Finding Me

Sir Walter Scott wrote:  "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."  That certainly applies to this story "Finding Me" by Kathryn Cushman.  The author has written seven other novels; however, this is my first read of hers.  Kathryn Cushman chose the perfect title for her story.  Read on and you will discover why.  The story opens with the main character Kelli Huddleson believing that her birth mother and two siblings died in a home fire when Kelli was a year old.  Kelli was told that all of their possessions including family pictures had been destroyed in the fire.  After the fire her Dad remarried and moved to Santa Barbara, California where Kelli grew up.  When her father and stepmother were killed in an auto accident years later Kelli settled the estate in Santa Barbara.  While cleaning out the safe in her Dad's office she learns some shocking news.  Was what she believed about her Dad and her past a lie?  Is she someone other than Kelli Huddleson?  The story takes you thru Kelli's quest for answers to these questions.  A close friend gives Kelli a diary to write down her feelings and findings. 
At first I had trouble getting into the story, trying to sort out characters and put the events into the proper order.  However the longer I read things seemed to fall into place, and it became harder to lay the book down.  In Kelli's quest you meet some interesting characters.  I found the book an enjoyable read.  The characters feelings and reactions seemed believable.  Find out if honesty wins out over deceit in the end.  I am looking forward to reading more books by Kathryn Cushman.  I would give "Finding Me" four stars.  This book is strictly my own honest review of a free book received from Bethany Publishing House.  I have enjoyed the books which I have received from Bethany House and look forward to reading and reviewing more in the future.