The Secrets We Bury

by Stacie Ramey

In an effort to escape his family, Dylan decides to hike the Appalachian trail—but he never expected to run into love.

Dylan Taggart is on the run. His family is trying to put him in a school for psychologically challenged students, and he gets it—he has anger issues. But Believers Charter School is a complete overreaction. So he decides a six-month hike on the Appalachian Trail is the perfect place to hide out until he can legally drop out of school.

Dylan wanted independence, but being alone on the trail is more than he bargained for. Then he meets a mysterious hiker named Sophie, and the two begin to develop a bond he never expected. But will love be enough to escape what they're both running from?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Teen

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2018

About the author

Stacie Ramey is the award-winning author of The Sister Pact, which was named a YALSA 2016 Popular Paperback and a 2015 PSLA Top 40. Her other novels earned Florida Book Awards as well as critical acclaim. Her short story “Without Being Asked” appears in the anthology Coming of Age: 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories.Her newest project, Spellbound by Murder, a cozy mystery set in a magical New Englandbookstore and featuring a close-knit cast of intergenerational women, will be released in 2026.

Reviews

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intrigued by The Secrets We Bury, but never did I expect that is was going to be that good! Everything fits seamlessly together: the authentic male protagonist who struggles to fit in and deal with everything that makes him different; the people Dylan meets on the trail, those who are just passing strangers and those who come to have such an impact on him and he on them; the trail magic; the powerful beauty of the setting and the way Dylan slowly comes to notice it; and of course the underlying themes of grief, guilt, forgiveness and starting over.

Dylan has run away from home. Run away from the grief that overpowers him, run from the guilt of the secrets he carries, run from the mother who wants to put him in a special school to control his outpouring of anger. His plan of escape is to hike the Appalachian Trail. But the trail will test Dylan in ways he couldn’t expect - from bugs and new food to bears. When Dylan happens upon a strange and intriguing girl who is apparently hiking alone and unprepared, Dylan is drawn to her in a way he has never experienced before. Dylan might be running away, but the trail just might be the place where he finds himself.

This is the first book I have read by Stacie Ramey and it blew me away. I was drawn to The Secrets We Bury primarily because of the male protagonist. I love that mental health has become a prominent theme in YA literature, yet it seems that a majority of that is written from the female perspective, and so I was very keen to see what The Secrets We Bury could bring. And bring it, it does. Dylan is an authentic protagonist, who, I’m sure, many readers, both male and female alike, will be able to relate to. Dylan has been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, which effects the way he is able to both experience and participate in the world. Coupled with his overpowering grief, it is no wonder he lashes out and is unable to control his emotions.

I really love Dylan’s self-awareness. Right from the first paragraph he is upfront with himself and the reader about his flaws and what the people around him struggle to understand. It also broke my heart a little. I loved watching him grow and change throughout the book as he hikes the trail and encounters new things, changing his perspective of people.

The Secrets We Bury is a powerful book, and one that I can highly recommend.

The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.

Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

If I had know there were so many characters in this book dealing with grief and loss, I would have read it so much sooner. There was so much grief and loss, but also a ton of love, growth, understanding, and most importantly, healing.

•Pro: I loved being in Dylan's head. His character had this voice, that I could not get enough of. I found him so real and interesting.

•Pro: Let's face it. This was the closest I will get to hiking the Appalachian Trail, and I must say, what a wonderful trip Ramey took us on. She did such a good job conveying the difficulty and the wonder of trail life, as well as educating us on the ins and outs of hiking the trail.

•Pro: Ghost and Rain Man were such fantastic characters. I loved getting to know them, and was so invested in them early on.

•Pro: Grief, grief, everywhere! So many characters carried heavy hearts, and they needed each other and their time on the trail to provide some relief from the pain of their losses.

•Pro: When Dylan talked about his dad, I couldn't help but smile. Their relationship was so special, and I loved that Dylan felt he had someone on his side, when his dad was there.

•Pro: I learned so much about Processing Sensory Disorder from Dylan, and really liked the way he shared the things he did to alleviate his discomfort as well as the ways it affected him and those who were part of his life. It was awesome to see him pushing through some of his difficulties, when he was on the trail. He acknowledged it was hard, but he did it and hopped some major hurtles while he was hiking.

