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Jane Anonymous #2
The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep
Bestselling author Laurie Faria Stolarz returns with a thrilling novel where an eighteen-year-old girl's search for answers lands her in one of the most terrifying situations imaginable.
Four days…
Trapped in a well, surrounded by dirt, scratching at the walls trying to find a way out.
Four days of a thirst so strong, that when it finally rains, I drink as much as possible from the dripping walls, not even caring how much dirt comes with it.
Six months…
Since my escape. Since no one believed I was taken to begin with – from my own bed, after a party, when no one else was home…
Six months of trying to find answers and being told instead that I made the whole incident up.
One month…
Since I logged on to the Jane Anonymous site for the first time and found a community of survivors who listen without judgment, provide advice, and console each other when needed.
A month of chatting with a survivor whose story eerily mirrors my own: a girl who’s been receiving triggering clues, just like me, and who could help me find the answers I’m searching for.
Three days…
Since she mysteriously disappears, and since I’m forced to ask the questions: will my chance to find out what happened to me vanish with her? And will I be next?
Four days…
Trapped in a well, surrounded by dirt, scratching at the walls trying to find a way out.
Four days of a thirst so strong, that when it finally rains, I drink as much as possible from the dripping walls, not even caring how much dirt comes with it.
Six months…
Since my escape. Since no one believed I was taken to begin with – from my own bed, after a party, when no one else was home…
Six months of trying to find answers and being told instead that I made the whole incident up.
One month…
Since I logged on to the Jane Anonymous site for the first time and found a community of survivors who listen without judgment, provide advice, and console each other when needed.
A month of chatting with a survivor whose story eerily mirrors my own: a girl who’s been receiving triggering clues, just like me, and who could help me find the answers I’m searching for.
Three days…
Since she mysteriously disappears, and since I’m forced to ask the questions: will my chance to find out what happened to me vanish with her? And will I be next?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2021
40 people are currently reading
7770 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Faria Stolarz
36 books3,166 followersLaurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
November 11, 2021
I am dunking my head into ice bucket. Smoke still comes out from my deep fried brain cells! What a batshit crazy, twisty, confusing, exciting journey it was!
Netflix Undeniable meets Room with psychological and hallucinating vibes pushed you out of your comfort zone, chilling your bones, disturbing your mental state which help you to connect with unreliable heroine!
18 years old Terra might be one of the most inaccurate narrator you have ever met.
When you read her traumatic, heart wrenching story about losing her parents at house fire, dealing with her survival guilt feelings and her dysfunctional, estranged relationship dynamics with her nurse aunt she has to live with, you feel like you’re moving at the dark streets of her life and each place covered in fog. You cannot see where you move because everything is so blurry, questionable, indecisive.
She tells her captivation story which lasted four days she spent in a well. But after she ran away by beating her captor ( or he let her go, who knows?) nobody believed in her that she has been kidnapped! They treated her like liar shepherd boy.
The police thought she was wasting their precious time and taxpayers’ money. Her own aunt thinks she already lost her mind so she needs to be hospitalized before everything is getting out of control. The friends she had start bullying her, sharing meanest comments on social media accounts. She turned into a pariah, outcast, persona non grata.
The only people she can connect and share her experiences are on “ Jane Anonymous” site: a group of survivors who have been captured, abused, traumatized just like her.
She befriends Peyton from the same site, chatting virtually helps her deal with her pain as she continues to search evidences to prove her own story.
Garrett, the charming guy she met at the very same night she’s been captured, acts like friendly, wanting to help for digging out the mystery. But Terra has hard time to trust people when everyone in her life turned their backs to her.
Does Garrett have secret motive? And why did Peyton vanish into the thin air? Her story has so many resemblances with her captivation pattern. Did the same person kidnap both of them or do somebody from her inner circle play dangerous games with her?
I have to admit: I truly enjoy the books play mind games with me and I love clever authors who can easily fool me by creative tricks, pulling the rug out from under me,killing my spidey sensitive senses with intelligence. This book checks all those boxes.
But the storyline’s connection and similarities with Jane Anonymous ( the previous book of the author which I adored so much) made me lose my enthusiasm about the story just a little bit.
The conclusion of this story was twisty but not earth shattering of emotionally overwhelming kind of surprising just like Jane Anonymous.
Some parts of the mystery didn’t fit with my expectations.
It was still well developed, gripping, thought provoking psychological thriller and throughout your reading you always question what’s real and what are the distorted facts. You finally learn to find your way to understand the credibility of heroine’s story.
Overall: I enjoyed the previous book more but this one was still brilliant, fast, riveting, exciting reading earned my shiny, blinking four stars!
I cannot wait to read more works of this brilliant, smart author!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/ St. Martin’s Press for sharing this exciting arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Netflix Undeniable meets Room with psychological and hallucinating vibes pushed you out of your comfort zone, chilling your bones, disturbing your mental state which help you to connect with unreliable heroine!
18 years old Terra might be one of the most inaccurate narrator you have ever met.
When you read her traumatic, heart wrenching story about losing her parents at house fire, dealing with her survival guilt feelings and her dysfunctional, estranged relationship dynamics with her nurse aunt she has to live with, you feel like you’re moving at the dark streets of her life and each place covered in fog. You cannot see where you move because everything is so blurry, questionable, indecisive.
She tells her captivation story which lasted four days she spent in a well. But after she ran away by beating her captor ( or he let her go, who knows?) nobody believed in her that she has been kidnapped! They treated her like liar shepherd boy.
The police thought she was wasting their precious time and taxpayers’ money. Her own aunt thinks she already lost her mind so she needs to be hospitalized before everything is getting out of control. The friends she had start bullying her, sharing meanest comments on social media accounts. She turned into a pariah, outcast, persona non grata.
The only people she can connect and share her experiences are on “ Jane Anonymous” site: a group of survivors who have been captured, abused, traumatized just like her.
She befriends Peyton from the same site, chatting virtually helps her deal with her pain as she continues to search evidences to prove her own story.
Garrett, the charming guy she met at the very same night she’s been captured, acts like friendly, wanting to help for digging out the mystery. But Terra has hard time to trust people when everyone in her life turned their backs to her.
Does Garrett have secret motive? And why did Peyton vanish into the thin air? Her story has so many resemblances with her captivation pattern. Did the same person kidnap both of them or do somebody from her inner circle play dangerous games with her?
I have to admit: I truly enjoy the books play mind games with me and I love clever authors who can easily fool me by creative tricks, pulling the rug out from under me,killing my spidey sensitive senses with intelligence. This book checks all those boxes.
But the storyline’s connection and similarities with Jane Anonymous ( the previous book of the author which I adored so much) made me lose my enthusiasm about the story just a little bit.
The conclusion of this story was twisty but not earth shattering of emotionally overwhelming kind of surprising just like Jane Anonymous.
Some parts of the mystery didn’t fit with my expectations.
It was still well developed, gripping, thought provoking psychological thriller and throughout your reading you always question what’s real and what are the distorted facts. You finally learn to find your way to understand the credibility of heroine’s story.
Overall: I enjoyed the previous book more but this one was still brilliant, fast, riveting, exciting reading earned my shiny, blinking four stars!
I cannot wait to read more works of this brilliant, smart author!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books/ St. Martin’s Press for sharing this exciting arc with me in exchange my honest opinions.
December 13, 2020
this is a case of ‘its not the book, its me.’
one of my most hated tropes is ‘unreliable narrator,’ usually because the MC is untrustworthy due to a negative reason (e.g. alcoholism, mental illness, etc). so this immediately started off on the wrong foot when terra conveniently skips her medication the night she gets abducted. its just really lazy in terms of writing and plot, not to mention extremely harmful to those battling mental illnesses, insinuating that they cant be believed.
all in all, not a book for me.
edit - after reading this, i found out the story is loosely tied to the authors previous book, ‘jane anonymous,’ which sounds a little better, imo. wish i would have read that one first.
thanks to st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC - sorry i want a fan!
