Domestic Secrets

Happy Palm Sunday.  The beginning of Holy Week (can you tell I am Catholic).  Easter will be here in just one week.  I still have a couple of things to pick up (like the ham, sweet potatoes, rolls, etc.).  I found some interesting historical facts/events for today.  In 1616 Sir Walter Raleigh was released from the Tower of London after being held captive for thirteen years.  Unfortunately, he will return to the tower within two years.  Other events that happened on March 20 are . . . Dutch East India company was founded on this day in 1602; In Ripon, Wisconsin in 1854 the Republican Party of the United States if organized;  Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin is published in 1852; and Pablo Picasso had his first showing in the United States (in Chicago) in 1923.

Domestic Secrets by Rosalind Noonan is set in Timbergrove, Oregon.  Rachel Whalen is single mother, has two boys, and owns Holy Snips (a hair salon).   Ariel Alexander is a single mother of four children, an actress, and a voice (singing) coach.  Her oldest daughter, Cassie (19) is in college and is critical of her mother (her lifestyle and choices as they affect the younger children still at home).  Ariel had a hard time after her husband passed away.  She checked out of life and holed herself up in her bedroom (leaving Cassie to take care of the children, house, etc.).  Rachel and Ariel are friends despite their differences.  Rachel is worried about her youngest son, Jared.  He has been distant, angry, and sneaky around.  What is going on with him?  Then tragedy strikes both families.  They are left devastated, angry, and on separate sides.  What happened to destroy these two families?  You will have to read Domestic Secrets to find out.

I found Domestic Secrets to be a very slow paced book.  The “incident” does not happens until you are sixty percent into the book (it too way too long to get to it).  The novel is fine (okay), but not great.  I was not a fan of the characters (especially Ariel was selfish, vain, and extremely self-centered).  Rachel’s talk of “vibe” and “karma” was off-putting as well as the many scenes of her thinking (what was her son’s doing, are they making the right decisions, etc.).  Domestic Secrets contains sex, violence (domestic and murder), and foul language.  I give Domestic Secrets 2.75 out of 5 stars.   One thing that I really disliked what the use of the word ennui (a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement).  It was over used in this novel. 

I received a complimentary copy of Domestic Secrets from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.

I hope all of you have a peaceful and relaxing Sunday!  I am currently reading No One Knows by J. T. Ellison (it is just so-so). I am off to do some chores.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris 
The Avid Reader