The Secret of Ella and MichaAuthor: Jessica Sorensen
Series: The Secret #1
Published by: Forever
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Ella and Micha have been best friends since they were kids. But one tragic night shatters their friendship and their lives forever.
Ella used to be a rule-breaker with fiery attitude who wore her heart on her sleeve. But she left everything behind when she went to college and transformed into someone that follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. But now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home.
Ella fears everything she worked so hard to bury might resurface, especially with Micha living right next door. If Micha tries to tempt the old her back, she knows that it will be hard to resist.
Micha is sexy, smart, confident, and can get under Ella’s skin like no one else can. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. And he’s determined to bring his best friend, and the girl he loves back, no matter what it takes.
Awwww! What a surprisingly good book! I put off reading this and other books in the new adult genre for a while because I just wasn’t into the angst that usually comes with it. That is, until my mood shifted and I needed an angsty read. Luckily I already had The Secret of Ella and Micha from an impulse buy months ago, so I took the plunge. I ended up liking it a lot and was relieved that it wasn’t over the top drama and angst, just enough to get my fill.
Ella is a character I could definitely identify with. She used to be a wild chick with a loud mouth, and wasn’t afraid to throw down. After a devastating event, she decides to leave that life behind and become someone else. She goes to college and transforms into a studious, calm, rational, pleasant Ella. When she goes back home for summer break, she struggles between who she was and who she wants to be. Is she the tough street girl, or is she the goodie-goodie college girl? I completely understood her struggle and the need to find a balance.
“For a split second, I forget who I am and turn around to blast her with a death glare. But then I remember that I’m the calm and rational Ella; one that doesn’t get into fights and beat other girls up.”
I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Micha, though. He seemed like the type of bad boy – from personal experience – that I hate to love. I was worried that he was trying to pull Ella back down instead of encouraging positive change and growth, but the guy surprised me. I wound up loving him with no more hesitation, lip ring and all. It was easy to see the love he had for her, and the ease of their friendship was so believable and sweet. The teasing and playfulness between them was always entertaining. I’m glad we got both point of views, because it allowed me to see what they truly mean to each other, and experience the changes in both of them.
Ella and Micha weren’t the only characters I enjoyed. Lila is Ella’s rich friend/college roommate. She doesn’t know the old Ella, but she took a crash course while staying with her over the summer. I found her reaction to certain situations humorous; you know, things like huge keggers, street racing, and Ella letting the fire loose. All that fun stuff. I also liked Ethan, Micha’s best friend. I loved his weird relationship with Ella, especially the fact that he knows when to hide from her – haha! The addition of good friends in a story can really make a difference, and these two do for the better.
There you have it! I wound up being very pleased with a book I had avoided for so long. Now, I look forward to continuing Ella and Micha’s journey together in the sequel.
Sometimes a angsty read just does it for some reason. I have this book but have also been putting it off. Won’t be doing that anymore.
Huh. I’ve had this book forever too, and put it off for the same reasons. Unnecessarily, it seems. I agree, a little angst keeps things interesting (while too much is just tedious). Looks like I’ll have to move this one out of the archive. Great review!
Glad to hear you ended up enjoying a book that you had avoided! Ella sounds like a realistic character, although the angsty part with the bad boy sounds kind of typical. Lovely review Christy!
I’ll have to check and see if I have this book, too. There’s a strong possibility it’s buried on the Kindle 😀 I really like Sorensen’s writing and since you’re not usually a fan of NA I must read this soon!
YAY!!! I’m so glad you liked it!!! 😀
I enjoyed this one and I think I still need to read book three. I am glad you ended up enjoying this one 🙂
I really loved this one too! I know there is a sequel out there and maybe even a novella I really need to read them!
wasn’t this good? I really enjoyed it. Couldn’t believe I pushed it away for so long, the chemistry between them was awesome 😀 and I agree his a type of bad boy you want to hate love
Okay I will have to give these a go. I have one of her books on my review pile (been there a shamefully long time) but just hadn’t been able to pick it up–I think that whole NA thing. Glad to hear she’s got some awesome happening 🙂
I’ve seen quite a few glowing reviews of this book but I’ve never really taken a shining to NA so I pretty much avoided it. I’m the same, I needed to be in the right mood of angst, but I’m happy this one wasn’t over the top.
Adding it to my pile, Christy!
I enjoyed her other New Adult series, Death Collectors. I think I really need to get this series too. Elle and Micah sounds wonderful! Great review.
Thanks Christy! This sounds like a keeper for when I’m in one those moods too. I don’t know what is it about angst that can drag me into a book as much as a sexy scene or an action scene can. I guess it’s all about getting our hearts in it.
I won’t be reading this anytime soon because of all the mixed reviews I’ve seen. There are some elements about it that I like but the angst is what’s making me hesitant. Still I’m glad you’re one of the many who loves this series.
Ehh.. I am still not convinced to read this, I am tired of NA and I don’t want to deal with a cliffhanger.
Haha – I understand. There isn’t a cliffhanger in this, though. It’s actually a cute ending.
Awesome Review Christy! Im glad that you enjoyed this book! I haven’t read the Ella and Micha Series yet, but you have me excited to read it! I like that Micha’s character surprised you! I think its great that you could tell how much Micha loved Ella, and love that they had such a great friendship filled with teasing and playfulness!!! Lila and Ethan sound like great characters as well!
I’ve been meaning to read this, but I just keep forgetting about it. This is a great reminder to make time for it! I think I’m really going to like Ella and Micha, I do like bad boys. Great review!
Well, I admit to craving for angst every once in a while, and I feel there’s a new one coming in so I may have to get this one. Not sure about the bad boy trope, but as long as he makes himself endearing then I simply have no complaints. Very awesome review; you just made my TBR list longer. Haha.
LOL i kept putting off this book too but i finally read it over the summer and really enjoyed it. Micah was my favourite character, he had a a very complex charazerization and felt he was more developed than Ella even though Ella had more things going on. All in all i ended up liking it and the Forever’s after it but i don’t advise you too read this authors other series as they follow THE EXACT SAME PATTERN and it gets frustrating.
great review 🙂
Lily @ lilysbookblog
I really enjoyed this book when I read it, too! I loved Micah, but although I could sympathize with Ella, I got pretty frustrated with her at times. I agree with you about Ethan being awesome, though 🙂 Great review, Christy!
Glad you ended up enjoying this one Christy! There are definitely books I’ve avoided reading for a long time because I’ve feared certain aspects of them (like angst), but it’s always fun when I find myself in the right mood for that type of book and I end up devouring a book I’d put off for a while. Hope you enjoy book two as much as you did this one!
I’ve had books like that. Always good when they pleasantly surprise you. Like the sound of the friendship. Hm… might have to check this one out. I haven’t heard of it before.
Great review Christy!! This is one series of Jessica’s that I haven’t started as yet. She always builds amazingly emotional reads. I like how Ella was a wild type of character, and I would like to meet Micha and see the effect he has on her.
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace