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Secret Sister
"If you're looking for a typical women's fiction/romance, don't look here... this story has a twist of the paranormal that will have you willingly stretching your belief in order to enjoy the plot. Emelle Gamble has created a story that will tear your heart out." LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS, AUGUST, 2013
What if everything about you changed in an instant...
Nick & Cathy and Roxanne. Two best friends. One husband. An extraordinary twist of fate.
How much do you really know about your husband? Your best friend? Yourself? Cathy Chance knows she loves her husband, Nick, with the same passion she had when she married him seven years ago, and he adores her. She also knows that she and her best friend, Roxanne, are closer than most sisters. But on a sunny summer day, these three are hurled into an astounding new reality which forces each to reconsider everything they thought was true about themselves, and one another.
What if everything about you changed in an instant...
Nick & Cathy and Roxanne. Two best friends. One husband. An extraordinary twist of fate.
How much do you really know about your husband? Your best friend? Yourself? Cathy Chance knows she loves her husband, Nick, with the same passion she had when she married him seven years ago, and he adores her. She also knows that she and her best friend, Roxanne, are closer than most sisters. But on a sunny summer day, these three are hurled into an astounding new reality which forces each to reconsider everything they thought was true about themselves, and one another.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2013
859 people are currently reading
1265 people want to read
About the author
Emelle Gamble
18 books269 followersEmelle Gamble was a writer at an early age, bursting with the requisite childhood stories of introspection which evolved into bad teen poetry and attempts at 'real literature' all copies of which she has since, very sensibly, shredded. She took her first stab at romantic fiction in an adult education writing class when her kids were in bed, taught by fellow writer Carolyn Haines, in Mobile, Alabama. As M.L. Gamble, she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin. She is now contracted with Soul Mate Publishing for Secret Sister, summer of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, an early 2014 release.
Always intrigued by the words ‘what if’, Emelle’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an extraordinary situation. She most enjoys reading stories that surprise and amaze her, and hopes her readers will enjoy the challenging and exciting journeys her characters take.
Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her husband, Phil, her hero of thirty years, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. Her daughter, Olivia, and son, Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to society, which has always been their mother’s fondest wish.
http://emellegamble.com/welcome/index...
Always intrigued by the words ‘what if’, Emelle’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an extraordinary situation. She most enjoys reading stories that surprise and amaze her, and hopes her readers will enjoy the challenging and exciting journeys her characters take.
Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her husband, Phil, her hero of thirty years, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. Her daughter, Olivia, and son, Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to society, which has always been their mother’s fondest wish.
http://emellegamble.com/welcome/index...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
July 1, 2013
I've seen this movie subject done at least a few times before. Yet, I haven't taken the time to read this particular setup in a book, so it was something I was excited to try.
For the most part, Secret Sister was executed well. You have two best friends who get into a car accident. One dies (not a spoiler, this happens at the very beginning), and one lives.
The reader learns right away from the book synopsis that not everything is as it seems. However, we don't get to see this while reading the book until close to the halfway mark. I failed to understand the need to "wait" for Cathy to find out who she is, when we all know before picking up the book what's going to happen.
It's like Freaky Friday, except one person kicks the bucket. Hah.
The story itself had me. I was anxiously awaiting the moment when Cathy would figure out that she was Cathy, and not Roxanne. And I really wanted to speed ahead to the moment when Cathy's husband figured out who she was because I wanted to know how he would react.
Even though the story was working for me, I struggled with the characters. The real (deceased) Roxanne (who we find about through everyone else's accounts) seemed like a shallow and uninteresting person. Plus, it didn't help that Cathy was way too forgiving when she found out about how badly people had done her wrong. This 'quick to forgive' attitude made me turn sour toward her. . It also didn't help that Cathy participated in behavior herself which seemed out of character for the type of person who she was being portrayed as. I got tired of all the deceptions and lies. And we won't even go into the complete pointlessness of Roxanne's ex-boyfriend as a character.
How do you root for characters when you don't like them? This was the hard part for me. I wanted to know what would happen next because with an extreme story such as this one, the curiosity to want to know how it's all going to turn out overrides everything, even one's dislike of the characters.
This leads me to wonder how I felt about the book in the end. I did actually find myself absorbed in the storytelling and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, which is a good thing.
Would I recommend the book? Possibly. If you haven't watched any "body-swapping" or "body invading" movies, I'd say you might want to give Secret Sister a shot. It's a freaky concept and one that is probably worth the experience at least once. If you have already watched a few movies featuring this subject like I have, I'd say that you might not find anything new here to get excited about.
This book provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For the most part, Secret Sister was executed well. You have two best friends who get into a car accident. One dies (not a spoiler, this happens at the very beginning), and one lives.
The reader learns right away from the book synopsis that not everything is as it seems. However, we don't get to see this while reading the book until close to the halfway mark. I failed to understand the need to "wait" for Cathy to find out who she is, when we all know before picking up the book what's going to happen.
It's like Freaky Friday, except one person kicks the bucket. Hah.
The story itself had me. I was anxiously awaiting the moment when Cathy would figure out that she was Cathy, and not Roxanne. And I really wanted to speed ahead to the moment when Cathy's husband figured out who she was because I wanted to know how he would react.
Even though the story was working for me, I struggled with the characters. The real (deceased) Roxanne (who we find about through everyone else's accounts) seemed like a shallow and uninteresting person. Plus, it didn't help that Cathy was way too forgiving when she found out about how badly people had done her wrong. This 'quick to forgive' attitude made me turn sour toward her. . It also didn't help that Cathy participated in behavior herself which seemed out of character for the type of person who she was being portrayed as. I got tired of all the deceptions and lies. And we won't even go into the complete pointlessness of Roxanne's ex-boyfriend as a character.
How do you root for characters when you don't like them? This was the hard part for me. I wanted to know what would happen next because with an extreme story such as this one, the curiosity to want to know how it's all going to turn out overrides everything, even one's dislike of the characters.
This leads me to wonder how I felt about the book in the end. I did actually find myself absorbed in the storytelling and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, which is a good thing.
Would I recommend the book? Possibly. If you haven't watched any "body-swapping" or "body invading" movies, I'd say you might want to give Secret Sister a shot. It's a freaky concept and one that is probably worth the experience at least once. If you have already watched a few movies featuring this subject like I have, I'd say that you might not find anything new here to get excited about.
This book provided from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 11, 2014
Secret Sister
Thanks to NetGalley for this kindle Arc.
This book has some real surprises. The storyline is a very clever one which has been very carefully and skillfully plotted out. The subject matter is not something that would appeal to everyone at first notice, and yet it manages to draw the reader in and hold interest. It builds and builds, and just when you think you understand where it's going, it builds some more.
Have you ever wished you were someone else? Well, this book might have you now thinking,...Be careful what you wish for.
A page turner right to the end.
When you start reading this book you will think you know what's going on....and then it very suddenly changes direction and hooks you right in.
This author has done a skillful job of turning an in-credible scenario into something almost plausible, or at least begging consideration.
A good absorbing read which I would have no problem in recommending.
3.5★s.
Thanks to NetGalley for this kindle Arc.
This book has some real surprises. The storyline is a very clever one which has been very carefully and skillfully plotted out. The subject matter is not something that would appeal to everyone at first notice, and yet it manages to draw the reader in and hold interest. It builds and builds, and just when you think you understand where it's going, it builds some more.
Have you ever wished you were someone else? Well, this book might have you now thinking,...Be careful what you wish for.
A page turner right to the end.
When you start reading this book you will think you know what's going on....and then it very suddenly changes direction and hooks you right in.
This author has done a skillful job of turning an in-credible scenario into something almost plausible, or at least begging consideration.
A good absorbing read which I would have no problem in recommending.
3.5★s.
April 11, 2018
Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble is a 2013 Soulmate publication.
Roxanne and Cathy have been best friends since childhood. They are so close they really are more like sisters. Although, her husband had some issues with alcohol in the past, Cathy and Nick have a very solid marriage. But, Nick's sister, Zoe is still working on her issues, trying to stay clean.
Roxanne may be a stunning beauty, but she has suffered from dark bouts of depression and is very troubled, which is something she has not shared with Cathy.
But, when tragedy strikes, Cathy, Nick, Zoe, Roxanne, and all their extended friends and family are completely thrown off course.
But, as the story progressed, it becomes clear that while all the characters have their flaws, some more than others, everything comes down to Cathy, who finds herself in an impossible predicament. She will have to convince her husband to believe in the impossible, something completely unimaginable.
How will she ever get Nick to believe her?
Nick will also face the biggest challenge of his life, as he is forced to dig deep, very, very deep into himself to believe in something that just isn't possible. As he struggles to hold onto his marriage, his emotions run the gamut from utter despair and anger to shock and disbelief, to acceptance and surrender. Watching his transformation is simply amazing!!
