Review: You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

Publisher: Tyndale House

Pages: 386

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon  

Goodreads:  To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She's a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids' sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband's mayoral race.No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O'Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn't be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her. When Agent Frank Harrison arrives with news that the man she testified against is out on bail and out for revenge, Annalise is forced to face the consequences of her secrets. Will she run again, or will she finally find the grace to trust those she loves most with both her past and her future?


Kritters Thoughts:  I can honestly say that I have never read a book about someone in the Witness Protection Program and to take the viewpoint of both the member in the program and the family members they leave behind is smart and unique.  As the reader, I felt that Annalise's actions and feelings were true to someone who was trying to start anew and wanting to leave her past in the past.  Unfortunately for her, her past gets out of jail and wants to seek revenge.

With a family at the center of this story, Susan May Warren does an excellent job of taking the story forward through different character's viewpoints.  Although there are breaks, but it is not labeled, I never found myself confused as to who was at the center of each moment.  I loved each member of the family and each had something they were keeping a secret or struggling with - not a soap opera, just honest family issues that can happen in each and every family.  The mother, Annalise is dealing with the biggest issue that will eventually affect the entire family and hopefully end on a positive note - you know I can't spoil this one for you!

I was advised by my mom at Ope's Opinions that once you get towards the end you need to find a place to stop or make sure you have time to read until the end, but I could not heed her advice and ended up stopping just 30 pages short and having to finish them the next day - you should always follow your parents' advice!  With an ending that is fast paced and explosive, this book definitely ends on a high note!


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel (and must read the previous ones!)

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Litfuse Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.