↠ 2 stars
one of my most hated tropes is ‘unreliable narrator,’ usually because the MC is untrustworthy due to a negative reason (e.g. alcoholism, mental illness, etc). so this immediately started off on the wrong foot when terra conveniently skips her medication the night she gets abducted. its just really lazy in terms of writing and plot, not to mention extremely harmful to those battling mental illnesses, insinuating that they cant be believed.
all in all, not a book for me.
edit - after reading this, i found out the story is loosely tied to the authors previous book, ‘jane anonymous,’ which sounds a little better, imo. wish i would have read that one first.
thanks to st. martins press/wednesday books for the ARC - sorry i want a fan!
↠ 2 stars
July 24, 2022
**3.5-stars rounded up**
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is a companion novel to Laurie Faria Stolarz's 2020-release, Jane Anonymous.
While they are considered companions, you do not necessarily need to read Jane prior to picking this one up. They don't even share the same characters; you'll understand the connection in a bit.
In this novel we follow 18-year old, Terra, who like Jane, is an abduction survivor.
Unfortunately, in Terra's case, the details are murky and a couple of months after she is able to escape, there's still no concrete evidence. Because of this, the majority of people in her life do not believe her story.
Her Aunt, the Police, even the kids she goes to school with and considered friends, they all think she is making it up.
The only place she is able to find solace is an online forum for survivors. Any time of day or night, she is able to find people on the chat who will listen and understand. This forum was created by none other than, Jane Anonymous.
Alternating between Then and Now sections, just like in Jane, we learn about Terra's abduction, her time in captivity, her escape and the aftermath.
Through the online forum, Terra becomes close with another abduction survivor, Peyton, whose abduction situation sounds eerily similar to her own.
Both Terra and Peyton are experiencing odd occurrences that cause them to believe that their abductor may not be done with them yet, but is it possible their abductor is the same person?
When Peyton, one of the most frequent chat users, suddenly disappears, Terra becomes extremely concerned about her. She begins to look more into Peyton's case and what she discovers leads her down a very dangerous road.
This is a tense story, that at times can be frustrating. It's hard to read Terra's perspective; not being believed. It's a very difficult position to be in.
I really enjoyed watching this unfold. Learning about what happened to Terra and watching her try to cope with life after she is free. It's gripping.
She's stressed, she's depressed and she seems to be spiraling. Proceed with caution if this character experience sounds like something that could be triggering for you.
Stolarz definitely puts it all on the page, as far as mental health goes. I like it. I am definitely intrigued by her storytelling. With this being said, however, the last quarter of this let me down.
It was so compelling most of the way through, but for me, the ending, in contrast to the rest of the story, felt forced; like how can we wrap this up quickly?
I don't know, it just didn't feel as serious as the rest of the story. It took a sharp right turn and left me scratching my head.
This is a good book though, for sure, so please don't let that dissuade you from picking it up. I am sure the reaction to the conclusion will vary with each and every Reader.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate it and will definitely pick up anything else Stolarz writes!
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is a companion novel to Laurie Faria Stolarz's 2020-release, Jane Anonymous.
While they are considered companions, you do not necessarily need to read Jane prior to picking this one up. They don't even share the same characters; you'll understand the connection in a bit.
In this novel we follow 18-year old, Terra, who like Jane, is an abduction survivor.
Unfortunately, in Terra's case, the details are murky and a couple of months after she is able to escape, there's still no concrete evidence. Because of this, the majority of people in her life do not believe her story.
Her Aunt, the Police, even the kids she goes to school with and considered friends, they all think she is making it up.
The only place she is able to find solace is an online forum for survivors. Any time of day or night, she is able to find people on the chat who will listen and understand. This forum was created by none other than, Jane Anonymous.
Alternating between Then and Now sections, just like in Jane, we learn about Terra's abduction, her time in captivity, her escape and the aftermath.
Through the online forum, Terra becomes close with another abduction survivor, Peyton, whose abduction situation sounds eerily similar to her own.
Both Terra and Peyton are experiencing odd occurrences that cause them to believe that their abductor may not be done with them yet, but is it possible their abductor is the same person?
When Peyton, one of the most frequent chat users, suddenly disappears, Terra becomes extremely concerned about her. She begins to look more into Peyton's case and what she discovers leads her down a very dangerous road.
This is a tense story, that at times can be frustrating. It's hard to read Terra's perspective; not being believed. It's a very difficult position to be in.
I really enjoyed watching this unfold. Learning about what happened to Terra and watching her try to cope with life after she is free. It's gripping.
She's stressed, she's depressed and she seems to be spiraling. Proceed with caution if this character experience sounds like something that could be triggering for you.
Stolarz definitely puts it all on the page, as far as mental health goes. I like it. I am definitely intrigued by her storytelling. With this being said, however, the last quarter of this let me down.
It was so compelling most of the way through, but for me, the ending, in contrast to the rest of the story, felt forced; like how can we wrap this up quickly?
I don't know, it just didn't feel as serious as the rest of the story. It took a sharp right turn and left me scratching my head.
This is a good book though, for sure, so please don't let that dissuade you from picking it up. I am sure the reaction to the conclusion will vary with each and every Reader.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Wednesday Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I appreciate it and will definitely pick up anything else Stolarz writes!
November 11, 2020
The beginning of the book sucked me right in, but unfortunately it didn’t stay on that high level. I enjoyed different parts of the book and other parts I just wanted to slap people for stupidity. I also felt a disconnection to everyone in the book. All of that being said, the book kept me wanting to know what was going on until the very end!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a digital copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG:
https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
*Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for a digital copy of this book.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
BLOG:
https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
February 25, 2021
Initially I had no idea that Jane Anonymous would be turned into a series, but color me impressed with the idea to bring survivors or horrific situations together to connect over their tragic situations. The writing style and inclusion of technology in the presentation of this book feels modern and trendy, and the narrative is extremely creative. As with the first book, I did feel the conclusion left a bit to be desired, and the formula felt a bit predictable as it followed similar suit to it's predecessor, but it was still an extremely fun and exciting read. If you're looking for a fast paced, twisty YA novel that will keep you turning the pages all night, this is it.
*Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
November 13, 2021
Although this is the second book in the "Jane Anonymous" series, you definitely don't need to have read that book to appreciate and understand this one. They are only peripherally related to each other. They have story elements in common (both are books about teen girls who were abducted) but the characters don't interconnect.
This is the story of Terra, told "Then" and "Now". After losing her parents in a house fire that she survived, she is now living with her aunt. Terra was abducted from her own bed after attending a college party, spent four days at the bottom of a well, and was able to escape and return home. But there are suspicious holes in what she has told everyone and pretty much no one believes her, thinking that she made the whole thing up for attention. She goes online to a chat room for other survivors and finds another girl named Peyton that she connects with who has a similar story. Then Peyton disappears.
This is definitely a YA thriller and at times the angst of a teenager and the histrionics got a little too much for me. I was invested throughout because I wanted to know if Terra's abduction was real--I went back and forth many times because she's a terribly unreliable narrator-and I wanted to know what was going on with Peyton.
I can't say that I was entirely satisfied with the way things wrapped up. It was a little strange and not believable to me. The ultimate resolution of Jane Anonymous was so much more believable and frightening, this one just left me a little flat. It jumped around a bit too much and wasn't as cohesive a story as it could have been.
Overall, it was a fast-paced worthwhile read, it kept me turning pages and invested throughout.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is the story of Terra, told "Then" and "Now". After losing her parents in a house fire that she survived, she is now living with her aunt. Terra was abducted from her own bed after attending a college party, spent four days at the bottom of a well, and was able to escape and return home. But there are suspicious holes in what she has told everyone and pretty much no one believes her, thinking that she made the whole thing up for attention. She goes online to a chat room for other survivors and finds another girl named Peyton that she connects with who has a similar story. Then Peyton disappears.
