ShortHand Publishing - Review of Secrets and Kisses

Review of "Secrets and Kisses"

Rate: 4 ♥♥♥♥

ISBN:0-9752907-2-X

The first thing I noticed when I opened the book was on every page the author's name, book title and page numbers were in a nice dark text, unfortunately the story it self was not. The text was very light, almost too light. Not letting this fact deter me, I started reading.
"Secrets and Kisses" is told by Skylar Knight, our main character. Skylar, who is your average seventeen-year-old girl, in the last week of her junior year, has a huge problem. Blair "Miss-Rip-Out-Her-Bleached-Hair-And-Weave-A-Rug-With-It" Neuman is having a party to end all parties Friday night, at her house no less and it's only for juniors! Skylar's problem? She doesn't know how to kiss! The problem with this? "The Kissing Game takes place only at Blair parties." I won't spoil it and tell you exactly what this Kissing Game involves, but you can be sure Skylar is going to learn the essentials before Friday.
Skylar spends a lot of time with her best friend and confidante Ellodie. But Ellie isn't the only person who seems to be spending time with Skylar these days. She continually bumps (literally) into Kedren Price, the young man who has captured her fancy.
As the week goes on Skylar overhears a couple of conversations which make her a little suspicious of some of her classmates and friends. The author never gives you too much information as to spoil the bomb shell which will drop on our dear Skylar a little later in the story. But Celise Downs, the author, does give just enough details to keep your interest.
The story builds up to the highlight of the week - Blair's party. Nothing really unexpected happens at the party and I felt a little let down. I also wondered why the party was just for juniors. Well, maybe that doesn't really matter. I was expecting the bomb shell to be dropped at the party, it wasn't.
Everything is revealed in the last two chapters and left this reader a little disappointed. I wasn't disappointed in the bomb shell that was dropped, but in the fact the story then ended, leaving me wanting a little more! But I suppose that is what a good author does. All in all I enjoyed the book, despite the light text. It's a nice easy read. I have a few teenagers in my life who I'm sure will also enjoy meeting Skylar and her friends. Good job Celise!