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Past Secrets
They all hide secrets that won't go away....
From the outside, the welcoming, garden-adorned houses of Summer Street are the picture of Irish charm. But on the inside, unexpected and heartbreaking secrets swirl. At house number thirty-two, hardworking, single-mother Faye Reid conceals the truth about her marriage from her fiery daughter, Amber. But Amber, a budding artist, also hides something from her all-too-trusting a relationship with a rock star hopeful for whom she plans to throw away her future. And at number forty-eight, Maggie Maguire arrives at her childhood home to help her sick mother, a welcome distraction from the life she left behind and the startling secret she's hiding -- from herself.
And only become harder to keep...
At thirty-four Summer Street, wise and kind Christie Devlin has the remarkable ability to see into the lives and hearts of others -- and may have the answers when her neighbors' carefully hidden secrets bubble to the surface. But when Christie's own past comes back to haunt her -- posing a threat to her picture-perfect marriage -- this time the answers aren't as clear.
From the outside, the welcoming, garden-adorned houses of Summer Street are the picture of Irish charm. But on the inside, unexpected and heartbreaking secrets swirl. At house number thirty-two, hardworking, single-mother Faye Reid conceals the truth about her marriage from her fiery daughter, Amber. But Amber, a budding artist, also hides something from her all-too-trusting a relationship with a rock star hopeful for whom she plans to throw away her future. And at number forty-eight, Maggie Maguire arrives at her childhood home to help her sick mother, a welcome distraction from the life she left behind and the startling secret she's hiding -- from herself.
And only become harder to keep...
At thirty-four Summer Street, wise and kind Christie Devlin has the remarkable ability to see into the lives and hearts of others -- and may have the answers when her neighbors' carefully hidden secrets bubble to the surface. But when Christie's own past comes back to haunt her -- posing a threat to her picture-perfect marriage -- this time the answers aren't as clear.
489 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
254 people are currently reading
1581 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Kelly
115 books1,088 followersBorn in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.
Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.
In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.
Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.
Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.
She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.
To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
December 29, 2014
This all started out very well indeed and I was instantly hooked on Chrissie and her gift of sight, uptight Faye and betrayed Maggie. At the beginning of this book, I loved them all and couldn't get enough of them, to be honest. Heck I even liked teenage daughter Amber and that, for me, is a very hard sell.
So, a strange kind of kudos to the author then for somehow taking that very strong beginning and tearing the whole thing into tiny pieces. It all starts to go wrong about halfway through when we start finding out those deep dark secrets - and they turn out to be either (a) super-cliched or (b) no kind of decent secret at all.
I mean Faye's secret is a naughty night out with her callow would-be rocker boyfriend when she gets pregnant with Amber, and then flings herself into a self-imposed Pit of Shame, which means she can never talk about the whole thing and believes she's some kind of slapper. Really???! To me, as an Essex Gal, that just seems like a decent night out, after which we all have a laugh with our girlfriends and move on. I couldn't honestly believe Faye would change her whole personality and style so she makes herself unattractive to men for the next eighteen years, and even makes up a marriage and dead husband to put Amber off the scent. It's totally ridiculous.
Not, however, as ridiculous as Maggie, with whom I lost sympathy when she bounces back from her doomed love affair and meets another more suitable man within about a minute or so. Honestly??? That whole scenario was just laughable, again, and so slushy it made my teeth itch. I also thought her way of getting over being a victim of bullying at school was simply unbelievable, on all counts.
Nor indeed as ridiculous as the whole Amber plot: Amber ditches taking her exams and her plans to be an artist, and runs off to America with her would-be rocker boyfriend - yes, this is exactly the same type of man as her mother had all the trauma about, so doesn't Ms Kelly know any other kind of Bad Boy? Do they all have to be would-be rockers? How I long for some sweet young heroine to run off with a man who wants to be an accountant and plays cricket for his local village team, but alas I fear I might be waiting a while …. Anyway, Amber soon realises her man is hopeless and leaves him - but not before some passing stranger in the States has offered her a fortune as he loves her artwork (on the strength of one scribbled picture at a party!) and longs above all things to sponsor her talent. Major Unreality Alert!! Is the author playing a trick on us? This one made me laugh out loud this time, and groan too. And yes, in the end, Amber comes home and it's all marvellous and perfect, etc etc. Yawn …
All this ridiculous plotting would have been just about acceptable, almost, but what really made me angry as a reader was the way Chrissie is held up as a shining example of goodness and yet finally tells her poor husband James about her long-ago infidelity in the most cruel and heartless way I can ever imagine anyone giving that kind of news to their spouse. It's not Chrissie's infidelity I had a real problem with (though it is of course hugely cliched again …) but how cold and downright nasty her way of confessing it actually is. I found that scene very shocking, and I really wanted to give her a huge slap and tell her to grow up. I was glad when James walked out - he could definitely get someone a whole lot nicer. However, of course, eventually he comes back and says it doesn't really matter. Um, again, no. That's not how betrayal works in real life - the way back is never this easy.