This is definitely a YA thriller and at times the angst of a teenager and the histrionics got a little too much for me. I was invested throughout because I wanted to know if Terra's abduction was real--I went back and forth many times because she's a terribly unreliable narrator-and I wanted to know what was going on with Peyton.
I can't say that I was entirely satisfied with the way things wrapped up. It was a little strange and not believable to me. The ultimate resolution of Jane Anonymous was so much more believable and frightening, this one just left me a little flat. It jumped around a bit too much and wasn't as cohesive a story as it could have been.
Overall, it was a fast-paced worthwhile read, it kept me turning pages and invested throughout.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 24, 2021
The author's previous book, Jane Anonymous, was one of my favorite YA reads last year. So I jumped on the chance to read this book which is the second in the series. This one features a different lead character, but there is a bit of a tie in to the previous book. You definitely can read this book as a standalone novel though.
Eighteen year old Terra spent 4 days trapped in a well. She escaped but 6 months later she is still trying to piece together what exactly happened. She believes she was taken from her bed after a party. But yet, no one believes she was kidnapped and instead think she made it all up. She finds comfort on the Jane Anonymous site as she can chat with other survivors of trauma. Just maybe with some help, she will figure out the truth.
I love how the author setup the book with the present storyline and the flashbacks. It is just so much easier to mentally digest everything because it's not a typical linear timeline. This book gives you some peace of mind as it breaks up the tension a bit.
Terra meets the standard of unreliable narrator as you don't know quite what to think. I did have some mixed feelings about the ending. It wasn't extremely satisfying but I wouldn't say it's bad either. It's like a unique combination of being predictable and unpredictable.
In general, this book wasn't as strong of a read as Jane Anonymous. But it does manage to be a solid YA mystery thriller and I will definitely pick up the next book if the author continues with the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Eighteen year old Terra spent 4 days trapped in a well. She escaped but 6 months later she is still trying to piece together what exactly happened. She believes she was taken from her bed after a party. But yet, no one believes she was kidnapped and instead think she made it all up. She finds comfort on the Jane Anonymous site as she can chat with other survivors of trauma. Just maybe with some help, she will figure out the truth.
I love how the author setup the book with the present storyline and the flashbacks. It is just so much easier to mentally digest everything because it's not a typical linear timeline. This book gives you some peace of mind as it breaks up the tension a bit.
Terra meets the standard of unreliable narrator as you don't know quite what to think. I did have some mixed feelings about the ending. It wasn't extremely satisfying but I wouldn't say it's bad either. It's like a unique combination of being predictable and unpredictable.
In general, this book wasn't as strong of a read as Jane Anonymous. But it does manage to be a solid YA mystery thriller and I will definitely pick up the next book if the author continues with the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an advance digital copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
March 20, 2021
Tl;dr: Like thrillers with unreliable narrators? Read this as soon as you can!
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is loosely related to Laurie Faria Stolarz's last book, Jane Anonymous, but no knowledge is needed to enjoy this tightly written thrill ride about a girl who has been kidnapped.
Or has she?
From the beginning, this one will keep you on your toes and on edge. Terra was abducted on her way home from a party and held in a well that, after several days, she managed to escape from. She's on edge and deeply in the throes of PTSD.
But. Terra also has a history of lying, of violence, and her family history is very complicated. Terra definitely believes she's a victim, and the book makes several excellent points about how we--society--still engage in victim blaming.
Again, but. Terra's recollections of events definitely differ from other people's and she keeps telling us, the reader, things that turn out to be not as true as they seem. And she's become obsessed with a girl she's beome friendly with online who may or may not be who she seems, and who may or may not be in serious trouble.
And when Terra goes to investigate, towards the end of the novel, I felt as confused and frightened as she did because I didn't know what was real and what wasn't, if Terra was in danger again or if I was as trapped inside her mind as she might be. It was absolutely chilling, and the ending was perfect--in fact, I sat there for a while, wondering, and the only conclusion I could reach was that this is one hell of a book, managing to be a thriller and a chilling look at the stories we all create to survive. In fact, I still wonder about that ending and the story it tells--is it a cry for help? A reminder that we all need to listen? Or a trip inside a story that made the story? Or is Terra telling the truth and doomed to be a modern day Cassandra to those who should believe her?
How can that not be mind-blowing? How can you not read this book? This is definitely for teen and adult thriller readers and is one of the best books I've read in 2021. Absolutely recommended. (Go! Read! It!)
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is loosely related to Laurie Faria Stolarz's last book, Jane Anonymous, but no knowledge is needed to enjoy this tightly written thrill ride about a girl who has been kidnapped.
Or has she?
From the beginning, this one will keep you on your toes and on edge. Terra was abducted on her way home from a party and held in a well that, after several days, she managed to escape from. She's on edge and deeply in the throes of PTSD.
But. Terra also has a history of lying, of violence, and her family history is very complicated. Terra definitely believes she's a victim, and the book makes several excellent points about how we--society--still engage in victim blaming.
Again, but. Terra's recollections of events definitely differ from other people's and she keeps telling us, the reader, things that turn out to be not as true as they seem. And she's become obsessed with a girl she's beome friendly with online who may or may not be who she seems, and who may or may not be in serious trouble.
And when Terra goes to investigate, towards the end of the novel, I felt as confused and frightened as she did because I didn't know what was real and what wasn't, if Terra was in danger again or if I was as trapped inside her mind as she might be. It was absolutely chilling, and the ending was perfect--in fact, I sat there for a while, wondering, and the only conclusion I could reach was that this is one hell of a book, managing to be a thriller and a chilling look at the stories we all create to survive. In fact, I still wonder about that ending and the story it tells--is it a cry for help? A reminder that we all need to listen? Or a trip inside a story that made the story? Or is Terra telling the truth and doomed to be a modern day Cassandra to those who should believe her?
How can that not be mind-blowing? How can you not read this book? This is definitely for teen and adult thriller readers and is one of the best books I've read in 2021. Absolutely recommended. (Go! Read! It!)
March 13, 2021
Suspect EVERYONE. That is the message I was getting as I read this. Poor Terra was on the edge of her last nerve. She'd been abducted - or had she? - and no one believed her. I remember feeling molten lava level outrage when I saw the TV series UNBELIEVABLE, based on a true story, with a similar issue.
Terra suffers from fugue states and loses entire periods of time. Even the reader begins to doubt her. Her parents taught her to be suspicious of everything and sent her to every self-defense class there was, and yet, somehow, she still got abducted.
I felt like we kept backtracking over the same territory, but I suppose the author was trying to let us see inside the mind of a person who is ruminating, stuck in a vicious groove of rage, high anxiety and self-doubt. I had to put this one aside several times, because it was very unsettling. Rest assured that you are not left hanging. The truth to this twisted mystery is revealed and you will find out for sure whether Terra was imagining everything or really was the victim of a very cunning abduction. I'm rating this one a solid 4 out of 5.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Terra suffers from fugue states and loses entire periods of time. Even the reader begins to doubt her. Her parents taught her to be suspicious of everything and sent her to every self-defense class there was, and yet, somehow, she still got abducted.
I felt like we kept backtracking over the same territory, but I suppose the author was trying to let us see inside the mind of a person who is ruminating, stuck in a vicious groove of rage, high anxiety and self-doubt. I had to put this one aside several times, because it was very unsettling. Rest assured that you are not left hanging. The truth to this twisted mystery is revealed and you will find out for sure whether Terra was imagining everything or really was the victim of a very cunning abduction. I'm rating this one a solid 4 out of 5.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2021
With a heavy heart, I regret to tell you that I did not enjoy this book.
