The Secret Between Us

Starred review from October 15, 2007
Relationships are brought to the limit in Delinsky’s splendid latest exploration of family dynamics. On a rainy night, Deborah Monroe and her teenage daughter, Grace, are driving home when their car hits a man. The victim, who turns out to be Grace’s history teacher, is unconscious but alive. Although Grace was driving, Deborah sends her home and takes responsibility for the accident when the cops show up. Deborah is juggling a lot: as a family doctor, she is in private practice with her über-demanding widower father, who is trying to hide a drinking problem; her son, Dylan, is vision impaired; her mother’s death continues to affect the family; Deborah is still dealing with her ex-husband’s new, separate life; and her unmarried sister, Jill, has just announced she’s pregnant. Grace’s guilt about not taking responsibility for the accident makes her withdraw from friends and family, and the accident victim turns out to have a more complex private life than anyone imagined. The author seamlessly resolves relationship issues without sentiment, throws in a promising romance for Deborah and offers a redemptive scene between Grace and her grandfather. Delinsky combines her understanding of human nature with absorbing, unpredictable storytelling—a winning combination.

Starred review from December 15, 2007
Small-town physician Deborah Monroe has a plethora of family problems on her plate. Her husband has left, her teenage daughter Grace is angry, her young son Dylan has eye problems, her mother passed away, and her father drinks and passes judgment. Things get decidedly worse one rainy night when a man runs in front of her car, and Deborah makes a decision that has serious and rippling effects on herself and her family. So begins best-selling author Delinsky's ("Family Tree") latest page-turner, which deftly and realistically addresses family issues like parental expectations and disapproval, divorce and secrets, as well as small-town issues like preferential treatment and gossip. The concept of lying is also explored from multiple angles. In addition to being immensely readable, Delinsky's latest is thought-provoking; readers will inevitably pause to consider what they would do if they found themselves in Deborah's situation. Highly recommended for public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 10/1/07.]Samantha J. Gust, Niagara Univ. Lib., NY

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2008
Adult/High School-Secrets, responsibilities, truths, lies, and justice are some of the issues woven into this story, which begins with Deborah Monroe and her daughter, Grace, driving home in the rain. They are arguing and Grace is at the wheel when out of nowhere a man appears and she hits him. Deborah immediately decides to take responsibility for the accident and sends Grace running home. Being a doctor, she quickly checks for vitals and waits for the police and EMTs. When they arrive, Dr. Monroe answers all their questions and, although she never really lies, she does neglect to tell the sheriff that it was Grace who was driving. Her lies continue as she lets the entire close-knit community and her family believe that she was responsible for the accident. Grace suffers for her mothers well-intended lie, and circumstances become more complicated when the victim is identified as her history teacher. As the investigation gets underway, it is discovered that Mr. McKennas life wasnt all it appeared to be. As the story continues, readers meet more people whose lives and secrets are exposed. This novel will have teens considering their own moral compass and asking just how honest, dishonest, and secretive anyone can be."Joanne Ligamari, Rio Linda School District, Sacramento, CA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2007
Deborah Monroe prides herself on her close relationship with her 16-year-old daughter, Grace, but a drive home on a stormy night creates a fissure between them. Deborah allows Grace, who has a learners permit, to drivehome, and during a disagreement, theystrike a man who runs out in front of them. Grace is horrified to discover that heis none other than her history teacher, Cal McKenna. Impulsively, Deborah sends Grace home, and when the police arrive, she lets them believe she was driving the car.Grace is tormented when she finds out her mother has taken the blame for the accident, and she doesnt know how to tell Deborah that she had several beers before getting behind the wheel. When Cal McKenna unexpectedly dies, both Deborah and Grace are plunged into an abyss of guilt, and Deborah isdetermined to find out why McKenna was out in the rain and why he didnt tell anyone he was taking a dangerous blood-thinning drug. Delinsky plays ita bit safe, not digging as deeply as she couldfor a more literary exploration of a similar subject, check out Laura MoriartysRest of Her Life (2007)but readers looking for an engaging story will find it here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)