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The Things You'll Never Know
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27“Nobody delves as deep into the guts of motherhood as Ashley Audrain; she really is in a league of her own.” —Lisa Jewell
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Push, a bold, unputdownable story of motherhood, desire, betrayal, and loss told by a mother after her own death.
“All those moments in life that mark a before, and an after. Before the death of me, and after. Before they knew the truth of what happened, and after.”
Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband, Adam, and their children. They’ve found her on the hallway floor. The double doors slam on the ambulance, and Fiona watches it take her body away—but how can that be, if she’s still here in her home, with her family? That’s when she realizes her worst fear has come Fiona is dead.
In the days that follow, Fiona moves quietly among them, as they become increasingly suspicious about her death. Everyone seems to be hiding something—her depressive husband, her devoted best friend, her estranged younger sister, her precocious six-year-old son, and most of all, Fiona herself. That is, until her teenage daughter discovers Fiona’s diary—and the stunning betrayal she had been hiding.
Exploring the performative identities of womanhood, the cost of being good, and what we owe ourselves and each other in the face of desire, Ashley Audrain's daring, thought-provoking novel will you find who you really are, before you die?
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Push, a bold, unputdownable story of motherhood, desire, betrayal, and loss told by a mother after her own death.
“All those moments in life that mark a before, and an after. Before the death of me, and after. Before they knew the truth of what happened, and after.”
Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband, Adam, and their children. They’ve found her on the hallway floor. The double doors slam on the ambulance, and Fiona watches it take her body away—but how can that be, if she’s still here in her home, with her family? That’s when she realizes her worst fear has come Fiona is dead.
In the days that follow, Fiona moves quietly among them, as they become increasingly suspicious about her death. Everyone seems to be hiding something—her depressive husband, her devoted best friend, her estranged younger sister, her precocious six-year-old son, and most of all, Fiona herself. That is, until her teenage daughter discovers Fiona’s diary—and the stunning betrayal she had been hiding.
Exploring the performative identities of womanhood, the cost of being good, and what we owe ourselves and each other in the face of desire, Ashley Audrain's daring, thought-provoking novel will you find who you really are, before you die?
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 12, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You have to be f**king kidding me. What in the Silent Patient Colleen Hoover did I just read?
Now that I have time to really digest what I just read after having a little bit of FOMO and being approved for an advanced copy from Viking/Pamela Dorman:
The book starts out with Fiona, who has just died. From here, the entire book is told from her perspective, what could have happened and how? It interweaves past and present with her husband Adam, who suffers from depression; her two kids, Astrid & Pepper (why he is named Pepper is the biggest mystery of all); best friend, Leah; and sister, Nell. We see them when they first meet, have kids, all the things!
The entire premise of this book is to see if we can guess how Fiona died and to watch how these relationships intermingle with each other. Throughout the book, we are given generic quotes such as:
"My heart fell with the weighted rhythm of sinking in water, back and forth. Floating down, and then down, and then down."
"I’ve been a fool, I thought. I couldn’t breathe. He was never really mine."
"He’s spread like an infection in my mind. I think of him while driving the kids around, while I read stories to Pepper at night, while I work, my hands on other people, imagining my hands on him. I think of him while I stare at the screen of the self-checkout at the grocery store. I think of him as I fall asleep."
And this happens for about 300 pages in a book that could have been 75 pages shorter, with zero depth. By about 50% of this book, as I kept reading, there was nothing but longing and characters who are sad and typical of what is supposed to be a "mystery," but is really be about a woman dealing with an unhappy marriage and kids who are kinda annoying.
Regardless, and I know I've said this before, these mystery genres are horrible, to say the least. Prove me wrong, as I've read quite a few.
I'M OVER IT.
Now that I have time to really digest what I just read after having a little bit of FOMO and being approved for an advanced copy from Viking/Pamela Dorman:
The book starts out with Fiona, who has just died. From here, the entire book is told from her perspective, what could have happened and how? It interweaves past and present with her husband Adam, who suffers from depression; her two kids, Astrid & Pepper (why he is named Pepper is the biggest mystery of all); best friend, Leah; and sister, Nell. We see them when they first meet, have kids, all the things!
The entire premise of this book is to see if we can guess how Fiona died and to watch how these relationships intermingle with each other. Throughout the book, we are given generic quotes such as:
"My heart fell with the weighted rhythm of sinking in water, back and forth. Floating down, and then down, and then down."
"I’ve been a fool, I thought. I couldn’t breathe. He was never really mine."
"He’s spread like an infection in my mind. I think of him while driving the kids around, while I read stories to Pepper at night, while I work, my hands on other people, imagining my hands on him. I think of him while I stare at the screen of the self-checkout at the grocery store. I think of him as I fall asleep."
And this happens for about 300 pages in a book that could have been 75 pages shorter, with zero depth. By about 50% of this book, as I kept reading, there was nothing but longing and characters who are sad and typical of what is supposed to be a "mystery," but is really be about a woman dealing with an unhappy marriage and kids who are kinda annoying.
Regardless, and I know I've said this before, these mystery genres are horrible, to say the least. Prove me wrong, as I've read quite a few.
I'M OVER IT.
April 19, 2026
I have been waiting for another book from Ashley Audrain! After reading “The Push” and “The Whispers” I was thrilled to read this new one. This was so heavy just like the other books.
