All The Things We Never Said was a book that I was a little dubious about going into it, only because of the subject matter it deals with.

I have to warn anyone reading this that it deals with suicidal thoughts, sexual abuse and self-harming. We follow three different characters using a website that creates a suicide pact with each other. I had a few issues with this story, one main one was the lack of understanding how technology, such as fingerprint scanners. I will say that the way that mental health is dealt with within the plot line, however some of the plots were tied up a little too easy. I don’t want to spoil anything for you but I just think it wasn’t particularly realistic. Overall I enjoyed reading the book, it offered a good insight into mental health and how vulnerable you really are but I just didn’t think the ending was satisfying.

There are three main characters in All The Things We Never Said and they each have their own storylines, with things that they are all dealing with. I think each of the characters were really unique but I really didn’t like Cara, her chapters were exceptionally hard to read and I found her irritating. I did think she had one of the more cliche storylines and also thought that her ending was a little too well thought out. I loved Mehreen’s chapters I think the author really captured what living with anxiety really feels like with the scrawled out letters and the doubting everything. I related to her the most and I really appreciated her story.


I think the best bit of All The Things We Never Said would definitely be anything to do with Mehreen and her chapters. I think she made this book ten times better than it would have been without her. I also think that the way that this book dealt with sexual abuse was definitely an eye-opener and I think it was written about in a very well-constructed way. I also liked the way that they grew together and became fast friends. I really enjoyed the different styles of writing throughout and how vastly different each chapter was from the last one. It made for very interesting reading.

I have mentioned this above but anything to do with Cara to be honest, her anger was really hard to swallow and her reactions made her really unlikeable as a character. Also going to say it again the ending was really unsatisfying and I think there was no real closure in the story or for the characters. I know that stories can’t go on forever but this one definitely needed something more about it.

I would recommend All The Things We Never Said, it dealt with some really difficult themes in a really unique way. I thought the story was really well done and I enjoyed learning more about the characters even if I didn’t like them all equally!

Three teenage girls (Mehreen, Cara, and Olivia) are desperate for their misery to end and in their search for that, come across a website called Memento Mori. They get matched up to end their lives together, and get given tasks to complete before their given suicide date that get increasingly more sinister. Along the way they actually become good friends and realise that perhaps, life won’t always be so bad.

Mehreen is a Muslim teen who feels like no one understands her Chaos, she prays to Allah for something to live for. 10 months ago, Cara got in a car accident that caused her to become a paraplegic and lose her dad at the same time. She lives with the grief and guilt while her mum becomes overly protective of her. Olivia’s parents split, and her mums new boyfriend abuses her and makes her believe no one would believe her so that she doesn’t have the courage to speak up about it.

Cara has a lot of anger, perhaps frustration at herself since she believes it’s her fault the car crashed and her father died. Olivia’s self harm thoughts are very intense and it’s hard to read about. She’s certain that people will think she’s been asking for the sick attention her mums boyfriend gives her, so is shocked when her new friends want to help her. Mehreen gets made fun of for how much her religion means to her, but it’s all that keeps her going (as well as her comics), and can’t believe it when Cara and Liv are respectful of it.

I love that this book focuses on mental health, friendship, and family, and doesn’t contain romance. A part that was so thoughtful in this blossoming friendship was Cara making sure there was Halal food options for Mehreen, she also made sure Mehreen didn’t go without a headscarf on when Mehreen herself wasn’t in a position to be able to sort that, as she knew how important it is to her.

While good friendship was what these girls needed to feel able to tackle their mental health problems (including opening up to their families about how they’re feeling) it’s not always that simple, but this story was so wonderful and refreshing. I was expecting this book to mostly focus on just one of the girls however I thought it was a great balance, even with Olivia’s chapters being in verse (which is something I loved).

My only issue would be the questionable mentions about invisible disabilities, despite all of the other fantastic rep in this book. As far as I can say, All The Things We Never Said is a very accurate take on living with depression and anxiety and how daunting it can be to tell others you’re struggling.

trigger warnings: suicide, depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, death, self-harm.

All The Things We Never Said follows three girls – Mehreen, Cara, and Olivia – as they are paired together by the website MementoMori for a suicide pact. But the website that brought them together to commit suicide also created mutually supportive friendship. A strong bond is created between the girls, as they are the only people that really understand each other. Soon, they want out of the pact but the website won’t let them stop and a sinister game begins that tries to tear the girls apart.

