Penny Joelson

Jemma has a terrible secret that's eating her up: there's been a murder and she knows who did it. She knows because he told her. And she can't tell anyone.Fourteen-year-old Jemma has severe cerebral palsy. Unable to communicate or move, she relies on her family and carer for everything. She has a sharp brain and inquisitive nature, and knows all sorts of things about everybody else. But when she is confronted with this terrible secret, she is powerless to do anything. But that might be about to change...

I Have No Secrets

"Originally published in 2017 in Great Britain by Electric Monkey, an imprint of Egmont UK, Ltd."

Belle Ellrich

*I WAS PROVIDED A PHYSICAL COPY IN RETURN FOR MY HONEST REVIEW. THIS DOESN'T AFFECT MY OPINION*

Okay, first of all, I'm really happy to know that this book is releasing on my birthday. SQUEEE! for birthday books!

Though this book started out fairly slow in the beginning, it had full reason to. Because of the main character's disability, this book is very character-driven. What that means is that the plot won't move unless she makes a plot-shift herself, which can sometimes be an off-putter to some readers.

However, after those first few chapters, the pace quickly picked up. Through Jemma's view, we're introduced to discrimination against those with disabilities, as well as a suspect of murder and kidnapping. We're given hints and clues throughout the text that lead us in one direction, only to then turn in another.

I found that, while in a time of desperation and worry, these characters were still able to continue every day. I find that to be an important part of this story, as life doesn't just stop when tragedy strikes, and I think that was really important to this story.

I also really loved that we're given a little bit of insight into scientific research being done to help those who can't speak. Be it from one disability to another, I think that was also a really huge part of this novel that spoke volumes of what the potential could be for these individuals.

All in all, I did really enjoy this novel. I look forward to reading more from Penny Joelson in the future, and I hope that all of y'all give this book a fighting chance. For that, I rate it 4 stars.

I Have No Secrets

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