Review: Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala

Release Date: June 22, 2010
Age Group: Young Adult
Received From: Kindle Store
My Rating: 4 Stars
IBSN: 978-0061766664
Blurb:   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 …more
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 own future

After reading all the rave reviews of this book I had to see for myself. Now I have my own rave review to add, because Tell Me a Secret was a fantastic read that had me on a roller coaster of emotions.
Rand has been living in the aftermath of her sisters death for years. But now she has her own secret. With an overbearing mother, an absentee father, and a baby on the way, Rand must make some tough decisions. Her own decisions.

I grew up with fantastically normal, well adjusted family. Reading and this family horrified me! That mother! If there had ever been a character that I wanted to viciously murder, it was her. The scariest part is that people like her really exist! Holly Cupala definitely has a way with characters. Making you love them, making you hate them. Making you want to slap and shake them, and hug them. Rand was a very well rounded character. She portrayed the troubled teenager perfectly. At times I wanted to scream “STAND UP FOR YOURSELF!!!!!’ at her and other times I wanted to let her cry on my shoulder. Any author that can make me feel that strongly about the characters has an immense amount of talent.

The story is something that happens a lot in this day and age, but Cupala’s version is raw and unforgettable. You will not be able to put this book down. Rand’s journey will stay with you for a long time to come.
This book left me emotionally drained but hopeful. I recommend it to anyone and everyone!