Today on Its all about the books I have the great pleasure of sharing my review for The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer as part of the blog tour.
My thanks as always go to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for the invite.
About the book
2019. Life changed beyond recognition for Alice when her son, Eddie, was born with autism spectrum disorder. She must do everything to support him, but at what cost to her family? When her cherished grandmother is hospitalised, a hidden box of mementoes reveals a tattered photo of a young man, a tiny leather shoe and a letter. Her grandmother begs Alice to return to Poland to see what became of those she held dearest.
WWII. Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night before he leaves for college, Tomasz proposes marriage. But when their village falls to the Nazis, Alina doesn’t know if Tomasz is alive or dead.
2019. In Poland, separated from her family, Alice begins to uncover the story her grandmother is so desperate to tell, and discovers a love that bloomed in the winter of 1942. As a painful family history comes to light, will the struggles of the past and present finally reach a heartbreaking resolution?
Inspired by the author’s family history, a searing page-turner of war, family secrets and a love to defy all odds, from the Top Ten Australian bestselling author of Before I Let You Go.
The Things We Cannot Say is available to purchase now – Amazon
My thoughts
First things first, I will apologise straight off because I know this review will probably end up not making much sense, it may even end up a complete ramble but for the life of me I cannot put into words how blooming fantastic this book is.
Set in duel time lines we hear from a young Alina during WW11 when the Nazis invade Poland. Alina lives with her parents and twin brothers and probably the only thing that keeps Alina going at this horrific time is her love for Tomasz.
We also hear from Alice in present time. Alice is mum to Eddie and Callie and her beloved Babcia (Gran) has had a stroke and is unable to communicate and Alice ends up on a journey of a lifetime.
Both stories are emotional and very different. I sat reading Alina’s with tears so many times, my heart was in my mouth at certain points and I couldn’t help feeling the terror and pain that the Nazis brought to Poland. Alice’s story was just as emotional but in a different way, she is a strong woman and her relationship with her autistic son Eddie gave me a lump in my throat. I also loved Eddies connection with Babcia, more lumps in the throat.
Honestly this story had me snivelling like a little baby but it’s such a wonderful, beautiful and heartfelt story. It’s written with such compassion and it’s powerful characters had a place in my heart instantly, as soon as I started reading about their stories I knew I was going to care for them and what happened to them deeply. There’s such passion and emotion within the pages it would take someone with a heart of stone to not feel it. In fact I think even then their heart would crumble.
The Things We Cannot Say is a gripping story, I couldn’t put it down and just wanted to read and read but I really didn’t want it to end either. This is a story that will stay in my heart, the characters I will remember for ever. It’s a story about loss, grief, secrets and most importantly love and how love can be so strong and powerful In so many different ways.
I’m not going to say anymore, I don’t want to spoil the experience for anyone because that’s what reading The Things We Cannot Say is, a wonderful and beautiful experience that everyone should read. Just make sure you have a box of hankies at hand because I think you’re gonna need them.
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About the author
Kelly Rimmer is the USA Today best selling author of contemporary fiction novels including Me Without You, The Secret Daughter, When I Lost You, A Mother’s Confession and her most recent release, Before I Let You Go. She lives in rural Australia with her husband and children.
For further information about Kelly’s books, and to subscribe to her mailing list, visit http://www.kellyrimmer.com/
It's all about the books 
This is fabulous! Thanks so much for supporting the Blog Tour xx
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It’s a pleasure, I adored this book xx
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I loved this book! I have little doubt it will make my top ten of the year.
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Yes, I’m the same it will definitely be in mine. X
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