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I'll Tell You Everything
When her estranged daughter asks to hear the one story she doesn’t want to tell, a woman spins lie after lie to protect her perfect life in this gripping novel.
Amy Linden has a loving husband, an adorable son, and a glamorous career as the hotelier of a grand mountain lodge. Then Ramona Crawford, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years earlier, pays her a surprise visit. Ramona wants to know the identity of her biological father—and Amy completely understands. There’s just one the truth would destroy Amy’s carefully curated life.
Amy shares a sad tale about a teenage romance with a boy named Freddy and the painful decision to give Ramona a better future than they could provide. At first, the pieces fit together and give Ramona both closure and a chance to get to know her odd but charming mother. But then Ramona gets a different story from Freddy, and Amy’s memories seem to change…and change again.
Will Amy ever reveal the full story of that fateful summer at the lodge? And if so, can Ramona live with the truth?
Amy Linden has a loving husband, an adorable son, and a glamorous career as the hotelier of a grand mountain lodge. Then Ramona Crawford, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years earlier, pays her a surprise visit. Ramona wants to know the identity of her biological father—and Amy completely understands. There’s just one the truth would destroy Amy’s carefully curated life.
Amy shares a sad tale about a teenage romance with a boy named Freddy and the painful decision to give Ramona a better future than they could provide. At first, the pieces fit together and give Ramona both closure and a chance to get to know her odd but charming mother. But then Ramona gets a different story from Freddy, and Amy’s memories seem to change…and change again.
Will Amy ever reveal the full story of that fateful summer at the lodge? And if so, can Ramona live with the truth?
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2025
566 people are currently reading
8921 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Kelley
4 books131 followersRebecca Kelley is a fiction writer from Portland, Oregon. Her first novel, Broken Homes & Gardens, was published in 2015. She also co-authored The Eco-nomical Baby Guide with Joy Hatch. When Rebecca isn’t writing, she is conducting elaborate baking experiments, designing book covers, and keeping up her thousand-plus-day streak in Duolingo. Find her at www.rebeccakelleywrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
October 25, 2024
3.5 stars.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with this ARC. I really appreciate the opportunity.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story—it had that perfect, cozy atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re right there. I could easily imagine myself curled up in a warm lodge, holding a cup of hot chocolate, with a breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains and a serene lake stretching out below. Maybe even catching sight of a bear wandering in the distance. It was that vivid. The whole vibe felt so comforting and immersive.
The story itself was incredibly hard to put down. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, making me eager to peel back more layers of the mystery. It kept me hooked right to the end. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to get lost in for a while, and I genuinely enjoyed it.
However, I do think it's the kind of story I’ll forget after some time. It didn’t leave a lasting impact on me, and I don’t typically give 4 or 5 stars unless a book really sticks in my head. But I can’t deny how much I loved the characters and the overall feel of the story. They fit perfectly with that cozy, inviting setting.
If you’re in the mood for a fast, cozy read that takes you out of the real world for a little while, this is a great pick. It might not be a story that stays with me forever, but it was definitely a lovely escape while it lasted.
Thank you to the publisher and author for providing me with this ARC. I really appreciate the opportunity.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story—it had that perfect, cozy atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re right there. I could easily imagine myself curled up in a warm lodge, holding a cup of hot chocolate, with a breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains and a serene lake stretching out below. Maybe even catching sight of a bear wandering in the distance. It was that vivid. The whole vibe felt so comforting and immersive.
The story itself was incredibly hard to put down. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, making me eager to peel back more layers of the mystery. It kept me hooked right to the end. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to get lost in for a while, and I genuinely enjoyed it.
However, I do think it's the kind of story I’ll forget after some time. It didn’t leave a lasting impact on me, and I don’t typically give 4 or 5 stars unless a book really sticks in my head. But I can’t deny how much I loved the characters and the overall feel of the story. They fit perfectly with that cozy, inviting setting.
If you’re in the mood for a fast, cozy read that takes you out of the real world for a little while, this is a great pick. It might not be a story that stays with me forever, but it was definitely a lovely escape while it lasted.
January 14, 2025
I’LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING is the perfect title for this book. When Ramona meets her birth mother, Amy, she wants answers as to why she was put up for adoption. As she presses for answers, Amy's secrets come out about her past and Ramona discovers a lot about her mother and her father. I couldn't wait to know the secrets that Amy was hiding and boy were they good. Overall, I would recommend this to those who enjoy family dynamics, love, and a little bit of mystery. I really enjoyed this one!
Many thanks to the author for my gifted copy.
Many thanks to the author for my gifted copy.
November 21, 2024
Special thanks to the author and NetGalley for the free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 14, 2024
Amy Linden has worked hard to get where she is, a successful hotelier, managing the hotel she co-owns with her handsome husband, Jonathan. With their young son, Gabe, Amy is living the life she has dreamed of since she was a young girl, when she worked in the kitchen of a local resort. But then Ramona shows up and claims she’s the daughter Amy gave up for adoption twenty years ago. Amy has kept Ramona, and the story of her adoption, a secret for so long, she isn’t sure if she’s ready to spill it. But Ramona keeps pushing and Amy knows that Ramona has a right to know where she came from- but at what cost?
“I'll Tell You Everything “is the second novel I’ve read by novelist Rebecca Kelley. Her first novel, “No One Knows Us Here” earned a five-star review from me, and I was more than excited to be given the chance to see if her new novel would live up to the hype.
The novel is co-narrated by both Amy and Ramona. Although it is in the modern time period, some of Amy’s portions are told through recollections by Amy on her past, allowing readers to get the full story as she slowly reveals her secret past to Ramona. Amy was a single parent, trying to make her way up in the hotel management world, who gave away her daughter in order to pursue her aspirations. Ramona is a young woman, trying to find out who she is after her adoptive mother is diagnosed with cancer. For some reason, I did not like Ramona as a character. She seemed vindictive and manipulative, desperate to find out Amy’s story and then, after begging and pleading for the truth, she shuns Amy as a result of consequences she coerced Amy into taking. That being said, she did not put me off the story, and I was captivated by the engaging plot.
The secluded, rural setting of Amy’s hotel is the perfect escape, and I loved the picture Kelley painted of the picturesque scenery. The plot flowed well, but the story was more women’s fiction or mystery than a domestic suspense or psychological thriller, which “No One Knows” definitely was. Once I accepted the change in genre, I was able to get into this novel and feel more connected to the plot and characters.
The best part of “Everything” is the ending. Kelley draws the novel to a succinct and satisfying conclusion and then throws a final (and, in my opinion, the best) twist into the last few pages. I had different expectations of what this novel was going to be, but I was able to enjoy it all the same. Thanks to Kelley for providing me with her newest novel to enjoy.
Expected publication date: Jan. 14, 2024
Amy Linden has worked hard to get where she is, a successful hotelier, managing the hotel she co-owns with her handsome husband, Jonathan. With their young son, Gabe, Amy is living the life she has dreamed of since she was a young girl, when she worked in the kitchen of a local resort. But then Ramona shows up and claims she’s the daughter Amy gave up for adoption twenty years ago. Amy has kept Ramona, and the story of her adoption, a secret for so long, she isn’t sure if she’s ready to spill it. But Ramona keeps pushing and Amy knows that Ramona has a right to know where she came from- but at what cost?
“I'll Tell You Everything “is the second novel I’ve read by novelist Rebecca Kelley. Her first novel, “No One Knows Us Here” earned a five-star review from me, and I was more than excited to be given the chance to see if her new novel would live up to the hype.
The novel is co-narrated by both Amy and Ramona. Although it is in the modern time period, some of Amy’s portions are told through recollections by Amy on her past, allowing readers to get the full story as she slowly reveals her secret past to Ramona. Amy was a single parent, trying to make her way up in the hotel management world, who gave away her daughter in order to pursue her aspirations. Ramona is a young woman, trying to find out who she is after her adoptive mother is diagnosed with cancer. For some reason, I did not like Ramona as a character. She seemed vindictive and manipulative, desperate to find out Amy’s story and then, after begging and pleading for the truth, she shuns Amy as a result of consequences she coerced Amy into taking. That being said, she did not put me off the story, and I was captivated by the engaging plot.
The secluded, rural setting of Amy’s hotel is the perfect escape, and I loved the picture Kelley painted of the picturesque scenery. The plot flowed well, but the story was more women’s fiction or mystery than a domestic suspense or psychological thriller, which “No One Knows” definitely was. Once I accepted the change in genre, I was able to get into this novel and feel more connected to the plot and characters.
The best part of “Everything” is the ending. Kelley draws the novel to a succinct and satisfying conclusion and then throws a final (and, in my opinion, the best) twist into the last few pages. I had different expectations of what this novel was going to be, but I was able to enjoy it all the same. Thanks to Kelley for providing me with her newest novel to enjoy.
September 3, 2024
This is a simple story with really only 4 characters. Ramona comes to visit her birth mother, Amy. Ramona wants to know the story of how she came to be conceived and later adopted. Amy is now a married mother working in the hospitality industry, her husband (who is kind of a non-character) doesn’t know that his wife placed a child for adoption 25 years earlier. Amy tells Ramona the story, but keeps adding different details and misdirections to the story as time goes on. Eventually Amy tells Ramona everything that happened during the summer of 1997, and the two boys she dated, Freddie and Cory.
This may have worked better as a short story or novella, there wasn’t a lot of plot, dialogue, or characterization. The ending was probably supposed to be dramatic, but something that seemed a bit obvious from the beginning. Unfortunately I just didn’t feel the suspense and I had really ambivalent feelings towards the characters; neither strongly likable not unlikable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union publishers for the ARC. Book to be published January 13, 2025.
This may have worked better as a short story or novella, there wasn’t a lot of plot, dialogue, or characterization. The ending was probably supposed to be dramatic, but something that seemed a bit obvious from the beginning. Unfortunately I just didn’t feel the suspense and I had really ambivalent feelings towards the characters; neither strongly likable not unlikable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union publishers for the ARC. Book to be published January 13, 2025.
December 8, 2024
This was a tough one to get through… but I did finish it. It felt like it was dragging on and on… while it was definitely not for me, I still recommend everyone read and determine on their own that the story isn’t for them.
January 12, 2025
I received this audiobook ARC from the publisher, Brilliance Audio, and Net Galley, in return for my honest review. This story takes place in current time with flashbacks of Amy’s.
The story is about a 20 year old woman, Ramona Crawford, who has finally located and is in touch with her biological mother, Amy Linden, who gave Ramona up for adoption as a baby.
Amy is now a successful hotelier of an esteemed mountain lodge, with a husband and young son who know nothing of Ramona. But Amy invites Ramona to meet her at the Lodge, where Amy drinks freely and often.
Ramona wants to know her own story, Amy’s background, and the identity of her bio father. Amy is holding back a lot of info and most of what she says cannot be trusted. She pretends to give Ramona the name of her bio father, Freddy. Hence a long and disappointing wild goose chase story. Ramona is no dummy and she doesn’t suffer fools, and she’s hurt and annoyed with Amy’s lies.
Had this not been a “gifted ARC”, I would’ve stopped reading it within the first quarter of the book. Amy is so juvenile in antics and speech that it’s similar to a novel written for high school kids. Sappy in some parts, ludicrous in others, the language is slow and tedious. It’s obvious it’s going to lead to the why’s, but not only can Ramona not stand it anymore, neither could I.
The storyline didn’t work as a thriller or suspenseful novel because of how draining the bio-Mom is in her exhaustive stories, exaggerations, and immature behavior.
The one person to possibly admire is Ramona and yet we can’t fully appreciate her for seeing through all of Amy’s deceit and stories bc…..we find out that Ramona skipped her loving, adoptive dad’s funeral while she was on this bio journey, then we find out her loving adoptive Mom has cancer, and her only brother, younger than she, is and has been caring for them while Ramona is gone.
I try hard not to leave poor reviews knowing how much heart and soul authors pour into their work, but I hope someone leads this author in a new and fresh direction with classier and more dignified women.
The story is about a 20 year old woman, Ramona Crawford, who has finally located and is in touch with her biological mother, Amy Linden, who gave Ramona up for adoption as a baby.
Amy is now a successful hotelier of an esteemed mountain lodge, with a husband and young son who know nothing of Ramona. But Amy invites Ramona to meet her at the Lodge, where Amy drinks freely and often.
Ramona wants to know her own story, Amy’s background, and the identity of her bio father. Amy is holding back a lot of info and most of what she says cannot be trusted. She pretends to give Ramona the name of her bio father, Freddy. Hence a long and disappointing wild goose chase story. Ramona is no dummy and she doesn’t suffer fools, and she’s hurt and annoyed with Amy’s lies.