I remember reading Yasmin Rahman’s short story in A Change is Gonna Come, a story which highlighted the Islamophobia Muslims face in Britain, especially in the aftermath of a terrorist attack and it followed an anxious Muslim girl called Zaibah as she tried to navigate it. I remember really enjoying it, and the depiction of anxiety. So when I found out she had a full length novel coming out I was beyond thrilled and it has been a highly anticipated read of mine ever since.

One of my favourite things about this was the depiction of anxiety. Mehreen is incredibly anxious and she calls this anxiety ‘chaos’. Very few authors have truly managed to accurately capture those intrusive thoughts that come hand in hand with anxiety. How loud and deafening they can be and how you know it’s anxiety, you know it isn’t ‘real’ per say, and yet, you can’t ever truly shut that voice off. I also really loved the importance of religion to Mehreen as a coping mechanism. So yeah, I really connected with Mehreen and I can’t even imagine how important that sort of rep is for Muslim and South Asian readers.

The friendship in this book was also a really strong aspect. It wasn’t a perfect friendship, but when it mattered most, they were there for each other and they helped each other and I really loved that. I loved their friendship but I also loved each character individually. Mehreen was kind and gentle, but struggled with her ‘chaos’, Cara was blunt and angry and struggled to cope with her father’s death, and Olivia, whose life seemed so perfect but was far from it. I also really enjoyed how each POV was written, I liked how when Mehreen’s chaos was present, the font turned aggressive and bold and I really loved how Olivia’s POV was written in verse (I really love verse).

Overall, Yasmin Rahman created a powerful and heartfelt book that dealt with the topic in a sensitive manner. A brilliant addition to the UKYA scene and I can’t wait to read more from the author.

All The Things We Never Said tells the story of three young women, Mehreen, Cara, and Olivia are young women who are thrust into each other’s lives through MementoMori - a site dedicated to arranging suicide pacts.

As the girls find solace through their budding friendship and learn that life may be worth living, MementoMori reminds them that they agreed to follow the site's suicide arrangements and as they’ve signed the terms and conditions, there’s no way out.

Quickly slipping from contemporary to thriller, this book combines the fast-paced action with heartbreaking truths about mental illness and desperation to end our own suffering. One of the best aspects of the book is that the author writes from the perspective of a Muslim teenager with mental illness, a perspective rarely seen in modern day literature. Mehreen’s depression characterised as 'The Chaos' (her manifestation of depressive voices) perfectly encompasses mental illness. I enjoyed reading about prayer and Mehreen’s relationship with faith during her battle with mental illness. Especially battling the idea that nothing bad has happened in her life so she battles with allowing herself to acknowledge her own depression, something I am sure many people can relate to .

Cara’s fight with grief and disability make a heartbreaking perspective. I'm glad she is a lesbian but her sexuality does not contribute to the plot. Sometimes it is nice to see added representation without it seeming “forced”. At first I was worried that Cara’s character would quickly slip into an ableist perspective, seeing as she is driven to suicidal thoughts after her accident, but the story shows how her suicidal thoughts stem from her grief and struggle to accept her new reality.

I struggled to read Olivia’s parts the most. Her chapters seemed a bit awkward and clunky at times due to the writing style and the things she was going through hit a little too closely to home….I wish I had known more about her personality and relationship with her mother, and why the chapters were written in that way, but she was a hard character to get to know.

This book was beautiful and I am happy with the ending, though it felt a tad rushed, it was touchhing and I can imagine this being made into a film. It was well written and the author offered a diverse cast of lovable characters in sad situations.

My biggest issue overall was how triggering it was, I didn't think the graphic descriptions of self harm were necessary but to credit the author, she did write a list of triggers and their page numbers at the beginning. I would advise anyone who struggles with mental illness to be wary when they read this novel. In hindsight, maybe I wouldn't have struggled so much if I was in control of my own Chaos but until then, 4.5*s out of 5. A great read.

Thank you to the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an incredible debut centred around what I believe to be an entirely original concept, with the suicide pact app Mementomori following three unforgettable characters. A emotional read portraying mental health, finding friendship under difficult circumstances and speaking up about your own struggles that I would highly recommend.


