Bookblog: Girls Can't Keep Secrets
By Catherine Estep

     We have all said and heard the phrase, “Can you keep a secret?”  Well, there is one secret I definitely cannot keep; Sophie Kinsella’s novel, “Can You Keep a Secret?,” is a must-read for all women out there.

      Most of the novels I have read in the past have started out slow when it comes to entertainment.  Although they usually get more interesting towards the middle, the beginnings are somewhat dull and dry.
 
      Some books that I have read in the past were so boring at the beginning that I stopped reading and started something else.  However, this was definitely not the case with “Can You Keep a Secret?.” 

      The very first page is witty and interesting.  By the time you get to about the fourth page, you will be hooked.

     Kinsella definitely did not want to keep you guessing about what “secrets” she means in the title.  The first sentence states, “Of COURSE I have secrets.” 

     The main character, Emma Corrigan, then begins to enlighten the readers with some of her secrets.  This was definitely a surprise for a reader as impatient as myself.  I like books that get right to the point, and this is definitely one of them.

      Emma works for the fictional Panther Cola Corp. in England, and she is on her way to meet with another company regarding a new sports drink Panther is trying to push. 

      With hopes of the meeting turning into a promotion, Emma is sadly surprised when it ends up being a complete disaster.  She spills a drink, loses concentration during the discussion, and the company tells her they have decided to go in a different direction other than Panther Cola. 

      On the plane ride back to England, Emma is very upset about her meeting.  To top things off, the plane experiences a few difficulties, which sends Emma into a panic.

      Without realizing it or even caring, she spills all of her deepest and darkest secrets to the stranger that is sitting beside her.  Unfortunately for her, the stranger ends up being none other than the American CEO of Panther Cola, Jack Harper, her boss.

      It was very entertaining to read about their daily conversations at the office.  While Emma is humiliated, Jack naturally gets a kick out of slyly teasing her about the many secrets she told him, including several about her co-workers. 

      After a short time, it becomes quite obvious that they both seem to be attracted to each other.  They soon begin a secret relationship, hoping that none of their co-workers find out. 

      No one is on to them until Jack has a televised interview about the sports drink Panther Cola is trying to promote. 

      During the interview, he is asked who his target audience for the drink is.  Without meaning to, he describes Emma to a tee, including many of her secrets.  Their co-workers immediately know he is referring to Emma.

      Emma then faces even more humiliation, but this time even worse.  Her secrets are out.  What should she do now?

     “Can You Keep a Secret?” may be quite predictable, and at times sort of corny.  However, the constant witty dialogue and charming characters easily make up for this.         

      What are you waiting for?  Get in on the gossip.  Do not let this book remain a “secret.”