Had this not been a “gifted ARC”, I would’ve stopped reading it within the first quarter of the book. Amy is so juvenile in antics and speech that it’s similar to a novel written for high school kids. Sappy in some parts, ludicrous in others, the language is slow and tedious. It’s obvious it’s going to lead to the why’s, but not only can Ramona not stand it anymore, neither could I.
The storyline didn’t work as a thriller or suspenseful novel because of how draining the bio-Mom is in her exhaustive stories, exaggerations, and immature behavior.
The one person to possibly admire is Ramona and yet we can’t fully appreciate her for seeing through all of Amy’s deceit and stories bc…..we find out that Ramona skipped her loving, adoptive dad’s funeral while she was on this bio journey, then we find out her loving adoptive Mom has cancer, and her only brother, younger than she, is and has been caring for them while Ramona is gone.
I try hard not to leave poor reviews knowing how much heart and soul authors pour into their work, but I hope someone leads this author in a new and fresh direction with classier and more dignified women.
January 4, 2025
I would like to thank NetGalley, Rebecca Kelley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
4⭐ - my first read of 2025 and what a story! Ramona recently finds out she was adopted and reaches out to her bio mom Amy wanting more answers about her and her father. Now that Amy is well off with a rich husband and a son - it's the least she can do for Ramona, right?
Amy tells the daughter she gave up for adoption a perfect tale of her and Freddy Bennison, a biracial guy she had a fling with. There's only one problem, Amy and Ramona are white, therefore Freddy couldn't be Ramona's father.
But then who IS Ramona's bio dad? Is he still alive? Does he know about her? Will Amy finally tell the truth?
Such a great read with unreliable narrators, the story was easy to follow although I found Amy super annoying and a bit weird.
This was the first time reading a book of Ms. Kelley, but I'll definitely check out some of her other books.
I'll Tell You Everything is out on January 14th!
4⭐ - my first read of 2025 and what a story! Ramona recently finds out she was adopted and reaches out to her bio mom Amy wanting more answers about her and her father. Now that Amy is well off with a rich husband and a son - it's the least she can do for Ramona, right?
Amy tells the daughter she gave up for adoption a perfect tale of her and Freddy Bennison, a biracial guy she had a fling with. There's only one problem, Amy and Ramona are white, therefore Freddy couldn't be Ramona's father.
But then who IS Ramona's bio dad? Is he still alive? Does he know about her? Will Amy finally tell the truth?
Such a great read with unreliable narrators, the story was easy to follow although I found Amy super annoying and a bit weird.
This was the first time reading a book of Ms. Kelley, but I'll definitely check out some of her other books.
I'll Tell You Everything is out on January 14th!
January 19, 2025
This is told in alternating viewpoints, you hear from both Amy and Ramona as Ramona tries desperately to reconnect with her birth mother and get answers about her past. There was definitely an emotional component here, I truly felt awful for Ramona and the author did a good job at showing how not knowing about her history really affected her life. I especially felt bad for when she was trying to deal with Amy, she was such a frustrating character! You figure out very early on that Amy has issues being truthful and sometimes she wouldn’t give Ramona a straight answer and others she would answer with a half truth or a total lie. As annoying as this would be in real life it sure made for a fun reading experience because I was never sure what would come out of her mouth next and it led to a bunch of twists and turns. The setting added a layer of mystery and intrigue to the story and it paired well with the domestic drama. It’s also a fairly short read that you can get through quickly, I raced to the end to get to the truth and I was satisfied in the end.
May 16, 2025
This book was something! The MC Amy Linden was a trip. Every time I thought ok this time, it's it, it never was. Amy takes you round and round, but it really worked for this story. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even more than I originally thought I would. It was a pleasant surprise!
December 20, 2024
I loved No One Knows Us Here so I was so excited when Rebecca asked me to read this! I love a story with two POVs. Lots of the story was told through memories and past recollections from Amy. I enjoyed the rural hotel setting and thought it made a perfect location for the story.
Although NOKUS was a thriller, this one seemed more of a domestic drama. Not a bad thing, just different. I enjoyed the ending most and the final reveal. I flew through it and it made a nice escape.
Although NOKUS was a thriller, this one seemed more of a domestic drama. Not a bad thing, just different. I enjoyed the ending most and the final reveal. I flew through it and it made a nice escape.
January 1, 2025
This book was long for no reason at all!
You have a girl who was adopted and trying to find where she came from! You have her birth mom! She finds her, both of them were annoying! The stories going back and forth, back and forth! Gosh! Like get to the POINT!! Then at the end she didn't WANNA HEAR IT! ugh!! Just 😑
The book was just annoying as all get out!! Felt bad for Cory he didn't deserve that! But these 2 ladies was just ugh! And this mad the story drag but you also wanted to know the Truth so you keep reading and keep reading thinking it will get better but it in fact didn't get better! AT ALLLLLLL!
You have a girl who was adopted and trying to find where she came from! You have her birth mom! She finds her, both of them were annoying! The stories going back and forth, back and forth! Gosh! Like get to the POINT!! Then at the end she didn't WANNA HEAR IT! ugh!! Just 😑
The book was just annoying as all get out!! Felt bad for Cory he didn't deserve that! But these 2 ladies was just ugh! And this mad the story drag but you also wanted to know the Truth so you keep reading and keep reading thinking it will get better but it in fact didn't get better! AT ALLLLLLL!
September 26, 2024
3 stars for this book. An adopted girl who wants to learn more about where she came from and gets more then she bargained for. I wasn’t a big fan of the main character. She was so flighty and told Ramona more than she needed or wanted to know.
January 30, 2025
Told alternately between the points of view of Amy Linden and Ramona Crawford, this book was difficult to review for several reasons. Firstly because I didn't care for either of these women, despite their story being a fascinating, though devastating one.
Amy is happily married and the mother to a young son. She is a successful hotelier, a career she has aspired to her entire life.
Ramona is a twenty year old woman whose adopted mother has cancer. She is eager to find her birth-parents to learn her own history. She finds Amy Linden, and they meet up in Seattle. Though Amy seems receptive to Ramona's myriad questions, Ramona does not wholly trust her - with good reason.
"Memories haunted us because we let them, but that was the thing -
we didn't have to let them."
Later, Ramona surprises Amy by showing up at the Mountain Lodge in Montana that she runs. Amy introduced Ramona to her husband and son, who welcome the new addition to their family with surprising equanimity. Bursting with more questions for Amy, particularly about her birth father, Ramona interrogates Amy again. Amy spins a captivating tale about her younger self when she worked at this very lodge as a dishwasher. Still, Ramona does not wholly trust Amy's version of events.