There are many stories that touch on inner beauty, loving someone for what is beneath the surface, of taking a leap of faith. But, this story puts a fresh and unique spin on a classic love story. I was completely caught up in this intense and emotional tale, experiencing all the emotions each character felt along the way. I loved the imagination behind the setup, and how, despite many challenges and setbacks, at the end of the day, love, with the help of faith and trust, does indeed conquer all.
This is a terrific and touching love story that will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction, as well as those who enjoy paranormal elements mixed in with their romance.
June 18, 2013
Secret Sister is not at all what I expected but what a wonderful surprise I found in this book. From beginning to end, I couldn't seem to put the book down. At one point, I was literally jumping in my seat anxiously awaiting to turn the next page but also nervous to find out what I was about to uncover. The book instantly grabs your attention and keeps it through the entire book with great characters and a catchy story line. I loved how not only was I getting to read and understand "Roxanne's" perspective on what was going on, you got to meet several key characters and read about how they were perceiving what was going on around them. You need to keep an open mind while reading the book and if you don't believe in a little bit of magic or a twist of fate, this book may not be for you.
June 20, 2013
WOW…I gave this 5 stars because it is a must read!! Beautiful, intelligent, dramatic and delightfully quirky!!
*************NO SPOILERS, promise**************
This is my first time on goodreads.com and well, it’s been a huge success so far.
Secret Sister is one of my absolute favorite books. It’s mysterious, sexy, brilliantly written and the characters captivate from beginning to end. I read it voraciously-- in just one night (!!!), and by the end of the story I was left contemplative but hopeful.
Cathy and Roxanne have an interesting dynamic, and I loved that it emerged through-out the story. Most girls grow-up wanting to either be a Cathy-type or a Roxanne-type, and it’s fascinating to see what happens when those worlds collide here. What a ride!!
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Emelle Gamble. Secret Sister 2 anyone?
*************NO SPOILERS, promise**************
This is my first time on goodreads.com and well, it’s been a huge success so far.
Secret Sister is one of my absolute favorite books. It’s mysterious, sexy, brilliantly written and the characters captivate from beginning to end. I read it voraciously-- in just one night (!!!), and by the end of the story I was left contemplative but hopeful.
Cathy and Roxanne have an interesting dynamic, and I loved that it emerged through-out the story. Most girls grow-up wanting to either be a Cathy-type or a Roxanne-type, and it’s fascinating to see what happens when those worlds collide here. What a ride!!
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Emelle Gamble. Secret Sister 2 anyone?
May 11, 2019
This book really slipped down my kindle. It was published in 2014 and I was very new to Net Galley and didn’t keep a list.
This year I’ve taken a sabbatical from book blogging (well...more selective) and concentrating on the books I already had.
With the holiday that my son took my husband on I took advantage to do very little and read more. Do whatever I wanted basically!
This is a book that threw me. I wasn’t intrigued by the cover and seeing we are 5 years on.....my taste in books have grown. So I wasn’t expecting what I received from the story.
BOOM it really is worth a second look.
This year I’ve taken a sabbatical from book blogging (well...more selective) and concentrating on the books I already had.
With the holiday that my son took my husband on I took advantage to do very little and read more. Do whatever I wanted basically!
This is a book that threw me. I wasn’t intrigued by the cover and seeing we are 5 years on.....my taste in books have grown. So I wasn’t expecting what I received from the story.
BOOM it really is worth a second look.
November 19, 2017
This was a good story that had my attention from start to finish.
Cathy and Roxanne are really close best friends. Lots of twists had me reading this in one sitting.
Can’t say anymore without spoiling it.
Cathy and Roxanne are really close best friends. Lots of twists had me reading this in one sitting.
Can’t say anymore without spoiling it.
June 12, 2017
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
- Probably shouldn't read this review unless you've already read the book, although what I'm spoiling happens fairly early in the book and can be spotted before then-
There are certain concepts whereby, if someone writes a book and/or bases a movie on them, my interest is guaranteed and apparently infinite. One is Time Travel. Another is any variation of "A Christmas Carol." And then, relevant to this review, you have the "Freaky Friday" idea, where people somehow end up in a different body than they started off with.
Considering that Secret Sister is based on one of my all time favorite formulas, I am surprised that I didn't love it more. A strong point was the "mechanism" of the switch between happily married Susan and her bombshell-beautiful but kind of messed up BFF, Roxanne. I believe this was very cleverly done and provided an Ah HA! surprise towards the end of the book involving the relationship between the two women. But the fact that one of the women dies turns the whole body-switch theme in a different direction. Because usually the point is, after literally walking in someone else's shoes for a while, each party return to their original body having learned a very valuable lesson about life and their role in it. That is not possible here, obviously.
So instead of being fun and lighthearted as I expected, this story was much darker and sadder. That tone is probably why I didn't find myself totally absorbed in the plot, and didn't really connect with the plight of the main characters. I definitely wanted to see how it all ended up, and it was as satisfying as it could be under the circumstances. Regardless, this was a well written and original variation on the theme. I would recommend it and I would read another novel by this author.
- Probably shouldn't read this review unless you've already read the book, although what I'm spoiling happens fairly early in the book and can be spotted before then-
There are certain concepts whereby, if someone writes a book and/or bases a movie on them, my interest is guaranteed and apparently infinite. One is Time Travel. Another is any variation of "A Christmas Carol." And then, relevant to this review, you have the "Freaky Friday" idea, where people somehow end up in a different body than they started off with.
Considering that Secret Sister is based on one of my all time favorite formulas, I am surprised that I didn't love it more. A strong point was the "mechanism" of the switch between happily married Susan and her bombshell-beautiful but kind of messed up BFF, Roxanne. I believe this was very cleverly done and provided an Ah HA! surprise towards the end of the book involving the relationship between the two women. But the fact that one of the women dies turns the whole body-switch theme in a different direction. Because usually the point is, after literally walking in someone else's shoes for a while, each party return to their original body having learned a very valuable lesson about life and their role in it. That is not possible here, obviously.
So instead of being fun and lighthearted as I expected, this story was much darker and sadder. That tone is probably why I didn't find myself totally absorbed in the plot, and didn't really connect with the plight of the main characters. I definitely wanted to see how it all ended up, and it was as satisfying as it could be under the circumstances. Regardless, this was a well written and original variation on the theme. I would recommend it and I would read another novel by this author.
July 10, 2013
I was given an ARC of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Cathy and Roxanne are best friends and think of each other as sisters. They got into a terrible accident that left one of them dead and the other confused. Nick, Cathy's husband, is left a total mess after the accident. Everyone has secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the book.
I loved Secret Sister. The secrets and mystery of what was happening really sucked me in. Once I started this book, I really didn't want to put it down. If you like believing in the unbelievable this book is definitely for you.
Cathy and Roxanne are best friends and think of each other as sisters. They got into a terrible accident that left one of them dead and the other confused. Nick, Cathy's husband, is left a total mess after the accident. Everyone has secrets that are slowly revealed throughout the book.
I loved Secret Sister. The secrets and mystery of what was happening really sucked me in. Once I started this book, I really didn't want to put it down. If you like believing in the unbelievable this book is definitely for you.
January 2, 2014
Emelle Gamble explores friendship, love, and family in this most unusual supernatural tale. From page one, I became absorbed in the characters' lives--those of Roxanne Ruiz and Cathy & Nick Chance. Well written and engrossing, the story contained enough plot twists to keep me guessing and surprise me along the way. To say more would spoil the novel for other readers, who should approach it "cold" the way I did.
If you're looking for a book that heats up your imagination, then you'll enjoy Secret Sister. Kudos, Ms. Gamble!
If you're looking for a book that heats up your imagination, then you'll enjoy Secret Sister. Kudos, Ms. Gamble!
June 13, 2013
Great book! It was an entertaining story from the beginning and I found myself unable to put it down. It's rich with humor and great characters. The book was written with clever, funny language and a creative format. The author keeps you guessing for almost the entire book duration, and makes you anxious to turn the page.
June 22, 2013
A wonderfully entertaining read. I wasn't expecting the supernatural element, but it was a refreshing change of pace from the typical fare in this genre. I've soured a bit on women's fiction in general, but author Gamble has breathed some new life into it and provided an exhilarating journey.
July 8, 2015
Originally published on Tales to Tide You Over
If I had to describe this book in one word, the word I’d choose is intense. It has a twist that takes the characters beyond normal life, but at the same time this doesn’t change the focus of the story. Secret Sister is about love, life, choices, and fate. Cathy has found her soul mate in Nick and her best friend in Roxanne, but neither of those relationships stands still. Sometimes growth can be rocky, especially when not everything is known.
Trying to avoid spoilers, so I’m going to have to be quite vague on the elements of the story. Instead, I’ll talk about how it affected me.
