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The Thing She Didn't Tell Me
A hidden life. A friendship lost. A match that lit everything on fire.
Bea Bennett never imagined she’d have to pause her career and step into the quiet corners of her family’s past. But when a box of old letters reveals that her grandmother—a woman Bea always saw as the picture of devout faith—had a life full of untold stories, everything changes.
As Bea starts recording what she finds, she unwittingly creates a space for other women to share their own hidden truths. What begins as a personal journey soon becomes a movement she never expected.
Told in dual timelines between the 1940s South and present-day Kentucky, The Thing She Didn’t Tell Me is a moving, nostalgic novel about the power of female friendship, the weight of secrets and the strength it takes to finally tell the truth. It’s also a reminder that sometimes, the thing you thought might break you becomes your legacy.
Bea Bennett never imagined she’d have to pause her career and step into the quiet corners of her family’s past. But when a box of old letters reveals that her grandmother—a woman Bea always saw as the picture of devout faith—had a life full of untold stories, everything changes.
As Bea starts recording what she finds, she unwittingly creates a space for other women to share their own hidden truths. What begins as a personal journey soon becomes a movement she never expected.
Told in dual timelines between the 1940s South and present-day Kentucky, The Thing She Didn’t Tell Me is a moving, nostalgic novel about the power of female friendship, the weight of secrets and the strength it takes to finally tell the truth. It’s also a reminder that sometimes, the thing you thought might break you becomes your legacy.
324 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 17, 2025
Wow.
(Fair warning: this is going to be long, because I have a lot to say and I am no longer a concise person.)
I didn't expect this book to hit the way it did.
It sounds trite to say a book couldn't be put down, but honestly ... I started this book at 6 p.m. Tuesday and finished it at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. I did have to do a couple chores in there, too, or I'd have finished it the same day ... but mostly, I read straight through.
It was good. Really good.
I can be critical of books. I'll admit that. I'll read just about anything, even lots and lots of escapism fluff, but 4-star or higher ratings are pretty rare. Most things get a 3. My scale (for Goodreads reviews) is simple:
* 1 star - absolutely terrible
* 2 stars - pretty bad, not so much that I didn't finish but bad enough that I considered abandoning it
* 3 stars - okay but just okay; I didn't mind it but also wouldn't seek out more of the author's work and would only recommend it to very few people who I know aren't picky
* 4 stars - good enough to actively seek out more of the author's work and to recommend it to several people
* 5 stars - this was great and should be read by nearly everyone
Guess which rating this one's getting. (Hint: it's more than 4 and less than 6 ... because 6 stars isn't a rating that exists.)
This book made me cry. Like, a lot. I couldn't stop, I just laid there on my couch with tears leaking uncontrollably from my eyes as I read. It isn't a sad book, exactly, but it is emotional. It really made me feel. It felt real and relatable in ways I didn't even expect. When I finished, I felt a little bit emotionally wrung out, to be honest, but not in a bad way. Just so that I knew I'd been moved. If the point of a book is to make the reader feel something, and I think that was the goal here, mission absolutely accomplished.
In that way, it reminded me a bit of the two Kristin Hannah books I've read. Except I actually enjoyed this one more. I could relate more to this one.
Okay, full disclosure, the book isn't perfect. I don't want to sound like I'm fawning too much over it, to the detriment of an accurate, unbiased review. But any critiques I have are, to be honest, pretty nitpicky, to the point that I'm not even really putting them to words. (Ooh there's a typo! 🙄 Not exactly earth-shattering, entertainment-altering stuff.)
Another point to be aware of -- not a critique or complaint, I want that to be clear right off the bat, but an observation for picky readers like me. The book is written in a very descriptive, almost poetic style -- lots of description about what a thing, whether it be air or a computer cursor or a person's touch, is like. (You know, the air is thick and warm like a blanket laid across your lap -- that's not one actually from the story, just an example of what I'm talking about, except the ones in the book are better.) Descriptive writing is a good thing! I love good poetic phrasing that really evokes the right mood or feeling. But there is a delicate balance to that. When a story has an unusual amount of that kind of descriptive turn of phrase, it always makes me suspicious, for lack of a better word, because so many people don't pull it off. (Actually, most of the books I've abandoned, at least since I started tracking such things, were for something like that, an author that was just trying too hard. Admittedly, most of those books do have good ratings in general, so maybe I am more picky about this than the average reader.)
Either way, I was on guard when I got a little into this and noticed that it was written in such an expressive way. I was worried it would venture into "too much" territory. BUT, and this is the key point that I am slowly making ... as fearful as I was that it would veer across that line, as much as I was clocking every simile and metaphor, it never did become too much for me. I was aware that there was an unusually high amount of description, but it did NOT stop me from enjoying the story like some other, less well-written books do. It didn't make me want to stop reading.
And some of that language is such beautiful phrasing that just ... I wish my brain worked that way.
