Open Secrets

by Jennifer Manuel

Seventeen-year-old Ana Santos has ambitions to make it big in music. When she signs a contract with the owner of a music cafe, she has no idea there are sexual strings attached. This book looks at the darker side of the music industry, including sexual harassment, lyrics that degrade and demean women, and social media trolling as backlash for speaking up. Ana is a strong, realistic main character who overcomes her feelings of shame to find a voice for herself and her music. The #MeToo movement has revealed the prevalence of sexual assault in society, and an issue that also affects the lives of teen girls.

Genres: Young Adult, Music, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2021

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of books in this series and they are always a quick read, which sometimes means that the author does not have time to develop both the character and the plot.

In this one, surprisingly, while the author tackles a very difficult topic (grooming and everything associated with it) and spreads out the storyline so that we actually do get a feel for what is happening to "Shadow".

You can actually see the grooming stages and how Shadow is completely oblivious to it all until a troubling incident starts to make her think.

Granted, the last part of the book feels a bit rushed, but I have to say this is an excellent fictional look at what grooming is in the real world.

[JL Salty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This hi-lo book (about a 17yo, at a 2.9 RL) is a quick read, thoroughly spelling out the steps in the grooming process. The story is fine, a little predictable and rushed at the end, but Manuel does a decent job if touching all the #metoo points, including the doubters.
This could be a tool in the hands of a teacher or counselor suspecting a grooming situation or working to inform teens of the grooming process.
It feels a little like a self-published book - style, cover image from shutterstock - but I think that’s ok, most hi-los feel a little like that to me. It’s more accessible to a broad range of readers.
Rating: pg-13 for subject matter; a little profanity ; song lyrics

[HPL Teen Advisory Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate this book a 4.5 stars because it was a good easy read and was not too long at all for someone who doesn't read often. However I would say that there is talk of sexsul assolt in it which can be triggering for some people so I would proceed with cushion if that's something that may be a trigger to you. But I would also say it was a good reading level for me and I liked that the words were nice and big to read easily.
I also would say that the book shows a good insight to how the music industry / being famous is not what it may look like from the outside. So in conclusion I would recommend this book to anyone who likes music or is just into teen drama books.

- Review by Megan

[Hannah Havenspell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book does cover a serious topic in today's society, I don't think it covers it enough. While this book does mention important things about being groomed and being a woman it does it in less than 200 pages. Not to say that it doesn't cover it, but I personally don't think it really covers an issue as complex as this. I do think it's important to remember however not all women get a happy ending.