•Pro: This hike was transformative for Dylan. He made a lot of mistakes and angered a lot of people, who were important to him, but he also learned how to see things in a different way, and how to be a better friend, cousin, and son.

•Pro: Yep, there was a little romance, and you know I adored it. So sweet and awkward, but so genuine.

•Pro: I shed some tears, both happy and sad, but was most overjoyed with the forgiveness that multiple characters needed and received.

There are moments in life that are as perfect as the first line in a good book. Or the last line. They're waiting for you to notice them. This is one of those moments.

Overall: A breathtaking journey along the Appalachian Trail, which showed how "trail magic" can help bring one peace, clarity, understanding, and restoration.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dylan has Sensory Integration Disorder, often acts narcissistically and doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. To escape another school for teens with behavior issues, he runs away to hike the Appalachian Trail, where he meets an older man and a teenage girl who’s lives will all be changed.

Several years ago a governor disappeared for a weekend to visit his mistress in South America; he told his staffers he would be hiking the Appalachian Trail. For a while “hiking the Appalachian Trail” became euphemism lies and deception. I couldn’t help but giggle during the early parts of THE SECRETS WE BURY when he referred to hiking the trail.

Stacie Ramey created a realistic characterization of the troubled Dylan at the start of the story, but seemed to give his obsessions up too easily for plot conveniences. For example, Dylan was only comfortable wearing cotton, but easily gave them up for appropriate hiking gear. As someone who has some sensory issues (not to the extent of a disorder), I’d probably forgo a hike or wear cotton anyway, because only cotton feels right on my skin. Dylan made a few easy switches from his comfort. He also developed insight into his impact on others and seemed to be able to heal most of his troublesome idiosyncrasies to become a hero. I don’t doubt the solitude of hiking and challenging oneself to physical demands would give room for emotional growth but his journey seemed too miraculous. I also thought Dylan telling his mother he should attend the school seemed corny. The fact he expected quick forgiveness from his cousin and that she gave it him also felt yep convenient.

THE SECRETS WE BURY gives representation to a little know neuropsychological disorder, which in itself will make the story worth reading for some. Since those with Sensory Processing disorders aren’t monolithic and exist in degrees of severity, some people may see themselves more represented in Dylan than others. At times the story lagged for me, but I do enjoy reading Ramey’s books and look forward to her next one.

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secrets We Bury was the first book I have read by this author, and I definitely plan on reading more of her books! This book was an interesting and entertaining book that kept me hooked from the first page.

One of my favorite things about this book was that it focused on such a serious subject, mental health. The main character, Dylan, was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder, which is something I have never heard of before. It was really refreshing to see the disorder expressed in such an honest and normalized way. I don't have any personal experience with dealing with mental health, but I felt like the author handled the subject in an honest and accurate way. The author made it easy to relate to Dylan and his mental health and to really understand what he was going through.

Dylan was a really awesome main character. He was just so authentic and honest. He was very aware of the flaws he had, and he wasn't afraid to admit that he had those flaws. I loved how he described what it was like to be misunderstood and how I really understood what he was going through. Dylan grew a lot in this book through the different things he experienced, and I loved going on that journey with him.

The romance in this story was well done and very thoughtful. I really felt the connection between the couple, and I was rooting for them SO HARD. They respected and understood each other so much. I loved how well they fit together. I would read more books just about them!

I also really liked the hiking element of this story. I thought it added such a unique and intriguing plot to the story. I don't know much about serious hiking, but it was clear that the author did a lot of research on the topic or has a lot of personal experience with hiking! I feel like I am an expert hiker now!

Overall, this was a really fun and memorable story. If you are looking for a unique YA contemporary romance, I would recommend checking out this book!

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. *
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It
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[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this I didn't know what to expect. I hadn't read anything by Stacie before, and there hadn't been too much buzz about The Secrets We Bury. However, given the setting (the Appalachian Trail!) and the mention of secrets, I decided to give it a try.

As it turns out, I'm SO GLAD I did because The Secrets We Bury blew me away! I loved this book way more than I had anticipated, and I'm now on a mission to read all of Stacie's past books.

