Ahh thought this was a full book. However, on reading the sampler I’ll definitely be buying the book!

A good opening chapter gives me a good idea of what the story will cover. July appears to be a complex character.
The writing is good the reader is being lead to want to continue but there is also an element of what wull mske this different to orher mysterys.

Wish it was more tgan a sample as it could go either way. Look firward to reading more

I didn’t realise this was just going to be a one chapter sampler as I don’t usually read previews or snippets of stories. However, I did find this to be an intriguing beginning. It did make me want to read more. If it had been the whole book, it might well have been a higher rating.

I have kindly been given an advance copy of the first chapter of the Emily Koch book What July Knew. The chapter has given a glimpse into the life of schoolgirl July who’s mother has supposedly died in a car crash. From her interaction with her sister and her need to keep her other family members happy July is clearly a kind child perhaps people pleaser? The fact that her father will not speak to her about her mother - to the point of physical violence - suggests initially there is more to this. Add to that her teacher’s insistence that July do her own investigating, cleverly under the guise of the class summer project and there’s definitely more to the missing mother tale than anyone is prepared to discuss with her daughter. This snippet of the book has not made me want to read this book. No, I have to read this. ASAP!

I really enjoyed this sample. It has definitely left wanting to know more, so I will be purchasing this book to complete once it is on sale.

Had I realised this was a sampler and not the full book I wouldn't have requested it. Unfortunately based on such a tiny part of the story I couldn't really say that I enjoyed the book

Very difficult to review a sample! But this was an interesting beginning to what promises to be a book worth reading.

Just a very small sample of the book, but it left me wanting to read more. Some 90s nostalgia and some mystery, definitely up my street.

Absolutely loved this sample and l can not wait to read the full-length novel. This is definitely going on my wish list for February! Pre-ordering this today!

I did not realise this was just a sample chapter, so unable to give a full review or rating. A little slow to start but hooked by the end of the chapter. Big fan of Emily Koch. Intrigued as to how story unfolds. If this had been a full ARC I am sure I would have been able to give a higher rating.

Why oh why does this have to be a sampler? I'm absolutely going to be buying this book because I want to know more. There is so many questions. How does the title connect to the book? What happened to July's mum?

Oh I want the rest of this book! I

What I read of this book I Enjoyed but as it was only a sample of chapters I don't feel I can give it a full honest review.

Well, I'm hooked. Roll on February because this book is brimming with personality and possibilities. Thanks for the taster. Now I'm ready for the main course...

Wow! What a page turner! How interesting and intriguing. Can't wait to read the full copy. I love a good mystery written in a compassionate way.

Samplers always leave me wanting more! This is a great introduction to the story, setting it up neatly before introducing the mystery. The writing is clear and easy to follow. I can't wait to read the rest of the story and find out what happens!

Thanks for the sneak peak… Didn’t realize it was just a preview of the book. Would love the actual book. But I’ll give it 5 starts for getting off to a good start!

Good luck ❤️

I was only provided with a sampler of this book to review, although I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait until it is published on 9th February 2023 so that I can read the whole novel!

It is set in 1995 (which is the year I left school!) and is about a 10 year old girl called July whose Mother died when she was a baby. She has been desperately trying to find out more about her Mum for the last 10 years but every time she does her Dad shuts her down.

Then, towards the end of term her teacher announces that she would like everyone to do a summer project researching into a family member that they don’t know much about. She suggests that July research into her mother, but due to her father’s volatile behaviour every time she raises the subject of her mother, she isn’t keen. Then she finds a note in her exercise book stating the her mother did NOT die in a car crash…..

I would like to thank Random House UK and NetGalley UK for providing me with an ARC (Advance Review Copy).

Chapter Sample-

Wow!

July is a young girl who lost her mother. Only when faced with a school project which is to write about a member of her family, does she uncover the truth about her mother. When discussing the theme of her project her teacher reveals an interesting fact.

Great writing from the start, I particularly enjoyed having reminders of key things from my childhood, the 'Millions' sweets, and recording Top 40 tapes on a Sunday afternoon.
The writing is descriptive and ensures you get totally lost within the book. After only reading a chapter, I am engrossed to find out more! Will definitely be reading on release!

An excellent sample of the chapter, I would be very interested in the full book to read and review. The book cover is eyecatching.

This is a dark and at times upsetting book to read about a young child being emotionally and sometimes physically abused by her father and when she is asked by her teacher to write a project on her dead mother she puts herself in more danger to get answers as no one will tell her anything about her mother or what happened to her and her memories of her mother are all confusing. This was a great read but may be triggering for some people