Those in the know understand that Aldrich University is just as good as any of those covered with ivy. Kit Manning certainly knows, as her father is the president and she works with wealthy donors to help fund the university. Her husband, the handsome surgeon Dr. Greg Strasser, works at the university hospital. And Kit’s oldest daughter from her first marriage goes to school there. Their world revolves around Aldrich. And when Aldrich University—along with several other prominent universities—got hacked, and faculty, staff, and student emails were all posted online, their world fell apart.
As the secrets start to come to the surface, relationships are torn apart. Emails from Greg expose an affair he was having with a younger woman, a “Lolita,” and while the emails start out being quite loving, they turn into betrayal as the relationship played out. And as those emails are distributed more and more on the internet, Kit feels her hard-earned reputation going down the drain.
On the night of the university fundraiser, Kit finds herself facing some of her own secrets and lies and turns to alcohol for help. But finding herself way too drunk way too quickly, she heads home and ends up falling asleep in the kitchen. When she wakes up, she discovers her husband bleeding in the kitchen. She calls 911, but nothing can save him. Kit’s unfortunate memory loss from the alcohol doesn’t help deflect the suspicion that falls on her shoulders.
The weeks that follow bring out more and more secrets—affairs, blackmail, fantasies, an illegitimate child, an expensive diamond bracelet, and a history of sexual assaults at a certain fraternity house on campus that have gone unpunished. The truths that are revealed nearly destroy individuals, families, the university, and the entire town. How will Kit and her family survive the loss of their reputation?
Sara Shepard, author of Pretty Little Liars, created Reputation with layers upon layers of secrets and lies. In fact, it got so dense in places that it was difficult to read. But like with so many other journeys, staying the course and keeping at it will get you to the end you want. Personally, I enjoyed the ride to the end. If you love a novel filled with gossip and secrets, betrayals and lies, then Reputation just might be exactly what you’re looking to read next.
Galleys for Reputation were provided by Penguin Random House, Dutton, through Edelweiss, with many thanks.