How would you rate this book???

› Forums › 2024 Reading Challenge Discussion Groups › ICYMI: Books Published in 2012 › The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton › How would you rate this book???

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    • January 19, 2024 at 4:57 pm #1981
      Lori L.
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        @llossos

        My rating: 4 1/2 stars

        Once I got approximately halfway through could I put it down? No. My laundry, my grocery shopping, the work I brought home from my job…they did not get finished. Could I have foreseen the ending? Absolutely not. Yet, it made perfect sense; no loose ends. Will this story stay with me? Yes. I’m fairly certain I will not forget this epic story of love, heartache, betrayal, & secrets set against the backdrop of London in 1941 during WW II.

        Why only 4.5 stars then? It’s the first half of this novel. Which I feel was probably necessary to establish the backdrop for everything to come, yet….I struggled to develop an interest. I’d pick it up, read several pages, then set it back down. I couldn’t form a connection with the two main characters, Dorothy “Dolly” or Laurel. However, once I passed the halfway point, I was all in & am so glad I was determined to finish!

        Would love to know your thoughts! Did it take you awhile to get into it, too??

      • January 21, 2024 at 12:49 am #1995
        Kelly
        Participant
          @thatgirl

          I’m so glad you’ve shared this – it was also the first half of the book for me; yikes!  I do admit, though, that WWII stories are not my usual cup of tea, so that being said… Finished the second half in one sitting. Really felt I’d had it figured out in several places, but oh, those final reveals!

          In reflection on the book as a whole, I do think it’s brilliantly done – dare I say deliberate, perhaps? even with the tedious first half. The slow start and the struggle to connect with the characters (my struggle was primarily Dolly) really goes toward how riveting and neatly packaged the ending is – 5 stars for that second half, no doubt. Overall? I give it 4 stars.

          • January 21, 2024 at 3:53 pm #2007
            Lori L.
            Participant
              @llossos

              Yes! I finished the second half in one sitting as well; I felt a compulsion to keep reading and discover the truth along with Laurel. Thanks for sharing your rating!

          • January 21, 2024 at 10:07 am #2000
            Jaimette
            Participant
              @jaimettemcculley

              It seemed like a long book for me.  Not that it was boring, just the development so that you could understand  the ending was very detailed, probably more than needed.  I gave it 3⭐️, which is my usual unless something really strikes me.

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          › Forums › 2024 Reading Challenge Discussion Groups › ICYMI: Books Published in 2012 › The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton › How would you rate this book???