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The Things We'll Never Have
Everleigh’s arrival in a small Italian town unearths a web of secrets, shame, and unexpected honor in this gripping blend of mystery and psychological drama.
Everleigh’s dreams are crushed when her fiancé disappears weeks before the wedding she was counting on to color her otherwise dull existence in 1964 London. Driven by a need for closure and armed with letters from Gualtiero’s family as clues, Everleigh travels to Italy, convinced that he has returned to his roots. But when the man everyone claims is Gualtiero walks in the room, she finds herself staring into the face of a stranger.
Everleigh’s quest is no longer to find out where her fiancé is, but who he is. Her search takes an enthralling twist as she forges alliances with two unlikely companions. Together, they peel back the layers of hidden truths to unearth shocking revelations that set them on a collision course and shatter the foundation of everything they believed about family… and even their own identities.
Winner of the Historical Fiction Company's “Highly Recommended” Award of Excellence, The Things We’ll Never Have is a gripping tale of kinship, broken trust, and self-discovery painted against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s Italy.
Everleigh’s dreams are crushed when her fiancé disappears weeks before the wedding she was counting on to color her otherwise dull existence in 1964 London. Driven by a need for closure and armed with letters from Gualtiero’s family as clues, Everleigh travels to Italy, convinced that he has returned to his roots. But when the man everyone claims is Gualtiero walks in the room, she finds herself staring into the face of a stranger.
Everleigh’s quest is no longer to find out where her fiancé is, but who he is. Her search takes an enthralling twist as she forges alliances with two unlikely companions. Together, they peel back the layers of hidden truths to unearth shocking revelations that set them on a collision course and shatter the foundation of everything they believed about family… and even their own identities.
Winner of the Historical Fiction Company's “Highly Recommended” Award of Excellence, The Things We’ll Never Have is a gripping tale of kinship, broken trust, and self-discovery painted against the vibrant backdrop of 1960s Italy.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2023
65 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 33 reviews
July 7, 2023
Everleigh (love the name), a typist in London, has one great thing in her life, her Italian fiancé. The day she wakes up to find him missing, she realizes she needs to travel to Italy to find out why. Once there, things are not what she expected. This was an elegant, well-written, thoughtful book with three unique and strong, in different ways, female heroes. The story unfold as each of the three main characters share her perspective on the story. The book was a page-turner and I loved all of the use of color and scenery in the book.
I know the author is not often involved in the selection of the cover, but this cover led me to believe the book was a mod romance set in the 60's. The popular cover showing the backs of women looking at the scenery would have depicted the book better.
This would be a great book club read, much to discuss. I received a free copy from Book Sirens.
I know the author is not often involved in the selection of the cover, but this cover led me to believe the book was a mod romance set in the 60's. The popular cover showing the backs of women looking at the scenery would have depicted the book better.
This would be a great book club read, much to discuss. I received a free copy from Book Sirens.
July 14, 2023
3.5⭐️
I wanted to like this story far more than I did. It seemed like an interesting premise, and the other reviews are so overwhelmingly positive. For me, though, it was quite slow and longer than I felt it need to be. And I struggled to connect with any of the characters, finding most rather flat, and Everleigh outright unlikeable. Perhaps I’m merely missing something. It’s well-written, but it wasn’t for me.
Thank you Hilary Hauck, Olive Rose Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
I wanted to like this story far more than I did. It seemed like an interesting premise, and the other reviews are so overwhelmingly positive. For me, though, it was quite slow and longer than I felt it need to be. And I struggled to connect with any of the characters, finding most rather flat, and Everleigh outright unlikeable. Perhaps I’m merely missing something. It’s well-written, but it wasn’t for me.
Thank you Hilary Hauck, Olive Rose Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 1, 2023
I enjoyed reading The Things We'll Never Have. It's a story about three women dealing with a very tragic loss. In a world where everyone lost so much (in Europe after WW II nothing is the same) losing someone special is extra difficult. But it's just the beginning. Because one needs to lose something to start looking. And when the main characters start a challenging but at the same time very rewarding adventure to find the truth, they learn that unity of the family and honesty are the key to their freedom. And that one finds what they look for at the right time and place.
