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James Madison series #2
Ethan's Secret
Kelsey Callahan is smart, tough and fiercely loyal to her friends. She wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps, and be a detective just like her hero, Sherlock Holmes.
A lover of mysteries, she finally gets the chance to solve something on her own when Ethan, a cute but mysterious loner appears in her class. Both fascinated and infatuated with him, Kelsey soon learns there are events at play in Ethan's life that are both tragic and dangerous. Events that, the deeper she digs, may end up threatening not only their relationship but their very lives.
A lover of mysteries, she finally gets the chance to solve something on her own when Ethan, a cute but mysterious loner appears in her class. Both fascinated and infatuated with him, Kelsey soon learns there are events at play in Ethan's life that are both tragic and dangerous. Events that, the deeper she digs, may end up threatening not only their relationship but their very lives.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2015
19 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Hodges
48 books122 followersI guess I am the classic "late bloomer." I had to sit in the front row of the class picture every year in elementary school; I didn't reach my present, permanent height until the year I got my driver's license. It took me a long time to "grow up" mentally, too; I was probably the least goal-oriented person you could ever meet.
I always enjoyed reading books, though I was convinced that I was not, and never would be, creative enough to come up with an original idea or story without cobbling it together from things I'd already seen.
And so, in my mid-forties, imagine my surprise when a story was born inside my head, and nine months later had grown so large that I couldn't hold it in any more. I'm sure many writers tell similar origin stories, but I sure wouldn't wish a three-decade gap between high school Creative Writing class and, you know, writing something actually creative.
Better a "late bloomer" than a "never bloomer," I guess.
What else? Oh, yeah, I live in Arizona with my amazing wife Vaneza, and our kids, June, Benji, and Sunshine (two are dogs and one is a cat, I'll let you figure out which is which).
I always enjoyed reading books, though I was convinced that I was not, and never would be, creative enough to come up with an original idea or story without cobbling it together from things I'd already seen.
And so, in my mid-forties, imagine my surprise when a story was born inside my head, and nine months later had grown so large that I couldn't hold it in any more. I'm sure many writers tell similar origin stories, but I sure wouldn't wish a three-decade gap between high school Creative Writing class and, you know, writing something actually creative.
Better a "late bloomer" than a "never bloomer," I guess.
What else? Oh, yeah, I live in Arizona with my amazing wife Vaneza, and our kids, June, Benji, and Sunshine (two are dogs and one is a cat, I'll let you figure out which is which).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 16, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Patrick Hodges.)
“Did you meet anyone today?”
“Not really,” I said, which was the truth. But at that moment, all I could picture was the face of the girl with the freckles.
This was quite a cute middle-grade contemporary romance, with a touch of romance and mystery.
I liked Kelsey and Ethan, and I thought they made a really cute couple! I liked how Kelsey tried to help her friends, even when she had no idea what was going on, and Ethan seemed really sweet.
The romance in this was quite cute, and there was a bit of mystery and danger thrown in too. My favourite part was the romance really though.
I liked that this book had a happy ending, and I also liked the epilogue which told us a little about what happened to all the characters in the two books, quite a way down the line! I think anyone who liked Joshua’s Island will enjoy this book too.
6 out of 10.
“Did you meet anyone today?”
“Not really,” I said, which was the truth. But at that moment, all I could picture was the face of the girl with the freckles.
This was quite a cute middle-grade contemporary romance, with a touch of romance and mystery.
I liked Kelsey and Ethan, and I thought they made a really cute couple! I liked how Kelsey tried to help her friends, even when she had no idea what was going on, and Ethan seemed really sweet.
The romance in this was quite cute, and there was a bit of mystery and danger thrown in too. My favourite part was the romance really though.
I liked that this book had a happy ending, and I also liked the epilogue which told us a little about what happened to all the characters in the two books, quite a way down the line! I think anyone who liked Joshua’s Island will enjoy this book too.
6 out of 10.
June 21, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Ethan’s Secret.
I LOVED Patrick Hodges’ debut book ‘Joshua’s Island’, with its important anti-bullying message. There was a standout character in this tale that I’m sure everyone loved, just as much as I did. So I was excited to find out that Kelsey in fact had her own book, with her own story.
Ethan, a new student at Kelsey’s middle school, is mysterious… and okay, really cute. Kelsey finds Ethan fascinating. She’s obsessed with solving mysteries and even has the nickname Detective. What begins as an innocent fact finding mission turns into an adorable teen love story.
Steering away from the bullying theme, Ethan’s Secret focuses more on the many aspects of friendship, secrets, trust, and love. It’s done in a fast paced plot that, while aimed at teenagers, managed to keep me (who is very much NOT a teenager anymore) on the edge of my seat, wanting to know how it was all going to play out.
Hodges is an expert of transporting me back to my teen years with his realistic dialogue and awkwardness, giving me a wistful, nostalgic feeling that lasted long after I’d finished the book.
And while the main plot revolves around extreme circumstances that’s not a fact of everyday life, current issues for teens are addressed through secondary and supporting characters, making it not only an entertaining book, but one that has an important message: to accept your friends for who they are.
I LOVED Patrick Hodges’ debut book ‘Joshua’s Island’, with its important anti-bullying message. There was a standout character in this tale that I’m sure everyone loved, just as much as I did. So I was excited to find out that Kelsey in fact had her own book, with her own story.
Ethan, a new student at Kelsey’s middle school, is mysterious… and okay, really cute. Kelsey finds Ethan fascinating. She’s obsessed with solving mysteries and even has the nickname Detective. What begins as an innocent fact finding mission turns into an adorable teen love story.
Steering away from the bullying theme, Ethan’s Secret focuses more on the many aspects of friendship, secrets, trust, and love. It’s done in a fast paced plot that, while aimed at teenagers, managed to keep me (who is very much NOT a teenager anymore) on the edge of my seat, wanting to know how it was all going to play out.
Hodges is an expert of transporting me back to my teen years with his realistic dialogue and awkwardness, giving me a wistful, nostalgic feeling that lasted long after I’d finished the book.
And while the main plot revolves around extreme circumstances that’s not a fact of everyday life, current issues for teens are addressed through secondary and supporting characters, making it not only an entertaining book, but one that has an important message: to accept your friends for who they are.
January 21, 2016
I’m never sure about YA books which despite my advancing age I read along with everything else. Sometimes I run into a wall of disconnection whether that’s my fault or the authors I’m always going to blame the writer. Ethan’s Secret blew that wall down for me and as far as I’m concerned, this is going to be one of my favourite books of the year and I can say that even though January has not yet passed. The themes are familiar; it is a story of Bullying, love, teenage angst and growing up. This is a sequel to Joshua’s Island which I also read and if anything the storytelling has just got better. As always from me , no plot spoilers except to say for those that read the first book, the transition in terms of character and plot is seamless and for those that didn’t, this is certainly a book that has legs enough to stand on its own two feet. Patrick Hodges does something that many other writers fail to do well. He writes believable dialogue and connects you to the characters through simple familiar scenarios that I am sure everyone has encountered at some time. I grew up in a very different school environment in Ireland in a very different time, yet I connected to the book with ease. Highly recommended.
May 4, 2016
After hearing a lot of buzz about this book's predecessor, I decided to jump in and take a look. I wasn't disappointed. It was an entertaining read, yet was also a terrific coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of bullying.
That's not as depressing as it sounds, because author Patrick Hodges created good, believeable characters. Not a Mary Sue in sight. However, as I reached the book's end, whilst I was happy with it, I wanted more, and with Ethan's Secret, we get more.
Frankly, had I known one of the characters from the first book was taking a major role in this one, I think I would have snapped it up earlier. Error corrected. I grabbed book three at the same time as getting Ethan's Secret.
I was't sure where the author would take us this time. And I was unsure whether I wanted to read more about school bullies. If I could go back in time, I would have started martial arts training at age 1, not 13. Bullies only remain bullies to you if you let them. I found once they were hit, they kind of deflated.
And here's the beauty and realism of the author's writing, and also why this is a superior book to its older brother. In one scene a bully is referred to as a beach ball, because one punch and they deflate easily. So true!
So children - if you are reading this book or have read Joshua's Island, remember you can be the happy child at school. Bullies are idiots who use their aggression to make themselves feel better.
However, this is not just a book for children. It clearly pays homage to the Nancy Drew mysteries and the wholesome quirkiness of many of Judy Blume's books, both of which I read when growing up as a kid.
