Books › Keeping You a Secret
Keeping You a Secret
272 pages
A tender, high-stakes exploration of the terrifying thrill of first queer love and the courage it takes to live out loud.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into the raw, overwhelming crucible of high school, where every glance holds world-shattering potential and keeping a secret feels like holding your breath underwater. It captures the dizzying, terrifying freefall of a sexual awakening that upends a perfectly planned life. The prose is straightforward and deeply earnest, anchoring you entirely in the protagonist's vulnerable headspace as she navigates the intoxicating rush of first love alongside the suffocating pressure of societal expectations. There is a palpable tension that builds as the secret grows too large to contain, leading to moments of sharp heartbreak and profound courage. It will deeply resonate with anyone who loves a classic, emotionally charged coming-of-age story about the painful, beautiful process of choosing your authentic self.
- Mood
- tender
- tense
- emotionally charged
- Tone
- earnest
- vulnerable
- angsty
- hopeful
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- sexual awakening · the cost of authenticity · first love intensity · familial rejection · the burden of secrets
- The writing
- Accessible, straightforward, and deeply anchored in the immediate, overwhelming emotions of a teenager.
- The arc
- Moves from the comfortable numbness of a perfectly planned life into the terrifying, exhilarating freefall of first queer love, culminating in painful rupture and hard-won independence.
- Who it's for
- Readers looking for a classic, emotionally resonant YA coming-out story that balances the swoon of first love with the harsh realities of homophobia.
Content notes
- homophobia
- parental rejection
- bullying
- underage drinking
About the book
A fantastically written book that follows the life of student Holland Jaegar in her last year of high school. Holland begins her last semester of school by meeting CeCe Goddard, a transfer student from Washington Central. As the days progress Holland learn about CeCe and the fact that she is a lesbian. Holland is drawn to the charisma and strength of Cece and a friendship forms. When Holland suspects she has feelings for her friend a plan is created to keep the their relationship a secret.
Description from Open Library.
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