I read this book at the right time in my life. I was deeply touched by fragments of the book about manipulations and lies used by nazis to keep people in check and made them do what was beneficial for the German army. And it was very interesting to read about all the small acts of rebellion and see their impact on the whole story. I also love the main characters and the differences in their personalities connected with their cultural heritage. I love how the author focused on different ways of expressing characters' emotions and how it lets me as the reader follow their spiritual journey to find who they are.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more books by Hilary Hauck!
I read this book at the right time in my life. I was deeply touched by fragments of the book about manipulations and lies used by nazis to keep people in check and made them do what was beneficial for the German army. And it was very interesting to read about all the small acts of rebellion and see their impact on the whole story. I also love the main characters and the differences in their personalities connected with their cultural heritage. I love how the author focused on different ways of expressing characters' emotions and how it lets me as the reader follow their spiritual journey to find who they are.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more books by Hilary Hauck!
July 6, 2023
In 1960s London, Everleigh is getting married to her Italian boyfriend, but Gualtiero disappears without explanation.
Travelling to Italy, Everleigh is determined to get some answers from her errant husband-to-be but has to locate him first.
Marta, a single mother, is shunned by the local community because she had a child out of wedlock.
Olivia, a young blind woman, struggles for independence and feels guilt at the loss of her brother.
These three women are connected by one man, the discovery of whom will change all their lives.
This was an interesting story, told from the points of view of all three women. The chapters are short and keep the story moving forward. The various threads eventually come together into a satisfactory resolution.
I enjoyed the setting and the way the narrative switched between the three women. Everleigh starts out as self-pitying and lacking in confidence but this changes dramatically as the story unfolds. All three women find their lives changed for the better.
Hilary Hauck is a new author to me and I would be happy to read more by her.
I received a review copy of this book for free via Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Travelling to Italy, Everleigh is determined to get some answers from her errant husband-to-be but has to locate him first.
Marta, a single mother, is shunned by the local community because she had a child out of wedlock.
Olivia, a young blind woman, struggles for independence and feels guilt at the loss of her brother.
These three women are connected by one man, the discovery of whom will change all their lives.
This was an interesting story, told from the points of view of all three women. The chapters are short and keep the story moving forward. The various threads eventually come together into a satisfactory resolution.
I enjoyed the setting and the way the narrative switched between the three women. Everleigh starts out as self-pitying and lacking in confidence but this changes dramatically as the story unfolds. All three women find their lives changed for the better.
Hilary Hauck is a new author to me and I would be happy to read more by her.
I received a review copy of this book for free via Booksirens, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 23, 2024
Loved this one. I kept thinking I knew where the story was going, and kept being surprised. The unexpected turns it took enriched the experience, and did not feel the least bit contrived.
Another positive indicator: because of other pressing priorities it took me a month to get from cover to cover on this one. Had to keep putting it on the shelf for days at a time, then read it in spurts, then back on the shelf. That's no commentary on the book, just on my research pressures. But I quickly learned that it was okay to put this one aside for a while because the story remained crystal-clear in my mind. This story is that memorable, and that tied together. I didn't have to backtrack to refresh my memory, and I didn't forget what was at stake.
I don't want to provide any spoilers, so I'll just indicate the inciting event. It's the 1960s, it's London, and Everleigh is engaged to an Italian fellow, and they have planned a honeymoon in Italy, to visit his family. She has heard all about the town and the family, and she's really looking forward to it. Then, days before the wedding, he disappears. Along with half the money they'd saved for the honeymoon. She thinks he absconded to Italy, and though she is not well off, she decides to go there and confront him. A novel ensues.
There will be two other young ladies in the story, once she gets to Italy, and it becomes a triple-character story. This choice intensifies, rather than dilutes, the story. Also enlivening the narration is the pacing -- the chapters are quite short, many are less than a page, and they end in a way that makes it hard to stop reading.
Hilary Hauck is a fellow Pennwriter (she was President of that fine organization for a while) and so of course I went to her author event at Mystery Lovers Book Shop in Oakmont. The problem with knowing so many authors is that you are happy to buy their books at book events, but you only rarely find the time to read them. It's usually a matter of reading whatever they wrote along with the autograph, and then a couple of early pages to see how they're doing, and then the books go to the unread shelf. In this case I expected to do the same, but her description of the book and the samples she read were so intriguing that I decided maybe I'd better just go ahead and read this one.