The only characters who kept my sympathy throughout and who were really worth any attention were the lovely Shona (a friend of Maggie's) and her husband Paul - now they were a class act, very witty and wonderful together, and I wish the book had been about them.
However, all in all, I was relieved to get to the end of all this nonsense. Overall, it's a mismanaged and mis-written book, in which a strong start is sadly and comprehensibly ruined.
Verdict: 2 stars. Disappointing and frustrating.
So, a strange kind of kudos to the author then for somehow taking that very strong beginning and tearing the whole thing into tiny pieces. It all starts to go wrong about halfway through when we start finding out those deep dark secrets - and they turn out to be either (a) super-cliched or (b) no kind of decent secret at all.
I mean Faye's secret is a naughty night out with her callow would-be rocker boyfriend when she gets pregnant with Amber, and then flings herself into a self-imposed Pit of Shame, which means she can never talk about the whole thing and believes she's some kind of slapper. Really???! To me, as an Essex Gal, that just seems like a decent night out, after which we all have a laugh with our girlfriends and move on. I couldn't honestly believe Faye would change her whole personality and style so she makes herself unattractive to men for the next eighteen years, and even makes up a marriage and dead husband to put Amber off the scent. It's totally ridiculous.
Not, however, as ridiculous as Maggie, with whom I lost sympathy when she bounces back from her doomed love affair and meets another more suitable man within about a minute or so. Honestly??? That whole scenario was just laughable, again, and so slushy it made my teeth itch. I also thought her way of getting over being a victim of bullying at school was simply unbelievable, on all counts.
Nor indeed as ridiculous as the whole Amber plot: Amber ditches taking her exams and her plans to be an artist, and runs off to America with her would-be rocker boyfriend - yes, this is exactly the same type of man as her mother had all the trauma about, so doesn't Ms Kelly know any other kind of Bad Boy? Do they all have to be would-be rockers? How I long for some sweet young heroine to run off with a man who wants to be an accountant and plays cricket for his local village team, but alas I fear I might be waiting a while …. Anyway, Amber soon realises her man is hopeless and leaves him - but not before some passing stranger in the States has offered her a fortune as he loves her artwork (on the strength of one scribbled picture at a party!) and longs above all things to sponsor her talent. Major Unreality Alert!! Is the author playing a trick on us? This one made me laugh out loud this time, and groan too. And yes, in the end, Amber comes home and it's all marvellous and perfect, etc etc. Yawn …
All this ridiculous plotting would have been just about acceptable, almost, but what really made me angry as a reader was the way Chrissie is held up as a shining example of goodness and yet finally tells her poor husband James about her long-ago infidelity in the most cruel and heartless way I can ever imagine anyone giving that kind of news to their spouse. It's not Chrissie's infidelity I had a real problem with (though it is of course hugely cliched again …) but how cold and downright nasty her way of confessing it actually is. I found that scene very shocking, and I really wanted to give her a huge slap and tell her to grow up. I was glad when James walked out - he could definitely get someone a whole lot nicer. However, of course, eventually he comes back and says it doesn't really matter. Um, again, no. That's not how betrayal works in real life - the way back is never this easy.
The only characters who kept my sympathy throughout and who were really worth any attention were the lovely Shona (a friend of Maggie's) and her husband Paul - now they were a class act, very witty and wonderful together, and I wish the book had been about them.
However, all in all, I was relieved to get to the end of all this nonsense. Overall, it's a mismanaged and mis-written book, in which a strong start is sadly and comprehensibly ruined.
Verdict: 2 stars. Disappointing and frustrating.
August 14, 2007
When I first started reading Cathy Kelly, I hated how she had 3 very main characters and stories going on. When the chapter ended I wanted to know more about that character, not someone new. But as you get further into the book she nicely spins the three characters together. I love how the underlying theme of this book was about building inner strength and facing the "demons" of the past, leaves you feeling like "live for the future"!
March 11, 2008
I really enjoyed this. To be honest, I bought it because I liked the cover and its about Irish families. But I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. You follow 4 women of 3 different families, all different generations. We all have secrets that we don't need to keep.
May 28, 2019
Nice easy summer read.
July 9, 2011
I honestly don't have a clue why I finished reading this one. Except that the paperback was lying on my desk for weeks and I needed something safe (as in I wasn't risking my Kindle) to read while travelling. I was expecting some kind of romance novel maybe with a bit more mature and realistic approach and that's about as much as I got.
What I didn't expect were three different novels in one about three different characters I never got the chance to like or care about. The only connecting thread was the name of the street and everything else promised in the first third of the book. The writing was perfunctory and so was the editing, apparently, because that's the only explanation I can think of for reading about someone picking up the phone and getting to the dialogue only a page later. Too often the author would go down these cul-de-sacs to explain something that had happened earlier instead of getting to the point.
The characters got their happy ending and while I can see the logic in the pats they took to get there, I never cared one bit.
Unless you're a devoted fan of the author, I'd give this one a miss.
What I didn't expect were three different novels in one about three different characters I never got the chance to like or care about. The only connecting thread was the name of the street and everything else promised in the first third of the book. The writing was perfunctory and so was the editing, apparently, because that's the only explanation I can think of for reading about someone picking up the phone and getting to the dialogue only a page later. Too often the author would go down these cul-de-sacs to explain something that had happened earlier instead of getting to the point.
The characters got their happy ending and while I can see the logic in the pats they took to get there, I never cared one bit.
Unless you're a devoted fan of the author, I'd give this one a miss.
February 25, 2009
This is the first book I've read from this author and, after reading her reviews, I assumed I was in for a good story.
However, I just could not finish it. It was too bitty with too many characters and too much going on. she should have had half the stories and done them in more depth.
I gave it a good go and read the first 100 pages but, after that, I skipped to the last chapter. If you guessed the ending at the start, you were probably correct as it was completely predictable.
Will give her one more try, just to be fair but not keen.
However, I just could not finish it. It was too bitty with too many characters and too much going on. she should have had half the stories and done them in more depth.
I gave it a good go and read the first 100 pages but, after that, I skipped to the last chapter. If you guessed the ending at the start, you were probably correct as it was completely predictable.
Will give her one more try, just to be fair but not keen.
August 28, 2008
This was my first read from Cathy Kelly and it does remind me of an Irish Winteral Lane. Careful when you keep secrets from the past because they always come back to haunt you. The author does into just enough character detail to keep you interested and is all in all, well written. I'll read more from Cathy Kelly.
April 13, 2008
I loved this one - can't figure out why I prefer London and Irish stories but I do. Strong Irish women who all have a secret that catches up with them - Cathy Kelly is one of my favorites.
April 14, 2021
Nice feel good book 😊
August 25, 2020
Loved this book. Hard at first to keep up with the different families but once I had grasped it I was totally hooked. Another great book by a wonderful author.
May 21, 2021
The story is about three different women who lives on the same street but has pasts which have made them weak on the inside. The story unfolds when their relationships was put into danger and the women feel insecure than ever. How they confessed their past secrets and how have they came out stronger with the support of their friendship and family was something to be admired.
January 8, 2013
Grāmatas "Past secrets" nosaukums latviešu valodā ir "Meitiņ manu...", kuras autore ir Ketija Kellija. Darba žanrs ir romāns. Šajā grāmatā ir aprakstītas četru sieviešu dzīves, katra savā vecumā, ar citām domām un dzīves pagriezieniem, kā arī ar savu ģimeni, tomēr viņām visām ir kas kopīgs- katrai savs pagātnes noslēpums. Liela daļa šī romāna darbības norisinās Īrijā- Sammerstrītā, kur visi iedzīvotāji ir pazīstami viens ar otru. Sižets ir ļoti saprotams un pēc romānā rakstītā var saprast, ka darbība norisinās mūsdienu pasaulē, kur katra aprakstītā lieta šķiet pazīstama un dzirdēta.
Grāmatā stāstīts par par sievietēm ar it kā savu dzīvi, tomēr viņas visas savā starpā ir pazīstamas, tomēr katrai ir savs noslēpums, kas visu viņu dzīvi ir sekojis viņām un viņas baidās, ka šie noslēpumi varētu kādu dienu atklāties. Feja ir vientuļā māte, kas savai meitai visu viņas dzīvi ir slēpusi patiesību par meitas īsto tēvu un to, kāda ir bijusi Fejas pašas pagātne. Megija slēpj savu bērnības pāridarītāju un baiļu celoni, kas vienmēr ir liedzis viņai kļūt par tādu sievieti, kāda viņa vēlas būt. Taču Kristija savam vīram slēpa, ka viņas dzīvē ir bijis cits vīrietis. Viņas saprata, ka tā nedrīkst būt, nedrīkst glabāt noslēpumus vai sāpes no saviem mīļajiem vai sevis, tāpēc pagātnes noslēpumi tiek atklāti, lai gan tie varētu izpostīt viņu visu dzīves.
Autores stils ir tēlains, kas sižetu padara ļoti intriģējošu un saspringtu vai tieši otrādi- romantisku. Lasot grāmatu liekas, ka autore pati būtu izdzīvojusi katru no sieviešu dzīvesstāstiem, tie ir ļoti realistiski un atbilst mūsdienām. Brīžam mani pārņēma bailes par to, ka tā patiesi notiek pasaulē, kāds tiek krāpts, kāds aizskarts un cits vienkārši nespēj veidot savu dzīvi pienācīgi, pēc kāda pāridarījuma. Izmantoti dažādi svešvārdi, īpašvārdi un arī žargonismi.
