Her debut novel, Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, was adapted into a movie. This time Williams is back with another page turning story. The core of this book revolves around female friendships. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised.
Elise Armstrong, Carmen Bradshaw, and DeeDee Davis meet in a yoga class. They have different backgrounds but they share recent grief. All their mothers have recently passed away. The death of their mothers is what unites all three characters.
After they meet they decide to help each other pack and sort their mother’s belongings. During this process, they discover and read old letters and diaries, and it becomes apparent that their mothers all had secrets. Moreover, the secrets have an impact on their daughter’s current lives.
They meet once a month over margaritas and for support.
This book is about the bonds the three of them form with each other and the love and laughter that helps them all through their issues. This friendship helps them understand the choices their mothers made and also helps them understand themselves.
This is a light and quick read but don’t let that fool you. The Secret Women is a melancholic read in places but ultimately brings joy at the end.
Overall, this book is filled with poignant life lessons and pays tribute to the power of family and friendship. The characters are superbly created and defined. Each with a lot of love to give and warmth to spread.
If you are looking to read a book that is full of heart, spirit and love, then this book is recommended by this reviewer for you.