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Everything He Never Told Me
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Expected 18 Aug 26249 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 18, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 6, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.
Just finished the book and I don’t even know what I feel. I should probably feel a mix of pain and relief but I only feel pain. This book touches some sensitive subjects regarding mental health and the way it was written it’s simply beautiful. How the author plays with words and metaphors is just amazing. I love how she showed the struggle of the person dealing with mental health issues as well as the people around them. This is so important and was done with so much love. I wished for a different ending though.
Just finished the book and I don’t even know what I feel. I should probably feel a mix of pain and relief but I only feel pain. This book touches some sensitive subjects regarding mental health and the way it was written it’s simply beautiful. How the author plays with words and metaphors is just amazing. I love how she showed the struggle of the person dealing with mental health issues as well as the people around them. This is so important and was done with so much love. I wished for a different ending though.
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026DNF
I made it to 69% before deciding this one just wasn't for me. I didn't dislike it exactly. I just genuinely stopped caring what happened, and at that point continuing felt pointless.
The marketing does this book a bit of a disservice, honestly. Going in expecting a psychological thriller and getting a slow burn domestic drama about mental health and relationships are two very different reading experiences. I think readers who know what they're actually getting into will enjoy it a lot more than I did.
The prose felt repetitive in places, and the pacing tested my patience more than once. I can absolutely see why some readers found it devastating, and I think it genuinely has an audience. I'm just not it.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Clara van Houten, and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
I made it to 69% before deciding this one just wasn't for me. I didn't dislike it exactly. I just genuinely stopped caring what happened, and at that point continuing felt pointless.
The marketing does this book a bit of a disservice, honestly. Going in expecting a psychological thriller and getting a slow burn domestic drama about mental health and relationships are two very different reading experiences. I think readers who know what they're actually getting into will enjoy it a lot more than I did.
The prose felt repetitive in places, and the pacing tested my patience more than once. I can absolutely see why some readers found it devastating, and I think it genuinely has an audience. I'm just not it.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Clara van Houten, and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
August 1, 2026
Ivy is in her early 20s and dating a sweet guy named Kai, whose life dream is to create a prosthetic arm for veterans that they can afford. Kai is not who Ivy’s wealthy, prominent father wants her to end up with. Told from alternating POVs from Ivy and Kai as they reach for their dreams and then get lost in a surprising challenge that neither of them had anticipated that ends up altering the trajectory of both of their lives.
I literally had anxiety almost the entire time, reading this beautiful and heartbreaking story. The ending truly tore me to pieces. It gave a view into a diagnosis I don’t have much first hand experience with.
The author has a very unique writing style that I enjoyed and thought effectively emoted the feelings of both of the main characters in a raw but delicate fashion. This is a great debut novel and a really easy, fast read that could be read in a day or two.
I literally had anxiety almost the entire time, reading this beautiful and heartbreaking story. The ending truly tore me to pieces. It gave a view into a diagnosis I don’t have much first hand experience with.
The author has a very unique writing style that I enjoyed and thought effectively emoted the feelings of both of the main characters in a raw but delicate fashion. This is a great debut novel and a really easy, fast read that could be read in a day or two.
July 27, 2026
Wow! I was not ready for this one. This is a story of two people who fall in love against all odds. Ivy’s dad has her life mapped out for her and that doesn’t include Kai. She decides to make a stand against her father despite any consequences.
What happens next in this book I was not ready for. It felt so raw and it gutted me. The unfairness of it all really made me sad for Ivy. I definitely wouldn’t consider this a thriller but was a great story regardless!
What happens next in this book I was not ready for. It felt so raw and it gutted me. The unfairness of it all really made me sad for Ivy. I definitely wouldn’t consider this a thriller but was a great story regardless!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all, I would just like to thank the publisher and author for giving me an advanced copy of this book.
I really wanted to love this but ultimately had to DNF.
I have never read a book that actively gave me a headache the way the writing in this book did. There were so many run on sentences as well as a lot that was just not making sense grammatically. I think this book would have better potential if it went back through the editing process.