Reading Secret Sister was a bit like being on a bullet train when you know there’s track out right ahead. It’s hard to stop reading, it’s hard to walk away, because everything is happening all at once, or more to the point, everything that happens has a hundred potential consequences. I needed to know how Nick would respond to something Cathy had to tell him, or why Roxanne behaved the way she did, or whether or not something else would break them apart, with them being Cathy and Roxanne, Cathy and Nick, and even Roxanne and Nick, not to mention the tangled relationships with half a dozen other characters.
I’ll give an example in Seth because he’s a minor character and his story is only used to help the main characters work through their issues. Here’s a man that all of the main, and many of the secondary, characters have seen in a professional setting. He counsels, but not as a psychologist. He is more a spiritual advisor without the religion requirement who meets with clients and sees through to the heart of what is happening, no matter how unbelievable it might be. Ironically (though not really because it’s controlled by the author) he is blind. He lost his sight in an accident as a young boy and is disfigured. Why this is worth mentioning is because he has found true love in a woman who could have been on any modeling platform in a heartbeat. She looks at him and sees the person he is rather than being distracted by his blindness or made shallow by her own beauty. The book looks at these types of questions, what attracts one person to another, and what meaning, and power or pain, is hidden in beauty.
That’s the kind of book this is. It looks at the heart of people, and at the real cost and benefit to traditional beauty, especially where love is concerned.
This is not a flashy, action-oriented thriller. There’s no clear villain who must be defeated or a world to save beyond the personal one. This is an intimate visit into the complicated lives of people who all seem to have everything in one definition of “everything” or another, when the truth shows they have flaws and weaknesses, that below perfection is doubt and conflict, but there is also love.
The twist is critical to all of this, and not mentioning it is killing me, but I want you to be able to experience the journey yourself. It didn’t come as a surprise to me when it came, so it’s well seeded, but knowing ahead might influence how you let this story absorb you. All I can say otherwise is this novel touches on the hard questions about love, marriage, and dealing with what life throws at you in a compelling and incredible way. It asks the question of what would you do if you had a second chance, but more to the point, explores the consequences of that chance and how it affects everyone around you.
P.S. I read this title as a NetGalley ARC in return for an honest review, and though I chose it for the wrong reasons (or with different expectations) I’m glad I did.
If I had to describe this book in one word, the word I’d choose is intense. It has a twist that takes the characters beyond normal life, but at the same time this doesn’t change the focus of the story. Secret Sister is about love, life, choices, and fate. Cathy has found her soul mate in Nick and her best friend in Roxanne, but neither of those relationships stands still. Sometimes growth can be rocky, especially when not everything is known.
Trying to avoid spoilers, so I’m going to have to be quite vague on the elements of the story. Instead, I’ll talk about how it affected me.
Reading Secret Sister was a bit like being on a bullet train when you know there’s track out right ahead. It’s hard to stop reading, it’s hard to walk away, because everything is happening all at once, or more to the point, everything that happens has a hundred potential consequences. I needed to know how Nick would respond to something Cathy had to tell him, or why Roxanne behaved the way she did, or whether or not something else would break them apart, with them being Cathy and Roxanne, Cathy and Nick, and even Roxanne and Nick, not to mention the tangled relationships with half a dozen other characters.
I’ll give an example in Seth because he’s a minor character and his story is only used to help the main characters work through their issues. Here’s a man that all of the main, and many of the secondary, characters have seen in a professional setting. He counsels, but not as a psychologist. He is more a spiritual advisor without the religion requirement who meets with clients and sees through to the heart of what is happening, no matter how unbelievable it might be. Ironically (though not really because it’s controlled by the author) he is blind. He lost his sight in an accident as a young boy and is disfigured. Why this is worth mentioning is because he has found true love in a woman who could have been on any modeling platform in a heartbeat. She looks at him and sees the person he is rather than being distracted by his blindness or made shallow by her own beauty. The book looks at these types of questions, what attracts one person to another, and what meaning, and power or pain, is hidden in beauty.
That’s the kind of book this is. It looks at the heart of people, and at the real cost and benefit to traditional beauty, especially where love is concerned.
This is not a flashy, action-oriented thriller. There’s no clear villain who must be defeated or a world to save beyond the personal one. This is an intimate visit into the complicated lives of people who all seem to have everything in one definition of “everything” or another, when the truth shows they have flaws and weaknesses, that below perfection is doubt and conflict, but there is also love.
The twist is critical to all of this, and not mentioning it is killing me, but I want you to be able to experience the journey yourself. It didn’t come as a surprise to me when it came, so it’s well seeded, but knowing ahead might influence how you let this story absorb you. All I can say otherwise is this novel touches on the hard questions about love, marriage, and dealing with what life throws at you in a compelling and incredible way. It asks the question of what would you do if you had a second chance, but more to the point, explores the consequences of that chance and how it affects everyone around you.
P.S. I read this title as a NetGalley ARC in return for an honest review, and though I chose it for the wrong reasons (or with different expectations) I’m glad I did.
July 8, 2014
Secret Sister is one of those books in which my logical and emotional halves are battling to have their say regarding this book. My logical side is saying the book was a well written story about love, loss, grief, and how our relationships with others affect who we are. It infused a twist on the amnesiac accident survivor story and used it as a catalyst to explore the details mentioned earlier. However, with all the good points this book had, my emotional side isn’t as quite taken with the book as I should be. I wasn’t as engrossed in the book as I have been with others. I did like the book, but that opinion is based mostly on the technical aspects of the book instead of it coming from my heart, full of feeling.
I can honestly saying I don’t know why I am not gushing about the book. I didn’t have any overt problems with any aspects of the book. On the contrary, as mentioned before the writing was well done. Gamble did a great job illustrating the conflicts and grief that the 3 main characters, Cathy/Roxanne, and Nick, are experiencing. The characters felt real, in that no one character was “perfect”. They were very much humanized, especially regarding Nick and how he is handling his grief. I have to give special mention to Seth, the unconventional “therapist”. I found I enjoyed his calmness and wisdom and therefore his scenes were the one I enjoyed most.
I also appreciated the way the story unfolded. Gamble did a good job of using misdirection to lead me to feel and think one way about a character or the plot, believing I knew what was going on but then being pleasantly surprised with the truth of the matter. For myself, it showed how well Gamble laid out the characters and the action of the story.
If there was something I would like to have been different would be the dialogue scenes between various characters. Whether those scenes involved Cathy and Nick or Nick and Zöe, etc., I would've liked for those scenes to either have been shorter or refined the dialogue to where it wasn't mundane and boring. I found myself being bored in the middle of those scenes, waiting for it to be done so as to move on to the next part. I wished the conversations would have had some pop to it where it was interesting or just cut the length of it.
With all this said, when I finished the book I didn't have much of a reaction to it. My feelings weren't any where on the extreme (favorably or otherwise). Secret Sister is a book that I would recommend to others based on the writing and content as opposed to having it based on an emotional level. I believe there are those who would appreciate the little twist in the plot and the journey Cathy takes to reclaim the life she lost and to find out truths about her friendship with Roxanne and marriage to Nick.
*Received ARC of the book from NetGalley
I can honestly saying I don’t know why I am not gushing about the book. I didn’t have any overt problems with any aspects of the book. On the contrary, as mentioned before the writing was well done. Gamble did a great job illustrating the conflicts and grief that the 3 main characters, Cathy/Roxanne, and Nick, are experiencing. The characters felt real, in that no one character was “perfect”. They were very much humanized, especially regarding Nick and how he is handling his grief. I have to give special mention to Seth, the unconventional “therapist”. I found I enjoyed his calmness and wisdom and therefore his scenes were the one I enjoyed most.
I also appreciated the way the story unfolded. Gamble did a good job of using misdirection to lead me to feel and think one way about a character or the plot, believing I knew what was going on but then being pleasantly surprised with the truth of the matter. For myself, it showed how well Gamble laid out the characters and the action of the story.
If there was something I would like to have been different would be the dialogue scenes between various characters. Whether those scenes involved Cathy and Nick or Nick and Zöe, etc., I would've liked for those scenes to either have been shorter or refined the dialogue to where it wasn't mundane and boring. I found myself being bored in the middle of those scenes, waiting for it to be done so as to move on to the next part. I wished the conversations would have had some pop to it where it was interesting or just cut the length of it.
With all this said, when I finished the book I didn't have much of a reaction to it. My feelings weren't any where on the extreme (favorably or otherwise). Secret Sister is a book that I would recommend to others based on the writing and content as opposed to having it based on an emotional level. I believe there are those who would appreciate the little twist in the plot and the journey Cathy takes to reclaim the life she lost and to find out truths about her friendship with Roxanne and marriage to Nick.