Mind you, Amy does know how to spin a tale. If you love unreliable narrators, then Amy Linden might be your woman. She attempts to portray her younger self in a rosy hue. Making herself out to be the victim of circumstance. Should Ramona believe Amy's version of events? Amy embellishes her narrative in a capricious way...
This is a novel about taking responsibility for your own actions. For owning up to your mistakes in a transparent way. The denouement was open-ended and not entirely satisfying. The reader gets to decide how things might proceed in the future. Some readers will likely relish this opportunity, I didn't personally care for it.
However, at the end of the day, I did find this novel to be quite memorable. The setting and characters were well drawn, though not ones I would care to know. Recommended with reservations...
Amy is happily married and the mother to a young son. She is a successful hotelier, a career she has aspired to her entire life.
Ramona is a twenty year old woman whose adopted mother has cancer. She is eager to find her birth-parents to learn her own history. She finds Amy Linden, and they meet up in Seattle. Though Amy seems receptive to Ramona's myriad questions, Ramona does not wholly trust her - with good reason.
"Memories haunted us because we let them, but that was the thing -
we didn't have to let them."
Later, Ramona surprises Amy by showing up at the Mountain Lodge in Montana that she runs. Amy introduced Ramona to her husband and son, who welcome the new addition to their family with surprising equanimity. Bursting with more questions for Amy, particularly about her birth father, Ramona interrogates Amy again. Amy spins a captivating tale about her younger self when she worked at this very lodge as a dishwasher. Still, Ramona does not wholly trust Amy's version of events.
Mind you, Amy does know how to spin a tale. If you love unreliable narrators, then Amy Linden might be your woman. She attempts to portray her younger self in a rosy hue. Making herself out to be the victim of circumstance. Should Ramona believe Amy's version of events? Amy embellishes her narrative in a capricious way...
This is a novel about taking responsibility for your own actions. For owning up to your mistakes in a transparent way. The denouement was open-ended and not entirely satisfying. The reader gets to decide how things might proceed in the future. Some readers will likely relish this opportunity, I didn't personally care for it.
However, at the end of the day, I did find this novel to be quite memorable. The setting and characters were well drawn, though not ones I would care to know. Recommended with reservations...
February 7, 2026
When her estranged daughter asks to hear the one story she doesn’t want to tell, a woman spins lie after lie to protect her perfect life in this gripping novel. Amy Linden has a loving husband, an adorable son, and a glamorous career as the hotelier of a grand mountain lodge. Then Ramona Crawford, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years earlier, pays her a surprise visit. Ramona wants to know the identity of her biological father—and Amy completely understands. There’s just one problem: the truth would destroy Amy’s carefully curated life. Will Amy ever reveal the full story of that fateful summer at the lodge? And if so, can Ramona live with the truth?
I was so intrigued by this premise and enjoyed the story overall. I just think this book was way too long and would have been much better had it been shortened a bit. The amount of time if took to get the truth out of Amy and the amount of times we revisited to the past just to be lied to again was a bit much. But then once the truth was finally out, the ending felt so… anticlimactic – which is not at all what I would have expected from Amy after all the trouble she went through to hide the truth for so long. It was still a very interesting idea for a story and I do enjoy books where people in present day are trying to solve a mystery from decades in the past. The truth that finally came out was shocking, heartbreaking, and more horrific than expected. I do find myself thinking about the outcome of this story from time to time and I’m glad I read it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Kelley, and Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC. This is a voluntary and honest review.
I was so intrigued by this premise and enjoyed the story overall. I just think this book was way too long and would have been much better had it been shortened a bit. The amount of time if took to get the truth out of Amy and the amount of times we revisited to the past just to be lied to again was a bit much. But then once the truth was finally out, the ending felt so… anticlimactic – which is not at all what I would have expected from Amy after all the trouble she went through to hide the truth for so long. It was still a very interesting idea for a story and I do enjoy books where people in present day are trying to solve a mystery from decades in the past. The truth that finally came out was shocking, heartbreaking, and more horrific than expected. I do find myself thinking about the outcome of this story from time to time and I’m glad I read it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Kelley, and Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC. This is a voluntary and honest review.
August 27, 2024
Expected publication January 14, 2025
When her estranged daughter asks to hear the one story she doesn’t want to tell, a woman spins lie after lie to protect her perfect life in this gripping novel.
The above line begins the synopsis for 'I'll Tell You Everything' by new-to-me author Rebecca Kelley. This line immediately draws readers in as we follow Amy Linden, who is confronted by her tumultuous past when the daughter she gave up for adoption, Ramona barges into her life. Finally settled, with her dream career and family, Amy comes up with tales in the hopes Ramona will simply let sleeping dogs lie. However, her newfound child is determined to learn about her heritage and digs deeper and deeper, sending Amy's neat life into a nosedive of epic proportions.
I really liked the unique plot of this novel - I have never read anything quite like it and as someone who has read more than 1000 books in her lifetime, that's saying something! While there is nothing new about having an unreliable narrator, it was quite interesting having an alternate narrator who acted as a direct foil, giving the storyline a distinct push-and-pull feel. Adding to this, all the twists and turns ensured that I was never bored; I was invested from beginning to end and actually finished the entire book in two days!
My only (and biggest) issue was that I unfortunately guessed the ending quite easily- I wished there was some more mystery to the plot. While this was disappointing, it didn't put me off reading.
In the end, "I'll Tell You Everything" gets a solid 3.5 star rating from me because while I enjoyed its distinctive premise, I do wish the mystery was a bit more...mysterious. This is definitely one to give a chance if you are looking for something new to spice up your TBR list!
*A great many thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Rebecca Kelley, and NetGalley for this ARC. It is important to note that I was not committed to providing a positive review; all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*
When her estranged daughter asks to hear the one story she doesn’t want to tell, a woman spins lie after lie to protect her perfect life in this gripping novel.
The above line begins the synopsis for 'I'll Tell You Everything' by new-to-me author Rebecca Kelley. This line immediately draws readers in as we follow Amy Linden, who is confronted by her tumultuous past when the daughter she gave up for adoption, Ramona barges into her life. Finally settled, with her dream career and family, Amy comes up with tales in the hopes Ramona will simply let sleeping dogs lie. However, her newfound child is determined to learn about her heritage and digs deeper and deeper, sending Amy's neat life into a nosedive of epic proportions.