She does such a good job at exploring the dark places inside of her characters and bringing it to life in a way that is so disturbing yet you can’t look away from. The pacing of her book was spot on. Every chapter I had to know more!!
This is definitely a book binge. I couldn’t put it down as I had to know what happened. The characters were in now way likable but that didn’t take away from
The book at all.
She does such a good job at exploring the dark places inside of her characters and bringing it to life in a way that is so disturbing yet you can’t look away from. The pacing of her book was spot on. Every chapter I had to know more!!
This is definitely a book binge. I couldn’t put it down as I had to know what happened. The characters were in now way likable but that didn’t take away from
The book at all.
May 6, 2026
Even though The Things You’ll Never Know by Ashley Audrain will not be released until 2027, I couldn't contain my excitement and had to jump in, and oh my, this book did not disappoint. Now I'm just sad that I'll never be able to read this book for th first time again. The Things You’ll Never Know is an amazing domestic thriller with family secrets, mental health rep, multiple POVs, a non-linear timeline, and unreliable narration.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Ashley Audrain, Viking, and Penguin Random House LLC.
Publication date: January 12, 2027
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Ashley Audrain, Viking, and Penguin Random House LLC.
Publication date: January 12, 2027
May 6, 2026
Fiona watches as her husband and teenage daughter pull out of the driveway--it's just her and Pepper, her precocious 6 year-old son, for the weekend. And she needs this time with him, she does. Being a mom to two children is so different than a mom to one; Fiona is spread paper-thin between her family these days, she just needs some time to feel like herself again. Yes, that's what she needs; just a little time, maybe a quick lie-down, and then she'll be good as new for Pepper: mom of the year.
But something is wrong; how much time has passed? Why won't she wake up? Why is her family so distraught? Surely they can see her standing right here, amongst them. Everything's fine, it wasn't supposed to be like this, Fiona was about to fix everything before anyone even knew.
They have to know the truth.
"The Things You'll Never Know," for better or worse, will be the most binge-worthy thing you read all year readers, trust me on that. With the same staccato-quick chapters that propelled Ashley Audrain's utter sensation "The Push" to stardom, "The Things You'll Never Know" brings the same, unputdownable quality to the table, albeit with a more mysterious lens. From the start, Audrain's "The Push" told you exactly what it was: a nightmarish car crash of a character study that could only end in one way. Refreshingly, "The Things You'll Never Know" isn't quite so obvious. It's every bit a true mystery as it is a domestic thriller, and while there's elements to it that--once they take center stage--may lose some readers, I was in this until the end and found the payoff well worth it.
Not a perfect novel but an undeniably well-crafted slump-buster of a novel, "The Things You'll Never Know" is one to put on your to-read lists now.
*Many thanks to Viking Penguin for my advanced review copy of this title*
But something is wrong; how much time has passed? Why won't she wake up? Why is her family so distraught? Surely they can see her standing right here, amongst them. Everything's fine, it wasn't supposed to be like this, Fiona was about to fix everything before anyone even knew.
They have to know the truth.
"The Things You'll Never Know," for better or worse, will be the most binge-worthy thing you read all year readers, trust me on that. With the same staccato-quick chapters that propelled Ashley Audrain's utter sensation "The Push" to stardom, "The Things You'll Never Know" brings the same, unputdownable quality to the table, albeit with a more mysterious lens. From the start, Audrain's "The Push" told you exactly what it was: a nightmarish car crash of a character study that could only end in one way. Refreshingly, "The Things You'll Never Know" isn't quite so obvious. It's every bit a true mystery as it is a domestic thriller, and while there's elements to it that--once they take center stage--may lose some readers, I was in this until the end and found the payoff well worth it.
Not a perfect novel but an undeniably well-crafted slump-buster of a novel, "The Things You'll Never Know" is one to put on your to-read lists now.
*Many thanks to Viking Penguin for my advanced review copy of this title*
May 6, 2026
This story absolutely wrecked me in the best way.
This story resonated so deeply with me as both a mother and a wife. The portrayal of the husband’s depression was incredibly raw and honest, and it highlighted a side of relationships that isn’t talked about enough. As a wife, I really connected to that quiet, heavy feeling of being the one holding everything together; keeping the household functioning, showing up for everyone else while your own struggles go unseen and unacknowledged. It’s a lonely place to be, and this book captured that so well.
The writing is beautiful. It’s layered, emotional, and deeply human without ever feeling overdone. I loved the back and forth timeline; it added tension and depth, slowly peeling back the truth in a way that kept me completely invested.
And that ending… I was genuinely shocked. It’s the kind of twist that makes you pause and rethink everything you’ve just read.
This is one of those stories that lingers. It stays with you, settles into your thoughts, and doesn’t let go easily. A powerful, emotional read that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story resonated so deeply with me as both a mother and a wife. The portrayal of the husband’s depression was incredibly raw and honest, and it highlighted a side of relationships that isn’t talked about enough. As a wife, I really connected to that quiet, heavy feeling of being the one holding everything together; keeping the household functioning, showing up for everyone else while your own struggles go unseen and unacknowledged. It’s a lonely place to be, and this book captured that so well.
The writing is beautiful. It’s layered, emotional, and deeply human without ever feeling overdone. I loved the back and forth timeline; it added tension and depth, slowly peeling back the truth in a way that kept me completely invested.
