SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS by Haley Harrigan & GIVEAWAY

** GIVEAWAY CLOSED **

 

“Ten years ago, Julie Portland killed her best friend. What’s worse – she got away with it.” SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS

Times up for Julie Portland, In SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS(SourcebooksLandmark) by Haley Harrigan. She’s been living in New York City hiding from the secrets of her past, with her daughter, Beck, barely making ends meet with the help of her ex-husband’s support checks. Ten years ago, when she accidentally killed her best friend, Reba, the girl with the golden hair, she immediately moved north, leaving all memories of Lawrence Mill, Mississippi behind. She swore there was no way in hell she’d ever go back.

August, Reba’s old boyfriend has been searching for Julie and finally locates her in the City. He tells Julie he’s still haunted by what happened and asks Julie to give him Reba’s diary, but Julie doesn’t know about any diary. With the introduction of the diary, we learn Julie may not be the only one responsible for Reba’s death, that perhaps she’s living with unwarranted regret. They both agree Reba’s diary may provide answers, finally revealing the truth.

While reading SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS, that phrase, “wherever you go, there you are,” kept repeating in my mind. Time heals pain and grief, but one can’t run away from secrets. Secrets and lies, fester growing in one’s soul. I loved the juxtaposition of New York City and Mississippi. I could feel the energy shift when the prose changed locations. I applaud Haley for writing the novel in first/third person narrative. At first, it was a bit clumsy for me to read, but then it felt comfortable. Secrets, guilt, friendship, betrayal, lies …. SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS has it all.

*****

Haley lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband and the second-most adorable Yorkshire Terrier there ever was. She graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in Creative Writing and Public Relations, and loved Athens too much to go anywhere else. A bookworm from early on, she started writing as a kid when her grandfather introduced her to his new typewriter. Her first stories were fanfiction pieces (though she didn’t call it that, then) inspired by The Baby-Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. These days, she’s an avid and wildly eclectic reader, with tastes ranging from Margaret Atwood to William Faulkner to Gillian Flynn to Rainbow Rowell.

In addition to reading and writing, Haley enjoys hot tea, college football, margaritas and Mexican food, and a good Netflix binge. She is obsessed with all things Joss Whedon and believes that she learned everything she needs to know about life from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark we have one copy of SECRETS of SOUTHERN GIRLS to giveaway. Just tell us who your favorite southern author is. Well announce a winner Monday.