I promise, I tried. When I read the synopsis, it grabbed me instantly. A mystery about a girl being abducted while struggling with mental illness is something that will tickle my detective mind. Unfortunately, the execution of the story fell flat for me. The writing seemed juvenile, lacking sense of depth and introspection. Terra, the main character was not appealing at all. Although her trauma and mental illness were to root for, apparently being stuck inside her head for more than 300 pages didn't make me root for her. I was actually confused with her motivations. She was an unreliable narrator, she kept on asking herself about things that happened in her life, whether it was true or not. A lot of times, it was thrown at you—directly in your face—that you should be as confused as her, to tell you that you should watch your guard, monitor every line for the big reveal in the end, but unfortunately, everything was underwhelming.
The novel focused on the back and forth between the past and present, revealing bits of information about the events after the party up to the point where she was abducted and kept inside a water well for days before she escaped, and the trauma she had experience after the death of her parents. However, it didn't struck me clear as to what she truly wanted to accomplish. Sometimes, it was implied that she wanted to know who the suspect was but sometimes, it was all about being in conversation and deeply attached to this online friend, Peyton, whom she met at this site called Jane Anonymous and also shared similar traumas with her. This girl received triggering clues, pointing out that the abductor would be back and take her again, so Terra was worried about her. She believed that Peyton's experience would crack the mystery of her own abduction, too. She didn't even know her, didn't even know her full name, her true face, etc. yet she was so invested—this, being the main point of the story.
The first half of the book was really slow. Not until at least 60% did the real 'thrill' begin. I won't go into spoilers but here's what I want to say about this: if you really want to craft a good mystery, the grand reveal must be something that the readers must have known, had they carefully stitched the clues together, not some random character whom we didn't know just popped up, for the sake of shock value.
It's the second book in the series so maybe I should have read the first to figure out everything, but I don't know if that's how each book should be executed. All in all, I was disappointed, I am sorry.
I promise, I tried. When I read the synopsis, it grabbed me instantly. A mystery about a girl being abducted while struggling with mental illness is something that will tickle my detective mind. Unfortunately, the execution of the story fell flat for me. The writing seemed juvenile, lacking sense of depth and introspection. Terra, the main character was not appealing at all. Although her trauma and mental illness were to root for, apparently being stuck inside her head for more than 300 pages didn't make me root for her. I was actually confused with her motivations. She was an unreliable narrator, she kept on asking herself about things that happened in her life, whether it was true or not. A lot of times, it was thrown at you—directly in your face—that you should be as confused as her, to tell you that you should watch your guard, monitor every line for the big reveal in the end, but unfortunately, everything was underwhelming.
The novel focused on the back and forth between the past and present, revealing bits of information about the events after the party up to the point where she was abducted and kept inside a water well for days before she escaped, and the trauma she had experience after the death of her parents. However, it didn't struck me clear as to what she truly wanted to accomplish. Sometimes, it was implied that she wanted to know who the suspect was but sometimes, it was all about being in conversation and deeply attached to this online friend, Peyton, whom she met at this site called Jane Anonymous and also shared similar traumas with her. This girl received triggering clues, pointing out that the abductor would be back and take her again, so Terra was worried about her. She believed that Peyton's experience would crack the mystery of her own abduction, too. She didn't even know her, didn't even know her full name, her true face, etc. yet she was so invested—this, being the main point of the story.
The first half of the book was really slow. Not until at least 60% did the real 'thrill' begin. I won't go into spoilers but here's what I want to say about this: if you really want to craft a good mystery, the grand reveal must be something that the readers must have known, had they carefully stitched the clues together, not some random character whom we didn't know just popped up, for the sake of shock value.
It's the second book in the series so maybe I should have read the first to figure out everything, but I don't know if that's how each book should be executed. All in all, I was disappointed, I am sorry.
September 25, 2020
First off, I won this as a goodreads giveaway.
Warning and possible spoilers....
If you have triggers associated with being in enclosed spaces and being held against your will, be careful while reading this book.
This is a story of survival that is very well told. It also gives a voice to the voiceless when no one believes them or wants to believe them.
Warning and possible spoilers....
If you have triggers associated with being in enclosed spaces and being held against your will, be careful while reading this book.
This is a story of survival that is very well told. It also gives a voice to the voiceless when no one believes them or wants to believe them.
June 9, 2021
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
Well, this book was not for me. It wasn’t a book that I hated but it wasn’t one that I liked all that much either. I realize that I am not the target audience for the book but I decided to take a chance on it anyway. A lot of times those chances work out well but sometimes they don’t.
Terra hasn’t had an easy life. She has lived with her aunt since her parents died and she has survived an abduction where she was kept for days inside of a pit. There is one problem though since most people don’t believe that she made the whole story up. Her aunt never reported her missing and there is no evidence supporting her claims but Terra knows what happened to her. She looks for support on a website for survivors, Jane Anonymous, where she really connects with another user. When Peyton disappears from the website, Terra knows that she needs to do something.
I didn’t connect with any of the characters in this book. The book does jump around in time quite a bit and I didn’t think that the transitions from one period of time to the next was always as smooth as it could have been. I was never invested in the mystery of the story since Terra was always sure about what happened so either it happened as she said or she was an unreliable narrator. I realized that the book wasn’t clicking for me about halfway through when I was more focused on how much longer I had to listen to the book before it was over than what was happening to the characters.
I thought that Stephanie Willing did a great job with the narration of this story. I thought that she did a wonderful job voicing the different characters. She had a very pleasant voice that was easy to listen to for long periods of time. I do believe her narration is the reason that I never even considered not finishing the book. Unfortunately, her narration alone couldn’t save this book for me.
I would encourage anyone who thinks this book sounds like something that they would like to give it a try. It wasn’t the right book for me but it might be for another reader. I would be more than willing to try more of Laurie Faria Stolarz’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
This just wasn't for me. I was never really invested in the story and reached a point where I just wanted to finish the book so I could move on to something else. The narrator did a wonderful job with the audiobook. I am sure that other readers may enjoy this one a lot more than I did.
Well, this book was not for me. It wasn’t a book that I hated but it wasn’t one that I liked all that much either. I realize that I am not the target audience for the book but I decided to take a chance on it anyway. A lot of times those chances work out well but sometimes they don’t.
Terra hasn’t had an easy life. She has lived with her aunt since her parents died and she has survived an abduction where she was kept for days inside of a pit. There is one problem though since most people don’t believe that she made the whole story up. Her aunt never reported her missing and there is no evidence supporting her claims but Terra knows what happened to her. She looks for support on a website for survivors, Jane Anonymous, where she really connects with another user. When Peyton disappears from the website, Terra knows that she needs to do something.
I didn’t connect with any of the characters in this book. The book does jump around in time quite a bit and I didn’t think that the transitions from one period of time to the next was always as smooth as it could have been. I was never invested in the mystery of the story since Terra was always sure about what happened so either it happened as she said or she was an unreliable narrator. I realized that the book wasn’t clicking for me about halfway through when I was more focused on how much longer I had to listen to the book before it was over than what was happening to the characters.
I thought that Stephanie Willing did a great job with the narration of this story. I thought that she did a wonderful job voicing the different characters. She had a very pleasant voice that was easy to listen to for long periods of time. I do believe her narration is the reason that I never even considered not finishing the book. Unfortunately, her narration alone couldn’t save this book for me.
I would encourage anyone who thinks this book sounds like something that they would like to give it a try. It wasn’t the right book for me but it might be for another reader. I would be more than willing to try more of Laurie Faria Stolarz’s work in the future.
I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library.
Initial Thoughts
This just wasn't for me. I was never really invested in the story and reached a point where I just wanted to finish the book so I could move on to something else. The narrator did a wonderful job with the audiobook. I am sure that other readers may enjoy this one a lot more than I did.
May 8, 2021
3.75 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
The companion sequel to Jane Anonymous, this was the very book I needed. Especially with cats waking me up at 5am on a Saturday. I couldn't stop turning the pages trying to figure out if main protagonist Terrra's story was true. I feel like the author really did her homework to portray mental illness and the effects of trauma on a person.
