Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read the latest book by Kelly Rimmer.

Having read several of her earlier books I was prepared for a real tear jerker.
A beautifully written story, set over two different time periods. Wonderfully written rich characters, that were credible and interesting.
This was a book about love, hope and survival through difficult times.

This has to go on my list of top books read in 2019. 5 stars for this gripping read.

This book is a very powerful,emotional story of one families fight to survive in Nazi occupied Poland and a heartbreaking love story.5*

What a powerful heartbreaking love story
I loved the dual timeline writing style of this book.
This author has an amazing ability to pull you into the book.
An amazing book

The Things We Cannot Say is a moving and powerful story about one family and their experience of the Holocaust in Nazi occupied Poland. The novel focuses on Alina and her family as their whole world shifts drastically. We read as they try their best to hold on to all they hold most dear and retain their humanity and morals. As well as the upheaval around them, there is a beautiful love story between Alina and Tomasz which is a running thread throughout the story which is truly sweet and gives the story some lighter moments.

I was completely invested in the story and got so attached to all the characters, especially Alina and Tomasz. The novel is told in a dual narrative form, one thread following Alina in the 1940’s and the other in present day, following Alice in 2019. Personally I found myself way more interested in the Alina sections but Alices narrative also really grew on me eventually. The two women have such different lives but the common thread is their love for their family and desire to do what is right for the people they love.

Alice is a character who is dealing with a busy and challenging home life; her son is on the Autism spectrum, a precocious daughter and she has a strained relationship with her husband. On top of her own troubles, her beloved grandmother or Babcia as she is referred to throughout the novel, has suffered serious health issues. In the face of the knowledge that Babcia may not have long left, she sets Alice the task of going to Poland and finding the answers to secrets which have plagued her whole life..

Not only is the story compelling, but it provides an important lesson or reminder to have compassion and to fight against injustice. It’s also a reminder never to forget the Holocaust and the countless people who were lost during it, every single individual had a story and The Things We Cannot Say is just one possible story among many. The author actually has a personal connection with Poland and the war and there are some photos included at the end of her visit and her families farm house which added an extra personal touch.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and was deeply touched by this story of hope, resilience and remembrance in the face of such great loss. I encourage any readers who wish to read an emotional and eye opening novel to pick up The Things We Cannot Say, you won’t regret it.

Will be posted on blog: 14/09/ 2019

What a fantastic story and so well told. The characters are so real and lifelike you almost feel as though you know them. The story has a past and present theme to it which works so well and helps open up the storyline. Its a tough and sometimes harrowing story which shows love and strength throughout. Would definitely recommend this book and will be looking to read more by Kelly Rimmer.

Thank you Netgalley for this read, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Thanks net galley for allowing me to read this very moving story of Alina and Tomasz,
The story revolves around Alina and her love for Tomasz, their strength and their determination to get Saul out of Poland with Alina with photos of what was happening in Poland. Saul lost his wife and baby, and both he and Alina escaped out of Poland into America..
Elina and Saul made a life together, but there was another family in Poland where Alinas granddaughter was given the task to,find.

This book was amazing.

This genre has been filled with novels relating to Nazi occupation and the war, so I was not too convinced this book would stand out. However, I was so very wrong.
I could not put this book down. We follow two stories in different timelines; Alina's (occurring during the war) and Alice's (occurring in the modern day).

Alina's story is focused around her, her family and her boyfriend as we watch them face the horrors that occurred in Poland for both Polish Catholics and the Polish Jews. We see how they quickly dominate the area, spurring hatred towards Jewish people and demeaning the Catholics. The story is incredibly emotional, and filled with suspense.

Alice's story follows her life as a mother to a son (Eddie) on the autistic spectrum and a brilliant daughter with a high IQ. Though the focus is much more significant on Eddie and shows the true way in which their life is adapted to help him. The portrayal of Eddie is beautifully done, he is non-verbal but highly empathetic in his own way and rather brilliant at learning rules or using his iPad, despite not being incredibly academic. This is a stark difference to how those on the spectrum are usually depicted (mostly unable to understand empathy, and often having incredibly high IQ's).

Alice, eventually becomes the key too untangling the stories being told and, though some parts are predictable towards the end- that is only because the story is so well told that you are able to make the links between the past and the future.

The characters in this story are so in-depth and well developed you cannot help but feel for them. I have to admit I was holding back tears at many points during this book, as you soon begin to realize just how horrifying the past was and how there truly was nowhere safe you begin to feel truly horrified and worried. Alina and Tomasz's bond is truly beautiful and these characters become ones that you care for the most. But, more than that you feel for Alice, Wade, Eddie, Callie (Alice's family) and for Babcia (Alice's Grandmother).

The title of the book is extraordinarily clever and applies in so many ways from how Eddie communicates (via an App) to how it affected those in Poland. (I wont say too much more regarding this as I dont want to give away any spoilers). But the true depth of this title is amazing.

The ending of this book was initially unexpected, but as you read through you begin to see it may not end how you think. This is a truly heart-breaking, yet gorgeous ending with so many mixed emotions that you can't help but keep it in your mind.

I had never read anything by this author before so this was a wonderful start and I shall do so more!
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in this genre or who are looking for a story that is filled with love, friendship and honour even in the hardest times.

There is so much more I could say but I wont as it would spoil the book and to do so would take away your chance to read this and truly feel something for the characters, the war and the book itself.

This book was provided to me as an advanced digital copy by #Netgalley In exchange for my honest review. (Headline publishers) #TheThingsWeCannotSay This is also on Goodreads/ twitter (@Bookrevieskb)

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer is a story set in two timelines.
Poland 1942, two young people in love and trying their best to stay alive under the occupation. Alina a farmers daughter dreams of one day being the wife of Tomasz a medical student. Thomasz wants to become a doctor and come back home to work in his fathers medical practice.
America 2019, Alice's grandmother is in hospital after a stroke and has asked Alice to find Thomasz for her. Alice decides to travel to her grandmother's home town to see if she can find out what happened to her grandparents so many years ago.
The is a sad story of fear, bravery and sacrifice set in the terrible conditions in Poland during World War Two.
I thought that the duel storyline worked well and I really liked the characters of Alina and Thomasz.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.