It was the correct choice. Not the type of story I read very often, but I found it engaging, touching (yes, there were misty eyes in this reader), and memorable.
A couple of writer's notes: This novel properly eschews the word "grimace" and it is written in narrative first-person present tense; meaning it is written the way a person would tell you a story in person. That version of present tense is ever-so-much-better than the literary version we see so much these days, which feels artificial. I expect most readers won't even be aware of the tense at all. A very clever and effective choice makes the swapping of first-persons seamless: Instead of numbers or titles, the title of each chapter is simply the first name of the POV character. Clear and simple.
Strongly recommended.
Another positive indicator: because of other pressing priorities it took me a month to get from cover to cover on this one. Had to keep putting it on the shelf for days at a time, then read it in spurts, then back on the shelf. That's no commentary on the book, just on my research pressures. But I quickly learned that it was okay to put this one aside for a while because the story remained crystal-clear in my mind. This story is that memorable, and that tied together. I didn't have to backtrack to refresh my memory, and I didn't forget what was at stake.
I don't want to provide any spoilers, so I'll just indicate the inciting event. It's the 1960s, it's London, and Everleigh is engaged to an Italian fellow, and they have planned a honeymoon in Italy, to visit his family. She has heard all about the town and the family, and she's really looking forward to it. Then, days before the wedding, he disappears. Along with half the money they'd saved for the honeymoon. She thinks he absconded to Italy, and though she is not well off, she decides to go there and confront him. A novel ensues.
There will be two other young ladies in the story, once she gets to Italy, and it becomes a triple-character story. This choice intensifies, rather than dilutes, the story. Also enlivening the narration is the pacing -- the chapters are quite short, many are less than a page, and they end in a way that makes it hard to stop reading.
Hilary Hauck is a fellow Pennwriter (she was President of that fine organization for a while) and so of course I went to her author event at Mystery Lovers Book Shop in Oakmont. The problem with knowing so many authors is that you are happy to buy their books at book events, but you only rarely find the time to read them. It's usually a matter of reading whatever they wrote along with the autograph, and then a couple of early pages to see how they're doing, and then the books go to the unread shelf. In this case I expected to do the same, but her description of the book and the samples she read were so intriguing that I decided maybe I'd better just go ahead and read this one.
It was the correct choice. Not the type of story I read very often, but I found it engaging, touching (yes, there were misty eyes in this reader), and memorable.
A couple of writer's notes: This novel properly eschews the word "grimace" and it is written in narrative first-person present tense; meaning it is written the way a person would tell you a story in person. That version of present tense is ever-so-much-better than the literary version we see so much these days, which feels artificial. I expect most readers won't even be aware of the tense at all. A very clever and effective choice makes the swapping of first-persons seamless: Instead of numbers or titles, the title of each chapter is simply the first name of the POV character. Clear and simple.
Strongly recommended.
June 24, 2023
If you (like me) think this book starts a bit slow... keep at it, this story is quite something! All those seemingly trivial encounters and anecdotes are woven into layers of social engagement, philosophizing about people being more worthy if they are not disabled. Lots of themes here.
I also appreciate the writing style with its beautiful descriptions, and characters wondering about their surroundings.
Thanks to Booksirens for a copy of the book.
I also appreciate the writing style with its beautiful descriptions, and characters wondering about their surroundings.
Thanks to Booksirens for a copy of the book.
July 10, 2023
It's been quite a while since I read a good woman & historical fictional book, and I picked up this book in the first place because of its story set in Italy in the year 1964. It's a love story mixed with mystery vibes where you keep on wondering why the hero of the story disappeared in the first place. The main character, Everleigh is bold to travel to Italy from London all by herself to find the truth and it's quite a shock to find out that things are not always what they've been seen. Readers will also get to know about Marta and Olivia and her colourless world as well as Olivia's family, and in the end, surprisingly, all of them are connected mysteriously. My fav of all is Marta as she shows her strengths most of the time despite being vulnerable at times. I'm happy that she chose to go to London for her own sake as well as for her son, Vittorio.