And that ending… I was genuinely shocked. It’s the kind of twist that makes you pause and rethink everything you’ve just read.
This is one of those stories that lingers. It stays with you, settles into your thoughts, and doesn’t let go easily. A powerful, emotional read that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 26, 2026
I think Ashley Audrain books should be read in the college freshman year. Being a woman is madness, and we do not get a realistic idea of how it will go beforehand. This book captures mid-life especially well, and I appreciate that the author gives Fiona some insight into her own life before she offs her. Thanks for that, Ashley!
eArc from NetGalkey
eArc from NetGalkey
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. This was a VERY heavy book. I don’t believe there was a single light hearted moment in all the one hundred plus chapters. With that being said, I was completely blown away by how much I enjoyed the book. It’s very real and there’s nothing fake about what happens in this story. Life can be hard and the characters and the story definitely make that clear in this book. The plot was very well executed and all the details came together perfectly at the end. After reading the other books by this author I was prepared for the final chapter to be monumental, but wow- when I realized what was about to happen at the very end I found myself thinking to myself “no, no, no, no!!!” When I was finished I wasn’t able to stop thinking about the final ending, and what was revealed in the final 20% of the book. It was excellent. A heavy read, but so well written and just totally captivating. I loved it. 5 well deserved stars. Looking forward to discussing this one with other readers once they have the opportunity to read it!
Thank you to the publisher (Pamela Dorman/Viking) and also NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy.
Thank you to the publisher (Pamela Dorman/Viking) and also NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fiona has layers to herself that she gives to Adam, Pepper, Astrid, Leah, Nell, and her mother. There are layers she leaves for herself. In those secret layers she has shared thoughts with herself on paper never expecting to expose those feelings with anyone. Those feelings and thoughts were her own until death took away her secrets.
…
Fiona had to fill something else inside of her so she could be the person her family needed. The absence of Fiona was felt in the empty space that she once occupied as mother, wife, and friend. To each person that Fiona had a relationship with she left behind a hole that is unique to each one.
…
This was a fascinating concept executed exceptionally well. Ashley Audrain captures the essence of being everything you know while also giving readers the parts of Fiona that nobody knew. Audrain is a beautiful storyteller who captivates readers with piqued curiosity. This story doesn’t need a genre to categorize itself. Instead it falls within that realm of subjective experience. Audrain kept me guessing about Fiona and her cause of death the entire time. I believe it was intended that way in order to fully understand all the secrets.
…
Wow! What an amazing adventure of secrets. I’m not as good with words as Audrain so I can’t express how deeply moved I was by this book. All the interconnecting parts of the puzzle kept me glued to this book. I took it all in as it was written clinging to every word with curiosity. I had no way of knowing where Audrain was taking this story, it came as a surprise. Five stars is not enough for the power of this book. I’m rarely moved by a storyline. This is more than a concept. It’s a spectacular execution of brilliant writing skills in the most impressive way.
…
Fiona had to fill something else inside of her so she could be the person her family needed. The absence of Fiona was felt in the empty space that she once occupied as mother, wife, and friend. To each person that Fiona had a relationship with she left behind a hole that is unique to each one.
…
This was a fascinating concept executed exceptionally well. Ashley Audrain captures the essence of being everything you know while also giving readers the parts of Fiona that nobody knew. Audrain is a beautiful storyteller who captivates readers with piqued curiosity. This story doesn’t need a genre to categorize itself. Instead it falls within that realm of subjective experience. Audrain kept me guessing about Fiona and her cause of death the entire time. I believe it was intended that way in order to fully understand all the secrets.
…
Wow! What an amazing adventure of secrets. I’m not as good with words as Audrain so I can’t express how deeply moved I was by this book. All the interconnecting parts of the puzzle kept me glued to this book. I took it all in as it was written clinging to every word with curiosity. I had no way of knowing where Audrain was taking this story, it came as a surprise. Five stars is not enough for the power of this book. I’m rarely moved by a storyline. This is more than a concept. It’s a spectacular execution of brilliant writing skills in the most impressive way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Things You’ll Never Know
By Ashley Audrain
Published by Viking Penguin
Release Date: January 12, 2027
I am a 49 year old mother of two adult children that always felt like a disappointment while growing up with a complicated relationship with my sister, so boy did I relate to this book! It mimics how life really is with its interwoven stories, secrets held deep inside, and complicated relationships and feelings. The description alone grabbed my attention, “Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband…and her children…(you have to read it to get the details in the middle)…Fiona is dead.”
Motherhood is wonderful but hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience times when you just don’t know who you are because your identity has gotten wrapped up into the beings around you. Our children don’t know or understand that we too are growing up beside them.
My review will not do it justice as I try to keep the details hidden, but I will tell you I ate this up. I couldn’t get to the end fast enough so that I would understand more of the secrets and nuances found inside, but once I got to the end I wished I wouldn’t have finished so fast. I’ve thought about the characters and stories found inside The Things You’ll Never Know multiple times since I reached the last page. I want more despite the fact that it ended well. Ashley Audrain created a smartly written masterpiece that would make an awesome summer movie blockbuster.
You want this book.
You need this book.
You can’t shake this book.
⭐️ 5 stars • HIGHLY RECOMMEND ⭐️
Thank you Viking Penguin for the review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I am a 49 year old mother of two adult children that always felt like a disappointment while growing up with a complicated relationship with my sister, so boy did I relate to this book! It mimics how life really is with its interwoven stories, secrets held deep inside, and complicated relationships and feelings. The description alone grabbed my attention, “Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband…and her children…(you have to read it to get the details in the middle)…Fiona is dead.”
Motherhood is wonderful but hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience times when you just don’t know who you are because your identity has gotten wrapped up into the beings around you. Our children don’t know or understand that we too are growing up beside them.
My review will not do it justice as I try to keep the details hidden, but I will tell you I ate this up. I couldn’t get to the end fast enough so that I would understand more of the secrets and nuances found inside, but once I got to the end I wished I wouldn’t have finished so fast. I’ve thought about the characters and stories found inside The Things You’ll Never Know multiple times since I reached the last page. I want more despite the fact that it ended well. Ashley Audrain created a smartly written masterpiece that would make an awesome summer movie blockbuster.
You want this book.
You need this book.
You can’t shake this book.
⭐️ 5 stars • HIGHLY RECOMMEND ⭐️
Thank you Viking Penguin for the review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 6, 2026
The Things You’ll Never Know
By Ashley Audrian
Release Date 01/12/2027
5 ✨S̓̓T̓̓A̓̓R̓̓S̓̓
Some books entertain you.
Some books unsettle you so deeply you start side-eyeing your own thoughts at 2 a.m.
This one?
It crawls under your skin and stays there.
The Things You’ll Never Know is sharp, haunting, emotionally brutal in the quietest way possible — the kind of story that makes you pause after certain chapters to stare at the wall like you personally need therapy now.
Beautifully written. Deeply uncomfortable. Completely addictive.
Fiona sends her husband, Adam, on an annual camping trip with their 15-year-old daughter, Astrid.
She’s staying back at home with their son Pepper, who's 6 years old. Upon his return, he finds Fiona dead; their lives are completely shattering in real time, all the while unbeknownst to them, Fiona’s ghost is watching and narrating her future and past.
Fiona watches the aftermath of her death unfold inside the very home she left behind, forced to witness her family uncover pieces of the private life she worked hard to keep hidden. That perspective gives the story such an eerie emotional edge because even in death, she still feels everything — shame, anger, regret — but above all, an overwhelming love for her children. And while she desperately wants to protect them, there are dark secrets buried in her past that she never intended anyone to discover. The most brutal part? She can do absolutely nothing to stop the truth from surfacing.
#ashleyaudrain #pameladormanbooks #thethingsyoullneverknow #5starbook #vikingbooks
By Ashley Audrian
Release Date 01/12/2027
5 ✨S̓̓T̓̓A̓̓R̓̓S̓̓
Some books entertain you.
Some books unsettle you so deeply you start side-eyeing your own thoughts at 2 a.m.
This one?
It crawls under your skin and stays there.
The Things You’ll Never Know is sharp, haunting, emotionally brutal in the quietest way possible — the kind of story that makes you pause after certain chapters to stare at the wall like you personally need therapy now.
Beautifully written. Deeply uncomfortable. Completely addictive.
Fiona sends her husband, Adam, on an annual camping trip with their 15-year-old daughter, Astrid.
She’s staying back at home with their son Pepper, who's 6 years old. Upon his return, he finds Fiona dead; their lives are completely shattering in real time, all the while unbeknownst to them, Fiona’s ghost is watching and narrating her future and past.
Fiona watches the aftermath of her death unfold inside the very home she left behind, forced to witness her family uncover pieces of the private life she worked hard to keep hidden. That perspective gives the story such an eerie emotional edge because even in death, she still feels everything — shame, anger, regret — but above all, an overwhelming love for her children. And while she desperately wants to protect them, there are dark secrets buried in her past that she never intended anyone to discover. The most brutal part? She can do absolutely nothing to stop the truth from surfacing.
#ashleyaudrain #pameladormanbooks #thethingsyoullneverknow #5starbook #vikingbooks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Fiona's husband and daughter return home from an overnight camping trip, they find her dead on the floor of their home. Fiona's spirit lingers and in the days that follow her death, she and her loved ones question what really happened.
The Things You’ll Never Know is a taut, compelling read that completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. This was one of those books I couldn’t put down; I ended up reading most of it in a single sitting because I just had to know what would happen next.
The short chapters keep the story moving at a relentless pace, making it incredibly easy to keep saying “just one more.” Each chapter peels back another layer, revealing a story full of tension, secrets, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
As the story unravels, each new detail shifts what you think you know. Just when I felt like I had things figured out, another twist would change everything. The ending, in particular, completely surprised me and wasn’t at all what I expected.
Fans of psychological thrillers will find a lot to love here. If you’re looking for a twisty, addictive read that keeps you guessing while also exploring the strain of family dynamics, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thanks to Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
The Things You’ll Never Know is a taut, compelling read that completely pulled me in from the very first chapter. This was one of those books I couldn’t put down; I ended up reading most of it in a single sitting because I just had to know what would happen next.
The short chapters keep the story moving at a relentless pace, making it incredibly easy to keep saying “just one more.” Each chapter peels back another layer, revealing a story full of tension, secrets, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
As the story unravels, each new detail shifts what you think you know. Just when I felt like I had things figured out, another twist would change everything. The ending, in particular, completely surprised me and wasn’t at all what I expected.
