Synopsis:
For two years, Megan, Peter, and their two older daughters, Alexis and Hannah, dream of nothing but being reunited with the family’s youngest child, Emma, who was kidnapped just before her third birthday. When Emma is miraculously found living with an elderly couple just miles from the family’s home, they are hopeful that her return will heal the wounds her disappearance created.
But Emma is vastly different from the sunny toddler they remember. She barely remembers her parents or her older sisters. She is quiet and withdrawn, and, worst of all, longs for the very people who kidnapped her.
Megan is consumed with bitterness, while Peter works later and later nights in the company of his gorgeous business partner. And in the middle of everything, Megan’s best friend has become suddenly distant and secretive.
Then a chance encounter in town leads to a secret that changes everything again for Emma. And Peter must decide between the happiness of his youngest daughter and the trust of his family.
But Emma is vastly different from the sunny toddler they remember. She barely remembers her parents or her older sisters. She is quiet and withdrawn, and, worst of all, longs for the very people who kidnapped her.
Megan is consumed with bitterness, while Peter works later and later nights in the company of his gorgeous business partner. And in the middle of everything, Megan’s best friend has become suddenly distant and secretive.
Then a chance encounter in town leads to a secret that changes everything again for Emma. And Peter must decide between the happiness of his youngest daughter and the trust of his family.
My Thoughts:
*Warning: This review may contain slight spoilers for the first book in the series, Finding Emma. Please read at your own risk*
I can't tell you how happy I was to learn that Steena Holmes was going to continue Emma's story. Emma's Secret is the sequel to Finding Emma, which I absolutely loved. You can read my review for it here. The story picks up several months later from where Finding Emma ends. Emma has been returned home and is trying to adjust back into her family life with her parents, Megan and Peter, and her sisters, Hannah and Alexis. Of course, things aren't going as well as Megan had hoped, finding that Emma is still withdrawn and quiet.
Emma's Secret focuses on something that most other missing person stories don't: what happens after the person has been found. Too often stories end and we are led to believe that everything will work out perfectly and things will go back to the way they were before. But you and I both know that things are never that simple, especially when a child is involved. This story deals with not only Emma's emotional return, but also what that means for her sisters who have been cast aside by their parents while they focused all of their energies on locating Emma.
Alexis and Hannah are both dealing with Emma's return in their own way. Alexis is angry and feels neglected while Hannah refuses to let Emma out of her sight. Even though this wasn't a main theme in the story, I still found it to be one of the most interesting points. Of course the other children were going to be affected by this tragedy and all too often their voices aren't heard because people are too focused on the parents. I liked getting to know Hannah and Alexis and seeing how they dealt with such a horrible event.
Then of course we have Megan and Peter, also struggling in their own ways. Megan is still angry and blind with rage for the people who took Emma away, while Peter is desperate to make Emma happy, even if that means going behind Megan's back. Usually in stories like this, I find it easy to choose a side and know that the other person is in the wrong. But I wasn't able to do that here. The author has done such an incredible job at making you see both points of view that there is very little room left for debate.
Overall, Emma's Secret was a perfect ending to an exceptional story. Skillfully written and realistic, this story will have you wondering for days what you would do in this family's situation. Would you be able to cast aside your anger and fear for the happiness of your child? Like Megan, I'm not sure if I could. I highly recommend picking up copies of Finding Emma and Emma's Secret. These are the perfect summer reads for sitting by the pool, relaxing at the beach, or even for a quiet night in.
For more about Steena Holmes and Emma's Secret, visit her website here.
Purchase:
*I received this book for free in exchange of my honest review. This did not influence my opinion in any way and all views and opinions expressed are 100% my own.
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