Ellie Lerner has always taken the easy way out. In an attempt to avoid any detours in life, Ellie herself risks her own happiness in order to make others happy. When tragedy strikes, Ellie drops everything, the marriage she is trying to save, and the life she once knew. She travels to London where she must help in picking up the pieces of her best friend, Lucy's life.
After Lucy's husband, Greg, becomes emotionally detached, it is up to Ellie to take care of Lucy's eight year old daughter Sophie. In an attempt to get Sophie to speak again, Ellie turns to the book that gave her comfort as a child, The Secret Garden. As the two read the story, different aspects of Lucy's life unfold, and secrets are unveiled. Ellie is forced to reevaluate her life, and the choices she must make in order to make herself happy.
I absolutely loved this book right off the bat. The plot and the setting itself reminded me greatly of a Jodi Picoult story. Ellie becomes the rock of a broken family even though she herself cannot come to terms with her own life. Throughout the book, I found myself enveloped into Lucy's story.
Though she was played as being one of the main characters, it was Ellie who in the end shined through. While searching through her best friends past, Ellie herself must reevaluate her life. In the book, secrets are revealed and those you think you know the most about turn out to be complete strangers.
I think that Lucy's daughter Sophie was depicted as accurately as I can think an eight year old can react to such a situation. Upon her introduction, Sophie immediately became one of my favorite characters. Through her, Ellie is able to face her own demons, all of which are wrapped around her life choices. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves Jodi Picoult books, and also to those who enjoy books about finding yourself.
- Publisher: Dial Press
- Date of Publication: 2010