Lasot grāmatu traucēja latviskais tulkojums, kur bija daudz gramatikas, stila un vārdu kļūdas, tomēr tas nav galvenais. Šis romāns man lika vairāk izprast to, ka patiesībā ļoti daudziem no mums noslēpumi un pagātnes grēki nešķiet nekas liels, tāpēc tie tik ļoti tiek turēti noslēpumā. Mūsdienīgais sižets un notikumi pārvērta šo romānu ļoti patiesu un realistisku, jo emocijas, kas radās manī, man nebija pieredzētas iepriekš. Sajutu to, ka nekad negribētu, lai manā dzīvē valdītu noslēpumu un lai nevienam nenāktos piedzīvot to sajūtu, kad tie tiek atklāti.
Varētu šo grāmatu ieteikt izlasīt jebkurai sievietei, kas ir māte, meita, sieva vai draudzene. Skaists, mūsdienīgs, pārsteigumiem un sajūtām pilns romāns.
Grāmatā stāstīts par par sievietēm ar it kā savu dzīvi, tomēr viņas visas savā starpā ir pazīstamas, tomēr katrai ir savs noslēpums, kas visu viņu dzīvi ir sekojis viņām un viņas baidās, ka šie noslēpumi varētu kādu dienu atklāties. Feja ir vientuļā māte, kas savai meitai visu viņas dzīvi ir slēpusi patiesību par meitas īsto tēvu un to, kāda ir bijusi Fejas pašas pagātne. Megija slēpj savu bērnības pāridarītāju un baiļu celoni, kas vienmēr ir liedzis viņai kļūt par tādu sievieti, kāda viņa vēlas būt. Taču Kristija savam vīram slēpa, ka viņas dzīvē ir bijis cits vīrietis. Viņas saprata, ka tā nedrīkst būt, nedrīkst glabāt noslēpumus vai sāpes no saviem mīļajiem vai sevis, tāpēc pagātnes noslēpumi tiek atklāti, lai gan tie varētu izpostīt viņu visu dzīves.
Autores stils ir tēlains, kas sižetu padara ļoti intriģējošu un saspringtu vai tieši otrādi- romantisku. Lasot grāmatu liekas, ka autore pati būtu izdzīvojusi katru no sieviešu dzīvesstāstiem, tie ir ļoti realistiski un atbilst mūsdienām. Brīžam mani pārņēma bailes par to, ka tā patiesi notiek pasaulē, kāds tiek krāpts, kāds aizskarts un cits vienkārši nespēj veidot savu dzīvi pienācīgi, pēc kāda pāridarījuma. Izmantoti dažādi svešvārdi, īpašvārdi un arī žargonismi.
Lasot grāmatu traucēja latviskais tulkojums, kur bija daudz gramatikas, stila un vārdu kļūdas, tomēr tas nav galvenais. Šis romāns man lika vairāk izprast to, ka patiesībā ļoti daudziem no mums noslēpumi un pagātnes grēki nešķiet nekas liels, tāpēc tie tik ļoti tiek turēti noslēpumā. Mūsdienīgais sižets un notikumi pārvērta šo romānu ļoti patiesu un realistisku, jo emocijas, kas radās manī, man nebija pieredzētas iepriekš. Sajutu to, ka nekad negribētu, lai manā dzīvē valdītu noslēpumu un lai nevienam nenāktos piedzīvot to sajūtu, kad tie tiek atklāti.
Varētu šo grāmatu ieteikt izlasīt jebkurai sievietei, kas ir māte, meita, sieva vai draudzene. Skaists, mūsdienīgs, pārsteigumiem un sajūtām pilns romāns.
August 26, 2011
Ce livre trainait dans ma bibliothèque depuis un peu plus d'un an, mais j'étais trop absorbée par The Hunger Games et Harry Potter pour en entamer la lecture... ;)
Les secrets de Summer Street raconte l'histoire de quatre femmes et comment les secrets de leur passé viennent bouleverser leur vie paisible dans un petit coin charmant de l'Irlande. Christie Devlin est professeur d'arts visuels, mariée depuis longtemps à un homme qu'elle adore. Le retour de Carey Wolensky, un artiste polonais reconnu, risque de ruiner ce mariage quasi-parfait. Maggie Maguire, une jolie jeune fille aux prises avec de sérieux problèmes de confiance en soi, doit reconstruire son bonheur et chasser les démons du passé après avoir surpris son conjoint, un charmant et sexy professeur d'université, au lit avec une de ses étudiantes (classique, oui...). Faye Reid, de son côté, apprendra que cacher la vérité à sa fille Amber pendant de si nombreuses années aura été une erreur qui risquera de mener cette dernière dans la même direction que sa mère.
Le passé et les secrets de ces quatre femmes sont au centre de ce roman d'environ 500 pages. Au début, j'ai trouvé difficile de me démêler dans les descriptions des personnages, puisque le point de vue du narrateur changeait avec chaque chapitre. En plus, il s'agit d'une traduction, alors le style de l'auteur est difficile à percevoir. L'intrigue n'est certainement pas excitante - il ne s'agit pas d'un roman d'aventures mais plutôt d'un roman réaliste centré sur les émotions et sur la psychologie des personnages. Toutefois, ces personnages avaient vécu des choses assez complexes, et l'auteur s'est assurée de ne pas nous donner trop de détails tout d'un coup afin de nous garder en suspens. C'était donc intéressant même si c'était un peu prévisible.
Tout compte fait, trois étoiles parce que j'avais toujours le goût de connaitre la suite de l'histoire. Même si je ne tournais pas les pages jusqu'à 2h du matin, il fallait que je sache si tout allait bien se terminer pour Christie, Maggie, Faye et Amber.
Les secrets de Summer Street raconte l'histoire de quatre femmes et comment les secrets de leur passé viennent bouleverser leur vie paisible dans un petit coin charmant de l'Irlande. Christie Devlin est professeur d'arts visuels, mariée depuis longtemps à un homme qu'elle adore. Le retour de Carey Wolensky, un artiste polonais reconnu, risque de ruiner ce mariage quasi-parfait. Maggie Maguire, une jolie jeune fille aux prises avec de sérieux problèmes de confiance en soi, doit reconstruire son bonheur et chasser les démons du passé après avoir surpris son conjoint, un charmant et sexy professeur d'université, au lit avec une de ses étudiantes (classique, oui...). Faye Reid, de son côté, apprendra que cacher la vérité à sa fille Amber pendant de si nombreuses années aura été une erreur qui risquera de mener cette dernière dans la même direction que sa mère.
Le passé et les secrets de ces quatre femmes sont au centre de ce roman d'environ 500 pages. Au début, j'ai trouvé difficile de me démêler dans les descriptions des personnages, puisque le point de vue du narrateur changeait avec chaque chapitre. En plus, il s'agit d'une traduction, alors le style de l'auteur est difficile à percevoir. L'intrigue n'est certainement pas excitante - il ne s'agit pas d'un roman d'aventures mais plutôt d'un roman réaliste centré sur les émotions et sur la psychologie des personnages. Toutefois, ces personnages avaient vécu des choses assez complexes, et l'auteur s'est assurée de ne pas nous donner trop de détails tout d'un coup afin de nous garder en suspens. C'était donc intéressant même si c'était un peu prévisible.
Tout compte fait, trois étoiles parce que j'avais toujours le goût de connaitre la suite de l'histoire. Même si je ne tournais pas les pages jusqu'à 2h du matin, il fallait que je sache si tout allait bien se terminer pour Christie, Maggie, Faye et Amber.
April 19, 2010
Cathy Kelly's books always have a hidden meaning. This one taught me well the importance of never fearing my secrets - otherwise they will haunt me forever....
Three amazing woman and one teenager are the heroines of this book and soon they realise that their secrets will have to be faced one day and they must free themselves to live their lives with the best.
Three amazing woman and one teenager are the heroines of this book and soon they realise that their secrets will have to be faced one day and they must free themselves to live their lives with the best.
January 6, 2015
This was light reading, and it was interesting to learn each of the ladies' secrets, but nothing really earth shattering or original. On the plus side, I always like the mental images of the scenery of the places the characters live in. It wasn't rubbish, but not one of her better books in my opinion.
June 14, 2015
Probably under other circumstances, I would have fallen for the poetic, magical descriptions which this book is so full of, but, you see, stretching this "poetry" over the course of 650 pages is just pushing it. At many many many many many points the book was just plain redundant, slow, boring! I'm afraid Ms. Kelly's books will not have a place in future to-read lists.
December 12, 2009
This is one of those annoying books that becomes unputdownable because of the strong characterisation but has awful writing - I felt the writer must think the audience is dumb and needs everything spelling out. A good light read though.
August 22, 2008
Be careful when you keep secrets from the past because they will always come back to haunt you. Comfortable, Maeve Binchy style read like curling up with a cup of Hot Chocolate.
November 10, 2020
The actions take place for different people, but it's an interesting idea. It has intriguing parts that make you read the next pages. :)
September 28, 2020
This was about one hundred pages too long and I found the characters not only hard to root for, but hard to like.
January 31, 2008
A wonderful Maeve Binchy read-alike.
December 30, 2023
Een aantal delen van het boek zijn best leuk. Ik zou een heel boek kunnen lezen over Amber en Faye. Maar doordat er drie verhalen in één boek zijn gestopt wordt het een beetje afgeraffeld. Ik kwam er moeilijk doorheen. Het boek is daarnaast redelijk voorspelbaar.
