Review: I can't wait until the fourth book!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 24, 2012
I couldn't put this book down. In fact, I read it twice. It picks shortly after book 2 with Peyton, Brice, and 3 month old Max.  Brea Brown does an excellent job of writing real characters.  Peyton is a Pastor's wife, but she's no saint.  She has a tendency to be too hard on herself and puts Brice and the general concept of people who go to church up on a pedestal. But, she is also funny, loyal, and has a bit of a potty mouth. In particular, her joys and struggles being a new Mom should resonate with any mother.  Brice is a good Dad and a supportive husband, but he also has a tendency to make lies of ommission and get a little self-righteous with Peyton, which she has to call him on.  As they continue to adjust to being parents, being married, and dealing with new people as well as their family and friends, they grow as people.  It isn't always pretty, but it's definitely interesting.  When I got to the end of the book, I was very frustrated because I didn't want the story to end.A couple of additional notes.  If you haven't read the first two books, there are a couple of references to what happened in them, but they are off-hand, so I don't think you will be lost.  But, do yourself a favor and read the first two books. They are good reads, so why not?Secondly, yes, since Brice is a pastor, there are references to God and their Lutheran church.  But, this is not Christian lit.  All the religious reference are very organic.  What I really appreciate is that Brea makes a big point of showing that religious people are just people.  They run the gamut of personality types and, while some are nice, some are various ranges on the jerk scale.  Plus, Brice sets the tone for religion being open and inclusive.  For example, the fact that Peyton's brother is gay and has a boyfriend is a total non-issue to all the main characters, including Brice  So, don't let the religion turn you off.  I guess this book is classified as chick lit, but it's really just a slice of life.If you are looking for a book you can wrap yourself up in for awile, read all of the Secret Keeper books.