Secrets

by Donna Fernstrom

Tina's boyfriend has been keeping secrets from her. A near-fatal car accident may reveal them all, and save or end their relationship, in this 6895 word short story.

20 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 25, 2015

Reviews

[Jimmy Bill Bob · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sophomoric writing would be kind. The worst crime this author committed with this short story is not making it shorter. My favorite part was the ending. You know the place where she stopped writing. I would give away spoilers but the whole piece is akin to spoiled fruit, so what would I spoil?

[Lisa Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a short story from inside the Worldwalker Universe. Tina has met the man of her dreams, but he steps out at night, she doesn't always know where he is, and he is very secretive about it. Then comes the phone call no one ever wants to get. The kind that sends a woman running to the hospital hoping for the best, but fearing the worst. She isn't family. She can't see him, but she can call his sister, the one she's never met.

And that fast Mark's secrets begin to unfurl around her.

Sometimes ignorance can truly be bliss, point this short story makes all too well. Tina ends up having to deal with much more than a wounded boyfriend. The emotional rollercoaster she rides is well oiled without being overly dramatic. The characters are well developed in a very short space. I enjoyed this tale. It made me want to read Fernstrom's book, Sorrows, the same world build this short is set in.

[Zeecé Lugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story. Tina gets the dreaded late-night call. The boyfriend she thinks is cheating on her, Mark, has been in an accident. But she is not family, and the hospital will not give her any information. Tina calls a number Mark has left her with instructions to call it in case of emergency. She does. and then things get really weird.

This story is well written, fast paced, suspenseful, and definitely creates a desire in the reader to find out more about the characters. It is part of the Worldwalkers Universe, one I will definitely explore. It is a short story, (about 30 minutes to read), and it is a clean read with no sexual content or explicit language, so young adults may enjoy it also. I recommend it.

[Piper Templeton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Secrets" is a fast-paced short story that drew me in immediately. After sitting home thinking her boyfriend is out cheating on her, Tina finds out he has been in an accident and is hospitalized. When she arrives at the hospital, she is handed a mysterious note from the nurse about contacting people Tina has never heard of. In fact, her boyfriend always evaded talk about his family. She follows the instructions, even as she is totally baffled by what it all means.

The pace is crisp, the dialog is sharp, and Tina is a conflicted, likable character navigating her way through a supernatural mystery. This is part of a series of "The Worldwalkers Universe," and I think it's a good introduction into a unique vampire world.

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In the event of death or injury…"

Tina is upset. She suspects her boyfriend Mark has been cheating on her. He's out late at night, without any explanation.

She gets a call from the hospital. Mark has been in a terrible accident. She wants to see Mark, but the staff won't allow her at his bedside, because she's not a relative.

The staff finds an enigmatic note in his wallet, with cryptic instructions.

The note changes everything.

Donna Fernstrom's Secrets, part of The Worldwalkers Universe, is a compelling short story. Ms. Fernstrom is also the author of Sorrows, a wonderful story told from a new vampire’s perspective.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tina’s boyfriend, Mark, has secrets, Tina thinks he has another woman. Tina is ready to call it a day when she is told he has been in an accident, and the hospital won’t tell her anything because she isn’t a relative. When she arrives at the hospital, she is handed a mysterious note, with a number to call.
Marks strange family tells Tina, who he really is.
I enjoyed the story, but it didn’t drag me in, I didn’t connect with the characters. I would still recommend it for a lunch time read.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I downloaded Secrets as a free book from Amazon. I had no idea where this was going, so I was just as impatient as the main character, Tina, to finally know what was going on and get some answers. Frustrating, but well done to put the reader in the MC's shoes.

[Angela Estienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little short story, well written and a pleasure to read.