The Secrets of Neverwood anthology begins with G.B. Lindsey's One Door Closes. Calvin "Cal" Ware kept in close touch with Audrey and in the aftermath of her death, he is overwhelmed by the financial burden of renovating the rundown Victorian home. Adding to Cal's stress are his strained relationships with his foster brothers, and his renewed acquaintance with his first love, Will Cabot.

One Door Closes is written from Cal's perspective but he is not an easy character to get to know. He is haunted by his unresolved relationship with Will and he finds it virtually impossible to talk about anything in his past, including the reasons surrounding their break-up. Cal's secrets are alluded to on numerous occasions, but nothing concrete is revealed until nearly the very end of the story.

Cal's interactions with his foster brothers are tense and often overshadowed by some of his bitterness for past events. He finds it difficult to ask them for help and since both men are as close-mouthed as Cal is, he has no idea what their intentions are regarding their inheritance. The tension between the men continues to mount until Cal's resentment leads to a much needed discussion about the future of the house.

Both the paranormal and romantic elements of One Door Closes are understated for much of the novel. Audrey's ghostly appearances are vague in the beginning and the reasons for her visits remain unclear until the story's conclusion. Cal and Will eventually rekindle their teenage romance but this does not occur until very late in the book.

G.B. Lindsey's One Door Closes is a fabulous introduction to the Secrets of Neverwood anthology. I am very intrigued by the glimpses of Cal's foster brothers and I am very much anticipating their stories. ( )