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nottynrs's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
rosereadsalot's review
1.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Secret of You and Me by Melissa Lendhardt. Unfortunately I did not like what I read of this book. I have tried to read it multiple times and got 50% in the first time; 30% the second. Reading about internalised homophobia was not a fun experience and whilst that isn’t a criticism of the book it is part of what made it too hard for me to get through! The author, at the time of writing this, identified of straight but now identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community so whilst this isn’t a story about queer people/relationships written by a straight person it did feel like it at times. I think a lot of people would like this book but I unfortunately did not.
hanhantap's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed the start of this book. That unresolved tension between Nora and Sophie, the feeling of returning to your small town after years of being away, Sophie's alcoholism and dealing with her mother and Charlie, etc. By the halfway point, I was losing interest because the tension dissolved into the dry heat of the Texas air. It became stale and repetitive. I was skimming by the end. The characters were interesting and I loved Melissa Lenhardt's writing style. The story just lost my interest as it went on.
hawkietta's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
campychick001's review against another edition
2.0
** I received an ARC from a Goodreads Giveaway**
Two estranged best friends have kept a major secret since high school: they are madly in love. This story follows Nora and Sophie as they struggle with accepting their sexuality/relationship while dealing with judgement from their conservative Christian family and friends.
I enjoyed the concept of the story but the characters were hard to like: a lot of the dialogue felt "out of character" for women in their late-30's. My major issue with this book is the constant unnecessary fighting between Nora and Sophie; they go from being happy to fighting and back to happy several times in a single chapter (and this happens throughout the entire book!). The ending redeemed this book from being a total fail for me.
Two estranged best friends have kept a major secret since high school: they are madly in love. This story follows Nora and Sophie as they struggle with accepting their sexuality/relationship while dealing with judgement from their conservative Christian family and friends.
I enjoyed the concept of the story but the characters were hard to like: a lot of the dialogue felt "out of character" for women in their late-30's. My major issue with this book is the constant unnecessary fighting between Nora and Sophie; they go from being happy to fighting and back to happy several times in a single chapter (and this happens throughout the entire book!). The ending redeemed this book from being a total fail for me.
sbojo32's review against another edition
2.0
This was billed as a romance, and I get it was, but it was tough. The Secret of You and Me is the story of two women, now adults living their lives. They were in love as teenagers and living in a very conservative Texas town, were unable to be who they truly were. This led to mistakes on both their part, getting caught and doing things to save their own reputation.
Sophie stays in Texas, gets married and has a daughter, living life as a closeted lesbian. Nora joined the military and then moved to DC. She never settled down, instead choosing unavailable people to have flings with. Nora's father dies, which means Nora needs to return to Texas. She reunites with Sophie and their passion hasn't faded.
However, Sophie's mom (and family) weigh heavy on her mind. This book showcases the struggles that homosexuals feel when they cannot be who they truly are. When they live in an area that will not accept them or have family that will not accept them, they stay closeted, and it isn't easy.
I think I wanted more from this book. I felt it was the same refrain - I wish we could be together, but how when it would be so hard - over and over again.
Sophie stays in Texas, gets married and has a daughter, living life as a closeted lesbian. Nora joined the military and then moved to DC. She never settled down, instead choosing unavailable people to have flings with. Nora's father dies, which means Nora needs to return to Texas. She reunites with Sophie and their passion hasn't faded.
However, Sophie's mom (and family) weigh heavy on her mind. This book showcases the struggles that homosexuals feel when they cannot be who they truly are. When they live in an area that will not accept them or have family that will not accept them, they stay closeted, and it isn't easy.
I think I wanted more from this book. I felt it was the same refrain - I wish we could be together, but how when it would be so hard - over and over again.
brandece1's review against another edition
4.0
This book has been on my TBR for such a long time, when it became available on Hoopla I knew I had to get to it. I was pretty much hooked from page one; so much family drama, secrets and lies. This book is set in a very small minded Texas town. So with that said there is on page homophobia, and racism. I will say that for the most part I feel like both were handled with care, but there were times I think my jaw hit the ground. I love the duel POV, and being able to see how both women grew from teenagers and seeing how they now live their lives. I will say that IMO this is definitely more chicklit/women's fiction than romance. Yes there was a love story and yes it was the point of the book, but we really get a lot of personal growth and family drama in this book. I could totally see this as an ABC drama!
misha_ali's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of drama and angst in this one, if that's your thing. Fun, but even for me, that's a lot of "just get on with it" sentiments by the time we hit the halfway mark.
blvntbaby's review against another edition
3.0
i enjoyed this, the story could have been more thrilling, i liked the secret of it but i wish she wasnt in the army lol
elisafaith80's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75