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

i was hesitant while starting this one initially, i find precocious kid protagonists to be fairly hit or miss in most stories. was very glad to see that this is much more sixth sense than book of henry, in terms of how likable and effective the kid was

Thank you for my earc of this book! I really liked the premise but unfortunately couldn’t finish this.

Tender, emotional and incredibly moving- I was captivated by 10 year old July's quest to find out what happened to her mother, was it the car accident that she's always been told about? Some utterly gorgeous moments, full of emotion and truth. A heart-breaking read with such a brave character, bravo July!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

July's story is heartbreaking, even more so when you think about the children who might be going through similar domestic abuse in silence. Koch crafts the story very well, although I suspected the twist from fairly early on, but that doesn't detract from the gutpunch of the overall narrative. The manipulations of time with the interspersed letters worked particularly well. A solid read.

July Hooper has a notebook where she keeps a list of the eighteen things she knows about her mother, who supposedly died in a car accident when July was only three. She writes it in code and keeps it hidden as her father gets cross if she asks about her mother. She thinks her father’s behaviour towards her is normal, that she deserves to be taught a ‘lesson’, as this is all she has ever known. She can’t understand why everyone is so reluctant to speak about her mother. It is only after someone puts a note in her school bag – ‘your mother did not die in a car crash’ – that she sets off on her quest to find out the truth.
What July Knew is not an easy book to read at times, but well worth persevering with as July is a wonderful character who shows strength and determination beyond her years. Mostly told from July’s point of view over the long hot summer of 1995, with occasional letters filling in the blanks, the story gradually unfolds and the full extent of her father’s control and abuse is revealed.
The characters are well written and relatable. The cultural references ground the story in the mid-nineties (I remember my sons playing with pogs). The abuse is handled with a sensitive touch, but despite the subject matter What July Knew is not a sad book. It will make you cry, it will make you angry, but it will also make you laugh. Thanks to Vintage and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

This book deals with some sensitive subjects so please check trigger warnings!

The author has made July a character you can't help but to show empathy for.

It's a heart wrenching read and one that will make you shed a tear or two!

July Hooper only knows the bare facts about her mother as she died when she was young. A summer project sparks an interest in her mother and July is learning. Nothing is what she thought but her father is very reluctant to share anything and she needs to know why.

Well what a read this was. it focuses on the impact domestic violence can have on a family especially children. its an interesting premise having the story told from a child but it gives greater depth to her own emotions. The plot is interesting though i figured out a few things along the way. The ending was well written and I liked how it all came together especially the final part as it explained the events well. Its a hard read at times and you want to help July but I like her growth through the story as well.

I was hooked on this book from the very first page . The characters are brilliant and the fortitude and determination shown by ten year old July is amazing as she battles to learn more about the mum she never knew. We all want to know more about where we came from as it gives us our sense of identity so why won't anyone July knows tell her anything about her late Mum. She remembers her being involved in a car accident which she witnessed at the age of two but little else. Her Dad is always cross with her no matter how hard she tries to please him when all she wants is for him to love her. This book evokes childhood memories but also aspects of the darker side of life. I dare you to read this book and not be reduced to tears before you finish it. What a brilliant book.

A well-written novel about a young girl trying to find out the truth about her dead mother. Characters are nuanced and story is compelling, but be warned, that this novel could be triggering for some readers. The description makes the novel sound more innocuous than the story really is.

It is July 1995. July is ten years old. She lives with her father, stepmother & stepsister. She keeps a list of the things she knows about her mother- not very many as her father gets very angry if she mentions her. Her Grandmother can't talk about her without crying. July knows eighteen things- the main one being her mother died in a car crash. As a summer project she is asked to write about a family member that she doesn't know much about. Her teacher suggest she write about her mother although July knows this would be a dangerous thing to do. But when someone slips her a note saying her mother did not die in a car accident she knows she has to find out the truth.

This was a difficult read. The atmosphere of supressed violence when July's father is around casts a dark shadow over the hot summer. At first I found July slightly irritating but soon I was rooting for her to find a happy ending. This is a brilliant & sensitively written story & I loved it. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me into July's world.

An emotional and hard hitting storyline around a daughters wish to find out what happened to her mother. The author has dealt with the sensitive subject of abuse well and although this was a slow burner initially i did enjoy the read

I really want to thank netgalley and publishers for arc of this novel
And I tried really hard to read this book but I think having failed a second time it’s my head that’s in wrong place not the book I think things are a little too raw to complete this book I do apologise
What I did read was beautifully written and pulled you completely into Julys life

good read, easy to flow, interesting and unique. enjoyed the read - would go to this author again - it'll be a good holiday read, what with summer approaching too

This is a true to life story about an abusive parent, who abuses both his wife and child.. It is very sad when people see that something is wrong but are afraid to say anything. This comes across time and again. The story highlights the affect the abuse has on the victims. Even if the authorities are notified and the abuser is removed, the victims nevervreally recover. A very moving story.

I read a lot of good books that I genuinely believe are 5 stars but then a book like this comes along and you know straight away that this is a little bit special and deserves all those 5 stars and more. This book is so beautifully written. The characters are so very real and very compelling, as are the relationships between all the characters. The main theme of the story is dealt with so sensitively and delicately that you totally understand what is happening and get the point whilst being able to enjoy the story at the same time. Definitely a 5 star plus read.

A very well written book focussing on a child finding out how their mother really died. A good page turner and satisfying ending

What July Knew by Emily Koch

4 STARS

A surprisingly uplifting tale of 18 year old July and her mission to find out what happened to her mother. Heartfelt and heartbreaking in equal measures.

Worth a read.