Published by Orion on February 21, 2019
Pages: 368
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Audrey's family has fallen apart. Her two grown-up daughters, Jess and Lily, are estranged, and her two teenage granddaughters have never been allowed to meet. A secret that echoes back thirty years has splintered the family in two, but is also the one thing keeping them connected.
As tensions reach breaking point, the irrevocable choice that one of them made all those years ago is about to surface. After years of secrets and silence, how can one broken family find their way back to each other?
✮ My Review ✮
What can I say that has not already been said? Get the blinking tissues ready for this one, I mean this book should come with that warning!! We are not talking about the small leaky problem, we are talking huge tears, which could eventually turn into sobs, especially if you are feeling emotional already! Jeez!
The three women, Audrey, the mother and her two children, Lily and Jess ripped apart by a terrible secret. It did keep me guessing what the secret was and I thought I had got it a few times but changed my mind. Still when you get there, if you are not already emotional by then you will be. Slowly as the story unfurls heartbreak features heavily in their lives. I want to reach in and just give them all a hug.
So much is happening in this book, it deals with so many different topics, and the way that If Only I Could Tell You is written leaves you flicking the pages over so quickly as you are engulfed in all the emotions of each character. With the writing so exquisite you will not want to be putting this book down, because if you are like me you will get sucked into their world, living their lives with a need to know what has destroyed this family.
With flashbacks to the past adding an extra depth to the story, one of the flashbacks that got me the most was Phoebe (Lily’s daughter) and Mia (Jess’ daughter) meeting and playing in Audrey’s garden. When Audrey’s daughters turn up and see them play and the sisters, in turn, argue just showed how far apart they have come but what for! Aaargh!! In fact, all the flashbacks got me!
There are no words I can use to give this book any sense of justice it deserves. You need to read it for yourself and become as captivated as I have with this family. It is beautiful, brutal and will leave you feeling so raw and quite frankly a blubbering wreck. That is all I can say.
Until next time xxx
Let us take a look at some of the emotional reviews so far
If Only I Could Tell You affected me in a way I just can’t put into words. There is a part of the story revealed about half way through the book that broke me, I had ugly snotty tears and having been in a similar situation with my daughter I felt the families pain, Audrey’s feeling of failure, a mother’s unconditional love and want to protect.
Being Anne says
This book will, I guarantee, make you cry – even if you’re a person who usually just raises an eyebrow, and sometimes wonder how people can be so deeply affected by a work of fiction. You’ll feel this one at your core, because it’s such an exceptional piece of work that takes you right into the heart of a fractured family, torn apart by a misinterpreted moment that impacts their lives. And when the big secret is uncovered, it’ll break your heart yet again – and it really wasn’t what I was expecting at all.
Cal Turner Reviews says
If Only I Could Tell You is a brutally honest book that moved me beyond words. I don’t think any review I could write would do this incredible story justice. Hannah Beckerman’s writing is beautiful and the depth of emotion she portrays is astounding.
Books like this don’t come along very often and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to read this heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting book.
This is one of those books that really will stay with you long after you put it down, especially if you’re mother. The way that secrets can literally rip a family apart and ripple through time and change the course of so many people’s lives is so intricately woven in these pages. There are so many different concepts at play throughout this story and just so you’re aware, some are really heartbreaking so you many not want to read this book if you are in an emotionally vulnerable place. However, the writing is beautiful, even when it’s hard to read, and the author has done justice to all the plots at play.
It’s just so beautifully written that I felt humbled to be allowed access to these characters who felt so real to me and who I was reluctant to let go of, even when the book ended.
So be warned that this book will break you, even if you are convinced it won’t! But you do need to read it, take all of these wonderful characters into your heart and then just be truly thankful for all that you have
Anne Cater says
To be honest, I’m struggling to find the words to describe just how much this book has affected me. With themes that have felt very personal to me at the moment, at times I found it quite difficult. However, the writing and the story line are just so very very beautiful that I found myself becoming comforted by it, despite the absolute tragedy within the story. it is incredibly powerful and so very moving
Be sure to also check out these other fantastic reviews by Live and Deadly, Varietats, Short Books and Scribes, Liz Loves Books, Simply Suze Reviews, Ronnie Turner, Stephs Book Blog, Books of All Kinds and Compulsive Readers
Thanks to Tracy at Compulsive Readers for the tour invite and the author for a copy of their book in return for my honest and unbiased review
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Shalini says
Beautiful book is all I can say… I cried while reading ?
Zoé says
Let’s not go there lol
Jules_Writes says
Sounds like an emotional read, I must add it to my TBR pile. Great review.
Zoé says
Oh it’s very emotional so good to! Oh yay! Hope you enjoy it . Thank you ❤️
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Wonderful review! I’m definitely going to hae to be in the right mood for this one lol BTW I finally joined Book Sirens!
Zoé says
Thank you ❤️ Oh woohoo!! What did you choose for your first book? I’m about to start dead ringers as it sounds awesome! X
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
I haven’t chosen anything yet as not sure about some of the covers!! lol
Zoé says
I know i struggle especially being a book cover hoe! Have a look at Dead Ringers and see what you think x
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Will do! x
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
What genre is it as I can’t see it! lol
Zoé says
It’s a crime thriller I think. Started it last night and it’s quite good so far
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Okay I’ll have another look lol