Keeping You a Secret

By: Julie Anne Peters

Narrated by: Rebekah Levin

Length: 6 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

First time I saw her was in the mirror on my locker door. I'd kicked my swim gear onto the bottom shelf and was reaching to the top for my calc book when she opened her locker across the hall. She had a streaked blonde ponytail dangling out the back of her baseball cap.... We slammed our lockers in unison and turned. Her eyes met mine. "Hi," she said, smiling. My stomach fluttered. "Hi," I answered automatically. She was new. Had to be. I would've noticed her. She sauntered away, but not before I caught a glimpse of her T-shirt. It said: IMRU? Am I what?

©2003 Julie Anne Peters (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great Book

Where does Keeping You a Secret rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I haven’t read much experience with audiobooks, but this was the first one that I truly enjoyed. It was a lot easier to focus on than the previous audiobooks that I’ve read, which could be because I’m better at focusing on them but it probably is because it’s a contemporary. The writing style feels more conversational, like Holland is just your friend telling you her story, which a type of style that I enjoy because I can fly through easily and it keeps me entertained and happy.

What other book might you compare Keeping You a Secret to and why?

I don't really have any comparisons.

This book is so important for LGBTQ teenagers, but also enjoyable if you’re not. I’m guilty of not reading a lot of books with gay main characters, but I wonder why not. A lot of the same subjects of romance, personal life struggles, finding love and acceptance - anyone can relate to that. I have to say, though, for someone struggling to come out, this book would be specially important. Coming out is a tough choice and a tough journey for most people, and it is so for Holland. I think someone could identify with this and thus find the strength to face their own struggle. This branch of literature needs to exist so that gay teens are able to see themselves, realize that they are okay, that there’s nothing wrong with them, that other people are experiencing this same thing. It is also important for heterosexuals, so they can see that being gay isn’t so completely off the norm.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Rebekah Levin?

Maybe. Some of the narrators acting choices just felt a little off for me. Yes, this was the audiobook I’ve enjoyed the most so far, but I have to mention this. Some of the voices she used for the secondary characters were just so weird. It really annoyed me. The story was enjoyable enough that I could get past it though.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Some things hurt. There were some tough parts in this book, some bad things that happened with our main character that really made me physically hurt and rage. I consider this a good point in favor of the book, because it was capable of making me feel strong emotions.

Any additional comments?

I related to the main character so much. Holland is going through more than just coming out and accepting that she is a lesbian. The way she feels about planning for her future, the pressure from her mum and her teachers, her opinion on other people’s behaviors - I really related to that. When I was a teen, I completely had some of the reactions that she has to things, and even now as I face some difficult “planning for the future” times this struggle resonated with me. I don’t always have to identify with a character to enjoy them or a book, but what I’m trying to say is that Holland felt especially real to me because of all that.

Not so good things:

Insta love. Yes, the romance is sweet, but I just couldn’t help but feel it was rushed. Holland and Cece have literally just met, and they go from being weird acquaintances to friends, but not really friends to “oh, my god you are completely the love of my life” in a spam of what feels like days. I might be wrong with the timeline, because I’m not sure how much time has actually passed from when they met to when they get together, but to me it felt rushed. Sometimes they would gush about how much they loved each other and I would roll my eyes. I just feel like their relationship could have taken more time to develop, that’s all.

Who is Cece? I don’t feel like we really got to truly know aspects of her life other than being a lesbian and dealing and being proud. I wished we could have seen more about her - which also would have helped with the rushed aspect of the romance. I understand why the author made these choices though. This book wasn’t about the romance, it was about coming out and discovering yourself. Cede and the romantic aspects worked as a vehicle for this story to work.

To Sum Up:

I really liked this book, I was entertained all the way through and I enjoyed and related to the main character. It was an important book to read, it had a strong message and it made me feel things. It wasn’t an all time favorite or a perfect book, but it was really well worth the read.

This book was very relatable.

