Review: I HAVE NO SECRETS

Title: I Have No Secrets
Author: Penny Joelson
Page count: 330
Date published: 4 May 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery & Thriller

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House SA for sending this to me
Rating:

Synopsis:
Jemma knows who did the murder. 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 everyone. But when she is confronted with this terrible secret, she is utterly powerless to do anything. Though that might be about to change…
MY THOUGHTS
(SPOILERS AHEAD)
I really adored this book. I’d never heard of it before, but the reviews looked great so I said yes. As soon as I read the first page, I was already intrigued. I didn’t know that there was disability representation or that it was why Jemma couldn’t speak. It was a great read and I highly recommend. This book is so important and brings such an important message.
At first, the book was quite slow. I enjoyed the characters, but that was about it. Then I got about halfway, and I couldn’t put it down. I really loved Jemma’s character. It makes you think how she thinks, if you know what I mean? I just wanted to help her and let her speak. I really enjoyed her family and that aspect. Finn is also such an interesting charcter. I feel like he also has a slight case of OCD. I liked Olivia, but I think she’s bipolar? Not sure. She was a bit over-dramatic at times, but I think it’s because of how she was brought up and how other people who do not know her, treat her.
I hated Dan from the beginning. His sneer was horrible. But I was also unsure if he was the killer. I expected and I also didn’t. I was a bit uncertain about who it would be. ANd Sarah’s disappearance was very unexpected. I liked how it was all revealed.
I have a question: what kind of person thinks anyone over the age of twelve would like nursery rhymes and fairy tales?! I do not understand how someone could think they could do that. I mean, Jemma’s not stupid. I kind of wanted to congratulate Olivia in that moment.
I also liked Jodi. I felt she was a bit off at times, but I liked that Jemma had a sister. I also love Jemma’s sniff software. I think it’s such an interesting piece of technology and is very clever. I was so happy that she could speak.
I just think this book is so important. I loved the characters and the writing is so easy to read. I just really enjoyed it and I highly recommend picking it up.
xo