August's Series Read - The Secret by Beverly Lewis

[Brittany]

Please join us this month in reading The Secret by Beverly Lewis.



In the seemingly ordinary Amish home of Grace Byler, secrets abound. Why does her mother weep in the night? Why does her father refuse to admit something is dreadfully wrong? Then, in one startling moment, everything Grace assumed she knew is shattered. Her mother's disappearance leaves Grace reeling and unable to keep her betrothal promise to her long-time beau. Left to pick up the pieces of her life, Grace questions all she has been taught about love, family, and commitment.
Heather Nelson is an English grad student, stunned by a doctor's diagnosis. Surely fate would not allow her father to lose his only daughter after the death of his wife a few years before. In denial and telling no one she is terminally ill, Heather travels to Lancaster County--the last place she and her mother had visited together. Will Heather find healing for body and spirit?
As the lives of four wounded souls begin to weave together like an Amish patchwork quilt, they each discover missing pieces of their life puzzles--and glimpse the merciful and loving hand of God.

Participation in group reads is entirely voluntary, but we'd love to hear your thoughts if you have read this book! But please refrain from posting spoilers until a little later in the month, so as not to spoil the book for those who are still reading it. If you're worried you might spoil part of the book, feel free to post something like ***SPOILER ALERT*** before your comment.

[Rachel]

So who is planning to read this book?

[Rachel]

I have read it. I finished it a few days ago but as this is my first group read I was waiting for others to contribute before I put what I thought! :)

[Janice]

I plan to read this hope to get it on the kindle later this week, i want to get a few books so am waiting to later i have read the previous books in the series & have really enjoyed them
Hugs Janice

[Janice]

Have you read the previous ones in the series Rachel?
Hugs Janice

[Janice]

I just realised i have got this confused with The Secret Keeper i have read the Secret but not the Secret Keeper
Hugs Janice

[Barbara]

Is there a way to designate on the front page that this is the series read? I had a couple moments of non-clarity and was a bit confused with which was our regular read. If not it won't be the end of the world for me.

[Brittany]

Barbara Ann wrote: "Is there a way to designate on the front page that this is the series read? I had a couple moments of non-clarity and was a bit confused with which was our regular read. If not it won't be the end ..."

I edited it so that it will say series read. :)

[Barbara]

Brittany wrote: "I edited it ..."

You rock Brittany!

[Melissa]

I'm going to start this one soon.

[Krystaleve]

Rachel wrote: "So who is planning to read this book?"

I have read half of the book. I am enjoying the story.

[Melissa]

I started this today. I haven't read Beverly Lewis in a while and I forget how good her writing is.

I'm wondering what's up with the Mom.

[Rachel]

I've just started this one as well! I've read a couple of Beverly's latest novels recently The Fiddler and The Bridesmaid) and found them rather disappointing, so I'm hoping this one will be better. Beverly was, predictably, one of the first Amish authors I've ever read, and I do really enjoy her older stuff.

Was anyone else a little overwhelmed with all the different characters introduced right at the start of the novel? I think there were five different points of view in the first fifty pages. It took a little getting used to.

[Becky]

Rachel wrote: "I've just started this one as well! I've read a couple of Beverly's latest novels recently The Fiddler and The Bridesmaid) and found them rather disappointing, so I'm hoping this one will be better..."
I didn't read Fiddler and Bridesmaid, but started with Guardian and the Secret Keeper and loved them both and I'm not typically a Beverly Lewis fan.

[Brittany]

Rachel wrote: "I've just started this one as well! I've read a couple of Beverly's latest novels recently The Fiddler and The Bridesmaid) and found them rather disappointing, so I'm hoping this one will be better..."

I do remember it being a little chaotic at the beginning, Rachel. But like you, I eventually got used to it. It helps to bring the story along, though. You'll get quite a bit of information from the different POVs that will help you understand the rest of the book and, subsequently, the other two books.

It's been an age since I read this series, though. At least three years. >.<

[Brittany]

Becky wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I've just started this one as well! I've read a couple of Beverly's latest novels recently The Fiddler and The Bridesmaid) and found them rather disappointing, so I'm hoping this one..."

I really enjoyed The Guardian! I think it was the best book so far in that series. It was certainly interesting, plot wise, as a lot of the plots in Amish books tend to be overused. It was refreshing, at least.

[Becky]

Brittany wrote: "Becky wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I've just started this one as well! I've read a couple of Beverly's latest novels recently The Fiddler and The Bridesmaid) and found them rather disappointing, so I'm h..."

The Secret Keeper brings the Lapp family back front and center which makes the book really good.

[Melissa]

Well, I finished The Secret. I do enjoy the writing style, but this book just seemed a bit slow moving to me. The whole thing of not finding out the secret until the end, meh. I guessed what it probably was a lot sooner on in the book and I really thought it could have moved a bit faster.

I do want to see how things wrap up, so I will continue reading. I have a pretty strong guess of what will happen, but I will I will have to read to find out if I'm correct.

[Melissa]

Also, are we reading the next book next month? I'm not seeing it in the upcoming books.

[Rachel]

Melissa, thanks for the reminder! I've added the next book in the series to our bookshelves for September. You should be able to see it now.

Did anyone else figure out what the secret was? I'm not sure if it was just a wild guess on my part, because I've read so many Amish books, or if there were any obvious hints. But when it was finally revealed I almost shouted "Called it!"

I finished this book last night. Overall, it was an easy, compelling read, even if it wasn't as suspenseful as it could have been, given all the lead up to the secret. I suppose the slow-moving plot maybe is fitting for the slow-paced Amish lifestyle? ;)

[Tina]

I have read this one two years ago.

[[deleted user]]

I have read this last year.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished the second book The Missing tonight.
Keep going everyone. You will not be disappointed!!!

[Krystaleve]

I enjoyed The Secret. My favorite character is Heather. I will enjoy learning more about her in book two.

Spoiler Alert
I wanted Henry and Grace to get married. I hope Grace finds a husband that shares his feelings.

[Rachel]

Krystaleve wrote: "I enjoyed The Secret. My favorite character is Heather. I will enjoy learning more about her in book two.

Spoiler Alert
I wanted Henry and Grace to get married. I hope Grace finds a husband that s..."

I'm definitely looking forward to learning more about Heather.

I really sympathised with Grace's struggle with Henry. He was a good, kind man, but they rarely talked about anything terribly deep. I could understand her desire to find someone she could properly communicate with and share her feelings with.