I guess my only criticism is that the started to accelerate to a conclusion but I hope the Jane Anonymous universe hasn't ended quite yet. Hopefully, Terra will once again cross paths with other characters on the future.
#erinrossreads2021 #readersofinstagram #goodreads #teachersandbooks #netgalley #unrealiablenarrator. @lauriestolarz #stmartinspress
Goodreads review published 08/05/21
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
The companion sequel to Jane Anonymous, this was the very book I needed. Especially with cats waking me up at 5am on a Saturday. I couldn't stop turning the pages trying to figure out if main protagonist Terrra's story was true. I feel like the author really did her homework to portray mental illness and the effects of trauma on a person.
I guess my only criticism is that the started to accelerate to a conclusion but I hope the Jane Anonymous universe hasn't ended quite yet. Hopefully, Terra will once again cross paths with other characters on the future.
#erinrossreads2021 #readersofinstagram #goodreads #teachersandbooks #netgalley #unrealiablenarrator. @lauriestolarz #stmartinspress
Goodreads review published 08/05/21
May 17, 2021
Eighteen year old Terra was abducted and held four days in an abandoned well. She finally outsmarts her kidnapper and escapes. The problem is no one believes her story of being kidnapped. Not the police, not her Aunt, not her friends at school. There is no evidence of an abduction to back up her story so they believe she's making it up. Mentally, this is devastating to Terra and her already fragile mind spirals out of control. Her only solace is in an online group for survivors - Jane Anonymous. Yes, the same Jane Anonymous as in Book 1. Nice tie in that works in this case. When a girl in the chatroom vanishes, Terra is terrified she's been kidnapped by the same man again. Their stories are eerily similar, and Jane rushes against the clock to find out what's happened to her . . . before he comes for her.
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is a psychological horror house filled with illusions. Terra is one of the most unreliable narrators you'll find, making it hard to know whether to believe her or not. As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly difficult for readers to figure out what's real and what's not. Through chapters of Then and Now, both past and present stories drive a steady pace, and the twisted convoluted plot line keeps readers on their toes. The ending was not unexpected for me, but it in no way diminishes the journey of mind games and illusions. Fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy this one.
Special thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc of this book.
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is a psychological horror house filled with illusions. Terra is one of the most unreliable narrators you'll find, making it hard to know whether to believe her or not. As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly difficult for readers to figure out what's real and what's not. Through chapters of Then and Now, both past and present stories drive a steady pace, and the twisted convoluted plot line keeps readers on their toes. The ending was not unexpected for me, but it in no way diminishes the journey of mind games and illusions. Fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy this one.
Special thanks to Wednesday Books for an arc of this book.
Reviewed at Cross My Heart Reviews
June 24, 2021
honestly enjoyed the little story at the end more than this entire book😃
October 26, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep was a book that I enjoyed for the most part but gave me a character that was frustrating at times. Enter Terra. She's 18 years old and has definitely gone through some stuff. Whether it's her dad teaching her how to protect herself, losing both of her parents to an unfortunate and untimely accident, or to not being believed when she tells someone something very important.
Honestly, so much happens in this book that you might have to take a breather or two just to digest it all. Each page went by faster and faster because I had no idea where this book was going to take me next. The one thing I didn't like was how no one believed her. It's like she was crying wolf or anything and it just frustrated me beyond belief.
Then again, Terra did make some weird decisions and was vague about a lot of things to the people who loved her. So.. not sure how that was going to help with anything but eventually things all worked out. I am so happy that she had one person on her side the entire time and everyone else sucked in my eyes.
In the end, we live in a world with some creepy people and we all deserve our own Garrett.
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep was a book that I enjoyed for the most part but gave me a character that was frustrating at times. Enter Terra. She's 18 years old and has definitely gone through some stuff. Whether it's her dad teaching her how to protect herself, losing both of her parents to an unfortunate and untimely accident, or to not being believed when she tells someone something very important.
Honestly, so much happens in this book that you might have to take a breather or two just to digest it all. Each page went by faster and faster because I had no idea where this book was going to take me next. The one thing I didn't like was how no one believed her. It's like she was crying wolf or anything and it just frustrated me beyond belief.
Then again, Terra did make some weird decisions and was vague about a lot of things to the people who loved her. So.. not sure how that was going to help with anything but eventually things all worked out. I am so happy that she had one person on her side the entire time and everyone else sucked in my eyes.
In the end, we live in a world with some creepy people and we all deserve our own Garrett.
November 22, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: March 16, 2021
When Terra was a child, she survived a devastating house fire, a fire that claimed the life of her parents. Now, at eighteen years old, Terra is living with her aunt and trying to get her life back on track. One night, she is taken from her bedroom by a masked figure and after days of captivity in a water well, with only a children’s storybook for company, Terra escapes. However, upon her return, people begin to doubt her story, including her aunt Dessa. Was Terra kidnapped, or did her traumatized brain make up the story, like everyone keeps telling her? Is Terra a victim or horrible circumstances, or is she suffering a mental health crisis? No one is more desperate for answers than Terra herself, and she will stop at nothing to find them.
“The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep” by bestselling YA author, Laurie Faria Stolarz, is a unique and intriguing tale of post-traumatic stress disorder and family tragedy, with a magical dash of fairy tale stories mixed in.
The story is told in two time frames, one, when Terra was kidnapped and kept in the well, and afterward, when she is back at her aunt’s, looking for answers. Each section is clearly marked, and the writing style is easy to follow. Stolarz also appeals to her younger audience by including social media and technology in her novel, when Terra uses a chatroom for survivors to bond with others like her (there are lots of hashtags and Internet slang that add a modern twist).
This novel was page-turning, and the short chapters and addictive storytelling made it hard to put down. I wanted to know the truth just as much as Terra did, and I cheered for her the whole way. The novel’s ending remained a mystery right until the last few chapters, as Stolarz left the possibilities for the ending wide open, and any path would have been believable and enjoyable. Often in this genre, this is difficult to do, and I fully admire Stolarz for her creativity.
The ending itself was somewhat of a disappointment however, as I was looking for something more concrete and well-developed. I felt the re-appearance of a random character was not the best ending for the novel, yet Stolarz definitely still managed to tie the novel up in a neat little package.
I can definitely see “The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep” appealing to audiences, young and old. It is captivating, creative and engaging, and will definitely pull you in from page one.
Expected publication date: March 16, 2021
When Terra was a child, she survived a devastating house fire, a fire that claimed the life of her parents. Now, at eighteen years old, Terra is living with her aunt and trying to get her life back on track. One night, she is taken from her bedroom by a masked figure and after days of captivity in a water well, with only a children’s storybook for company, Terra escapes. However, upon her return, people begin to doubt her story, including her aunt Dessa. Was Terra kidnapped, or did her traumatized brain make up the story, like everyone keeps telling her? Is Terra a victim or horrible circumstances, or is she suffering a mental health crisis? No one is more desperate for answers than Terra herself, and she will stop at nothing to find them.
“The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep” by bestselling YA author, Laurie Faria Stolarz, is a unique and intriguing tale of post-traumatic stress disorder and family tragedy, with a magical dash of fairy tale stories mixed in.
The story is told in two time frames, one, when Terra was kidnapped and kept in the well, and afterward, when she is back at her aunt’s, looking for answers. Each section is clearly marked, and the writing style is easy to follow. Stolarz also appeals to her younger audience by including social media and technology in her novel, when Terra uses a chatroom for survivors to bond with others like her (there are lots of hashtags and Internet slang that add a modern twist).
This novel was page-turning, and the short chapters and addictive storytelling made it hard to put down. I wanted to know the truth just as much as Terra did, and I cheered for her the whole way. The novel’s ending remained a mystery right until the last few chapters, as Stolarz left the possibilities for the ending wide open, and any path would have been believable and enjoyable. Often in this genre, this is difficult to do, and I fully admire Stolarz for her creativity.
