I couldn’t praise this book enough, it was excellent. Everything about it I enjoyed immensely, this isn’t normally something that I would read but I’m so glad that I did.
The characters were brilliant, the story itself was amazing it was so gripping I didn’t want it to end, and the style of writing was perfect. I’ll be keeping my eye out for more books by this author in the future. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading this genre.
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review.

What July Knew by Emily Koch is a story of July who never knew her mother and lives with her father and stepmother and half sister. July Hooper is never allowed to ask questions or talk about her mother ever.
In the summer holidays when she is ten July has an assignment to write about a member of her family. July wants to find out the truth about her mother. What July and her step sister finds out and what happens will have repercussions on family members for the rest of their lives.
An engrossing, fascinating tale
Highly recommended

This book took me on a real journey. I found it difficult to read in places and quite confronting.

Nonetheless, it’s incredibly well written and a great plot driven story. The story deals with loss, family and abuse as we follow our adolescent protagonist on a thrilling tale of discovery.

Having been born myself in July 1995 I felt oddly connected to the setting of the story. The characters were well developed. I’d describe this novel and mysterious and emotional. It is well-paced and an overall engrossing read. Would recommend.

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

A very well written story on a difficult subject, from the pov of 10 year old July. I was engrossed from the start.
Thank you.

A really good book
Enjoyed from the first page to the last
Great characters and a brilliant story line
Thanks NetGalley

This was a good book; one I read on holiday. It was well written with characters that really got to you. I loved it and will look out for more like this one!

July is living with her father Mick Hooper, her stepmother Auntie Shell and her stepsister Sylvie.

It is the summer of 1995 and there is a heatwave, July will be celebrating her tenth birthday but wishes her mother was with her. She had been told that her mother had been killed in a car crash when she was two years old. Her father refuses to talk about her and July has vague memories of the accident that claimed her mother's life.

July is determined to find out more about her mother, but the neighbours story is completely different to the one she has already been told.

A beautifully written book with great characters.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

It’s refreshing to read a book that has you engaged from the first chapter. You find yourself willing July on to a better life, away from her abusive family

This is a difficult, heartbreaking read in places concerning domestic violence. As a child character I couldn’t help but love July and as a mother I just wanted to pluck her out of the book, hug her and give her the love she deserves. It will certainly stay with me for a long time. This book is well written and the subject matter needs to be brought to attention. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Vintage for letting me read and review this book. 4.5 ⭐️

Family secrets are blown apart in this novel by Emily Koch. A thriller that kept me gripped from start to finish. All July knows of her mother is that she died in a car accident when she was very young but a school project is set to reveal a whole new truth to her life. From those around her, family members, neighbours, friends July begins to build up a picture of her mother's life and her parents relationship with tension building as the story develops.

Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review

In What July Knew, Emily Koch weaves a hauntingly nostalgic tale set in the 1980s. The book follows young July Hooper on a quest to unravel the truth about her mother's untimely death. Having previously enjoyed Koch's If I Die Before I Wake, I had high expectations for this novel, and it did not disappoint.

The story revolves around family secrets and the flawed dynamics of its characters. Koch expertly portrays the intricacies of relationships, where simple misunderstandings can evolve into significant burdens over time. Through July's eyes, we witness a world of mystery and suspense that keeps you captivated until the last page.

While exploring the neighbourhood her family once called home, July stumbles upon a chance encounter that could hold the answers she seeks. But as she digs deeper into her mother's past, the dark theme of domestic abuse emerges. This sheds light on a poignant reality for many families.

Despite her tender age, July is a remarkable protagonist, displaying unwavering strength and determination. Her journey tugs at your heartstrings, making you root for her success while empathising with her struggles.

What July Knew is beautifully written, expertly crafted, and leaves a lasting impression. It's a gripping tale of mystery, nostalgia, and emotional depth that will linger in your thoughts long after you turn the final page.

Told in the voice of 10 year old July, July wants to more about her mother. No one talks about her and her father is always angry. An emotional story but very well written. Really enjoyed this book, definitely recommend

This was such an interesting read! I found myself so engrossed in the story, the characters had such incredible arcs, and I can't wait to follow this author's journey!

This book had a bit of mystery about it and some sad bits.

July lives with her Father, Step Mother and step sister. July thought her Mother died in a car accident when she was 2 but no one talks about her Mother. She has some information.

The book deals with domestic abuse and as the story goes on we learn more about what happened.

It kept you guessing what was going to happen which I liked about it. The book flowed and was interesting to get it from the view of an 10 year old girl.

Brilliant book, an emotional one!

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

It’s summer 1995 and July Hooper is 10. She lives with her father Mick, stepmother Shell and her stepmother’s daughter Sylvia.

She knows very little about her mother who died in a car accident when July was 2. She only knows 18 facts because neither her father nor her grandmother will talk about her. When her teacher asks them all to write a school project on a member of the family, she starts thinking even more about her mother, and when she receives a note telling her that her mother isn’t dead, July is determined to find out more.

Emily Koch weaves a sadly only too believable story around secrets within a family home, where the truth lies hidden beneath the unspoken and the outright lies. This is such an emotive story, I felt so much empathy for July who just wants her father’s love and praise, a hand on her shoulder, a smile from him, anything positive, when she gets her hand held, or a smile, she wants to believe she is loved but she is so scared to speak in case she spoils that moment and his temper switches.

After the first chapter I wasn’t sure. By the end I couldn’t put it down.

This was a good book but also quite a difficult book to read. I loved the passion of July to get to the root of what happened to her mum. It did foray into domestic abuse which made me uncomfortable but that is nothing to the author it is just my own feelings on the subject. July was certainly a strong willed, determined and brave young girl which could mirror some relationships people have to this day. Definitely recommend but tagging a trigger for the domestic abuse theme.

What July Knew is the story of July and her stepsister Sylvia, growing up in what seems to be a normal family living respectable lives. Beyond this facade, is a life of fear and compliance as the girls and their mother are at the mercy of Mick, the man of the house.

It’s a tale of domestic abuse and makes for disturbing reading. It’s well written and thought provoking. However, I almost gave up several times as I struggled to find anything uplifting as the story unfolded.

My thanks to the author, the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review the book.

A good read. I really enjoyed July's story her character was very well written and could completely relate to her. Set in the 90's and with a good mix of people the story plays out well with a great plot that keeps you guessing.

This book is worth a read for the 90’s nostalgia alone!!

Talks of horoscopes on teletext to Pog Super Slammers

The book is fabulously written starting from July’s 10th Birthday.

You will be unable to read this book and NOT fall in love with July.

There’s moments that make you chuckle and some that will have you crying. Only a good author can do this well and Emily Koch sure did.

This book will not disappoint