I almost have no words to describe The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright by Brooke Harris. This was a beautiful, thought provoking and heartbreaking story.
Beatrice (Bea) is almost wholly dependent on Declan, her longtime boyfriend and father of her four year old daughter, Ellie. When Declan suddenly announces that he is married and is ending things and walks out without a thought for Bea and his daughter, Ellie, Bea’s world comes tumbling down around her, and she finds herself and Ellie living in a storage closet at the hospital where she works.
I could almost feel Bea’s heartbreak and desperation as she struggled to take care of her little girl and tried to find a safe place for them to live. It seemed like every time Bea would start to get ahead something would drag her back down. Unfortunately I think her situation is all too real for many. I honestly don’t know how she managed to keep their living arrangements a secret for as long as she did.
At the same time that Bea’s life was falling apart, the story took a sweet turn as she befriended the elderly Malcolm and his grandson, Shayne. Their friendship was mutually beneficial, as Bea and Ellie brought joy to Malcolm’s life and helped to bring his family back together, while he provided Bea and Ellie with friendship, and eventually a sense of belonging and a safe home.
This was such a beautiful, bittersweet story, one that I think will stick with me for a long time. and I will find myself recommending often.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Secret Life of Beatrice Alright will be available on February 7 2025.
Life, Tea, and Everything 