my sister gave me this book after reading it, and she recommended me to read it as she said that you won't be bored reading that book. literally, you will hardly ever leave it from your hand. As for me, it was the first book to read it in my whole life as I hate reading books, especially long ones, so this book made me like reading and I am looking forward to reading the "Undomestic Goddess".

The other day I was in my local PDSA (vets for pets) shop searching for a bargain when I came across the books, which were all stacked neatly on a couple of dust-free shelves. As I quickly skimmed through the titles , my eyes were snatched by a lilac cover with a picture of a girl standing in a snow globe , standing with her back to the reader and crossing her fingers behind her back, surrounded by silver stars in the globe. The title read "Can You Keep A Secret ? ". "Ooh, wonder what this is about ?" I say to my friend who is also a keen reader. Curiously I wonder what type of secret is the book about ? I'm desperate to know. So without hesitation I pick the book up and take it to the till. After all it was only 99p - hardly going to break the bank was it ? and it would keep me entertained for a few hours! (well I was hoping it was! ). In fact I was surprised by how the book was in such good condition. The corners were neat , the pages were straight and there were no 'crinkles' on the 'spine' of the book. I wondered if the book had even been opened. However I was confused as to why the previous owner would not have read it ; the cover was so appealing and tempting. I handed my £1 to the lady behind the counter. I was pleased with my purchase and happy that at the same time I had helped my favourite charity.
* Sophie Kinsella - The author *

Sophie Kinsella is actually the author's pseudonym. In fact her real name is Madeline Wickham, She was born on 12th December 1969 in London. She is best known for her "shopaholic" book series. She writes for the chick-lit genre : The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (also titled Confessions of a Shopaholic) (2000) Shopaholic Abroad (also titled Shopaholic Takes Manhattan) (2001) Shopaholic Ties the Knot (2001) Shopaholic and Sister (2004) Shopaholic and Baby (2007) .
* Can You Keep a Secret ? - The Cover *
The cover is lilac all over. At the top of the cover in large white capitals is the name " Sophie Kinsella". Underneath in a small black font ; " Best selling author of the fabulously popular shopaholic series". In pink font beneath that is " Can you keep a secret?". There is a picture on the front which consists of a cartoon girl with her back to the audience standing in a purple snow globe ,surrounded by silver stars and crossing her fingers behind her back.The cover is a typical "girlie" cover. At first I thought it was a book aimed at teenagers , however as I flicked through it , I then realised it was a book aimed at young women in perhaps their late teens to women in their 20's early 30's.On the back of the cover is says " Emma is like every other girl in the world. she has a few little secrets".Then it goes on to tell us from Emma's perspective some of her secrets ; secrets from her mum , secrets from her boyfriend , secrets from her colleagues and secrets that she wouldn't share with anyone.

I think that these secrets which I read on the back of the book are what made me buy the book. I think it was how the main character talks to the reader so personally and it made me think "ooh she's interesting!"

Characters (some of them) *
Emma *
Emma is the main character in the book. She is the narrator. She has a "gorgeous" boyfriend named Connor who has just asked her to move in with him. She works for a large company called " The Panther Cooperation" which is a major company which sells cola. She has many secrets which she tells us throughout the book. At first impression you'd think that she was a not-very-nice person due to the secrets she tells us , however she isn't , she is in fact a lovely girl with a great deal of honesty. Emma is my favourite character in the book.

* Jack *
Emma meets Jack on the plane. He is a business man. Not very good looking , but he makes up for it in other ways. He's American and very rich.
* Connor *
Connor is Emma's boyfriend. He works for the same company as Emma and is very professional at work , and does not let their relationship interfere with their work. He's a bit of a "Teacher's Pet" at work! Sometimes Emma feels embarressed by how he acts at work! oops! I just told you one of her secrets! Don't tell anyone I said that will you ?! (hehe)

* Kerry *
Kerry is Emma's cousin, who moved in with Emma and her mum and dad when she was a teenager because her mother died. Ever since she has always been a star in Emma's parents eyes , yet Kerry has been bitchy to Emma the whole time. She owns her own travel company and likes to boast!
* My Opinion of Can You Keep A Secret ? *
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Can You Keep A Secret ? The story line was so different and well thought out. I liked the characters ; my favourite was Emma because her honesty got her into so much trouble at times , and I liked her funny narrating throughout the book. My least favourite character was Kerry because she was so bitchy towards Emma , and therefore because I liked Emma , I didn't like Kerry. The are so many emotions to be felt throughout the book ; Happiness , Sadness ,Romance , laughter , jealousy...and we share them all with Emma.I would think that the book was aimed at women from the age of 18 to about women in their late twenties , however I suppose it depends on what kind of books you like to read.I loved everything about the book from the characters to the storyline.I laughed from beginning to end (I did have to stop for the sad scenes though!) However there was one thing I disliked about the book ; at 364 pages it was far tooo short!! I could have read it and read forever! My Advice : Buy it - you won't be disappointed :)

Can You Keep a Secret?
Sophie Kinsella
Dial, Mar 2004, $21.95, 368 pp.
ISBN: 0385336810

Emma Corrigan feels life as she has had a fabulous year though the Pollyanna young woman always sees the optimistic side of things. Still she has a right to feel great as she stays employed at Panther Cola for nearly a year and is seeing the perfect Ken-doll like boyfriend Connor. She even thinks she is on the right track for a promotion now that the opportunity has occurred for her to show off her talent.

However her chance flops and a desponded Emma flies home expecting the worse at the office. She vents on the plane to her row mate while flying in nasty weather telling her deepest secrets about her weight, NATO, and other things. The next day at work Emma meets her plane partner Jack Harper, Panther Cola CEO visiting the British Branch. Embarrassed Emma tries to hide, but Jack will not let her though neither knows where a cross Atlantic relationship will go.

This chick lit tale on the one hand stars a precocious witty protagonist, but on the other hand condones fibbing, omissions, and stretching the truth to sell a product. Jack is a wonderful protagonist, but one must wonder what is in the energy bar because Emma acts so childish at times. Still the audience will enjoy this often amusing romp because no one really knows Jack who has a secret or two to share only with Emma.

Harriet Klausner