I really liked the unique plot of this novel - I have never read anything quite like it and as someone who has read more than 1000 books in her lifetime, that's saying something! While there is nothing new about having an unreliable narrator, it was quite interesting having an alternate narrator who acted as a direct foil, giving the storyline a distinct push-and-pull feel. Adding to this, all the twists and turns ensured that I was never bored; I was invested from beginning to end and actually finished the entire book in two days!
My only (and biggest) issue was that I unfortunately guessed the ending quite easily- I wished there was some more mystery to the plot. While this was disappointing, it didn't put me off reading.
In the end, "I'll Tell You Everything" gets a solid 3.5 star rating from me because while I enjoyed its distinctive premise, I do wish the mystery was a bit more...mysterious. This is definitely one to give a chance if you are looking for something new to spice up your TBR list!
*A great many thanks to Lake Union Publishing, Rebecca Kelley, and NetGalley for this ARC. It is important to note that I was not committed to providing a positive review; all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*
February 5, 2025
Ramona Crawford was given up for adoption 20 years ago, and she's now on a quest to find out where she actually came from. She's tracked down her birth mother, Amy Linden, who happens to run a hotel with her husband. Ramona decides to give Amy a surprise visit to find out more about her biological father. Amy tells Ramona a tale of young love with Freddy, the name that's on Ramona's birth certificate, and the sad story of how things didn't work out. But when Ramona reaches out to Freddy, she finds out some shocking information. Will Amy ever tell her the truth of who her biological father is and what really happened that summer?
Told in the POV of Amy and Ramona, this was an intriguing family drama. It's an engaging read that had me turning pages. There was definitely a mystery about who Ramona's father really was and what actually happened. The conclusion was definitely a shock. I absolutely loved the isolated hotel setting. It reminded me of Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park, and that's why I used my pic of it. Also, the author used the name Swiftcurrent for one of the characters, and that's the name of the lake behind the hotel. This was a quick, entertaining read that I enjoyed, and I would definitely recommend it.
Told in the POV of Amy and Ramona, this was an intriguing family drama. It's an engaging read that had me turning pages. There was definitely a mystery about who Ramona's father really was and what actually happened. The conclusion was definitely a shock. I absolutely loved the isolated hotel setting. It reminded me of Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park, and that's why I used my pic of it. Also, the author used the name Swiftcurrent for one of the characters, and that's the name of the lake behind the hotel. This was a quick, entertaining read that I enjoyed, and I would definitely recommend it.
September 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.
This was a pretty good book. If I am being honest. I was expecting this book to be more of a thriller than women's fiction. That's what the synopsis led me to believe anyways. With that being said, I still enjoyed this novel and I finished this book in under 24 hours. I will be definitely looking for more books by Rebecca Kelley in the future.
Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
********
This was a pretty good book. If I am being honest. I was expecting this book to be more of a thriller than women's fiction. That's what the synopsis led me to believe anyways. With that being said, I still enjoyed this novel and I finished this book in under 24 hours. I will be definitely looking for more books by Rebecca Kelley in the future.
Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
********
January 16, 2025
Where to even start with this one! This was a book about a complicated woman. I enjoyed the story telling and the overall message, who you are is more than blood basically, at least that’s what I got from it. I really hated Amy. She was just so frustrating with all her lies and inability to just tell us everything lol. Every time you thought you got the whole story there was always more that needed to be revealed. She really came off as desperate too which was also off putting about her character. I did enjoy and appreciate Ramona and could understand why she was looking for answers. However, to the extreme of upending Amy’s current and actually somewhat stable life… idk it was a bit much. The emotional journey of this book was nice though and I feel worthy of exploring. My dad was adopted and he sought out his blood relatives eventually so, as far as that goes, I could see people connecting with that aspect for sure. Thank you to the author for reaching out to me and Netgalley for providing the digital access to this novel!
December 22, 2024
I’ll Tell You Everything by Rebecca Kelley. Thanks to the author for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Amy Linden lives in the mountains with her family as a hotelier. When Ramona, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years ago comes calling, she tells the story of the past and teenage romance.
This is a great one for this looking for a quiet, sentimental tale of first love and tragedy. Bonus if you enjoy hotel and camp stories. The novel is Ramona finding out the true story of her biological father. It takes some time to get there but the true story will come out. Amy has buried the past for a good reason.
“Everything started here - my whole life. My whole life revolves around this place. I can leave, I can try to escape it, but it would just pull me back over and over again.”
I’ll Tell You Everything comes out 1/14.
Amy Linden lives in the mountains with her family as a hotelier. When Ramona, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years ago comes calling, she tells the story of the past and teenage romance.
This is a great one for this looking for a quiet, sentimental tale of first love and tragedy. Bonus if you enjoy hotel and camp stories. The novel is Ramona finding out the true story of her biological father. It takes some time to get there but the true story will come out. Amy has buried the past for a good reason.
“Everything started here - my whole life. My whole life revolves around this place. I can leave, I can try to escape it, but it would just pull me back over and over again.”
I’ll Tell You Everything comes out 1/14.
January 13, 2025
I love a twisty family story with lots of secrets and lies and this novel delivers. Told from the viewpoints of Amy and Ramona it takes a few chapters to really get into the story and then you can't put it down. Amy's version of past events keeps changing and like Ramona you want to believe that she's telling the truth this time all the way up to the end. Amy is a fantastic unreliable narrator and the audiobook is a great way to enjoy this suspenseful mystery. Amy Bentley and Caitlin Kelly do a fabulous job of bringing these characters to life.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2024
I'll Tell You Everything slowly draws you into Ramona and Amy's story.
Ramona has been searching for her birth mother and has finally met Amy.
She is full of questions that only Amy can answer who certainly has quite the story to tell.
Be careful what you wish for because it could be way more than you bargained for .
Ramona is about to learn that the hard way.
Amy is quite the unreliable narrator which amps up the tension.
The setting is beautiful and you can just picture yourself at the lodge looking at the window with a hot drink.
I'll Tell You Everything is an enjoyable read and a nice way to spend the afternoon settling in and getting lost in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review I'll Tell You Everything.
Ramona has been searching for her birth mother and has finally met Amy.
She is full of questions that only Amy can answer who certainly has quite the story to tell.
Be careful what you wish for because it could be way more than you bargained for .
Ramona is about to learn that the hard way.
Amy is quite the unreliable narrator which amps up the tension.
The setting is beautiful and you can just picture yourself at the lodge looking at the window with a hot drink.
I'll Tell You Everything is an enjoyable read and a nice way to spend the afternoon settling in and getting lost in the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review I'll Tell You Everything.
January 23, 2025
Thank you, TLC Book Tours, for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.
This was so different and interesting. The alternating viewpoints are great. This is a domestic drama, and boy, is it dramatic. I highly recommend it!
This was so different and interesting. The alternating viewpoints are great. This is a domestic drama, and boy, is it dramatic. I highly recommend it!
June 22, 2025
This story was slow to start. Once you figure out who everyone is, the web has been created. What a story teller Amy was! I almost gave this book three stars because of the untrainable narrator but that ending sealed the deal for me. It was one thing after another and I was gasping to keep up! What a unique story line and with a captivating eye for execution.
February 6, 2025
I think this story had a lot of potential, and I did find myself intrigued for most of the book, but I had some major issues with the character work and certain plot points in the story.
The story itself is interesting and topical. With the rise of 23andMe, Ancestry.com and other genealogy websites, people are finding their relatives much easier. However, this opens up the whole ethical discussion about closed adoptions. Does someone who finds their biological mother off a genealogy website have the right to their birth story from biological parents who explicitly did not want to be found? I myself am not in this position so I'm sure Ramona's feelings are valid, but Amy's desire to not talk about her past is also equally valid to me from an outside perspective.
The wild stories and half truths Amy told were also largely irrelevant, but I did find them interesting and I enjoyed how the stories of Cory and Freddy and Amy all wound together in this fractured and reluctant truth telling.
One major issue I had was how Johnathan and Gabe just accepted being told in a public setting with zero consideration for their reaction that their wife/mother had a daughter they had never mentioned who she'd been parading in front of them all week. And the second follow up issue was they were completely fine with it? There's zero reaction from either of them? And they're instantly a happy family? Not buying that.
Lastly, Amy completely nuking her life to make her bio daughter like her was just so unbelievable, almost ludicrous to me. She went to jail, leaving her family, just to make her bio daughter who she's known for 3 days like her? And then said bio daughter is so annoyed with her that she just lets her rot in prison without visiting? If I'm Amy I'm making so many voodoo dolls of you Ramona come on you at least have to stand by the woman you emotionally manipulated into prison. You came into her life, DEMANDED the truth, and then bailed the second Amy gave it to you.
Frustrating and unlikeable characters, but an interesting story, a tough moral quandary of what Ramona had a right to know, and the unanswered question of if we the audience finally got the real truth.
The story itself is interesting and topical. With the rise of 23andMe, Ancestry.com and other genealogy websites, people are finding their relatives much easier. However, this opens up the whole ethical discussion about closed adoptions. Does someone who finds their biological mother off a genealogy website have the right to their birth story from biological parents who explicitly did not want to be found? I myself am not in this position so I'm sure Ramona's feelings are valid, but Amy's desire to not talk about her past is also equally valid to me from an outside perspective.
The wild stories and half truths Amy told were also largely irrelevant, but I did find them interesting and I enjoyed how the stories of Cory and Freddy and Amy all wound together in this fractured and reluctant truth telling.
One major issue I had was how Johnathan and Gabe just accepted being told in a public setting with zero consideration for their reaction that their wife/mother had a daughter they had never mentioned who she'd been parading in front of them all week. And the second follow up issue was they were completely fine with it? There's zero reaction from either of them? And they're instantly a happy family? Not buying that.
Lastly, Amy completely nuking her life to make her bio daughter like her was just so unbelievable, almost ludicrous to me. She went to jail, leaving her family, just to make her bio daughter who she's known for 3 days like her? And then said bio daughter is so annoyed with her that she just lets her rot in prison without visiting? If I'm Amy I'm making so many voodoo dolls of you Ramona come on you at least have to stand by the woman you emotionally manipulated into prison. You came into her life, DEMANDED the truth, and then bailed the second Amy gave it to you.
Frustrating and unlikeable characters, but an interesting story, a tough moral quandary of what Ramona had a right to know, and the unanswered question of if we the audience finally got the real truth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2024
[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll Tell You Everything releases January 14, 2025
The daughter Amy put up for adoption comes looking for answers about her birth parents and origin story 20 years after the fact.
Ramona’s incessant search for answers threatens to unravel the tangled web of lies that Amy has tried to keep under wraps for so long.
Will unearthing her past lead to the destruction of the new family and life she has built?
I knew going into this that I should view Amy as an unreliable narrator and take everything she divulged with a grain of salt.
That being said, this was very drawn out and cyclical.
While I enjoyed the story telling, I kind of wish the flashbacks were isolated to their own chapters and structured as a then/now instead of blending them in with the present day narration in order to provide more separation and overall clarity.
There was a part that severely caught me off guard when a character took to comparing a young woman in her 20’s leading a double life and cheating/sleeping around to Nazi’s compartmentalizing by torturing individuals at concentration camps during the week and then being perfect doting fathers with their families on weekends.
Not only is that insensitive but it’s highly concerning to stumble upon text that is phrased in a way that sympathizes Nazi’s by saying they were just “normal guys” and not the “bullies.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’ll Tell You Everything releases January 14, 2025
The daughter Amy put up for adoption comes looking for answers about her birth parents and origin story 20 years after the fact.
Ramona’s incessant search for answers threatens to unravel the tangled web of lies that Amy has tried to keep under wraps for so long.
Will unearthing her past lead to the destruction of the new family and life she has built?
I knew going into this that I should view Amy as an unreliable narrator and take everything she divulged with a grain of salt.
That being said, this was very drawn out and cyclical.
While I enjoyed the story telling, I kind of wish the flashbacks were isolated to their own chapters and structured as a then/now instead of blending them in with the present day narration in order to provide more separation and overall clarity.
There was a part that severely caught me off guard when a character took to comparing a young woman in her 20’s leading a double life and cheating/sleeping around to Nazi’s compartmentalizing by torturing individuals at concentration camps during the week and then being perfect doting fathers with their families on weekends.
Not only is that insensitive but it’s highly concerning to stumble upon text that is phrased in a way that sympathizes Nazi’s by saying they were just “normal guys” and not the “bullies.”
March 23, 2025
My mouth is agape. My heart hurts. This book… talk about an unreliable narrator. Holy hell.
This book was wild. Just wild. I enjoyed the ride, the writing was good … but I am finding I really don’t like the unreliable narrator… I was continually frustrated with the FMC, Amy.
Ramona was adopted as a child. She wants to know where she’s from as a 20 year old college student, so she seeks out her birth mom.
Her birth mom, Amy, is batsh!t crazy. She lives in a fantasy world without consequence, and definitely has some real mental issues. When Ramana shows up asking questions, she says she will tell her everything… but that just opens up more questions. What is the truth, anyway? What you tell yourself, or something else? Amy tells multiple versions of the story surrounding Ramona’s birth father (with detail no parent would ever likely get into with their child 🌶️). It’s impossible to know what is true and what is not, out of the mouth of a compulsive liar.
This was a thrilling read, and will stick with me for a while as I work to get Amy’s madness out of my head.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
• Remote hotels / wilderness
• Unreliable narrator
• Dual POV
• Thriller-esque
• Lies upon lies upon lies
Thank you @tlcbooktours @amazonpublishing @lakeunionauthors for this gifted book in exchange for my honest review.
This book was wild. Just wild. I enjoyed the ride, the writing was good … but I am finding I really don’t like the unreliable narrator… I was continually frustrated with the FMC, Amy.
Ramona was adopted as a child. She wants to know where she’s from as a 20 year old college student, so she seeks out her birth mom.
Her birth mom, Amy, is batsh!t crazy. She lives in a fantasy world without consequence, and definitely has some real mental issues. When Ramana shows up asking questions, she says she will tell her everything… but that just opens up more questions. What is the truth, anyway? What you tell yourself, or something else? Amy tells multiple versions of the story surrounding Ramona’s birth father (with detail no parent would ever likely get into with their child 🌶️). It’s impossible to know what is true and what is not, out of the mouth of a compulsive liar.
This was a thrilling read, and will stick with me for a while as I work to get Amy’s madness out of my head.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
• Remote hotels / wilderness
• Unreliable narrator
• Dual POV
• Thriller-esque
• Lies upon lies upon lies
Thank you @tlcbooktours @amazonpublishing @lakeunionauthors for this gifted book in exchange for my honest review.
August 6, 2025
2.5 stars
This book was very hard to follow. I think it had potential just not well written.
This book was very hard to follow. I think it had potential just not well written.
January 14, 2025
From Rebecca Kelley, the author of No One Loves Us Here (2023-loved), comes another emotionally powerful, intriguing mystery with page-turning suspense: I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING—a fitting title and an ideal pick for book clubs.
A shocking act of violence unfolds into a tender story of family, long-held secrets, and what-ifs, creating a suspenseful narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It may often be better to leave the past in the past. If you want to know everything, be prepared for an answer you may not want to hear.
“The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves."—Richard Bach
Audiobook...
I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook, which I found very well done with perfect pacing, twists, suspense, and emotions beautifully captured by talented Amy Bentle and Caitlin Kelly, giving distinct voices to the two main characters, mother/daughter, making the story come alive, keeping you glued to your earbuds to see how this twisty saga will end.
About...
The story comes full circle, ending where it began at the secret lake they called Shangri-La. This lake holds a significant place in the characters' lives, serving as a backdrop for pivotal moments and symbolizing the cyclical nature of their experiences.
The past: A young couple fell in love. A young, ambitious girl became pregnant. A boy who loved art and the theatre. A boy's mother who was successful and controlling. A young girl who wanted to be her. Things did not go as planned. Lost dreams. A child was born and given up for adoption. Dark secrets were hidden. An unreliable narrator.
Amy, Freddy, and Cory form a complicated love triangle, their lives intertwined by love, ambition, chance, and tragedy. This dynamic adds a layer of complexity to the story, as their relationships and decisions shape the narrative.
The present: Amy Linden is married with a loving husband, Jonathan, and a young son, Gabe, with a glamorous and successful career as the hotelier of a grand mountain lodge.
Ramona Crawford, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years earlier, shows up for a surprise visit. She is not here to uproot her biological mother's life (but she will). She wants to know where she came from. Her goal: She wants to know the identity of her biological father.
In the past, Amy was a single parent trying to make her way up the hotel management ladder, and she thought it best to give up her daughter to make a life for herself. Ramona's adoptive mom is diagnosed with cancer. Now, she wants answers about her biological parents.
But you see, that may be a big problem for Amy. The truth could destroy everything she has worked for and her carefully curated life. The one she has sacrificed for. She has several versions of the truth. Will one of them be acceptable to Ramona?
There is a problem. Ramona will reach out to the man, intrigued and excited, but he has a different story. Amy has never told her husband about Ramona. She was good at keeping secrets and had several versions of the truth.
There is a mystery and a love triangle in the past. Amy, Freddy, and Cory. Neither of these two is her current husband. She has memories of what she wanted it to be, but the actuality was a different, darker story.
What is the big secret? When all is unraveled, it will be jaw-dropping. How far will someone go to keep their secrets hidden? What happened at the lodge that fateful summer? Once the truth is revealed, there will be no more versions and retellings.
Will the truth set you free?
My thoughts...
With its alternating POVs of Amy and Ramona and two timelines, I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING offers a unique and poignant exploration of love and forgiveness infused with thriller psychological vibes. The emotional depth of the characters will draw you in and make you feel connected to their journey.
The author writes of complex women making impulsive, reckless decisions, and I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING is a riveting thriller and a wise, profound novel of redemption.
The tranquil yet chilling front cover draws you in (which is a big focus of the novel) with the secluded rural setting of the hotel and the summer lodge. The author offers vivid descriptions that I can see on a wide screen.
As a reader, despite everything, you may sympathize with Amy as Ramona seems manipulative and pushes and demands Amy to the point when she does get the real truth; it is not what she wants to hear through her rose-colored glasses. I adored the ending, which gives a satisfying conclusion.
Engrossing and emotionally charged, I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING delves into themes of love, regret, guilt, split-second decisions, moral ambiguity, mistakes, forgiveness, and the toll of keeping secrets. It's a deeply moving novel about letting go of guilt and finding redemption.
Uniquely and cleverly told, it is a suspenseful, addictive page-turner filled with literary insight that compels readers to consider whether the worst thing they have done in their lives is all that defines them.
As in her previous book, the author showcases her storytelling skills and dives deep. Once again, she explores familial loyalty, women, relationships, motherhood, ambition, privilege, and risking it all. The novel's exploration of these issues will surely engage and provoke readers' thoughts.
The author does an outstanding job with the unreliable narrator and how she unravels the secrets of the past through Amy's retelling to Ramona. Infused with art and theatre, young love romance.
Unexpectedly, the novel turns dark and sinister turn, adding a psychological thriller vibe to the strong, insightful, thought-provoking family drama. The unexpected twists will keep the readers on the edge of their seats, adding a layer of suspense and intrigue to the narrative.