Also I got 20% in before DNFing and for such a short book there was no plot except for one character complaining about her life and the other just constantly saying different variations of "but it was all about to change".
There are so many glowing reviews for this book so I'm very let down that this couldn't work out for me.
First of all, I would just like to thank the publisher and author for giving me an advanced copy of this book.
I really wanted to love this but ultimately had to DNF.
I have never read a book that actively gave me a headache the way the writing in this book did. There were so many run on sentences as well as a lot that was just not making sense grammatically. I think this book would have better potential if it went back through the editing process.
Also I got 20% in before DNFing and for such a short book there was no plot except for one character complaining about her life and the other just constantly saying different variations of "but it was all about to change".
There are so many glowing reviews for this book so I'm very let down that this couldn't work out for me.
August 9, 2026
Review of the advanced copy of the arc provided through Netgalley.
That was amazing . Raw and realistic. The characters were so well written you were able to empathise with them . A real life drama
That was amazing . Raw and realistic. The characters were so well written you were able to empathise with them . A real life drama
July 24, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley and the author for the ARC of this title.
I enjoyed my time with this book even though the writing style wasn’t my favorite. This story has good bones and really does make you feel something for Kai and Ivy. Their love story was a sweet one that ultimately ended way too abruptly. I think a lot of readers will find Kai’s struggles relatable and others will resonate with Ivy.
I’m not sure that I would call this book a thriller. I went into it expecting something totally different and that’s the biggest reason for my 3 star rating. I will be reading more books by this author.
I enjoyed my time with this book even though the writing style wasn’t my favorite. This story has good bones and really does make you feel something for Kai and Ivy. Their love story was a sweet one that ultimately ended way too abruptly. I think a lot of readers will find Kai’s struggles relatable and others will resonate with Ivy.
I’m not sure that I would call this book a thriller. I went into it expecting something totally different and that’s the biggest reason for my 3 star rating. I will be reading more books by this author.
July 22, 2026
Kai and Ivy meet at university. Kai is a bright and passionate student, who wants to help people. Ivy starts taking the same science class as Kai, not part of her father’s plan. Ivy’s father has her life mapped out, she will marry Mason and take a seat on the board. She will attend what he asks her to. But her love for Kai means she finally stands up for herself. But then her life with Kai starts to change, fall apart.
I was not expecting this book, the emotional punch of it. The slow reveal of Kai’s mental health problems. The breakdown of relationships. The final chapter and chapter and epilogue broke me. The topic is a heavy one, and sensitively handled.
I was not expecting this book, the emotional punch of it. The slow reveal of Kai’s mental health problems. The breakdown of relationships. The final chapter and chapter and epilogue broke me. The topic is a heavy one, and sensitively handled.
August 11, 2026
Reading Journal Details
Book: Everything He Never Told Me by Clara van Houten
Format: ARC eBook (247 pages)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
Quick Take
Kai and Ivy never seemed particularly interested in staying confined to the page, and I was here for it.
Full Review
Characters don't have to be likable for me to care about them, but they do have to convince me they're real. Kai and Ivy accomplished that early enough that I became invested in their relationship before I fully understood where their story was taking me.
Kai and Ivy's happiness felt as tangible and believable as the messier parts that followed. At times, their story was so convincing it felt like I was reading about a real couple rather than fictional characters. That investment made the changes in their lives strike a deeper chord because I wasn't seeing characters in roles, but two people encountering the unexpected.
As their lives began shifting in directions neither of them anticipated, I never felt like the story was taking shortcuts simply to drive them apart. There was a visceral truth to the unraveling that made Ivy's growing uncertainty hit harder.
The shifting perspectives took me a little time to understand, particularly because Kai's portions felt more like something written down than traditional POV switches. Once the structure clicked, seeing what Ivy experienced alongside what Kai understood to be happening gave their growing distance considerably more weight.
Clara van Houten's prose was another standout for me, particularly because it suited the intimacy of the story so well. Her writing leans more literary and lyrical than I anticipated, with metaphors, analogies, and comparisons that repeatedly made me pause instead of racing toward the next sentence. More than once, I reread a line two or three times before highlighting it on my Kindle simply because the wording hit exactly right.