The ending itself was somewhat of a disappointment however, as I was looking for something more concrete and well-developed. I felt the re-appearance of a random character was not the best ending for the novel, yet Stolarz definitely still managed to tie the novel up in a neat little package.
I can definitely see “The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep” appealing to audiences, young and old. It is captivating, creative and engaging, and will definitely pull you in from page one.
December 20, 2020
I received an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have lots of thoughts but am also not sure what to think. Either a 3.5 or 4 star story.
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is a companion novel to Jane Anonymous. While it can be read alone, reading Jane Anonymous first prepares you for the type of story to expect. It also enhances the experience since there are some nods to Jane Anonymous. Unlike a lot of other YA mystery/thrillers, this and Jane Anonymous lean into the aftermath. The coping and discussions of trauma. The effect on their relationships. However, the Last Secret You'll Ever Keep involves a lot greater lengths needed to investigative what really happened.
Terra is an unrealiable narrator. No one believes her because of her past. She goes to a boarding school for "troubled children." No one can find the place where she was kept. Apart from her disheveled appearance when she returned, there does not seem to be anything to support that she was really kidnapped.
I really appreciated how this story discusses how a person's past can impact how they are treated when they seek help from the police. I have read/watched a lot of cases in which someone's past with addiction, criminal charges, their profession (e.g. sex work) affects the type of help they receive-- if they even receive any.
Some other things to consider:
- heavily monologue and description based. Not as much dialogue. It fits the story.
- stream of consciousness narrative.
- things that seem kind of random will tie up or make sense by the end
- now/then format but heavily leaning on now
- keeps you guessing
- you do get answers to most your questions
- there's at least one twist that you will not see coming
- some things (like why a certain character was invested in her story) is left for interpretation
I have lots of thoughts but am also not sure what to think. Either a 3.5 or 4 star story.
The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep is a companion novel to Jane Anonymous. While it can be read alone, reading Jane Anonymous first prepares you for the type of story to expect. It also enhances the experience since there are some nods to Jane Anonymous. Unlike a lot of other YA mystery/thrillers, this and Jane Anonymous lean into the aftermath. The coping and discussions of trauma. The effect on their relationships. However, the Last Secret You'll Ever Keep involves a lot greater lengths needed to investigative what really happened.
Terra is an unrealiable narrator. No one believes her because of her past. She goes to a boarding school for "troubled children." No one can find the place where she was kept. Apart from her disheveled appearance when she returned, there does not seem to be anything to support that she was really kidnapped.
I really appreciated how this story discusses how a person's past can impact how they are treated when they seek help from the police. I have read/watched a lot of cases in which someone's past with addiction, criminal charges, their profession (e.g. sex work) affects the type of help they receive-- if they even receive any.
Some other things to consider:
- heavily monologue and description based. Not as much dialogue. It fits the story.
- stream of consciousness narrative.
- things that seem kind of random will tie up or make sense by the end
- now/then format but heavily leaning on now
- keeps you guessing
- you do get answers to most your questions
- there's at least one twist that you will not see coming
- some things (like why a certain character was invested in her story) is left for interpretation
July 10, 2024
“When people tell you long enough that your story can't possibly be true, that it's the result of post-traumatic stress because your parents died and you don't know how to survive, it feels less isolating to agree, especially when those people are the ‘sane’ ones."
____
“The brain is a muscle too, at least that’s what I believe. I paint mine perched on a nest of letters that spell out the words work in progress – because that’s what I am with my paper heart and my phantom scars.”
____
“My parents didn’t get it. I would never become a cliché. I wasn’t anything like those ‘poor pathetic girls.’
"Or so I believed.
"But I believed a lot of things back then that have since proven untrue. My biggest lesson: there’s no such thing as a ‘poor pathetic girl.’ Unless, of course, you’re talking about me."
____
“The brain is a muscle too, at least that’s what I believe. I paint mine perched on a nest of letters that spell out the words work in progress – because that’s what I am with my paper heart and my phantom scars.”
____
“My parents didn’t get it. I would never become a cliché. I wasn’t anything like those ‘poor pathetic girls.’
"Or so I believed.
"But I believed a lot of things back then that have since proven untrue. My biggest lesson: there’s no such thing as a ‘poor pathetic girl.’ Unless, of course, you’re talking about me."
October 18, 2020
One of my favorite genres of reads is YA Thrillers and Mysteries. I had quite enjoyed in the past several Laurie Faria Stolarz's books and so when I saw this one, I was excited as I was certain I would enjoy it. This book presents itself as an unofficial sequel to her book Jane Anonymous. As you will recall in Jane Anonymous, the main character Jane was kidnapped, and then she decided to chronicle her abduction and then start up a blog and an anonymous chatline for those who were victims as well. In The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep we meet Terra who claims that on her way home from a party, she was kidnapped and held for four days. The thing is there is no evidence and sadly, she doesn't have the best reputation, and the people who should have her back - don't believe her. Now six months later, she is still searching for answers and proof and spending her time on the JA chat with other victims and people who get her pain and confusion. One chat member Peyton and Terra have struck up a good relationship and friendship online and bonded. What happens though when Peyton after confessing in a private chat that she thinks her kidnapper is back and then goes missing from the chat? Terra believes that something terrible has happened and will take a road trip and try and track down Peyton. However, along the way, it seems that Peyton's and Terra's kidnapping are connected, and will Terra find herself another victim but this time she won't be so lucky and getaway in one piece? Find out in The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz - coming to an e-reader near you in March 2021.
October 10, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley, Laurie Faria Stolarz and Wednesday Books for a review copy of this book.
I loved Jane Anonymous, It is one of my most fav read of 2020. I wanted to get this eARC so badly when I got it I was over the moon.
Terra got abducted for four days then she succeeded in the escape. She is the narrator of this story. The story is divided into Then and Now parts. She tells her story how she got abducted and escaped, how she is coping with everything, her memory is kinda blurred. But the problem is no one believes her. She is dealing with a lot of things and she is no more reliable to her family or community.
Her therapist and cops have decided that she is just making stories. Then she finds out Jane Anonymous site, it is an online forum where all the victims share their stories and struggles without judging anyone.
The concept is so refreshing, Terra’s struggles were well written. But unfortunately, I couldn’t really connect to any of the characters. I was getting Terra but the first half of the story felt too stretched that it became boring for me and I lost that connection with Terra. This story is more about the victim’s struggle. The ending simply disappointed me. I was hoping for a grand plot twist which will make me love this book but unfortunately, nothing happened.
It wasn’t a thriller/mystery like JA. I was expecting much more.
I loved Jane Anonymous, It is one of my most fav read of 2020. I wanted to get this eARC so badly when I got it I was over the moon.
Terra got abducted for four days then she succeeded in the escape. She is the narrator of this story. The story is divided into Then and Now parts. She tells her story how she got abducted and escaped, how she is coping with everything, her memory is kinda blurred. But the problem is no one believes her. She is dealing with a lot of things and she is no more reliable to her family or community.
Her therapist and cops have decided that she is just making stories. Then she finds out Jane Anonymous site, it is an online forum where all the victims share their stories and struggles without judging anyone.
The concept is so refreshing, Terra’s struggles were well written. But unfortunately, I couldn’t really connect to any of the characters. I was getting Terra but the first half of the story felt too stretched that it became boring for me and I lost that connection with Terra. This story is more about the victim’s struggle. The ending simply disappointed me. I was hoping for a grand plot twist which will make me love this book but unfortunately, nothing happened.
It wasn’t a thriller/mystery like JA. I was expecting much more.
October 22, 2020
Wow, this was so good! I was sucked in from the beginning and the story kept me guessing and wondering what was real or not. The layout is similar to Jane Anonymous and this is sort of a sequel but you can read them separately. The story is separated into Then and Now, telling you how Terra was kidnapped, got free, and is now dealing with life after.
The circumstances surrounding Terra's kidnapping and escape are odd, there's no evidence to corroborate her story and with her history of mental health issues, no one believes her. Through her eyes, we see Terra have hallucinations, say and do things she doesn't realize or remember, and it's difficult to know if everything really happened. This plays a huge part of the story, wanting to believe her but also understanding why others might not.
PTSD, depression, and anxiety are prevalent throughout the book. Terra has panic attacks, takes medication, and spends time in a mental health facility. I think the way this was portrayed felt very real and I appreciate the author showing the aftermath of surviving a terrible event.
This was excellently paced, with a compelling storyline and kept me wanting more. I'm so happy I got the chance to read this and excited for it to be out in the world!
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The circumstances surrounding Terra's kidnapping and escape are odd, there's no evidence to corroborate her story and with her history of mental health issues, no one believes her. Through her eyes, we see Terra have hallucinations, say and do things she doesn't realize or remember, and it's difficult to know if everything really happened. This plays a huge part of the story, wanting to believe her but also understanding why others might not.
PTSD, depression, and anxiety are prevalent throughout the book. Terra has panic attacks, takes medication, and spends time in a mental health facility. I think the way this was portrayed felt very real and I appreciate the author showing the aftermath of surviving a terrible event.
This was excellently paced, with a compelling storyline and kept me wanting more. I'm so happy I got the chance to read this and excited for it to be out in the world!
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 17, 2021
I want to thank NetGalley & Wednesday Books very much for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
This is certainly a difficult story to read at times because it focuses much on an extremely traumatic event where the main character is the survivor who escapes from her captor. I enjoyed the plot a lot, due to how it's told and from what point of view it is played, and also I find it extremely intriguing, although heartbreaking, to see how the veracity of the victim's kidnapping story is questioned a lot to the point of humiliating and treating her as a liar. Of course, all this makes it a hard-hitting book, but you still can't stop reading because there are many unknowns things to which you want to know the answers.
3.5/4 ⭐⭐⭐💫
You can find more of my reviews & fun content on my blog A Book. A Thought.
First of all, I want to mention two things, first I didn't read "Jane, Anonymous" before reading this book, and I don't think that's really necessary, even so, if you want to do it you'll surely have a greater context and a better idea of what you'll find yourself with & second, I wanted to clarify that some scenes can be quite graphic and some descriptions are painful to read, so I recommend discretion if you're a sensitive person.
Regarding the story itself, it's very interesting, I love the mystery and this book has a great element of mystery in it, which I liked because it's written in a way that you feel the frustration that the characters feel. And you can go on creating your own ideas and conclusions about each action. It's a book that calls you a lot to reflect on, and that's a very interesting complement. In addition, I also appreciate the pace of the book because despite being a fairly short book it's not a story that passes quickly, on the contrary, it has a slow pace that I think is very correct for this type of more intense, dark and dark plots.
One factor that I absolutely adore and it's something I usually love in thrillers is that this is a book that makes you wonder what's real and what's not, it has moments when you think "oh, well this makes sense" and then something happens and make you question your previous thoughts. All these elements make this a very addictive and entertaining book to read.
On the other hand, something that prevented me from enjoying the book completely is that I didn't like the characters very much, in general, I feel that they need more development work or depth in their personalities, this doesn't mean that I haven't felt the emotions for what they've to go through, especially the main character who is Terra, but I would have liked a little more development there.
I don't really have much more to say about the book, especially since everything is a potential spoiler, so I try to tell you a little about what I felt and what happened to me without revealing too much, which is a challenge. Basically, this is a pretty solid story about a girl struggling to be heard after going through a totally traumatic situation that no one seems to believe 100% of. Keeps you intrigued all the time wanting to know what will happen. It has something very dynamic due to its small details and because it makes you wonder many things, it's also very interesting to see how it develops and everything ends up making a lot of sense. On the other hand, the ending wasn't the best, I think it lacks the impact and that vibe that the book knows how to maintain very well at the beginning, so I don't think the ending is something to highlight, but I would still recommend the book as it has many intriguing factors to discover and also solid revelations and twists that I'm sure you can enjoy if you like this type of genre.
December 9, 2020
Eighteen-year-old Terra’s life has been in a constant downward spiral since a house fire killed her parents. She survived the fire but deals with soul-crushing survivor guilt. She now lives with her aunt, her mother’s sister, but the relationship is rocky at best.
She doesn’t have any real friends, and when the one she thinks she can count on leaves for college, Terra is all alone. Terra is now living with her terror, as well as her aunt’s, the police, and the town’s doubt. You see, Terra was abducted and spent four days trying to escape her unknown captor. But there is no evidence, and soon concern turns to disbelief. The worst part, Terra doubts herself.
The only place where she finds support is in an online survivor group, Jane Anonymous. Everyone there has been traumatized, and it is the one place that makes Terra feel like she is not crazy. When one of the members, Peyton disappears, it seems that Terra is the only person concerned, and the only person willing to do whatever it takes to find Peyton.
The similarities between Peyton and Terra’s abductions are striking, so much so that Terra starts to believe they may have both been taken by the same man. But can you really trust someone you only know online? Terra is about to find out, and perhaps we will learn whether she is an unreliable narrator or the perfect victim.
Trying to decide if Terra was delusional or if there was something sinister going on, made this a hard to put aside read. I was not expecting that ending at all, so my spidey sense was certainly fooled. A great plot that pulled me right in.
She doesn’t have any real friends, and when the one she thinks she can count on leaves for college, Terra is all alone. Terra is now living with her terror, as well as her aunt’s, the police, and the town’s doubt. You see, Terra was abducted and spent four days trying to escape her unknown captor. But there is no evidence, and soon concern turns to disbelief. The worst part, Terra doubts herself.
The only place where she finds support is in an online survivor group, Jane Anonymous. Everyone there has been traumatized, and it is the one place that makes Terra feel like she is not crazy. When one of the members, Peyton disappears, it seems that Terra is the only person concerned, and the only person willing to do whatever it takes to find Peyton.
The similarities between Peyton and Terra’s abductions are striking, so much so that Terra starts to believe they may have both been taken by the same man. But can you really trust someone you only know online? Terra is about to find out, and perhaps we will learn whether she is an unreliable narrator or the perfect victim.
Trying to decide if Terra was delusional or if there was something sinister going on, made this a hard to put aside read. I was not expecting that ending at all, so my spidey sense was certainly fooled. A great plot that pulled me right in.
October 31, 2020
If you don't want to be angry at most of the characters in your next read, this might not be the best choice right now. However, if you're prepared to get mad at (almost) everyone... then pick this YA Mystery/Thriller because despite my state of anger, this was a really good book that kept my attention from beginning to end!
In this story, you'll meet Terra, a girl who managed to survive an abduction. Someone took her from her own bed and put her in what looked like a water well. Thirst, hunger were her constant companions until she found a way out. However, instead of going directly to the police she went home (which is understandable in the state she was in). The problem is that quickly, people start not believing her. They don't find the well, and she has been known to miss for a couple of days in the past. In the end, everyone mocks her and thinks she's crazy and that she made everything up. UGH. I cannot tell you how frustrating that was. I wanted to shake everyone and tell Terra that I believed her.
This book follows Terra after the abduction but we also get chapters telling us what happened in the past or what she thought happened as everything aren't always clear. I was hooked and I needed to know how it would end as I wasn't sure if she would survive or not...
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
In this story, you'll meet Terra, a girl who managed to survive an abduction. Someone took her from her own bed and put her in what looked like a water well. Thirst, hunger were her constant companions until she found a way out. However, instead of going directly to the police she went home (which is understandable in the state she was in). The problem is that quickly, people start not believing her. They don't find the well, and she has been known to miss for a couple of days in the past. In the end, everyone mocks her and thinks she's crazy and that she made everything up. UGH. I cannot tell you how frustrating that was. I wanted to shake everyone and tell Terra that I believed her.