Fans of psychological thrillers will find a lot to love here. If you’re looking for a twisty, addictive read that keeps you guessing while also exploring the strain of family dynamics, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thanks to Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was OBSESSED with The Push, so I was absolutely thrilled to receive a copy of Ashley Audrain's latest so early — so early that it wasn't on Goodreads yet AND the title has changed since I received the file. Bowing down to the individual who approved me on NetGalley!
ANYWAY, I loved this book. It was exactly enough going on with red herrings throughout making you wonder what actually happened to Fiona. Even when it becomes clear(er) what happened, you're left to wonder if anyone is really a reliable narrator, and then if it IS what it seems, it's like wait, what? I thought for certain that I was wrong, that's how 👀 it was.
This is going to be a hit with the GP and BookTok girlies – easily one of the best thrillers I've read so far this year. There are several POVs from a variety of times, and it all comes together really nicely at the end in a way that I didn't see coming. (Disclaimer here that I'm reading for entertainment, and there's not a whole lot of trying to piece things together, so every surprise is a delight to me!)
*Thanks to Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
ANYWAY, I loved this book. It was exactly enough going on with red herrings throughout making you wonder what actually happened to Fiona. Even when it becomes clear(er) what happened, you're left to wonder if anyone is really a reliable narrator, and then if it IS what it seems, it's like wait, what? I thought for certain that I was wrong, that's how 👀 it was.
This is going to be a hit with the GP and BookTok girlies – easily one of the best thrillers I've read so far this year. There are several POVs from a variety of times, and it all comes together really nicely at the end in a way that I didn't see coming. (Disclaimer here that I'm reading for entertainment, and there's not a whole lot of trying to piece things together, so every surprise is a delight to me!)
*Thanks to Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for the ARC!*
May 14, 2026
After reading The Push and The Whispers, I knew I HAD to read Ashley Audrain’s newest book. Her writing style punches me right in the gut and pulls at my heartstrings. She has a way of putting into words- a mother’s love for her children and complicated family dynamics. Her words stick with me.
“I am the relief after a good cry. I am the split second before laughter. I am my wild racing heart at twenty-two. I am the high after labor. I am the kind of touch that awakens everything again.” 😭
The Things You’ll Never Know focuses on the life and death of Fiona, a 40 something mother of 2 trying desperately to keep her family together despite the secrets surrounding her life (and death). There’s a part in the book where Fiona details her struggles with breastfeeding her son and feeling like a failure and I had a very difficult breastfeeding journey with my 2nd baby and could really relate to Fiona. The fierce love that a mother has for her children will always trump the love she has for herself and that is made abundantly clear throughout this book. The story is UNIQUE and character driven. I love when an author can make me feel something and Audrain ALWAYS delivers on this.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this title.
“I am the relief after a good cry. I am the split second before laughter. I am my wild racing heart at twenty-two. I am the high after labor. I am the kind of touch that awakens everything again.” 😭
The Things You’ll Never Know focuses on the life and death of Fiona, a 40 something mother of 2 trying desperately to keep her family together despite the secrets surrounding her life (and death). There’s a part in the book where Fiona details her struggles with breastfeeding her son and feeling like a failure and I had a very difficult breastfeeding journey with my 2nd baby and could really relate to Fiona. The fierce love that a mother has for her children will always trump the love she has for herself and that is made abundantly clear throughout this book. The story is UNIQUE and character driven. I love when an author can make me feel something and Audrain ALWAYS delivers on this.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and honestly review this title.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨I’ve come to really love literary thrillers, and this one fits nicely in that category with its clever plotting, complex characters and elevated themes. Emotional depth takes the place of fast-paced action, and the storytelling is so unique that I couldn’t put it down. At its core, this is an inside look at a seemingly ordinary family and their slow and painful unraveling. And that twist at the end! Okay wow.
✨As we’ve come to expect from this author, the focus here is on identity in motherhood and how the role can reshape a woman over time. It also touches on the unspoken fears and resentments of mothers that often simmer beneath the surface. As a mother herself, she is remarkably skilled at giving voice to the deeply felt insecurities and private frustrations that are so common in motherhood.
✨This is quite a heavy read and definitely on the more harrowing side, so I would recommend checking out trigger warnings if you are sensitive to certain topics.
✨All in all, this was an excellent read and another great novel for Ashley Audrain. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Literary thrillers
✨Motherhood narratives
✨Emotional depth
✨Multiple points of view
✨Female friendships
✨Domestic drama
✨As we’ve come to expect from this author, the focus here is on identity in motherhood and how the role can reshape a woman over time. It also touches on the unspoken fears and resentments of mothers that often simmer beneath the surface. As a mother herself, she is remarkably skilled at giving voice to the deeply felt insecurities and private frustrations that are so common in motherhood.
✨This is quite a heavy read and definitely on the more harrowing side, so I would recommend checking out trigger warnings if you are sensitive to certain topics.
✨All in all, this was an excellent read and another great novel for Ashley Audrain. I can’t wait to see what’s next for her.
🌿Read if you like:
✨Literary thrillers
✨Motherhood narratives
✨Emotional depth
✨Multiple points of view
✨Female friendships
✨Domestic drama
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some books are hard to review because they hit too deep—and The Things You’ll Never Know by Ashley Audrain is one of them.
I loved The Push, and once again Audrain proves she has an uncanny ability to dig into the darkest corners of motherhood, marriage, and the thoughts we don’t dare say out loud.