Maybe, if I could give half-stars, I would give this 4.5 instead of 5. I am incredibly stingy with 5-star ratings, and most of the ones I give are for books I've read over and over again. But since Goodreads doesn't do half-stars and I have to choose between whether to round up or down, well ... anything that makes me feel things so strongly has to be rounded up to 5.
I intend to mention this book at our book club meeting as a potential future read for our members. I think most of us will really enjoy it. Maybe not all ... some of us don't actually like anything but just want to read everything. 😂 But I do think most readers will rate it highly.
Oh, and I want Bea's podcast to be a real thing ... just saying! 😂
(Fair warning: this is going to be long, because I have a lot to say and I am no longer a concise person.)
I didn't expect this book to hit the way it did.
It sounds trite to say a book couldn't be put down, but honestly ... I started this book at 6 p.m. Tuesday and finished it at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. I did have to do a couple chores in there, too, or I'd have finished it the same day ... but mostly, I read straight through.
It was good. Really good.
I can be critical of books. I'll admit that. I'll read just about anything, even lots and lots of escapism fluff, but 4-star or higher ratings are pretty rare. Most things get a 3. My scale (for Goodreads reviews) is simple:
* 1 star - absolutely terrible
* 2 stars - pretty bad, not so much that I didn't finish but bad enough that I considered abandoning it
* 3 stars - okay but just okay; I didn't mind it but also wouldn't seek out more of the author's work and would only recommend it to very few people who I know aren't picky
* 4 stars - good enough to actively seek out more of the author's work and to recommend it to several people
* 5 stars - this was great and should be read by nearly everyone
Guess which rating this one's getting. (Hint: it's more than 4 and less than 6 ... because 6 stars isn't a rating that exists.)
This book made me cry. Like, a lot. I couldn't stop, I just laid there on my couch with tears leaking uncontrollably from my eyes as I read. It isn't a sad book, exactly, but it is emotional. It really made me feel. It felt real and relatable in ways I didn't even expect. When I finished, I felt a little bit emotionally wrung out, to be honest, but not in a bad way. Just so that I knew I'd been moved. If the point of a book is to make the reader feel something, and I think that was the goal here, mission absolutely accomplished.
In that way, it reminded me a bit of the two Kristin Hannah books I've read. Except I actually enjoyed this one more. I could relate more to this one.
Okay, full disclosure, the book isn't perfect. I don't want to sound like I'm fawning too much over it, to the detriment of an accurate, unbiased review. But any critiques I have are, to be honest, pretty nitpicky, to the point that I'm not even really putting them to words. (Ooh there's a typo! 🙄 Not exactly earth-shattering, entertainment-altering stuff.)
Another point to be aware of -- not a critique or complaint, I want that to be clear right off the bat, but an observation for picky readers like me. The book is written in a very descriptive, almost poetic style -- lots of description about what a thing, whether it be air or a computer cursor or a person's touch, is like. (You know, the air is thick and warm like a blanket laid across your lap -- that's not one actually from the story, just an example of what I'm talking about, except the ones in the book are better.) Descriptive writing is a good thing! I love good poetic phrasing that really evokes the right mood or feeling. But there is a delicate balance to that. When a story has an unusual amount of that kind of descriptive turn of phrase, it always makes me suspicious, for lack of a better word, because so many people don't pull it off. (Actually, most of the books I've abandoned, at least since I started tracking such things, were for something like that, an author that was just trying too hard. Admittedly, most of those books do have good ratings in general, so maybe I am more picky about this than the average reader.)
Either way, I was on guard when I got a little into this and noticed that it was written in such an expressive way. I was worried it would venture into "too much" territory. BUT, and this is the key point that I am slowly making ... as fearful as I was that it would veer across that line, as much as I was clocking every simile and metaphor, it never did become too much for me. I was aware that there was an unusually high amount of description, but it did NOT stop me from enjoying the story like some other, less well-written books do. It didn't make me want to stop reading.
And some of that language is such beautiful phrasing that just ... I wish my brain worked that way.
Maybe, if I could give half-stars, I would give this 4.5 instead of 5. I am incredibly stingy with 5-star ratings, and most of the ones I give are for books I've read over and over again. But since Goodreads doesn't do half-stars and I have to choose between whether to round up or down, well ... anything that makes me feel things so strongly has to be rounded up to 5.
I intend to mention this book at our book club meeting as a potential future read for our members. I think most of us will really enjoy it. Maybe not all ... some of us don't actually like anything but just want to read everything. 😂 But I do think most readers will rate it highly.
Oh, and I want Bea's podcast to be a real thing ... just saying! 😂
November 17, 2025
I can always tell if I'm going to vibe with a book within the first 10 pages or so. Either I get sucked in and forget I'm reading or it starts to slog at that point. And this one sucked me in.
I so love a book focused on the relationships women form because I personally think they have more depth and complexities than many relationships and this one perfectly delivered on that theme.
