Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

⭐️ 3.5 / 5 Stars ⭐️

"I know how it feels when you hear the words people don't say. The words that hang around long after the ones that were spoken disappear."

This book went so much deeper than I thought it would have and was truly beautiful. Lucy’s father is an absolute A-grade arsehole that bullies both Lucy and her mother, there’s this sense of silence and having to keep up this ‘happy family’ look in order for his business to go well. It talks about growing up as a teenager, bullies, family toxicity, and there’s so much in this short book to unpack.

The writing was incredibly beautiful, with a lot of imagery of words flying around the house, things that are underneath what is truly being said. A lot of the topics within this book range from bullying, to family, love, friendship, would be perfect and universal for any age range, and would make such an important read even for a much older adult. I feel as if a lot of people could truly identify with a lot of the topics within this book and should be spread around, mainly: be kind.

There is also a sense of mystery and adventure which was so perfect as Lucy finds that all the houses on her row share the same attic, there's this mystery of the person who lives next door and how there are so many rumours of who she is, how she lives, and uncovering the truth behind it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and would recommend to everyone. An important and poignant read.

"If we avoided mistakes, we'd never try anything, would we?"

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher Simon & Schuster for providing me with a digital ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the synopsis of this on Netgalley I couldn’t help but be drawn to it.

Sarah did a fantastic job of creating an atmosphere that even made me as a reader feel the tension and frustration that Lucy felt at home with her parents.

I loved the idea that the negativity and belittling comments were just *There* floating around taking up space long after they had actually been said.
So even when Lucy’s father was acting nice in front of other people, what had been said beforehand could never be unsaid.

The topic of abuse was apparent throughout the whole novel- not only the abuse that Lucy witnesses at home, but also bullying amongst her peers- her best friend Megan being on the receiving end of trolling comments on her popular blog from someone she had considered a friend.

I adored how Sarah wrote about Lucy and her artwork- especially the piece of the girl in the sterile room, there was something so raw about that.

I was so proud of Lucy for standing up to her dad in regards to the email and his lies, and her mother for kicking him out, it was interesting to see her slowly find her own freedom from his abuse by going out and applying for a job to get her own money and get away from him.

This novel is truly an emotional rollercoaster, especially for a short novel, the issues that Lucy and Megan both had to deal with are very easy to relate to regardless of your age, and Sarah writes in such a personal way. You could literally feel the love that Lucy’s mum had for her when she tried to protect her.

I adored the ending of Lucy opening all the windows to “clean out the house” and get rid of all those horrible words and memories of her dad.

Abuse is never ok, so try to speak out about it.

“I hope you feel safe all day”

Wow wow wow

I state the obvious in saying that books tell a story, but dammnnnnnnnnn THIS BOOK TOLD A STORY!!!!!

The book was short but it packed so much into so few pages it was incredible!!

Although it's a short read, it's not really a light-hearted one and it gave all the feels and emotions!!

It just felt so real all the way through and the way that the characters were written really made you forget that they were fictional.

This book did come with quite a lot of feels and some heavy content, so I would recommend being prepared, but definitely worth a read!!

The insidiousness of bullying is a theme throughout this story and Lucy is ultimately a courageous teen who challenges the status quo, not only with her father but also in her friendship group.

I’m sure there have been people in your life whose expressions you’ve read so that you could figure out how to respond – and how exhausting that can be. Lucy has learned to do this so that she doesn’t disappoint her father. She’s also alert to nuances in all her interactions and picks up on things that best friend Megan may not be aware of. Wrapping words in cotton wool is exactly what we do at times with some people isn’t it! Lucy does have an outlet for her anxieties but even that has to be kept a secret and causes tension …

I loved Sarah Carroll’s figurative writing. My favourite:

“She turns back to me and hands me silence like a present I didn’t want.”

The Words That Fly Between Us had me reflecting on life and the times when words weren’t said but you knew they were there in the empty space, just waiting for them to land. As a parent, the story reinforces the angst we might put our children through by only sharing parts of the whole and leave them guessing the rest.

I think this story can inspire others – to realise that glossing over, making excuses and pretending some behaviours don’t exist isn’t the best way to handle bullying situations.

Highly recommended.

I flew through this book! I loved it but I feel like I wanted more. Why wasn’t there any real conclusions regarding the elusive neighbor?!

I was given this ARC by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions on the book. Firstly, I was immediately drawn to this book from its colorful cover, it’s interesting description and from recommendations from others that this book was worth a read. It lived up to its expectations and is certainly worth it. I rated this book four out of five stars. If you have ever been bullied and just accepted that it was normal, the this book is something you need to read. Seeing it from the outside, you realize you probably let this behavior happen daily and just deal with it because, well we just think that is life! There are strong themes of abuse and bulling throughout the book.

The main character Lucy is a strong-willed, independent and creative individual. We see this world through her gaze and what a gaze it is. We see people being outcast for no reason other than they don’t ‘fit in’. We see teenage girls bullying each other but it is accepted as the normal thing for them to experience. We witness a teenage girls dreams being crushed by her less than supportive father. Finally, we see a family turned upside down, but for the right reasons. I could immediately feel a connection to Lucy. She knew what she believed in and refused to let go of it. She is a character you feel you already know. Throughout the book we witness the growth of her character and her voice as she begins to stand up for what she believes in.