Het verhaal speelt zich af in een dorpje in een mooie, knusse straat, Summer Street. Amber zit nog op school en spijbelt om samen te zijn met de 25-jarige Karl, die in een band speelt en waar ze helemaal verliefd op is. Haar moeder Faye weet van niets.
Christie is docent kunstgeschiedenis op een middelbare school. Wanneer ze in de krant leest dat de vroegere vriend van haar zusje naar Ierland komt, slaat de paniek toe.
Maggie is met Grey, maar als ze een keer op tijd uit haar werk komt betrapt ze hem met een van de studentes van de universiteit in bed. Ze gaat een tijdje naar haar ouders in Summer Street omdat haar moeder is gevallen en er bij haar een botziekte is vastgesteld
Amber wil met Karl naar Amerika in plaats van studeren op de kunstacademie en wil daarom haar examens overslaan. Ze wil zich losmaken van haar moeder die volgens haar een saai en netjes leven heeft geleid. Faye kamt met een geheim en twijfelt om dit aan Amber te vertellen.
Amber loopt weg en Faye is ten einde raad. Christie en Maggie komen haar tegen op straat en vangen haar op. Faye lucht haar hart dat Ambers vader een alcoholist uit de kroeg is. Christie zegt dat ze eerlijk moet zijn tegen Amber, maar Christie heeft zelf ook een geheim. Zij heeft naakt geposeerd voor een kunstenaar zonder het weten van haar mag en kinderen. Ook Maggie heeft haar geheim altijd verborgen heeft gehouden. Ze is enorm gepest op de basisschool waardoor ze zichzelf nooit goed genoeg vond. Ze hakt de knoop door om nooit meer naar Grey terug te gaan. Ze was wie hij wilde dat ze was en zette zichzelf aan de kant.
Amber beseft in Amerika dat ze in de macht van haar vriendje Karl leeft. Ze hebben weken met slecht eten, vieze motels en zonder geld achter de rug. Nu een deal in Los Angeles in de maak lijkt, kijkt Karl niet meer naar haar om. Haar moeder Faye weet haar te vinden in Los Angeles, maar Amber gaat niet gelijk mee naar huis. Een paar weken later mist ze thuis zo erg dat ze toch besluit naar huis te gaan, het laatste jaar af te maken en naar de kunstacademie te gaan. Karl denkt alleen nog aan zichzelf en de beroemdheid van de band. Hij is inmiddels al samen met een andere (rijke) vrouw.
In Summer Street beseft Christie na een bezoek aan een waarzegster dat ze eerlijk moet zijn tegen James. Na een bezoek aan Wolensky ontvangt ze zijn schetsboek waarin tekeningen van haar staan. Ze is inspiratie voor zijn later wereldberoemde schilderijen. James neemt een week tijd voor zichzelf maar komt terug bij Christie. Hij was in die periode druk met zijn werk maar kan zich geen leven zonder Christie voorstellen.
Het verhaal speelt zich af in een dorpje in een mooie, knusse straat, Summer Street. Amber zit nog op school en spijbelt om samen te zijn met de 25-jarige Karl, die in een band speelt en waar ze helemaal verliefd op is. Haar moeder Faye weet van niets.
Christie is docent kunstgeschiedenis op een middelbare school. Wanneer ze in de krant leest dat de vroegere vriend van haar zusje naar Ierland komt, slaat de paniek toe.
Maggie is met Grey, maar als ze een keer op tijd uit haar werk komt betrapt ze hem met een van de studentes van de universiteit in bed. Ze gaat een tijdje naar haar ouders in Summer Street omdat haar moeder is gevallen en er bij haar een botziekte is vastgesteld
Amber wil met Karl naar Amerika in plaats van studeren op de kunstacademie en wil daarom haar examens overslaan. Ze wil zich losmaken van haar moeder die volgens haar een saai en netjes leven heeft geleid. Faye kamt met een geheim en twijfelt om dit aan Amber te vertellen.
Amber loopt weg en Faye is ten einde raad. Christie en Maggie komen haar tegen op straat en vangen haar op. Faye lucht haar hart dat Ambers vader een alcoholist uit de kroeg is. Christie zegt dat ze eerlijk moet zijn tegen Amber, maar Christie heeft zelf ook een geheim. Zij heeft naakt geposeerd voor een kunstenaar zonder het weten van haar mag en kinderen. Ook Maggie heeft haar geheim altijd verborgen heeft gehouden. Ze is enorm gepest op de basisschool waardoor ze zichzelf nooit goed genoeg vond. Ze hakt de knoop door om nooit meer naar Grey terug te gaan. Ze was wie hij wilde dat ze was en zette zichzelf aan de kant.