'...yet in my weariness, I settle for contemplating how odd it is that you don't notice the world around you. The everyday, the sights we take for granted. We regret yesterday and how we did things, we worry about tomorrow, but when we do we give time to today?'
~ Everleigh
Overall, I'm content with the story ends just like that.
#TheThingsWellNeverHave #NetGalley #Historical Fiction #Multicultural Interest #Women's Fiction
'...yet in my weariness, I settle for contemplating how odd it is that you don't notice the world around you. The everyday, the sights we take for granted. We regret yesterday and how we did things, we worry about tomorrow, but when we do we give time to today?'
~ Everleigh
Overall, I'm content with the story ends just like that.
#TheThingsWellNeverHave #NetGalley #Historical Fiction #Multicultural Interest #Women's Fiction
July 17, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Summary
Everleigh is a young woman from London whose fiancé has just disappeared. Marta is a woman who lives ostracized in Italy for having a son out of wedlock. Olivia is an Italian woman who took her place in death by saving her from a fall. These women come together as Everleigh comes to travel in the Italian city these women reside. Heartbreak, loss, clarity, truth, and a web of connection thread this 1960s story together and reveal how resilient and capable women are.
Big Picture Plot
A fiancé, reputation, and brother lost. Three women connect over their loses in an attempt to help one of them locate their lost fiancé.
Individual Character Musings
Everleigh: lost her father to the war when she was young, always striving to please her mother, and may have chosen a fiancé who distances himself a little too much. She immerses herself into a new culture, one of which she does not know the native tongue, and experiences immense character growth at the end of the novel.
Marta: Lost her reputation when she became with child five years ago by the brother of Olivia. She has been shunned to live on the outskirts of town and her son has been stolen of a family. She is stubborn and willing to sacrifice everything for her son. However, she also experiences a lot of character development throughout the story.
Olivia: She is a young woman who is blind and has managed to connect with the world around her while refusing to be tucked away from society like most blind girls of her time. However, when her brother died in a tragic accident when he was trying to save her, she lost the one person who taught her how to have sight without eyes. Throughout the book, her blinders are taken off and she is able to see the people around her for who they truly are, and not for who she built them up to be.
My Take
I really liked this book. I would 100% re-read it and I recommended it to a couple of people. I was able to figure out the plot by 10-20% in… but it didn’t ruin the book for me. The constant butting of heads and inflexible nature they all had was quite frustrating at first. However, I do recommend reading through as it appears Hauck meant for this, so that a big crescendo of an ending could occur. I do love how Hauck crafted these characters into their own beings and gave them an opportunity to grow into new versions of themselves and experience life. Great read!
Would I Recommend?
I would recommend this to most people, especially those that love Italy or historical fiction. This touted itself as a psychological thriller; however, I would say that for those who shy away from psychological thrillers, you would be safe to read this one… it is more of a mystery than a thriller.
Rating: 4 stars
Summary
Everleigh is a young woman from London whose fiancé has just disappeared. Marta is a woman who lives ostracized in Italy for having a son out of wedlock. Olivia is an Italian woman who took her place in death by saving her from a fall. These women come together as Everleigh comes to travel in the Italian city these women reside. Heartbreak, loss, clarity, truth, and a web of connection thread this 1960s story together and reveal how resilient and capable women are.
Big Picture Plot
A fiancé, reputation, and brother lost. Three women connect over their loses in an attempt to help one of them locate their lost fiancé.
Individual Character Musings
Everleigh: lost her father to the war when she was young, always striving to please her mother, and may have chosen a fiancé who distances himself a little too much. She immerses herself into a new culture, one of which she does not know the native tongue, and experiences immense character growth at the end of the novel.
Marta: Lost her reputation when she became with child five years ago by the brother of Olivia. She has been shunned to live on the outskirts of town and her son has been stolen of a family. She is stubborn and willing to sacrifice everything for her son. However, she also experiences a lot of character development throughout the story.