*Received ARC of the book from NetGalley
June 17, 2013
Secret Sisters by Emelle Gamble set to publish July 10, 2013. This book was interesting but not for me, although the idea of a sort of life after death seems amazing and surreal this just didn't get my enthusiasm. Cathy and Roxanne are the best of friends, I don't understand their friendship at first but I later understand more, Roxanne is dealing not very well with a breakup. They are arguing back and forth when it happens, the crash. Skipping forward we come to the hospital where Roxanne awakens to find out that Cathy died in the crash and she has amnesia. We go through a lot of confusion along with poor Roxanne who I don't really feel that sorry for because even though it was deemed an accident I still felt like she was a little bit of a bitch. Finally after long bouts of not remembering anything except for some flashbacks of certain things, which let me know exactly why she isn't remembering Roxanne's life, she remembers everything but not the way she was expecting. I am not going to tell you what happens because I think you should read it for yourselves and decide if it is something you will like. I honestly think there are some people that may thoroughly enjoy the book, and I wish them well reading it. For me, I would rate this book at a three stars for creativity.
October 1, 2013
I haven't read many paranormal novels, much less paranormal romances. This one is an excellent place to start. Since I don't read many books from this genre, I didn't know exactly what to expect, so I was surprised and delighted at how quickly I was drawn into the lives of these characters. Before I knew it I was captivated by the situation described in this story, and it was so well done, I didn't bother to spend much time thinking about whether or not the circumstances were plausible. I was far more interested in where the characters were going and what reactions would be when they began to realize what had happened to them. I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review. I'm very excited about giving my opinion along with a 5 Star rating because I am confident other women readers will enjoy this story as much as I did. Thanks to good writing and plot development, this is a good beach read, or a novel to read while curled up in an afghan during the winter. Just add a favorite beverage and prepare to be thoroughly entertained.
June 17, 2013
Secret Sister is not my typical style of reading and I almost skipped over the book. I'm so glad I gave it a chance! On a whim, I decided to read the first chapter and just HAD to read more and find out what happened next. I found myself right in the middle of the story rooting for the characters as if they were my own friends. This story covers a range of issues and emotions that will have you both laughing and crying. Read the first chapter and you will not want to put it down!
*****I received this NetGalley advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions in this review are solely my own.*****
*****I received this NetGalley advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions in this review are solely my own.*****
September 30, 2019
A car accident.
Two women. Best friends.One lives and one dies.
Well, this is a fabulous twist on a story about amnesia. I’m loving it.
Wonderfully real characters, with all their good things and faults.
Her memories return, but the twist puts a different spin on amnesia and second chances.
“I was lost, but now I’m found,” I blurted out.
A heartbreaking and heartwarming love story that goes so much deeper than romance.
May have you asking, “What do I believe?”
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble.
See more at fundinmental
Two women. Best friends.One lives and one dies.
Well, this is a fabulous twist on a story about amnesia. I’m loving it.
Wonderfully real characters, with all their good things and faults.
Her memories return, but the twist puts a different spin on amnesia and second chances.
“I was lost, but now I’m found,” I blurted out.
A heartbreaking and heartwarming love story that goes so much deeper than romance.
May have you asking, “What do I believe?”
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble.
See more at fundinmental
July 25, 2013
Whoa, did not see that twist coming. When two best friends are involved in a horrible car crash, nothing seems to fit anymore. Emelle keeps you guessing throughout the book with a different take on life, fidelity, relationships, you name it. Emelle is new to me, but I will be looking for more.
August 19, 2014
Gamble’s writing makes this unusual story quick and fun—minus the graphic car crash.
Read full review in the October 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
Read full review in the October 2013 issue of InD’tale Magazine.
August 9, 2013
Secret Sister. Emelle Gamble.
ARC supplied by Netgalley.
WOW!! what a surprise this book was..I was expecting a fairly traditional HEA romance ( and I love those) – and got so, so much more. There is a happy ever after, but the journey to that point was nothing like I expected. The book begins with Roxanne and Cathy together going to yet another psych type appointment for Roxanne. The duo have been friends since they were in their early teens, but Roxanne seems to be constantly unhappy, always seeking something though she doesn't know what. She's a really attractive woman, so much so that Cathy sometimes feels “less” beside her, and yet she doesn't see herself as stunning and sexy. She comes across at times as shallow and uncaring, but it seems to me – and Cathy I think – that's just a protective shell around her that she constructs to avoid getting hurt. She has an off and on relationship with her boyfriend of some years, and its currently off once again. Or maybe not – Cathy can never quiet work out why the pair are so chaotic, and why Roxanne constantly takes him back after his endless infidelities. She should have been on her weekly “date” with husband Nick, time they put aside for themselves, but has accompanied Roxanne as she has yet another life crisis. Then they argue, and there is a car crash...and what follows tests all your beliefs...
What I loved about this book – and there were many things in it I did – is the way we see people first through Cathys' eyes and then through other peoples. Cathy thinks Roxanne is a good friend, and wants so much to help her lack of confidence. Yet seen through Nicks eyes Roxanne is shallow and a user of Cathy, gay friend Bradley likes her and yet sees her faults and Roxanne's mum seems to know a different Roxanne to the one Cathy does. Is Cathy really the wonderful person everyone thinks? What about Nick, has he really cracked his alcohol addiction? Do Cathy and Nick really have the perfect marriage. Things happen that make you wonder “is that really true? What really happened? Would he/she really do that?” There are a myriad of questions before we can clean away the veil of secrecy, and see who people really are.
Roxanne wakes up after the crash feeling odd. Her memory is gone, she knows nothing about her past and doesn't recognise friends and family. Michael – creepy, arrogant boyfriend is quick to take advantage and tries to convince her they really belong together. He doesn't so much talk to her, or ask her, but assumes things in a way that leaves her taking the path of least resistance. He's like a steamroller and she seems to be seeing him differently from how she has in the past. She feels so odd she can't think of herself as Roxanne but keeps referring to Roxanne in the third person – as if she was someone else- and Michael and her mum don't like that. Though we don't see that much of him one of the best characters for me was Seth, a sort of very unusual but effective psychiatrist. Not one with conventional qualifications, but he's able to get to the root of problems with some simple but targeted questions. He's a strong believer of the world where we don't know all the answers, the one where just because science says its not possible that it can't happen isn't true. I'm with Seth here, I think often its just that science perhaps hasn't the answer...yet! Time will show them. Think flat earth, animals as machines not sentient beings, epilepsy being caused by demon possession, all the things believed to be true in the past but later proved wrong by science. Did you know water has a memory? I didn't until talking to son number one a few years back – he's very science minded and an IT specialist, I’m into alternative therapies and was talking about crystals.(we have some strong discussions sometimes!!) I'd said putting them in water, and believing the water then remembered the abilities of the crystal for healing was a step too far even for me. He then told me water has a memory and was being used in PC chip trials :o. We've such a “if I can't see it its not there/not true/ isn't real “ society and yet billions of people believe in god – someone we can't see, who exists only in stories and the tales of Jesus raising people from the dead, feeding five thousand people with two loaves and five fishes, turning water into wine with a sweep of his hand – all things science tells us can't happen. That's a true dichotomy of beliefs to me. So when Roxanne regains her memory and believes she's really Cathy in Roxannes' body, why is it everyone only believes her appearance, what we can see and not what we can feel, and certainly not what she is telling them? They blame stress, the head injury, the way Roxanne constantly needs to be centre of attention...Its like those people who have organ transplants and then take on some of the tastes and habits of the donor – despite the best proof we'll put any spin on the answer rather than believe the obvious simply because science can't explain it....
As you can see this isn't just a book to read lightly, but one that makes you think and question. I felt so much for Roxanne/Cathy, she was trapped and didn't know what to do. In her quest to prove the truth and convince others – not least her beloved Nick – she discovers what seem to be some really uncomfortable secrets about Cathy, Roxanne, Nick and Michael and the relationships between them all, and that they may not have been as perfect as they seem. There’s scenes that had me on the edge of tears, they're so heartbreaking and seemed to shatter all the good things Cathy believed in, and yet somehow Emelle turns the whole thing round and gives us what we need to be happy :) and does it in an extraordinary way, revealing secrets that I simply didn't expect. Seth was such a fantastic man here – hi alternative way of looking at life came to the forefront and though he didn't blindly believe he didn't just discount things either.
Its a cracker of a book, if you want light and fluffy romance this isn't it, but if like me you love your romance to have a deep and fulfilling story to it, some facts and ideas that make you think about the truth, a book where everything isn't as it seems and a story that may challenge your beliefs then this is it. A really fabulous and satisfying novel, one where the ending is perfect, not just a hero loves heroine but one where they go through so much trauma and have their feelings and beliefs tested that at the conclusion they come out so much stronger. Its not a wildly erotic, sexual romance, though there is sex in it, but one where the romance is more sensual, deeper, meaningful and based on the feelings we have inside about each other and reality, learning to trust our hearts and not always listen to the brain.
