ARC Review: Bottled Up Secret by Brian McNamara

Bottled Up Secret
by Brian McNamara
Published by Bold Strokes Books
Ebook (received from publisher via NetGalley, thank you!)
YA, LGBT, contemporary, romance

Brendan Madden is in the midst of his senior year of high school and couldn’t be happier. He has a great group of friends, his pick of colleges, and he has recently come to terms with his sexuality. One night, he meets Mark Galovic, a gorgeous, younger classmate of his. In a matter of minutes, Brendan is hooked. As the friendship between them grows, Brendan reaches his breaking point when he spontaneously confesses his feelings to him. Brendan is shocked and elated to find out that Mark feels the same way about him. The two begin to date, but because Mark is not out, it must remain a secret. As their friends and family become suspicious, openly gay Brendan becomes increasingly frustrated with their discreet relationship, while Mark becomes more and more paranoid that they’re going to be found out.

Bottled Up Secret was okay read in every way. It's also everything what synopsis promised and it was good read after some heavy stories since it's pretty light story. There's problems and happenings that are present in young gay boys life such as coming out to friends and parents, and being in a relationship for a first time. However, Brendan's character wasn't keen to angst or negative thinking which lightened the mood of the story and honestly, I was surprised because of it. Most of young adult coming out stories are heavy, full of angst and sadness and while I do love those kind of stories, Bottled Up Secret was quite different in a good way. Brendan was mature and he had very positive way of thinking and living his life which was so fresh. I enjoyed that particular light, happy and positive theme during the story very much.

 

However, there was some problems with the story that made the reading experience a little dull. While the characters were really likable and there was great variety of them, I didn't really click with them or love them. It's mostly because while everything was okay with the story, it lacked depth - in every aspect. There was maybe too many characters because it felt like there was too little insight and they all felt swallow, not as persons but overall as characters. Even the main character, Brendan, lacked some depth. He had more it than any other character mainly because it was his point of view but something was still missing. I suspect it's because Brendan's reaction to everything were too meager. I mean, his mom pretty much despised him and tried to control him because he was gay - she treated Brendan poorly, mostly because her actions were too close to emotional abuse. And while Brendan was upset about it, he didn't react much. He talked to his friends but there was too little depth and he didn't even get really angry. Why didn't he throw a fit, yell, do something? Do anything? I waited for the confrontation patiently but there was none and that's the main reason why the story lacked depth and why it wasn't perfect read.

 

The story had potential and with more depth, more character study and what's most important, more feelings and emotions, the story would have been perfect. Now it was okay, I felt good after finishing but I wasn't satisfied.

 

I do recommend this for anyone who wants to read a little different coming out and first relationship story because it wasn't bad. Writing was fast paced and enjoyable, characters intriguing and there was great variety of them, and the story itself was solid and good. But if you're looking for something really deep with lots of character developement, then maybe this one isn't for you. However, it's really good book for getting your spirits up with the story's positive, happy and joyous undertone.

 

3 of 5 stars.

Bottled Up Secret on Goodreads.

Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, for giving me a chance to review Bottled Up Secret!

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)