Hardcover, 256 Pages

Purchased

Book Synopsis

Tell me a secret, and I'll tell you one…

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own. Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.....(Goodreads)

Review

Miranda, known as Rand, is at a crossroads. In one hand she has the opportunity for freedom, a scholarship to art school, a boyfriend who sees her talent, friends that support her and parents that love her. In the other hand she holds reality, parents who have died inside since Rand’s older sister Xanda’s death, a boyfriend who has one foot out the door, a best friend who is stealing that boyfriend and a pregnancy test that shows positive.

When Rand discovers she’s pregnant it opens a lot doors into the past. Her parents refuse to talk about Xanda, it’s the family secret, the big subject that doesn’t get spoken, but during her journey in becoming a mother Rand has to open those doors, the only way to move on is to face what happened with or without her parents help. Being pregnant also proves the dreams and aspirations Rand had for her life are falling apart, the scholarship to art school…gone, the dreams of being with Kamran forever, shattered. Kamrans such an immature freaked out teen boy he does what most scared people do.... he runs away from the problem and runs straight into Delaney’s arms, the so called best friend. In the beginning, I as the reader got really upset with Kamran, I wanted to punch him in the head, towards the end though once Rand has some major growth I could see his side of the story as well, it defiantly did not excuse his behavior but helped me understand why he was scared and pissed off. As far as Delaney, while her past certainly intrigued me and I would have loved to read more about her, she was a character to despise, despite her past.

Through this chaotic ride of emotions Rand discovers she in fact wants to keep her baby and realizes how Xandas death effected her life, her personality and everyone around her. She was so alone throughout her pregnancy, she lacked friends, parents and the emotional support she needed. I thought the writing was tremendous and strongest with the aspects of maturing Rand with character development. I was so emotionally vested in this novel and connected deeply with Rand, whether it was because I myself was a teen mom and had no support or because the story seemed drenched in reality, its characters came to life for me.

Exquisitely interwoven with hope and melancholy. Cupala’s portrayal of teen pregnancy, family complexity’s, teen love and forgiveness couldn’t have been done anymore truthfully, a truly touching story that will find a soft spot in your heart.

Rating

Recommended to the mature teen and adult. Contains: language, mild sensuality, dialog on sexuality, pregnancy, underage drinking, death, grief and crappy best friends.

5/5- YA-Coming of Age-Pregnancy