Ethan is the new boy, and like all new boys at school, he's mysterious, brooding and to some of the schoolchildren....he is cool! The author has not inserted a character cliche, in fact, as you read one chapter narrated by Kelsey you will then be reading Ethan's thoughts next. I thought this was a really clever way to write characters and etch their behaviours, thoughts and motivations into our minds. Within a couple of chapters, readers can easily get a handle on who Kelsey and Ethan are.
Kelsey is one of the girls who does take a shine to Ethan. And we are treated (with annoying levels of skill by the author) to the behaviours of 13 year olds finding themselves attracted to the opposite sex for the first time. It's a confusing age for anyone. But this is just one of many layered plot lines that the author gives us.
Ultimately, what is Ethan's Secret? Is he desperate to fit in to the 'bad boys' group - a rock group fronted by Bono hating Baz (Sebastian). Ethan wears black all the time. He's not hiding something...all kids do this, I know I did.
But Kelsey can't leave it there. She has a book that she has read four times - a Sherlock Holmes novel and her father is in the police force. So Miss Detective tries to uncover things whilst still getting close to Ethan, and doesn't want to hurt him, because she finds herself falling for him.
Then, there's the interaction between her friends, like April, Bree and Penny. It all works, because on some level the dialogue, though well presented, annoyed me because I was thinking 'wow, girls really do talk like this'....and it's the same when Ethan, his brother Logan and members of the group chat. Boys being boys.
I nitpicked over Joshua's Island and it is true that you could read either book as a standalone, but is best to read JI first.
Kelsey is one of the best characters I have encountered in a book for quite some time. I would have perhaps preferred a title of Kelsey's.....something (!) but I guess the treat for us readers is that Kelsey is every bit a strong character as is Ethan in this book.
I really loved the interplay between Kelsey and her father....I might have added a few more arguments here and there but it's better that K-Bear (his pet name for her) doesn't fight much with him. The dynamics are clearly drawn out and have been thought over. I don't think there is a scene in the book that the author didn't work hard on.
There's also an amazing, poignant scene between Kelsey and one of her friends.
In essence, whilst keeping the story wholesome and accessible for all ages, the author treats serious subjects with dignity...and yes - a sense of humour.
The ending is tremendous....it has me thinking 'oh it could have ended like this...or that'...but it is not my book. This is one ending the author has offered us, and that, much like all that precedes it, I am sure will be welcomed by readers.
Onto book three in due course!
That's not as depressing as it sounds, because author Patrick Hodges created good, believeable characters. Not a Mary Sue in sight. However, as I reached the book's end, whilst I was happy with it, I wanted more, and with Ethan's Secret, we get more.
Frankly, had I known one of the characters from the first book was taking a major role in this one, I think I would have snapped it up earlier. Error corrected. I grabbed book three at the same time as getting Ethan's Secret.
I was't sure where the author would take us this time. And I was unsure whether I wanted to read more about school bullies. If I could go back in time, I would have started martial arts training at age 1, not 13. Bullies only remain bullies to you if you let them. I found once they were hit, they kind of deflated.
And here's the beauty and realism of the author's writing, and also why this is a superior book to its older brother. In one scene a bully is referred to as a beach ball, because one punch and they deflate easily. So true!
So children - if you are reading this book or have read Joshua's Island, remember you can be the happy child at school. Bullies are idiots who use their aggression to make themselves feel better.
However, this is not just a book for children. It clearly pays homage to the Nancy Drew mysteries and the wholesome quirkiness of many of Judy Blume's books, both of which I read when growing up as a kid.
Ethan is the new boy, and like all new boys at school, he's mysterious, brooding and to some of the schoolchildren....he is cool! The author has not inserted a character cliche, in fact, as you read one chapter narrated by Kelsey you will then be reading Ethan's thoughts next. I thought this was a really clever way to write characters and etch their behaviours, thoughts and motivations into our minds. Within a couple of chapters, readers can easily get a handle on who Kelsey and Ethan are.
Kelsey is one of the girls who does take a shine to Ethan. And we are treated (with annoying levels of skill by the author) to the behaviours of 13 year olds finding themselves attracted to the opposite sex for the first time. It's a confusing age for anyone. But this is just one of many layered plot lines that the author gives us.
Ultimately, what is Ethan's Secret? Is he desperate to fit in to the 'bad boys' group - a rock group fronted by Bono hating Baz (Sebastian). Ethan wears black all the time. He's not hiding something...all kids do this, I know I did.
But Kelsey can't leave it there. She has a book that she has read four times - a Sherlock Holmes novel and her father is in the police force. So Miss Detective tries to uncover things whilst still getting close to Ethan, and doesn't want to hurt him, because she finds herself falling for him.
Then, there's the interaction between her friends, like April, Bree and Penny. It all works, because on some level the dialogue, though well presented, annoyed me because I was thinking 'wow, girls really do talk like this'....and it's the same when Ethan, his brother Logan and members of the group chat. Boys being boys.
I nitpicked over Joshua's Island and it is true that you could read either book as a standalone, but is best to read JI first.
Kelsey is one of the best characters I have encountered in a book for quite some time. I would have perhaps preferred a title of Kelsey's.....something (!) but I guess the treat for us readers is that Kelsey is every bit a strong character as is Ethan in this book.
I really loved the interplay between Kelsey and her father....I might have added a few more arguments here and there but it's better that K-Bear (his pet name for her) doesn't fight much with him. The dynamics are clearly drawn out and have been thought over. I don't think there is a scene in the book that the author didn't work hard on.
There's also an amazing, poignant scene between Kelsey and one of her friends.
In essence, whilst keeping the story wholesome and accessible for all ages, the author treats serious subjects with dignity...and yes - a sense of humour.
The ending is tremendous....it has me thinking 'oh it could have ended like this...or that'...but it is not my book. This is one ending the author has offered us, and that, much like all that precedes it, I am sure will be welcomed by readers.
Onto book three in due course!
June 21, 2015
I absolutely adored Joshua's Island by Patrick Hodges, so I was thrilled when asked to read an advanced copy of his next book, Ethan's Secret. Of course I said "YES!"
This book follows the story of Kelsey, the little spitfire from JI. I have to admit that as much as I loved Joshua and Eve, Kelsey stole the spotlight in JI, and I was very much looking forward to reading my favorite character's backstory. I was not disappointed.
Patrick Hodges has this rare talent of transporting you into the midst's of his tales. You actually feel as if you are that eighth grader again going through all the angst, awkwardness and excitement associated with being a teen. His characters are real and utterly believable. His story focuses on so many aspects teens find themselves dealing with every day; acceptance, friendship, bullying, trust and first love. This book also delves into an amazing secondary storyline that will pull you in, glue you to the edge of your seat and keep you guessing until the end. No spoilers from me however, so you will have to read the book to find out what I am talking about :)
I cannot express how in love I am with this story. It will make you laugh, cry, gasp in disbelief, and bring back memories of Dirty Harry (For those of you who don't know who that is...Clint Eastwood. Google him :)
Great job Mr. Hodges. 5 out of 5 shiny stars. Looking forward to reading so much more from you!!!
This book follows the story of Kelsey, the little spitfire from JI. I have to admit that as much as I loved Joshua and Eve, Kelsey stole the spotlight in JI, and I was very much looking forward to reading my favorite character's backstory. I was not disappointed.
Patrick Hodges has this rare talent of transporting you into the midst's of his tales. You actually feel as if you are that eighth grader again going through all the angst, awkwardness and excitement associated with being a teen. His characters are real and utterly believable. His story focuses on so many aspects teens find themselves dealing with every day; acceptance, friendship, bullying, trust and first love. This book also delves into an amazing secondary storyline that will pull you in, glue you to the edge of your seat and keep you guessing until the end. No spoilers from me however, so you will have to read the book to find out what I am talking about :)
I cannot express how in love I am with this story. It will make you laugh, cry, gasp in disbelief, and bring back memories of Dirty Harry (For those of you who don't know who that is...Clint Eastwood. Google him :)
Great job Mr. Hodges. 5 out of 5 shiny stars. Looking forward to reading so much more from you!!!
August 10, 2015
In Joshua's Island we got a glimpse at Kelsey's character traits. And if you liked her spunk in Joshua's Island, you'll love her more in Ethan's Secret.
This is a wonderful story about growing up in junior high. It starts with Kelsey’s story, then switches to Ethan’s view. A new school year begins with the typical drama and like most girls, Kelsey is immediately intrigued with the mysterious new hottie. But Kelsey soon learns this newcomer has a secret that awakens her detective nature. She will stop at nothing to figure it out.
