Review: Brea Brown leaves us holding on for TSK 5
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 16, 2013
Pre-review background info....The Secret Keeper was the first book I read by Brea Brown and I have been hooked ever since. She creates very realistic characters  that are so fully developed, it's easy to forget that they only exist on paper. While I don't think you need to read the first three books in this series to appreciate TSK Holds On, you will be missing a lot of the character development that really is what makes these characters so endearing. Peyton and Brice have both matured, and seeing those changes (forwards, backwards, and sideways) is the fun. So, do yourself a favor and read the other books in this series first, then read this one, then read the rest of Brea's books, because they are all worth a look.Now, as for The Secret Keeper Holds On, there are several points in this book where my jaw dropped, or I gasped, or I yelled out in surprise while I was reading this. What can I say? Life for a married couple with 3 kids under the age of 2 and two jobs is going to be an adventure. And this book is definitely an adventure.Brice is a Pastor who is the type of person we all hope our religious leaders are like, because he always tries to see the good in people and wants to sincerely help everyone along their spiritual journey. He definitely has his moments, though, and it's nice to occassionaly see his rough edges because it makes him better than average, but still very human.  But, we all know that someone who is that good tends to ruffle the feathers of people who are holier than thou, which causes tension for both him and Peyton. A lot of tension, as a matter of fact. If you don't cheer and gasp at the same time at one particular Brice moment towards the end of the book, then you may need to check your pulse to make sure you are still alive. It is seriously that shocking, thrlling, and scary all at the same time. And there is that other Brice moment at the very end of the book that had me yelling, "No, you can't end it like that!" So, I was extremely relieved to read in the acknowledgements in the back that TSK 5 is planned.Peyton is a little insecure, a people please, and a bit of a hot heard, particularly when she feels her husband is being attacked. But, she has grown up quite a bit throughout this series and it was nice to see her learn how to manage her insecurites more. She still keeps secrets in the name of keeping the peace, but she is learning that sometimes talking things through, even when they aren't pleasant, is the better solution. It's also nice to see that she is getting a little inkling that there is more to her than just being the middle-child, people-pleaser, secret keeper that she thinks isn't quite up to her husband's level. She has quite a few jaw-dropping moments in this book, too. It's a wonder I didn't get drool over everything with how often my mouth was open while reading.But, don't get the idea that there are shocking things that happen just to be shocking, This is a slice of life book, and life can be full of surprises. You will definitely be able to relate to what happens to Peyton and Brice and you will be cheering for them all the way.