The Secrets We Bury introduces Dylan, an almost eighteen-year-old who's on the run from his family, his past, and his problems. From the first page Dylan's voice grabbed me. It was refreshing as well as unique, and I appreciated the bluntness, honesty, and care conveyed through it.

As the book progresses, we learn that Dylan has Sensory Processing Disorder, which affects the way in which he responds to his environment, because of his diagnosis, Dylan has never felt completely at peace with the world around him. He knows he sometimes he says and does the wrong thing, that sometimes he lets his emotions get the best of him, but he can't help it, and now that he's suffering from a major loss, Dylan doesn't know what to do but run away from it all. I thought that Stacie did a fantastic job of developing Dylan's diagnosis. I could understand why he acted the way he did, and why he felt the need to run. What I loved even more, however, was how much the Appalachian Trail challenged and eventually changed him. Dylan's journey gave him a sense of purpose, especially when it came to protecting his two newest friends as well as surviving on his own. I think anyone will be able to relate to Dylan's coming-of-age, of finding a home in an unexpected place. I know I did. Additionally, I loved seeing Dylan's relationships with The Ghost and Rainman develop over the course of the book. The relationships brought layers of emotion to the book that made it what it was. Without The Ghost and Rainman, I don't think this book would be nearly as fantastic.

The Secrets We Bury contains a relatively cut-and-dry plot. It's character driven rather than action driven; however, never once did I feel bored or in need of excitement, because I was just so fascinated, so committed to the characters and their stories. The setting especially worked well here. Stacie did a fantastic job of bringing it to life. She also brought so many aspects of hiking/camping culture that I had no idea about. I especially liked seeing the sense of community that came with the Trail. They were one big family - not always a happy one, but a caring one for sure. And yet again, I - a person who outright despises camping - want to go camping now because of a book. As mentioned before, this book focuses a lot on self growth. There was a slight mystery to be had within this, as it wasn't crystal clear what exactly was making Dylan run. That aspect kept me especially hooked. I had my theories, and I was dying to know the truth. I also appreciated that while there was a romance, it wasn't a huge part of the book. I think it made it all the more sweater when something romance related did occur.

Highly moving as well as beautifully written, Stacie Ramey has a quiet yet strong story to be found within The Secrets We Bury. Perfect for fans who love Jenn Bennett!

*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

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[Mandi Schneck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few books lately that had hiking at the center of the plot, but it wasn't until this one that I actually got inspired to research a hike of my own. The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey follows Dylan, seventeen-year-old who has run away from home and decided to hike the Appalachian Trail. Dylan believes that his mental issues are what caused his father's death, and afraid of having to attend a school for special kids decides to flee and pursue this journey to process his grief.

Along his journey, he meets a girl his age, Sophie, who seems to be running away from her own problems just like he is. They also meet Rain Man, a seasoned hiker who, like both Dylan and Sophie, has experienced a devastating loss. Throughout the story, Dylan learns to connect, and even care for, others, while getting out of his own head and facing his fears for the safety and well-being of his new companions.

I really enjoyed this story. I read it in a few short hours, and thought the plot was solid. You could also tell that Ramey did a good amount of hiking research. I really enjoyed both Dylan and Sophie as characters, and respect both of them for the journeys they took and what they learned along the way. I would have loved to have seen this story told from both Dylan's and Sophie's point of view. I really appreciated seeing the relationship between Dylan and Sophie develop without any of the typical tropes that many YA novels have: yes Dylan saved her but that's not why she liked him, and they bonded on a level much deeper than physical attraction and desperation.

My only real issue with this book was the ending. I feel like everyone was so nonchalant about Dylan saving the lives of two people and coming home, and that things would never actually play out this way in the real world.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for access to a digital arc of this book! The Secrets We Bury by Stacie Ramey releases March 1st so be sure to pick up a copy!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite a bit of a shaky start, this ended up being a pretty solid book. I thought Ms. Ramey did an excellent job immersing her readers in Dylan's internal thought process - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and it made for a compelling read. His earlier creepy behavior aside, it was hard not to feel empathy for Dylan, even when he did things I didn't completely agree with.

My only real complaint about the book is what appears to be a dropped plot point what happened to Sophie's mom. Not sure if that's intentional (possible future sequel?) or not.

