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Book Review of Secrets from the Past

Secrets from the Past
Secrets from the Past
Author: Barbara Taylor Bradford
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Romance
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
reviewed on + 337 more book reviews


I spent the entire book wondering if I'd read it before... and I had not. That may be the most damning thing I could say about this story. The book had some moments of beauty - descriptions of homes, of Venice, of Tommy's photography. The love between the sisters was pretty to read also, but especially between Serena and Jessica more than a bit too sweet. Ditto Serena and Harry. The heroine was so lacking in depth - toss shocking secrets at her, have her boyfriend smash the television with a copper frying pan, witness a woman shot in the streets surrounded by beseeching relatives - nothing seems to register deeply. Looking at the replacement television months later, she realized she's never seen that copper frying pan before. What? Oh well.

I have read BTBradford many times in the past when I needed a bit of "strong woman" fiction, but this work was disappointing. Areas of the story had great potential, but we never dug below surface smiles and unblemished family love. Gag.