The Secret Adoption

By: Rafael Moscatel

Narrated by: Ryan Haugen

After a scandalous affair, a child is placed with an eccentric, well-connected Hollywood family, his origins meticulously concealed by a notorious lawyer. Determined to protect the secret, his adoptive mother enlists powerful allies—including a television icon—to ensure he never uncovers the truth. But as the boy matures, he begins to sense something is amiss. Driven by a longing for love and belonging, he embarks on a courageous quest to uncover his past, ultimately revealing a scandal that powerful figures fought to keep buried. Interwoven with this journey is the author’s reflection on the loss of his best friend to addiction and their shared experiences as adopted children in privileged yet fractured families. With vivid storytelling and raw honesty, this memoir explores identity, belonging, and the resilience it takes to confront hidden truths and find redemption.

©2023, 2024 Rafael Moscatel (P)2024 Rafael Moscatel

Critic reviews

"Rafael Moscatel crafts a deeply engaging and entertaining story that will undoubtedly resonate with readers. Well-written with wit and honesty interspersed throughout, the author comes to terms with his upbringing, identity, and family's past. A truly unique story told with refreshing candor and emotional integrity." (Publishers Weekly)

"An engaging and surprise-filled memoir of a man whose true identity was kept from him well into adulthood that's full of twists and turns." (Kirkus Reviews)

"An amazing story about fighting demons and dealing with lies, loss, and rejection while growing up in Los Angeles, the City of Angels. Rafael's journey evokes a rollercoaster of emotions, from admiration to laughter to a deep feeling of empathy and comradery. His story is compelling, entertaining, and inspiring, a beacon of hope for those lost in the darkness of the human condition." (Indie Reader)

The depth of emotion.

A very personal and heartfelt tale of a man's life. I lived and grew up around Rafael's story. We have known each other most of our lives and went to elementary and high school together. It was interesting learning about one of my oldest friend's life story which to am exent by extention is part of my life story too. We have had our own whacky adventures that would make an interesting tale itself. Raphael has been supportive of my own writing since I started out many moons ago and we've never fully been out of touch so we always caught up from time to time. This is a very immersive tale that weaves many prominent figures of both politics and Hollywood legends such as Michael Landon and even Frank Sinatra. Growing up in Beverly Hills is a strange and rare thing to share where you met famous people and realized they were just people struggling through life like you.

Incredible vivid story of an amazing life

I loved this book! It grabbed me from the start and just built layers of emotions as it went. It was heart rendering all the way. It is funny and deep and just so interesting!!! I would listen again, which I would not often say.

An interesting tale

An interesting memoir, beautifully written. I think the narrator's voice, Ryan Haugen, held me on even longer. He reminds me a little of Christian Slater, a laid back whiskey voice. It was perfect.

Plenty of big names are peppered throughout, which is reasonable when you live in that town, people know people who know people. But that's just the frivolous side. Rafael's life is peppered with crazy girlfriends, a lack of friends and stupid decisions that send him on the wrong tangent. Blaming his adoption on most of them though is a bit of a cop-out. He is forever searching but not sure for what.

I think the author's writing skills and turn of phrase are definitely a stand out.

Best ‘read’ of the year.

Rafael is willing to share himself with us. He does a fabulous job of being open, vulnerable, and self aware.
Try it.

Refreshing story

It brought me back to my younger days and made me reflect on my own growth.