Description:
Eight years ago, Samantha Desmond lost all the family she had ever known, except for her young stepsister, Jessica. So when a distant relative threatens to take custody of Jessica, Samantha quickly moves away and commences a new life of secrecy in which Samantha claims she is Jessica's mom and reveals nothing about their past. Now, established as the only mother that Jessica has ever known, and with a college degree and job in hand, it looks as if Samantha has everything she needs. That is, until she meets the handsome Alex Mackenzie. Alex may have attributes she admires--he's generous, sexy, and a loving single dad to his own daughter, Melanie--but Samantha suspects he disapproves of her, so she steers clear from him and any disappointment. But Alex and Samantha can't ignore the chemistry between them, and as the friendship between the girls grows, they are irrepressibly drawn together. As their relationship becomes intimate, Alex opens his heart to her. Unfamiliar with love, Samantha fears exposing her secrets to him, and as her past begins to catch up with her, Samantha must learn to trust her heart, or possibly lose her daughter and the man she loves. Marilyn Tyner's careful descriptions bring these characters and situations to life. Secrets offers sensitive insight into the complexities of first love and the dangers of withholding secrets. Though some readers may find the uneven and often slow pace frustrating, this book remains, all in all, a good read. --Nancy R.E. O'Brien
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