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The Secrets We Keep #2
The Secrets We Share
Clem is slowly rebuilding her life after a house fire destroyed everything. She’s about to start high school with her two best friends and she’s finally settled into living with her dad in their tiny flat. But when her mum unexpectedly moves in, Clem feels like there’s no space for her.
Then she meets Matt, a funny and rebellious fourteen-year-old with family troubles of his own. When everything starts to unravel, Clem must decide which secrets to keep and which to share.
Then she meets Matt, a funny and rebellious fourteen-year-old with family troubles of his own. When everything starts to unravel, Clem must decide which secrets to keep and which to share.
- GenresMiddle GradeChildrens
225 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2017
31 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Nova Weetman
27 books109 followersNova Weetman wrote short fiction and children’s television before publishing her first YA novel, The Haunting of Lily Frost, in 2014. She lives with her partner, a playwright, and their two children in Brunswick, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 5, 2022
The second book in a trilogy by Melbournian Nova Weetman about Clem, 12 and about to start year 7 and high school.
I was not as enthralled with the further adventures of Clem since I loved The Secrets We Keep very much, but the writing is still fine and all the previous characters are back with a couple of new ones. A bit more wingey than in the first book, Clem is still a likeable and interesting character going through heaps of stuff.
3.5 marked up.
I was not as enthralled with the further adventures of Clem since I loved The Secrets We Keep very much, but the writing is still fine and all the previous characters are back with a couple of new ones. A bit more wingey than in the first book, Clem is still a likeable and interesting character going through heaps of stuff.
3.5 marked up.
January 31, 2018
Clem Timmins is on the verge of starting high school with best friends Bridge and Ellie to share the daunting experience, as they slowly rebuild their lives after the fire destroyed their house. Living in the small, cramped flat has brought Clem and her father closer together, new friend and neighbour Maggie can solve any Clem related crisis with tea and cake and they've begun to rebuild their home with the insurance pay out. For the first time since the fire, things are finally going Clem's way.
Until her mother returns from her health retreat and is moving into their rented flat, her two best friends are placed in the same homeroom without Clem and Maggie has a visitor, her troubled nephew Matt has moved in.
Clem is feeling overwhelmed and neglected. Starting high school is a nervous and exciting time for Clem until she finds out that she's placed in a homeroom separate to Bridge and Ellie, who will be together. Throughout Clem's high school transition, her two friends begin to leave Clem out of conversations and although unintentionally, Clem understandably is feeling incredibly hurt and isolates herself. I liked Clem's new and tentative friendship with Matt, Maggie's nephew who is also starting a new school as he enters year nine. They were wonderful companions. Matt encourages Clem to take risks, she gains self confidence and finds her voice along their journey while Clem helps Matt connect with Maggie and appreciate his kind, tender Aunt.
In The Secrets We Keep, Clem's mother was diagnosed with depression and after the fire that destroyed their home, was able seek treatment. The discussion of mental illness was written with a gentle hand and I really appreciated how Nova Weetman touched upon how Clem's mother's illness effected her relationship, her relationship with her daughter and her approach to her own mental health. It's also a wonderful introduction for younger readers to allow parents to guide discussions about mental wellness.
Clem's relationship with her father is lovingly tender, he's also attempting to salvage his marriage while caring for Clem and planning for the new house. Clem still harbours an incredible amount of resentment towards her mother who accidentally started the fire with her meditative candle, panicking and running from their burning home rather than call the emergency services. Her mother was attempting to make an effort but both parents were clearly frustrated with Clem, her refusal to speak, longing for inclusion and reassurance.
I enjoyed the complexity of Clem's relationships, the often awkward phase of not quite a teenager but no longer a child. Clem has already experienced so much in her young life and the residual trauma of the fire I feel played a role in her relationships. It was wonderful to experience Clem's growth as a character and young woman finding her way out into the world. Through the tolerance of those around her and positive role models, she was able to learn from her experiences. An important message for the intended audience about learning to compromise and see other perspectives.
Clem Timmins is a character that represents the wonderful adventure of growing up and finding your place in the world. The feeling of being lost but eventually making your way back home. Of learning who you are and who you are to others, a daughter, a best friend or your neighbour who loves cake and will share your love of roofing. Nova Weetman has created a character so full of life that she leaps straight from the pages.
