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A review by nzlisam
Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
As the old saying goes: A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved.
4.5 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Even before they were thrown together to plan a school fundraising event, three PTA wives and mothers have more in common than they realise.
Each is hiding one big secret.
If revealed it could upend their lives, and the lives of those they hold dear.
But they should know, nothing ever stays buried forever.
At its core Things We Never Say was a novel about the empowering nature of healthy female friendships, and that when you have supportive women in your corner you can endure and overcome even the most devastating hardships life throws your way. The idioms ‘Appearances Can Be Deceiving’, and Behind Closed Doors’ as well as the saying ‘Never Judge a Book by its Cover’ were all applicable here. Also, the shame and guilt women still place on themselves to be perfect, even in 2024! Just like Caitlin Weaver’s debut novel, Such a Good Family (June 2024), this one also contained copious amounts of marriage and family drama and strained and toxic relationships.
Chapters cycled between Anna, Rhea, and Maggie, and all three were keeping secrets (one more serious than the others) – from their husbands, and children, as well as each other – unaware that their significant others also had things to hide. I enjoyed all three characters, and I liked that they had very distinctive personalities to set them apart from one another – there was never any doubt who was narrating – but that they also shared a lot of commonalities. I was more invested in Anna and Rhea’s chapters, as I found Maggie’s plight the least interesting. Although she did have more to do with uncovering the white-collar crime going on at the private high school all the teens in this novel attended (a variation on the college admissions scandal) which was a compelling subplot.
Audiobook narrator, Jesse Vilinsky, did a brilliant job of bringing all three women, and every supporting character, to life, and nailed every emotion in her performance. Her submissive, quiet voice for Anna, Rhea’s Southern accent, and her dramatic overreacting emotional rants for Maggie’s teenage daughter, Pen, were the standouts!
This review would be amiss without commending Caitlin Weaver for releasing not one, but two, exceptional contemporary domestic dramas dealing with serious, life-changing real-world issues. Other authors take note and write faster because this is how it’s done. I will be eagerly awaiting anything this author writes next.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Caitlin Weaver for the advanced audiobook.
This audiobook is only days away from being released (12th November 2024), and I have no hesitation in recommending Things We Never Say.
4.5 Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Even before they were thrown together to plan a school fundraising event, three PTA wives and mothers have more in common than they realise.
Each is hiding one big secret.
If revealed it could upend their lives, and the lives of those they hold dear.
But they should know, nothing ever stays buried forever.
At its core Things We Never Say was a novel about the empowering nature of healthy female friendships, and that when you have supportive women in your corner you can endure and overcome even the most devastating hardships life throws your way. The idioms ‘Appearances Can Be Deceiving’, and Behind Closed Doors’ as well as the saying ‘Never Judge a Book by its Cover’ were all applicable here. Also, the shame and guilt women still place on themselves to be perfect, even in 2024! Just like Caitlin Weaver’s debut novel, Such a Good Family (June 2024), this one also contained copious amounts of marriage and family drama and strained and toxic relationships.
Chapters cycled between Anna, Rhea, and Maggie, and all three were keeping secrets (one more serious than the others) – from their husbands, and children, as well as each other – unaware that their significant others also had things to hide. I enjoyed all three characters, and I liked that they had very distinctive personalities to set them apart from one another – there was never any doubt who was narrating – but that they also shared a lot of commonalities. I was more invested in Anna and Rhea’s chapters, as I found Maggie’s plight the least interesting. Although she did have more to do with uncovering the white-collar crime going on at the private high school all the teens in this novel attended (a variation on the college admissions scandal) which was a compelling subplot.
Audiobook narrator, Jesse Vilinsky, did a brilliant job of bringing all three women, and every supporting character, to life, and nailed every emotion in her performance. Her submissive, quiet voice for Anna, Rhea’s Southern accent, and her dramatic overreacting emotional rants for Maggie’s teenage daughter, Pen, were the standouts!
This review would be amiss without commending Caitlin Weaver for releasing not one, but two, exceptional contemporary domestic dramas dealing with serious, life-changing real-world issues. Other authors take note and write faster because this is how it’s done. I will be eagerly awaiting anything this author writes next.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Caitlin Weaver for the advanced audiobook.
This audiobook is only days away from being released (12th November 2024), and I have no hesitation in recommending Things We Never Say.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse