Book Review: Everyone Has Their Little Secrets by Michael Louthan


Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this ebook, free of charge, from the author, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it


                                     And now for an important teen book, from a new voice!


Everyone Has Their Little Secrets cover



Synopsis:

It all started with a little secret... 

Zoe Von Lynskey is a typical 13-year-old girl with an idyllic life and a bright future ahead of her-that is, until her 16-year-old brother is accidently shot by his friend Kirk Anderson. But is Josh's death truly an accident? Zoe suspects not. Kirk's parents and Zoe's parents are friends, and the two dads work for the same company, but Kirk has always been a bully to Zoe. With her big brother no longer there to protect her, she is now alone and vulnerable. 

When Zoe makes a fatal decision to protect herself against Kirk, her world begins to crumble under the weight of her secret. Her computer diary is her only confidant as she documents the wrenching depression, anxiety, partying, pregnancy, and suicide attempt that result. 

Everyone Has Their Little Secrets is a sharply observant and moving portrait of a teenager grappling with very adult problems-a stunning coming-of-age novel that pulls no punches.

Review:

While told from Zoe's point of view, adults will have no problem jumping right into this story and staying there! Louthan does an excellent job in sharing Zoe's changing emotions, reactions and thoughts, as more drama unfolds and her life changes. At it's heart it is a tale of bullying, but it also a tale of not seeing the obvious, of ignoring what you know is wrong, and of not seeing what others may be going through and suffering from. I highly recommend it for older teens to read, as a great family discussion of how things get out of hand, and how the quiet child that you ignore, may just need one or two words of happiness to give them hope in their world. It would also be a good book for teen groups to read and discuss with adult mentors. The tragic ending, which is foretold from the beginning, will leave the reader heartbroken, and will leave plenty of qustions to ponder after reading it. Kudos to Louthan for a great first novel!


About the Author:

Michael Louthan was born in Enid, Oklahoma, and grew up in southwest Kansas. He graduated from Wichita State University, where he received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. For the last twenty years Michael has lived in New Orleans. Visit his website at www.michaellouthan.com.

Comments

  1. Thank you for taking the the time to read my book and your clear and definite review.

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