A big thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a really honest review.
Although I’d received this book early last year, it’s taken me a long time to get to reading it. I finally thought I’ll just give it a shot. Before going further though, I think it’s important for me to disclose that had the previous book I was reading not ended up as a rare entry on my DNF list (for reasons cited here), I’d probably have tossed this one on that pile. But the last one did, and so this one didn’t… which is how we’re now on this review! Let’s get right into it!
Genre: Psychological thriller, mystery, and suspense (that’s what it says on the cover)
Length: 360 pages
Blurb:
Lorna is a psychotherapist. (This is something I really want you to remember as you read on… really, really remember!) She lives her life by an uber tight schedule because she’s trying hard to not allow herself a moment to think about the dark secret she holds. A new client of hers turns out to be someone familiar – Andrew, who she’s tried hard to forget, and failed. Aware of the risk to her marriage, family, and career, Lorna signs up on a dating site and messages Andrew anonymously (again, she’s a psychotherapist). Then Andrew dies – is murdered – but messages from him keep coming. Someone knows Lorna’s secrets and is out to destroy her. What happens next?
Overall Rating: 1 out of 10
Plot: 2 out of 10 (and most of this is for the climax)
Characterization: 1 out of 10
Primary Element: 1 out of 10 since it was too annoying to be thrilling, mysterious, or suspenseful
Writing Style: 1 out of 10
Part of a Series:
No. (Thank everything good in this world for that!)
Highlighted Takeaway:
The characters proving true the adage – You attract what you are – because they’re all idiots, surrounded by other idiots.
What I Liked:
The final few plot twists – not the best or even surprising, but definitely the best part of this book.
What I Didn’t Like:
Jotting down a quick list here:
- Lorna, who spent most of the book going, “Oh, I know this is a mistake but let me make it anyway and now let me regret making it but continue making it while continuing to regret it and making it, which brings me back to the regret as I continue making it… you get the gist!
- The constant use of, “I know I’m a therapist, but…” before Lorna makes another stupid decision. Honestly, that’s just lazy writing and the most ridiculous justification for a character’s actions.
- The fact that all the men in the book were literally nothing more than props to move the women’s stories ahead. They were insignificant, convenient, and had an incredible lack of any character other than that trait which suited the women’s story at the moment.
Who Should Read It:
Those who love books with highly dysfunctional, self-destructive persons and families, like The Couple Next Door or Daddy Darkest.
Who Should Avoid:
Anyone who doesn’t like books with characters that have multiple chances, but never seem to learn, while being aware that that’s what is happening.
Read It For:
The knowledge that Gone Girl (review here) may have been the only successful attempt at a psychological thriller based on dysfunction that actually made sense.
I’d also just like to add that Tell Me A Secret joins Daddy Darkest (review here) and The Couple Next Door (review here) to make up a genre that I am probably never going to read again. People just aren’t as ridiculous as the characters in these books, and if they are, I’d honestly just not read about them.
Tell me what you thought about Tell Me A Secret and this review in the comments below! And as always, thanks for stopping by!
– Rishika
The Book Review Station 
3 thoughts on “Review: Tell Me A Secret (By Samantha Hayes)”