That care wasn't reserved for Kai and Ivy; their fathers each found ways to make me appreciate and connect with them. Marcus and Marisol, meanwhile, were like highlighters in a cup of pens: unassuming but impossible not to notice when they marked something important.
The pacing wasn't quite as seamless for me. The opening took a bit to find its rhythm, though Kai and Ivy gave me plenty of reason to keep reading. I also noticed a lull in the middle before the emotional momentum picked up again.
After finishing the story, I found myself reconsidering where I would personally shelve this story. Romantic suspense feels closest to my experience, with an almost literary quality to the way the story prioritizes its characters, relationship, and emotional undercurrents. The suspense came less from mysteries waiting to be solved and more from wondering what life had waiting for Kai and Ivy around the next corner.
In the end, my interest in these characters outlived the pages. I'd happily follow them into the future, not because the ending felt incomplete, but because I simply wasn't ready to leave them there. For characters who never seemed eager to stay confined to the page, it felt fitting that finishing the book didn't truly put them back there.
Would Recommend If...
Would recommend if messy people and complicated love are your cuppa tea—and bonus points if gorgeous prose makes you reach for the highlighter.
Features & Vibes
✍️ Words worth savoring
👥 Remarkably lifelike characters
🌊 Emotional undercurrents
🧠 Psychological complexity
🦾 Prosthetics engineering dreams
Advance Copy Acknowledgment
Thank you to Clara van Houten, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this before publication. I especially appreciated the willingness to explore how love can remain genuine even when circumstances change what two people are capable of giving each other.
Book: Everything He Never Told Me by Clara van Houten
Format: ARC eBook (247 pages)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
Quick Take
Kai and Ivy never seemed particularly interested in staying confined to the page, and I was here for it.
Full Review
Characters don't have to be likable for me to care about them, but they do have to convince me they're real. Kai and Ivy accomplished that early enough that I became invested in their relationship before I fully understood where their story was taking me.
Kai and Ivy's happiness felt as tangible and believable as the messier parts that followed. At times, their story was so convincing it felt like I was reading about a real couple rather than fictional characters. That investment made the changes in their lives strike a deeper chord because I wasn't seeing characters in roles, but two people encountering the unexpected.
As their lives began shifting in directions neither of them anticipated, I never felt like the story was taking shortcuts simply to drive them apart. There was a visceral truth to the unraveling that made Ivy's growing uncertainty hit harder.
The shifting perspectives took me a little time to understand, particularly because Kai's portions felt more like something written down than traditional POV switches. Once the structure clicked, seeing what Ivy experienced alongside what Kai understood to be happening gave their growing distance considerably more weight.
Clara van Houten's prose was another standout for me, particularly because it suited the intimacy of the story so well. Her writing leans more literary and lyrical than I anticipated, with metaphors, analogies, and comparisons that repeatedly made me pause instead of racing toward the next sentence. More than once, I reread a line two or three times before highlighting it on my Kindle simply because the wording hit exactly right.
That care wasn't reserved for Kai and Ivy; their fathers each found ways to make me appreciate and connect with them. Marcus and Marisol, meanwhile, were like highlighters in a cup of pens: unassuming but impossible not to notice when they marked something important.
The pacing wasn't quite as seamless for me. The opening took a bit to find its rhythm, though Kai and Ivy gave me plenty of reason to keep reading. I also noticed a lull in the middle before the emotional momentum picked up again.
After finishing the story, I found myself reconsidering where I would personally shelve this story. Romantic suspense feels closest to my experience, with an almost literary quality to the way the story prioritizes its characters, relationship, and emotional undercurrents. The suspense came less from mysteries waiting to be solved and more from wondering what life had waiting for Kai and Ivy around the next corner.
In the end, my interest in these characters outlived the pages. I'd happily follow them into the future, not because the ending felt incomplete, but because I simply wasn't ready to leave them there. For characters who never seemed eager to stay confined to the page, it felt fitting that finishing the book didn't truly put them back there.
Would Recommend If...
Would recommend if messy people and complicated love are your cuppa tea—and bonus points if gorgeous prose makes you reach for the highlighter.
