The Secret Journal of Brett Colton

by Kay Lynn Mangum

Kathy Colton can’t stand her brother, Brett. Her family talks as if he were perfect! All Kathy knows for sure is that Brett is dead. He died of leukemia when he was sixteen and she was only two. But when Kathy turns sixteen, she discovers her brother’s hidden journal – a journal written especially for her - and learns about the brother she never knew. At the same time, Kathy is mortified by an assignment to tutor the popular high school quarterback Jason West, a football jock who, even worse, is a Mormon. Author Kay Lynn Mangum brilliantly weaves the dual stories of a dying brother and a coming-of-age sister who learn the importance of loving our family and our friends and nurturing our faith.

Genres: Young Adult, Lds Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Lds, Contemporary, Christian Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Kay Lynn Mangum is the youngest of four children (one sister, two brothers), and has enjoyed reading and writing stories since her elementary school days. She has always dreamed of seeing her stories in print, and still can't believe her books are not only published, but that strangers actually buy her books and like them! Kay Lynn holds an associates degree from Dixie Junior College, and a bachelors degree in English literature with an emphasis in creative writing from Southern Utah University. She currently works as a legal assistant, but hopes to be able to write full time in the near future. She loves interviewing people for her books and traveling to the places she wants to set her stories in. The Secret Journal of Brett Colton, her first novel, began as a short story she created at age 16 for a high school writing contest sponsored by The Salt Lake Tribune. A Love Like Lilly also began as a short story written during high school for The New Era’s youth writing contest. When the Bough Breaks began as a short story written while she attended Dixie Junior College. Kay Lynn is the aunt of 12 amazing nieces and nephews, and absolutely loves getting e-mails from people who have enjoyed her novels.

Reviews

[Sanora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of THE BEST books I have ever read :) It tells of a story of a girl named Kathy whose older brother Brett died of Cancer when she was two and he was seventeen. Nobody has ever kept any photos of her childhood or any dates nobody even remembers her first word because around this time was when Brett was dignosed.Everyone in her family talks of how he's so perfect and she soon begins to dislike the brother she doesn't remember. Then when she turns 16 she discovers her brothers journal that he wrote-just for her- she soon realizes that she was the baby that kept him going through his troubles that he didn't want to die because he would have to leave the only person who really listened and understood him, her. She even realizes that she loved him so much when she was young they were unable to be separated. This tale teaches you that you should appreciate everything big and little notice everything before you dont get the chance anymore. Through Kathy and Bretts struggles you learn to be grateful for your family and friends and to never take them for granted. Watch how Kathy changes as she reads his journal and watch her in her test of faith as things start turning around. This book I read in one day and it brought me to tears by page 90 i'd have a box of tissues at hand :)

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time!!! It is about this girl named Kathy Colton. Her brother died at age 17 of Leukemia. Kathy was about 2 when he died, so she has no memory of him. Her older siblings Alex and Sam are always at her house with their families. They always get into a conversation about Brett. The brother she never knew. Kathy has never found any vieos of her as a baby. Nobody knows what her first words were, or even when she took her first steps. They were always focused on Brett. She just stars high school and she is assigned to tutor Jason West. Central Highs football star. Sophmore on the Sneior varsity team.He is also a mormon bot who likes to talk about his religion. At first it is why am I tutoring a popular football jock? She is invited to homwcoming by.... Jason West. Her mom and dad don't want her to go BECAUSE he is mormon. Kathy is excited and the then she finds out it was "Just a joke". She already went shopping with her best friends, and bought a dress! So one of her friends volunteers her brother to take Kathy to the dance. Homecoming just so happens to be on her 16th birthday. So she goes and has a good time. When she gets home her mom gives her a letter that "Kitty" written on the envelope. She opens it. It is a ltter that her brother Brett wrote for her to recieve on her 16th birthday. He instructs her where to find her present. In the box she find a journal. A journal written in letters to her from Brett while he was sick. To find out how things go with Jason, how the journal changes her life, if she listens to Jason talk about his church that read The Secret Journal of Brett Colton by Kay Lynn Magnum.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic YA!
I read this to my 12-year old daughter and we both really enjoyed it. 5 stars!

Plot- Engaging coming of age/YA romance. This was written for a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints audience.
There are 2 storylines: FMC in high school during present day, and her older brother who was a cancer patient 15 years ago, as told from his journal entries.


Writing The writing from Brett’s journal entries was EXCEPTIONAL. I got teary eyed many times. It was incredibly immersive.

I also really enjoyed the FMC’s present day chapters. She started out as a moody teenager but ended up having a great growth arc.

There was one scene where the family watched a video together, of when the daughters were riding bikes together. I was surprised by how touched I felt during this scene. It was such a healing moment for everyone. THIS is emotive writing at its best.


Characters- I really liked both main characters and the side characters. They each had great character arcs.


Romance- Great chemistry. We loved it!
I loved how the FMC didn’t take any crap from the love interest when he was being stupid. She made him work for it. I love it when the guy grovels ONLY IF IT IS DESERVED, and it was in this case.
You go, girl!


Content-

Language- no swearing
Spice- very clean with sweet kisses and good tension. Appropriate for a tween.
Substance abuse- none
Violence- none
Cover- good
POV- first person POV
Cliffhanger- no, standalone
Format- purchased the paperback

[Rachel Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some books are just not meant to be read by me. This is one of them. It is just not my style. It kind of reminded me of an episode of 90210 but with Mormon kids. The nerdy girl agrees to tutor the stud athlete who of course has a softer side- a religious side in fact. What is this strange faith of his? Hummmm. I think we are about to find out. In addition, she is naturally from a troubled home (because anyone non-Mormon is screwed up in these boooks). She finds the journal of her brother that died when she was 2 and low and behold he wanted to be Mormon too! He also seemed to be able to write very coherently while hospitalized with chemo treatments and leukemia. I might have liked it more when I was a younger girl but as of now it is just not a book for me.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great, LDS book.
One quote I really liked was:
"When I see something as beautiful as a sunset, I can believe in God. I can't accept the idea that this world just happened by chance-- that you or I just happened, like some strange accident. Someone had to be in charge of making everything. Something as beautiful as a sunset couldn't just happen by chance. Someone had to be there to figure out how to make the sun and sky create such beautiful colors together-- like still fire spread all across the sky."

[Kierstan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so amazing! aaahhh I loved it so much!!! It's so sad, it makes you want to cry at parts and then other parts you suddenly get interested in recording your life (I even bought a cam corder that I'll be using. it's on layaway right now) :) Not only is it such a great book but you also learn a little about the LDS religion. It's so amazing! aaahhh I love it! It makes me feel very good. :)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

“The Secret Journal of Brett Colton” is about a girl named Kathy who can’t stand her family and how she grows and changes her perspective from reading her deceased brother’s journal. Her life events tangles her up in Jason West, a “Mormon” and popular football player who reminds her of her brother and twists her life up.

The main reason I didn’t give this book a higher rating is the immaturity of the main character. Kathy gets better throughout the book as she grows, and grows up, but it still really bothered me as well as the writing style that’s not my personal favorite. With that being said, it was cool to see the change that happens in Kathy’s relationships and it’s still a good story and has a great message.

Even though this isn’t a true story, the life events of how everything plays out is so special to see how small things can have huge outcomes and how everything happens for a reason all thanks to God :) While this exact scenario in this story never happened irl, I know many similar miracles and events have taken place to lead up to changing a persons life. You’ll have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about :))

“By small and simple things, great things come to pass.”

[Sharon Hogenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve cut back on my Christian authors because of all the preaching, but this one I really enjoyed, perhaps because I believe what was being taught. It is a beautiful story of the journal of a deceased brother changing a young girl’s life.

The one aspect that kind of puzzled me was the length of time it took Kathy to read the journal. Since I read the entire book in a few hours, journal entries included, why would it take her days, even a few weeks, to read something that special to her? The passage of time was needed for her to make the changes she made, but her spreading out the reading of the journal seemed a bit off to me.

[lydia ! · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD! this book is so cute and has a great plot. the character development is *muah* definitely shed a few tears. loved it!!

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book knowing it was geared toward teenagers so that part didn't bother me, though the immaturity would have otherwise. I had to remind myself that they were only sophomores. Anyway, the premise was interesting and sad. I liked the missionary aspect though some aspects were overdrawn out (her nagging her parents, the drama behind it) and other not drawn out as much (her conversion path seemed to zip super fast). The sappy teenager dramas were typical. Oh, fyi, this book takes place simultaneously as her other book "When the Bough Breaks". It is interesting to know that because then you kind of are prepared more for certain things to happen. It is also helpful to see different peoples perspective of the same scenario.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this read today and it did even bring some tears (not sure how much pregnancy hormones are to blame for that..). Then why only 3 stars? The writing is mediocre...the story line predictable and "sweet". When a friend dropped it off so I could quickly gobble it down for book club, I looked at the back cover and sighed..."oh, it's an LDS book". Which is fine, but I have to admit to having read very few LDS books that fit my criteria for good literature. That said, this is a fast, "feel good" read. That I did enjoy.

[Emilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was completely amazing. I cried a little and laughed a little but mostly I was just thinking how cool it was through it all. I found some really good stuff in it and it was just really touching. I would read it billions of times and never get bored of it. ever.

[Lenni Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

***THIS REVIEW CONTAINS MILD SPOILERS! I DIDN’T USE THE BUTTON TO MARK THEM BECAUSE I DIDN’T FEEL THEY WERE THAT MAJOR. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, YOU CAN SKIP THE LAST TWO SENTENCES OF THE SECOND PARAGRAPH***

I had hoped to enjoy this book, but I didn’t expect to fall in love like I did!

This book pulled so many emotions from me. I couldn’t help crying at some parts and grinning at others. Jason is like my new dream boyfriend, but without the Mormonism. And don’t even get me started on Brett’s journal. SPOILERS It was so amazing how Kathy thought no one had paid her any attention as a baby, only to find out that Brett had. Just thinking about how the guy she hated was the one who kept track of all her big moments makes me want to cry again. END OF SPOILERS

I didn’t know this book was LDS fiction until after I’d ordered my copy from Amazon. I’m not a Mormon, nor do I support the religion. As far as I know, nothing in the Book of Mormon actually happened, so it was sad for me to see how much Jason loved that book. I’m a Presbyterian, so I feel that the only way to learn about God’s word and Jesus’s actions on earth is to read the Bible.

I guess that’s it for my review! This was just such an addicting book, I didn’t want to stop reading. I can’t tell you how much fun I had reading The Secret Journal of Brett Colton.

[Maren Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book regularly in high school, but I hadn’t read it in years. I learned several things while revisiting one of my favourite high school books:
1. The writing is not that quality. The dialogue is a bit painful at times, and most of the writing falls into the hard-to-describe category of “obvious.” But you know what? The low-quality writing works really well for Brett’s journal entries. It makes it realistic.
2. Kathy is not misunderstood; she is a brat. Oh what perspective adulthood provides.
3. The Kathy and Jason romance is still boring. I still don’t care and maybe care even less. That jock and his tutor trope has never worked. Give up on that trope o ye writers of the world.
4. Brett and Brett’s journal are still phenomenal.
5. The story is still high-quality. It’s just a good and uplifting story that I’ll read again and again.
6. There is some character development in the Kathy department. Light applause for that.

[Jamie Hood]

As old books I have read come across my feed, I’ve been adding them to my “books I read before I had my current Goodreads” shelf.

Here’s my review from my old good reads account that I follow with this current one, and it’s making me lol. It was 5 stars for me 15 years ago, but let’s be real, it would probably not be 5 stars for me now haha.

5 stars. 5/14/10 - 5/15/10

“ This was one of the saddest books l've ever read! I don't usually cry when I read books (maybe I'll get a couple of tears or feel an itching in my eye, but l've never really cried!) Brett's leukemia really made me sad, especially when he was talking about how he was dying, and he said he needed to say I love you more. :
(It also taught me a lot about faith. Kathy made it seem so simple when she was talking to Jason about it! This book drew me in so much, and I looked by me when I was done reading it, and there was a pile of tissues! I read this late into the night to finish. :) That's how good it was. :D:D :D “

[Lexie Rodabough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy, but thought provoking read. It hits close to home after losing a 17 year old family member recently. The story is sappy and cheesy, but contains good lessons on forgiveness, change, faith, and service. I dropped off a star because it’s so easy to paint dead family members as “perfect”. This book makes Brett seem perfect in every way and life is much messier than that. Brett could have still been a good example if he didn’t have all the answers and do everything right all the time.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza! What a good book?!? I really love this book because the author gives really good details on the characters and what is happening! I read it so fast because I couldn’t put it down! Defiantly would recommend it for almost anyone. :)

[Katie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't read this unless you want to cry!

[Chelsey Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in high school! I liked it then but can't remember much! Due for a reread!

[Emily]

Classic.

[Nicole Theurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books in high school. Reading it now (13 years later)it was a little cheesy and over the top. It was still a sweet story that made me cry and smile.

[Julianna Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in high school! One of my favorites!

[Mommywest · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are not many books that have made me cry as much as this one did. From first read, you know this will not just be another LDS high school romance novel. For one thing, the character telling the story, Kathy, is not a member of the LDS church. She also feels a connection to her deceased brother she doesn't remember, and is sick of hearing about how great he was all the time. In fact, she feels like after he died, her family ceased to move on. When Kathy receives a mysterious gift from that very brother on her sixteenth birthday, she and her family will embark on a journey that will lead to greater love, understanding, and healing, as well as the possibility of blessings beyond this life. Yes, there are definitely romancy parts, some of which seem to wrap up a little too neatly (after all, it is a teen fiction/YA book), but the overall driver of the book--that secret journal, and the effect it has in the lives of the characters in the book--keeps the pages turning (and the tears coming) long after the light should be out. :)

The romance in this book is very clean (nothing more than simple kissing). If you have specific things you have counseled your children to avoid or to do during the dating years, I recommend reading the book yourself first so you can reinforce/talk about your specific standards as they are reading.

For anyone who is learning more about family dynamics and how things like grief and religion affect family members, and how conflict and misunderstanding can be avoided, this would be a great novel to dive into.

[Jennybug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I was pleasantly surprised. It was really fun to read, I think it would be good for young readers. When I started reading this I did not know that it was written by an LDS author, so it really took me by surprise.

From Brett Journal pg 102 "I am trying to concentrate on the good stuff in my life and not forget to notice everything. Even little things. Don't ever forget to notice the little good things in your life, because sometimes they're the most important things - the things that help you hold on and keep going..."

Pg 156 " When amazing opportunities come your way, you have to grab them, because you never know if they'll come again.

I loved how this was a story with in a story. It is interesting that at the same time she was reading her brother's journal a special friend was placed in her life to help her to understand some of the things she was feeling. I truly believe this is how Heavenly Father helps us, he surrounds us with friends and family to help us along our journey, and help us to find our way.

I also enjoyed the High School romance between Kathy and Jason. Finally, I loved the underlying message that families can be together again.

[Hollie Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd must admit that I didn't want to read this book. But I'm glad that I had. It is not as a sad book as the synopsis describes it. I was sad when it ended. It was a good ending but I wanted to read more.

It was very well done. I think that this book is a must read. It is emotional; so must be prepared for that.

It is a great story on having faith. One of the best that I have ever read.

Kathy Colton can't stand her brother Brett. Her family talks as if he were perfect! All Kathy knows for sure is that Brett is dead. He died of leukemia when he was seventeen and she was only two. But when Kathy turns sixteen, she discovers her brother's hidden journal—a journal written especially for her—and learns about the brother she never knew. At the same time, Kathy is mortified by an assignment to tutor the popular high school quarterback Jason West, a football jock who, even worse, is a Mormon. Author Kay Lynn Mangum brilliantly weaves dual stories of a dying brother and a coming-of-age sister who learn the importance of loving family and nurturing faith.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was simply beautiful and was a wonderful story on how Kathy found her way to the LDS (Mormons) and found her true place in life :) The strong relationship between a brother and sister was simply breathtaking as Kathy worked to uncover the mysteries of her dead brother Brett Colton. The writing was well thought out and climatic, and I loved reading about Kathy and how she continued to find herself throughout the novel.
The romance in this book is sweet, as you might call it. Nothing about it was overly passionate, but the way Jason stepped up for Kathy and got to know her despite her place in the school and as his tutor was very amazing. He is probably one of the sweetest/most casualest guy I have ever read about.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed the thought of the book when I read the summary of "The Secret Journal of Brett Colton" and was satisfied with the way Kay Lynn Mangum put this together to create a marvelous plot, beginning, middle, and end <3

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel by an LDS author about a teen-age girl who resents what she sees as her family's preoccupation with memories of a brother who died of leukemia when she was just a toddler. On her sixteenth birthday, she finds his journal, written just for her, and learns about the love he had for his family and how he dealt with his terminal illness. It has everything from romance to LDS themes to exploring family relationships. The writing isn't that great, but the story is interesting - I enjoyed this book.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read, but enjoyable. I read it in two days. Some parts were a little cheesy, but I liked the part about the brother. I didn't like how Jason couldn't 'show' his interest in her until she became a little bit popular. It also got me thinking a lot about high school, so I had to reread my journals. That was fun.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slice of life book that takes you on a journey as a girl Kathy discovers the secret of her brother who has passed. Along her journey she also stumbles upon religion and the peace it brings to her life. I loved the ending that left me in tears as everything was wrapped so beautifully. A book I would keep on the bookshelf for sure.

[Londi · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED AND LOVED! There's actually three that she has written. They aren't a series but they tie in together. This one is by far my favorite one! Then there is A Love Like Lilly (which is probably the cutest love story/story of a relationship between a grandpa and his grand-daughter) and When the Bough Breaks. Oh my goodness. They are probably three of my favorite books ever. I love them.