Review: Whoever You Are

Title: Whoever You Are

Author: Donna Marie Lanheady

Publisher: Self Published

Published: September 2012

Format: Kindle

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 184

Source: Received from the author in

exchange for an honest review.

Read: January 7, 2013

In A Few Words:  Fast  Read

My Rating: 3 Stars

Goodreads:Add to Your TBR shelf

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Are you defined by your family, your career, your accomplishments? What happens when something you think defines you changes?

Emily McGinn, a recurring character from WHERE SECRETS LIE, believes she knows exactly who she is and where she belongs in the world, until she receives an inheritance from an unknown benefactor. Uncovering the source of the inheritance leads Emily to discover buried truths undermining what she thought was a straightforward life. As the truths alter Emily’s perception of the people closest to her, her perception of herself shifts as well.

Set in the unique foothills community of Boulder, Colorado and its environs, WHOEVER YOU ARE questions not only how we define ourselves, but also how we define family and whether we bear any responsibility for the actions of those who came before us

Melissa's Musings:

This is a very quick read. The action is direct and to the point and there's not a whole lot of world building. In this case though it's not really necessary. The story moves itself along quite well.

There are a lot of secrets in this novel. Emily and her brother Eric are keeping a secret from their father that his business isn't doing as well since he is ill. And Emily is in for quite a shock when she finds out that her mother and father have lied to her all her life about who she really is. I won't give away the whole plot line, but lets just say it's quite significant. 

Along with this shocking secret comes a great deal of money. Emily isn't sure if she wants to take it because of it's origins, and I have to say that I admired this strength in her character. Emily truly stood up for herself and her principles even though it made others unhappy. Particularly her brother Eric. He was rather selfish and mean about the whole ordeal, thinking that Emily owed it to him and their family to use her inheritance to save their family business. He also started to treat her differently, which was really insensitive. Lainey, Emily's parents and her girlfriend Katie were all supportive of her decision though, so I'd guess that as a  way to add some extra conflict to the story it was easy to make Eric the bad guy.

The story really makes you stop to think about what's really important in life and how you define yourself. And sometimes when that all changes, something good can come out of a tumultuous situation, it all depends on how you handle it. 

Have you read this story? Or have you ever found out a big secret that had a major impact on your life? Please share your thoughts!