After twelve-year-old Rocky overhears Mom admit her story about how his dad died is bogus, his trust in his one remaining parent unravels. The For-Sale sign appears on the front lawn right after the funeral, forcing Rocky to leave the house linked to so many memories of his dad. Consumed by the secret and struggling to adjust to changing schools mid-year, Rocky is startled by the voice of his … of his dead father inside his head offering advice on how he could learn the truth.
Rocky does find a live and lively partner in Olive, who offers to be his assistant sleuth to help crack the secret. The pair’s schemes go bust, but they embolden Rocky to embark on a journey of risks, eavesdropping and snooping to discover the truth about the father he thought he knew.
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Swallowed by a secret
By Risa Nyman
4 stars
Swallowed by a secret was a really intriguing and interesting read. I’ve not read anything by this author before so I was looking forward to finding and reading a new author and I was really impressed. The story whilst about a young boy was really rich and deep – I found myself easily absorbed into what I was reading. I was really surprised actually how emotionally involved I became with the story and with Rocky! I enjoyed reading his journey and the author did a really great job with him as a character.
I will definitely be looking to read more from this author in the future and I highly recommend this read to others, both YA and more mature readers alike!
Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman was a fantastic read! Definitely a point of view change, but that made it so much more fun! I loved the details and mystery that Rocky is trying to solve. I loved the plot twists and felt really satisfied at the end. I could not put the book down, such a great read!
This book was enjoyable from the first page to the last page. Young adult books are becoming a genre for everyone. I tend to read the books before I let my daughters read them. In this book, there are tender moments, trouble times, and emotional roller coaster rides.The characters are easy to relate to and believable. This story is about Rocky. Rocky’s father has just passed away. He thought he knew his father, until he overheard his mother talk about his father. Rocky is now in a new neighborhood, new school, and has this hanging over his head. He heads on an adventure with his friend Olive to find out the truth about his father. I highly recommend this story for middle school age and older children.
Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman
5 +++++++ Stars
I got very little sleep last night because of this book. I just wanted to start it so that when I got up this morning I could jump in having already begun. NOPE, I literally read the whole thing, I could not put it down. This is my first ever read by this author, and I think my first middle grade book ever, I’d have to double check that but I am telling you right now..Trust me on this, I don’t care how old you are this was an outstanding book. The writing was phenomenal which is why I couldn’t put it down. Then I fell asleep sniffling because I bawled at the end.
I just wanted to jump in the book and hug Rocky so many times, I also wanted to play his chauffeur and wanted so badly to jump in the middle of his and Olive’s plans. Olive scared me at first, I wasn’t sure, but she turned out to be exactly what I’d hoped for. Then there was Max, again he scared me, but his character has given me hope that maybe there will be more? My heart also broke for Mom once I finally understood everything that was going on. I can’t even imagine!
Run, don’t walk and grab this book. It really is amazing, and I will be getting copies for my older grandchildren who I know would love it as much as I did.
4 Stars
Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman was such a surprising read- in a great way. It is a highly emotive story aimed at tweenage children (9 – 13), but can also be enjoyed by older readers, like me, too.
Rocky’s life is turned upside down by the death of his father. He and his mother have to move house, and he has a new school to adjust to. But on top of all that, there’s quite a big secret surrounding the death of his father, and that everything he though he knew, may not be true. He is determined to uncover the truth and get to the bottom of it all. And so starts his ‘adventure’. Along with his friend Olive- they set off to unravel the mystery and find the truth.
This is such a relatable story. Rocky and Olive are really wonderful characters. Rocky’s story is very engaging and I was totally invested in the outcome of it all- but I think that Olive really stole the show. She was that extra ingredient that took this story from interesting, to impressive.
The story includes some sensitive and difficult topics- which I think the author handled in a considerate, yet realistic way.
This is definitely worth the read. But, be sure to have some tissues on standby, as you are going to need them.
Thank you, Risa Nyman!
Swallowed by a Secret
by Risa Nyman
This was a well written emotional story. Rocky is a 13 year old boy whose life is struck by tragedy. Rocky now finds himself in a new town and a new school. He meets Olivia at his new school who ends up helping him on his journey to find the truth of his father’s death. I enjoyed reading this story. This book is gripping, heartwarming and drew me in from the beginning. This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more. I highly recommend this book
Wow this is such an emotional story that had me in tears. The characters are so relatable and the relationship between Rocky and Olive is so special. It handles a very sensitive subject in a careful and thoughtful way. And shows that secrets even when kept with good intentions aren’t always the right thing to do.
Rocky and his mother move to live with his grandfather after his dad passed away. Rocky’s mum told him that his dads heart just stopped but something doesn’t ring true to Rocky.
When Rocky starts hearing his dad’s voice he is sent on a mission to find out the truth about what really happened.
With the help of Olive then start uncovering the lies his mother and father used to protect him. The outcome is something he never imagined but the truth makes sense.
12-year-old Rocky is a grief-stricken kid who overhears his mom saying his dad isn’t dead but this sets the kid off to discover the truth as his childhood home is up for sale and that’s the last thing keeping his dad’s memory alive for the kid. Along with losing his dad, Rocky is also adjusting to a new school but his friend, Olive, is along to help him discover the truth about his dad.
The reader goes on a fun ride trying to discover the truth but I enjoyed where this story brought me and what it taught the kids. Great story with lots of twists and turns but very entertaining.
Extremely well written. This tale of a teen on a hunt for answers around his father’s death will waken everyone’s inner Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy. Even though I am not the target demographic I was immediately pulled in to the story and connected to the characters. This page turned was great. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Wow! I did not expect this book to move me as much as it did. It is written with a tone that is geared towards a younger crowd but this book consumed me very much still as an adult middle aged woman. I loved how this book was written with such conviction that you could feel the author’s feelings flowing from the words as you read. I was completely enthralled in this read and found myself staying up way late into the night to find out how this story would come to a close. I am glad that I did, that was not wasted sleep or time at all.
Swallowed by a Secret is the story of a young boy named Rocky. He finds his life turned upside down by tragedy and struggling to fit into a new school and town altogether has made the search for answers about his father’s death even more tenuous. I won’t divulge much more than that about the storyline but I will assure you this is one you will want to read and share with your young tween/teen children as well. I know I am, and I look forward to seeing what may come next or is already available by Risa Nyman soon!
Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman is an intriguing story that really draws you in.
Rocky is such a loveable character. I found myself completely captivated by him. I really wanted him to find all the answers he was looking for.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I loved the way she commanded the story. You are so easily taken on the journey with this character. The book is well paced, developed at all the right times. This was a very good book and I am glad I discovered a new author.
This is by first book by Risa Nyman. Max has lost his Dad and has moved to another town. Now he’s hearing whisper from the dead. I enjoy Olives and Max connection. This is a beautiful read. I did not expect the ending it was so sweet and endearing.
Swallowed by a Secret
By Risa Nyman
5 out of 5 stars
The story Swallowed by a Secret by Risa Nyman is a book that I enjoyed reading. I found myself quickly drawn into the storyline and didn’t want to put it down until I had finished the final page. It is the story of 12-year-old Rocky whose father has died. He finds himself changing homes and schools which both take time to adjust to. He doesn’t believe that his mother has told him all about how his father passed away. He becomes determined to find out the truth. With the help of a new friend, Olive, Rocky sets out to find the secret. How far is Rocky ready to go to find out the truth? Will it mean that Rocky has to take risks to discover the truth? Read this book to find out. This is a story that I found to have sad moments and I couldn’t help but empathize with Rocky and how he feels. Olive is a wonderful character and she is as determined to help Rocky. She is a good friend to him. The book has heartbreaking and heartwarming moments as well. It is a story that is also emotional at times. The author has written a story that is unforgettable and will touch your heart. I highly recommend reading it.
I enjoyed this book. This is my first book by this author and I can’t wait to read more from her. This is a well written story that would be great for any young adult or a middle aged child. I had no issues connecting with the characters. They made the story engaging and kept me turning pages. This is a story about Rocky who overhears his mom tell the truth about what happened to his dad. When she moves him to another city, he finds that the real truth lies in the city he just came from. He meets Olive and together they go on a journey of finding out the truth about his father. He thought he knew him but did he really? I highly recommend this book.