Amber beseft in Amerika dat ze in de macht van haar vriendje Karl leeft. Ze hebben weken met slecht eten, vieze motels en zonder geld achter de rug. Nu een deal in Los Angeles in de maak lijkt, kijkt Karl niet meer naar haar om. Haar moeder Faye weet haar te vinden in Los Angeles, maar Amber gaat niet gelijk mee naar huis. Een paar weken later mist ze thuis zo erg dat ze toch besluit naar huis te gaan, het laatste jaar af te maken en naar de kunstacademie te gaan. Karl denkt alleen nog aan zichzelf en de beroemdheid van de band. Hij is inmiddels al samen met een andere (rijke) vrouw.
In Summer Street beseft Christie na een bezoek aan een waarzegster dat ze eerlijk moet zijn tegen James. Na een bezoek aan Wolensky ontvangt ze zijn schetsboek waarin tekeningen van haar staan. Ze is inspiratie voor zijn later wereldberoemde schilderijen. James neemt een week tijd voor zichzelf maar komt terug bij Christie. Hij was in die periode druk met zijn werk maar kan zich geen leven zonder Christie voorstellen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2018
For a book that had been sitting and collecting dust on my bookshelf for years on end, it was not too bad. It made for some nice light reading before bed as it had a really slow pace.
I quite liked the four perspectives that the story was told from, and liked and disliked each character for different reasons. I liked finding out about them, their backstories (given to us gradually) and seeing what life was like for them on (and off) Summer Street. I liked that it was set in Ireland, a place where I've not read much about before.
While knowing that each lady had a 'secret' that we eventually found out throughout the course of the book, I did find, however, that they were incredibly clichéd. I suppose there isn't anything wrong with a cliché, but I was expecting something a little more original. The happily ever after was also quite unrealistic, in my opinion, with everything working out too perfectly for all of the characters - the husband forgave his cheating wife, the cheated-on self-conscious librarian hooks up with a new man, the lady who hid her personality for two decades comes out of her cocoon and the girl who ran off to America gets offered an art deal... ???
I know it's a work of fiction, but life doesn't work out that way, my friend. Or maybe I'm just a pessimist.
I quite liked the four perspectives that the story was told from, and liked and disliked each character for different reasons. I liked finding out about them, their backstories (given to us gradually) and seeing what life was like for them on (and off) Summer Street. I liked that it was set in Ireland, a place where I've not read much about before.
While knowing that each lady had a 'secret' that we eventually found out throughout the course of the book, I did find, however, that they were incredibly clichéd. I suppose there isn't anything wrong with a cliché, but I was expecting something a little more original. The happily ever after was also quite unrealistic, in my opinion, with everything working out too perfectly for all of the characters - the husband forgave his cheating wife, the cheated-on self-conscious librarian hooks up with a new man, the lady who hid her personality for two decades comes out of her cocoon and the girl who ran off to America gets offered an art deal... ???
I know it's a work of fiction, but life doesn't work out that way, my friend. Or maybe I'm just a pessimist.
May 13, 2017
This book is a good read. I started to read it because my niece told me it was like Mauve Binchy's Irish Stories. Well, it is very much like her stories. I will be looking for more of Cathy Kelly's books from now on especially since Mauve has passed on.
This story tells of the lives of the many people who live for many years on Summer Street near Dublin, Ireland. It seems that everyone has secrets to hide. Not only from each other in the neighborhood, but from the people who in the houses. Maggie Maguire has secrets from her parents left over from her schools days at St Ursula's, Christy Devlin has secrets from her husband and sister from an affair with an artist from years ago.
But everything comes out when they all find each other and start to be friends when they find out that a developer wants to take down the park and build an apartment complex and change the neighborhood.
They all come out to keep the neighborhood the same!
The book is very well written and I would recommend it to family and friends alike to any one who enjoys Binchy and has been looking for more books like hers.
This story tells of the lives of the many people who live for many years on Summer Street near Dublin, Ireland. It seems that everyone has secrets to hide. Not only from each other in the neighborhood, but from the people who in the houses. Maggie Maguire has secrets from her parents left over from her schools days at St Ursula's, Christy Devlin has secrets from her husband and sister from an affair with an artist from years ago.
But everything comes out when they all find each other and start to be friends when they find out that a developer wants to take down the park and build an apartment complex and change the neighborhood.
They all come out to keep the neighborhood the same!
The book is very well written and I would recommend it to family and friends alike to any one who enjoys Binchy and has been looking for more books like hers.
November 3, 2019
Potential for an interesting story here, featuring three main characters who live (or whose family lives) on a small street in an Irish town. And the book starts well, introducing Christie, Maggie and Faye, three very different women, all of whom have things in their past that they have mostly kept secret.
Unfortunately the book is rather rambling with too much introspection, and not much character development. People change decisions or directions with very little motivation - and none of them is really three-dimensional. I kept reading, but the novel never entirely grabbed me.
Not a bad story overall, although the 'secrets' really weren't secret by the time they were revealed; the gist was known almost from the start. But I wouldn't really recommend this book; Cathy Kelly has written other much better novels.
Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
Unfortunately the book is rather rambling with too much introspection, and not much character development. People change decisions or directions with very little motivation - and none of them is really three-dimensional. I kept reading, but the novel never entirely grabbed me.
Not a bad story overall, although the 'secrets' really weren't secret by the time they were revealed; the gist was known almost from the start. But I wouldn't really recommend this book; Cathy Kelly has written other much better novels.
Full review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
July 8, 2022
Great novel!
Pg 399. It seemed very obvious to her now: she’d been stuck in victim mode for so long that she’d forgotten how to take control. Being a victim was easier as you could blame everything on other people. Taking control was frightening as it meant things might go wrong and you mightn’t be able to handle them. But then things went wrong anyway. So why not face the fear, and take control?
Page 404. She’d learned two lessons. First, she hadn’t been the perfect victim—she’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. And second, the past could only ruin your life if you let it.
Page 459. She’d muted herself for so long in order to be the perfect mother and, instead, had turned into a controlling person who’d lost the sight of her real self.
Now it was time to work out who the real Fate was and to enjoy life again. She’d punished herself enough for the past.
Pg 399. It seemed very obvious to her now: she’d been stuck in victim mode for so long that she’d forgotten how to take control. Being a victim was easier as you could blame everything on other people. Taking control was frightening as it meant things might go wrong and you mightn’t be able to handle them. But then things went wrong anyway. So why not face the fear, and take control?
Page 404. She’d learned two lessons. First, she hadn’t been the perfect victim—she’d just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. And second, the past could only ruin your life if you let it.
Page 459. She’d muted herself for so long in order to be the perfect mother and, instead, had turned into a controlling person who’d lost the sight of her real self.
Now it was time to work out who the real Fate was and to enjoy life again. She’d punished herself enough for the past.
June 25, 2019
It took me a while to get through this book, because l have been sick with the flu, and the kids have been 🤕, so no time, to concentrate and read, which l have MISSED so much.
This book , was so delightful, and such an easy read but so entertaining.
Cathy Kelly is such a favourite !
The four main Characters Christie Faye Maggie and Amber are all there to fall in love with, the way they worked their problems and their life situations were so uplifting and very encouraging.
Although none of the secrets are anything as horrible as they are led to believe.
I found the setting on Summer Street Ireland 🇮🇪 so intriguing.
As the story unfolds you learn of each secret and it affects the lives of the four woman 👩🏼.
Overall a delightful read one l do recommend highly, charming and interwoven stories of Irish ☘️ folk. 💗 Loved it !
This book , was so delightful, and such an easy read but so entertaining.
Cathy Kelly is such a favourite !
The four main Characters Christie Faye Maggie and Amber are all there to fall in love with, the way they worked their problems and their life situations were so uplifting and very encouraging.
Although none of the secrets are anything as horrible as they are led to believe.
I found the setting on Summer Street Ireland 🇮🇪 so intriguing.
As the story unfolds you learn of each secret and it affects the lives of the four woman 👩🏼.
Overall a delightful read one l do recommend highly, charming and interwoven stories of Irish ☘️ folk. 💗 Loved it !
October 22, 2020
I bought this book second hand in Denmark during our sailing vacation and brought it to Germany.
It is a nice read for the vacations: three different women, three different secrets from the past...
Actually I really liked the easy style it is written in, while at the same time it is dealing with really important themes like being true to yourself and not making yourself dependant on others.
This book was my summer read.
It is a nice read for the vacations: three different women, three different secrets from the past...
Actually I really liked the easy style it is written in, while at the same time it is dealing with really important themes like being true to yourself and not making yourself dependant on others.
This book was my summer read.
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August 10, 2021*SEMI-SPOILER AHEAD*
In all honestly, I didn’t finish this book. However, I read around three quarters and simply could not bring myself to complete it; not only does it drag on, but the ‘secrets’ are not actually as jaw-dropping as you would imagine. Furthermore, unless you’re looking for a slow pace book that isn’t very exciting, I do not recommend reading this. From what I’ve seen, I would probably give it 3 stars… but since I technically didn’t finish it, I will not be rating it at all.
In all honestly, I didn’t finish this book. However, I read around three quarters and simply could not bring myself to complete it; not only does it drag on, but the ‘secrets’ are not actually as jaw-dropping as you would imagine. Furthermore, unless you’re looking for a slow pace book that isn’t very exciting, I do not recommend reading this. From what I’ve seen, I would probably give it 3 stars… but since I technically didn’t finish it, I will not be rating it at all.
March 23, 2025
Following the life’s of 4 different women all holding a secret. A happily married woman, a young librarian and a mother and daughter all hold secrets from the past and present that could change their lives forever. Such a lovely cosy read. Maggie was my favourite character in the book ( I could relate too her). This book taught me a lot and sometimes some secrets are better too be told than not.
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