The Secret of Everything

A Novel

By: Barbara O'Neal

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

In this spectacular novel, Barbara O'Neal delivers a generous helping of the best in life - family, food, and love - in the story of a woman's search for the one thing worth more than anything.

At 37, Tessa Harlow is still working her way down her list of goals to "fall in love and have a family". A self-described rolling stone, Tessa leads hiking tours for adventurous vacationers - a job that's taken her around the world but never a step closer to home. Then a freak injury during a trip already marred by tragedy forces her to begin her greatest adventure of all.

Located high in the New Mexico mountains, Las Ladronas has become a magnet for the very wealthy and very hip, but once upon a time it was the setting of a childhood trauma Tessa can only half remember. Now, as she rediscovers both her old hometown and her past, Tessa is drawn to search-and-rescue worker Vince Grasso. The handsome widower isn't her type. No more inclined to settle down than Tessa, Vince is the father of three, including an eight-year-old girl as lost as Tessa herself. But Tessa and Vince are both drawn to the town's most beloved eatery - 100 Breakfasts - and to each other. For Tessa, the restaurant is not only the key to the mystery that has haunted her life but a chance to find the home and the family she's never known.

©2009 Barbara Samuel (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

great story

great story but performance was awful. very staccato performer got better towards the end or I just got used to the way she was reading

Understanding who you are is always important

Would you consider the audio edition of The Secret of Everything to be better than the print version?

I don't know since I only have this story in audio form. However, I have read many stories from this author and love her stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret of Everything?

When Tessa finds out who she is and that she still has a sister.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Tessa shows up at Vince's and apologizes to Natalie, and asks for a chance to be part of his life.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Sometimes you have to go back to go forward.

Any additional comments?

I've read a lot of Barbara Samuel's books and they are marvelous and very special. The characters are intriguing and well thought out. I love the career choices Samuel picks for her characters.

"Pedro"

Would you listen to The Secret of Everything again? Why?

Oh yes, as there are great recipes you want to write down.
Note: I listened on new 1.25x speed so the mystery matched the author's intent.
Yes, this has a slow start, and I too almost gave up, but other reviewers hit this story spot on, NOT TOO be MISSED. Just speed up if you think the story is a bit slow, but stick with it or you will miss out.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Vince, is hot, sweet and hunky. When he carries the old dog to the beach, you can see it in your minds eye. Pedro, you have to hug him to death or hold on. Felix, everyone should get to have one.

Have you listened to any of Angela Dawe’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have over 100 of her reads as I buy the stories she reads and discover new authors. She does men and children voices so well. ALL her Scots voices are the very best. See Julie Garwood's Sweet Talk and Tiffany Snow's series if you like this story. Nora Roberts' MacGregor series has the best Scot's character, "The MacGregor", not to be missed.
Note: I use the 1.25x speed to get the most out of the stories.

Terrible narrator!

Loved the story, but had to buy the book and read it because the narrator was so bad!

Let it marinate, the ending will make your mouth water

Slow started but well worth the listen.
This one took me by surprise at the end. I really enjoyed this book.

Mediocre

The voice of Tessa seem to have any very predictable rhythm throughout the entire story, as opposed to based on the circumstances happening at the moment.

Wonderful book

Tessa Harlow is recuperating from an injury sustained when a landslide occurred while she was leading a hiking tour group in the mountains and one of the members was swept into the river and drowned. Tessa's own rescue from the river awakened long-dormant memories of a similar rescue when she was a child, an accident about which her father has been strangely quiet, though it was responsible for her mother's death.

Drawn to the New Mexico town of Las Ladronas and thinking it would be the ideal destination for a future tour group, Tessa finds herself embroiled in a series of strange emotions and coincidences that add layer upon layer to the mystery of her life and questions about the relationships between people in the story who seem to be so drawn to each other. Of course there is delicious love interest in the person of Vince Grasso, a handsome widower with three appealing little girls, one of whom is troubled over the death of her own mother and to whom Tessa feels especially drawn. Sparks and sex fly and together they help each other heal.

The book's appeal is heightened by the charming presence of very affectionate dogs and the sprinkling of real recipes (the author is actually a food professional herself). The recipes remind the reader of the power of good, nourishing food, lovingly prepared, to comfort and heal.

I was so sorry when this book ended...it gave great pleasure.

A Nice, Easy Read

Barbara O'Neal takes a romance and steps it up a notch with interesting characters and an unusual story line. It is also refreshing to see characters that are humanly flawed, yet still likable. I found the narrator a bit annoying as she ended each sentence with the same upbeat tone.

just wonderful

This listen was a balm to the heart. I was touched by the characters, invested in their journeys and charmed by the narration.

Just okay

The story was alright. Nothing special. Finished it but was ready to be done. My mind drifted listening to it.