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The Secret Letters
Inspiration has struck Julie - all it took was her mother's secret. A moving family story for fans of Liane Moriarty and Anne Tyler.
When thirty-seven-year-old slacker-chef Julie Barlow's mother dies, her older sister Pam finds a cache of old letters from someone who appears to be their mother's former lover. The date stamped on the letters combined with a difficult relationship with her father leads Julie to conclude that the letters' author was a Native American man named J. Fallingwater who must have been her real father.
Inspired by her new identity, Julie uses her small inheritance to make her dream come true: she opens a restaurant called Falling Water that is an immediate success, and life seems to be looking up. Her sister Norma is pressuring everyone to sell their mother's house, and her brother Ricky is a loveable drunk who has yet to learn responsibility, but the family seems to be turning a corner.
Then tragedy strikes, and Julie and her siblings have to stick together more than ever before. With all the secrets and setbacks, will Julie lose everything she has worked so hard for?
When thirty-seven-year-old slacker-chef Julie Barlow's mother dies, her older sister Pam finds a cache of old letters from someone who appears to be their mother's former lover. The date stamped on the letters combined with a difficult relationship with her father leads Julie to conclude that the letters' author was a Native American man named J. Fallingwater who must have been her real father.
Inspired by her new identity, Julie uses her small inheritance to make her dream come true: she opens a restaurant called Falling Water that is an immediate success, and life seems to be looking up. Her sister Norma is pressuring everyone to sell their mother's house, and her brother Ricky is a loveable drunk who has yet to learn responsibility, but the family seems to be turning a corner.
Then tragedy strikes, and Julie and her siblings have to stick together more than ever before. With all the secrets and setbacks, will Julie lose everything she has worked so hard for?
- GenresChick Lit
320 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2015
18 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Abby Bardi
5 books23 followersAbby Bardi is the author of THE BOOK OF FRED, THE SECRET LETTERS, and DOUBLE TAKE. She grew up in Chicago, went to college in California, then spent a decade teaching English in Japan and England. She currently teaches at a college in Maryland and lives in historic Ellicott City with her husband and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 9, 2015
The blurb on the book intrigued me and I was hoping for a great book. Unfortunately, after giving it a 70 page commitment, I didn't get sucked into the story. I did not connect.
July 18, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed The Secret Letters by Abby Bardi from the amusing opening, through the emotional journey, to the ending that made me feel.
I really liked the characters in The Secret Letters. They were unique, each had their own issues, and they were all coping with their mother's death in their own ways. I liked the way the siblings interacted, they felt real to me. Julie makes a strong main character and the inspiration she finds to move on and do what she loves showed that she has strength and motivation. It's there in her, she just needed a little push. The Secret Letters for me were a significant, intriguing sub plot, but not the focus of the story.
Although Julie is the main character, her siblings are very strong secondary characters without whom there wouldn't be a story. I liked getting to know them all. I watched them all grow so much through The Secret Letters, and when tragedy struck the way they pulled together without even talking about it was heart warming.
I found Abby's writing style easy to read, and her use of first person POV was very well done.
Finding the positive in life, pulling together as a family, entertaining yet with very emotional moments, The Secret Letters is a book I'd recommend to any reader who enjoys women's fiction.
I really liked the characters in The Secret Letters. They were unique, each had their own issues, and they were all coping with their mother's death in their own ways. I liked the way the siblings interacted, they felt real to me. Julie makes a strong main character and the inspiration she finds to move on and do what she loves showed that she has strength and motivation. It's there in her, she just needed a little push. The Secret Letters for me were a significant, intriguing sub plot, but not the focus of the story.
Although Julie is the main character, her siblings are very strong secondary characters without whom there wouldn't be a story. I liked getting to know them all. I watched them all grow so much through The Secret Letters, and when tragedy struck the way they pulled together without even talking about it was heart warming.
I found Abby's writing style easy to read, and her use of first person POV was very well done.
Finding the positive in life, pulling together as a family, entertaining yet with very emotional moments, The Secret Letters is a book I'd recommend to any reader who enjoys women's fiction.
July 6, 2015
This was the touching story of a young woman dealing with the death of her mother, starting her own business, and handling her crazy family members. While cleaning out her mother's home, Julie's sister finds a set of letters that Julie decides must be from her "real" father instead of the horrible abusive man she thought was her father. With the oddly easily accepted change in paternity comes an overly enthusiastic embrace of all things Native American. And while this new perspective pushed Julie on to try something new, I found it to be quite unbelievable. Overall, the story was enjoyable and had a diverse set of characters. In fact, I would have liked to learn more about several of the characters. I felt they were skimmed a bit to make room for Julie's buffalo collecting. The Secret Letters would have remained a smart and heart touching look at the modern human family without the distracting detour into Julie's supposed heritage.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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July 13, 2015My friend, Abby Bardi, wrote this book. I read many of the previous drafts as she worked through the process of writing, all of which I enjoyed. What I noticed is that with each draft, she uncovered more and more about the characters who inhabit this book, both refining and opening up their stories. I pre-ordered it and waited not so patiently until it became available on my e-reader. Her final draft is the best one yet, filled with her own quirky brand of humor and filled with characters the reader comes to love. I particularly enjoyed the episodes she included from her own life, making her characters even more appealing, such as the raccoons in the basement and the reference to the yuppies that live across the street, but even without knowing Abby Bardi, you will enjoy reading this book. She reminds me of Anne Tyler, but with a twist -- and outside of Roland Park -- and the surprise ending will make you smile. Buy it only as an e-read either through Amazon or B&N -- you will be glad you did...
July 12, 2015
I'm glad I stayed with this book. It had a slow start, but because I was reading it for review, I decided to continue. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This book tugged at my heart. My mother passed away last year and I felt the same way Julie felt after her Mom died. Julie is the main character in this book. She's a little dysfunctional, but has a great heart. She's in her mid-30's and hasn't found herself yet. However, as the book progresses, she and the entire family learns of her mom's secret life. This changes Julie in ways that moved her life forward. Unfortunately, towards the end tragedy happens and unraveles her newfound confidence.
This book has definite ups and downs. You feel a lot of emotion toward all the characters.
This book tugged at my heart. My mother passed away last year and I felt the same way Julie felt after her Mom died. Julie is the main character in this book. She's a little dysfunctional, but has a great heart. She's in her mid-30's and hasn't found herself yet. However, as the book progresses, she and the entire family learns of her mom's secret life. This changes Julie in ways that moved her life forward. Unfortunately, towards the end tragedy happens and unraveles her newfound confidence.
This book has definite ups and downs. You feel a lot of emotion toward all the characters.
July 13, 2015
When julie's mother dies she discovers a load of old love letters which were not from the horrible man that she thought was her father. Going by the dates she concludes that this native American J Fallingwater must be her real father.
Inspired by this Julie decides to use her inheritance to open a restaurant and call it the Falling Water. However things don't run smoothly for Julie and her brother and sisters and when tragedy strikes they really need each other
This is a heartwarming book about a family with secrets to be discovered and how they handle them together
Inspired by this Julie decides to use her inheritance to open a restaurant and call it the Falling Water. However things don't run smoothly for Julie and her brother and sisters and when tragedy strikes they really need each other
This is a heartwarming book about a family with secrets to be discovered and how they handle them together
September 14, 2015
When I first started reading the book I was not a fan. The conversations at the funeral really turned me off and I was wishing I hadn’t agreed to a review. As the book went on, I did start to enjoy the story even though I still was not a fan of some of the characters and language. There was a twist later in the book that I liked a lot.
The book turned out to be a funny read and you get sucked into all the goings on of a very dysfunctional family. All in all I’m glad I read the book, but still think some of the dialogue was a bit too much.
The book turned out to be a funny read and you get sucked into all the goings on of a very dysfunctional family. All in all I’m glad I read the book, but still think some of the dialogue was a bit too much.
July 15, 2015
**This book was provided by HarperCollins Publishers Australia, via NetGalley, for my review and enjoyment.
You’ll like this book if: The thrill of the chase is something you enjoy, followed by a hugely surprising twist!
THE STORY: Julie’s family has gathered, following the death of their mother, in an attempt to clean up the mom’s home and get her belongings arranged. Julie’s sister Pam stumbles across a bunch of old love letters that belonged to said mother. Julie begins putting together the pieces of her life story (along with a lot of assumptions) and realizes her past may not be what she has been lead to believe. She sets out on a path to recreate her life style in direct reflection of her newfound identity. Only, things are almost never what they seem, as Julie soon discovers.
