Last Updated: 09 May 2021
Before I read All My Secrets, I saw a lot of 2-3 star reviews. So with these in mind, I was expecting to be disappointed. However, I was actually pleasantly surprised.
I don’t know why the other reviewers found fault with it because I really enjoyed it – in fact, I finished the majority of it in one night because I had to keep reading and find out what happened!
Unlike a lot of YA fiction, I didn’t find it predictable. I hadn’t guessed what was going to happen until it actually happened, and the story was unexpected, peppered with exciting twists and turns. Similarly, I also liked that it was fast-paced and full of action and drama throughout. Just a dash of romance was nice too, rather than the love interest becoming the main focus of the story (this tends to happen a lot in YA!)
All the characters were interesting with different personalities that really made for an engaging and involving read. I particularly liked Pepper and Josh, although they all had their good points. The author has definitely managed to accurately capture the wide range of feelings and emotions that a group of ‘troubled’ teenagers would be experiencing in this situation. From Samuel’s innocence to outspoken Pepper, not forgetting Evie’s childish reaction to her family at the start, it’s clear Sophie McKenzie has worked hard on this.
I actually really liked the setting of Lightsea too. I often think stories perform better with a limited or single location because that forces the characters together. In turn that provokes certain dramatic situations and actions, which makes it much more interesting to read. The author has also mastered the technique of ‘show, don’t tell’. This is just my writing background coming through, but I really appreciate an author writing well. For example, Evie notices that some of the rooms at Lightsea are disused and that the owner, David Lomax, wears a threadbare jacket. This shows us that Lightsea is having money issues without outright telling us - things like that are perfect examples of good writing.
Personally, I think the beginning was by far the weakest part of the book because it didn’t draw me in straight away. But don’t give up - stick with it – because as soon as Evie moves to Lightsea the story really comes into its own.
A lot of reviewers have complained that the basic premise is too far-fetched. Sure, the set-up isn’t exactly realistic, but why should that matter? It’s fiction, not real life. The concept might not have been fully realistic, but the way that the characters dealt with it was, and that’s definitely what made this story for me.
Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed reading All My Secrets, and I’m sure you will too. So it’s just as well that I’ve got another copy to give away to one of my readers, courtesy of Simon & Schuster. If you’d like to win yourself a copy, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and conditions:
1. Giveaway closes on 12th July 2015 at 11.59pm (GMT).
2. The prize consists of one paperback copy of 'All My Secrets' by Sophie McKenzie.
3. Upon confirmation of the winner's address, the prize will be posted to the winner by Simon & Schuster, NOT The Writing Greyhound.
4. This giveaway is open to UK residents aged 13 and over.
5. The winner will be randomly generated by Rafflecopter once the giveaway has ended.
6. The winner will be informed by email once the giveaway has ended.
7. The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize. If the winner has not responded by this time, another winner will be announced.
All My Secrets is available to buy now (paid link; commission earned).
I don’t know why the other reviewers found fault with it because I really enjoyed it – in fact, I finished the majority of it in one night because I had to keep reading and find out what happened!
Unlike a lot of YA fiction, I didn’t find it predictable. I hadn’t guessed what was going to happen until it actually happened, and the story was unexpected, peppered with exciting twists and turns. Similarly, I also liked that it was fast-paced and full of action and drama throughout. Just a dash of romance was nice too, rather than the love interest becoming the main focus of the story (this tends to happen a lot in YA!)
All the characters were interesting with different personalities that really made for an engaging and involving read. I particularly liked Pepper and Josh, although they all had their good points. The author has definitely managed to accurately capture the wide range of feelings and emotions that a group of ‘troubled’ teenagers would be experiencing in this situation. From Samuel’s innocence to outspoken Pepper, not forgetting Evie’s childish reaction to her family at the start, it’s clear Sophie McKenzie has worked hard on this.
I actually really liked the setting of Lightsea too. I often think stories perform better with a limited or single location because that forces the characters together. In turn that provokes certain dramatic situations and actions, which makes it much more interesting to read. The author has also mastered the technique of ‘show, don’t tell’. This is just my writing background coming through, but I really appreciate an author writing well. For example, Evie notices that some of the rooms at Lightsea are disused and that the owner, David Lomax, wears a threadbare jacket. This shows us that Lightsea is having money issues without outright telling us - things like that are perfect examples of good writing.
Personally, I think the beginning was by far the weakest part of the book because it didn’t draw me in straight away. But don’t give up - stick with it – because as soon as Evie moves to Lightsea the story really comes into its own.
A lot of reviewers have complained that the basic premise is too far-fetched. Sure, the set-up isn’t exactly realistic, but why should that matter? It’s fiction, not real life. The concept might not have been fully realistic, but the way that the characters dealt with it was, and that’s definitely what made this story for me.
Rating: 4 stars
I really enjoyed reading All My Secrets, and I’m sure you will too. So it’s just as well that I’ve got another copy to give away to one of my readers, courtesy of Simon & Schuster. If you’d like to win yourself a copy, just enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and conditions:
1. Giveaway closes on 12th July 2015 at 11.59pm (GMT).
2. The prize consists of one paperback copy of 'All My Secrets' by Sophie McKenzie.
3. Upon confirmation of the winner's address, the prize will be posted to the winner by Simon & Schuster, NOT The Writing Greyhound.