And into your heart.
Until her mother returns from her health retreat and is moving into their rented flat, her two best friends are placed in the same homeroom without Clem and Maggie has a visitor, her troubled nephew Matt has moved in.
Clem is feeling overwhelmed and neglected. Starting high school is a nervous and exciting time for Clem until she finds out that she's placed in a homeroom separate to Bridge and Ellie, who will be together. Throughout Clem's high school transition, her two friends begin to leave Clem out of conversations and although unintentionally, Clem understandably is feeling incredibly hurt and isolates herself. I liked Clem's new and tentative friendship with Matt, Maggie's nephew who is also starting a new school as he enters year nine. They were wonderful companions. Matt encourages Clem to take risks, she gains self confidence and finds her voice along their journey while Clem helps Matt connect with Maggie and appreciate his kind, tender Aunt.
In The Secrets We Keep, Clem's mother was diagnosed with depression and after the fire that destroyed their home, was able seek treatment. The discussion of mental illness was written with a gentle hand and I really appreciated how Nova Weetman touched upon how Clem's mother's illness effected her relationship, her relationship with her daughter and her approach to her own mental health. It's also a wonderful introduction for younger readers to allow parents to guide discussions about mental wellness.
Clem's relationship with her father is lovingly tender, he's also attempting to salvage his marriage while caring for Clem and planning for the new house. Clem still harbours an incredible amount of resentment towards her mother who accidentally started the fire with her meditative candle, panicking and running from their burning home rather than call the emergency services. Her mother was attempting to make an effort but both parents were clearly frustrated with Clem, her refusal to speak, longing for inclusion and reassurance.
I enjoyed the complexity of Clem's relationships, the often awkward phase of not quite a teenager but no longer a child. Clem has already experienced so much in her young life and the residual trauma of the fire I feel played a role in her relationships. It was wonderful to experience Clem's growth as a character and young woman finding her way out into the world. Through the tolerance of those around her and positive role models, she was able to learn from her experiences. An important message for the intended audience about learning to compromise and see other perspectives.
Clem Timmins is a character that represents the wonderful adventure of growing up and finding your place in the world. The feeling of being lost but eventually making your way back home. Of learning who you are and who you are to others, a daughter, a best friend or your neighbour who loves cake and will share your love of roofing. Nova Weetman has created a character so full of life that she leaps straight from the pages.
And into your heart.
May 8, 2022
So Judy Blume, my heart feels full.
A coming of age story about change, friends, relationships and balancing it all.
I loved it.
A coming of age story about change, friends, relationships and balancing it all.
I loved it.
February 18, 2018
This follow up book to The Secrets We Keep easily stands alone but oh gosh, it's a beautiful extension of Clem Timmins' progression from primary school to high school. In a profound parallel the rebuilding of Clem's family home mirrors the emotional rebuild of her own life and that of her mother's.This touching story explores changes, the ways change shapes us. It's not always easy getting back on top of things, as show metaphorically with Clem's foray into 'rooftopping', but Clem in tries despite her ever plummetting spirit and self esteem.
Clem is impossible not to adore. We feel every heartbeat of her anguish and dejection; you'll want to reach out and grab her hand and tell her to hang. The perfect read for all those young people crossing over from childhood and primary school (and perhaps far worse things) into a more furtive and sometimes confusing world.
Clem is impossible not to adore. We feel every heartbeat of her anguish and dejection; you'll want to reach out and grab her hand and tell her to hang. The perfect read for all those young people crossing over from childhood and primary school (and perhaps far worse things) into a more furtive and sometimes confusing world.
February 19, 2018
I loved the prequel - The Secrets We Keep - so I was so happy to hear what Clem was up to now!
I read this because I love Nova's work, and also to read something that my 13 year old has read and enjoyed. I can see why this book appeals to a 13 year old. The characters are so real and so relatable that I can hardly believe Clem is NOT a real person.
Highly recommended!
I read this because I love Nova's work, and also to read something that my 13 year old has read and enjoyed. I can see why this book appeals to a 13 year old. The characters are so real and so relatable that I can hardly believe Clem is NOT a real person.