Thank you to Hot Key Books and to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

A difficult and emotional read dealing with suicide, grief , loss, mental health but also about finding friendship. Can be dark as the subjects suggest and heartbreaking, if you suffer from any of the above then these are the main trigger warnings and I’d suggest caution as it hits you from the very beginning, a powerful, thought provoking and insightful read.


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

Men ren is an Asian girl who lives with her Muslim family. She suffers from anxiety and depression. Cara lost a parent and her ability to walk due to an accident. She also has depression. Olivia lives with her abuser, her mother's boyfriend. She is extremely vunerable and mentally unstable. All three girls join a website that matches people and gives them a shared date when they must commit suicide together. As the day comes closer, the girls don't want to go through with the suicide pact anymore, but the website won't let them.

I read this book a few days ago but I had to take time to think about it before I wrote this review. It's a book that stays with you long after you've finished it. The story is told from the three teenage girls point of view. The girls have been put together by the website, MementoMori. The girls soon form a strong friendship and they stop doing the tasks they are sent. The chapters of Olivia's character are written in verse which puts a different spin on it. This is a fabulous debut novel that's a bit dark and heartbreaking at times. I was sobbing by the end of the first chapter. A breathtaking read.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffier and the author Yasmin Raham for my ARC In exchange for an honest review.

I have just finished this beautiful debut from Yasmin Rahman. It was extremely sad and dealt with a lot of really difficult issues, however, the overall message was incredibly uplifting. The writing style was very impressive and I appreciated the way that it changed depending on who's point of view you were reading from. I also really appreciated the trigger warnings that Hot Key put at the beginning of the eBook - something that I feel should have a place in more books!

Insightful, quite powerful, a bit ominous (the suicide website thing) I found myself captivated without realizing. I believe the author deals with the subject matter quite well, overcoming the pitfalls of melodrama and stigma, to deliver a meaningful look into mental health conditions and the loneliness that accompanies them.

Even though there are 3 different POVs of girls with or/and anxiety, who want to kill themselves, hope still manages to worm into each one. Hope out of unexpected friendship, everyone needs to be heard, really heard and understood.

I love the emphasis on certain words and phrases with different fonts, or words going vertically, diagonally, 'tumbling' etc, especially in Olivia's POV. Somehow it makes the narrative more prominent and heart-squeezing.

Then the MementoMori things gets even creepier and crazier. I think the MementoMori site is a metaphor for how scary mental illness can be and the cruelness of society. Also there is no quick fix. Mental health needs work.

And then the suspense was killing me, so much that I absolutely devoured this book. The beauty of feeling it gifted me will have me singing this story's praises for some time.

FULL REVIEW ON: https://wordsunfilteredbys.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/all-the-things-we-never-said-a-review/

When I first started reading this book, the author’s note instantly made me realise that I would end up relating to not just the characters, but the writer as well. It was comforting to realise that there are other Bangladeshi, Muslim women who have experienced both depression and anxiety, and that I wasn’t alone in this.

Chapter one’s opening genuinely brought a smile to my face. It was the first time I’d seen a book wholeheartedly embrace religion the way All The Things We Never Said does.

Instantly, I knew Mehreen was a character I would be able to relate to. She’s a Bangladeshi Muslim, raised and living in the UK, has depression and anxiety. I saw myself in her, even though she’s four years younger than I am. Last December, I was diagnosed with moderately severe depression and severe anxiety, so to find a character who is going through the same experiences with the same cultural influences and upbringing, as well as religious, it felt like finally, finally, finally being represented.

There are three perspectives: Mehreen, Cara and Olivia. Each of these girls are vastly different and feel like the main characters, showing their own lives as leading characters, without it feeling overwhelming. Personally, I loved Mehreen’s narration the most; this is vastly due to her being the closest to me in experiences. Although, I do feel like Olivia’s experiences are relatable for me, too.

Each of the three girls are strong characters, really well-written and were three dimensional. The stories were fleshed out, written in a way that made it seem all the more real. But I did have a few issues with the book, even if I did enjoy it at first.

Thank you to Hot Key Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I first read Yasmin’s short story in A Change is Gonna Come and really loved it so I was really looking forward to reading her debut book. So I knew as soon as I heard about this book that I would love it and it did not disappoint!

