I thought this was a good book, I thoroughly enjoyed it while reading. I do feel like it was missing something that would make me rate a solid five stars.

Cadence and Sully’s story was one I was invested in. I thought they we both very relatable and they will not be forgotten for quite a while.

From the synopsis

"The Secrets We Kept is a moving story about first love, friendship, and forgiveness, and the enduring bonds that forever connect us and give us our strength."



This book had alot! It made me cry, scream and cry some more
I cant really discribe it I just recommend you read it
It does have some triggers so check them before.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off , I want to say how beautiful this cover is - It would have to be one of my favourite book covers for 2015. It's what drew me to this book mainly. Unfortunately for me , it was one of those cases where I should not have judged a book by the cover as though The Secrets we Kept was a good read , it was a little too slow for my liking . The good thing though was once the story got moving along and the two main characters Sully aka Sullivan and Cadence actually spent more time together and their past - the time spent away from one another and the dark secrets both were hiding came spilling out that was when it's pace picked up. So if you are one who loves fast-paced novels, you will have to persevere with this one as it does get better. The Secrets We Kept is the tale of two people who first met in foster care and then grew to share a love together and a whole lot of firsts , then a moment came that none of them expected and the two were separated and now Cadence is back and Sully wants answers but more so he wants her. The author navigates readers through a roller coaster ride of emotions, secrets and revelations as we note that the light that used to shine from Cadence's eyes have disappeared due to her secret which we later learn was about abortion. The Secrets We Kept is an angsty novel and does deal with alot of edgy issues from Foster Care, to Teen Angst and Romance to Abortion and Mental Health.
If you are in the mood for a bit of a heavier read and are a fan of that Teen Angst , then check out Lily Velez's The Secrets We Kept today.

I’m not as in to YA as I used to be so this is just a me thing but the writing was good just not in to reading about high schoolers any more

This was a YA contemporary story about a couple reunited.

The characters in this were okay, but I didn’t really feel much for them, and I couldn’t really get invested in their story.

This story started a bit slow but eventually gained speed. The Secrets We Kept offered an interesting account of the separation of two teens and the after effects of making a trying decision.

Unfortunately I lost interest in this book after picking it up and despite how good the summary sounds, I decided to put it down.

I ended up losing interest on this book and at this point I don't think I'll read it

I can't decide if this book was intended as a cautionary tale or a justification. Either way, I didn't much care for it. The first line was great, but things went downhill from there. Overall, I found the story somewhat monotonous and predictable. The "secrets" Sully and Cadence kept weren't difficult to discern.

Characters:
Sully was a genuinely good guy, and I liked him. He frequently put the well being of those he cared about before his own, though his good intentions paved the wrong road a few times. Still, he tried to correct his mistakes.
On the other hand, I didn't particularly like Cadence and am not really sure what Sully saw in her. Her personally was somewhat bland; other than that, I found her selfish. Sure, excuses were provided for her, but that's really all the were: excuses.
Spencer was probably one of the most well written characters. I enjoyed his protectiveness
Novah and Haley were really just there to be sounding boards for Cadence. I guess Novah also acted as a go-between. But that's really all they did. Haley had potential, considering how he ended up in foster care; however, after his initial introduction, he just became whatever Cadence needed.

I think the best thing about this book is that it opens up a conversation about foster care. I suppose it was also intended to have the reader evaluate his or her opinions about a certain controversial topic, possibly feel compassion for those who choose it. But my thoughts on the matter remain unchanged--and as you might recall, the predominant trait I used to describe Cadence was "selfish." The only thing good that came from the experience was her emotional response to it. Call me heartless, but I'm glad she wasn't able to just go on with her happy life immediately afterward.

There were a few editing mistakes here and there, including some that were poor word choices ("excluding" when it should have been "limited t0," "mascara" when it should have been "eyeliner").

Notes: Maybe some swearing. Controversial topic..

I am not usually a fan of dual prospective narrations, but this one just worked. I am not sure if it was just the plot in general that made it work for me, but I really enjoyed this. I really liked the characters and the struggles they face.

Blue Typewriter Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Secrets We Kept. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Sully Graham and Cadence Gilbertson were childhood sweethearts, broken apart by circumstances that separated them by miles. One year later, Cadence unexpectedly returns, but she has changed. Her refusal to see Sully and her subsequent mixed messages leave all of those who "loved her when" puzzled as to her behavior. Will a grand gesture by Sully open a dialogue between the two teenagers that found each other in childhood despite very difficult circumstances?

The Secrets We Kept was a thinly plotted YA romance which had nothing to help it stand apart from the many books in the genre. The most compelling part of the book, namely the foster care aspects, were barely highlighted in any meaningful way. The characters were developed well, but it was not enough to elevate this book from an average read for me.

*I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

The Secrets We Kept is the kind of book which packs an emotional punch. There were moments when I simply couldn't put the book down. The characters were well developed and the story interesting and well rounded. I liked the pacing and the relationship between the two main characters. There was a really strong connection between these two, which really held my attention.
Overall I definitely enjoyed this book and I'd recommend it.

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