Review: Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala

Tell Me a Secret-Holly Cupala
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: June, 2010
Source: Purchased
Author Website

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.

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of her past to find a way into her future.
(Amazon)

It's pretty rare that I read a book in one sitting. It's not that I read slow, but I prefer to parcel out books I'm enjoying. I really expected to read Tell Me a Secret at a slower pace because of the subject matter and well, because it's a bit of a downer at times. That's not what happened. I couldn't turn away from Rand's story.

Rand is a unique character, and a bit infuriating at times. On more than one occasion I nearly shouted, "Child, will you stand up for yourself!" She's the very opposite of me in many ways, and as a reader, characters like that can drive me bananas. Rand does, but she's interesting enough that I still wished to follow along with her story. When she gets pregnant she becomes a pariah (mainly due to the rumors spread by a 'friend') and retreats within herself.

Mild spoiler


Rand's journey of self-discovery and her eventual forgiveness of not only herself but of her parents and of those that have wronged her is remarkable, but believable. You wouldn't believe a happy ending if there wasn't some heartache to get to there.

End spoiler.


I loved Tell Me a Secret and it is one of my favorite reads of the year. Regardless of the genre you prefer, I highly recommend reading this book if you haven't already.