A book that is so authentic and incisive it will feel like going back and reading your own diary.
Constance Marie Baltimore knows exactly who she is and precisely what she isn’t. She isn’t a Constance, so Connie will have to suffice. She is smart and determined, ready to start her college career on a predetermined path leading to success. She isn’t bold and promiscuous like her best friend Dee, or beautiful and gregarious like her older sister Alison, and she’s certainly never been in love. Other than a passion for science, any inkling of what love really looks like comes from her friends, family, or the pages of classic fiction, a fact she freely admits. Though Connie quietly wishes she could be in love, it doesn’t seem like it will ever happen for her. It is the holiday season, but even such a festive occasion can’t prevent her family life from spinning into chaos, so any romantic notions get filed away for a more suitable time. She cares for her sister, endures her best friend’s antics, and puts up with extra houseguests while keeping up her grades. However, one guest, an old family friend named Nick, truly sees Connie for who she is when everyone else overlooks her. Between study sessions, awkward dinners, and family drama, love reaches out and grabs hold of Connie when she least expects it. But when that love is one most people are disinclined to accept, hard choices must made and the fallout will be devastating.
Readers will inevitably find themselves emotionally divided on the touching love story featured in The Secrets Inside. While the relationship between a serious-minded teen and a man nearly twice her age might feel inappropriate, the couple radiates chemistry and an enviable sense of connection. Connie is an expertly crafted character whose personality shines through in her actions, interactions, and the way she moves through the world. She craves attention from wholesome sources not because she lacks confidence or emotional strength, but because she is loyal to her family and friends, a characteristic that leads audiences to feel protective of her. A widower and an all-around nice guy, it’s easy to see why Connie falls for Nick. As their relationship grows and requires more and more discretion, close-call moments are punctuated by beautiful scenes of sincere togetherness. Shifting relationship dynamics feel genuine and accurately depict the way friendships can be affected when romance enters the mix. If you’ve ever been a teenage girl, be prepared for a book that is so authentic and incisive it will feel like going back and reading your own diary. Overflowing with hopeful immediacy and tingling anticipation, plan for an uninterrupted session with The Secrets Inside.
