Fiction review: Tell Me a Secret

Blurb

Best friends Holly and Roz tell each other everything. So when Holly gets a shot at her dream job after putting everything on hold to raise her daughter, she assumes Roz will be waiting to pop the champagne. But is she just imagining things or is Roz not quite as happy as she should be?
And now she thinks about it, a few things don't quite add up... Perhaps it was a mistake to tell Roz all her secrets.

Because it takes two to tango.
But only one to start a war...

Review

Originality ♥♥♥
Quality of Writing ♥♥♥♥
Plot         ♥♥♥♥
Setting ♥♥♥♥♥
Character ♥♥♥♥♥
Overall ♥♥♥♥

I have never read a Jane Fallon novel before, although I’ve always been slightly intrigued by the drama and element of friendship in her books. Nevertheless, I am very glad I picked this book up – it’s just the kind of escapism I needed, plus I don’t feel ‘guilty’ reading this at all. Why should I feel guilty for reading a book about real life friendship and drama? Although the story doesn’t rate high for originality, the character, the overall plot, and the quality of writing are all top notch, and I found it seriously hard to put this book down (I even sneakily read bits at work!)

I absolutely love the main character, Holly – I feel we all have a bit of her in us. Sometimes she can be naughty, laugh at bitchy things, or judge others harshly; but throughout the book her character grows at a wonderful pace and we soon see that Holly has a heart of gold. And we’re all a bit like that aren’t we? Plus Holly is a single mother, and I really find it valuable what this book represents in terms of modern women today.

Power couple Dee and Gavin are my next favourite – they represent a strong, loving couple yet not unrealistically. There are cracks in their relationships, and the way they grow towards each other again is beautiful. Roz is an awesome villain, and sometimes I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. And finally, Juliet. Although for the first half of the book I saw Juliet as someone in her twenties (she’s actually 42) – I am glad her character was developed further and that the author gave her role a deeper meaning to the story.

There are a few twists, as you would expect in this kind of novel, and I did guess most of them. However, it really did not stop my enjoyment, and I just loved following the characters around, sharing their fear, their love, their anger, their excitement, and overall it really just made a wholesome book to read. I loved that the book was set in the world of TV writing – it was really insightful to get a first seat view of how TV soaps are run. The climax at the end is just perfect - and unexpected which just made it a whole lot more exciting. I am really pleased with the pacing throughout as a lot of books fail on this front.

And now, after reading Tell Me a Secret, I vow to pick up more of Jane’s books to see what I’ve been missing out on.

4.5 ♥♥♥♥

Publish date: 10 January 2019

Amazon Link: Tell Me a Secret

About the Author:

Jane Fallon is the multi-award-winning television producer behind shows such as This Life, Teachers and 20 Things to Do before You're 30. Her debut novel "Getting Rid of Matthew' was published in 2007 and became a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller as have her subsequent books 'Got You Back', 'Foursome', 'The Ugly Sister', 'Skeletons', 'Strictly Between Us' and 'My Sweet Revenge"
Her 8th novel Faking Friends is available now to pre order in both paperback and for Kindle.
Join Jane on Twitter - @janefallon or at her website www.janefallon.co.uk



Note: This book was given by the publisher in return for an honest review. Thank you to Penguin UK for this opportunity! (Downloaded off Netgalley)

Credit: Blurb and Author Bio taken off Amazon.co.uk 

This is my Review of the Month for the review collection on LovelyAudiobooks.info