Stars: Terrific, satisfying novel – a real five star read and one for the keeper files :) I've rambled quite a bit in this review ( I know, nothing unusual my family would say) but I keep thinking of different parts of the book and how it made me feel. I think its one of those that will stay with me for a while, not a read and then quickly forget book. Priced at £2.76 for 279 pages / 3732 its excellent value for money.
ARC supplied by Netgalley.
WOW!! what a surprise this book was..I was expecting a fairly traditional HEA romance ( and I love those) – and got so, so much more. There is a happy ever after, but the journey to that point was nothing like I expected. The book begins with Roxanne and Cathy together going to yet another psych type appointment for Roxanne. The duo have been friends since they were in their early teens, but Roxanne seems to be constantly unhappy, always seeking something though she doesn't know what. She's a really attractive woman, so much so that Cathy sometimes feels “less” beside her, and yet she doesn't see herself as stunning and sexy. She comes across at times as shallow and uncaring, but it seems to me – and Cathy I think – that's just a protective shell around her that she constructs to avoid getting hurt. She has an off and on relationship with her boyfriend of some years, and its currently off once again. Or maybe not – Cathy can never quiet work out why the pair are so chaotic, and why Roxanne constantly takes him back after his endless infidelities. She should have been on her weekly “date” with husband Nick, time they put aside for themselves, but has accompanied Roxanne as she has yet another life crisis. Then they argue, and there is a car crash...and what follows tests all your beliefs...
What I loved about this book – and there were many things in it I did – is the way we see people first through Cathys' eyes and then through other peoples. Cathy thinks Roxanne is a good friend, and wants so much to help her lack of confidence. Yet seen through Nicks eyes Roxanne is shallow and a user of Cathy, gay friend Bradley likes her and yet sees her faults and Roxanne's mum seems to know a different Roxanne to the one Cathy does. Is Cathy really the wonderful person everyone thinks? What about Nick, has he really cracked his alcohol addiction? Do Cathy and Nick really have the perfect marriage. Things happen that make you wonder “is that really true? What really happened? Would he/she really do that?” There are a myriad of questions before we can clean away the veil of secrecy, and see who people really are.
Roxanne wakes up after the crash feeling odd. Her memory is gone, she knows nothing about her past and doesn't recognise friends and family. Michael – creepy, arrogant boyfriend is quick to take advantage and tries to convince her they really belong together. He doesn't so much talk to her, or ask her, but assumes things in a way that leaves her taking the path of least resistance. He's like a steamroller and she seems to be seeing him differently from how she has in the past. She feels so odd she can't think of herself as Roxanne but keeps referring to Roxanne in the third person – as if she was someone else- and Michael and her mum don't like that. Though we don't see that much of him one of the best characters for me was Seth, a sort of very unusual but effective psychiatrist. Not one with conventional qualifications, but he's able to get to the root of problems with some simple but targeted questions. He's a strong believer of the world where we don't know all the answers, the one where just because science says its not possible that it can't happen isn't true. I'm with Seth here, I think often its just that science perhaps hasn't the answer...yet! Time will show them. Think flat earth, animals as machines not sentient beings, epilepsy being caused by demon possession, all the things believed to be true in the past but later proved wrong by science. Did you know water has a memory? I didn't until talking to son number one a few years back – he's very science minded and an IT specialist, I’m into alternative therapies and was talking about crystals.(we have some strong discussions sometimes!!) I'd said putting them in water, and believing the water then remembered the abilities of the crystal for healing was a step too far even for me. He then told me water has a memory and was being used in PC chip trials :o. We've such a “if I can't see it its not there/not true/ isn't real “ society and yet billions of people believe in god – someone we can't see, who exists only in stories and the tales of Jesus raising people from the dead, feeding five thousand people with two loaves and five fishes, turning water into wine with a sweep of his hand – all things science tells us can't happen. That's a true dichotomy of beliefs to me. So when Roxanne regains her memory and believes she's really Cathy in Roxannes' body, why is it everyone only believes her appearance, what we can see and not what we can feel, and certainly not what she is telling them? They blame stress, the head injury, the way Roxanne constantly needs to be centre of attention...Its like those people who have organ transplants and then take on some of the tastes and habits of the donor – despite the best proof we'll put any spin on the answer rather than believe the obvious simply because science can't explain it....
As you can see this isn't just a book to read lightly, but one that makes you think and question. I felt so much for Roxanne/Cathy, she was trapped and didn't know what to do. In her quest to prove the truth and convince others – not least her beloved Nick – she discovers what seem to be some really uncomfortable secrets about Cathy, Roxanne, Nick and Michael and the relationships between them all, and that they may not have been as perfect as they seem. There’s scenes that had me on the edge of tears, they're so heartbreaking and seemed to shatter all the good things Cathy believed in, and yet somehow Emelle turns the whole thing round and gives us what we need to be happy :) and does it in an extraordinary way, revealing secrets that I simply didn't expect. Seth was such a fantastic man here – hi alternative way of looking at life came to the forefront and though he didn't blindly believe he didn't just discount things either.
Its a cracker of a book, if you want light and fluffy romance this isn't it, but if like me you love your romance to have a deep and fulfilling story to it, some facts and ideas that make you think about the truth, a book where everything isn't as it seems and a story that may challenge your beliefs then this is it. A really fabulous and satisfying novel, one where the ending is perfect, not just a hero loves heroine but one where they go through so much trauma and have their feelings and beliefs tested that at the conclusion they come out so much stronger. Its not a wildly erotic, sexual romance, though there is sex in it, but one where the romance is more sensual, deeper, meaningful and based on the feelings we have inside about each other and reality, learning to trust our hearts and not always listen to the brain.
Stars: Terrific, satisfying novel – a real five star read and one for the keeper files :) I've rambled quite a bit in this review ( I know, nothing unusual my family would say) but I keep thinking of different parts of the book and how it made me feel. I think its one of those that will stay with me for a while, not a read and then quickly forget book. Priced at £2.76 for 279 pages / 3732 its excellent value for money.
January 23, 2016
Book Info
ebook, 450 pages
Expected publication: July 10th 2013 by SoulMate Publishing
ISBN 139781619352513
edition language English
URL
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
AMAZON
What if everything about you changed in an instant...your looks, your voice, the feel of your hair and the smell of your skin...
Nick & Cathy and Roxanne. Two best friends. One husband. An extraordinary twist of fate.
How much do you really know about your husband? Your best friend? Yourself? Cathy Chance knows she loves her husband, Nick, with the same passion she had when she married him seven years ago, and he adores her. She also knows that she and her best friend, Roxanne, are closer than most sisters. But on a sunny summer day, these three are hurled into an astounding new reality which forces each to reconsider everything they thought was true about themselves, and one another.
The premise of "what if" is one that we have all at some point thought about, some of us in greater detail than others. The story that is built around "what if" in this book however is one that will surprise you with it's direction and the focus on the relationships between Nick and Cathy and Cathy and Roxanne is what really makes it easy to imagine as something possible within the world the author has created for her characters.
As a hopeless romantic it was a pleasure to find a "soul mates" story that took the reader through some emotional twists and turns after the car accident that took Cathy Chance away from her husband Nick and her best friend Roxanne fighting to overcome her survivor's guilt while having no memory of her past life. These two women have loved each other like "sisters" since early in their lives, funny thing is though that as close as Roxanne was with Cathy there were still things she never shared that come to light a bit at a time adding to the mix of confusion and despair that permeates her recovery.
Roxanne is portrayed as a beautiful woman who prior to the accident was somewhat lacking with empathy for others as well as being fairly OCD about her personal appearance and her ruthlessly clean neatly organized living space, that changed drastically once she came out of her coma and was released from the hospital to go home to her apartment. Those surface changes were only the beginning as we soon recognize that more and more Roxanne has picked up characteristics as well as mannerisms used by Cathy, from her taste in clothing to her change in hairstyle it soon becomes apparent to the reader that a major reveal will come before the end of the book.
In reading the thoughts shared by others on this reading journey one thing is very clear, we are all in favor of true love winning out even when the odds are stacked against it happening! If you enjoy watching the past unraveling before your eyes and seeing someone discover their true self than you will truly be happy with this book and it will provide you with a gratifying ending that is well worth waiting for.
Everyone has at one moment in time wished to be someone else, however what does one do if that wish came true? That is the question at the heart of this story and what it reveals is sad as well as comforting. Quite a journey, one that I found very wrenching emotionally.
ebook, 450 pages
Expected publication: July 10th 2013 by SoulMate Publishing
ISBN 139781619352513
edition language English
URL
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
AMAZON
BOOK SYNOPSIS
What if everything about you changed in an instant...your looks, your voice, the feel of your hair and the smell of your skin...
Nick & Cathy and Roxanne. Two best friends. One husband. An extraordinary twist of fate.
