I've Got a Secret

Long, long ago, when the world existed in black and white, and dinosaurs roamed the earth, there was a television program called, "I've Got a Secret." Someone with a significant secret would come on the show and a panel of four celebrities would attempt to find out what the secret was by asking "yes-no" questions. This isn't what Robin Jones Gunn's book is about.

Jessica is moving to Glenbrooke, Oregon, to get out from under her father's ever watchful eye. On her way into town, she rolls her car and is rescued by the hunky firefighter, Kyle. She is coming to town to take up a teaching position at the high school as the English teacher. After an overnight stay in the hospital, she finds that her former professor and the principal who gave her her job is in the hospital after suffering a stroke. He is replaced by Charlotte Mendolssen, who seems to have a chip on her shoulder where Jessica is concerned. Charlotte has her heart set on Kyle and sees Jessica as competition--but Kyle doesn't see a competition at all, his attitude toward Charlotte is totally professional.

Jessica can't let anyone know who she truly is because she knows her father wants her under his control in his multi-million dollar enterprise, while she truly wants a simple life. So Jessica has assumed a new name, a new life, and a new home; but fear drives her into a prideful privacy that has her going without food for a few days because her money is scarce until payday. Even on payday, Charlotte has her check held up because she is sure Jessica is doing something illegal.

Jessica encounters many twists and turns before turning to the One who will never let her go. She goes with Kyle and the youth group from Kyle's church to Mexico to finish building a church there and during the trip, finds herself alone with only God to reach out to. When she returns from the trip, Kyle pushes the issues of her secrets and encourages her to visit her father and settle those conflicts.

I was three-fourths of the way through this book before I realized I'd read it before. Doesn't matter. It's a good read, with strong moral teaching. This is a definite Five Star, Two Thumbs Up, and a Million Dollar Book!