Bea is endearing in her own health struggles, marriage, and friendships - even as she begins to discover family secrets that shake up what she thought she knew. Ruby and Margo were soul sisters. I love the way they were there for each other, even when the other couldn't say what they were struggling with. And it all comes together with Bea's podcast idea.
Yay for celebrating women, their strength and vulnerability! Spoilery-ish: also glad for a bit of revenge, even if it wasn't as bad as Frank deserved.
The metaphors and writing style is comforting and homey. I didn't grow up in Kentucky, but I did grow up in a town probably smaller than Aery and it felt like talking with people from my childhood.
I so love a book focused on the relationships women form because I personally think they have more depth and complexities than many relationships and this one perfectly delivered on that theme.
Bea is endearing in her own health struggles, marriage, and friendships - even as she begins to discover family secrets that shake up what she thought she knew. Ruby and Margo were soul sisters. I love the way they were there for each other, even when the other couldn't say what they were struggling with. And it all comes together with Bea's podcast idea.
Yay for celebrating women, their strength and vulnerability! Spoilery-ish: also glad for a bit of revenge, even if it wasn't as bad as Frank deserved.
The metaphors and writing style is comforting and homey. I didn't grow up in Kentucky, but I did grow up in a town probably smaller than Aery and it felt like talking with people from my childhood.
December 13, 2025
I wasn't sure how I'd enjoy this, to be honest. I wasn't sucked in immediately but the more I read the more I fell in love. I won't ruin this with spoilers but the pod cast was a great idea. The stories we all could share, the untold stories we have yet to hear, it would be worth listening to. Vibes from one of my favorite movies, Fried Green Tomatoes.
October 23, 2025
This book is a gift you give yourself and every single woman needs to read it. It resonates so profoundly because women carry too many burdens; we suffer in silence and loneliness when what we really need to do is share the load by owning our stories and being brave enough to allow others on our journey. Vulnerability isn't a weakness as so many of us were taught; it is actually our superpower. This book is all about the secrets women carry and the beauty of sharing your truth.
The story is amazing and is truly worthy of this 5-star review. I read A LOT - multiple books a week-and I am usually able to read for a few hours and then come back to the book the next day. That was not the case with The Thing She Didn't Tell Me. I read well into the wee morning hours because I was so caught up in the story. I truly loved the characters and thought they were brave and loyal; they are people that I would love to have in my own Thursday girl's club.
This book unexpectedly delivered some much-needed hope. Read it for yourself and share it with your friends!
The story is amazing and is truly worthy of this 5-star review. I read A LOT - multiple books a week-and I am usually able to read for a few hours and then come back to the book the next day. That was not the case with The Thing She Didn't Tell Me. I read well into the wee morning hours because I was so caught up in the story. I truly loved the characters and thought they were brave and loyal; they are people that I would love to have in my own Thursday girl's club.
This book unexpectedly delivered some much-needed hope. Read it for yourself and share it with your friends!
October 22, 2025
Ever read a book and afterward feel that you lived it? That describes me after reading "The Thing She Didn't Tell Me," in all the best ways. Bea, Ruby and Margo became my three best friends by the end of the book. Their stories - separated by time and by place - were intertwined so believably and beautifully. This is a book about the unbreakable bonds of female friendship and how putting a voice to trauma creates growth. I cannot wait to read more from Jacqueline Russell!
January 25, 2026
4.5⭐️
First and foremost, my hometown has some amazingly talented people!
The only reason why I didn’t give 5 stars is because the beginning was slower to come together, but most of this book was such a page turner. I was hanging on to every page. Ruby and Margo’s story was the core story for me, and it was one of strength, loss, friendship, new beginnings, and quiet love. Please read this book!
First and foremost, my hometown has some amazingly talented people!
The only reason why I didn’t give 5 stars is because the beginning was slower to come together, but most of this book was such a page turner. I was hanging on to every page. Ruby and Margo’s story was the core story for me, and it was one of strength, loss, friendship, new beginnings, and quiet love. Please read this book!
October 16, 2025
The characters in this book are so well developed and you can easy create an attachment to them. This author has an amazing way of adding all of those special details and descriptions that transport you to the double timeline this book follows. Strong empowering woman vibes but also sweet friendship and relatability! Highly recommend!
October 17, 2025
This book will draw you in on the first page. I was so invested in these characters I didn’t want to put it down. It’s so relatable and reminded me of stories from my own mother and grandmother of the past in the south. The nostalgia was just what I needed, and with just enough mystery to keep me hooked to find out all the truth. Loved it!
October 18, 2025
I totally recommend this book! The characters are so beautifully crafted. You are so interested in the story and characters and want things to work out. And it keeps you wondering how is this going to end and you don’t want it to end! But of course it does, and beautifully.
December 30, 2025
This was a great book that’s full of hearts. There was also a surprise twist I didn’t see coming from a book that’s not a traditional mystery. This is a great debut novel!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews