A riveting coming of age story, that will make you laugh, cry and root for Laura to find happiness.
Laura Shirk is a normal, happy, go-lucky, little girl playing with Cabbage Patch dolls and Legos. Until she isn’t. Set in the late 1980s-early 90s, a visit to her aunt and uncle’s house changes everything.
What follows is a nerve-racking story shedding light on child sexual abuse. As the tragedy unfolds, Laura mutters through life concealing her secret from everyone. Feeling alone and isolated, she struggles to navigate her younger years wondering if she can or will ever find happiness.
Then, Laura meets ‘the perfect man’ for her. Can he heal her heart and break down her steel walls?
The Secrets We Conceal, S.R. Fabrico’s debut novel is a riveting coming of age story that beautifully conveys how love and strength can heal all wounds.
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My Thoughts:
As the victim of a sexual assault during childhood, this book often had me feeling sad, overwhelmed, and heartbroken. But in all that was sad, I felt more healing come as I read through Laura's journey.
Laura's experience is all too common. We trust people to care for us and love us in a proper fashion, and when they deceive us, it completely flips the world upside down. From the first pages as a young child to adulthood, I think SR Fabrico does an incredible job of keeping the emotions and reactions age-appropriate.
The subject surrounding sexual abuse and assault are often taboo, but I believe that this book is an opening for mid-teens+ to read and take numerous lessons from. Recognizing the signs, asking questions, and staying aware are core moments throughout that were missed by the people closest to Laura.
Often with such dark topics, we see authors bring a sunshine-y, colorful, bright HEA, but SR Fabrico does a fantastic job of reminding us that scars will always remain and healing is lifelong. It's not something that can be wrapped up with a pretty bow and put to the side.
Be prepared to feel a lot of emotions with this book, but allow yourself to feel them. The writing of the story, along with the depth of characters, will immerse you into Laura's life. After her traumatic experience, it's easy to see how she would keep people at arm's length, but when she does let a few in, we see healing begin. It's one of the most beautiful parts of the book because it was realistic - loving and yet, messy (normal!).
The cover is absolutely PERFECT for this book! 5-Star Read!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Born a raised a Yankee who loves NY style pizza and Philly cheesesteaks. I was introduced to the amazing world of Southern BBQ after moving to Tennessee where I live with my husband and two children. My family is my main priority, everything I do is for them. I attended college in the 90’s and received a degree in mathematics with a minor in secondary education, I went on to coach cheerleading and dance for 20 years and won a Hip Hop Dance World Championship. Anything and everything creative are my absolute favorite, so writing has always been a hobby. When I’m writing, I like to wife hard, mom hard, paint, read good books and watch good movies.
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