Book: The Truth and Other Hidden Things
Author: Lea Geller
Pub Date: April 6, 2021
Question of the Day: If you wrote an anonymous blog, what would it be about? Let me know in the comments below.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-galley of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Synopsis: Main character Bells Walker lives in NYC in a small cramped apartment, is a mom of two (sometimes angsty) teenagers, and has a husband Harry who is a professor that is desperately seeking tenure. All at once, her husband is denied tenure and her IUD fails, meaning Bells is pregnant and Harry needs a new job. The family quickly finds themselves moving to the small town of Pigskill, NY so that Harry can begin a new job at Duchess College.
Pigskill is not ideal for Bells or her kids, while Harry is loving the artisanal, farm to table, hipster atmosphere. After Bells hears some local Moms talking about her she decides to fuel her rage into an anonymous blog where she calls herself the Duchess. As her blog gains notoriety and people start a witch hunt for the identity of the author, what could possibly go wrong? Will Bells chance hurting the people she loves the most in exchange for a shot of fame?
My Thoughts: This book was laugh out loud funny. I live in a very hipster town and could completely relate to some of the experiences mentioned (like artisanal bread, CBD infused lattes, etc). I also enjoyed how Bells’ anonymous blog posts were inserted into the book!
This book was an interesting reading experience in that I simultaneously disagreed with many of Bells’ decisions while I was also rooting for her to make things right. I had empathy for Bells because I felt like her experience of her life spinning out of control (unexpected pregnancy, moving, etc) was guiding a lot of her decision making. I also enjoyed the relationships she has with her mom and mother-in-law; the character development in those relationships was very enjoyable.
For fans of: Books with character growth, Gossip Girl (but for adults), the book the Trophy Life (also by Lea Geller), and the book When Life Gives You Lululemons (by Lauren Weisberger).
Okay In My Book 