Tuesday, August 30, 2016

The Things We Knew By Catherine West

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

After her mother's death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother's death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can't remember a bit of it.

But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him. Once her brother's best friend and Lynette's first crush, Nick seems to hiding things from her. Lynette wonders what he knows about the day her mother died and hopes he might help her remember the things she can't.

But Nick has no intention of telling Lynette the truth. Besides the damage it might cause his own family, he doesn't want to risk harming the fragile friendship between him and the woman he once thought of as a kid sister.

As their father's failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface—secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question all they ever believed in.


My Thoughts:

The Things We Knew is the latest book from Catherine West and it is FANTASTIC. As a fan of Christian Fiction I have had the pleasure of reading other books by this great author so I was excited to have chance to read this book and review it. Catherine West writes with authority on Art,  being an artist, how the art world works, Massachusetts, Nantucket especially, music industry, drug and drinking recovery, abusive relationships, and the effects of Alzheimer's Disease on the patient and the family. I could NOT put this book down. From start to finish I was taken in to this book. When I did have to put it down, I could not wait to get back to it. This book takes place in the present and the past and that is not always a smooth transition but Catherine West makes this shift seamlessly. The characters in this book are so real, with messy lives, regrets, and secrets. I think my favorite character would have to be Nicholas Cooper. He is such a nice guy who really just wants to help people. He longs for a family and for most of his life, he has many regrets especially where Lynette is concerned and really fears hurting her. Nicholas is torn between what is right and what would please his father. I felt such a connection with this book, I have such a heart for people with Alzheimer's, worked with them in a nursing home I worked at. I found Alzheimer's to be a fascinating disease but also a horrible. disease that affects the whole family. This disease became very personal to me when my Dad developed Early Onset Alzheimer's at 62. Lynette and her families journey was one  that I could completely relate to in many ways especially with the Alzheimer's and the alcoholism. This book really touched my heart and as I read this book I felt like I was right there, watching the events unfold. I am so happy to have had the opportunity to read and review this book. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read what Catherine West writes next, I know I would love a sequel to The Things We Knew. Catherine West is on my must read authors list.  I give this book 5+ stars.

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