The Secret Adoption: A Family Memoir

by Rafael Moscatel, Abby Moscatel (Editor)

This evocative and emotionally charged story—praised by Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus Reviews—follows an illegitimate child placed with a powerful and eccentric Hollywood family after a scandalous affair.

When a notorious lawyer, at the behest of a famed composer, meticulously conceals the child's origins, his adoptive mother spares no effort to bury the truth. Pulling strings and enlisting influential allies—including a television icon—she constructs an elaborate facade to ensure he never uncovers his past. Yet, as he ages, cracks appear, leaving him haunted by an unshakable sense that something crucial is being hidden.

Set against Tinseltown's deceptive allure and shadowy intrigues, this memoir delves into the profound depths of childhood trauma, family secrets, and the universal search for belonging. Through a poignant journey of self-discovery and healing, the author reflects on the fragile bonds that define family, weaving an intensely personal narrative that lingers in the heart and mind long after the final page.

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 23, 2023

About the author

Rafael Moscatel is a writer, filmmaker, and motivational speaker whose work spans memoir, cultural commentary, and business innovation. He is the author of Tomorrow’s Jobs Today, a guide to navigating emerging career trends, and the acclaimed memoir The Secret Adoption, which explores family, resilience, and the search for identity. Rafael directed the award-winning documentary The Little Girl with the Big Voice, which chronicles the life and legacy of child prodigy Mary Small. His storytelling connects personal narratives with universal themes, exploring how technology, privacy, and faith shape our lives. He lives in Montana with his wife and four children.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm adopted, so I enjoy reading books about the journeys of other adopted people. This was a good read, almost seemed like a mystery at first! I kept wondering who his biological parents were. Honest story, well told. I just wondered why he called his parents ( the people that raised him) by their first names. To me, my biological parents are birth mom and dad, the folks that adopted me are mom and dad. And I lost both of them by the time I was 14, so my 'mom' now is the one I've had the longest!

Worth reading, even if you aren't adopted. After all, we all have our own stories!

[Rachel Dows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self indulgent but entertaining

I was afraid this would be rife with name dropping and boring stories of Hollywood antics, but this was actually a pretty interesting memoir about an adopted boy trying to place his identity. However, it often reads as if the author is trying to pass off every bad decision as a side effect of being adopted, which is a bit much… especially if you don’t buy into the idea that every shitty adult is “just a damaged child” - choices still matter.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir, beautifully and honestly written. I think the narrator's voice, Ryan Haugen, held me on even longer. He reminds me a little of Christian Slater, a laid back whiskey voice. It was perfect.

Plenty of big names are peppered throughout, which is reasonable when you live in that town, people know people who know people. But that's just the frivolous side. Rafael's life is peppered with crazy girlfriends, a lack of friends and stupid decisions that send him on the wrong tangent. Blaming his adoption on most of them though is a bit of a cop-out. He is forever searching but not sure for what.

I think the author's writing style and turn of phrase are definitely a stand out. His search for his own identity from his upbringing and from what he has learnt as an adult was an engaging journey.

[Ashley Rascoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

I received this copy through a goodreads giveaway; thank you to goodreads and JIA publishing for the opportunity to read this one!

I was not expecting to enjoy this one as much as I did. Each section was a different and wild ride through Rafael's real life memories. Some parts were also more emotional than I anticipated, particularly when he is going through the process of learning about his adoption. Overall, I really enjoyed this story; I think anyone who likes a good memoir (regardless of if you know the subject or not) will enjoy reading these tales.

[Michael Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What started out as a personal memoir, driven by a burning resentment, I worried that it would be a downward spiral, only to discover an epic quest for freedom and redemption. It struck me as an updated version of the Mad Adventures of Rabbi Jacob in Hollywood—a madcap romp of a Hollywood insider, like all true insiders, an orphan just trying to fit in and anxious about being outed.

[Loretta L Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

Not your usual salacious memoir designed to shock and feed the gossip mill. But not one that shied away from the foibles of life in general exacerbated by wealth, fame, and power. Poignant and thought provoking- but fun too with tidbits like Michael Landon mowing their law shirtless.

[Cindy Hollender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.50

My Review (SPOILERS):

The first half of this book did a great job on reeling me in to Moscatel's life story and was paced well. The prose seemed to be going in a well laid out direction and I was enjoying the humorous way that the writer was conveying the "characters" in his family.

I have to say that I was seduced into reading this book based on the writer's close connection to the Landon family and learning more about his adoption story as is teased in the blurb. He does a good job at giving you the the goods about various famous people in Hollywood through his personal experiences. However, by the last quarter of the book, they happen so often and in weird situations, like running into someone on a trolley cart in San Francisco or Jerry Brown running in the park at the exact moment that he is bonding with his future wife for the first time that it reads like bad fiction instead of reality. I found the ending of the book very unlikeable as he describes the emotional affair he has with a co-worker while his wife is pregnant for the second time. It then abruptly ends when he "breaks up" with his tearful, almost mistress over lunch. The author's note kind of gives you a blanket -this is who I was then so don't hate me statement. It all kind of ruined what had started out as an interesting reading experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb:

This evocative and emotionally charged story—praised by Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus Reviews—follows an illegitimate child placed with a powerful and eccentric Hollywood family after a scandalous affair.

When a notorious lawyer, at the behest of a famed composer, meticulously conceals the child's origins, his adoptive mother spares no effort to bury the truth. Pulling strings and enlisting influential allies—including a television icon—she constructs an elaborate facade to ensure he never uncovers his past. Yet, as he ages, cracks appear, leaving him haunted by an unshakable sense that something crucial is being hidden.

Set against Tinseltown's deceptive allure and shadowy intrigues, this memoir delves into the profound depths of childhood trauma, family secrets, and the universal search for belonging. Through a poignant journey of self-discovery and healing, the author reflects on the fragile bonds that define family, weaving an intensely personal narrative that lingers in the heart and mind long after the final page.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book - a memorable life!

California author Rafael Moscatel offers one of the most entertaining ‘memoirs’ of his life as an adopted child whose adoptive parents shielded his origins as the child of musicians, his discovery of the truth as an adult, his memorable journey to explore his genetic history, encountering ‘monsters’ along the way, and his adaptive reactions that result in forgiveness and re-discovering true love. Beautifully written with a keen wit and strength of character, this story is a completely satisfying read. Very highly recommended.

[Linda Knauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. I'm not going to lie... I really didn't love it. The book was fine, but not something I'll ever want to read again. It felt a bit self indulgent and didn't mature me want to connect or feel at all connected to the character. Normally, the memoirs I read either have me living the person even more or kind of hating them. I don't feel strongly one way or the other after this one. Just indifferent.

[Julia Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, many big names in shows, power people in the industry, etc. Tells the story of a Rafael's life, finding out he was adopted,his bio mom wanted her career over a baby who she had with a married cop,he didn't want it either. Her dad wasn't supportive and had money so basically disowned her. He starts putting things together, like why isn't he like his parents, looks, physical, etc. Then finally gets it out of his mom and starts searching, his bio family wants nothing to do with him. Very good story and the narrator is great. Read or listen to it to find the deep details. I recommend it.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

#goodreadsgiveaway
Twas alright but not what I was expecting

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Interesting Read

I found this book interesting and enjoyable. The writing style was good! I hope to read more from this author!