Fiona, a mother of two, is found dead in her home
and her young son alone with her body. Her husband Adam has long struggled with depression, and Fiona has spent years trying to hold everything together, determined to be the perfect wife and mother. But perfection comes at a cost.
As the story unfolds through Fiona’s perspective and the discovery of her diary by her teenage daughter, layers of secrets begin to unravel. Her husband, her best friend, her sister—everyone has something to hide. And Fiona may have been hiding the darkest truths of all.
I didn’t always like these characters, but I understood them. Their choices were messy, complicated, and deeply human.
This was intense, unsettling, and completely unputdownable. I read it in a single day.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Run, don’t walk, to get this
I loved The Push, and once again Audrain proves she has an uncanny ability to dig into the darkest corners of motherhood, marriage, and the thoughts we don’t dare say out loud.
Fiona, a mother of two, is found dead in her home
and her young son alone with her body. Her husband Adam has long struggled with depression, and Fiona has spent years trying to hold everything together, determined to be the perfect wife and mother. But perfection comes at a cost.
As the story unfolds through Fiona’s perspective and the discovery of her diary by her teenage daughter, layers of secrets begin to unravel. Her husband, her best friend, her sister—everyone has something to hide. And Fiona may have been hiding the darkest truths of all.
I didn’t always like these characters, but I understood them. Their choices were messy, complicated, and deeply human.
This was intense, unsettling, and completely unputdownable. I read it in a single day.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Run, don’t walk, to get this
March 21, 2026
Ashley Audrain is queen of a "last page twist" and boy, does she deliver again! This slow-burn thriller is full of mystery and sprinkled with just enough jaw-dropping twists to keep you flipping pages until you realize you've binged it in a day. I love the point of view of Fiona as a ghost. And I use the term ghost loosely because the feeling I got wasn't paranormal. It was more that Fiona is able to witness what happens in her home after her death. This point of view provides a unique perspective because she is witnessing her family find out more about her private life leading up to her death. She still processes emotions like shame and anger but mostly she expresses the unconditional love she has for her children. Don't let that fool you though, there are some serious secrets she doesn't want uncovered and is helpless to stop the truth from coming out. The characters are messy which makes them all the more real. You'll think you've got it all figured out but, like me, you'll be floored once the final shocking twist is revealed!
May 2, 2026
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC!
I read The Push last year and was completely obsessed. It was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and probably of all time. When I found out I was selected to receive an ARC for Ashley’s latest book my jaw was literally on the floor. Thank you thank you thank you to the lovely person who approved my NetGalley request.
Now for the book - of course I loved it. I love Ashley’s writing style and the entire time I thought I knew what happened to Fiona … until I didn’t. I found myself second guessing, third guessing, and even fourth guessing myself when I was trying to figure out the twist. I love unreliable narrators, multiple points of view, and different timelines so I felt like this book was written for me. Ashley, are you in my brain??
This is going to be a big one for the thriller community. It is just as good as The Push (which is saying a lot for me - I recommend it to anyone and everyone) - and now this will be added to that list
I read The Push last year and was completely obsessed. It was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and probably of all time. When I found out I was selected to receive an ARC for Ashley’s latest book my jaw was literally on the floor. Thank you thank you thank you to the lovely person who approved my NetGalley request.
Now for the book - of course I loved it. I love Ashley’s writing style and the entire time I thought I knew what happened to Fiona … until I didn’t. I found myself second guessing, third guessing, and even fourth guessing myself when I was trying to figure out the twist. I love unreliable narrators, multiple points of view, and different timelines so I felt like this book was written for me. Ashley, are you in my brain??
This is going to be a big one for the thriller community. It is just as good as The Push (which is saying a lot for me - I recommend it to anyone and everyone) - and now this will be added to that list
May 15, 2026
…if I could give this book 6 stars, I would.
Fiona and Adam met while Fiona was in college. They met because Adam was a coworker of Fiona’s best friend, Leah. They had a sweeping romance, eventually getting married and having two kids (Astrid and Pepper). Throughout their time together Adam has on and off managed his depression - drugs, therapy, exercise, diet - but also riding the very low lows as well (with no intervention). Fiona does what she can to help him.
Astrid (older daughter) is invited to an overnight, away, camping. Adam offers to be a volunteer, so Fiona preps their supplies and off they go. When they come home, however, they find Fiona dead on the floor and Pepper - who just indicates that “Mommy is sleeping”.
This book dives into the death of a loved one, the secrets spouses keep from each other (and sometimes to just themselves), and the relationships and personalities within a tight inner circle.
This book was phenomenal and just as well written as The Push.
Fiona and Adam met while Fiona was in college. They met because Adam was a coworker of Fiona’s best friend, Leah. They had a sweeping romance, eventually getting married and having two kids (Astrid and Pepper). Throughout their time together Adam has on and off managed his depression - drugs, therapy, exercise, diet - but also riding the very low lows as well (with no intervention). Fiona does what she can to help him.
Astrid (older daughter) is invited to an overnight, away, camping. Adam offers to be a volunteer, so Fiona preps their supplies and off they go. When they come home, however, they find Fiona dead on the floor and Pepper - who just indicates that “Mommy is sleeping”.
This book dives into the death of a loved one, the secrets spouses keep from each other (and sometimes to just themselves), and the relationships and personalities within a tight inner circle.
