Love, Secrets, and Absolution by K.L. Loveley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

You’ll want to hug someone you love after reading this book!

I’m reviewing Love, Secrets and Absolution, by K.L. Lovely. Here are my thoughts:

^^ Told from alternative viewpoints, Love, Secrets and Absolution is an emotional story revolving around the lives of a couple, Grace and Paul, who are trying to come to terms with the stresses and strains of bringing up an autistic child. But what makes this story different is how it’s set at a time which coincides with the Nottingham miners strikes of the 80s, where pit closures and pay restraints led to unofficial strikes, job losses and violence. Harsh times to say the least. This added a new dimension to the story, and of course, more pressure for Paul, and ultimately the whole family. They were terrible times in Britain, a lot of families suffered because of it.

^^ Right from the beginning we see young Alfie is different to other children. The author, K. L.oveley, helps show us this, by what I thought was a highly unusual technique- giving baby and toddler versions of Alfie his own voice.

^^ I must admit at first I was thinking, this doesn’t sound like a baby. After all, very young babies are not able to communicate in such a coherent manner. However, as I read further, I saw how Alfie’s voice as a child — seeing things differently from his POV — really helped to provide a deeper look into his inner thoughts and feelings. A fresh and unique approach, which revealed his own perspective of how he didn’t fit in with other kids, even if he was unable to understand the “why” himself. Very clever. It certainly made things clearer for me and highlighted aspects of autism I may have missed otherwise.

^^ Taking the time-period into consideration, I found the portrayal of the teachers and the way they behaved cruelly and professionally towards Alfie and Grace shocking, yet realistic. Back in those days many professionals were not trained to spot differences and learning difficulties in the way they are today. To outsiders who didn’t understand what Alfie was going though and thinking, he did just look like a trouble maker. Nowadays we know better and there is an ever-growing awareness and understanding of the many different spectrums of autism.

^^ Alfie’s father, Paul, may not have won the best dad of the year award, but I felt he was a realistic representation of a man living and working in a very masculine environment, where men were largely regarded as the breadwinners of the household and job scarcity was a huge issue. He didn’t know how to handle Alfie, and in a way you can’t blame him for that. Not everyone is capable of being a really good parent, especially when their own life has turned upside down in a blink of an eye.

^^ There’s also a really good story line around a girl called Magenta, which I felt helped strengthen both Alfie and Grace’s bond. A lovely touch. As was Grace’s newfound strength and courage, which really made this story become more than just gloom and doom. Her steadfast devotion to her son is both amazing and commendable, and I enjoyed seeing how she turned her life around.

Overall: This thought-provoking book is as much about relationships, as it is autism. We see the hopes and dreams of a young family shattered by a lack of communication, misunderstandings and even betrayal. Yet, despite all the struggles and heartache this family go through, we discover the true power of love; how it can heal, comfort and carry us forward through the toughest of times. A heart-warming, memorable and most satisfying read. 4.5 Stars.

View all my reviews on Goodreads
and I’m an Amazon Vine Reviewer

View this post on Instagram

It's #winniethepooh #day! What's your teddy reading? 🐻 Here is my teddy aptly named Ted, and fan of #Pooh and his friends – reading our Authors Needing Reviews book. 💖 Wait till you hear what he's got to say about it, too! #winniethepoohday #LoveSecretsandAbsolutuon by #klloveley #AltRead #books #bööty #bookclutch #bookclubofinstagram

A post shared by Sassy Brit, Author Assistant (@sassy.brit) on Jan 18, 2018 at 8:08am PST

Get the book!

Love, Secrets, and Absolution

 

Uncharted

(18526)

£5.99 (as of June 9, 2023 13:13 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Tower of Dawn: From the # 1 Sunday Times best-selling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses (Throne of Glass Book 6)

(36918)

£4.53 (as of June 9, 2023 13:02 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Lessons in Chemistry: The No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller and BBC Between the Covers Book Club pick

(163584)

49% Off £9.99 £5.00 (as of June 9, 2023 12:57 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Cross Down: An Alex Cross and John Sampson Thriller (Alex Cross Novels)

(355)

£32.43 (as of June 9, 2023 13:13 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger: (Volume 1) (The Dark Tower)

(28678)

£4.99 (as of June 9, 2023 13:43 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Abandon: A masterpiece of psychological suspense from the top ten bestselling author of Dark Matter

(17857)

£9.99 (as of June 9, 2023 13:43 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition | 32 GB with a 6.8" display, wireless charging and auto-adjusting front light | Without ads | Denim

(2912)

£179.99 (as of June 9, 2023 13:47 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Get more with Signature Edition: everything in the Kindle Paperwhite, plus wireless charging, auto-adjusting front light and 32 GB storage. Purpose-built for reading: with a flush-front design and 300 ppi glare-free display that reads like real paper... read more

The Mystery at Dunvegan Castle (Edinburgh Nights Book 3)

£8.99 (as of June 9, 2023 13:42 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

The Wedding Day: A totally addictive and absolutely unputdownable psychological thriller

(530)

£1.99 (as of June 9, 2023 13:28 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Sea of Tranquility: The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller from the Author of Station Eleven

(20120)

35% Off £9.99 £6.42 (as of June 9, 2023 13:43 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)