#secretsofsoutherngirls

[lharvey250]

SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS HALEY HARRIGAN

MY RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️ PUBLISHER Sourcebooks Landmark PUBLISHED June 1, 2017

SUMMARY Secrets of Southern Girls is a debut novel for Haley Harrigan. Julie Portland and her best friend Reba grew up in a mill town in Mississippi in the 1990s. Julie thought they shared everything. But when they were seniors in high school Julie learned there were some big secrets Reba had been keeping from her. Julie was hurt and mad. And then something terrible happened. Reba was dead. Her body was found down river from their favorite bridge. Did Reba commit suicide? Or was she pushed? Did Julie have something to do with it? It’s now 10 years later, and Julie is single and lives in New York City with her daughter Beck. Julie has been stalked and finally approached by August, Reba’s old boyfriend from high school. August wants Julie to join him on a trip back to Lawernce Mill, Mississippi. August knows that Julie had a diary that she had planned to give him that fateful night. No one knows what happened to it. August is able to convince Julie that Reba’s diary might be the key to figuring out what really happened on the bridge that night.

REVIEW Overall, I liked the book. It was fairly easy to read and the story was interesting. For a debut novel I thought the writing was good. I particularly liked the use of Reba’s diary entries to tell her version of the story. I also liked how the intensity of the diary entries coincided with the intensity of the experiences Julie and August had in Mississippi trying to obtain the diary.

Secrets of Southern Girls contained a robust cast of characters, most all of which were adequately developed. The main characters were Julie, Reba, August, Nell and Toby. In addition there a host of minor characters such as Julie’s aunt and Uncle, Reba parents and the famous actor, Evan, who was Julie’s ex husband. I would have love to see Evan play more of a role in the book. I thought the artist, Toby, who was Julie’s cousin and the antagonist, added a little creative spice to the story.

I found it a little unbelievable that Julie would hang out for 10 years without pursuing what really happened that night on the bridge. I also struggled somewhat with the perspectives from which the story was told. The chapters jumped between August, Reba, and Julie’s point of view. Additionally chapters jump back and forth in time as well. It was a little hard to follow at times. Overall, it was an entertaining read. It’s would probably appeal most to younger women between the ages of 13-35.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Haley Harrigan for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[jarofthoughtss]

👭SECRETS OF SOUTHERN GIRLS BY HALEY HARRIGAN👭 ( you'd want to read till the end ) Julie and Reba were best friends, but after Reba kills herself Julie leaves Lawrence Mill never to return.She harbours no love for her aunt or cousin Toby but it's her belief that it was her who killed Reba that really keeps her away. She is constantly haunted by this guilt and 10 years on, she is confronted by August, Reba's boyfriend- who tells her that her best friend had a dairy. Julie was aware of no dairy... what secrets had her friend written in it. The book takes one on the journey of uncovering the secrets of these two southern girls and how the lives of those involved changed after the death. On the onset, it did not seem like a book that would surprise me, but boy did it? Julie is the one with a certain darkness about her and Reba is the demure simple girl...but as we go along, the book took unexpected turns that kept me glued ! The characters that I felt were not significant painted the story is an intriguing shade. The character development, connection and influence of events is really the highlight of the book. I really loved how the essence of the town is involved at every step, and how it all culminates. Over all, it is one of those books that I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did ! . . Read the complete review and our interview with the Author ! You also stand a chance to win a copy of this book! Click the link in the bio to enter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #books #book #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagramindia #bookstagramindiafeatures #igers #igreads #instabooks #instaread #bangalore  #india #bookworm #booklover #bookporn #bookworm #booklove #booklover #bookmarks #kindle #sourcebooks #secretsofsoutherngirls #haleyharrigan #booksanddrinks