This book was phenomenal and just as well written as The Push.
April 30, 2026
The Heavy Weight of the Unspoken
Ashley Audrain has a masterful way of peeling back the layers of a domestic life to reveal the raw, often uncomfortable truths underneath. The Things You’ll Never Know is a deeply involved narrative that explores the staggering complexity of mental health and the specific, heavy weight it places on a family unit.
What struck me most was how plainly Audrain illustrates that even the strongest individuals are not immune to "hero syndrome." The desire to save those we love—and the internal collapse that happens when we realize we can't—is portrayed with haunting accuracy.
This wasn't just a story; it was an intellectual and emotional exercise. I appreciated the intricate complexity of the plot, and the ending was a complete departure from what I expected. If you are looking for a page-turner that forces you to think long after the final chapter, this is it.
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Ashley Audrain has a masterful way of peeling back the layers of a domestic life to reveal the raw, often uncomfortable truths underneath. The Things You’ll Never Know is a deeply involved narrative that explores the staggering complexity of mental health and the specific, heavy weight it places on a family unit.
What struck me most was how plainly Audrain illustrates that even the strongest individuals are not immune to "hero syndrome." The desire to save those we love—and the internal collapse that happens when we realize we can't—is portrayed with haunting accuracy.
This wasn't just a story; it was an intellectual and emotional exercise. I appreciated the intricate complexity of the plot, and the ending was a complete departure from what I expected. If you are looking for a page-turner that forces you to think long after the final chapter, this is it.
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2026
I absolutely flew through this book. The book centers around Fiona and her husband Adam. From the beginning we know that Fiona is dead and hanging out looking over her family and the fallout from her death. We meet their kids and Fiona’s best friend. The timeline jumps back and forth to when everyone met each other. We learn about the complicated friendships and romantic relationships play out throughout the years. We also meet a therapist who treated Adam for depression. As the story progresses we learn about how isolating and tough it is to be a Mom, a wife , a friend and how lines get blurred between doing what’s best for our loved ones and ourselves. So what actually happened to Fiona. And what was in that diary that her daughter finds. While I thought the ending was not what I had hoped it would be I found myself not caring in the end since it was such an engrossing realistic story along the way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book. It centers on Fiona, a wife and mom who dies but can still see what is going on in the aftermath. The story is so much more than that, though, as it also delves into the lives of Fiona and her family and friends over the previous couple decades to demonstrate the current dynamic.
The storyline was interesting and jumped around enough in timeline to keep me reading one more chapter. I wouldn’t say any of the primary characters are particularly likable but I felt like I could empathize with where they were coming from even if I wouldn’t have responded in the same way. I thought the ending was absolutely heartbreaking and not at all what I expected to happen. I have a feeling it will stick with me for a while.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and felt that it stood out in the domestic suspense genre. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The storyline was interesting and jumped around enough in timeline to keep me reading one more chapter. I wouldn’t say any of the primary characters are particularly likable but I felt like I could empathize with where they were coming from even if I wouldn’t have responded in the same way. I thought the ending was absolutely heartbreaking and not at all what I expected to happen. I have a feeling it will stick with me for a while.
Overall, I enjoyed the read and felt that it stood out in the domestic suspense genre. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Things You’ll Never Know is eerie, emotional, and impossible to look away from! The whole concept of Fiona narrating after her own death was so unique, and it gave the story a haunting and almost intimate feel. It’s not a light read, but it’s definitely one of those books you keep thinking about even when you’re not reading! Ashley Audrain’s writing is sharp and immersive, and she really knows how to dig into the messy and complicated parts of motherhood and identity. Every character felt layered, and I loved how the tension slowly built as secrets started to unravel. It had this quiet intensity that made it hard to stop turning pages. There’s a lot about desire, guilt, and the pressure of being “good.” It’s heavy at times, but in a really thought provoking way. A gripping and totally binge worthy read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was dark, not in a bad way but if you’re a mother and a wife, be prepared.
The story starts with a bang, then the slow burn to unravel the truth about Fiona’s death is all consuming. I felt like I was watching a play, with actors coming in and out, maybe truthful and maybe not, slowly moving through a very oppressive stage. This was my first book by Ashley Audrain and it was so different from any other mysteries I’ve read before. She really digs into the secret inner lives of her characters and boy oh boy what a tangled web do they weave.
This book is more fiction with an element of mystery rather than your classic whodunit, but the depth of its characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story starts with a bang, then the slow burn to unravel the truth about Fiona’s death is all consuming. I felt like I was watching a play, with actors coming in and out, maybe truthful and maybe not, slowly moving through a very oppressive stage. This was my first book by Ashley Audrain and it was so different from any other mysteries I’ve read before. She really digs into the secret inner lives of her characters and boy oh boy what a tangled web do they weave.
This book is more fiction with an element of mystery rather than your classic whodunit, but the depth of its characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ashley Audrain has been a must read author since The Push, I couldn’t wait to read this.
The Things You’ll Never Know focuses on Fiona’s sudden death, her life before and the time after. She’s a wife, a mother of two and after death finds herself in a limbo, able to watch what’s happening in her house but unable to interact with the living.
It’s bleak, and deep and powerful. The after death limbo is an obvious hook the gradual revelation of secrets kept me gripped, the impacts on grieving family and friends felt very real. This book doesn’t shy away from big emotional issues, motherhood, marriage and more.
