All The Things We Never Knew

by C.J. Morrow

They always thought they were a family like any other – boringly normal.

Now, with their elderly parents gone, five siblings find themselves dealing with a family home that must be sold, an uncle who refuses to leave, and a tangled web of unspoken truths. In the emptying rooms of their childhood home, the past begins to seep through the cracks.

Uncle David, an enigmatic figure whose quiet presence has always been part of their lives, seems oblivious to their need for him to move out.

Now the siblings must navigate their own relationships, a love concealed for decades, and the unspoken affection that shaped their family in ways they could never imagine. Their history, long buried beneath layers of silence, begins to emerge—not in the form of scandal, but in subtle moments of tenderness and pain that have shaped each of them in ways they couldn’t have imagined.

In the wake of parental death, the family must confront not only what they’ve lost – but who they really are.

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2025

About the author

CJ Morrow writes the kind of fiction she likes to read and since her taste is varied so are her books. She loves a romcom with a guaranteed happy ending, equally she loves a psychological thriller especially where the ending is a plausible shocker.

When she doesn't like what's going on in the world, she writes another one.

Word weaver, lover of things curious, unseen and unexplainable, general wordy person. Always watching and laughing, mostly at herself.

Blog http://cjmorrow13.wordpress.com
Twitter: @cjmorrowauthor
Facebook: cjmorrowauthor

Reviews

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book

I did enjoy this but there was almost a blandness about it that prevented any character connection. In saying that though, it was an interesting story about a different type of family dynamics. The way the siblings interacted was almost cold but it suited the atmosphere of the story.
An interesting read and well written.

[Kimberley H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound and original reading experience, revolving around family secrets that begin to unravel upon deaths of family members. Intimate and personal, a truly enjoyable experience.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lara has 4 brothers. After her Mother's death, things come to light that throw the whole family into disarray.

[Veronica Gliatti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm alone now as far as my opinion on this book. I think it's well written and more of an easier read but I think the story is a little bizarre. I might have given it a 3.5 but I'm not sure. I found the characters a little flat And it almost felt like I was seeing the story from an outside view, like an outsider.The characterization didn't allow you to actually see and understand what they were feeling, I think you were supposed to assume or project how you would be feeling in the same situation. Furthermore, I really didn't like any of the male characters at all except for possibly Uncle David if I could have understood him better. What comes out in the book as a surprise *This is not a spoiler* wasn't all that shocking to me. The book is rated high though so take my review with the grain of salt.

[Belle Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this poignant, slightly morbid, page turner of a book. Through the lens of the martyr daughter, it gripped me from the beginning with it's well thought out character's and intriguing big family secret. This book is about people and our perception of them verses the actual truth, as well as the different dynamics within a family and above all else - love. Very relatable and brilliantly written. I really felt the frustrations, the grief, and the sadness along with the fascination as to what had gone on. Highly recommend!!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read but needed more explanation.

I sailed through this in a couple of days as it was well written and pacey. It was quite a quirky story and I found the main character, Lara, very likeable. I think I'd like to have known more about her parents and to have had some extra chapters in there telling parts of the story from their point of view. It was such a weird dynamic and could have done with a bit more explanation. I also felt that Lara's actions at the very end of the book were questionable and disappointing. This was a 4 star book for me.

[Joanne Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and thought provoking read that kept me hooked until the very last page. The family dynamics between the siblings are sharply written and often wryly funny. Without spoiling anything, the story reminds us how easy it is to make assumptions about others, when in reality we never really know what goes on behind closed doors. A well-deserved five stars from me.

[Nikki Bellamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

Cute little story that I had expected to happen but pleased she was on side and such a good bond with him

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unpredictable

Interesting twist at the end; I wasn’t expecting it at all. I would recommend to anyone who likes to be surprised.

[Haley Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing

While I’ll give this book credit for being well written and realistic especially in this day and age of DNA testing and surprise results, it was also mainly just sad and dysfunctional. I was relieved to just be finished with it.

[Mrs Elaine Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is a page turner

Well this is a page turner,right until the very end, well written also, it really flows like a good conversation