One Lie Leads to Another

“Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” The quote is from Sir Walter Scott’s poem Marmion that was published in 1808. Today, it could apply to Author Ashelyn Drake’s novel Our Little Secret. How? I’m glad you asked.

The characters in Our Little Secret might be found in almost any high school today. There’s Toby, the good-looking basketball star, loved by all the girls. His twin sister, Tori, who feels inferior to her popular brother, and who wouldn’t? Becca Daniels, the story narrator, has known the twins all her life. Tori is her best friend. Therein lies the problem. Becca would like to be more to Toby than just a friend. To do so, would ruin her friendship with Tori. Then there’s Meredith, his ex-girlfriend. You see where this tangled web is going? The secret comes in when Toby and Becca start hanging out with each other, the beginning of something more serious, and pretending to Tori that Toby’s just tutoring Becca in trig.

One lie leads to a bigger lie to a bigger lie. Sometimes I was a little aggravated with Toby and felt he should have been honest with his sister. I also understood. Teens do not always make the best decisions. Is Becca willing to give up her friendship with Tori to get the boy of her dreams? And what about Meredith, who’s out for revenge against Toby?

Ashelyn Drake has written a story that most teens can probably relate to. They might even learn a lesson or two about honesty. A fun read with characters that aren’t perfect and make mistakes, like real people. I recommend Our Little Secret for teens and older folks too, who can smile with the memories.
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