Book Description: Everybody does it—sneaks out of the house now and then. It's harmless enough, right? Not this time. Cleo Neilson faces the chilling consequences of her actions. Now she has a secret and can’t tell anyone, and it’s breaking her heart. As Cleo fights through her grief and guilt, she learns about faith in God and forgiveness through him. As teenage girls read Cleo's journey, they too will learn the value of having faith and receiving forgiveness as well as just how dangerous it really is to keep a secret.
My Review: Shattered by Melody Carlson is the second in the Secrets Series. Cleo's best friend, Lola, will be moving. Before she moves Lola wins two tickets for a christian concert. Cleo is determined to go to the concert, since Lola will moving the next day, even when her mom remains firm that she not attend the concert.
Cleo begs, as teens do, to borrow the car but Cleo’s mother needs the car to attend a party and Cleo's father is out-of-town on a business trip. So, Cleo and Lola secretly make plans to take the city bus to the Colosseum, instead of ordering pizza and watching a movie. Well, Cleo buys pizza at the concert so it's not a lie ~ they did eat pizza!
After attending the concert, the girls return to Cleo's house. Cleo's mom doesn't seem to hear the girls so Cleo decides her mom is asleep and goes on to bed. The following morning Cleo's mom is not home. So unusual....Cleo is trying to decide what to do when there is a knock at the door, a police officer, BAD NEWS! and Cleo's life is SHATTERED! Instead of turning to God in this tragic time Cleo turns to drugs/pills. Cleo can't come to grips with the secret she hides .... this tragedy weighs like a mountain on Cleo's spirit. But Cleo's aunt Kellie comes to help out and Cleo gets a different perspective on her mom's "obsessive" protectiveness.
A great 5 star read about forgiveness, redemption and letting God put the shattered pieces of our soul back together again.
The discussion questions at the back of the book will enhance the lessons learned from this series, and could be used by a youth group, teen book club, or for personal use. I highly recommend this for the older teen in your life.
*This book was provided for review by NavPress*
About the Author: Melody Carlson is the best-selling author of more than 150 books, including the TrueColors series (TH1NK/NavPress). Her first book in the Secrets series is titled Forgotten. She has won various awards for her writing, including The Gold Medallion and The Rita. Melody currently lives in the beautiful Oregon Cascade Mountains with her husband.
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