Secret for a Song
by S.K. Falls
Genre: New Adult contemporary
Publisher: S.K. Falls
Published: June 3rd 2013
Source: review copy for tour
Author's website | GoodReads

Saylor Grayson makes herself sick. Literally.

She ate her first needle when she was seven. Now, at nineteen, she’s been kicked out of college for poisoning herself with laxatives. The shrinks call it Munchausen Syndrome. All Saylor knows is that when she’s ill, her normally distant mother pays attention and the doctors and nurses make her feel special.

Then she meets Drew Dean, the leader of a local support group for those with terminal diseases. When he mistakes her for a new member, Saylor knows she should correct him. But she can’t bring herself to, not after she’s welcomed into a new circle of friends. Friends who, like Drew, all have illnesses ready to claim their independence or their lives.

For the first time, Saylor finds out what it feels like to be in love, to have friends who genuinely care about her. But secrets have a way of revealing themselves. What will happen when Saylor’s is out?

The main reason why this book piqued my interest is the fact that it's the story of a girl who has Munchausen Syndrome. Munchausen is a disorder I didn't particularly understand but although I still have questions, Secret for a Song transported me inside Saylor Grayson's head and I found myself slowly understanding her disorder, and Saylor herself, as each page turned.

Saylor's thoughts were powerful. She was a curious character; she knew that something was wrong with her and she considered all of the reasons as to why she's doing things to hurt herself, but she still does it again and again and will go through great lengths to do it. It was evident throughout the book that Saylor would do anything to get a reaction from her parents, and it was then that I slowly started to understand. I was a bit worried about her character because she felt a bit stiff early on and I was starting to wonder if Saylor was strong enough to deliver a story like this. But then I started to get glimpses of this funny, sarcastic, curious, and passionate Saylor and while I don't necessarily relate to her, I can definitely say that I believe in her.

And then there's Drew Dean. This man's strength and determination rivals that of a warrior. Drew is no weak boy; he has suffered through a lot and still finds the might to get up and live life each day. His grip and coordination slowly wavers but he always delivers the best performances on that guitar of his. I can see the reason why Saylor is intrigued by him, and I can feel the admiration coursing through her veins when he talks about him. I felt the exact same way for the other people in the support group.

I enjoyed Secret for a Song, but I also had a few problems with it. There were rough transitions between chapters, the pacing was choppy, and like I mentioned, the characters felt stiff early on. They came alive as the book progressed but I still would have liked it to happen from the very start. The ending wasn't what I expected it to be but I have to say that I liked that the author ended it that way. If you're looking for a fast read with characters that will touch you and possibly make you weep, Secret for a Song is the book for you.

THE NUB AND GIST: 3.5 STARS

A huge fan of spooky stuff and shoes, I enjoy alternately hitting up the outlet malls and historic graveyards in Charleston, SC where I live and imbibe coffee. My husband and two small children seem not to mind when I hastily scribble novel lines on stray limbs in the absence of notepads.

Since no writer’s biography is complete without mention of her menagerie of animals, you should know I have one dog that doubles as a footstool, a second that functions as a vacuum cleaner, and a cat that ensures I never forget that my hands are, first and foremost, for pouring cat food.