MY THOUGHTS: I immediately like the style of the book. The family dialogue that is part of the opening scene is witty and fun, and also reads very fluidly… so much so, that you don’t even realize you’ve been introduced to all the characters! It happens in a way that reads like a real life conversation that actual siblings would be having. Almost like we’re a fly on the wall glimpsing the family’s inner circle. Loved that! It was a super fun and intriguing introduction to the book that I really enjoyed. As I read on, I realize that the rest of the story is penned with the same humor and style which makes for a great adventure!
Then, the letters are revealed. What could have been a huge moment in the book was rushed and felt entirely too tidy for me. Our protagonist seems to think that her entire past lays solely in the hands of these letters, to which she has no evidence of what they even really mean. It’s all very frustrating to witness! (I wanted to smack this girl, Julia, and remind her of the old eggs-in-a-basket adage!) I would have LOVED more build up and anticipation around the possibility of her possible paternity. I feel like I could have been truly immersed in this story if that one singular element would have been executed differently, which is a total bummer.
Saving the book, however, is a major twist that knocked me off my rocker! I did NOT see it coming, even from a seasoned reader that prides myself on never being surprised. Way to go, Abby Bardi, you got me good! So in short, a strong beginning, a protagonist that ruined the midsection, and a fabulous ending. A good read, indeed.
You’ll like this book if: The thrill of the chase is something you enjoy, followed by a hugely surprising twist!
THE STORY: Julie’s family has gathered, following the death of their mother, in an attempt to clean up the mom’s home and get her belongings arranged. Julie’s sister Pam stumbles across a bunch of old love letters that belonged to said mother. Julie begins putting together the pieces of her life story (along with a lot of assumptions) and realizes her past may not be what she has been lead to believe. She sets out on a path to recreate her life style in direct reflection of her newfound identity. Only, things are almost never what they seem, as Julie soon discovers.
MY THOUGHTS: I immediately like the style of the book. The family dialogue that is part of the opening scene is witty and fun, and also reads very fluidly… so much so, that you don’t even realize you’ve been introduced to all the characters! It happens in a way that reads like a real life conversation that actual siblings would be having. Almost like we’re a fly on the wall glimpsing the family’s inner circle. Loved that! It was a super fun and intriguing introduction to the book that I really enjoyed. As I read on, I realize that the rest of the story is penned with the same humor and style which makes for a great adventure!
Then, the letters are revealed. What could have been a huge moment in the book was rushed and felt entirely too tidy for me. Our protagonist seems to think that her entire past lays solely in the hands of these letters, to which she has no evidence of what they even really mean. It’s all very frustrating to witness! (I wanted to smack this girl, Julia, and remind her of the old eggs-in-a-basket adage!) I would have LOVED more build up and anticipation around the possibility of her possible paternity. I feel like I could have been truly immersed in this story if that one singular element would have been executed differently, which is a total bummer.
Saving the book, however, is a major twist that knocked me off my rocker! I did NOT see it coming, even from a seasoned reader that prides myself on never being surprised. Way to go, Abby Bardi, you got me good! So in short, a strong beginning, a protagonist that ruined the midsection, and a fabulous ending. A good read, indeed.
January 20, 2016
Quite well written novel about modern family with very modern twist.
After her mother´s death, Julie Barlow and her 4 siblings are coping with their shock and surprising feelings of sadness and loss - surprising because the mother was a difficult person with her share of faults and mistakes (and marrying Julie´s alcoholic father was just one of them). But she was also a woman with a lot of secrets and no one could be more surprised than Julie and her sister Pam to find a set of passionate love letters from secret lover. The letters are dated somewhere around Julie´s conceiving and impulsive Julie hops on idea she could have a different father, a nice one, who could be interesting and loving. This realization just becomes a push to follow her dreams of having her own restaurant. And all is well till the tragedy strikes. And like a stone thrown into water causes waves, this tragedy is the impetus for a new dynamic and new revelations as well.
There are things what I like about this book, and things what disappointes me. I like the family and the dynamics - this is one well described dysfunctional family and the members ring very true! I like that the authoress was not afraid to show their human, immature characters - they are all in their thirties and forties (except the young couple Ricky and Star), but they behave like being at least a decade younger - and I like it! Like parents, like children, and I can understand and relate and feel compassion and eat and drink with them. And they are fun!
But oh well, what could be, if the twist would be less...modern and for the sake of shock. It is as all the burning questions just dissolve in the air, as nobody has no more questions, as all the driving force just stops - because this is the twist you just accept, don´t you? And then move on. But for me all the interesting dynamics just ended at that part. This is my biggest disappointment, because for me the twist was not the catalyst for our heroes to evolve, to understand their mother better, to grow as persons. I am missing the forgiveness towards their mother as well, some kind of conclusion.