This book had me sobbing by the end of the first chapter. I had never read a story where the mental health rep so completely accurate to mine and reading it felt like I had finally been seen, that someone else really understood everything that goes through my head. I have related to other characters in other books but there has never been a rep where the characters religious beliefs also influences how they feel. This book finally incorporated all aspects of my life.

I wish I had this book as a teenager when I felt that I was alone and didn’t understand why I felt this way. I even read the first chapter out loud to my husband because through Mehreen I was able to explain how it feels and how difficult it can become to manage. It’s safe to say that he was pretty shocked yet it really helped him to understand. So I hope that this book helps a lot more people too.

The book has three points of view but it is easy to distinguish between them as they each have distinct voices and personalities. All three girls are struggling yet when they meet each other, even they cannot understand why the others would want to commit suicide and I thought it was so important to see that. That just by looking at someone, even if they are smiling and laughing, they could still be drowning inside. They could still be struggling to cope with everything that is happening in their life. So it’s important not to dismiss someone, just because they look okay.

Another important theme throughout the book was friendship. How having true, understanding friends, who don’t judge you can help you get through your worst times and even save your life. Having friends that you can open up to about your mental health and they will be there for you. That’s the friendship that they found in each other, when they felt that they couldn’t speak to anyone about how they were feeling, and what made them realise that actually they want to live. There does however need to be a balance, that although friends can help you a lot it is still important to seek professional help.

Mehreen is such a wonderful character, she’s unapologetically, unflinchingly Muslim. We see her pray and talk about how that helps her, we even get a scene where the girls go out for a meal and they find somewhere halal so Mehreen can eat and I loved that Cara and Olivia were so understanding and accepting of it. I know how you can feel so left out if you’re the only Muslim in the group. But one of my favourite things that Yasmin spoke about is something that is SO IMPORTANT when speaking about mental health and especially suicide in Muslim communities. That Mehreen did not commit suicide because of her love for Allah, and that takes strength.

This is a raw, honest, heart breaking story yet it also has hope that we see as the story progresses. I absolutely loved this book and I wish I had this book as a teenager and I really think that everyone should read this book.

Some time ago, I read an interview with Yasmin Rahman where she discussed the proliferation of teenage romance stories and their dominance in the YA genre. She argued that this failed to account for one of the most (if not the most) important aspects of teenage life for girls growing into women: their female friendships. This resonated with me despite it being a while since my awkward teenage phase of life and reading All the Things We Never Said really reinforced the truth of this for me. My teenage years were not dominated by romance or a love story but the special relationships I shared with my girlfriends: the laughter, angst, changes and leaning on each other still linger strongly in my memory to this day.
The book is part coming of age, part thriller, part social issue-led which makes it an interesting read. The characters are all relatable and written with nuance and pathos. However, the strongest and most confident portrayal for me was that of Mehreen. Her story, her struggle and the internal conflict she faces because of her faith are masterfully written. The chaos in her mind will be immediately recognisable to those who suffer with anxiety and depression along with the pressures and self-doubts that she experiences.
Olivia’s story was harrowing and told sensitively but there were times where the attempts to use the prose as a way of conveying her state of mind and the numb exterior she exhibits became quite difficult to read. The stilted sentences and clipped tone of her entries were sometimes clunky and hard to stomach which may have been the point, but I think some more fluidity at times would have facilitated a better reading of her pain.
Finally, Cara’s narrative was like the other narratives: thought-provoking and challenging. Her journey was the most profound for me because her pain was partly rooted in a misunderstanding of the situation that led to the reason she wanted to let go of life. Her attitude and speech were reflective of a teenage girl and her character development was a joy to read.
Overall, the book is a page-turner and absorbs the reader with the ongoing mystery around the presence of the shadowy website that support individuals to commit suicide. The resolution to this plotline was realistic but it would have been more satisfying if there could have been a clearer revelation around the website and accountability. It’s probable that this was left ambiguous so as to not detract from the main arc of the book to focus on the girls and their stories but some more progress on the investigation would have been welcomed at the end.
An important and sensitive read for teenagers and adults alike.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

You guys. This was one of my most anticipated reads for this year so I was OVER THE MOON when I got the e-mail saying I could read an ARC!