Highly recommended!
August 7, 2023
I loved The Secrets We Keep. This book is not quite as good as The Secrets We Keep but I'd still rate it 5 stars. Maybe because The Secrets We Keep is just so outstanding, it should be 6 or 7 out of 5 or something.
Anyway. Anyway.
This is still a very solid follow up to Clem Timmins' story. The story is not so neat as the first story and of course it lacks the whole surprise part but then as we know Clem now it's hard to do that. Clem still has this amazingly relatable young teen voice and she's now working on her high school problems and feeling like a third wheel, as well as getting to know a new friend in Matt whose hobby is rooftopping.
I really could feel how Clem felt left out. I thought this was perfectly described. Sometimes people don't mean to make you feel left out. It just happens and you feel it but it still hurts. It isn't anyone's fault you are hurt but it still does and I think this captures that perfectly.
I also loved how she described running, running so much it hurts.
Also - I prefer a Frosty Fruit over a Paddle Pop any day and Clem should stick to her guns and stop worrying about other people's stupid bets!
This is like a Judy Blume book. You really just can feel yourself easing into the school world and understanding these people. Their worries are just as important as anyone else's, because it's their world, and that's what's big in their world right then.
Anyway. Anyway.
This is still a very solid follow up to Clem Timmins' story. The story is not so neat as the first story and of course it lacks the whole surprise part but then as we know Clem now it's hard to do that. Clem still has this amazingly relatable young teen voice and she's now working on her high school problems and feeling like a third wheel, as well as getting to know a new friend in Matt whose hobby is rooftopping.
I really could feel how Clem felt left out. I thought this was perfectly described. Sometimes people don't mean to make you feel left out. It just happens and you feel it but it still hurts. It isn't anyone's fault you are hurt but it still does and I think this captures that perfectly.
I also loved how she described running, running so much it hurts.
Also - I prefer a Frosty Fruit over a Paddle Pop any day and Clem should stick to her guns and stop worrying about other people's stupid bets!
This is like a Judy Blume book. You really just can feel yourself easing into the school world and understanding these people. Their worries are just as important as anyone else's, because it's their world, and that's what's big in their world right then.
April 16, 2020
Didn’t quite meet the standards of the first book, as the plot was a bit fuzzy. I also didn’t really appreciate how Clem would always dismiss her friends when they were clearly trying to include her. I still loved the scenes at Maggie’s house (though I would’ve also liked some more about her guppy fish!). Wouldn’t be something I’d read again but it passed as a 3 stars for me.
Read
January 1, 2020I enjoyed this book .
I didn’t realise it was a sequel to The Secrets we keep will have to get the first one to read to see how the story started.
I didn’t realise it was a sequel to The Secrets we keep will have to get the first one to read to see how the story started.
September 14, 2025
3.75⭐️
March 23, 2024
Breaking up my usual reads with the sequel to my first book of the year, and I really enjoyed this one.
A beautifully written book detailing the hardships of starting high school and navigating new and old friendships and the interim of growing up and maturing without losing the innocence from her youth.
This book sent me back to the feels of my own high school experience, which wasn't pleasant, but it did make me think about how often I, too, may have experienced some situations as appearing more trivial than they actually were.
A beautifully written book detailing the hardships of starting high school and navigating new and old friendships and the interim of growing up and maturing without losing the innocence from her youth.
This book sent me back to the feels of my own high school experience, which wasn't pleasant, but it did make me think about how often I, too, may have experienced some situations as appearing more trivial than they actually were.
Read
November 1, 2018Clem is slowly rebuilding her life after a house fire destroyed everything. She’s about to start high school with her two best friends and she’s finally settled into living with her dad in their tiny flat. But when her mum unexpectedly moves in, Clem feels like there’s no space for her.
Then she meets Matt, a funny and rebellious fourteen-year-old with family troubles of his own. When everything starts to unravel, Clem must decide which secrets to keep and which to share.
Then she meets Matt, a funny and rebellious fourteen-year-old with family troubles of his own. When everything starts to unravel, Clem must decide which secrets to keep and which to share.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews