional family while watching her social life fall apart because of the pregnancy. Readers will feel for Rand's loneliness as she gets little support from her family and friends and instead finds comfort in the hands of virtual strangers. Readers will see just how far an impact a single pregnancy can have as Rand struggles to find the courage to uncover the secrets to
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Jul 21, 2010
Tell Me A Secret is the story of Miranda, a seventeen year-old girl living a life full of secrets. Her (older), bad-girl sister, Xanda, died an unexplained and tragic death, while her parents are drowning themselves in their own sorrow.
Through intertwined flashbacks, and striking sights, we see Rand, confused, hurt, her relationship with Kamran completely ruined, memories of her sister shining through - the safety pin dress just totally stood out to me. I WANT A DRESS MADE OUT OF SAFET More...
Through intertwined flashbacks, and striking sights, we see Rand, confused, hurt, her relationship with Kamran completely ruined, memories of her sister shining through - the safety pin dress just totally stood out to me. I WANT A DRESS MADE OUT OF SAFET More...
Jul 12, 2010
Erika Lynn
rated it:
My Review
It is very rare that I find a book so engaging that it literally pulls me in to the pages and the world around me stops. In my ridiculously busy schedule I can rarely pick up a book and read it cover to cover in one sitting, life just gets in the way.
However, life had to wait tonight as I started reading Tell Me A Secret and everything else literally disappeared. I didn't eat dinner, I didn't watch the Home Run Derby (if you have ever met me in real life you know More...
It is very rare that I find a book so engaging that it literally pulls me in to the pages and the world around me stops. In my ridiculously busy schedule I can rarely pick up a book and read it cover to cover in one sitting, life just gets in the way.
However, life had to wait tonight as I started reading Tell Me A Secret and everything else literally disappeared. I didn't eat dinner, I didn't watch the Home Run Derby (if you have ever met me in real life you know More...
May 20, 2010
Cynthia (cynthial11)
rated it:
Wow! I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book since I hadn't heard much about it. The cover really didn't attract me much to it but the synopsis was what made me want to read it and I'm glad I did. I loved the way that the author described all her characters, even the smells and tastes of them which made them much more believable to me. I felt like I was living in Miranda's shoes and was able to connect with her. I found myself crying when Miranda cried or was going through
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Mar 19, 2011
Amelie
rated it:
I didn't expect to like this book. And then, I didn't expect to give it anymore than three stars fifty pages in. Then, at a hundred pages, I didn't expect more than four. Now, here I am, finished reading about Miranda's long, hard journey through being essentially parent-less, friendless, and pregnant, giving this book a full five stars. It was definitely not the best book I've ever read, but one of the most enticing. I just reeled in all the possible ways life could go just because of one decis
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Nov 16, 2010
Sara
rated it:
Tell Me a Secret is one of those books I think all Moms and teenage girls should read. Granted, not everyone will be able to relate to Rand's situation with her home life, the death of her sister, crazy Mother, silent Father, bad friends, etc. I still feel as though a part of every female out there will be able to find something to relate with and hang onto throughout the book.
Though I'm almost 32 I felt like this book was relevant to me somehow. Maybe it's because of choices I made More...
Though I'm almost 32 I felt like this book was relevant to me somehow. Maybe it's because of choices I made More...
Sep 01, 2010
Candace
rated it:
I barely put the book down and I still feel choked up. This was one emotional ride. I felt full of anger at the friends who betrayed her, at the control freak mother, and the father who couldn't speak up. At the boyfriend who wouldn't listen and at her for not standing up and screaming at them all! I then just felt plain sad because of her whole situation and I just wanted to help her somehow.
This book tells it as it is. I think even teenagers who aren't, or haven' More...
Oct 19, 2011
Madiha
rated it: 
the most pathetic time wastage book i have read ever..
i m so disappointed the kind of ratings and recommendations i have read are so untrue..
i mean this 45 chapter book has nothing in it just a girl Rand whose sister died in an accident in which the mother accuses the father with no reason just that he brought that guy at home ..there is no bonding in the family or in the sisters which iff shown in the novel must have been a strong point of Rand in finding how her sister died.and then More...
i m so disappointed the kind of ratings and recommendations i have read are so untrue..
i mean this 45 chapter book has nothing in it just a girl Rand whose sister died in an accident in which the mother accuses the father with no reason just that he brought that guy at home ..there is no bonding in the family or in the sisters which iff shown in the novel must have been a strong point of Rand in finding how her sister died.and then More...
Jun 05, 2010
Kate (I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read!)
rated it:
TELL ME A SECRET, by Holly Cupala, was a sensational story about teenage pregnancy and the impact it has on everyone involved. Cupala creatively weaved the past and present into one intriguingly original tale. Each chapter dug a little deeper into this family's tragic past as the present situation unfolded keeping me guessing until the very end.
I immediately became emotionally connected to the characters in this book. Mandy was an amazing heroine. Since Xanda played the role of rebe More...
I immediately became emotionally connected to the characters in this book. Mandy was an amazing heroine. Since Xanda played the role of rebe More...
Apr 28, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
3.5 out of 5 rating
First off, let me say that I think this would be an interesting book for teens to read. I think it could be a semi-accurate portrayal of being pregnant while being a teen.
That being said, I didn't really feel any connection from Miranda. I don't know if it's that I found her personality boring or that she was a downer, but I just didn't really care for her. Or any of the characters for that matter. Her new friend, Delaney, was just a witch and I More...
First off, let me say that I think this would be an interesting book for teens to read. I think it could be a semi-accurate portrayal of being pregnant while being a teen.
That being said, I didn't really feel any connection from Miranda. I don't know if it's that I found her personality boring or that she was a downer, but I just didn't really care for her. Or any of the characters for that matter. Her new friend, Delaney, was just a witch and I More...
Feb 10, 2011
Megan
rated it:
Tell Me a Secret was a difficult read. No, it’s not because of the writing. Holly’s magnificent and beautiful words seemed carefully chosen for the exact space they filled on each page. It certainly wasn’t because her characters were boring. Each one popped off the page, unique and meticulously crafted, breaking the molds of clichés and dimension. It definitely wasn’t the plot or story that made it difficult. I dreaded the moment I had to put the book down because I had to work, or cook di
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Aug 11, 2010
Trisha
rated it:
I could sort of relate to Rand in this book. She is a teen who thought her boyfriend loved her and wanted to be with her forever so she sleeps with him. (The teen pregnancy is the only thing I can relate to, I am thankfully still with my sons' father.) Only to find out later that she is pregnant, and that her boyfriend wants nothing to do with her because, Rand's so called best friend Delaney was hitting on Rand's boyfriend while Rand was away at camp. Through the whole book you don't really kn
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Jun 24, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Read my full review.
Bottom Line – Tell Me A Secret is one of those books that, I believe should be on teen "must read" lists everywhere, if there's one character in today's literature that could be just about any teen girl out there in the world today, it's Miranda – her struggles, her desires, and her heartache, are extremely raw, painfully honest, yet equally beautiful! The painful journey to self discovery is not clouded over in Tell Me A Secret, rather it's pushed into More...
Bottom Line – Tell Me A Secret is one of those books that, I believe should be on teen "must read" lists everywhere, if there's one character in today's literature that could be just about any teen girl out there in the world today, it's Miranda – her struggles, her desires, and her heartache, are extremely raw, painfully honest, yet equally beautiful! The painful journey to self discovery is not clouded over in Tell Me A Secret, rather it's pushed into More...
Jun 10, 2010
Reading
rated it:
I really loved this book!
Tell Me A Secret hit really close to home for me. I was 18 when I got pregnant, and it was one of the hardest and most terrifying times in my life. It's funny, but I don't think about it that much anymore....but reading this book brought back so many emotions. My experience was not like Miranda's, because my family was wonderful and helped me through everything, but a lot of the feelings were the same. And it really gave me an appreciation of what my lif More...
Tell Me A Secret hit really close to home for me. I was 18 when I got pregnant, and it was one of the hardest and most terrifying times in my life. It's funny, but I don't think about it that much anymore....but reading this book brought back so many emotions. My experience was not like Miranda's, because my family was wonderful and helped me through everything, but a lot of the feelings were the same. And it really gave me an appreciation of what my lif More...