Bottom line: Glad I read it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mother mistakenly started reading this after we both bought a bunch of books, and things got mixed up. She told me that she thought she would never pick up something like this, but that she was enjoying it, so she would continue. Soon enough, I read The Secrets We Bury and I can fully recommend this book to both teens and adults. It's heartfelt, but not mushy, and Ramey has a really great grasp on people. I feel like this novel is a way to experience the Appalachian Trail and learn what it can teach you, without having to forego electricity.

[Shane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Ramey's storytelling in her previous novel, The Sister Pact, which I truly liked. As for The Secrets We Bury, while it is an interesting story, it just didn't work that much for me.

First off, I just couldn't connect with Dylan or Ghost and that was one major issue for me throughout the story because I couldn't genuinely care about their situation. Also, it felt somewhat drawn out to the point where I'd become distracted or end up feeling lost while reading. I'm not saying it's not a good story, the thing is it didn't work that much for me. I was also a bit annoyed with Dylan and all he was putting his family through. I know everybody goes through different things but I feel that after what had happened with his father, he shouldn't add more distress to the situation. The same for Ghost. Her attitude frustrated me a lot. Good thing both had a little growth by the end.

All the issues aside, I can see readers relating to Dylan's character in some ways. And I did like how he went out of his way to help other people, and all the things he did toward the end of the story were commendable. The writing is also great, with the exception of those draggy moments. Again, not a bad story. I was just expecting so much more.

[Hailey Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing book!!! this book brought me so many emotions, such a rollercoaster. it really displays grief, mental illness and autism in such a beautiful way. i had the best time with Dylan and his character development was truly so emotional

[lee🤍 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Freaking. Lanta.
This book is LITERALLY my dreams just put in to a book.
If it was possible, I'd give it 483783/5 stars

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! 1.5 stars Ugh I hate writing reviews like this one, but I did not like this book at all. I found the characters and interactions unrealistic. I’ve read some others about hikers, & what was in here stayed pretty true to that. So...that’s probably all I liked. The main character was what I felt to be a poor attempt at sharing what’s in someone’s head when he has “issues,” (the character’s words not mind) & the girl he meets doesn’t react to him like a typical (or even special and kind) person would, especially a teenager. That’s my opinion, but I read a lot of YA, & I don’t see me ever wanting to recommend this one to a teen.
FYI foul language and sexual references

[Andrea at Reading Lark · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 Rating
Review Posted on Reading Lark 4/11/18: https://readinglark.blogspot.com/2018...

Dylan Taggert is running from his problems. He doesn't want to think about the past, his emotional/behavioral concerns, or the fact that his mother is trying to send him to a special school that will help better handle his emotions. Dylan simply wants to be left alone to make his own choices. Like many teens, he feels that he knows what is best for him and that his mother simply cannot understand everything that he thinks and feels. I remember that struggle all too well as I tottered on the line between youth and craving independence as I moved towards adulthood. It's not a time in life I would want to repeat, so I was empathetic to Dylan's situation. I wanted to fully understand the family drama and why it inspired the choice he made to run away. Also, as a teacher who has worked with students with a variety of special needs, I understood Dylan's emotional responses and atypical behavior. While Dylan wants to outrun the labels that have been placed on him by educators and doctors, he soon discovers we can never truly escapes ourselves.

Dylan only has a few months until he turns eighteen and his mother can no longer force the school issue. Dylan decides the perfect solution is to leave his home in Connecticut and travel to Georgia where he will begin a six month hike on the Appalachian Trail. I have to admit that this plot point was the entire reason I picked up this novel. I have always been fascinated by the Appalachian Trail and would love to hike portions of it. I couldn't wait to live vicariously through Dylan.

While Dylan is seeking solitude and time to sort through his thoughts, he ends up finding that the trail has a social network all its own. Hikers pick up trail names along the way and often become someone outside of their normal lives as they spend time on the trail. Dylan learns a lot about the trail culture including benefitting from trail magic in his first few days of hiking. It's in these first days that he meets an older man who is called Rain Man and a girl his age called Ghost. Rain Man is a legend on the trail and is rumored to have some of the best dehydrated food ever eaten. Dylan meets him by chance and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship. Rain Man becomes a father figure of sorts for Dylan during his hike. Ghost, on the other hand, is a bit more elusive. Like Dylan, it is obvious that she is running away from something, but she doesn't talk much and she doesn't let anyone get too close. Dylan finds Ghost to be oddly fascinating and he finds himself looking for her more often than not.

Dylan (aka Wild Thing) and Ghost (aka Sophie) eventually are thrown together by stubbornness and mother nature. The pair bonds over their situation and a tentative bud of friendship blossoms.

The emphasis on the different forms of family has stuck in my mind since I finished reading this one. There are so many types of families and hopefully many of us are lucky to experience them. Dylan learns that the love and loyalty of the family you are born into is hard to ignore - even after you have done things that seem to have burnt the ties that connect you down to the last thread. Forgiveness lurks at the edges for all true families if you are only willing to search for it. In addition, friendship forges a type of familial bond that is also cemented with loyalty and affection. The friendships that are created on the Appalachian Trail often last for a lifetime. These networks of hikers look after one another and help when one of them is in need. Dylan goes from being a solitary being to finding that he is connected to so many who are better for their time with him.

I wasn't expecting to be so connected to Dylan and Sophie. I figured this would be another contemporary romance with a side of family drama, but it was truly so much more than that. Romance is present, but it takes a backseat to survival on the trail and two broken teens trying to find a way to piece themselves back together.

One Last Gripe: I was frustrated with Dylan and Sophie for putting their parents through such concern and heartbreak.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: I loved learning more about the culture that surrounds the Appalachian Trail.

First Sentence: Compulsively stirring my coffee in Nowhere, New Jersey, I recognize I'm going to have to do a lot of explaining when Emily gets here.

Favorite Character: Dylan

Least Favorite Character: I didn't have one.

[Katie's Book Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Stacie Ramey book, and boy am I glad I picked it up!
This book was a simple easy to read YA that consists of many raw emotions. Stacie Ramey has managed to involve her readers in Dylan's head, allowing us feel his pain and grief, letting us get a better understanding of why he did the things that he did.
This book has many great lessons and fantastic character development. I believe that the ending was completely perfect and wasn't rushed at all.
This has made me want all of Stacie Ramey's books!

[Jonathan Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of this author, and think this one is just as great as her other books. Dylan is an intriguing main character, and I loved the setting of hiking on the Appalachian Trail. It was fascinating to see the way Dylan interacted with others. I was hooked from the beginning, and it stays with you long after you finish. I highly recommend and can't wait for the author's next book!

[Melissa Calvanico Pollio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love books about the Appalachian Trail. I love hiking it and I am constantly wrong a nagging to be on it. One day I hope to get to hike it. In he meantime I love books like this, which provide me a brief moment into the experience.

[Melody Maysonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dylan is a wonderful character and his journey of growth and understanding was not only exciting, but touching as well. Loved this book!

[Cornmaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the Appalachian Trail is not a new setting for a journey to self-discovery, I really enjoyed its use for a teen boy on the sensory disorder/autism spectrum who needs to grieve the loss of his dad, the parent he felt supported him the most. Pair him with a girl who is grieving her mom's death, and a trail veteran who is grieving his wife's death (on that trail), and you have different perspectives, different expressions, but all the same grief.

Dylan, Sophie, and Rain Main are endearing characters. They're all lucky to be alive at the end, because they all saved each other in different ways.

Good writing, good story arc, good overall.

[Taryn Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed following along with this little journey!!

[Sarah Bittel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting take on a survival story. Dylan Taggert has issues, emotionally expressing himself and other psychological issues, and he is running away from something that has happened involving his family. His cousin is his lifeline and she reluctantly encourages him when he tells her his goal is to hike the Appalachian Trail...alone. As Dylan begins his adventure, the author introduces the reader to some of his quirky behaviors that are a part of who he is. The reader understands Dylan's stress and discomfort in social situations as he travels the trail and through the flashbacks she presents to the reader within the story. As Dylan starts to interact with more people and become aclimated to the trail, there begins to be a shift in him. Once he meets, "The Ghost", who saves him from a near bear experience, he finds himself caring about someone other than himself (and that someone is a girl!). Through the course of the story Dylan also finds himself interacting with "Rain Man" who knows "The Ghost" and seems a bit concerned about her peculiar behaviors. The author puts three characters together who are all dealing with different levels of loss and carrying the burden of their secrets with them. She writes vivid experiences on the trail and develops the character of Dylan fully. He is on a journey alone but finds himself changed based on the challenges that he is facing. There are so many different emotional levels to this story and it was heartbreaking at moments. I loved reading about Dylan's story and his growth through his adventures. Well written story about loss, friendship, survival and the paths we all choose to follow for ourselves when we don't always have full control of what is ahead of us.

[Joyce Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a follower of Stacie Ramey's novels from the beginning, but this is her best yet! I was so pulled into the story and the amazing setting of the Appalachian Trail. Dylan is so real and I feel for him so much as he goes for solitude but in the process learns to love and care for others...especially the girl they call The Ghost. This book is memorable and I will probably read it over and over.

[Emma (Guavacadoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so well written. The very strong character development Dylan went through was so WONDERFUL and it wasn't just because of love, he changed positively in so many ways and impacted so many people in this book. This was wonderfully written and i highly reccomend it to anyone and everyone. I finished it in less than five hours it was so good!

[Joli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good! I'll share my review soon.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting a lot more from this one, based on the title of the book. While I enjoyed reading it well enough, there were parts about hiking on the Appalachian Trail that left me shaking my head in dismay. Dylan Taggart has anger management issues as well as some other issues, and he is filled with guilt over something from his past. When his mother decides that he needs to attend a school for psychologically challenged students, he balks and heads off for a hike on the trail, which is more than 2,100 miles long. Completely unprepared for the physical and emotional challenges of the trail, Dylan confides his whereabouts only to his cousin Emily, his usual partner in crime. I found it a bit startling how quickly their relationship falls apart. After he begins his hike, Dylan meets Sophie, another teen who is trying to escape her past and secrets of her own. They eventually bond and become romantically involved even while combining forces to save an experienced elderly hiker who has mentored many other hikers from harming himself. Dylan's impulsive decisions could have spelled disaster for him and Sophie as she becomes injured on the trail, but what really bothered me was how little respect he had for this endeavor. With few supplies or equipment and little knowledge of the trail, it seemed likely that things would not go well for him. Although he certainly learns several lessons on the trail and tests himself, I felt anxious for him because of his foolhardy actions almost the entire time. Who does this kind of thing with little or no idea of where they even are on the trail? And it wasn't clear exactly where he started and ended up as well as how long he and Sophie were out there. Fans of this author will no doubt gobble this one up, but Dylan's plans seemed to point to disaster from the first. And things could have turned out much worse.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Appalachian-Trail hiking story, not overwhelmingly focused on trail details (I didn't even notice at first, but at least halfway through the book someone points out to Dylan that he's treating this as just a means to an end and hasn't been paying attention to any of the natural beauty around him), but with enough discussion of walking and setting up camp to serve as definite get-outside-and-exercise motivation. Also one of the relatively rare YA contemporaries told exclusively from the POV of a (straight) boy.

I didn't connect overly much to either main character, though I would totally read a companion book about his minor-character cousin, Emily. But I sure squealed something fierce at all the protective care-taking Dylan ends up doing for Ghost, from treating physical injury to staving off her hypothermia with his body heat, to simply curling up with her, sans hypothermia excuse, to help her sleep. They both read kind of young for 17/18 but honestly, I like that.

Rain Man aka Trail Dad is also pretty awesome.

P.S. I do think it's kind of funny that a couple of months on the trail turns Dylan into an entirely different, calmer, and more empathetic person, or at least someone with a newfound ability to recognize when he's not being that way and figure out how to redirect his emotions. Sounds like all those wilderness boot camps for juvenile delinquents are on the right track!*
*(Homer Simpson voice) and in case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dylan Taggart has trouble expressing his emotions and understanding other people’s. He has a couple of episodes at school (things get really hard for him after his dad – the parent who really understands him – passes away) and is expelled and encouraged to attend a special school for teens who have similar issues. Dylan decides, instead, to run away from home and hike the Appalachian Trail. He has some resources to do so, and his cousin Emily agrees to support him. Along the trail, Dylan unexpectedly connects with some other folks who are also dealing with grief and loss – Ghost (Sophie), and Rain Man (Gary). They both help him deal with his own loss, and for once in his life, it’s easy for him to relate to them. He and Sophie form a particularly strong bond that could definitely become something more. But Sophie is injured along the trail and has to be evacuated, and as Dylan learns more about Rain Man, he begins to fear that he may also be in trouble. Dylan’s new relationships and the resourcefulness he finds within while on the AT allow him to take responsibility for the choices he has made and decisions about his future. Dylan’s personal growth takes center stage over the experience of hiking the trail, but it’s an engaging tale.

