~ Review: Subtle Secrets ~

SUBTLE SECRETS is hopefully the first in a line of the much-requested sequels to TRULY INSEPARABLE, the story in which Shelby and Nelson Reeves lost their infant son to SIDS.  

At the beginning of SUBTLE SECRETS, we learn that Jordan Randolph Banks has received a letter from his dead ex-wife, Gloria.  She tells him that his 12-month-old daughter whom he didn’t know existed, is a ward of the state.  We also learn that Jordan’s ex-wife has a sister, Lisa Mason whose life is entangled with drugs.  She too has received a letter from her sister divulging the existence of her niece.  She declares to get back into rehab and clean herself up so that she can save her niece from the type of childhood she and her sister had to endure.

The story then starts nine years and eleven months later with Starris Gilmore, a graphic designer by trade, trying to find a job.  In order to guarantee that the adoption, of Danielle Carter, goes through without a hitch Starris is seeking full-time employment.  Labeled a “special needs” child, Starris fell in love with Dani after learning of her past and Dani has lived with her for the past year.

With the help of her friend, Shelby Reeves, Starris has an interview with the director of ROBY – Rescuing Our Black Youth.  Jordan recognizes Starris as the woman he met at Shelby and his best friend, Nelson’s wedding.  He also admits to himself that he is attracted to her.  He immediately decides that she is wrong for the position.  Starris is desperate and pleads with him to reconsider.  When he doesn’t and tries to dismiss her, her temper flairs and she tells him off .

Eventually they agree to start over.  Especially since their daughters are best friends.  But, what they don't realize is that their daughters have devised a Parent Trap scheme.  One that they hope will make them sisters for real.

Ms. Thomas has created an absolutely wonderful romantic tale.  Her varied characters are credible and a delight to read about.  The relationship she develops between Jordan and Starris is analogous to being bitten by the love bug.  Jordan was not a man who pondered.  He saw Starris, knew he wanted her and he went after her.  It was a pleasure to see a man going on feelings alone.  He felt powerless to control himself around Starris and just had to touch and kiss her.    

Ms. Thomas also does an exceptional job of portraying the girls as a product of their environment.  They were adorable.  One was confident and outspoken while the other one was shy and hesitant.  And I laughed at their antics throughout the books to get their parents together.

The depiction of a loving and caring father was evident in Jordan.  There is the cutest scene where Jordan wins the board game SORRY and makes a big show out of winning by laughing and yelling out “Sooooorry”.  The girls and Starris pummel him with pillows.  He then kisses Starris.

“Hey,” Jolie yelled.  “That’s not fair!  You’ve been kissing Miss Starris all day.  What about me and Dani?  We lost, too.”

“That’s right, you did.”  Jordan rose from the floor and placed his hands on his waist.  “Will all the losers please line up, and the winner will gladly bestow kisses.”

There was much jostling and pushing before Starris and the girls finally formed a straight line, and Jordan smiled when he saw Starris standing proudly at the front.  She stepped forward and lifted her cheek.

Jordan’s daughter teaching him how to kiss a woman was another priceless scene.

I do hope that Ms. Thomas decides to continue to bring us more stories from this collection of friends.  If you’ll put your thinking caps on, you’ll remember that she left us hanging in TRULY INSEPARABLE when she hinted at a relationship between Manetta Walker and detective Christopher Mills.  Now that’s one couple I’d love to read about.

Check out SUBTLE SECRETS.  It’s one that will fill your heart with sadness then replace it with the joy of how truly wonderful having a family can be.  SUBTLE SECRETS is a worthy sequel to the superbly written TRULY INSEPARABLE.

23rd May 2001