How much do you really know about your husband? Your best friend? Yourself? Cathy Chance knows she loves her husband, Nick, with the same passion she had when she married him seven years ago, and he adores her. She also knows that she and her best friend, Roxanne, are closer than most sisters. But on a sunny summer day, these three are hurled into an astounding new reality which forces each to reconsider everything they thought was true about themselves, and one another.
My Thoughts
The premise of "what if" is one that we have all at some point thought about, some of us in greater detail than others. The story that is built around "what if" in this book however is one that will surprise you with it's direction and the focus on the relationships between Nick and Cathy and Cathy and Roxanne is what really makes it easy to imagine as something possible within the world the author has created for her characters.
As a hopeless romantic it was a pleasure to find a "soul mates" story that took the reader through some emotional twists and turns after the car accident that took Cathy Chance away from her husband Nick and her best friend Roxanne fighting to overcome her survivor's guilt while having no memory of her past life. These two women have loved each other like "sisters" since early in their lives, funny thing is though that as close as Roxanne was with Cathy there were still things she never shared that come to light a bit at a time adding to the mix of confusion and despair that permeates her recovery.
Roxanne is portrayed as a beautiful woman who prior to the accident was somewhat lacking with empathy for others as well as being fairly OCD about her personal appearance and her ruthlessly clean neatly organized living space, that changed drastically once she came out of her coma and was released from the hospital to go home to her apartment. Those surface changes were only the beginning as we soon recognize that more and more Roxanne has picked up characteristics as well as mannerisms used by Cathy, from her taste in clothing to her change in hairstyle it soon becomes apparent to the reader that a major reveal will come before the end of the book.
In reading the thoughts shared by others on this reading journey one thing is very clear, we are all in favor of true love winning out even when the odds are stacked against it happening! If you enjoy watching the past unraveling before your eyes and seeing someone discover their true self than you will truly be happy with this book and it will provide you with a gratifying ending that is well worth waiting for.
Everyone has at one moment in time wished to be someone else, however what does one do if that wish came true? That is the question at the heart of this story and what it reveals is sad as well as comforting. Quite a journey, one that I found very wrenching emotionally.
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
February 2, 2014
Secret Sister is definitely one of those books that the minute you start reading, you will not want to stop. Intriguingly addictive from the start, you get hooked into this unique plot. Being such a page turner, it has so many twists and turns that if you thought from reading the summary it would be predictable, you will see far from.
This book was so much better than I would've ever anticipated. There is an element of the book that dabbled in the paranormal which was a new experience for me. The great thing about fiction is that the written page is opened to your imagination. That being said, it made for one creative story. The pace of the story was great with characters that just simmered in your mind. They were well written with an engaging quality about them that as a reader you become completely invested.
There are some aspects of the story that some people may feel challenges the status quo in the traditional love story but whatever your thoughts may be it added a little intensity to the unraveling plot. There was never a dull moment. There were so many layers that get unfolded that keeps you guessing and completely shocked because you are not expecting anything that happens.
Its very hard to talk about this book without giving it away but I will give you a taste of the the characters to get you started.
In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Roxanne and Cathy. They have been friends for a long time. Polar opposites but love each so much. Roxanne is one of those gals who no matter where she went, men just flocked to her. She had always been a beautiful person. She doesn't have the greatest relationship with her mother but what she really cherished is her friendship with Cathy. She met Cathy when she was younger and had developed an amazing connection with her.
The only thing besides her poor choices in men was her struggle with her depression. It had been something that had plagued her for awhile. Making the decision to stop taking her meds seemed to have had a strong impact on her life. Noticing the change in her for awhile, on the way to a doctors appointment, Cathy decided it was time to confront Roxanne about what has been happening with her.
Cathy is more maternal and your everyday gal. She didn't have it so good growing up. Her mother died of cancer at a young age leaving her with an alcoholic stepfather. She is married to a man named Nick. People thought they had the perfect marriage on the surface but no one is perfect. They have their problems just like everyone else but they loved each other. She would've done anything for anyone one including her best friend Roxanne.
Almost to the doctors appointment, the unthinkable happens and changes their lives forever. This event is the catalyst that unfolds one heck of a story filled with love, tragedy, loss, deceit and reveals secrets that unfolds this plot turner to that you want to devour. If you want a story that you want to escape in, I would add this to your reading this because this will definitely be one that will definitely be glued to like a soap opera.
This book was so much better than I would've ever anticipated. There is an element of the book that dabbled in the paranormal which was a new experience for me. The great thing about fiction is that the written page is opened to your imagination. That being said, it made for one creative story. The pace of the story was great with characters that just simmered in your mind. They were well written with an engaging quality about them that as a reader you become completely invested.
There are some aspects of the story that some people may feel challenges the status quo in the traditional love story but whatever your thoughts may be it added a little intensity to the unraveling plot. There was never a dull moment. There were so many layers that get unfolded that keeps you guessing and completely shocked because you are not expecting anything that happens.
Its very hard to talk about this book without giving it away but I will give you a taste of the the characters to get you started.
In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Roxanne and Cathy. They have been friends for a long time. Polar opposites but love each so much. Roxanne is one of those gals who no matter where she went, men just flocked to her. She had always been a beautiful person. She doesn't have the greatest relationship with her mother but what she really cherished is her friendship with Cathy. She met Cathy when she was younger and had developed an amazing connection with her.
The only thing besides her poor choices in men was her struggle with her depression. It had been something that had plagued her for awhile. Making the decision to stop taking her meds seemed to have had a strong impact on her life. Noticing the change in her for awhile, on the way to a doctors appointment, Cathy decided it was time to confront Roxanne about what has been happening with her.
Cathy is more maternal and your everyday gal. She didn't have it so good growing up. Her mother died of cancer at a young age leaving her with an alcoholic stepfather. She is married to a man named Nick. People thought they had the perfect marriage on the surface but no one is perfect. They have their problems just like everyone else but they loved each other. She would've done anything for anyone one including her best friend Roxanne.
Almost to the doctors appointment, the unthinkable happens and changes their lives forever. This event is the catalyst that unfolds one heck of a story filled with love, tragedy, loss, deceit and reveals secrets that unfolds this plot turner to that you want to devour. If you want a story that you want to escape in, I would add this to your reading this because this will definitely be one that will definitely be glued to like a soap opera.
July 30, 2013
SECRET SISTER was actually a charming little surprise that I received for review purposes from the publisher. It was cute, fun, and was definitely a book that I found myself staying up just another hour (and another) too late at night to finish, just to find out what happened with these characters that became so endearing to me over the course of the journey.
In SECRET SISTER we meet a pair of best friends so close that they consider one another to be long lost sisters, devoted to one another throughout the changes and pains of both teenage and adult hardships. Roxanne, the stunningly beautiful bombshell, struggles with bipolar disorder, which often leads her into terrible relationships with sketchy men who always seek her attention for the wrong reasons. Cathy, a compassionate, doting wife, values her longstanding relationship with husband Nick more than anything else in life -- although, she never fails to get herself entangled in Roxanne's relationships, as she will do anything for her best friend.
One night, a tragic accident causes the three lives to collide in a fiercely dangerous way -- one that forces these characters to take a deeper look at love, life, and the very foundations of their strongest relationships. Do Roxanne and Nick have a secret past that Cathy should never discover? And what about Cathy -- could she ever be unfaithful to the very man that has been the center of her universe for so long? And, when Roxanne finds herself believing that she has taken on the identity of someone close to her, can she convince her friends that this is more than another bipolar hallucination? Or, does Roxanne have hidden motives that nobody could ever expect?
The underlying concept behind SECRET SISTER is definitely nothing new -- there are many stories about best friends harboring secret jealousies that lead them to wish for the lives of the other -- often times culminating in situations in which one or either takes on the personality of another. Part of the fun of this story, I think, was the sensitive manner in which the topic was handled -- along with the initial mystery as to whether or not Roxanne was really understanding the reality of her situation.
The author did a nice job creating interesting characters that felt meaningful to me as a reader, although I did find myself a bit confused about Roxanne and her ultimate fate in the story. And while I'm not always a fan of endings that seem to wrap up a little too nicely, the ending of SECRET SISTER was entirely fitting for the story, and it definitely made the curiosities of the relationship feel worthwhile by the last page.
For those who enjoy women's literature, especially those focusing on friendships and relationships with a hint of magic and mystery, I don't think you would be disappointed in SECRET SISTER. I'm glad I had an opportunity to review this one, so thank you again to the publisher for allowing me to read it!
In SECRET SISTER we meet a pair of best friends so close that they consider one another to be long lost sisters, devoted to one another throughout the changes and pains of both teenage and adult hardships. Roxanne, the stunningly beautiful bombshell, struggles with bipolar disorder, which often leads her into terrible relationships with sketchy men who always seek her attention for the wrong reasons. Cathy, a compassionate, doting wife, values her longstanding relationship with husband Nick more than anything else in life -- although, she never fails to get herself entangled in Roxanne's relationships, as she will do anything for her best friend.
