Review: The Safety of Secrets by Delaune Michel

"Now we're just alike." So Begins Fiona and Patricia's friendship that warm autumn morning in first grade in Lake Charles, Louisiana, their bond forged ever closer by Fiona's abusive mother and Patricia's neglectful one. Their relationship is a source of continuity and strength through their move to LA to become actresses; through Fiona's marriage and Patricia's sudden fame. When husband and career pressures exact a toll, the women wonder if their friendship can survive. Then a dark secret from their past emerges, threatening to destroy not only their bond, but all they've worked for as well.

I won this book from www.bookclubgirl.com and was very anxious to read it. I was not disappointed. It was a quick and enjoyable read. I loved the storyline of a true lifelong friendship. As a mom, I was troubled by how the mothers treated Fiona and Patricia as children, but am glad they had eachother to grow up with. The storyline travels back and forth from childhood to the present. The secret between them isn't revealed until the last part of the book, but I was able to pretty much figure out what it was. Fiona and Patricia have a troubled friendship as adults and I did tend to take Fiona's side most of the time. Secrets are a big part of this story, both in their childhood and as adults. It made me think about secrets and when is it ok to have those secrets and when not and how they can carry on into your adulthood. Everyone has secrets that we have kept from their parents or spouses or family or friends. But, at what point do those secrets affect your relationship with those you love and at what point do those secrets need to come out. I think this book really showed a true-to-life example of how secrets can affect the decisions you make and the reason behind those choices. I loved when Fiona finally let her mother have it. I don't want to say more and spoil the story, but that was something that I felt needed to happen in the story and was glad the author included it. I just think the author really gave a great example of a friendship that has a deep history, has some betrayal, intimacy, and is strong yet fragile. Any woman with a best friend will love this story and identify with the struggle of shared secrets. I would give this story 4 out of 5 stars! I am sending my copy off to my cousin as a surprise and because she is one of my few "lifelong friends".