[Florence Migga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Dylan's arc in this story. It was very realistic and so well done. In my professional life, I've come to understand individuals who experience the world the way that Dylan does, and again -- Stacie Ramey did a fantastic job getting inside his head. And as the story progressed, we, the reader, got to see how he was growing -- it was hard, and he struggled with it and failed many times, but in the end he was stronger. It was just so heartwarming.

This storyline was also addictive. I just kept flipping the pages because I wanted to see if Dylan got to this person or that person in time. Another really cool thing about this was learning about hiking the Appalachian Trail. It was really cool to learn about trail names, trail magic, all of it.

I loved that one of Dylan's struggles was interacting with people in a way that he thought was appropriate, and yet these people who normally didn't open themselves up to others did to him.

Read the full review on Book Nerds Across America: http://www.booknerdsacrossamerica.com....

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I'm always thrilled to see a new AT book, and this one has the bonus of 1) being about a kid who's neurodivergent and 2) not being all about the love story.

The AT end of stuff feels a little thin sometimes—feels like there's setup for quite a bit of stuff that doesn't really make it to later parts of the story. Dylan's money situation, for example: He goes in with something like $1,400, figuring that'll be plenty to get him through the entire Appalachian Trail. But...the recommended numbers I've seen are around $1,000 per month on the trail, and Dylan isn't especially strategic or careful about his money, so I might have expected that to come up again. Instead (perhaps because Dylan's trip gets derailed), money concerns come about via Dylan being afraid that his family will track him through his bank card.

Dylan's sensory processing disorder takes up a lot of space in the book, which makes a lot of sense—again, it's nice to see a character who has an ongoing...I don't know what the proper term is. Neurodiversion? Anyway, it's there, and it impacts his life in pretty major ways. I'm not even remotely an expert on sensory processing disorders, but I will say that some of his stressors seem pretty easily dealt with, in a way that doesn't seem entirely realistic.

One thing does make me wonder: the three major characters of the book are all walking out of grief, one way or another. They all want slightly different things out of the AT (okay, in one case, a majorly different thing), but they're all hurting. Surely someone somewhere has done a study on motivations to do the AT...? (This really has a lot less to do with The Secrets We Bury than it does with my curiosity about random things.)

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dylan Taggart is on the run from his family, as his mother is trying to force him into a school for psychologically challenged students. As he is only months away from turning 18, Dylan decides to spend the time hiking the Appalachian Trail. Despite trying to disappear, Dylan soon discovers himself and his capabilities for the first time in his life. Will Dylan's journey come to an abrupt end when he least expects it?

The author has clearly done her homework, with regards to the particulars of hiking the Appalachian Trail. Dylan is a well developed character who comes into his own during the book. The Secrets We Bury combines a coming of age story with a survival one, which is successful in my opinion. This YA novel has a good message and a story with which teenagers may be able to relate.

[Riley Roam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Dylan is a fascinating and complicated character who runs away from home to avoid being put in a special school. Just six months shy of his 18th birthday he decides to hike the Appalachian Trail until he comes of age and is able to make his own decisions about his future. This might not be the best idea for a boy with neurodiversity issues who can't deal with any fabric that's not cotton and hates bugs.

The book is both heart breaking and hilarious. I was completely with the characters from the very beginning of their journey all the way to the unexpected end. Stacie Ramey does an amazing job putting the reader right inside the character's heads so we feel what they're feeling as they're feeling it.

I have enjoyed all of Stacie Ramey's books, but The Secrets We Bury is one of my absolute favorites. I recommend it highly.