Member Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book early!
I really enjoyed this book. Normally I go for something with murder in it, but the secrets and lies in this held me captive. The author does a great job at helping you picture the three main characters. I think Rhea stood out to me most. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns! I am giving this book 4.5 stars, it was a doozy!
This was a wonderful book about three women who get paired up together to organize their childrens elite private schools gala. They seem to not have much in common at first glance but each has something to hide that could ruin their lives. I loved the friendship that developed between the three main characters. This book was full of twists and turns and I could not put it down! Will be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.
Caitlin Weaver’s Things We Never Say is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that peels back the layers of seemingly perfect suburban lives to reveal a web of secrets, lies, and simmering tensions. At its heart, this novel explores how far people are willing to go to protect their reputations and the facades they've carefully built, making it an enthralling read for fans of psychological suspense and domestic intrigue.
The story centers around Anna, Maggie, and Rhea—three women who, on the surface, appear to lead picture-perfect lives. Anna, the quiet and reserved mother, stands out as the most enigmatic. While she plays the role of a supportive wife to her husband, the headmaster of a prestigious school, her silence hides a much darker reality. Anna’s character is carefully constructed, and her arc throughout the book is one of gradual unraveling as she grapples with the secrets she’s held for so long. What makes Anna compelling is the tension between her desire to protect her family and the growing pressure to expose the truth, especially as the school scandal comes to light.
Maggie and Rhea serve as excellent foils to Anna’s character, each with their own burdens. Maggie, a relationship therapist who ironically struggles with her own crumbling marriage, embodies the theme of outward appearances versus inner turmoil. Her journey is one of confronting the disconnect between her professional life and personal reality, and her vulnerability makes her both relatable and sympathetic. Rhea, on the other hand, exudes wealth and confidence, but her troubled past lingers just beneath the surface, threatening to destroy her well-crafted image. The dynamics between these three women are one of the novel’s greatest strengths, as Weaver skillfully portrays the complexities of female friendship, loyalty, and betrayal.
The plot takes a thrilling turn when the women stumble upon a deeply buried scandal at the school. This discovery sets off a chain reaction that threatens to topple not just their own lives, but the entire community’s sense of normalcy. Weaver builds tension masterfully, with each chapter adding new layers of suspense as the women delve deeper into the school’s secrets. The pacing is relentless, and the stakes are raised with every new revelation, pulling readers into a high-stakes mystery that keeps them guessing until the very end.
What sets Things We Never Say apart from other thrillers is the emotional depth of its characters. Anna’s internal conflict, in particular, adds a layer of psychological complexity to the narrative. She is not just navigating the external crisis of the scandal but also confronting the moral dilemma of whether to reveal the truth and risk everything or continue living a lie. This moral ambiguity is at the heart of the novel, making readers question what they would do in her position.
Weaver also touches on themes of power, privilege, and societal pressure. The school’s centennial gala serves as a symbolic backdrop to the story, representing the elite world the women inhabit and the expectations that come with it. As the gala approaches, the tension mounts, and Anna’s decision becomes even more urgent. Will she expose the truth and risk destroying her family’s reputation, or will she continue to protect her husband at the expense of her own integrity?
Things We Never Say is a thought-provoking and intense thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy intricate character studies set against a backdrop of suspense. Caitlin Weaver deftly weaves together themes of deception, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. With strong, multi-dimensional female protagonists and a plot filled with twists and turns, this novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what will happen next. Fans of psychological thrillers and domestic dramas won’t be able to put this one down.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a super fast paced and quick read for me.
I thought the character development was excellent and I found myself cheering for certain characters and very invested in the story.
I did find some of the plot twists a bit predictable, but it did wrap up nicely with a satisfactory ending.
I would highly recommend this one !
I love stories about strong women who stand up for themselves. At the start the 3 women in this book, Anna, Maggie and Rhea don't really stand up for themselves, but by the end they most certainly do! Thrown together on a committee not really knowing each other, they form a bond that cannot be broken. My heart went out to Anna, I won't say why since it would give away part of the story. I could not put the book down, I needed to find out what happened next. Great weekend read just make sure you have free time to read it - you won't want to put it down!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
Three different women, three different issues, Anna, Rhea, and Maggie come together over a Pta project for their kids expensive private school.
There's scandal, swindling, family drama, and abuse, but through it all, the three women develop a friendship, offering support and courage to do what's right.
Well written, fast-paced, and sometimes sad, this was a good read.
#netgalley #ThingsWeNeverSay
Another amazing novel by Caitlin Weaver! An incredible story with excellent characters and a great plot!! Loved the ending!!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Things We Never Say
By: Caitlin Weaver
4 Stars
3 moms from 3 different walks of life Rhea, Anna, and Maggie find themselves on a school committee together when a secret scandal pops up at their private school. Anna, the headmasters wife, has her own secrets she is trying to hide from her husband and the others. Maggie and Rhea battle work and personal life things when the school scandal adds to their busy schedules. These moms find themselves drawn together by the scandal and equally hectic lives. Soon, forming friendships and changing their lives.
This story was filled with drama and secrets around every turn. Each mom has their own set of secrets, and so it was almost like getting different stories that converge with a major scandal. The scandal ties them together in a way they never would have been brought together before and turns out to be the saving grace for them all. This was a fast-paced story with a very eclectic and captivating cast of charaters. It was exciting to see the drama unfold and secrets come to light in the ways they did, and I loved the ending.
*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*
Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review
This easy to read novel explores how personal secrets impact the lives of three women. Rhea, Maggie, and Anna as they hope to protect themselves and their families. I found my interest flagging the first half of the book as it was a slow set up, but the second half went much faster as secrets were shared, the scandal uncovered, and fallout began. I was expecting this to be more of a mystery/thriller based on the publisher tag, but it was really a book about women finding their freedom through facing their truths. A good story for what it was, but lacking the depth and twists I was looking for.
Thank you to Storm Publishing, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this novel.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC copy.
4.5 ⭐️
This is such a good Domestic Thriller, I really enjoyed this to the point I binge read 90% of the book in just a few hours. It started off a little bit slower then I usually like my thrillers but it kept me engaged the entire time. I really like the friendship of the Ladies by the end of this book and will 100% be reading any future books from Caitlin Weaver.
I love a good domestic thriller that weaves multiple storylines together into one. I found myself enjoying all three main characters and their stories. It didn't have a huge wow factor, but definitely met my expectations for what a good domestic thriller should include. This is the first novel I have read of Caitlin Weaver's and I look forward to reading more in the future! A solid 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an ARC of this novel.
Three moms find themselves working closely together on a project for the PTA, finding an unexpected friendship between them. But, these women each have their secrets… and those secrets are about to come out…
Against the backdrop of a prestigious private school their children all attend, Anna, Rhea, and Maggie find confidants in one another just as their worlds are each falling apart. Anna, the wife of the headmaster, is hiding a terrifying home life. Rhea has a picture perfect life on the outside but a secret from her past could shake everything up. Maggie is dealing with the increasing fear that her husband is having an affair.
When they collectively stumble upon a scandal that proves corruption in the school, they are determined to uncover the truth and tell it to the world.
I REALLY enjoyed this one! I loved each of these women because of their strength and their flaws simultaneously. The bond they find was a great addition to the twisting mystery we follow.
4.5 stars!
Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in return for an honest review.
Things we never say was such a gripping, fast-paced book following the lives of three mothers tackling various issues within their lives, joined together to uncover a scandal.
The way Weaver portrayed the different situations and real life problems was done so well and really made me feel for the characters and their situations.
The writing, as mentioned, was fast-paced and engaging. I flew through this book and was so interested in seeing how the plot progressed.
It was very touching to see how the three main characters developed over the course of the book and how their friendship grew, making for a wholesome feeling to balance the intense topics featured.
I would definitely recommend this as I really enjoyed it and would be more than willing to read another from Weaver!
However, I would recommend checking trigger warnings, particularly for one aspect of the storyline.
The emotions this book made me feel is nothing short of outstanding! From pure rage to devastation and everything inbetween! I always think it’s a fine skill for an author to detest a character and that’s certainly how I felt about one (no spoilers)
My first read by this author and certainly not the last.
Things we never say is the story of 3 mums who on the surface you would think lead the perfect lives, however each has their secrets,
I was captivated and I would recommend this to all!
I devoured this book, absolutely loved it. It had multiple things I love: a swanky private school, women coming together to figure out a mystery, domestic suspense storylines in multiple households, etc. If I would have had the time, I could have read it within one day.
Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver
Things We Never Say is an emotionally charged domestic thriller that delves into the lives of three seemingly different women—Anna, Maggie, and Rhea. Each is hiding a secret that could upend their worlds, and as they come together to plan their children’s private school’s centennial gala, their lives begin to unravel in ways they never expected.
Anna, the quiet mother with the perfect headmaster husband, harbors the darkest secret of all, concealing the reality of her troubled home life. Maggie, a relationship therapist struggling with her own crumbling marriage, and Rhea, who hides a tumultuous past beneath her glamorous exterior, round out the trio. Together, they uncover a scandal that threatens to shake the very foundation of their lives and the school community. The suspense builds as they must decide how much they are willing to risk to expose the truth.
What I loved most about this book was the development of the friendship between Anna, Maggie, and Rhea. Initially, these women seem to have little in common, their interactions tinged with disdain and preconceived notions. But as they spend more time together, their bond deepens, and they form a genuine friendship based on trust and shared vulnerability. The fact that these women had no close friends before adds an extra layer of poignancy to their growing connection. Each of their secrets has the power to devastate their lives, but their newfound bond becomes a source of strength as they face their challenges together.
The suspense throughout is well-crafted, with highs and lows that kept me engrossed in the lives of these three women. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like them, but by the end, I was rooting for each of them. I particularly enjoyed how the novel explored the dynamics of their marriages and relationships—each unique, with different power plays and dynamics at work. The story shows that behind the facade of perfection, everyone has something they're struggling with, and you never really know what’s going on in someone’s life.
The multiple points of view worked brilliantly to highlight the complexity of their lives and how things are rarely what they seem from the outside. The situations felt real and believable, which made the stakes feel all the higher. This is a story about facades, friendship, and the power of uncovering the truth.
As someone who believes in finding true friendship in unexpected places, Things We Never Say resonated deeply with me. I felt like I was right there with these women, experiencing their stress, emotions, and joys. Caitlin Weaver has crafted a compelling, heartwarming, and suspenseful story, and I look forward to reading more from her.
Thank you to Storm Publisher, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a good read. The story was easy to follow, the pacing just right and had a good cast of characters. Overall a good novel that I would recommend to other readers.
❤️ Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! This story literally had me in tears. It was suspenseful from the very beginning and only got better as the story progressed. The characters were so likeable and I related to all of them. Amazing story!
This book follows three very different PTA moms who have children at a very prestigious private school. Anna is the very quiet wife of the headmaster of the school who keeps to herself. Maggie is a therapist struggling in her marriage. Rhea appears to be the stereotypical popular head of the PTA. By chance they are thrown together to work on a fundraising project for the PTA. None of them are excited to be working on the project together. As they continue meet, they discover they have more in common than they think and all are struggling to keep their lives from falling apart. As an added twist, the women accidentally uncover that things at the school aren’t as they should be. This book was a little slow for me to start, but as the story unfolded, I had a hard time putting it down. You absolutely must read this to see if the women expose the scandalous behavior at the school, if their marriages can survive, and more importantly if they can survive. Just when you think you know what’s coming next, the author throws in another curve ball. An overall great read!
Caitlyn Weaver is such a master of character driven storytelling. Each of rhe characters were fully developed and itheur stories intricately woven together. I loved the friendship that developed between the three mothers and the unraveling of their secrets kept me quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next. Highly recommend! I can't wait to read her other novels.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC. I thoroughly enjoyed it.