One night, a tragic accident causes the three lives to collide in a fiercely dangerous way -- one that forces these characters to take a deeper look at love, life, and the very foundations of their strongest relationships. Do Roxanne and Nick have a secret past that Cathy should never discover? And what about Cathy -- could she ever be unfaithful to the very man that has been the center of her universe for so long? And, when Roxanne finds herself believing that she has taken on the identity of someone close to her, can she convince her friends that this is more than another bipolar hallucination? Or, does Roxanne have hidden motives that nobody could ever expect?
The underlying concept behind SECRET SISTER is definitely nothing new -- there are many stories about best friends harboring secret jealousies that lead them to wish for the lives of the other -- often times culminating in situations in which one or either takes on the personality of another. Part of the fun of this story, I think, was the sensitive manner in which the topic was handled -- along with the initial mystery as to whether or not Roxanne was really understanding the reality of her situation.
The author did a nice job creating interesting characters that felt meaningful to me as a reader, although I did find myself a bit confused about Roxanne and her ultimate fate in the story. And while I'm not always a fan of endings that seem to wrap up a little too nicely, the ending of SECRET SISTER was entirely fitting for the story, and it definitely made the curiosities of the relationship feel worthwhile by the last page.
For those who enjoy women's literature, especially those focusing on friendships and relationships with a hint of magic and mystery, I don't think you would be disappointed in SECRET SISTER. I'm glad I had an opportunity to review this one, so thank you again to the publisher for allowing me to read it!
July 11, 2013
Emelle Gamble’s new release Secret Sister is this week’s highlight in Craft Matters. The author’s skilled use of conflict creates a micro-tension that grabs the reader immediately and continues to drive the story forward. Secret Sister is a cross-genre novel that hopscotch’s back and forth over the lines of women’s fiction, romance, and light paranormal. At its core, this is a story of rediscovery and second chances. The self-exploration the heroine undergoes--that sense of being a foreigner in a strange land--takes the reader on an emotionally heart-wrenching journey with lots of bumps in the road. Bumps that we’re willing to take because we’re holding out for the payoff that we’re sure will come. And it does.
Gamble builds micro-tension by creating a tug-of-war between what is known and what is unknown from the very beginning pages. As readers, we worry and wonder and guess and backtrack on what we know and what we believe to be true just like the main character. And this creates a tension in the reader to know, to find out, which keeps us reading. We’re on a journey of discovery as well. Even in those first pages, we’re trying to figure out the dynamics of the friendship between Roxanne and Cathy, what’s going on beneath . . . what’s the subtext.
Gamble uses this delicate maneuvering between text and subtext to create a micro-tension for the reader. We’re pulled by the conflict. The character goes on to explain that Roxanne has just been through a breakup. However, it’s because of the subtext that’s implied by Cathy that we know something more, something darker, might be going on. We keep reading to find out what that something more might be. Gamble continues to use this conflict between what’s said and what’s left unsaid throughout the opening chapters of Secret Sisters. The subtext causes us to question what’s real, what’s truth, who is sleeping with whom, who’s betrayed whom, and who is friend or foe, but most of all, it keeps us reading.
In the end, Secret Sister is a book about the search for true identity. Who are we when all else is stripped away and we’ve forgotten who we are? Then the story pushes a little harder and asks will our true love be able to find us if our identity changes--or worse, will they still love us, if they do find us changed? Go buy Emelle Gamble’s Secret Sister to find out. I highly recommend it!
Gamble builds micro-tension by creating a tug-of-war between what is known and what is unknown from the very beginning pages. As readers, we worry and wonder and guess and backtrack on what we know and what we believe to be true just like the main character. And this creates a tension in the reader to know, to find out, which keeps us reading. We’re on a journey of discovery as well. Even in those first pages, we’re trying to figure out the dynamics of the friendship between Roxanne and Cathy, what’s going on beneath . . . what’s the subtext.
Gamble uses this delicate maneuvering between text and subtext to create a micro-tension for the reader. We’re pulled by the conflict. The character goes on to explain that Roxanne has just been through a breakup. However, it’s because of the subtext that’s implied by Cathy that we know something more, something darker, might be going on. We keep reading to find out what that something more might be. Gamble continues to use this conflict between what’s said and what’s left unsaid throughout the opening chapters of Secret Sisters. The subtext causes us to question what’s real, what’s truth, who is sleeping with whom, who’s betrayed whom, and who is friend or foe, but most of all, it keeps us reading.
In the end, Secret Sister is a book about the search for true identity. Who are we when all else is stripped away and we’ve forgotten who we are? Then the story pushes a little harder and asks will our true love be able to find us if our identity changes--or worse, will they still love us, if they do find us changed? Go buy Emelle Gamble’s Secret Sister to find out. I highly recommend it!
December 10, 2013
3.5 stars
Secret Sister is about two women drawn together as children, lifelong friends, so close that they see themselves as Secret Sisters. It's about seeing people for who they really are, not just what they look like on the outside. It's about secrets and why we keep them. It's about trust and believing in the unbelievable. It's about asking yourself what if. It's about marriage and the special connection between partners. It's about love.
When the synopsis said that there was a paranormal twist to this story I was intrigued and when I read it I wasn't disappointed. I don't usually read full on paranormal books but this was a really good balance for me. It blended the paranormal with the normal well and the blending of the two worked well.
I don't want to give away any spoilers so suffice to say that from the first chapter this story made me feel for the two female characters. In one instant, everything changes forever, and I felt their connection and then the emotions as events unfolded. It is really hard for me to judge what I would do in the same situation so I understood some of the choices that were made and others made me ask "what-if". I have to be honest and say that while I felt for Nick's situation, I didn't "feel" his emotions as much as I would have liked. I felt that the internal dialogue and the dialogue between the characters didn't give me the gripping heartfelt connection I was looking for.
It was interesting seeing all the twists and turns play out and it kept me turning the pages wanting to see where this would all go. The various relationship dynamics and connections between Nick, Cathy and Roxanne kept me guessing for most of the book and it was intriguing to see how the author wrote the unfolding story. The supporting characters really balanced this whole story, particularly Seth and Bradley, and they were an important part of the storyline.
Overall, this book was well written and I enjoyed it.
copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the publisher
Secret Sister is about two women drawn together as children, lifelong friends, so close that they see themselves as Secret Sisters. It's about seeing people for who they really are, not just what they look like on the outside. It's about secrets and why we keep them. It's about trust and believing in the unbelievable. It's about asking yourself what if. It's about marriage and the special connection between partners. It's about love.
When the synopsis said that there was a paranormal twist to this story I was intrigued and when I read it I wasn't disappointed. I don't usually read full on paranormal books but this was a really good balance for me. It blended the paranormal with the normal well and the blending of the two worked well.
I don't want to give away any spoilers so suffice to say that from the first chapter this story made me feel for the two female characters. In one instant, everything changes forever, and I felt their connection and then the emotions as events unfolded. It is really hard for me to judge what I would do in the same situation so I understood some of the choices that were made and others made me ask "what-if". I have to be honest and say that while I felt for Nick's situation, I didn't "feel" his emotions as much as I would have liked. I felt that the internal dialogue and the dialogue between the characters didn't give me the gripping heartfelt connection I was looking for.
It was interesting seeing all the twists and turns play out and it kept me turning the pages wanting to see where this would all go. The various relationship dynamics and connections between Nick, Cathy and Roxanne kept me guessing for most of the book and it was intriguing to see how the author wrote the unfolding story. The supporting characters really balanced this whole story, particularly Seth and Bradley, and they were an important part of the storyline.
Overall, this book was well written and I enjoyed it.
copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the publisher
June 20, 2013
NO SPOILERS
***I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review ***
Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble set to publish July 10, 2013.
I want to begin by telling you that I've read many of Ms. Gamble's works (written as M.L Gamble), always a little intrigue there….
This book hit me right off the bat with a "WHAM!" that left me wondering…. waiting anxiously to see 'what next?'…
Secret Sister is well-written, as I would expect from this author. I read it slow because I wanted to absorb it. This wasn't a "page turner" for me. I wanted to know… I wanted to experience… I wanted to feel… But I didn't 'feel' until about a third of the way in. It needed more emotion in the beginning for me. I did find the emotions later… 'Bradley' finally brought the feelings I wanted to feel, and then it got better for me after that because more emotions seemed to open up (for me as well as in the story) as it went on. Because I know this author's work, I realized where we were going on this journey quite soon, but I won't give any spoilers…
It's a good read, but Secret Sister wasn't 'entertaining' for me - let me explain...
I didn't laugh, but I don't think Ms. Gamble intended me to. It was a sad story (IMO) when the story's emotions finally came to me it was sadness and anger that I felt. I felt angry because it was like there was this bubble that someone wanted out of, but couldn't escape. I didn't cry - I thought… that's what I got - thought-provoking 'what if?' thoughts… The ending ties it all together and takes you to a better place.
Just me, but... I wish it had been written more as we ‘speak' than how we are ‘supposed to’ speak so it would have had more of a 'real feel' .
The one thing that stuck with me through the entire book was the connection between two friends…secret sisters... I have that friend…. but she's not my sister :)
It has a bit of everything, so if you like intrigue, you'll want to read this one.
***I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review ***
Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble set to publish July 10, 2013.
I want to begin by telling you that I've read many of Ms. Gamble's works (written as M.L Gamble), always a little intrigue there….
This book hit me right off the bat with a "WHAM!" that left me wondering…. waiting anxiously to see 'what next?'…
Secret Sister is well-written, as I would expect from this author. I read it slow because I wanted to absorb it. This wasn't a "page turner" for me. I wanted to know… I wanted to experience… I wanted to feel… But I didn't 'feel' until about a third of the way in. It needed more emotion in the beginning for me. I did find the emotions later… 'Bradley' finally brought the feelings I wanted to feel, and then it got better for me after that because more emotions seemed to open up (for me as well as in the story) as it went on. Because I know this author's work, I realized where we were going on this journey quite soon, but I won't give any spoilers…
It's a good read, but Secret Sister wasn't 'entertaining' for me - let me explain...
I didn't laugh, but I don't think Ms. Gamble intended me to. It was a sad story (IMO) when the story's emotions finally came to me it was sadness and anger that I felt. I felt angry because it was like there was this bubble that someone wanted out of, but couldn't escape. I didn't cry - I thought… that's what I got - thought-provoking 'what if?' thoughts… The ending ties it all together and takes you to a better place.
Just me, but... I wish it had been written more as we ‘speak' than how we are ‘supposed to’ speak so it would have had more of a 'real feel' .
The one thing that stuck with me through the entire book was the connection between two friends…secret sisters... I have that friend…. but she's not my sister :)
It has a bit of everything, so if you like intrigue, you'll want to read this one.
August 30, 2013
An AMAZING book!
“The generous gift of a second chance......”
“Life changes every day. You need to be ready for the next painful or wonderful thing that walks in the door. Because something will.”
I don’t usually read paranormal books, but the write up on this one said it had a “twist of the paranormal” and that intrigued me. This certainly wasn’t what I expected! It was the most emotional book I have read in a VERY long time! I couldn’t put it down. This story will tear your heart out, have you question why things happen the way they do and will make you stop and appreciate the people around you... because everything can change in a heartbeat!
This is a love story, of sorts, between Cathy and Nick Chance and Roxanne Ruiz. Cathy and Nick were high school sweethearts, married, and seemed to have the perfect relationship. Cathy and Roxanne are best friends, since childhood, who couldn’t be any different from each other, who call themselves “secret sisters.” What looks perfect from the outside isn’t always as it seems!
The writing is superb as you are sucked into the lives of these characters who are very real with real-life problems. You are on an emotional rollercoaster as these lives are torn apart and relationships are tested when the unimaginable happens. There are so many twists and turns that you are captivated right from the very beginning! It brings to light the seriousness of depression, mental illness, faith and how unconditional love can alter your course in life and death.
“Roxanne told me once that someday she would get the opportunity to do something special for Cathy, to make it up to her, about our family’s indiscretions. And then the accident happened...”
“The generous gift of a second chance......”
“Life changes every day. You need to be ready for the next painful or wonderful thing that walks in the door. Because something will.”
I don’t usually read paranormal books, but the write up on this one said it had a “twist of the paranormal” and that intrigued me. This certainly wasn’t what I expected! It was the most emotional book I have read in a VERY long time! I couldn’t put it down. This story will tear your heart out, have you question why things happen the way they do and will make you stop and appreciate the people around you... because everything can change in a heartbeat!
This is a love story, of sorts, between Cathy and Nick Chance and Roxanne Ruiz. Cathy and Nick were high school sweethearts, married, and seemed to have the perfect relationship. Cathy and Roxanne are best friends, since childhood, who couldn’t be any different from each other, who call themselves “secret sisters.” What looks perfect from the outside isn’t always as it seems!
The writing is superb as you are sucked into the lives of these characters who are very real with real-life problems. You are on an emotional rollercoaster as these lives are torn apart and relationships are tested when the unimaginable happens. There are so many twists and turns that you are captivated right from the very beginning! It brings to light the seriousness of depression, mental illness, faith and how unconditional love can alter your course in life and death.
“Roxanne told me once that someday she would get the opportunity to do something special for Cathy, to make it up to her, about our family’s indiscretions. And then the accident happened...”
September 2, 2014
If I had to sum up this book in one word in would be hard to do but I would pick....Wow! After reading a few books to write reviews on I decided to read Secret Sister "for fun". I don't quite know what I was expecting from this book but was I surprised. This book grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go until I had read the last word. I finished this book yesterday but have not been able to stop thinking about it.
I have never read a book like this one. I haven't read any books with the subject matter this one includes. I don't want to give anything away but I will say once I found out there was a paranormal or supernatural aspect to the book I was a little hesitant to continue. I had already started reading it and had enjoyed it so I decided to continue on. I was not disappointed!
The book is written in the perspective of four different people. The characters are so well developed and the book is so well written that the different perspectives don't take away from the book but add to the story. I could feel the different emotions of the characters as I read from their perspective everything they were going through. The story unfolds at just the right speed that my interest stayed strong throughout to see what would happen. Just when I thought I knew what was going on something would be revealed that would change everything.
This is a thought-provoking story about friendship, marriage, love, and so much more. I am so glad I went ahead and finished reading this book. The only negative would be a couple of sex scenes that while not offensive to me would maybe keep me from recommending this book to some of my more conservative friends. This is definitely on my keeper list and is one of the best books I've read this year!
I have never read a book like this one. I haven't read any books with the subject matter this one includes. I don't want to give anything away but I will say once I found out there was a paranormal or supernatural aspect to the book I was a little hesitant to continue. I had already started reading it and had enjoyed it so I decided to continue on. I was not disappointed!
The book is written in the perspective of four different people. The characters are so well developed and the book is so well written that the different perspectives don't take away from the book but add to the story. I could feel the different emotions of the characters as I read from their perspective everything they were going through. The story unfolds at just the right speed that my interest stayed strong throughout to see what would happen. Just when I thought I knew what was going on something would be revealed that would change everything.
This is a thought-provoking story about friendship, marriage, love, and so much more. I am so glad I went ahead and finished reading this book. The only negative would be a couple of sex scenes that while not offensive to me would maybe keep me from recommending this book to some of my more conservative friends. This is definitely on my keeper list and is one of the best books I've read this year!
August 25, 2013
Secret Sister by Emelle Gamble
Secret Sister plunges into the mystery of what happens to our soul after death.
Would you trade places with your best friend to give her another chance at life? This spectacular story bridges more than devoted friendship, it deals with sacrifice, grief, and unconditional love at an extreme most would not care to give.
When two best friends are involved in a tragedy, one survives, but the other does not. The question is which one really survived? Is it Catherine or Roxanne? The tension builds when the survivor has to convince everyone it really is her, even her husband.
It is an interesting concept that the soul can change physical attributes of a being. It's not only mannerisms or certain quirks that change when a new soul resides in a different body, but the essence that comes through. This story is complex on so many levels that readers will be entertained and provoked in thought at the same time.
I'd love to have Dr. Seth and Inga as friends. Surprisingly, I found them to be the most inspirational couple in this story even though they play a supporting role. Perhaps that is as it was meant to be, true unconditional love.
This story should make the reader ask what would they do in similar circumstances and all great stories always have inner reflection at their heart!
To see other works by Emmelle Gamble visit her website at http://www.emellegamble.com/
Read the original review at. http://literarilyillumined.wordpress....
Secret Sister plunges into the mystery of what happens to our soul after death.
Would you trade places with your best friend to give her another chance at life? This spectacular story bridges more than devoted friendship, it deals with sacrifice, grief, and unconditional love at an extreme most would not care to give.
When two best friends are involved in a tragedy, one survives, but the other does not. The question is which one really survived? Is it Catherine or Roxanne? The tension builds when the survivor has to convince everyone it really is her, even her husband.
It is an interesting concept that the soul can change physical attributes of a being. It's not only mannerisms or certain quirks that change when a new soul resides in a different body, but the essence that comes through. This story is complex on so many levels that readers will be entertained and provoked in thought at the same time.
I'd love to have Dr. Seth and Inga as friends. Surprisingly, I found them to be the most inspirational couple in this story even though they play a supporting role. Perhaps that is as it was meant to be, true unconditional love.
This story should make the reader ask what would they do in similar circumstances and all great stories always have inner reflection at their heart!
To see other works by Emmelle Gamble visit her website at http://www.emellegamble.com/
Read the original review at. http://literarilyillumined.wordpress....
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