July is ten years old. She lives with her father, stepmother and stepsister. Her father swings between being abusive to her and being affectionate. The abuse usually occurs after she asks about her birth mother who died when she was born, or so she's been told. One of the most heartbreaking things is that her father has gaslighted her into believing that she needs chastisement. Over the course of a summer she discovers much more about her mother and the relationship between her parents,

I found this a hard book to read at times. There is physical and emotional abuse of a child in it as well as domestic violence. The descriptions were sensitively enough done but it is always hard to read of the abuse of a child even if it is fiction. I didn't really understand why the adults around July didn't do more to protect her. Schools have a duty of care towards their pupils and while her class teacher reported suspicions to the head teacher, the head teacher refused to believe it was anything, You would have thought that there would at least have been one adult who would have reported the abuse to social work even anonymously. Overall then I'm not sure how I felt about the novel. It's well written, yes. Would I recommend it? Yes, I think on the whole I would but with a caveat about the physical and emotional abuse. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

A beautiful but heart breaking read. So real to life for some people but written in a way that you could empathise

in the early stages of this book I was reminded of Joanna Cannons "Trouble with goats and sheep" - a mystery told through the eyes of a child (although set in the nostalgic 90s rather than 70s / 80s). July is a 10 year old girl living with her father, step mother and stepsister. Julys mother died when she was young, and has always believed she was killed in a car crash when she was 2. Challenged by her school teacher to learn more about a family member you don't know much about, July sets out to learn more about the mother she never knew.

This uncovers deep secrets and a dark history, and we start to get a story of domestic abuse. July's likeable, friendly, positive character shines light on some dark content, and the reality of the life that July leads is not shied away from, which makes heart-breaking reading at times.

It’s July 1995 and there’s a heatwave, the kind that boils your blood and induces rage which is always easy to achieve for Mick Hooper, father of July aged ten. July has a notebook in which she writes and stores great questions (they really are great questions too!) and she wants to know about her mum Maggie who is never talked about especially how her life ended. July however, has flashbacks to the accident that claims her. July has listed eighteen things she knows about Maggie but does she dare ask for more information especially as Mick’s reaction is likely to be aggressive? Dare she even consider doing the school project Miss Glover has set over the summers hols to research and write about a little known family member? Then it starts to get twisty and mysterious when July gets a note which claims Maggie didn’t die in a car accident. July sets off on a quest to find the truth and learns that people are hiding a multitude of secrets.

Wow! Emily Koch is one talented writer that’s for sure, I’ve very much enjoyed her books but this one is the most powerful and emotional one so far. The portrayal of July is superb and some of the images the author uses to link (or thread) her to Maggie are wonderful and really resonate. Poor July, she’s so in the dark about so much, she’s not in the secret but others are. It’s an elusive, enigmatic puzzle for her and she has so few pieces and some don’t fit though she gets the scent or a whiff of some truths which then evaporate. She’s a brave, clever intuitive girl who is very easy to like. Mick makes you so angry and despite all his horrific actions July still seeks his love and even justifies his actions. The dynamics in the blended family with stepmother Shell and stepsister Sylvia are incredibly well done too and you tense as they do when Mick walks in the room.

To describe the plot as increasing in intensity is somewhat of an understatement as I can scarcely breathe towards the end. This is clearly not an easy story as domestic violence never is but Emily Koch tells it well, it’s never gratuitous though leaves you in little doubt. This is a gripping, compelling novel from beginning to end.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK/Vintage for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

What July knew by Emily Koch. What a beautiful book. I loved every word of this book. July is a 10 year old girl who has always been told that her mother died in a car accident but she wants to find out for herself and so she sets out to unearth some truths. This is a book I am so glad I read. Pick up this book you won't be disappointed so many surprises.

This is the story of 10 year old July, she lives it’s her dad, stepmom and step sister. July is eager to learn more about her real mum and has to secretly collect facts about her because her dad gets angry if she asks him too many questions and she knows that her dad will “teach her a lesson” every time she asks about her. July starts to realise that the story of how her mum died is not adding up.

I felt this book tackled the subject of domestic abuse really well. The author has managed to get across how bad July’s life is at home without it getting too graphic. I was intrigued to find out the truth about July’s mother. I just didn’t feel that the conclusion was realistic in any way.

This is an unusual and very successful angle on what turns out to be a murder story. July is ten and wants to have more detail about the death of her mother for a class project. She has been led to believe that she died in a car accident when July was two. She gets reasons not to believe that, Her family don’t want to talk about it. July starts her own investigation and gets into all kinds of difficulties. This story starts as if it would be an easy read with a boring outcome but it is anything but that. It hots up and the management of family relationships is absorbing. The understanding of how a ten year old girl’s mind works and how she pursues her cause is very well handled. I recommend this book.

July Hooper is ten years old, although her birthday is never much of an occasion. This is because her mother died in a car crash on her birthday when she was very young. Her dad doesn’t like to remember it and he doesn’t like to talk about her. July has a list of things she knows about her mum. It isn’t a very long list. Then, one summer, July learns something new and begins to wonder if everything on her list is a lie.

The mystery of her mother’s death is the thread that holds this book together and keeps it moving, but July’s home life is the thing that brings it to life. There is so much depth and complexity in the emotions displayed by all of the main characters, mostly the women, and it is these emotions that will stay with me for a long time. The love that July has for her father is heart-breaking. From an outside perspective her life is terrible, but for July everything that happens to her is completely normal. That this is a completely realistic scenario made it so much worse and also all the more important to read.

As for the mystery itself, I think that it is very well-done. I had very few moments where I guessed ahead at what had happened and there were a few moments where I made guesses that were wrong. Yet when the full truth was finally revealed it fit so perfectly. The ending is haunting, but also perfect. There are other ways this could have ended, but none which would have left me with quite so many emotions.

This is an extremely well written and moving account of a 10 year old child's quest to find out more about her late mother. July was told her mother died in a car accident when she was very young but resistance from her father and others in her family to discuss anything to do with her mother results in July undertaking her own investigations. Lots of twists and turns occur throughout this mystery with several challenging themes addressed as family secrets are eventually revealed and consequences paid.
The author develops the characters particularly well and I was heavily invested in wanting July to discover the truth about her family.
A really enjoyable and emotional book with lots of discussion points making it an ideal book club read.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year, an emotional family mystery with excellent characters that will pull at your heart strings.

It's 1995 and for ten year old July life is a collection of mysteries. She doesn't remember her mother, who died when she was small, and her father refuses to talk about her. All she has are flashbacks from the accident that claimed her mother's life. She asks questions regarding her mother whenever there is an opening to try and piece some sort of memory of her. Then out of nowhere she receives a note telling her that her mother didn't die in a car accident, but struggles to find out the truth because her father's reluctance to talk of his wife.

July needs to know the truth and is determined to discover what really happened. She cycles to where her family used to live to question neighbours but there appears to be a general reluctance to tell her anything she can hold on to. She meets a neighbour who lived next door to them and she learns that he was the last person to see July's mother alive. The neighbours story is completely different to the little she already knows.

Beautifully written with great characters and perfectly paced.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

What a captivating read! Uncomfortable in places but I never wanted to give up as I felt like I would be abandoning July when she needed someone. Excellent, brave, well written and well thought out.

The very fact that July only knows 18 things about her Mum is devastating, add to that that the issue her Dad has even speaking of her Mum and it seems July might be forever in the dark.
As the story unfolds an July does some sleuthing around the streets her family used to live in she adds to that little list more pieces of the Mum puzzle and amid great friction, fighting and hatred the truth finally emerges.
I loved the strength and determination of one small girl to find the truth and expand her family- a beautifully written and evocative story

I was amazed that Netgalley approved me to read this book!! I had seen other people raving about this book!! I can see why as it is a very carefully planned story with relatable characters!! The story is told between 2 different years!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story!! I did not want to put the book down!!! There are some moments in the story that will tug at your heartstrings!! I will recommend this book!!

I was pleased to be offered by the author to read this book in advance of its publication in February 2023. This is a genuine review based on my own experience of this book.
The story held my interest well, initially compelled to want to know what July knew that was so important.
As the book progressed it is clear that July is slowly trying to piece together facts about her mother.It was also clear that a lot of what she had been told was false and she also believed she was a bad person who needed to learn lessons..these were in the form of abuse.
The relationship with her stepmother and stepsister were both explored well and my opinions of them both gradually changed as more information and actions were disclosed throughout the book. The stepsister caused July a lot of problems and further abuse telling tales to try to keep favour with her stepfather.This relationship changed when she saw his true colours when he abused someone closer to her.
I am not sure how I expected the book to end, there were several unexpected twists that developed.
The freedom her bike gave July was one of the best things that happened to her.
I found myself irritated that her grandmother had not done more much earlier on to help her. Her teacher also recognised July had difficulties but didn’t do a lot to help her.
I can definitely recommend this book as a good read but it is complicated and for me at times doesn’t quite flow. I felt her teacher would have a responsibility to act further on her suspicions to help July.

Every now and then I get to read a book which is memorable, which stays with me, which I talk to others about and buy copies for friends. It is rare but this is one of those. On the face of it this seems like a sombre and rather unapproachable subject and plot for an enjoyable book.

As with other reviews I refuse to outline the plot as I think the blurb writers do a better job without giving anything away. Yes, this book deals with the tough subject of unseen and sometimes subtle abuse so it could be a tough read for some but there is also so much hope. The characters, especially July (who I challenge anyone not to fall in love with, especially if like me, you are a mother or a teacher) are wonderfully described and portrayed. I read this well into the night when I should have turned the light off. I wanted to know more about July and her birth right and then I just wanted to be there for her! You will too…..

This story is so well written. It took me through an emotional rollercoaster, with parts that made me smile, but many that made me sad and angry. It’s a talented Author that can write a story like this. You can’t help but fall in love with July Hooper, she’s a wonderful character.
July Hooper has questions, especially about her mother who died. She really doesn’t know anything about her and for some reason her father doesn’t want to talk about it. So much so that he tends to lash out if July brings the subject up. Unfortunately, July believes she deserves what ever terrible treatment is dished out to her. All she wants is her father’s love and approval.
I’m glad I read this story, it really is that good. 5/5 Star Rating.

School is about to break up for the summer and July Hooper is given an assignment to write about a family member they don't know. July mum died when she was younger and she is in two minds as to whether to write about her mum when her class teacher gives her a note saying 'your mum is not dead'. All July knows is that her mum died in a car accident and to make matters worse, the subject is taboo at home. So July investigates on her own. A gripping read told through the eyes of a ten year old.

Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters that were believable and relatable. I couldn't put it down and read it super quickly

July Hooper is a 10 year old girl whose mother has died. She believes that this is due to a car accident but events suddenly occur to challenge this belief and July is on a mission to find out the truth

July’s life is anything but easy. She lives with her stepmother, her stepsister and her abusive father. Her father refuse to engage in any conversation regarding her mother and July is left to gather snippets of information about her from wherever she can. July’s character is utterly charming and I guarantee that you will root for her from the very first page.

This novel tackles the difficult topic of domestic violence and how it is hidden within the layers of family life. Those who know it’s happening are turning a blind eye and this doesn’t make for an easy read. July’s feeling that she deserves to be beaten and her acceptance of this is heartbreaking.

This book is a really emotional read. The characters are well crafted and the plot engaging. A definite recommendation for my book club!

July is 10yo and knows 18 things about her deceased mom. When her teacher slipa a note into July saying her Mom didn’t die in a car accident. July’s life falls apart. She knows she cannot ask her Dad, who may teach her a ‘lesson’ by asking about her Mom.
I started this book and couldn’t put it down. Emily Koch created great mystery, story keeps you wonder what really happened to July’s Mom.

There is trigger warning about domestic abuse. Author paints a very vivid picture. It made me cry a lot.
However this book is not to be missed. Highly recommend it.
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