Another lovely, romantic fantasy in the world of Shinn's The Safe-Keeper's Secret. Not much suspense, but Shinn writes so well I don't care. She writes the kind of books that make you want to race ahead to see how everything comes out while turning the pages slowly because you don't want them to end. ( )

In The Truth-Teller’s Tale, Eleda accounts the lives of herself and her twin, Adele, as innkeeper’s daughters and the life of their privileged best friend Roelynn as they grow into adulthood. Eleda and Adele are mirror twins, identical twins who are complete reflections of each other. Even their gifts are reflections of each other. Adele is a Safe-Keeper who listens and keeps safe the secrets of anyone who tells her. Eleda, on the other hand, is a Truth-Teller who can never lie to any question put to her. But what happens when someone mistakes the Truth-Teller for the Safe-Keeper and the Safe-Keeper for the Truth-Teller? It is all brought to the forefront when a handsome dancing master and his apprentice arrive at the inn in Merendon. A Safe-Keeper reveals a secret. A Truth-Teller lies. Nothing is what it seems. Or, is it? Everything is turned upside down in this tale of love, romance, magic, and mistaken identities.

I would recommend this book for middle school and lower level-high school students who enjoy romantic stories. It is especially enjoyable since the magical element gives a unique twist on the typical boy meets girl tale. Those who read The Truth-Teller’s Tale will enjoy trying to unravel and decipher the adventures of Eleda, Adele, and Roelynn. ( )

It was so refreshing to read a clean and fairytale-like romance! The story is unique and has a good pace. At times, the writing style seems a little too young adult, but overall this is an enjoyable read for young adults and adults! ( )

The Truth-Teller's Tale is about two mirror twins: Adele is a safe-keeper (someone who keeps secrets), while Eleda is a truth-teller (someone who can only speak the truth.) Told by Eleda, it follows the romantic adventures of the girls and their best friend, the daughter of a merchant whose father wishes to marry her off to the prince. When a dancing master and his apprentice came to stay at the twins family's inn, bringing their own secrets with them, things become even more complicated.

It's quite domestic, somehow, focused on a small group of people in one place, but I liked that about it. It's a romance, not an action story. The mysteries and secrets were never quite what I expected, while the inn made an interesting setting (and being the innkeeper's daughters was an interesting social position).
If I were to pick three things to say it was about, it would be trust, choices - particularly, making one's own choices, and telling the truth. But it is also about family, specifically, the relationship between two sisters who are so very different (to the point of being each other's opposites) and yet still very close.

Recommended to anyone who enjoys a good romance, or who cannot tell a lie (or both!) ( )