NEVER SAID by Carol Lynch Williams

 

Born twins, Sarah and Annie couldn’t be more different.  Annie, the outgoing beauty queen is completely opposite from her sister, Sarah, the anxious young woman who fears everything in her world.  Annie has decided she no longer wants to be recognized for her beauty and has turned away from the life that has always brought her happiness.  She is struggling and trying to find her way on her own.  Sarah, though she seems to be afraid of her own shadow, has the opportunity to save her sister and perhaps, has a chance to reunite her entire family.

Divided into days of a week instead of chapters, the suspense builds as each new day starts.  The story is engaging and one not easily put down, reading the clues and guessing what is going to happen next.  I really connected to the characters, cheering for Sarah with each step forward, groaning inwardly when she has a setback.  As Annie and Sarah move toward strengthening their relationship and reconnecting, it is a step toward the reestablishment of a family, a step we need to see in our society today.  I found the characters pulling me into their world.  I was not only entertained, I was emotionally tugged into this book.  The book is well-written – the characters are well-developed.  It is a book that as a former teacher, I would have been proud to include on my bookshelves in my classroom.