4. This giveaway is open to UK residents aged 13 and over.
5. The winner will be randomly generated by Rafflecopter once the giveaway has ended.
6. The winner will be informed by email once the giveaway has ended.
7. The winner will have 72 hours to claim their prize. If the winner has not responded by this time, another winner will be announced.
All My Secrets is available to buy now (paid link; commission earned).
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* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Are you a fan of Sophie McKenzie? Let me know in the comments below!
Are you a fan of Sophie McKenzie? Let me know in the comments below!
am reading Getting simon, it's a true story about 2 gay America male doctors trying to get a child either through surrogacy or adoption
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, Elaine!
DeleteI'm not reading anything at the moment, so a new book would be lovely
ReplyDeleteGood luck Kaci!
DeleteI have just finished Grey......hmmmm x
ReplyDeleteWhat did you think of it? x
DeleteSounds really interesting, thanks for the chance to win a copy of it!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading Delirium by Lauren Oliver, which is a Dystopian and a very good one so far. :)
Ooh that's on my tbr pile, let me know what you think when you've read it!
DeleteCurrently reading Hilary Mantel's Place of Greater Safety for the second time :)
ReplyDeleteThat's one I haven't read - what's it like? :)
DeleteA Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
ReplyDeleteGood choice!
DeleteWoman in black by Susan Hill
ReplyDeleteAh, another one on my tbr pile!
DeleteI'm currently reading "Star Maps"!
ReplyDeleteInfinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that's one I've not heard of before!
DeleteHi! Currently I am reading "The Fall and Rise of Harriet James" by Susie Hooper and "Why Italians love to talk about food" by by Elena Kostioukovitch :)
ReplyDeleteThey sound interesting - good luck!
DeleteLeave a comment and let me know what you're reading at the moment! . . . . . . Clan of the Cave Bear (again) by Jean M Auel
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about this book but have never read it myself (yet!)
DeleteAt the moment I'm reading Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
ReplyDeleteby Jill Steeples. I would love to win this for my daughter who is a big Sophie McKenzie fan.
Sounds interesting! Good luck Jayne!
DeleteI just finished Wicked Charms by Janet Evanovich, I normally like her books as they are an easy read after a long and day and quite funny, but this one fell far short of that!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel - it's always a shame when a book doesn't live up to your expectations.
DeleteI'm bookless atm looking for inspiration x
ReplyDeleteGood luck Charlie!
DeleteCocktails at Le Carmen by Isabelle Andover
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read!
DeleteThat's interesting as I've just finished 'The Sunrise' by Victoria Hislop which has rave reviews, but I found it rather flat. I've only read 10 pages of 'The Last Runaway' by Tracy Chevallier and am already enjoying it more. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Linda, it's always a shame when a book doesn't live up to your expectations - I'm glad you're enjoying The Last Runaway more! Good luck!
DeleteComing Undone by Lauren Dane
ReplyDeleteSounds good!
Deletebeen trying to work my way through some of the classics x am reading oliver twist at the moment x
ReplyDeleteGood choice Michelle! I find it can be a struggle to make time for the classics, but they're definitely rewarding when you finish them!
DeleteRory's Proposal by Lynda Renham :)
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I am reading Precious Time by Erica James. I love her books.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of her books, might have to check this out!
DeleteThe good life by Martina Cole
ReplyDeleteGood choice, Martina Cole books are brilliant!
Deletereading wind in the willow with my daughter and friends
ReplyDeleteClassic - I hope you all enjoy it!
DeleteThe Girl at Midnight - Melissa Grey :) x
ReplyDeleteNow this one definitely looks interesting! Good luck Minnie x
DeleteThe Pact by Jodi Picoult
ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong with a Jodi Picoult!
DeleteNot reading anything at the moment. I have 'Grey' and the reworking of 'NorthAnger Abbey' from the Austen Project put aside for my holiday reading.
ReplyDeleteGood luck Emma!
DeleteI'm reading Geek Girl Model Misfit
ReplyDeleteI've heard a lot of good things about the Geek Girl series - how are you liking it so far?
DeleteGrey by E L James
ReplyDeleteA popular choice! Good luck Rebecca.
Deletenothing currently :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck Sarah!
DeleteUnsuitable for Ladies by Jane Robinson
ReplyDeleteThis looks interesting!
DeleteI'm reading the Walking Dead graphic novel :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck Mel!
Deleteim reading YOU at the moment i love it
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that! Good luck Lindsay.
DeleteAt the moment I am reading the fabulous Agatha Christie's The Hollow x
ReplyDeleteGreat choice!
Deleteim reading child bride by cathy glass at the moment
ReplyDeleteBest of luck Caroline!
DeleteThe wolf in Winter by John Connolly
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting!
DeleteGreat giveaway. I am reading Game of Thrones by George R R Martin at the moment
ReplyDeleteI've seen the TV series but I'm still yet to read the books! Good luck Pam.
DeleteLost Summer - Stuart Harrison
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting!
DeleteI'm reading Phoenix Rising by Bryony Pearce
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteI'm not actually reading anything at the moment as been focusing too much on uni work recently so need a new book to get stuck into!
ReplyDeleteI know what that's like! Best of luck Emily.
Delete