A must read for fans of The Push and The Whispers.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viking Penguin
The Things You’ll Never Know focuses on Fiona’s sudden death, her life before and the time after. She’s a wife, a mother of two and after death finds herself in a limbo, able to watch what’s happening in her house but unable to interact with the living.
It’s bleak, and deep and powerful. The after death limbo is an obvious hook the gradual revelation of secrets kept me gripped, the impacts on grieving family and friends felt very real. This book doesn’t shy away from big emotional issues, motherhood, marriage and more.
A must read for fans of The Push and The Whispers.
Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Viking Penguin
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Things You'll Never Know by Ashley Audrain is a psychological thriller about a suburban mom who tries to have her cake and eat it too after a traumatic experience in college. Fiona has a seemingly perfect life with 2 kids, a husband, and a best friend who is there for every life event. However, Fiona slowly comes to the realization that she wants more out of her life and starts to take risks that unfortunately (and indirectly) lead to her untimely demise.
While the writing style wasn't my favorite, the tragic twist at the end caught me off guard and answered the biggest question of all.
Thank you, Net Galley, for the ARC!
The Things You'll Never Know by Ashley Audrain is a psychological thriller about a suburban mom who tries to have her cake and eat it too after a traumatic experience in college. Fiona has a seemingly perfect life with 2 kids, a husband, and a best friend who is there for every life event. However, Fiona slowly comes to the realization that she wants more out of her life and starts to take risks that unfortunately (and indirectly) lead to her untimely demise.
While the writing style wasn't my favorite, the tragic twist at the end caught me off guard and answered the biggest question of all.
Thank you, Net Galley, for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review - comes out Jan 2027 (or Nov 2026?)
The main character Fiona is dead - found by her family at home. She watches her family try to navigate her death - as the circumstances all come out we see that everyone in her world has secrets. It jumped in time all over the place to tell the story of this family from the beginning and tbh it was kind of hard to follow. I liked it fine - I’m not generally a fan of a book with all unlikable characters and this definitely had plenty of them. It will probably be a hit, but it wasn’t my favorite of hers.
The main character Fiona is dead - found by her family at home. She watches her family try to navigate her death - as the circumstances all come out we see that everyone in her world has secrets. It jumped in time all over the place to tell the story of this family from the beginning and tbh it was kind of hard to follow. I liked it fine - I’m not generally a fan of a book with all unlikable characters and this definitely had plenty of them. It will probably be a hit, but it wasn’t my favorite of hers.
May 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ashley Audrain does such a great job building tension and keeping you completely invested in the story. Things You’ll Never Know was one of those books I kept thinking about whenever I had to put it down. The pacing was strong, the characters felt layered and realistic, and the suspense kept me engaged the entire way through.
I flew through this book and genuinely could not put it down. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with emotional depth and a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right, this one absolutely delivers. Her previous novel, The Push, is a book I’ll never forget, and this one reminded me why I enjoy Ashley Audrain’s writing so much.
Ashley Audrain does such a great job building tension and keeping you completely invested in the story. Things You’ll Never Know was one of those books I kept thinking about whenever I had to put it down. The pacing was strong, the characters felt layered and realistic, and the suspense kept me engaged the entire way through.
I flew through this book and genuinely could not put it down. If you enjoy character-driven thrillers with emotional depth and a constant feeling that something isn’t quite right, this one absolutely delivers. Her previous novel, The Push, is a book I’ll never forget, and this one reminded me why I enjoy Ashley Audrain’s writing so much.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The story premise was intriguing. The characters downgraded the book, though...I didn't care for any of them, and the theme of depression that ran strong in Adam and also in Fiona was definitely a negative. Of course depression would be a negative, right? But there wasn't enough positive in the characters to overcome the feeling of anxiety the book left me with and I ended up feeling uneasy throughout, with no real triumph at the end. The writing was good, with the exception of some confusing chapter breaks at times, leaving me to wonder when that particular part of the story was taking place, in the past or the present. 2.5 rounded up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐️ Audrain writes books that just tickle my brain in exactly the right way that make it IMPOSSIBLE for me to put down. I’ve enjoyed her first 2 novels (“enjoy” is a tough word for them, as they all deal with serious topic), and this follow up was along the same lines: multiple POVs, unreliable narrators, non-linear timelines… I maybe should’ve been able to guess the final twist, but I didn’t.
I was falling asleep reading this one so I set my alarm early to finish it before work. Add this to your Jan 2027 TBR asap.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was falling asleep reading this one so I set my alarm early to finish it before work. Add this to your Jan 2027 TBR asap.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2026
This book was heavy! It has such a brutally honest storyline that focuses heavily on mental health and how it can ripple through a family.
Fiona is a busy wife and mom who gets lost in her own complacent life. Shes married to a man with severe depression and longs for normalcy and importance from another human. The real and raw moments were intense and heartbreaking because it could all truly happen.
And the spin of Fiona being stuck in her home after her death forced to watch how her family goes on is unique and interesting.
Incredible book! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
Fiona is a busy wife and mom who gets lost in her own complacent life. Shes married to a man with severe depression and longs for normalcy and importance from another human. The real and raw moments were intense and heartbreaking because it could all truly happen.
And the spin of Fiona being stuck in her home after her death forced to watch how her family goes on is unique and interesting.
Incredible book! Thank you NetGalley for the arc!
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