I find the authoress Abby Bardi being Quite skilled writer, with ability to make you care about her characters, and with the sensitivity to understand people´s motivations, which is very intriguing. I hope she will find courage enough to explore the sore places deeper and to bring a real catharsis. She has all the writing chops for it.
After her mother´s death, Julie Barlow and her 4 siblings are coping with their shock and surprising feelings of sadness and loss - surprising because the mother was a difficult person with her share of faults and mistakes (and marrying Julie´s alcoholic father was just one of them). But she was also a woman with a lot of secrets and no one could be more surprised than Julie and her sister Pam to find a set of passionate love letters from secret lover. The letters are dated somewhere around Julie´s conceiving and impulsive Julie hops on idea she could have a different father, a nice one, who could be interesting and loving. This realization just becomes a push to follow her dreams of having her own restaurant. And all is well till the tragedy strikes. And like a stone thrown into water causes waves, this tragedy is the impetus for a new dynamic and new revelations as well.
There are things what I like about this book, and things what disappointes me. I like the family and the dynamics - this is one well described dysfunctional family and the members ring very true! I like that the authoress was not afraid to show their human, immature characters - they are all in their thirties and forties (except the young couple Ricky and Star), but they behave like being at least a decade younger - and I like it! Like parents, like children, and I can understand and relate and feel compassion and eat and drink with them. And they are fun!
But oh well, what could be, if the twist would be less...modern and for the sake of shock. It is as all the burning questions just dissolve in the air, as nobody has no more questions, as all the driving force just stops - because this is the twist you just accept, don´t you? And then move on. But for me all the interesting dynamics just ended at that part. This is my biggest disappointment, because for me the twist was not the catalyst for our heroes to evolve, to understand their mother better, to grow as persons. I am missing the forgiveness towards their mother as well, some kind of conclusion.
I find the authoress Abby Bardi being Quite skilled writer, with ability to make you care about her characters, and with the sensitivity to understand people´s motivations, which is very intriguing. I hope she will find courage enough to explore the sore places deeper and to bring a real catharsis. She has all the writing chops for it.
July 20, 2015
I liked the opening of this novel—it was a dialogue of snarky comments between adult siblings as they go through appropriate funeral rituals for their dead overweight mother in a Baltimore suburban town where they all grew up. It’s hard for many authors to do snarky well—to sustain it, with the right clip and the correct mix of biting cynicism and clever contempt. I credit Bardi for achieving this, and for making me sympathize with and care about the narrator at the same time as well (a separate skill not all writers demonstrate), as her good heart and deep anxieties can both be sensed beneath her defensive surface of dark humor.
I came to care about this narrator, her struggles, and the varied sufferings and needs of those around her, and as the book continued, I identified with the appreciation and recognition of all that goes along with coming from a small tight-knit community, and the truth that no matter how incredibly dysfunctional all of our families often are, there is a strength to be found there in times of tragedy that might not solve our problems but that can give us some respite from the storm and nurture the will to persevere. There were a few surprises embedded in the plotline that shocked or startled the characters more than me, but maybe the author empowered us as readers with a greater discernment—or else maybe my life has just included the right oddball mix to make this all seem not that unfamiliar to me. To be honest, there were a couple sections that dragged a bit for me in the later stages of the novel, but it got me to the place I wanted it to both emotionally and philosophically before I ended the last paragraph, and I am grateful for that gift.
I came to care about this narrator, her struggles, and the varied sufferings and needs of those around her, and as the book continued, I identified with the appreciation and recognition of all that goes along with coming from a small tight-knit community, and the truth that no matter how incredibly dysfunctional all of our families often are, there is a strength to be found there in times of tragedy that might not solve our problems but that can give us some respite from the storm and nurture the will to persevere. There were a few surprises embedded in the plotline that shocked or startled the characters more than me, but maybe the author empowered us as readers with a greater discernment—or else maybe my life has just included the right oddball mix to make this all seem not that unfamiliar to me. To be honest, there were a couple sections that dragged a bit for me in the later stages of the novel, but it got me to the place I wanted it to both emotionally and philosophically before I ended the last paragraph, and I am grateful for that gift.
September 14, 2015
The Secret Letters will keep you page turning, and although based on a sad happening, the death of their Mother, and the surviving children cleaning out her house.
The story focuses a lot on Julie and her sister Pam, and includes Ricky and his girlfriend Star. We get an in-depth look at their family life, and the losses that have affected them all.
As we move along in the story, from the title you can tell, some letters are found, and Julie decides that she is not her fathers child, her mother had an affair around the time that she was conceived, and from this information she now decides that she is part Native American. She takes this information and it changes her life, her life now revolves around buffalo and all things related to being an Indian.
There are a lot of tragic happenings here and there will be times when you wonder if some of these family members will survive? I never saw a lot of what happens in this story coming; you are in for some real surprises here.
I received this book through Pump Up Your Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
The story focuses a lot on Julie and her sister Pam, and includes Ricky and his girlfriend Star. We get an in-depth look at their family life, and the losses that have affected them all.
As we move along in the story, from the title you can tell, some letters are found, and Julie decides that she is not her fathers child, her mother had an affair around the time that she was conceived, and from this information she now decides that she is part Native American. She takes this information and it changes her life, her life now revolves around buffalo and all things related to being an Indian.
There are a lot of tragic happenings here and there will be times when you wonder if some of these family members will survive? I never saw a lot of what happens in this story coming; you are in for some real surprises here.
I received this book through Pump Up Your Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
September 20, 2015
This book begins with humor, even in the sober situation of a mother's funeral, as seen in the excerpt above. The entire story is one of emotion, as we get to know the main characters and the various losses which have impacted their lives.
There are a variety of plot twists in the story, most of which you will never see coming. Even though there are moments when Julie isn't exactly one of my favorite people (you know those characters you just want to shake some sense into?), by the end of the book she becomes much more likable.
I love that this book leaves you with the lesson that it is important to focus on the positive in life, and for family to pull together.
There are a variety of plot twists in the story, most of which you will never see coming. Even though there are moments when Julie isn't exactly one of my favorite people (you know those characters you just want to shake some sense into?), by the end of the book she becomes much more likable.
I love that this book leaves you with the lesson that it is important to focus on the positive in life, and for family to pull together.
July 20, 2016
Not my cup of tea. I really tried to like this book but in the end, just could not. I usually rely on reviews (on Goodreads and other sites) and after trying to read this book went back and re-read the very reviews that convinced me to read it in the first place. So many good reviews! So, I went back and pushed through to the end. Sounds like I'm describing work!? Yep, that's what it felt like and life is too short to not enjoy reading a book. Wish I had trusted my first and second impressions and stopped wasting my time on this one. Just saying.
August 24, 2015
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! While this story didn't necessarily appeal to me, I think there is plenty here that people will enjoy. The story opens to a family in turmoil as the matriarch has died and they have a self described dysfunctional family. The book follows how they deal with her loss and get on with their respective lives. There is a twist later in the story that I wasn't quite sure why it was thrown in but overall I think people will relate to the characters and like this story.
October 9, 2015
This was a good book. The characters were real, the story was believable and I enjoyed the unexpected twist. The book brought up some fun memories for me. I sent away for the the Book of Fred. Hopefully it will be as enjoyable.
January 16, 2016
Full review: https://leonelescota.wordpress.com/20...
I like it, and I couldn't put it down that I finished it in one evening. Julie, as a character, is just the right blend ...
I like it, and I couldn't put it down that I finished it in one evening. Julie, as a character, is just the right blend ...
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September 1, 2015Sadly not nearly as compelling as the Book of Fred which I loved.
September 6, 2015
short, snappy and fun! thanks netgalley for the chance to read this one, which i would not have otherwise had access to. it was a great read while we were on a cruise :)
September 21, 2015
Blog Tour stop on Books and Barrels today!
http://booksandbarrels.blogspot.com/2...
http://booksandbarrels.blogspot.com/2...
January 16, 2016
A great read!
Abby Bardi creates characters who you want to know and be in your life. I didn't want the book to end.
Abby Bardi creates characters who you want to know and be in your life. I didn't want the book to end.
Want to read
February 25, 2016kindle 168
August 2, 2016
Disappointed
This book was easy to read. It did keep you guessing, but I didn't really like the way it was written.
This book was easy to read. It did keep you guessing, but I didn't really like the way it was written.
August 27, 2016
Enjoyed this book. Had unexpected twist for me and I think everything wrapped up nicely. It didn't feel rushed like so many books do.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews