Best Kept Secrets

Best Kept Secrets by Amy Hatvany -352 pages

Book Blurb:

Her drinking snuck up on her – as a way to sleep, to help her relax after a long day, to relieve some of the stress of the painful divorce that’s left her struggling to make ends meet with her five-year old son, Charlie.
It wasn’t always like this. Just a few years ago, Cadence seemed to have it all—a successful husband, an adorable son, and a promising career as a freelance journalist. But with the demise of her marriage, her carefully constructed life begins to spiral out of control. Suddenly she is all alone trying to juggle the demands of work and motherhood.
Logically, Cadence knows that she is drinking too much, and every day begins with renewed promises to herself that she will stop. But within a few hours, driven by something she doesn’t understand, she is reaching for the bottle – even when it means not playing with her son because she is too tired, or dropping him off at preschool late, again. And even when one calamitous night it means leaving him alone to pick up more wine at the grocery store. It’s only when her ex-husband shows up at her door to take Charlie away that Cadence realizes her best kept secret has been discovered.

My Review: 4 stars

Wow, this book took me by surprise! The first third of it I was torn with whether or not I even liked or wanted to commiserate with Cadence as I was getting annoyed with her guilty feelings although they were rightfully earned. I made a too early assumption that this book would be a wah, wah, wah feel sorry for me for drinking book. But really, it was SO much more than that. I learned so much from Cadence’s experience as it relates to any addiction; eating for comfort, shopping, gambling, a sneaky cigarette or sex. It only takes a few simple negative happenings to align correctly that can bring someone down and ultimately destroy their life. I also really learned through her experience the importance of a support system, honesty and open communication while recovering. This book definitely emphasized that alcoholism is a DISEASE and it’s truly one that takes daily care to keep in check. After I finished, I learned that this book is written with a keen eye as the author herself is a recovering alcoholic. This must have been extremely painful yet therapeutic to write. I recommend it to all and especially to anyone who has had a friend or family member that has dealt with or is dealing with alcoholism.

Quotes I liked:

Humiliation is about shame. Becoming humble is about being of use to others. It helps you get off the self-pity pot and stop wallowing around in your own crap.”

-“What other people think of you is none of your business,” she says. “You can’t change it, you can’t control it. The only thing you can control is your reaction to it.”

– “Well you know what procrastination and masturbation have in common don’t you? She waits a beat. When it comes right down to it, you only end up screwing yourself.”