A lot happens in this book with twists and turns to keep you engaged. I thought the author did a wonderful job fleshing out the characters. Each of the characters unique personalities contributed something to the book. But I absolutely fell In love with the main characters, Kelsey and Ethan. Between her wittiness and his sweetness, I just wanted to hug them both.
I want to thank the author for giving me an ARC copy. I truly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
This is a wonderful story about growing up in junior high. It starts with Kelsey’s story, then switches to Ethan’s view. A new school year begins with the typical drama and like most girls, Kelsey is immediately intrigued with the mysterious new hottie. But Kelsey soon learns this newcomer has a secret that awakens her detective nature. She will stop at nothing to figure it out.
A lot happens in this book with twists and turns to keep you engaged. I thought the author did a wonderful job fleshing out the characters. Each of the characters unique personalities contributed something to the book. But I absolutely fell In love with the main characters, Kelsey and Ethan. Between her wittiness and his sweetness, I just wanted to hug them both.
I want to thank the author for giving me an ARC copy. I truly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.
August 25, 2025
First, I’d like to thank Sarah and Patrick Hodges for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My first impression of this book when i started reading was: Awww, so cute!
Let me tell you the romance part of this book is absolutely adorable, thats was the main highlight of this book for me. Obviously Ethan's secret was a big part of the book and i had no doubt that Kelsey, who is the character that I enjoyed the most, being the detective she is would solve the mystery than Ethan was. What surprised me most, though, was the additional storyline. You won’t see it coming, and it’s definitely not what you’d expect. I really liked that twist. Middle school was a difficult time for the students its when they start questioning your friendship you sexuality amongst other things. Oh, and I also really liked the ending! Overall, it’s a sweet, engaging read with more depth than you might anticipate.
My first impression of this book when i started reading was: Awww, so cute!
Let me tell you the romance part of this book is absolutely adorable, thats was the main highlight of this book for me. Obviously Ethan's secret was a big part of the book and i had no doubt that Kelsey, who is the character that I enjoyed the most, being the detective she is would solve the mystery than Ethan was. What surprised me most, though, was the additional storyline. You won’t see it coming, and it’s definitely not what you’d expect. I really liked that twist. Middle school was a difficult time for the students its when they start questioning your friendship you sexuality amongst other things. Oh, and I also really liked the ending! Overall, it’s a sweet, engaging read with more depth than you might anticipate.
June 23, 2015
'Ethan's Secret' is a wonderful sequel to 'Joshua's Island,' and yet another wonderfully written novel by author Patrick Hodges. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced reader's copy of Hodges' sequel.
Whereas in 'Joshua's Island,' we were introduced to Kelsey Callahan, a new-to-town fifth grader who wasn't afraid to stand up for what (or who) she believed in, 'Ethan's Secret' introduced us to the softer side of Kelsey. Even though she will still stand up for what's right, she comes to learn that she sometimes might have to take time out for herself, namely in the form of Ethan, the mysterious boy who is new-to-town and not necessarily looking for friends.
This is easier said than done, though, as he and Kelsey find themselves interested in each other. Kelsey's fascination with detective work might possibly bring out more curiosity than would normally be warranted, but being an over-analyzer myself, Kelsey's choices to delve deeper into who Ethan really is made her more like a teenager than anything else.
Hodges' writing style stayed consistent from book to book, putting readers at ease from the very first pages. I especially enjoyed the prologue that helped readers make sense of what had happened three years ago to lead Kelsey to be more of who she is today. The side characters - April, Bree, Baz, and Penny - rounded out the cast of characters quite well, each helping to populate the story with personalities that were indicative of all the issues that plague teenage life - indecision, lust, courage (or sometimes the lack thereof), and even love.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. The only detail I would have loved to have seen added would have been more cameos, especially of the Joshua and Eve variety, since they were the basis of 'Joshua's Island.' Cameos in sequels always make me feel more situated in the world I'm reading about. 'Ethan's Secret' did have great areas that mentioned past characters to help bring the story more in focus based on Kelsey's past experiences, though, and these helped provide readers with a window into the past, without Hodges having to include full flashbacks to remember everything.
If you have yet to read 'Joshua's Island,' I recommend that you pick it up and find yourself breezing your way through it so that you'll be ready for 'Ethan's Secret' once it's released in August 2015! You'll be happy you did!
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen,' A Young Adult Novel
Whereas in 'Joshua's Island,' we were introduced to Kelsey Callahan, a new-to-town fifth grader who wasn't afraid to stand up for what (or who) she believed in, 'Ethan's Secret' introduced us to the softer side of Kelsey. Even though she will still stand up for what's right, she comes to learn that she sometimes might have to take time out for herself, namely in the form of Ethan, the mysterious boy who is new-to-town and not necessarily looking for friends.
This is easier said than done, though, as he and Kelsey find themselves interested in each other. Kelsey's fascination with detective work might possibly bring out more curiosity than would normally be warranted, but being an over-analyzer myself, Kelsey's choices to delve deeper into who Ethan really is made her more like a teenager than anything else.
Hodges' writing style stayed consistent from book to book, putting readers at ease from the very first pages. I especially enjoyed the prologue that helped readers make sense of what had happened three years ago to lead Kelsey to be more of who she is today. The side characters - April, Bree, Baz, and Penny - rounded out the cast of characters quite well, each helping to populate the story with personalities that were indicative of all the issues that plague teenage life - indecision, lust, courage (or sometimes the lack thereof), and even love.
I thoroughly enjoyed the novel. The only detail I would have loved to have seen added would have been more cameos, especially of the Joshua and Eve variety, since they were the basis of 'Joshua's Island.' Cameos in sequels always make me feel more situated in the world I'm reading about. 'Ethan's Secret' did have great areas that mentioned past characters to help bring the story more in focus based on Kelsey's past experiences, though, and these helped provide readers with a window into the past, without Hodges having to include full flashbacks to remember everything.
If you have yet to read 'Joshua's Island,' I recommend that you pick it up and find yourself breezing your way through it so that you'll be ready for 'Ethan's Secret' once it's released in August 2015! You'll be happy you did!
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Freshman Fourteen,' A Young Adult Novel
August 17, 2015
In Patrick Hodge's second book, Ethan's Secret we get to go back to the world of Joshua's Island for an entirely new story.
Within the first few chapters, I really enjoyed the way Kelsey and Ethan's stories began to unfold, but my initial thoughts were, I liked Joshua's Island better. As the story progressed, and I realized just how different this book was shaping up to be, I changed my mind. I loved it just as much as Joshua's Island but for very different reasons.
The author could have easily gone the same route to tell the same story with new characters, tacking an equally difficult issue. And to be honest, that's kinda what I was expecting and anticipating. Boy was I wrong! The plot twists kept me guessing and the last third of the book kept me up late because I just had to finish.
Once again, Patrick Hodges tackles some tough issues that all teens face during those awful middle school years and he shows us, through his remarkable (and remarkably adorable) cast of characters, how to overcome those issues. I absolutely love the way this author brings closure to his character's lives and their stories. Not many books culminate with such a satisfying ending. Hodges' books can stand alone, but they also cross over as a successful series, and that takes an incredible amount of talent to accomplish.
In the end, Ethan's secret felt much more like fiction than Joshua's Island, which you can tell was deeply inspired by the author's own experiences. That did not take away from my enjoyment of the book, but the emotional level was not the same. Still, a very enjoyable, entertaining read that will keep you guessing. I'm looking forward to the next one, hoping we'll get to see more familiar faces.
Within the first few chapters, I really enjoyed the way Kelsey and Ethan's stories began to unfold, but my initial thoughts were, I liked Joshua's Island better. As the story progressed, and I realized just how different this book was shaping up to be, I changed my mind. I loved it just as much as Joshua's Island but for very different reasons.
The author could have easily gone the same route to tell the same story with new characters, tacking an equally difficult issue. And to be honest, that's kinda what I was expecting and anticipating. Boy was I wrong! The plot twists kept me guessing and the last third of the book kept me up late because I just had to finish.
Once again, Patrick Hodges tackles some tough issues that all teens face during those awful middle school years and he shows us, through his remarkable (and remarkably adorable) cast of characters, how to overcome those issues. I absolutely love the way this author brings closure to his character's lives and their stories. Not many books culminate with such a satisfying ending. Hodges' books can stand alone, but they also cross over as a successful series, and that takes an incredible amount of talent to accomplish.
In the end, Ethan's secret felt much more like fiction than Joshua's Island, which you can tell was deeply inspired by the author's own experiences. That did not take away from my enjoyment of the book, but the emotional level was not the same. Still, a very enjoyable, entertaining read that will keep you guessing. I'm looking forward to the next one, hoping we'll get to see more familiar faces.
August 19, 2015
Ethan's Secret is a wonderful story about friendship, and just how difficult that can be during the middle school years. You first meet Kelsey in the first book of Patrick Hodges, Joshua's Island. Ethan's Secret picks up a few years later when Kelsey meets Ethan, a new boy to her school. She feels like she can finally solve one of those mysteries she's always akin too, but doesn't realize she's opening a can of worms that could cost a lot of lives.
The secondary story of her friendships with April, Bree, Baz, and Penny were artfully written. When Kelsey discovers one of her friends is a lesbian, her choices and support she offered were very well thought out and implemented for someone her age. Middle school is a difficult time for all kids, but kids who are questioning their sexuality often find themselves feeling alone and segregated. Patrick Hodges did a fantastic job of bringing this situation to light, and showing the positive way kids deal with homosexuality in schools today.
I had a chance to read this book as an early advance copy with my daughter, who identifies as part of the LGBT community. We were both very impressed with the LGBT story line, the emotions it evoked, and the conclusion to not only Ethan's secret, but to the story as a whole.
Patrick Hodges has written another wonderful book for middle school kids!
The secondary story of her friendships with April, Bree, Baz, and Penny were artfully written. When Kelsey discovers one of her friends is a lesbian, her choices and support she offered were very well thought out and implemented for someone her age. Middle school is a difficult time for all kids, but kids who are questioning their sexuality often find themselves feeling alone and segregated. Patrick Hodges did a fantastic job of bringing this situation to light, and showing the positive way kids deal with homosexuality in schools today.
I had a chance to read this book as an early advance copy with my daughter, who identifies as part of the LGBT community. We were both very impressed with the LGBT story line, the emotions it evoked, and the conclusion to not only Ethan's secret, but to the story as a whole.
Patrick Hodges has written another wonderful book for middle school kids!
October 6, 2015
I received a copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.5
This was a great sequel to Joshua's Island. I loved that I got to know a little but more about Joshua and Eve. I thought this book was well-written. This book starts off slow, then got really good at the second half. I loved the characters. Kelsey was very likeable and cute. Ethan was mysterious and cute. I found myself rooting for them throughout the book. I love Baz, he was my favourite secondary character. This was an amazing story about friendship. It has many themes that we can all relate to and I think that is the start of something great.
Actual Rating: 4.5
This was a great sequel to Joshua's Island. I loved that I got to know a little but more about Joshua and Eve. I thought this book was well-written. This book starts off slow, then got really good at the second half. I loved the characters. Kelsey was very likeable and cute. Ethan was mysterious and cute. I found myself rooting for them throughout the book. I love Baz, he was my favourite secondary character. This was an amazing story about friendship. It has many themes that we can all relate to and I think that is the start of something great.
August 15, 2015
(I received a copy from the author, In exchange for an honest review.)
Kelsey was a likable character, and her and Ethan were cute together.
At first, I thought this one was slightly less enjoyable than book one, but it picked up in the second half and I ended up enjoying them about the same.
It was nice to see Eve and Josh and again, and I liked how this ended with them all being adults.
Overall, An okay read.
Kelsey was a likable character, and her and Ethan were cute together.
At first, I thought this one was slightly less enjoyable than book one, but it picked up in the second half and I ended up enjoying them about the same.
It was nice to see Eve and Josh and again, and I liked how this ended with them all being adults.
Overall, An okay read.
August 25, 2015
I've received the privilege of reading an ARC of Ethan's Secret and it blew me away! As a teenager myself, I thought that the themes were eloquently knitted into the plot and the characters were very believable. I found myself eating up every word, anxious to discover what happened next! Do yourself a favor and read this book!
August 15, 2015
Rating: 3.5/5
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
***Minor spoilers***
Ethan's Secret is told from two perspectives, similar to Joshua's Island. The girl is Kelsey, who we met in Joshua's Island as the girl on Eve and Joshua's bus who stood up to the bullies and helped change the school for the better. She's going into 8th grade, and becomes curious about a new boy, Ethan, who she sees in her Algebra class on the first day of school. Being the Junior Detective she is, she wants to figure him out. The other perspective is, of course, Ethan. He moved into town not long ago with his dad and younger brother, Logan. Ethan has an air of mystery to him. He doesn't like talking about himself or his past, especially his mother. As he and Kelsey become fast friends, Kelsey starts learning more about him. What happened to Ethan's mother? What are the black cars that follow him to school?
I have to say that I enjoyed Joshua's Island more than this book, the reason being that Joshua's Island was more fast-paced and was a short, quick read. I found that this book started off pretty slow. It was holding my attention, but not a ton. It was taking a while for anything to happen. Later in the book, things picked up a lot though.
I didn't expect for this book to be as intense as it was. While I was able to make some predictions about what happened in this book, I definitely didn't expect what happened at around the 80-90% mark. Things got really exciting and I couldn't wait to finish the book to see what would happen. It was around this point that the book finally REALLY grabbed my attention and urged me to finish.
I did think the ending was really sweet. At the end of the book, we get to view the characters in the book as adults. It was really great that we got a resolution for each character and that we know where they ended up, and that they're happy. It felt like an ending that the characters deserved.
I did find that in this book, the characters seemed a bit older than they really were. In Joshua's Island I found that the 13 year olds felt like 13 year olds, but in this book I feel like they acted like they were 14 or 15, but this may have been just me. The innocence of the characters comes across, but they still felt older.
Overall, this was a good read and an interesting follow-up to Joshua's Island. We're reunited with several characters. It's not necessary to read Joshua's Island before reading this, but it would probably make your experience better. If anything, it would help you understand some things better and give a bit of a backstory to this book. While I found this book darker than Joshua's Island, I still really liked it. If you enjoyed Joshua's Island, you'd likely enjoy this one too.
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
***Minor spoilers***
Ethan's Secret is told from two perspectives, similar to Joshua's Island. The girl is Kelsey, who we met in Joshua's Island as the girl on Eve and Joshua's bus who stood up to the bullies and helped change the school for the better. She's going into 8th grade, and becomes curious about a new boy, Ethan, who she sees in her Algebra class on the first day of school. Being the Junior Detective she is, she wants to figure him out. The other perspective is, of course, Ethan. He moved into town not long ago with his dad and younger brother, Logan. Ethan has an air of mystery to him. He doesn't like talking about himself or his past, especially his mother. As he and Kelsey become fast friends, Kelsey starts learning more about him. What happened to Ethan's mother? What are the black cars that follow him to school?
I have to say that I enjoyed Joshua's Island more than this book, the reason being that Joshua's Island was more fast-paced and was a short, quick read. I found that this book started off pretty slow. It was holding my attention, but not a ton. It was taking a while for anything to happen. Later in the book, things picked up a lot though.
I didn't expect for this book to be as intense as it was. While I was able to make some predictions about what happened in this book, I definitely didn't expect what happened at around the 80-90% mark. Things got really exciting and I couldn't wait to finish the book to see what would happen. It was around this point that the book finally REALLY grabbed my attention and urged me to finish.
I did think the ending was really sweet. At the end of the book, we get to view the characters in the book as adults. It was really great that we got a resolution for each character and that we know where they ended up, and that they're happy. It felt like an ending that the characters deserved.
I did find that in this book, the characters seemed a bit older than they really were. In Joshua's Island I found that the 13 year olds felt like 13 year olds, but in this book I feel like they acted like they were 14 or 15, but this may have been just me. The innocence of the characters comes across, but they still felt older.
Overall, this was a good read and an interesting follow-up to Joshua's Island. We're reunited with several characters. It's not necessary to read Joshua's Island before reading this, but it would probably make your experience better. If anything, it would help you understand some things better and give a bit of a backstory to this book. While I found this book darker than Joshua's Island, I still really liked it. If you enjoyed Joshua's Island, you'd likely enjoy this one too.
July 29, 2015
Patrick Hodges proves, once again why he is a young adult author to watch in his new book, Ethan’s Secret.
In this follow-up book to Joshua’s Island, we find the precocious and brave Kelsey Callahan a grown up teen on the verge of discovering boys.