This book follows Terra after the abduction but we also get chapters telling us what happened in the past or what she thought happened as everything aren't always clear. I was hooked and I needed to know how it would end as I wasn't sure if she would survive or not...
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
March 24, 2021
This one was just okay. It should have been a sure thing, since these type of books are like crack to me. However, I found it super slow, and I honestly didn't like or connect with Terra, like AT ALL. I found her annoying, and rude, and a whole host of unpleasant things. 😂 Plus I thought the whole reveal, and the baddie was a little..."huh". Oh well, it happens. Can't love every book, right? 🤷
**ARC Via NetGalley**
**ARC Via NetGalley**
October 11, 2020
****ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review****
I’m conflicted in how to rate this book. While reading there is so much misdirection and second guessing taking place I’m not sure how to feel having finished. We’re led to belive time after time that the chances of the heroine and narrator being unreliable are high. Even as she looks for her own proof and evidence, luck is not on her side and everything points to her being a liar. Overall it’s been years since I’ve read anything by this author and I’m glad she’s still around. The story was pretty engaging from start to finish and I did enjoy the entire mysterious air throughout. There are many references to Jane Anonymous which I’ve been meaning to read but never got around to. On that note the mentions are more based on a virtual chat room for survivors which is probably created in the book. While I haven’t read the book and can’t vouch that you need to read that first, personally I did not feel left out or as if I needed to read that book to understand this one. It certainly worked for me as a standalone.
I’m conflicted in how to rate this book. While reading there is so much misdirection and second guessing taking place I’m not sure how to feel having finished. We’re led to belive time after time that the chances of the heroine and narrator being unreliable are high. Even as she looks for her own proof and evidence, luck is not on her side and everything points to her being a liar. Overall it’s been years since I’ve read anything by this author and I’m glad she’s still around. The story was pretty engaging from start to finish and I did enjoy the entire mysterious air throughout. There are many references to Jane Anonymous which I’ve been meaning to read but never got around to. On that note the mentions are more based on a virtual chat room for survivors which is probably created in the book. While I haven’t read the book and can’t vouch that you need to read that first, personally I did not feel left out or as if I needed to read that book to understand this one. It certainly worked for me as a standalone.
February 22, 2021
Holy unreliable narrator batman!
tw: discussions of trauma, kidnapping, enclosed spaces, death by fire. If any of these things bother you, I would avoid this.
The Last Secret You'll Ever keep is a completely bonkers YA psychological thriller that had me turning pages back and forth just to make sure *I* was keeping the story straight. because this was a RIDE.
18-year-old Terra is a survivor. From her odd upbringing, to the tragedy that took her family, and the kidnapping she escaped and of which no one even believes happened—this girl has a lot going on.
Traumatized, paranoid, and carrying a deep pain, Terra tries her best to maintain in a world where most people think she is a freak and a liar. She takes solace in an anonymous chat room for survivors of various situations and befriends a user named Peyton, who encourages and comforts her when no one else will. They bond through the safety of the internet, but Terra has no idea who to really trust. Not her aunt, not Peyton, not the handsome Garret—maybe not even herself. As she tries to find any shred of proof that would show her experience was real, Terra starts to unravel not just her story, but the story of her kidnapper.
I have to say: This book was bizarre. Twists and turns abound, plenty of oddity and inconsistency to keep you turning the pages, if nothing more than to find out WHO was actually telling the truth. I had a hard time relating to Terra in any facet, as I wasn't even sure how sane she was half the time based on how often she went back and forth in her own mind. This is a past-future jump type situation which, while labelled, still managed to bring confusion to what were really facts. While it certainly held its intrigue, I have to admit it wasn't my favorite usage of any of these tropes.
I did, however, truly appreciate the way this story touched on victim-blaming and its effects on the victim themselves. This is something that needs to be talked about more in-depth, and to see Terra suffering through not only her trauma, but the disbelief of everyone around her was a very poignant note in an otherwise erratic text.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
tw: discussions of trauma, kidnapping, enclosed spaces, death by fire. If any of these things bother you, I would avoid this.
The Last Secret You'll Ever keep is a completely bonkers YA psychological thriller that had me turning pages back and forth just to make sure *I* was keeping the story straight. because this was a RIDE.
18-year-old Terra is a survivor. From her odd upbringing, to the tragedy that took her family, and the kidnapping she escaped and of which no one even believes happened—this girl has a lot going on.
Traumatized, paranoid, and carrying a deep pain, Terra tries her best to maintain in a world where most people think she is a freak and a liar. She takes solace in an anonymous chat room for survivors of various situations and befriends a user named Peyton, who encourages and comforts her when no one else will. They bond through the safety of the internet, but Terra has no idea who to really trust. Not her aunt, not Peyton, not the handsome Garret—maybe not even herself. As she tries to find any shred of proof that would show her experience was real, Terra starts to unravel not just her story, but the story of her kidnapper.
I have to say: This book was bizarre. Twists and turns abound, plenty of oddity and inconsistency to keep you turning the pages, if nothing more than to find out WHO was actually telling the truth. I had a hard time relating to Terra in any facet, as I wasn't even sure how sane she was half the time based on how often she went back and forth in her own mind. This is a past-future jump type situation which, while labelled, still managed to bring confusion to what were really facts. While it certainly held its intrigue, I have to admit it wasn't my favorite usage of any of these tropes.
I did, however, truly appreciate the way this story touched on victim-blaming and its effects on the victim themselves. This is something that needs to be talked about more in-depth, and to see Terra suffering through not only her trauma, but the disbelief of everyone around her was a very poignant note in an otherwise erratic text.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
November 15, 2020
As usual an amazing book! Absolutely loved it! Couldn't put it down once I started.
September 15, 2020
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP by Laurie Faria Stolarz in exchange for my honest review.***
THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP is a loose follow up to JANE ANONYMOUS which can also be read as a stand alone book as each book has unique characters and plot. THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP mentions a book written by JANE ANONYMOUS and a website she created.
Orphaned at age thirteen, Terra is abducted, escaping four days later with an implausible story nobody believes. Terra finds solace in a chat room for trauma survivors called Jane Anonymous, created by a kidnapping survivor. Is Terra telling the truth as she believes, delusional as her doctors believe or outright lying as her friends think?
Terra tells us she’s not taking her meds, but not which meds she’s forgoing. If she’s not taking antipsychotics, chances are she’s not telling the truth although being delusional and being caught in an unbelievable situation are not mutually exclusive. If she’s telling the truth, I had a suspect.
The final 25% of THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP are nonstop thriller, nothing turned out the way I expected.
THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP is a solid followup to JANE, ANONYMOUS which I enjoyed very much and recommend.
THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP is a loose follow up to JANE ANONYMOUS which can also be read as a stand alone book as each book has unique characters and plot. THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP mentions a book written by JANE ANONYMOUS and a website she created.
Orphaned at age thirteen, Terra is abducted, escaping four days later with an implausible story nobody believes. Terra finds solace in a chat room for trauma survivors called Jane Anonymous, created by a kidnapping survivor. Is Terra telling the truth as she believes, delusional as her doctors believe or outright lying as her friends think?
Terra tells us she’s not taking her meds, but not which meds she’s forgoing. If she’s not taking antipsychotics, chances are she’s not telling the truth although being delusional and being caught in an unbelievable situation are not mutually exclusive. If she’s telling the truth, I had a suspect.
The final 25% of THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP are nonstop thriller, nothing turned out the way I expected.
THE LAST SECRET YOU’LL EVER KEEP is a solid followup to JANE, ANONYMOUS which I enjoyed very much and recommend.
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