Member Reviews
I loved this! I felt so many emotions throughout the book and loved all the characters (except for one of course). Highly recommend!
I Really enjoyed reading this story about 3 women who all live in same town and whose children all attend the same prestigious private school. The three women sign up to work together to arrange the yearly gala for school. The women quickly becomes friends and help each other thru relationship and family drama that arises in all of their lives. They also discover that the school has been hiding a horrible secret that the women decide to expose. There was no huge plot twists but rather small plot twists throughout story. The ending was pretty predictable, however, I still enjoyed reading how everything played out. This story brought out various emotions in me and I can almost guarantee that as a woman you will most likely relate in some way with these characters. I am happy I was able to read this rich people domestic drama.
This hit me right in the heart. Fantastic story and I read straight through. Stayed up half the night to finish it!
Things We Never Say is a well written domestic thriller that centres around the lives of three seemingly different women—Anna, Maggie, and Rhea. When they are thrown together to plan their childrens' private school annual gala, friendships develop and a whole lot more besides!
All three women hide painful truths under the pretence of their seemingly successful and perfect lives and each character gradually reveals these as strong female bonds are forged over time.
The story is told from three different points of view and this works seamlessly from start to finish.
Great characters, plenty of scandal, thought provoking and suspenseful - I loved it!
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this book.
I recently finished Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver, and I found it to be a truly engaging read. The three protagonists, each with their own distinct personalities, formed a compelling and believable friendship. Weaver's writing style is both elegant and straightforward, making the narrative easy to follow and enjoyable to experience.
I was particularly intrigued by how the author handled the revelation of a significant secret. While some readers might question the character's decision to disclose such private information, Rhea's response is both compassionate and thought-provoking.
Each of the three women is well-developed and relatable, and their individual stories seamlessly intertwine to create a rich and satisfying plot. I loved them for different reasons and the novel's conclusion is both satisfying and thought-provoking.
Overall, Things We Never Say is a highly recommended read for anyone seeking a well-written and emotionally resonant novel. This was one of my favorite reads from Netgalley this year. Thank you for the book in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't really know what to expect going into this when I received this arc as I've never heard of the author and the synopsis didn't give much away. I really enjoyed this! It has a bit of everything: family drama, relationships, friendships, secrets, betrayal, scandal... It was like watching a movie! I do suggest being aware of domestic violence content though if that's an issue for you.
I enjoyed the writing in this. The characters all felt real and relatable and I couldn't wait to see where the story was going and what was going to happen with each of the storylines in the book. It's not a thriller necessarily, I'm not sure how I'd classify this one but it's definitely worth a read!
** I did not add this in my public review, but I do hope a more extensive edit will be done on this before it is published. There was a lot of incorrect word usage and mistakes in this arc, more than I've seen in any I've read so far. I know it is an advanced copy, so I am assuming this will be corrected before publication. **
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early! This was an entertaining read. The story was a slow build and the dialogue was a bit trite. After about halfway through, I couldn't stop reading. I was eager to see how everything turned out. The book reminded me of a Hallmark Channel Original Movie. It was enjoyable.
So many secrets to unwrap and the characters are very good at being deceptive. The female friendships that form feel realistic. The ending is utterly soul destroying.
"Things We Never Say" is my second Caitlin Weaver book, and it’s easily my favorite! It masterfully weaves together themes of marriage, school dynamics, relationships, and the messy sides of life—drama, family tensions, friendships, enemies, secrets, and more. The story centers on three moms who, after an almost accidental partnership following a PTA meeting, find themselves entangled in something far deeper than they ever expected.
At its core, this book revolves around a shocking secret that threatens not just their lives, but the entire school community. The multiple points of view allow each character’s voice to shine through, and what I love most is how relatable and flawed they all are—just like real life.
I can confidently say this book has solidified my status as a Caitlin Weaver fan! If you’re looking for an addicting, fun read, Things We Never Say is a perfect choice. Trust me, you won’t want to put it down—it’s the kind of story you can devour in a weekend!
Bonus: the witty, awkward moments scattered throughout make the book even more delightful.
Grab your copy today—you won't regret it!
Things We Never Say is a gripping exploration of motherhood, secrets, and the complexities of female friendships. Anna, Maggie, and Rhea may appear to lead picture-perfect lives, but as they bond over PTA projects and shared glasses of wine, their hidden struggles and secrets come to light. Weaver skillfully weaves their narratives together, revealing how the weight of unspoken truths can affect not just individual lives but also the fabric of their community. Each woman carries her own burden, and it’s Anna’s dark secret about her husband, the school headmaster, that brings the stakes to a heart-wrenching climax.
As the three mothers uncover a scandal that the school is desperate to keep hidden, the tension escalates, forcing Anna to confront her loyalties and the cost of exposing the truth. Weaver’s writing is both emotional and thought-provoking, capturing the intricate dynamics of motherhood and the steep price of maintaining a façade of perfection. Fans of Big Little Lies and Jodi Picoult will find much to love in this riveting tale of friendship, deception, and the courage it takes to stand up for what is right. This book will keep you turning pages long into the night!
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.
At first, I felt the story was a bit slow, but then I realized every chapter was a building block that left information and hints. There isn't unuseful information provided and there are so many little mysteries/scandals, it's hard to get bored.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book early!
I’m always one for thrillers and twists, and this book did not disappoint! Got housewives vibes with solid female relationships (say less, drama let’s go!).
It took me a couple chapters to get to connect to the main characters - but you won’t be disappointed with this satisfying ending! You won’t regret it!
Things We Never Say was such a good read! Anna, Maggie, and Rhea all have their own secrets, and when they start bonding over PA projects (and wine, of course), those secrets slowly come out. I was especially drawn to Anna’s storyline—it’s one of those where you feel the tension building and know something’s about to blow. The scandal they uncover at the school just ups the stakes. But honestly, it’s their friendship that pulled me in! They’re messy, complicated, and trying their best, and I loved that. If you’re into stories about female friendships, juicy secrets, and a bit of drama, this one is for you!!
This book was very emotional, I felt captivated and immersed right away. Seeing the secrets build and the characters dynamics was very intense.
My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Things We Never Say’ written by Caitlin Weaver in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Three women, Rhea, Maggie and Anna, are thrown together when they offer to help raise funds for the centennial gala at the prestigious Cavitas private school. As they form a bond over a glass of wine their friendship develops and they unexpectedly discover a scandal that’s been hidden for years and if revealed has the ability to destroy lives and reputations.
‘Things We Never Say’ is an emotional story of scandal, deception and friendship, concentrating on three women who are determined to right the wrongs that the rich in their society think they can get away with. From the beginning I’ve been deeply involved with these three strong-minded women, and especially feel empathy with Anna who is too scared to reveal that behind closed doors her husband gets away with physically abusive behaviour. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this gripping novel that starts slowly and gradually builds up to a crescendo as the truth comes to light and the three women emerge triumphant.
This felt just like Big Little Lies to me. Almost the exact same story, just missing some of the extra drama with some of the parents and the main issue is something different but everything else felt very similar. So if you enjoyed that book you’ll probably really enjoy this one as well.
This had a bit of a slower pace than I would have liked. I also didn’t get drawn in by the story and didn’t really care much for any of the characters. The ending also felt a bit overboard and dramatized for the situation but at least it had an ending and not a cliffhanger or left it up in the air of what the resolution was.
Overall, it was a good story just nothing overly great, unique or surprising! I also wish the chapters told you who’s POV you’d be reading from, that got a little confusing a few times throughout the book and there were so many characters, but that is just something I would have liked.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Storm Publishing via NetGalley.
This book takes readers into the seemingly perfect lives of three very different women, bound by their involvement in a school PTA project. On the surface, Anna, Maggie, and Rhea live enviable lives—Anna, the quiet and dutiful wife of the school headmaster; Maggie, a successful relationship therapist; and Rhea, the glamorous mother with a life of wealth. But beneath the surface, each woman is concealing a secret that could unravel everything they hold dear.
As they bond over wine and shared frustrations, the cracks in their facades start to show. Maggie is barely holding together her floundering marriage, Rhea’s troubled past threatens to upend her perfect image, and Anna is hiding the most shocking secret of all—one that could bring down her husband and the school. When the women uncover a scandal the school has been trying to hide, they are thrust into a dilemma with potentially devastating consequences.
This domestic psychological thriller is as much about the power of friendship as it is about the secrets we hide. Initially, Anna, Maggie, and Rhea seem like women with little in common, bound by societal expectations and their roles as mothers. Yet, as they come to confide in one another, their bond deepens, and they begin to rely on their new friendship to face the mounting tension in their lives. The development of this friendship is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the story, offering moments of emotional depth and solidarity amid the suspense.
The pacing is well-done, gradually building tension as the women's secrets begin to surface. The twists and turns are enough to keep readers engaged, while the character development adds emotional weight to the story. Each woman’s marriage is explored in detail, revealing the cracks behind their supposedly perfect relationships. Through multiple points of view, the novel does a brilliant job of highlighting how much of life is hidden beneath the surface.
The themes of facade and deception run throughout the book. It shows how easy it is to judge others based on outward appearances, but the truth is far more complicated than it seems. The novel explores how far people will go to protect their reputations and loved ones—and how the truth, once revealed, can change everything.
Despite their initial unlikability, the characters grow on you, and by the end, you’re rooting for each of them. Their friendship becomes a source of strength as they confront their personal challenges and the larger scandal that threatens to destroy their lives.
Readers will find an engaging blend of suspense, emotional depth, and social commentary on relationships and appearances. It's a compelling story about the power of secrets and the importance of friendship, making it a great choice for fans of domestic thrillers.
This is a very good book. Anna, Maggie and Rhea spend time together on a committee for the schools fundraiser. They are not happy about it, but do what needs to be done. Slowly they become friends and that’s when things really get going! I enjoyed this story and will definitely read more by this author!
Thank you NetGalley! I was drawn into the book quickly. But as I continued to read, I found myself not paying attention anymore. I wanted to finish it though ti find out what happened
This book was a bit out of my normal book comfort zone. The writing from each women’s point of view was appreciated, the short chapters also made this a super easy and fast read.
I loved the overall plot and how each woman had their own, unique hardship. My only disappointment was that I thought there would be this huge big scandal. There was a scandal but on top of all of the other scandalous plot lines it didn’t seem that big or major.
Overall a great into to the mystery/thriller genre!
*ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and truthful review.