When we met her the first time we got the idea that she liked puzzles, but in a new boy in school she finds a new puzzle needing to be solved; never mind the crush she develops on him. As it turns out, the boy, Ethan, is just really trying to find a group of friends in a fairly complicated world, complicated by the fact that … well, I’ll let you figure that one out on your own.
What makes this book work is Patrick’s talent for character building. He doesn’t spend a ton of time building a world for them to live in, rather he lets the characters interact in a world that unfolds for the reader.
Having an eye for drama, he does a great job letting you work out the mystery in your own mind before revealing if you were right or wrong.
It is always great to see returning characters and while Josh and Eve, from Joshua’s Island, do make subtle appearances, the book is all about Kelsey’s experience and how she interacts with her world. He avoids the temptation to build on characters we already love and takes ones we already know and lets them be the stars.
True to his cause, Patrick hits on some of the issues surrounding the middle school world and the issues of bullying and other issues that have come to the forefront in recent years about growing adolescents. He does this with talented mild mystery, suspense, and ultimately bringing it home in and end that will have you white knuckling your E-reader or paperback.
Ethan’s Secret is well worth the read and is another great book for the YA audience.
In this follow-up book to Joshua’s Island, we find the precocious and brave Kelsey Callahan a grown up teen on the verge of discovering boys.
When we met her the first time we got the idea that she liked puzzles, but in a new boy in school she finds a new puzzle needing to be solved; never mind the crush she develops on him. As it turns out, the boy, Ethan, is just really trying to find a group of friends in a fairly complicated world, complicated by the fact that … well, I’ll let you figure that one out on your own.
What makes this book work is Patrick’s talent for character building. He doesn’t spend a ton of time building a world for them to live in, rather he lets the characters interact in a world that unfolds for the reader.
Having an eye for drama, he does a great job letting you work out the mystery in your own mind before revealing if you were right or wrong.
It is always great to see returning characters and while Josh and Eve, from Joshua’s Island, do make subtle appearances, the book is all about Kelsey’s experience and how she interacts with her world. He avoids the temptation to build on characters we already love and takes ones we already know and lets them be the stars.
True to his cause, Patrick hits on some of the issues surrounding the middle school world and the issues of bullying and other issues that have come to the forefront in recent years about growing adolescents. He does this with talented mild mystery, suspense, and ultimately bringing it home in and end that will have you white knuckling your E-reader or paperback.
Ethan’s Secret is well worth the read and is another great book for the YA audience.
June 25, 2015
I was fortunate to receive an ARC of ‘Ethan’s Secret’, the sequel to the highly successful ‘Joshua’s Island’. I found it an insightful and endearing combination of heartfelt romance and thrilling intrigue.
Courageous Kelsey Callaghan from Patrick Hodge’s first novel, ‘Joshua’s Island’ is now thirteen and in middle school. Friends and relationships are her world. The arrival of a quiet and broody boy, Ethan piques her curiosity and soon she is following in her father’s footsteps trying to uncover the mystery surrounding this new and intriguing boy.
Once again, Patrick Hodges reveals a depth of insight into the human condition. Themes such as relationships, loneliness and love are explored with great compassion and empathy. The point of view switches between Ethan and Kelsey were interesting giving distinct voices and interpretations of the same world. The author uses humour and witty banter more strongly in this novel, which serves nicely to balance the dramatic and emotional scenes and increases its liveliness and believability.
The romantic threads woven into the plot are surprising and complex. For teenagers trying to navigate their relationships and sexuality, ‘Ethan’s Secret’ provides guidance and reassurance.
I especially appreciated the prologue as it skilfully connected ‘Joshua’s Island’ with this sequel and gave readers answers to lingering questions about the time and space between the two novels and the paths travelled by their beloved characters.
I highly recommend ‘Ethan’s Secret’ for teenagers, parents and all those who teach and guide children. It’s a must for the school library.
Courageous Kelsey Callaghan from Patrick Hodge’s first novel, ‘Joshua’s Island’ is now thirteen and in middle school. Friends and relationships are her world. The arrival of a quiet and broody boy, Ethan piques her curiosity and soon she is following in her father’s footsteps trying to uncover the mystery surrounding this new and intriguing boy.
Once again, Patrick Hodges reveals a depth of insight into the human condition. Themes such as relationships, loneliness and love are explored with great compassion and empathy. The point of view switches between Ethan and Kelsey were interesting giving distinct voices and interpretations of the same world. The author uses humour and witty banter more strongly in this novel, which serves nicely to balance the dramatic and emotional scenes and increases its liveliness and believability.
The romantic threads woven into the plot are surprising and complex. For teenagers trying to navigate their relationships and sexuality, ‘Ethan’s Secret’ provides guidance and reassurance.
I especially appreciated the prologue as it skilfully connected ‘Joshua’s Island’ with this sequel and gave readers answers to lingering questions about the time and space between the two novels and the paths travelled by their beloved characters.
I highly recommend ‘Ethan’s Secret’ for teenagers, parents and all those who teach and guide children. It’s a must for the school library.
July 19, 2015
We all have secrets. We all have inner pain. In "Ethan’s Secret," his affecting and beautifully crafted follow-up to "Joshua’s Island," author Patrick Hodges explores that inner pain with a keen understanding of what is probably the most difficult year in any teenager’s life – 8th grade. Deftly mixing a mystery story with the real issues all kids face as they straddle that line between childhood and becoming a teenager (peer pressure, substance abuse, sexuality, finding one’s voice,) Hodges strikes a perfect balance between a character-driven drama and a fast-paced thriller.
The story this time is told through the alternating points-of-view of Kelsey Callahan, familiar to fans of "Joshua’s Island" as a supporting character with an exploding inner-life waiting to be explored, and the mysterious Ethan Zimmer, a new kid with a dark and potentially deadly secret. Hodges is a master at plot and pacing, yet he never loses sight of his characters. Kelsey stands as a true original; a strong, determined young woman who, nonetheless, possesses an inner-life full of the insecurities and longing that make her immensely relatable to all of those readers who are, or one once were, thirteen.
"Ethan’s Secret" is a great read; fun, moving, exciting and, for this reader, ultimately uplifting.
The story this time is told through the alternating points-of-view of Kelsey Callahan, familiar to fans of "Joshua’s Island" as a supporting character with an exploding inner-life waiting to be explored, and the mysterious Ethan Zimmer, a new kid with a dark and potentially deadly secret. Hodges is a master at plot and pacing, yet he never loses sight of his characters. Kelsey stands as a true original; a strong, determined young woman who, nonetheless, possesses an inner-life full of the insecurities and longing that make her immensely relatable to all of those readers who are, or one once were, thirteen.
"Ethan’s Secret" is a great read; fun, moving, exciting and, for this reader, ultimately uplifting.
August 21, 2015
I love Patrick Hodges' first book (Joshua's Island) so much that I couldn't wait to read his second novel, and it didn't disappoint! This book is sweet and wonderful with the most perfect ending I could imagine. I adored Kelsey in Joshua's Island and I'm so happy that she got her own story. You might think that a story centered around a bunch of eighth-graders couldn't be an exciting adventure story for adults, but you would be wrong. This book is thoroughly entertaining and wonderful for adults while still being wholly appropriate for middle-grade readers. The story was great throughout, and true to Hodges' style had me in tears a time or two but completely happy by the end of the book. The ending was literally everything I could have hoped for; it was so perfect that I had to go back re-read it again because I loved it so much. If you haven't read Hodges' books yet, do yourself a favor and pick them up today.
May 10, 2018
Ethan's Secret – Patrick Hodges – 5 Stars
Blurb: Kelsey Callahan is smart, tough and fiercely loyal to her friends. She wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps, and be a detective just like her hero, Sherlock Holmes.
A lover of mysteries, she finally gets the chance to solve something on her own when Ethan, a cute but mysterious loner appears in her class. Both fascinated and infatuated with him, Kelsey soon learns there are events at play in Ethan's life that are both tragic and dangerous.
Events that, the deeper she digs, may end up threatening not only their relationship but their very lives.
What I like: I loved the first book in the James Madison trilogy, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading Ethan's Secret. I'll be reading Sophie's Different, the final book in the series next. I really want to know what happens next, even though the characters may be slightly different.
Ethan's Secret is essentially a story about young love wrapped up in the sinister world of adults. That's about as much of a spoiler as you're going to get from me. Kelsey Callahan is a strong young woman with her heart in the right place. She's the sort of young woman I'd like my daughters to grow up like – if I had children, that is. There is nothing about her character that I don't like, so if you're looking for a role model for your own kids, Kelsey is the right direction to go in.
Ethan is a strong young man, though slightly damaged due to his past and the secret that he's holding on to. He's a loveable character that I wish I could see more of. Perhaps I can write to Patrick Hodges and persuade him to write a novella detailing Ethan's life after school. You'll see what I mean when you read the book!
Without spoiling anything, I will say that the last two chapters made me extremely emotional. The book was a tiny bit slow to begin with, but it was all leading up to the last few chapters which progressively increased in pace until I almost couldn't put the book down. Almost. I do have to sleep at some point, you know. But I was definitely fighting back the tears at one point, never having realised how many emotions I'd actually invested into these characters.
I also like how the ending wasn't a complete fairy tale. Hodges could have given everyone a happy ending immediately, but he's kept it in line with the real world and I liked that. I would have been a little disappointed had everything worked out completely fine in the end. Though it would have saved a little of the heartache.
The book itself covers many themes from bullying to sexuality, and it's all done in a very sensitive and honest way. I commend Hodges for the way that he wrote about certain characters in this book. It was very well done.
What I don't like: There wasn't anything that I disliked about this book at all. The next points are me just being picky! This isn't really a criticism about the book, it's more to do with what I managed to pick up on as I was reading. I figured out what Ethan's secret was very early on, even before the majority of the clues were being dropped. Maybe there were some very subtle clues that I picked up on. It didn't really take anything away from the book, if anything it made the anticipation towards the end even more exciting, as I thought I knew what was going to happen.
There were quite a few references to Hodges' first book, Joshua's Island, that may be lost on someone that hasn't read that book first, but the references are explained well enough for the reader to be satisfied. However, I would advise that you read Joshua's Island first purely because it's such an amazing book. It's also Kelsey's introduction and I loved that girl from the moment she was first introduced.
Ethan's Secret is a really good read that tackles adolescence and the many obstacles that get thrown at you. It's a must read for all teenagers who feel a bit different. You’re not alone.
Blurb: Kelsey Callahan is smart, tough and fiercely loyal to her friends. She wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps, and be a detective just like her hero, Sherlock Holmes.
A lover of mysteries, she finally gets the chance to solve something on her own when Ethan, a cute but mysterious loner appears in her class. Both fascinated and infatuated with him, Kelsey soon learns there are events at play in Ethan's life that are both tragic and dangerous.
Events that, the deeper she digs, may end up threatening not only their relationship but their very lives.
What I like: I loved the first book in the James Madison trilogy, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading Ethan's Secret. I'll be reading Sophie's Different, the final book in the series next. I really want to know what happens next, even though the characters may be slightly different.
Ethan's Secret is essentially a story about young love wrapped up in the sinister world of adults. That's about as much of a spoiler as you're going to get from me. Kelsey Callahan is a strong young woman with her heart in the right place. She's the sort of young woman I'd like my daughters to grow up like – if I had children, that is. There is nothing about her character that I don't like, so if you're looking for a role model for your own kids, Kelsey is the right direction to go in.
Ethan is a strong young man, though slightly damaged due to his past and the secret that he's holding on to. He's a loveable character that I wish I could see more of. Perhaps I can write to Patrick Hodges and persuade him to write a novella detailing Ethan's life after school. You'll see what I mean when you read the book!
Without spoiling anything, I will say that the last two chapters made me extremely emotional. The book was a tiny bit slow to begin with, but it was all leading up to the last few chapters which progressively increased in pace until I almost couldn't put the book down. Almost. I do have to sleep at some point, you know. But I was definitely fighting back the tears at one point, never having realised how many emotions I'd actually invested into these characters.
I also like how the ending wasn't a complete fairy tale. Hodges could have given everyone a happy ending immediately, but he's kept it in line with the real world and I liked that. I would have been a little disappointed had everything worked out completely fine in the end. Though it would have saved a little of the heartache.
The book itself covers many themes from bullying to sexuality, and it's all done in a very sensitive and honest way. I commend Hodges for the way that he wrote about certain characters in this book. It was very well done.
What I don't like: There wasn't anything that I disliked about this book at all. The next points are me just being picky! This isn't really a criticism about the book, it's more to do with what I managed to pick up on as I was reading. I figured out what Ethan's secret was very early on, even before the majority of the clues were being dropped. Maybe there were some very subtle clues that I picked up on. It didn't really take anything away from the book, if anything it made the anticipation towards the end even more exciting, as I thought I knew what was going to happen.
There were quite a few references to Hodges' first book, Joshua's Island, that may be lost on someone that hasn't read that book first, but the references are explained well enough for the reader to be satisfied. However, I would advise that you read Joshua's Island first purely because it's such an amazing book. It's also Kelsey's introduction and I loved that girl from the moment she was first introduced.
Ethan's Secret is a really good read that tackles adolescence and the many obstacles that get thrown at you. It's a must read for all teenagers who feel a bit different. You’re not alone.
October 2, 2018
Ethan's Secret, just like Joshua's Island was the perfect middle grade read. It's the type of story that I would hope my young teens would read one day. Kelsey is sweet and kind and a little detective to boot! The romance with Ethan was so cute and perfect. Again the author has found a way to weave an entertaining storyline while sneaking in good values for children and teens. I definitely recommend it!
November 23, 2016
(Actual rating 3.5 stars)
Honestly, I went into this book with super high expectations (probably because I enjoyed the first one so much) and while I wasn’t disappointed in the overall story at all, there were a few things that I didn’t like. I’ll list those first to get them out of the way and on to the good stuff! First, I should issue a warning that the rest of this review will have some sub-plot spoilers, but no plot spoilers. I hope that makes sense.
Okay, so I didn’t like the whole sub-pot with Kelsey’s friend Bree. Now before anyone who’s read the book automatically assumes my reasoning, let me explain. Bree started treated Kelsey like crap the minute she admitted to having a crush on Ethan and started spending time with him. This wasn’t a one time thing, but nasty treatment over the course of a month. Then, when Kelsey realizes it is because Bree has a crush on her and confronts her, Bree about-faces and then asks Kelsey to kiss her (even though she’s pretty much with Ethan at this point) just to be sure there isn’t any connection between them. Later, Kelsey kisses Ethan and thinks it’s funny she kissed a boy and a girl in the same day. Now, to be fair, let’s consider how this would look if Bree was a guy. He treats his friend like crap because he’s jealous and likes her, then he pressures her into kissing him to ove there’s nothing between them, then she laughs at the craziness of kissing two boys in one day! The whole scenario bothered me…a lot and seemed to promote a real doubled standard. Beyond, that our main character is a take-no-crap from anyone type of girl. I found it hard to believe that she would willingly allow her friend to treat her so bad, simply forgive her because of her emotions and sexuality, and then be pressured by guilt into kissing her. It really weakened a character I loved.
A subplot I would have loved to see expanded on instead, was Tanya–a girl who had been a bully, but changed her ways. I think that would have been great, and tied in with book one more. My only other hang-up with this book were other times Kelsey acted out of character. I thought she would be more leery of Ethan and I wanted to see her be more kick-butt at the end. She was cool, but I felt like someone stole the show…and I won’t tell you who!
What I liked about his book was the writing. I feel the author really knows and understands this age well and it isn’t an easy age to write. I liked that Kelsey had a great relationship with her dad. I loved seeing her respect toward him. I also like Ethan coming to appreciate and help his brother more. It took me awhile to connect with Ethan, maybe because he is so lost, but by the end I was definitely rooting for him. Although I figured out the ‘secret’ pretty early on, I don’t think this detracted at all from the story as I still wanted to see how it would end. And the ending was great. I loved that the author didn’ t go for a quick fix HEA, but I was still so satisfied by the end. And it was a little swoony. Romance...sigh.
See full review at http://tenilleberezay.com/#!/review-t...
Honestly, I went into this book with super high expectations (probably because I enjoyed the first one so much) and while I wasn’t disappointed in the overall story at all, there were a few things that I didn’t like. I’ll list those first to get them out of the way and on to the good stuff! First, I should issue a warning that the rest of this review will have some sub-plot spoilers, but no plot spoilers. I hope that makes sense.
