Cover Image: Our Secrets and Lies

Our Secrets and Lies

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Member Reviews

I eagerly anticipated - as I do with all Sinead's books - and it certainly didn't disappoint. I love her style of writing, the reality of her characters ... all so human, with good bits and flaws that make them so believable and lift them from the pages. And a cracking storyline. Next one please

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I was given an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a warm, gentle story. I really enjoyed spending time with these characters. Despite their challenges and the realistic feel of these families, it was definitely a feel good novel. Definitely recommend as a pick me up

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I like a good Sinead Moriarty book and this one didn’t disappoint.

When Lucy a law student becomes pregnant with twins and her rich boyfriend Tom does a runner, she has to give up her dreams of becoming a lawyer and bring up her children on her own. When at 17 the twins, Dylan and Kelly are given a scholarship to a prestigious school Lucy believes they can achieve what she missed out on.

As Lucy pushes the twins to be the best, she doesn’t see the cracks that begin to appear in their lives until it is too late and by that time the damage is done.

A good book dealing with family relationships and a mother who is obsessed with her children living the life she never had.

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Lucy Murphy is the top student in her third year of Law when she discovers she is pregnant. Her boyfriend Tom is the son of a high court judge who deems her unworthy of his son. The judge tries to persuade her to abort the child but after some thought she decides not to. Tom disappears and Lucy is left to bring up what turns out to be twins, alone. But this isn't just Lucy's story. The main focus of the tale is on the twins as they turn 17 and move to the prestigious St Jude's school after Dylan wins a football scholarship. Dylan settles in well initially but his sister Kelly is less happy and the move for her is disastrous. This is very much a story for today. The bullying that can go on through social media, the perils of sexting, the snobbery of some private school pupils - they're all there. Somehow though I couldn't quite relate to this story. Lucy annoyed me - for such an allegedly intelligent woman she showed remarkably little insight into her 'helicopter' mothering style. She also seemed to settle down too readily into the role of single parent without any ambitions. I just can't see this for someone who was top of her year in law school. Any problems that pop up are ironed out relatively easily, for example the incident around a semi naked photo of one of the female characters that is widely circulated. The victim readily accepts the apology of the perpetrator. Really? I also didn't like the vast tracts of expositional dialogue. It didn't ring true and at no time did I get the sense that this was set in Dublin. The dialogue didn't sound like that of Irish people (and no I'm not expecting them to be begorrahing all over the place!) The book touches on sensitive issues like teenage suicide but didn't really follow through. What should have been a thought provoking read became something much lighter. It was OK but I've read much better novels on the topics covered.

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Loved this book. Sinead Moriarty has the ability to turn you into a whimpering wreck. You don't want it to end.

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Loved this book! A real page turner! It made me both laugh and cry! This author just gets better and better!

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