The Secrets of Us by Lucinda Berry (Audiobook)
Published: June 1, 2021
Brilliance Audio
Listening Length: 8 hours 45 minutes
Narrators: Kate Rudd and Lauren Ezzo
Genre: Psychological Thriller
KKECReads Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I purchased this audiobook on Audible.
Dr. Lucinda Berry is a former clinical psychologist and leading researcher in childhood trauma. Now, she spends her days writing full-time, where she uses her clinical experience to blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. She enjoys taking her readers on a journey through the dark recesses of the human psyche. Her work has been optioned for film and translated into multiple languages. If Berry isn’t chasing after her son, you can find her running through Los Angeles, prepping for her next marathon.
Scarred by a hard upbringing, Nichole and Krystal managed to construct comfortable lives for themselves. Krystal became a respected lawyer, and Nichole was happily married to an architect—until Nichole starts raving that her husband isn’t her husband, believing that he’s an imposter.
Driven by fierce loyalty, Krystal starts asking questions, but she’s not sure she can bear the answers. Her investigation leads to the sisters’ dark shared past…to a horrible tragedy and a well-guarded lie that cemented their sisterly bond.
But that lie can’t kill the truth—the battered, gasping, clawing truth that’s coming for them both. Now Krystal and Nichole must both fight for the lives they’ve built before they’re consumed by the one they left behind.
“You ready for this?”
Krystal and Nichole grew up in foster care, living with a woman who gave them enough to survive and not much else. Growing up, they were all the others truly had to rely on. Best friends and sisters, each was the other’s safe space. When a tragic accident suddenly changed everything, they did what they had to do. But now, as adults, another tragedy has happened. And this time, there is nowhere to run.
I liked how this story was told, alternating between past and present. It was well curated and delivered in a way that kept the story moving nicely.
I loved the dynamic between Krystal and Nichole. There was such a sisterhood between them. Krystal was bold and intelligent, a talented athlete, and she adored Nichole. Nichole was more of a free spirit, equally intelligent and talented.
The sisters grew up with a foster mother who had a biological daughter who was mean. The sisters didn’t let that deter them; even having to do hard chores on the farm, they found ways to make it fun.
There were quite a few twists in this one, and just when I thought we were free-falling one way- the ground was removed, and the fall began in another direction.
I love that Lucinda Berry writes such twisted, scary, realistic, haunting novels but with minimal characters. It’s quite impressive. I love how well developed the characters are how vivid their personalities are.
This was a good book, fast-paced, emotional, and packed quite a few sucker punches. Family isn’t always biological; sometimes, the family we choose is the family we need. Sisters are often said to be the best friends we could ever want. But even the best of friends keep secrets.
Book cover is impressive, it really works for the title.