Helpful Score: 9
Nora outdid herself with this story. Public Secrets is more of a family saga than a traditional romantic suspense novel, although there is romance and there is plenty of suspense. It follows the McAvoys, through the eyes of Emma, from the time she is three years old, through childhood, the school years, marriage, and adulthood. All this against the background of the life of rock-and-roll legends. It is fascinating and compelling. I simply couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 6
Nora Roberts is a wonderful author & sometimes there is just no one else who will do! I love her trilogies (and insist on reading them in order); but I especially love her stand alone novels. And among her stand alone novels, Public Secrets is a fave. In fact, I took the time to review it on amazon.com. In that review I said ...
It is just wonderful - particularly the character development, the story themes and plotlines and the many, many social issues that are addressed with sensitivity and compassion including homosexuality, drug addiction, child abuse, and AIDS. But don't let that list scare you off: equally explored are love and commitment, holding onto and following a dream, growing up and true friendship. Mixed in with all of this are several great romances, a love between father and daughter and a great mystery. I love all of the characters, even those that are unlovable. Read & enjoy!
It is just wonderful - particularly the character development, the story themes and plotlines and the many, many social issues that are addressed with sensitivity and compassion including homosexuality, drug addiction, child abuse, and AIDS. But don't let that list scare you off: equally explored are love and commitment, holding onto and following a dream, growing up and true friendship. Mixed in with all of this are several great romances, a love between father and daughter and a great mystery. I love all of the characters, even those that are unlovable. Read & enjoy!
Helpful Score: 5
This is the book that made me a huge fan of Nora Roberts. I love it so much. In this book, you really get to know the characters and experience a near life time with them, which is something I enjoy as a reader. You meet the main characters when they meet each other - at a young age. Then again when they're teenagers, young adults, and so on.
Even the villain isn't revealed quickly. You feel Emma's pain as she goes through life holding on to the tragedy, struggles to understand herself, falls in and out of love with different people, and her relationship with her rock star and somewhat dysfunctional parents.
This was the first Nora Roberts that I read, and I have since always looked for that similar style in all her books - those that have a history of life told in them, some murder, and plenty of romance. I was hooked.
Even the villain isn't revealed quickly. You feel Emma's pain as she goes through life holding on to the tragedy, struggles to understand herself, falls in and out of love with different people, and her relationship with her rock star and somewhat dysfunctional parents.
This was the first Nora Roberts that I read, and I have since always looked for that similar style in all her books - those that have a history of life told in them, some murder, and plenty of romance. I was hooked.
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful book! I reccommend this book to anyone!
Helpful Score: 3
Kept me in suspense. I really enjoyed it.