Olivia: She is a young woman who is blind and has managed to connect with the world around her while refusing to be tucked away from society like most blind girls of her time. However, when her brother died in a tragic accident when he was trying to save her, she lost the one person who taught her how to have sight without eyes. Throughout the book, her blinders are taken off and she is able to see the people around her for who they truly are, and not for who she built them up to be.
My Take
I really liked this book. I would 100% re-read it and I recommended it to a couple of people. I was able to figure out the plot by 10-20% in… but it didn’t ruin the book for me. The constant butting of heads and inflexible nature they all had was quite frustrating at first. However, I do recommend reading through as it appears Hauck meant for this, so that a big crescendo of an ending could occur. I do love how Hauck crafted these characters into their own beings and gave them an opportunity to grow into new versions of themselves and experience life. Great read!
Would I Recommend?
I would recommend this to most people, especially those that love Italy or historical fiction. This touted itself as a psychological thriller; however, I would say that for those who shy away from psychological thrillers, you would be safe to read this one… it is more of a mystery than a thriller.
Rating: 4 stars
July 9, 2023
I liked, but did not love, this story. I found some aspects of the ending a bit unresolved. It may be that the author wants to allow some mystery and not tie everything up perfectly, but I was frustrated by some of it. I loved learning more about the town of Vigevano and I was definitely intrigued by the journey to a small Italian town in the 1960s by a fairly sheltered British woman. However, I found the novel a bit long and the pace too slow. Marta was an important character but her actions were often puzzling and didn’t move the story along. The story is told through the voices of the three women, but the reader hears much from Olivia before we really understand how she connects to the other two. But I think that many readers will embrace this book, it just might not have been right for me at this time. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
July 11, 2023
In her latest novel, The Things We’ll Never Have, Hilary Hauck weaves an amazing tale of three women, each with their own difficulties, yet individually stronger than they realize. As the three become aware of how tangled their stories are, the reader is pulled right along the suspenseful storyline, rooting for each of them, wanting it all to work out alright. While a historical novel set in the early 1960s, the themes and interactions are relevant to now as much as then, making this an identifiable and relatable tale for anyone. Set in Italy and London, the author shows her prowess in guiding the reader to feel and visualize the setting. The story is told from the perspective of these three women who do not care to have been thrown together yet work like a team toward solving the mystery of their interconnectedness. Outstanding story. No wonder The Things We’ll Never Have is garnering awards and high praise. You don’t want to miss this one!
August 18, 2024
I'll start off by saying that I tend to gravitate more to speculative genres than historical fiction. Even though this isn't my usual kind of book, though, it had me invested from the jump and kept me turning the page the whole way through. It helped that Everleigh has such a lovely and strong narrative voice, one that I wanted to keep reading, from a character that made me want to root for her from page 1.
I loved the way the three POVs are used and balanced. I tend to skip over chapter headings, especially when I'm really into a book and just want to know what happens next, but I found I didn't need to read the names. The three viewpoint characters each have their own distinctive voice and way of perceiving the world, and getting to see the story unfold through all of their eyes was one of the main things that made this story such a joy to read.
I loved the way the three POVs are used and balanced. I tend to skip over chapter headings, especially when I'm really into a book and just want to know what happens next, but I found I didn't need to read the names. The three viewpoint characters each have their own distinctive voice and way of perceiving the world, and getting to see the story unfold through all of their eyes was one of the main things that made this story such a joy to read.
July 5, 2023
The Things We’ll Never Have was a gripping and thought-provoking page turner that transports you to both bustling cities and sleepy towns of Europe in the 1960s. I absolutely loved meeting the three protagonists, Everleigh, Marta, and Olivia, and exploring the world through their eyes (and other senses). Their experiences of trying to understand their world and people around them were both highly relatable and inspiring. The author brought a beautiful Italian town to life and made even the most ordinary of tasks, walking through the town square, into a magical sensory experience. I loved every minute and couldn’t wait to keep reading. Expect twists and turns, characters you won’t be able to get enough of, and the enchanting and lyrical writing that Hilary Hauck is known for. A must-read!
July 2, 2023
The Things We’ll Never Have by Hilary Hauck is a fantastic read and is one of the BEST books I have ever read with multiple points of view. In The Things We’ll Never Have, Hauck tells of three women whose stories become intertwined, and I was blown away by the author’s ability to bring each character's voice to life with expertise and ease. These characters became real for me! Add to the relatable characters with their relatable issues Hauck’s incredibly rich descriptions of the setting, and you’ve got one outstanding novel! This story has a most satisfying conclusion, and it lingers; it stays with me. I highly recommend The Things We’ll Never Have by Hilary Hauck.
August 25, 2023
EArc review:
When I started reading this book, I really enjoyed it and it was an engaging read for me. I was intrigued by how the plot would turn out especially that there has been a major mystery that needs to be solved and that we have 3 different woman narrators. I started to look forward into it becoming a feminist historical tale. However, I started to get bored on the second half of the book. The intriguing plot doesn't make up for the writing style and as I finished the book, I was not satisfied by how it ended. There are some redeeming moments in the ending but it doesn't make up for my overall experience of the book.
When I started reading this book, I really enjoyed it and it was an engaging read for me. I was intrigued by how the plot would turn out especially that there has been a major mystery that needs to be solved and that we have 3 different woman narrators. I started to look forward into it becoming a feminist historical tale. However, I started to get bored on the second half of the book. The intriguing plot doesn't make up for the writing style and as I finished the book, I was not satisfied by how it ended. There are some redeeming moments in the ending but it doesn't make up for my overall experience of the book.
May 23, 2024
I enjoyed this book very much. The descriptions brought to life what it must be like to experience rural Italy. It did take me a bit to warm to the characters, but as the story unfolded, I became engrossed in the three complex women who each added their viewpoints. I liked the way each chapter was begun with the name of the narrator of that particular segment. My favorite part of the book was when the three women worked together to solve a dangerous situation and averted what could have been a disaster. The ending was well-done and tied everything together. I think my favorite character was four-year-old Vittorio. He livened up the chaos of the world around him.
August 6, 2023
I received an ARC of Hilary Hauck's novel "The Things We'll Never Have" in exchange for an honest review and the following is my own opinion.
When Everleigh's Italian fiance, Gualtiero, disappears in 1960s London without a word before their wedding, she sets off to his village in Italy to try to find out what happened. Armed with only the letters she has taken from his desk, she tries to track down his family. The story is told through the voices of the three female characters ( the Englishwoman Everleigh and the two Italian women Marta, and Olivia). At first it was a little confusing because they seemed to be completely unrelated, although their voices felt quite similar. As the story unfolds their relationship to the lost fiance becomes clear and a tragic event that had occurred in the town years earlier is explained.
This was an interesting and well-written novel, and I was propelled to find out what had happened. However, I thought it could have been about 20-30% shorter.
When Everleigh's Italian fiance, Gualtiero, disappears in 1960s London without a word before their wedding, she sets off to his village in Italy to try to find out what happened. Armed with only the letters she has taken from his desk, she tries to track down his family. The story is told through the voices of the three female characters ( the Englishwoman Everleigh and the two Italian women Marta, and Olivia). At first it was a little confusing because they seemed to be completely unrelated, although their voices felt quite similar. As the story unfolds their relationship to the lost fiance becomes clear and a tragic event that had occurred in the town years earlier is explained.
This was an interesting and well-written novel, and I was propelled to find out what had happened. However, I thought it could have been about 20-30% shorter.
August 18, 2023
This book is a 4 star read for me.
The novel is not divided into chapters, rather by short narratives of the characters. It took a while for me to adjust to this, but after a while, I found it very effective in making the story more fast paced. It also shared the different characters' emotions and thoughts to events more instantaneousely. I also liked that the setting, London and Italy in the 1960s was well described. Overall., enjoyed reading this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.
The novel is not divided into chapters, rather by short narratives of the characters. It took a while for me to adjust to this, but after a while, I found it very effective in making the story more fast paced. It also shared the different characters' emotions and thoughts to events more instantaneousely. I also liked that the setting, London and Italy in the 1960s was well described. Overall., enjoyed reading this novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.
September 10, 2023
(I received a complimentary review copy of this novel from the author via BookSirens)
This story is compelling and kept me fully engaged, although it took me a while to warm up to the primary protagonist. The author writes beautifully in her descriptions of people and places, and I enjoyed the differences in the tone and internal dialogues from the three different narrators. The story really makes you think about how life events can affect individuals so differently, and emphasises the importance of empathy and considering perspectives different to your own.
This story is compelling and kept me fully engaged, although it took me a while to warm up to the primary protagonist. The author writes beautifully in her descriptions of people and places, and I enjoyed the differences in the tone and internal dialogues from the three different narrators. The story really makes you think about how life events can affect individuals so differently, and emphasises the importance of empathy and considering perspectives different to your own.
August 14, 2024
I listened to the audiobook of this book, but I record it as a regular book so that Goodreads records the pages more accurately.
A story set in the 1960s told by three different PO: two Italian women and one British woman who are all connected through one man. I was annoyed by the naivete of Everleigh at times, but then I have to remember that it was a different time. Her assumption that the people of the town are lying to her instead of thinking her fiancé has been the one lying is one example.
The audiobook is well-narrated and kept my interest.
A story set in the 1960s told by three different PO: two Italian women and one British woman who are all connected through one man. I was annoyed by the naivete of Everleigh at times, but then I have to remember that it was a different time. Her assumption that the people of the town are lying to her instead of thinking her fiancé has been the one lying is one example.
The audiobook is well-narrated and kept my interest.
July 7, 2023
A tale woven with artistic flair and the importance of connection. Hilary Hauck creates a layered story between three independent women in search of answers. The vivid colors and descriptions drew me in and made me want to travel to Vigevano to see the sites and get to know the women in real life. I was intrigued from the first page and enjoyed the voices and varied personalities of the characters.
July 24, 2024
Intriguing
It was a very interesting book. The lives of the 3 women was interesting but they also have a very intriguing bonded between them. It was amazing how the author brought these ladies together. Learned about how life in a small Italian village was like during & after WWII. I love the way that the author brought color in with new dimension into the book. Hoping For a sequel Because I like to know what happened with the women & the young boy In the book.
It was a very interesting book. The lives of the 3 women was interesting but they also have a very intriguing bonded between them. It was amazing how the author brought these ladies together. Learned about how life in a small Italian village was like during & after WWII. I love the way that the author brought color in with new dimension into the book. Hoping For a sequel Because I like to know what happened with the women & the young boy In the book.
June 10, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book. Each of the three main characters were interesting and you learned about them along the way. Fascinating premise for the story and very well told. I liked the ending to the story. I will be looking forward to reading other books by Hilary Hauck.
I received an ARC from the author thru BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC from the author thru BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 7, 2023
I give this book 3.5 stars. I liked this book, the story was interesting and unique and the characters and settings were entertaining. I wanted to hear more about all the people in the book and would totally read if there was a sequel even though I did enjoy how everything was wrapped up.
The only negative thing I would say is that I did not like the title. I kept forgetting what it was called and really could not relate how it tied into the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of the things we'll never have.
The only negative thing I would say is that I did not like the title. I kept forgetting what it was called and really could not relate how it tied into the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of the things we'll never have.
August 7, 2023
Good book. Interesting and well thought out. There were a few moments that were difficult for me to connect with (I think it's the difference in mentality of time frame and culture) but the majority of it was very relatable. Worthwhile read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 10, 2024
The Things We’ll Never Have is the story of Marta, Everleigh, and Olivia. Everleigh is engaged to one of her neighbors, who randomly disappears. She goes to Italy to find his family and try to find out what happened to him. She meets Marta and Olivia and their story continues. It was at times confusing, trying to figure out who was who and some had more than one name. 2 stars
June 19, 2023
I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the experiences they each have throughout this novel. Hilary writes beautifully and takes the reader on a journey so detailed. Well Done!!
June 29, 2023
This is a wonderful, unexpected tale told from the perspective of an unlikely heroine: an undiscovered and seemingly dull Everleigh. Loved the description of her journey and adventures. A great read!
July 26, 2023
Loved this ! Can definitely see this becoming a movie ! Very well written and engaging from beginning to end .
September 12, 2023
I liked this book. Although it took me a while to keep everyone straight, I found them all compelling characters. Everything was pulled together nicely in the end. A lot of maturing took place.
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