Okay, so I didn’t like the whole sub-pot with Kelsey’s friend Bree. Now before anyone who’s read the book automatically assumes my reasoning, let me explain. Bree started treated Kelsey like crap the minute she admitted to having a crush on Ethan and started spending time with him. This wasn’t a one time thing, but nasty treatment over the course of a month. Then, when Kelsey realizes it is because Bree has a crush on her and confronts her, Bree about-faces and then asks Kelsey to kiss her (even though she’s pretty much with Ethan at this point) just to be sure there isn’t any connection between them. Later, Kelsey kisses Ethan and thinks it’s funny she kissed a boy and a girl in the same day. Now, to be fair, let’s consider how this would look if Bree was a guy. He treats his friend like crap because he’s jealous and likes her, then he pressures her into kissing him to ove there’s nothing between them, then she laughs at the craziness of kissing two boys in one day! The whole scenario bothered me…a lot and seemed to promote a real doubled standard. Beyond, that our main character is a take-no-crap from anyone type of girl. I found it hard to believe that she would willingly allow her friend to treat her so bad, simply forgive her because of her emotions and sexuality, and then be pressured by guilt into kissing her. It really weakened a character I loved.
A subplot I would have loved to see expanded on instead, was Tanya–a girl who had been a bully, but changed her ways. I think that would have been great, and tied in with book one more. My only other hang-up with this book were other times Kelsey acted out of character. I thought she would be more leery of Ethan and I wanted to see her be more kick-butt at the end. She was cool, but I felt like someone stole the show…and I won’t tell you who!
What I liked about his book was the writing. I feel the author really knows and understands this age well and it isn’t an easy age to write. I liked that Kelsey had a great relationship with her dad. I loved seeing her respect toward him. I also like Ethan coming to appreciate and help his brother more. It took me awhile to connect with Ethan, maybe because he is so lost, but by the end I was definitely rooting for him. Although I figured out the ‘secret’ pretty early on, I don’t think this detracted at all from the story as I still wanted to see how it would end. And the ending was great. I loved that the author didn’ t go for a quick fix HEA, but I was still so satisfied by the end. And it was a little swoony. Romance...sigh.
See full review at http://tenilleberezay.com/#!/review-t...
August 30, 2015
It would seem that Patrick Hodges deliberately goes out of his way to write about difficult and possibly contentious issues that face children and teenagers in schools today, and for that I applaud him. These are subjects that need to be out in the open, especially in such an easily accessible format such as a book, not only to help those in life that are facing the same struggles, but to also educate those who are ignorant, and worse judgmental.
In another writers hands this story, and Joshua’s Island before it could easily have failed, in the hands of Hodges, they are an immense success, and treated with a sensitivity and realism so that you are immediately drawn into the world in which these characters live, and become a part of it.
This is only the author’s second book, but although his writing style and voice is consistent, this book for me, is a real cut above the first in terms of story telling and professionalism. It’s apparent that Patrick Hodges is constantly learning his craft and is putting what he learns into practice, his writing, especially his character building and dialogue, really shines here.
I’ll keep my synopsis of the story brief as there are many others reviewers who have done a great job of describing it. Kelsey, the main character in this book briefly appeared in the first book, Joshua’s Island, and I immediately loved this feisty little kid with a big heart and a keen sense of justice. In Ethan’s Secret she is older, and while the subject of the first book was bullying, this is more about friendships and trust, and of course secrets.
It’s an excellent YA book, with an important message, which is Patrick's specialty and I highly recommend it.
In another writers hands this story, and Joshua’s Island before it could easily have failed, in the hands of Hodges, they are an immense success, and treated with a sensitivity and realism so that you are immediately drawn into the world in which these characters live, and become a part of it.
This is only the author’s second book, but although his writing style and voice is consistent, this book for me, is a real cut above the first in terms of story telling and professionalism. It’s apparent that Patrick Hodges is constantly learning his craft and is putting what he learns into practice, his writing, especially his character building and dialogue, really shines here.
I’ll keep my synopsis of the story brief as there are many others reviewers who have done a great job of describing it. Kelsey, the main character in this book briefly appeared in the first book, Joshua’s Island, and I immediately loved this feisty little kid with a big heart and a keen sense of justice. In Ethan’s Secret she is older, and while the subject of the first book was bullying, this is more about friendships and trust, and of course secrets.
It’s an excellent YA book, with an important message, which is Patrick's specialty and I highly recommend it.
January 23, 2016
After reading Joshua’s Island, I was interested in reading Patrick Hodge’s next book – Ethan’s Secret. Ethan’s Secret is a combination of young adult, romance, and mystery that will have you hooked from the beginning. Although it can be read as a standalone, many characters from Joshua’s Island make an appearance!
Kelsey Callahan, a character I adored from Joshua’s Island, is now in the eighth grade and loves solving mysteries like her detective dad. When a new student attends her school, Kelsey is determined to learn everything she can about him and his family and solve the mystery that surrounds him. Ethan Zimmer is new to school and is trying as hard as he can to blend into the background, to avoid attention at all costs, which immediately sparks Kelsey’s interest in him. The problem is that the more they talk, the more Ethan wants to share with her – and he has to protect his secret at all costs.
Patrick Hodges does an excellent job at expanding on characters I already loved from Joshua’s Island. The mystery of Ethan’s Secret was captivating and it took me quite awhile to put all the pieces together – I did not expect such dramatic plot twists and turns! Kelsey and Ethan are both extremely likable characters – mature for their ages in a very positive way – and I found myself frequently sympathizing with them (and the situation they find themselves in). I also enjoyed their budding romance – and that despite the danger surrounding them, the awkwardness and innocence of finding romance at fourteen was realistic and sincere. The ending of the story (before the Epilogue!) was extremely bittersweet and appropriate for the storyline. I really enjoyed reading Ethan’s Secret and would recommend it to all ages.
Kelsey Callahan, a character I adored from Joshua’s Island, is now in the eighth grade and loves solving mysteries like her detective dad. When a new student attends her school, Kelsey is determined to learn everything she can about him and his family and solve the mystery that surrounds him. Ethan Zimmer is new to school and is trying as hard as he can to blend into the background, to avoid attention at all costs, which immediately sparks Kelsey’s interest in him. The problem is that the more they talk, the more Ethan wants to share with her – and he has to protect his secret at all costs.
Patrick Hodges does an excellent job at expanding on characters I already loved from Joshua’s Island. The mystery of Ethan’s Secret was captivating and it took me quite awhile to put all the pieces together – I did not expect such dramatic plot twists and turns! Kelsey and Ethan are both extremely likable characters – mature for their ages in a very positive way – and I found myself frequently sympathizing with them (and the situation they find themselves in). I also enjoyed their budding romance – and that despite the danger surrounding them, the awkwardness and innocence of finding romance at fourteen was realistic and sincere. The ending of the story (before the Epilogue!) was extremely bittersweet and appropriate for the storyline. I really enjoyed reading Ethan’s Secret and would recommend it to all ages.
October 21, 2015
I loved this book even though I'm pretty sure I'm way above the target age! Kelsey, the lovable superhero from Patrick Hodges first book, is at it again. She's the kind of middle schooler that every parent and every teacher dreams of having. She stands up to bullies, she befriends the new kids, and she sticks by her friends no matter what. We all wish we could be a little like Kelsey, even though she's only in the eight grade,
Ethan and his family have a dangerous secret but Kelsey doesn't realize how dangerous it could really be. She's like a mini Veronica Mars. She has to get to the bottom of it. She doesn't know the troubles it will lead to or its connection to events that have been happening around her. What she does know is that she likes Ethan and he doesn't deserve everything that has happened.
Watching their friendship play out is cute and charming and also deeper than you would expect from kids their age. Mr. Hodges shows us, yet again, how he can shape a relationship in such a way that it neither seems childish or too mature for the characters. It's a true talent. He also proves that he is the master of teaching through entertainment. This book is thoroughly enjoyable, yet it has a number of strong messages for teenagers. I wish his books had been out when I was in middle school.
You want to read this book. And then you want to have your children or your students or your neighbor kids read it as well.
Ethan and his family have a dangerous secret but Kelsey doesn't realize how dangerous it could really be. She's like a mini Veronica Mars. She has to get to the bottom of it. She doesn't know the troubles it will lead to or its connection to events that have been happening around her. What she does know is that she likes Ethan and he doesn't deserve everything that has happened.
Watching their friendship play out is cute and charming and also deeper than you would expect from kids their age. Mr. Hodges shows us, yet again, how he can shape a relationship in such a way that it neither seems childish or too mature for the characters. It's a true talent. He also proves that he is the master of teaching through entertainment. This book is thoroughly enjoyable, yet it has a number of strong messages for teenagers. I wish his books had been out when I was in middle school.
You want to read this book. And then you want to have your children or your students or your neighbor kids read it as well.
August 20, 2015
When I heard that Joshua's Island was getting a sequel in Kelsey's perspective I got ridiculously excited because Kelsey is one of my absolute favorites and I just happened to love the first book. Well guess what? I wasn't wrong to be ridiculously excited because Ethan's Secret exceeded my expectations and beyond.
Why you should read this book?
1) Kelsey. She's "The Detective", spunky, and such an inspiring character.
2) Ethan. He's the mystery guy and so sweet. It's so crazy how much he has gone through and I just feel so bad for him.
3) Joshua and Eva. I'm so glad in this book that you find out what happens to the both of them in the years since Joshua's Island took place.
4) Kelsey and Ethan. They are truly adorable and the chemistry between them is so sweet.
Why you should read this book?
1) Kelsey. She's "The Detective", spunky, and such an inspiring character.
2) Ethan. He's the mystery guy and so sweet. It's so crazy how much he has gone through and I just feel so bad for him.
3) Joshua and Eva. I'm so glad in this book that you find out what happens to the both of them in the years since Joshua's Island took place.
4) Kelsey and Ethan. They are truly adorable and the chemistry between them is so sweet.
August 23, 2015
Patrick Hodges does it again. Kelsey was one of my favorite characters in Joshua's Island so I was ecstatic to see that she got her own book.
Kelsey is aspiring to be a detective after growing up with her father. When Ethan arrives at her school as the new student, he becomes her new mystery to solve. Badboy, quiet Ethan. Along her journey to find out what he's hiding, they fall for each other in the sweetest possible way. Ethan's Secret will keep you reading with the first chapters and I found myself once again drawn into James Madison Middle School.
I loved the relationship Kelsey has with her friends April, Bree, and Penny. There's a little twist in the story too that I love, but I don't want to spoil it so you should be reading this book. Like now.
Patrick Hodges perfectly crafted this story for his readers. He leaves little clues that keep you reading every word carefully to figure out what Ethan's secret is before Kelsey does. Ethan's Secret is a book you won't want to miss out on. And if you haven't read Joshua's Island, you don't have to read it before this one. But you should definitely read that one too.
Kelsey is aspiring to be a detective after growing up with her father. When Ethan arrives at her school as the new student, he becomes her new mystery to solve. Badboy, quiet Ethan. Along her journey to find out what he's hiding, they fall for each other in the sweetest possible way. Ethan's Secret will keep you reading with the first chapters and I found myself once again drawn into James Madison Middle School.
I loved the relationship Kelsey has with her friends April, Bree, and Penny. There's a little twist in the story too that I love, but I don't want to spoil it so you should be reading this book. Like now.
Patrick Hodges perfectly crafted this story for his readers. He leaves little clues that keep you reading every word carefully to figure out what Ethan's secret is before Kelsey does. Ethan's Secret is a book you won't want to miss out on. And if you haven't read Joshua's Island, you don't have to read it before this one. But you should definitely read that one too.
October 2, 2015
Ethan's Secret is a wonderful and easy read. I went into this book with high expectations of a good time. I was not disappointed. While the story confronts and highlights many issues dealing with teens today, it was the story that grabbed me and pulled me through. Those issues were brought to light through the story, and not something that might distract from it. My interest never waned as I read. On the contrary, it grew more intense as I read further, making it difficult to put down.
The author does a wonderful job of taking you through the lives of several middle school teens, told from the view of the two main characters, allowing us to be involved in the things teens today face regularly. Yet, he interlaces their day-to-day lives with elements of mystery, intrigue, romance, suspense and plot twists to keep the reader involved. I found myself desiring to know what happened next, looking forward to the time I could read more, going through a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Young adult readers should not miss this one. I definitely recommend Ethan's Secret to readers of all ages, both young and old.
The author does a wonderful job of taking you through the lives of several middle school teens, told from the view of the two main characters, allowing us to be involved in the things teens today face regularly. Yet, he interlaces their day-to-day lives with elements of mystery, intrigue, romance, suspense and plot twists to keep the reader involved. I found myself desiring to know what happened next, looking forward to the time I could read more, going through a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Young adult readers should not miss this one. I definitely recommend Ethan's Secret to readers of all ages, both young and old.
September 16, 2015
I absolutely loved this book, so much so I couldn't put it down. I read Joshua's Island and I thought he couldn't develop the issues of bullying, friendship and Kelsey, the character who features in Ethan's Secret too. Just goes to show how wrong one can be!
The story has moved forward and Kelsey is growing up, Patrick Hodges has done such a great job with her because I feel as if I know her personally.
We see the quieter side of Kelsey, though she does have her moments. Her personality is one of strength and honesty. Her story surrounds an incident that causes her to be cautious and trustworthy and she doesn't let her friend down.
Patrick Hodges introduces the reader to believable characters and investigates an array of teenage problems that most of us may have went through when we were growing up.
Ethan's Secret is a well thought out excellent written story that all age groups can relate to and enjoy.
The author takes us through a passage of time and narrates a story that leaves the reader with a well rounded finish to Kelsey's growing years.
I, for one, am sorry to see her all grown....I wonder if there is more to come?
The story has moved forward and Kelsey is growing up, Patrick Hodges has done such a great job with her because I feel as if I know her personally.
We see the quieter side of Kelsey, though she does have her moments. Her personality is one of strength and honesty. Her story surrounds an incident that causes her to be cautious and trustworthy and she doesn't let her friend down.
Patrick Hodges introduces the reader to believable characters and investigates an array of teenage problems that most of us may have went through when we were growing up.
Ethan's Secret is a well thought out excellent written story that all age groups can relate to and enjoy.
The author takes us through a passage of time and narrates a story that leaves the reader with a well rounded finish to Kelsey's growing years.
I, for one, am sorry to see her all grown....I wonder if there is more to come?
August 3, 2016
Once again, Patrick Hodges' characters have that genuine ring that I loved so much in Joshua's Island. Kelsey is possibly one of my favourite characters in any book I've ever read.
Kelsey's dad is a detective and she spends all her time reading mystery stories and dreaming about being a detective someday. The perfect guinea pig for her investigative aspirations is Ethan, a boy who's just moved to her middle school.
At first I didn't enjoy Ethan's Secret as much as the first book – the story didn't have the same sense of urgency. But once it picked up, I was hooked; it was such a cool mystery and the characters were amazing! As with many mystery stories, I picked up on a lot of stuff long before the characters did, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment.
My actual rating is 4.5 stars.
I'd recommend Ethan's Secret as suitable for kids thirteen and older, thanks to language and certain issues that are dealt with.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Kelsey's dad is a detective and she spends all her time reading mystery stories and dreaming about being a detective someday. The perfect guinea pig for her investigative aspirations is Ethan, a boy who's just moved to her middle school.
At first I didn't enjoy Ethan's Secret as much as the first book – the story didn't have the same sense of urgency. But once it picked up, I was hooked; it was such a cool mystery and the characters were amazing! As with many mystery stories, I picked up on a lot of stuff long before the characters did, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment.
My actual rating is 4.5 stars.
I'd recommend Ethan's Secret as suitable for kids thirteen and older, thanks to language and certain issues that are dealt with.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2015
I was given a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and Sarah :)
Kelsey was a likable character. Although I thought she was a bit nosy at first,her character development was amazing. Ethan was so cute and the couple were even cuter together!
The story was cute and had some funny bits that I really enjoyed. The mystery that it had to it was really cool,too. Ethan's secret was actually more serious than it seemed and it made the story all fast-paced and action-packed and thus all the more exciting. It made the characters develop beautifully.
As I also noticed with Joshua's Island , Patrick Hodges' books have amazingly happy endings. You see the characters all finally happy and it makes you happy and that makes your day happy. I mean,the ending was exactly how I wanted it to be...the very last part of it anyway :|
Overall,nice story,nice characters :)
Kelsey was a likable character. Although I thought she was a bit nosy at first,her character development was amazing. Ethan was so cute and the couple were even cuter together!
The story was cute and had some funny bits that I really enjoyed. The mystery that it had to it was really cool,too. Ethan's secret was actually more serious than it seemed and it made the story all fast-paced and action-packed and thus all the more exciting. It made the characters develop beautifully.
As I also noticed with Joshua's Island , Patrick Hodges' books have amazingly happy endings. You see the characters all finally happy and it makes you happy and that makes your day happy. I mean,the ending was exactly how I wanted it to be...the very last part of it anyway :|
Overall,nice story,nice characters :)
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