This book is absolutely amazing, honestly. I love Mehreen and it kills me that there aren't more desi characters struggling with mental health. I think Yasmin beautifully depicts the struggles of someone who is not only desi but only suffers from anxiety and depression. I wish, that when I was a teen, I had read this book because it would have made me feel less alone.

I love how different Cara and Olivia are. Cara is feisty and misunderstood and it comes across so clearly on the page. I am in genuine awe of how well Cara is written. Olivia's chapters are just something else entirely - they are so visually pleasing. I honestly wish I could have an entire novel written in Olivia's format because it is so beautiful and clever.

I love the pact idea (pacts and cults are always so fascinating) and the theme is incredibly relevant today. It wouldn't surprise me if such a website existed. I really hope to see more dark YA soon because this was just fantastic.

I don't know what to say - this book is just amazing and if you don't read it then you are missing out.

Three different teenage girls join a website (MementoMori.com) that matches people and allocates them a shared date where they must die by suicide together. As they prepare for their final days, they slowly realise they don’t want to go through with it anymore, but the website won’t let them.

All the Things We Never Said (ATTWNS) is hard. Honestly, I found this such a difficult book to read. This is definitely a book to check for trigger warnings before picking it up because while I don’t suffer any of the issues that the main characters suffer with, it was just so emotionally draining, which is why I rated it a three, but I do believe the overall content is worthier of four. (4/5)

As mentioned before, ATTWNS follows the lives of three completely different girls.

Mehreen, a Bangladeshi girl who suffers from anxiety and depression which manifests into something she calls The Chaos. She always feels like she doesn’t fit in with her Muslim family and community. Cara suffers from the guilt of surviving a car accident which resulted in her dad’s death and her being in a wheelchair. Olivia looks picture perfect but is hiding the fact her mother’s boyfriend is abusing her.

With nothing in common but the website, these three girls come together to plan their joint suicide together. Tasked with a to-do list from MementoMori, the girls must submit evidence to completion. But slowly, these girls become friends and see good help in each other. They grow to depend on each other positively, and they bond so well. Each chapter was very distinct and showcased their varied personalities. Mehreen is more collected, Cara is loud, and Olivia is quite challenging to pin down. But they all worked together, and they realise how they all bring the best of each other out of themselves. Sure, they mess up, and that’s chalked up to just being young and inexperienced and being afraid to ask for help.

Overall, ATTWNS is quite the page-turner. The way MementoMori terrorises them was horrifying. And it’s not something that’s completely detached from real life, the way people online use people’s insecurities to gain pleasure is terrifying. (see: Blue Whale or Momo Challenge – both hoaxes but still dangerous) I appreciated that this story highlights stuff like that while also treating it sensitively and realistically.

This book had me hooked from the first chapter. The characters are so well written. I wanted to read through it so quickly to find out what happened, whilst at the same time not wanting to incase it was too sad!

Mahreen is a Muslim teen whom feels she can't compete or stand out in her family against her brother or cousin who are both high achievers and has what she call The Chaos in her mind telling her to cut and causing her depression.



Cara is a disabled wheelchair user after a car crash changed her and her mum's lives forever and she feels stifled by her mum now too.



Olivia is a girl from a rich broken family background with a sinister secret about her mum's new boyfriend and wants to escape her life.



The girls get put together after they each individually sign up to a suicide pact website, MementoMori.



Only as the girls complete the tasks and hang out more they become friends. Until things change after they stop doing the tasks set to them from the website and instead have their lives ruined by the person behind the website as they manipulate all the information about the girls as they can. As each girl hits a new low, one of them goes too far but with the girls not talking, can they come together to save each other in time?



The plot reminded me of the Hollyoaks teen self harm pact with a digital edge from the website involved in this book. It doesn't belittle mental health but shows the sinister extent teens could go to harm or end their lives. The website reminds me of the anorexia buddy websites we hear about causing harm to teens mental health and this book broke down boundaries that mental health only effects one type of person as we get the three very different girls all suffering. I particularly like Olivia telling her story in verse as she came across as a ghost in her own home forgot by her mum as she suffered abuse unnoticed. This book will make you appreciate all the good in the world, as it can be horrifically dark.



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