The theme of abuse is dealt with a lot throughout the book. However, I believe that Carroll dealt with it well. It is spoken about with raw emotion and ignites a fire within. The book shows us how to stand up to the bullies we don’t know as well as the bullies we know all to well. We are shown bullying between teenagers and adults. We are shown how the victim in each case is naive and needs help to see that they’re not alone and deserve better. “I hope you feel safe all day” is a quote which will stay with me for quite some while.

Overall it is a very emotionally engaging novel. It grasps a hold of you and hooks you in until the very end. This is a book about friendship, self-discovery and finding your voice. Tissues may be required when reading this book, just a little tip.

I don't know how to summarize this, so I'm not going to.
I liked this book.It was short and engaging, it had interesting, layered characters. It took me a little while to figure out how old the main character was and that was a bit annoying but mostly, I really liked this coming of age story about family and friendship. A nice middle grade book that will stay with me for some time.

Warning, you will need tissues, this will leave you emotionally aching at points. But this is such a thought provoking and essential read. The character Lucy is completely relatable, well written and so much so you want to protect her, cry for her and love her so much. Such a great read.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A book all about self-discovery, friendship, getting through hard times and facing your problems, even though everything could change as a result. The discussion of abuse and people turning into someone we no longer can recognize was prevalent in this book and they feltband were so important. This story left me with tears in my eyes and a soft heart.

Whilst reading the blurb I didn’t think much to it until the moment I opened this book, something grabbed me and I just felt these overwhelming emotions that I doubt I could do any justice by attempting to describe them.

The words that fly between us is such an incredibly emotive story, Lucy is a wonderfully strong character with a great presence that I couldn’t help but connect with so easily. The way Lucy describes her art was incredible to read because my mind could picture what she was creating with ease which is very refreshing as often books pull on the basics of drawings, I would honestly love to see these pieces come to life and be present in the book somehow or even just available as posters.

The topic of abuse is very prevalent throughout the entire book and it’s spoken about in such away that it feels real and raw, I’ve read a few books where the topic of abuse is used but nothing matches up to the way the author has written about it. I feel so many emotions but the moment I began reading I felt this strong wave of sadness and as you read on it fluctuates and dampens depending upon the chapter and with this it made me want to continue on reading the book.
I did shed a few tears whilst reading this book especially when Lucy stood up to her father about the email, I just wanted to protect her and give her back her innocence. The way the author wrote each scene containing the abuse gripped my heart and made me connect with Lucy like no other has before.

Lucy just feels real...

“ I hope you feel safe all day “ will definitely be a quote I’ll carry along with me for quite some time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I will definitely be recommending this to others, thank you netgalley and to the publishing house for allowing me to read this book, I’ll definitely be picking it up again soon.

"Shaking my head, I look through the darkness of the attics. Each has a panel. A lid keeping secrets locked inside. Until we opened them."

I have really enjoyed this story and Lucy, whose perspective this story is told from is a really strong narrator. From the outset I could really feel Lucy’s varying emotions due to her father’s controlling behaviour towards her mother and also due to the fact he didn’t appreciate or understand the talent Lucy has for art and drawing. Instead, he harbours a belief she should be doing something more practical so Lucy feels a need to keep this side of her secret.

Another secret she has from her father is how, due to the terrace they live in having one long roof, their attic is part of one long tunnel linking all of the houses together. Unbeknownst to her father, Lucy has access to each house in the terrace via their ceiling panel in the attic. It is really clever how this plays an integral part as the story progresses and how each house and its occupants hold their own secrets. Moreover, as the story develops we see how Lucy deals with the knowledge she gains from overhearing a private conversation between her father and his friends in their cellar and what might happen if she finds the right words to let the world know what she has heard.

Throughout, I particularly loved all of the clever metaphors for the life the words took on for Lucy within her family home. For example how her Dad’s anger lingered in the walls and soaked through the floors. How words sometimes needed to be ducked away from or left to dissolve in the breeze for fear that they may cling on to the objects around them. The effect words had for Lucy and her friends in the online world was also very cleverly explored.

I have also found Lucy’s story to have a really important take home message about just how powerful words can be. Whether they are said aloud, written down or even not said at all. Also, about the impact on family relationships and friendships when secrets are kept and what happens to those involved when they are under threat of being uncovered. I think this book is an empowering reminder that we can always search inside of ourselves to find the words and the strength to face our fears.

Lucy is living in a beautiful, expensive house along with her joking, playful dad and her lovely mum. Everything should be perfect. Her dad is a property investor, making millions, and she and her mum don't lack for anything in their lives. But still, Lucy lives her life on edge, controlled by the words around her, whether they are spoken, or unspoken. You see, her dad is a bully, edging closer and closer towards physically abusing her mum, and Lucy is manipulated by him, unable to express her true feelings, or fully develop her artistic side which is where she feels her talents lie but her dad says won't ever lead to her having a successful life.

Lucy's friend Megan is also suffering abuse from a bully, but this time the bully is another girl at school who is making sly comments about Megan. Lucy tries to encourage Megan to find her own voice and stand up to this girl, whilst being aware that she isn't following this advice with her dad. There are a lot of secrets, both hidden by Lucy and hidden from Lucy. There are all the secrets her dad is trying to hide from everyone, with the way deals are collapsing around him and the illegal money handling that's going on, then her mum seems to be hiding something from Lucy too. There's the mysterious neighbour next-door whose life is shrouded with secrecy, then there's Megan's blog, where she gets to live out secret fantasies and share other secrets. Lucy also has a secret attic space, covered in art that she's made, giving her a refuge to go to whenever her parents start to fight.

The different aspects of the story work well together, so there is the mystery of Lucy's neighbour and the secret parcels that Lucy leaves for her. There's also the rather more unsettling mystery of her dad's dodgy dealings, with the suspense of what will happen if he finds out that Lucy has got involved. I liked the different layers to the book, and the sense of the danger that Lucy is placing herself into as she investigates the goings on on her street. As a mum, I confess I did feel some concerns about some of the methods Lucy employs in her investigations, but I put those to one side for the adventure factor to the story!

I really loved the descriptions of some of Lucy's pieces of art. It made me wish that the book was illustrated, though perhaps any real images wouldn't have captured the wonders I was imagining in my head as I read. The descriptions are great, and the characters are really well created. Lucy's dad manages to be both a terrifying villain and yet also just a flawed human being, whilst the bully is utterly dreadful and yet also, just another struggling young girl. And I really liked the suggestions throughout the story of the strength of words, and the dangers of silence.

This is a really good, powerful story, with important messages at its heart about confidence, and abuse, yet it manages to deliver these without being so dark as to be upsetting to those who have lived through this themselves. Lucy feels like a real girl as you read, and you understand her conflictions, and the fears she is facing, whilst still being sure of the hope that things will get better for her. Definitely recommended for those around ten years and older.

Lucy lives in a perfect house, with successful parents - an outwardly perfect life. But behind the front door is a bullying Father and husband, from whom Lucy has to hide her love of art as this is not considered successful. Her Mother is also hiding something, although Lucy, wrapped up in her own world, doesn't see it.
Lucy's other secret is the entry into her attic from her bedroom - interconnecting with the whole street and other lives. For her neighbours too are harbouring secrets that Lucy is about to discover when their worlds converge.
A book about being brave and doing the right thing, seeing through the cover up to the soul -whether that be honourable or corrupt..

Living with her investor stressed dad and her mum, Lucy doesn't like to be around her dad when he's in a mood and he is often, causing verbal and emotional pain on his wife and daughter.



Her best friend Megan also gets put downs from her so called friend Hazel whom makes sly comments and digs at Megan's body and about her growing blog too. Despite Lucy's efforts she can't stop her best friend being effected by Hazel...



However as an aspiring artist despite what her dad says, Lucy has a generous heart and soon gets to know the mysterious artist next door after leaving her a gift anonymously and being left a gift back in return.



The main theme in this novel is about speaking out about abuse and it's never right to have to put up with especially at home. We see how the family changes due to stress about money from her dad. We also see how it's important to follow your heart and never giving up on passions and dreams. It was a really great novel in the way we can imagine being in Lucy's shoes and having to face so many issues alone.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

Lucy doesn't hope for much these days. She hopes her father, a successful lawyer and all around workaholic, is in a good mood. Because he does not get angry when he's in a good mood. Dad doesn't bully Lucy with harsh words or order poor mum around when he’s in a good mood.

Lucy also hopes that one day, she can be an artist.

Whenever Lucy’s parents start to argue, she would climb to the attic and lie on the floor, hoping that soon everything will be back to normal again. One night in the attic, Lucy discovers that every building on her row is connected- through the attic. As she peaks into the lives of those who live on her street, Lucy finds a sense of connection and realisation that maybe she is not the only one who is suffering in silence.

“Lucy is forced to realise that while she can affect the lives of others from the safety of the attic, she will need to climb down to face her own fears.”


This beautifully written novel by Sarah Carroll highlights the courage of a young girl facing her own fears, and finding the voice that will power above the silence that had been suffocating her all along. I really enjoyed Lucy’s journey of finding comfort and safety in the attic and then meeting other people who are going through similar hardships as her and finding some comfort in that too. It was great to see Lucy gradually finding the strength to face her own fears in order to pursue her dream of being an artist one day. Highly recommend to anyone who wants an uplifting and heartwarming read.

3.5 stars


“I hope you feel safe all day”


Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children’s for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of The Words That Fly Between Us.

My review will be posted on my blog by March 5 2019

I am emotional. This book truly wrecked me. A book all about self-discovery, friendship, getting through hard times and facing your problems, even though everything could change as a result. The discussion of abuse and people turning into someone we no longer can recognize was prevalent in this book and they feltband were so important. This story left me with tears in my eyes and a soft heart.