Secrets of Southern Girls: A Review

 

My take:
This is a delightful story that puts the reader through the spectrum of human emotions.
Because I love all things Southern, I was enthusiastic to start reading this...
but found myself set in busy Manhattan. The main character, Julie is living there trying to move along from her past.
She is a wonderfully developed character who feels like a girl who could be a good friend if she didn't hold herself so aloof. Her aloofness is understood, though, because she carries the guilt of Reba, her childhood best friend's death and is afraid to get close to anyone. Anyone but her daughter...
Her daughter is a cute and smart little thing that made me smile.
The story is advanced with excerpts from Reba's diary.
This book is a suspenseful write that kept me on the edge of my seat, but is well written with short chapters that keep the reader engaged.
I'd highlight recommend it for anyone who enjoys suspense novels!!!
I received a copy of this book from netgalley.com and this is my honest review.


About the book:
In Secrets of Southern Girls, the powerful, affecting debut from Haley Harrigan, a young woman uncovers devastating secrets about the friend she thinks she killed…

Ten years ago, Julie Portland accidentally killed her best friend, Reba. What’s worse is she got away with it. Consumed by guilt, she left the small town of Lawrence Mill, Mississippi, and swore nothing would ever drag her back.

Now, raising her daughter and struggling to make ends meet in Manhattan, Julie still can’t forget the ghost of a girl with golden hair and a dangerous secret.

When August, Reba’s first love, begs Julie to come home to find the diary that Reba kept all those years ago, Julie’s past comes creeping back to haunt her. That diary could expose the shameful memories Julie has been running from, but it could also unearth the hidden truths that Reba left buried…and reveal that Julie isn’t the only one who feels responsible for Reba’s death.

In fact, she may not be responsible at all.

Haley Harrigan graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in creative writing and public relations. She lives in Athens, Georgia, with her husband. Secrets of Southern Girls is her debut.  Visit her website at www.haleyharrigan.com or on Twitter @HCHarrigan.