I felt like it captured some of the struggles that gay people go through, or can at least relate to. The book has a good story, stays interesting. Overall it’s a good book and I would highly recommend.

great, sweet, believable story, went are people so

great, sweet, believable story, why are people so judgmental? Just let people live their own lives. if you are a good person, you are a good person!

good listen

this was a good lgbtqi story. it touched on real life situations and stryggles and happiness people in the lgbtqi world encounter. the only problem i had was the horrible narrators voice. she came off ok for herself but voicing anyone else she sounded the same nasally annoying way. it drove me crazy.

Julie Peters

This book was my first I've read written by Julie Peters. The book was Very exciting. I wish that the World made things also easy to come out. The characters where great and the storyline was awesome. Thanks

I enjoyed the story

Where does Keeping You a Secret rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It isn't very far on the list from the bottom, however i do not think its the books vault.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I think it was CeCe's mom she was real.

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

No.

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

A girls coming out, and it really does get better.

Forgotten Lifestyle

Listening to this book helped me Remember what comming out was like “Back in the Day.” Awkward! O well.off to my next adventure.

a very touching story

A random find on Audible's Escape collection and it fit my reading challenge so why not?

The story follows Holland. She has a great boyfriend, Student Council President, good grades, a chance to get into some amazing colleges, a fun family, and good friends. However, when Cece comes to town everything changes. Holland can't keep her eyes away from her and it seems Cece can't stay away.

Okay. At first, I did not like Holland. She seemed...just bored with her life. I was worried she was just filling a void with her obvious crush for Cece. She seemed she was just looking for a way to not be bored with her bored life. I was actually mad at Holland because Cece deserves someone who LOVES her. BUUT as things progressed and before any feelings were even mentioned...you could tell that Holland had been suppressing these urges for way longer than she cared to admit. She really became an unreliable narrator in my opinion. It was refreshing and real. I felt bad judging her at first when I realized...she had always been gay...she just ignored her own feelings and true self. Poor girl. No one should have to lie to themselves like that.

Once I realized there was more to Holland I grew to LOVE this story. I wanted them to be together so bad and bless Cece's heart. She was a real trooper.

I did have to remind myself multiple times this is set in the early 2000s and being "gay" was still frowned upon and not as supported as it is now...especially in schools. Sure we still have our issues now in 2020. BUT near 20 years ago it was a different world and I even remember how many of our gay students in my school were treated SO badly. We still have a lot of haters in 2020, but I feel like it has gotten better and more accepted overall. Still have a way to go, but I feel like it has gotten better from what I can personally see.

There was one scene that made me cry! I was SO mad! I wanted to throw the book...but then I realized I was listening to audio from my cell phone... Sorry - *SPOILER ALERT* Eventually the secret is out and someone tells Holland's mom who FREAKS out and beats Holland and throws her out. Unbelievable! I can't imagine doing that to my future child or to anyone! Terrible woman. She should've been tossed in jail! And then what she said to Cece's mom!!! GRRRRR! *SPOILER ENDED* It upset me so much I cried. Poor Holland. Poor Cece. It's not crazy that it happened...it happens ALL the time. Sighs.

This was an amazing read. I do want more though. It sort of...just ended. It is left open-ended. I would love to have a sequel. I want...no....need to know what happens to Cece and Holland in the future! Maybe we can have a 20 years later story? I don't know. But I feel like their story is not completed yet. MORE MORE MORE PLEASE!

The narrator was fantastic. She sounded familiar, but I was looking her up and I do not see any books I have listened to by her. Mmm. She seems to have so few. READ MORE! YOU ARE AWESOME!

Overall, I really liked this. The story. The characters. The narrator. All around very good. The beginning was a little rough because I was very judgemental on Holland but once you realize she is not just "bored" of her a-typical life and looking for a distraction, then you realize this is a very touching story about two girls finding each other. I stamp this with 4 stars.

Not what I expected...

Going to be honest, I overthought the whole thing. Half expected the female love interest to be a trans gender male who identified as female. More along the lines of a coming out/self discovery. Along with the drama of the fallout that comes with living in a small town filled with shallow minded people and friends/family. Well done overall but the closure was lacking unless it concerned the main character and love interest. Almost ends like a sequel is coming.

Amazingly well written

A great story that walks the reader through how it feels to come to terms with ones own sexual orientation, and the trials and joys of coming out as your true self.

I definitely recommend this book to everyone.