Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Can You Keep a Secret? summary
Sophie Kinsella
Brief summary
Can You Keep a Secret? is a hilarious and relatable novel by Sophie Kinsella that follows the story of Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a big secret. When her secret gets unexpectedly exposed, it leads to a series of comedic and charmingly embarrassing events.
Table of Contents
Can You Keep a Secret?
Summary of key ideas
Told from the viewpoint of its protagonist, Emma Corrigan, `Can You Keep a Secret?’ is a lighthearted, romantic comedy. Emma is on a harrowing flight from Scotland to London when turbulence convinces her she's about to die. Panicking, she shares all her secrets with the stranger seated beside her. But, of course, the plane lands safely, and Emma is left mortified. However, during the following week, she meets the charming stranger, Jack, at her workplace, but he's her new boss! Emma now struggles to hide her embarrassing confessions and balance her love life with her career. Amidst the humorous misunderstandings and mishaps, Emma discovers the beauty of honesty and being true to herself. Our hearts are moved by her transformation into a woman unafraid to speak her mind and accept love without pretense._COMPLETED
The Journey of Self-Discovery and Love Amidst Lies and Secrets
In Can You Keep a Secret? Sophie Kinsella takes us on a humorous and warm journey through the life of Emma Corrigan. After an embarrassing encounter wherein she spills out all her secrets to a stranger mid-air during severe turbulence, Emma, presuming she would die, lets her guard down and reveals her innermost thoughts and secrets. But the irony is when the plane lands safely.
Humiliated and fearing exposure, Emma grapples to hide her most well-guarded secrets, especially when the stranger from the plane, also her firm's owner, shows up and takes over her company while she struggles to maintain the act. To make matters worse, the stranger, Jack Harper, is captivated by her alter-ego.
Dealing with Identity and Self-acceptance
As the plot unfolds in Can You Keep a Secret? Emma fakes her identity by imitating others, agonizing over her hideous secrets being unraveled and trying to keep secrets under wraps. This situation propels her towards self-discovery and embracing her flaws. In her journey, Emma discovers that everyone has secrets, and hers weren't as horrifying as she believed them to be. Her authenticity and raw honesty not only endear her to her colleagues but also to Jack.
In a parallel transformation, Jack, too, reveals a vulnerable side, confronting his childhood traumas and opening his heart to Emma. Their chemistry builds up, and soon, they are inseparable. The question now arises whether Emma can come clean about her lies or is she too entangled in them?
The Revelation and the Following Ups and Downs
A critical moment in Can You Keep a Secret? comes when Emma's truth is accidentally revealed in front of her colleagues and Jack. Emma, now at her rawest, faces the risk of losing her job, friends, and lover. Brave and unburdened, she acknowledges her insecurities and errors, and to her surprise, her friends and Jack eventually accept her for who she is.
The story takes several twists and turns, but ultimately, Emma's honesty pays off. Not only does she keep her job, but her relationship with Jack also becomes deeper and more secure. Jack, too, accepts Emma and acknowledges his love for her, secrets or not. While the secrets are not completely forgotten, Jack and Emma's relationship is built on the acceptance of the past.
A Lesson in Being True to Oneself
In conclusion, Can You Keep a Secret? is a light-hearted story with a powerful message. It teaches us to embrace our flaws, be honest with ourselves, and, most importantly, be true to those we love. People can surprise you when you fear the worst, and by being authentic, we open ourselves up to relationships of true depth and meaning. It's only when we're at our most vulnerable that we find the strength and love needed for a healthy relationship with our true selves and others.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Can You Keep a Secret? about?
The book follows the story of Emma Corrigan, who spills all her deepest secrets to a stranger on a plane. When she later discovers that the stranger is actually her company's CEO, she must navigate the consequences of her revelations while also dealing with unexpected romantic entanglements. Full of humor and heart, "Can You Keep a Secret?" is a delightful tale of secrets, honesty, and the power of being true to oneself.
Can You Keep a Secret? Review
Can You Keep a Secret? (2003) is a delightful romance novel by Sophie Kinsella that will keep you entertained. Here's why this book is a good choice:
- Offers a hilarious and relatable storyline that is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers engaged until the very end.
- Brings to life quirky and lovable characters that add depth and charm to the narrative, making it a fun and enjoyable read.
- Combines romance, humor, and suspense in a perfect blend, ensuring that the story is anything but mundane, leaving readers hooked from start to finish.
Who should read Can You Keep a Secret??
- Readers who enjoy lighthearted and humorous chick-lit novels
- Those looking for a fun and entertaining escape from everyday life
- People who appreciate relatable and quirky characters
Categories with Can You Keep a Secret?
Book summaries like Can You Keep a Secret?
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Can You Keep a Secret? FAQs
What is the main message of Can You Keep a Secret??
The main message of Can You Keep a Secret? revolves around honesty, vulnerability, and the importance of being true to oneself.
How long does it take to read Can You Keep a Secret??
Reading time for Can You Keep a Secret? varies. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in a short time.
Is Can You Keep a Secret? a good book? Is it worth reading?
Can You Keep a Secret? is a charming, humorous book that is definitely worth reading for its delightful storytelling and relatable characters.
Who is the author of Can You Keep a Secret??
The author of Can You Keep a Secret? is Sophie Kinsella.
What to read after Can You Keep a Secret??
If you're wondering what to read next after Can You Keep a Secret?, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
- The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis by Jose Saramago
- Life and Times of Michael K by J. M. Coetzee
- The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
- One of Ours by Willa Cather
- Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann
- A Bell for Adano by John Hersey
- Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener
- The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews
- Alanna by Tamora Pierce