Amy is a complex woman but I will hand it to her, she gave Ramona what she asked for but was Ramona prepared for the answer she received?
I do not think this book or the author is getting enough love. I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING is a suspenseful domestic drama that builds slowly until all its explosive secrets are revealed. Be sure to check out No One Knows Us Here too (for fans of Robyn Harding and BA Paris).
Recs...
I highly recommend this novel for fans of the author and those who enjoy domestic suspense, character-driven narratives, emotionally resonant psychological dramas, and literary fiction. This is for readers of Liane Moriarty, Ann Patchett, Celeste Ng, Tracey Lange, Suzanne Refearn, Eileen Goudge, and Jessica Strawser.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Brilliance Audio for an ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded to 5
Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
Jan 2025 Must-Read Books
Jan Newsletter
A shocking act of violence unfolds into a tender story of family, long-held secrets, and what-ifs, creating a suspenseful narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
It may often be better to leave the past in the past. If you want to know everything, be prepared for an answer you may not want to hear.
“The worst lies are the ones we tell ourselves."—Richard Bach
Audiobook...
I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook, which I found very well done with perfect pacing, twists, suspense, and emotions beautifully captured by talented Amy Bentle and Caitlin Kelly, giving distinct voices to the two main characters, mother/daughter, making the story come alive, keeping you glued to your earbuds to see how this twisty saga will end.
About...
The story comes full circle, ending where it began at the secret lake they called Shangri-La. This lake holds a significant place in the characters' lives, serving as a backdrop for pivotal moments and symbolizing the cyclical nature of their experiences.
The past: A young couple fell in love. A young, ambitious girl became pregnant. A boy who loved art and the theatre. A boy's mother who was successful and controlling. A young girl who wanted to be her. Things did not go as planned. Lost dreams. A child was born and given up for adoption. Dark secrets were hidden. An unreliable narrator.
Amy, Freddy, and Cory form a complicated love triangle, their lives intertwined by love, ambition, chance, and tragedy. This dynamic adds a layer of complexity to the story, as their relationships and decisions shape the narrative.
The present: Amy Linden is married with a loving husband, Jonathan, and a young son, Gabe, with a glamorous and successful career as the hotelier of a grand mountain lodge.
Ramona Crawford, the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty years earlier, shows up for a surprise visit. She is not here to uproot her biological mother's life (but she will). She wants to know where she came from. Her goal: She wants to know the identity of her biological father.
In the past, Amy was a single parent trying to make her way up the hotel management ladder, and she thought it best to give up her daughter to make a life for herself. Ramona's adoptive mom is diagnosed with cancer. Now, she wants answers about her biological parents.
But you see, that may be a big problem for Amy. The truth could destroy everything she has worked for and her carefully curated life. The one she has sacrificed for. She has several versions of the truth. Will one of them be acceptable to Ramona?
There is a problem. Ramona will reach out to the man, intrigued and excited, but he has a different story. Amy has never told her husband about Ramona. She was good at keeping secrets and had several versions of the truth.
There is a mystery and a love triangle in the past. Amy, Freddy, and Cory. Neither of these two is her current husband. She has memories of what she wanted it to be, but the actuality was a different, darker story.
What is the big secret? When all is unraveled, it will be jaw-dropping. How far will someone go to keep their secrets hidden? What happened at the lodge that fateful summer? Once the truth is revealed, there will be no more versions and retellings.
Will the truth set you free?
My thoughts...
With its alternating POVs of Amy and Ramona and two timelines, I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING offers a unique and poignant exploration of love and forgiveness infused with thriller psychological vibes. The emotional depth of the characters will draw you in and make you feel connected to their journey.
The author writes of complex women making impulsive, reckless decisions, and I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING is a riveting thriller and a wise, profound novel of redemption.
The tranquil yet chilling front cover draws you in (which is a big focus of the novel) with the secluded rural setting of the hotel and the summer lodge. The author offers vivid descriptions that I can see on a wide screen.
As a reader, despite everything, you may sympathize with Amy as Ramona seems manipulative and pushes and demands Amy to the point when she does get the real truth; it is not what she wants to hear through her rose-colored glasses. I adored the ending, which gives a satisfying conclusion.
Engrossing and emotionally charged, I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING delves into themes of love, regret, guilt, split-second decisions, moral ambiguity, mistakes, forgiveness, and the toll of keeping secrets. It's a deeply moving novel about letting go of guilt and finding redemption.
Uniquely and cleverly told, it is a suspenseful, addictive page-turner filled with literary insight that compels readers to consider whether the worst thing they have done in their lives is all that defines them.
As in her previous book, the author showcases her storytelling skills and dives deep. Once again, she explores familial loyalty, women, relationships, motherhood, ambition, privilege, and risking it all. The novel's exploration of these issues will surely engage and provoke readers' thoughts.
The author does an outstanding job with the unreliable narrator and how she unravels the secrets of the past through Amy's retelling to Ramona. Infused with art and theatre, young love romance.
Unexpectedly, the novel turns dark and sinister turn, adding a psychological thriller vibe to the strong, insightful, thought-provoking family drama. The unexpected twists will keep the readers on the edge of their seats, adding a layer of suspense and intrigue to the narrative.
Amy is a complex woman but I will hand it to her, she gave Ramona what she asked for but was Ramona prepared for the answer she received?
I do not think this book or the author is getting enough love. I'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING is a suspenseful domestic drama that builds slowly until all its explosive secrets are revealed. Be sure to check out No One Knows Us Here too (for fans of Robyn Harding and BA Paris).
Recs...
I highly recommend this novel for fans of the author and those who enjoy domestic suspense, character-driven narratives, emotionally resonant psychological dramas, and literary fiction. This is for readers of Liane Moriarty, Ann Patchett, Celeste Ng, Tracey Lange, Suzanne Refearn, Eileen Goudge, and Jessica Strawser.
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and Brilliance Audio for an ARC and ALC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars rounded to 5
Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
Jan 2025 Must-Read Books
Jan Newsletter
May 24, 2025
What an absolute waste of time.
It took me months to read this very short book. I kept picking it up, thinking it would get better, and it just didn't! I don't know if I've ever been this bored by a book. 10/10 do not recommend.
It took me months to read this very short book. I kept picking it up, thinking it would get better, and it just didn't! I don't know if I've ever been this bored by a book. 10/10 do not recommend.
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