Someone Else's Secret

A Novel

By: Julia Spiro

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Here's the thing about secrets: they change shape over time, become blurry with memory, until the truth is nearly lost.

2009. Lindsey and Georgie have high hopes for their summer on Martha's Vineyard. In the wake of the recession, ambitious college graduate Lindsey accepts a job as a nanny for an influential family who may help her land a position in Boston's exclusive art world. Georgie, the eldest child in that family, is nearly fifteen and eager to find herself, dreaming of independence and yearning for first love.

Over the course of that formative summer, the two young women develop a close bond. Then, one night by the lighthouse, a shocking act occurs that ensnares them both in the throes of a terrible secret. Their budding friendship is shattered, and neither one can speak of what happened that night for ten long years.

Until now. Lindsey and Georgie must confront the past after all this time. Their quest for justice will require costly sacrifices, but it also might give them the closure they need to move on. All they know for sure is that when the truth is revealed, their lives will be forever changed once again.

From a fresh voice in fiction, this poignant and timely novel explores the strength and nuance of female friendship, the cost of ambition, and the courage it takes to speak the truth.

©2020 Julia Spiro (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

"Suspenseful and dishy, Someone Else's Secret exposes the dark underbelly of a moneyed summer town and the lengths one outsider will go to belong. Spiro brings Martha's Vineyard to life with delicious precision; I felt like I was there with my toes in the sand, a glass of rosé in my hand, and plenty of reasons to look over my shoulder. If the walls in these summer estates could talk, they would say, 'Trust no one.'" (Jessica Knoll, New York Times best-selling author of Luckiest Girl Alive)

"Someone Else's Secret is a sandy, sun-soaked, character-driven exploration of what happens when there are no good options, when the truth turns out not to be enough, when following your heart proves impossible. It is a novel about being young and very young and then not so young after all and about finding the strength to fight for all those former selves." (Laurie Frankel, New York Times best-selling author of This Is How It Always Is)

Seems like a young adult’s romance novel

This book was recommended by amazon as one I might enjoy. The description looked interesting so I thought, “Why not?” <sigh>. I’m a little over halfway through it and o just can’t take it anymore. It’s filled with so much teenage angst and stupidity, I find myself wanting to yell at the screen. It’s full of dumb decisions, worries about weight, clothes and boys - especially boys! - that it belongs in young adult fiction. Disappointing

not my cup of tea

I didn't even finish it. Don't really care about the angst and insecurities of the wealthy, well educated and privileged.

Great story and narrator

Is this truly Julia Spiro's first novel? Wow. Great story line and really good narrator. I felt like I was on Martha's Vineyard at times. I can't wait for her next book.

Kept my attention

I've been listening to a lot of books by authors I don't know. I'm finding them quite good as was this one.

Not a favorite 😪

This was a Kindle First Reads book that i just ended up getting the audiobook for.
Uhhhhh, it wasn't a favorite. It was just so-so.
I thought the ending and the wrap up was just crazy. I think that's where they lost me.

Brittany Pressley is starting to grow on me as a narrator. She gets better and better with each book she narrates.

Gut wrenching and thought provoking

I very rarely write reviews but this author with this narrator touched something deep inside me. I felt both characters raw anguish and desire to be something other than who they were both future and past. Beautifully done! Bravo Brittany, there is a reason you are one of my favorites!

Great summer read

Love this brand new author and the narrator. Easy breezy summer read. Can’t wait to see what this author puts out next!

So worth your time .

What a great book . I wish I was more articulate . Beautiful and raw. Loved it !

it's worth at the end

it took a while for the story to develop. I was tempted to give up a few times, but at the end it was worth it. Good performance.

Should be in YA section

If I wanted to read about the angst of a teenager, I'm sure there are many to choose from. This is definitely a Young Adult (although nobody acts like an adult). I'm returning it.