Features & Vibes
✍️ Words worth savoring
👥 Remarkably lifelike characters
🌊 Emotional undercurrents
🧠 Psychological complexity
🦾 Prosthetics engineering dreams
Advance Copy Acknowledgment
Thank you to Clara van Houten, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this before publication. I especially appreciated the willingness to explore how love can remain genuine even when circumstances change what two people are capable of giving each other.
August 9, 2026
Advance Copy Via NetGalley
The novel details the relationship between Kai and Ivy, a couple in their early twenties who are forging a romantic relationship despite opposition from Ivy’s father. At its heart, this is a story of what they are each willing to put into a relationship; moreover, it explores Kai’s spiral into a mental health crisis and Ivy’s attempts to support him.
Whilst I enjoyed elements of this novel, I feel it is incorrectly marketed as a psychological thriller. Aside from the repeated references to some sort of impending dramatic event, none of the elements pointed to the thriller genre. I would instead suggest that this is marketed as contemporary fiction. I feel my experience of reading the novel would have been completely different had my expectations of the genre been different.
The characters are ultimately likeable and I was invested in the outcome of their relationship. I would have preferred a little more character development earlier in the novel.
I think that this novel definitely had an audience; it’s a compelling story and has what I believe to be an accurate and relatable depiction of mental health challenges. Categorising the novel’s genre differently will help it find the right reader.
The novel details the relationship between Kai and Ivy, a couple in their early twenties who are forging a romantic relationship despite opposition from Ivy’s father. At its heart, this is a story of what they are each willing to put into a relationship; moreover, it explores Kai’s spiral into a mental health crisis and Ivy’s attempts to support him.
Whilst I enjoyed elements of this novel, I feel it is incorrectly marketed as a psychological thriller. Aside from the repeated references to some sort of impending dramatic event, none of the elements pointed to the thriller genre. I would instead suggest that this is marketed as contemporary fiction. I feel my experience of reading the novel would have been completely different had my expectations of the genre been different.
The characters are ultimately likeable and I was invested in the outcome of their relationship. I would have preferred a little more character development earlier in the novel.
I think that this novel definitely had an audience; it’s a compelling story and has what I believe to be an accurate and relatable depiction of mental health challenges. Categorising the novel’s genre differently will help it find the right reader.
August 8, 2026
I honestly had such high hopes for this story. The writing was exceptional. I sincerely enjoyed the dual POV’s showing Kai and Ivy every other chapter. I was on board with it until Kai was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and his wife, who loves him, basically ghosts him when he needed her support. As a social worker who worked with people with this specific mental illness, I had a hard time coming to terms with the way Ivy dealt with it. I did not like the fact that the author painted Ivy as the victim alone. In my eyes, Kai was the main victim here and that was not conveyed. Ivy did the exact opposite of helping her husband navigate his illness. This story had the opportunity to be a beautiful and heartfelt piece of literature to educate people what bipolar disorder is but I feel it missed the mark in it. Also this book is labeled as a psychology thriller. That is not the genre.
August 8, 2026
𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢, 𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨, 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙤𝙣. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩. 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚.
I started this book with not a single clue as to what it was about or what was waiting for me within these pages.
From the very first page, though, I felt it.
And in my opinion, that is the whole point.
I remember reading PART ONE and thinking, Am I crazy, or is this some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever read? Her use of metaphors was incredible. Not only was the writing beautiful, but the way she reveals just enough without telling you everything at once had me desperate to know more.
I also remember feeling… calm.
That’s probably not quite the right word, because there was so much happening beneath the surface, but everything felt understated. Quiet. Almost calm.
And yet I felt everything.
The writing kept drawing me deeper and deeper into the story until I found myself sitting there at 2:49 a.m., having completely inhaled these words, surrounded by all these feelings and all this pain, with absolutely no idea what to do with any of it.
I am genuinely afraid that I won’t do this book justice because let me make this very clear:
𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓹𝓱𝓮𝓷𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓵.
Without a single doubt, it is one of the most memorable and impactful books I have ever read. And I don’t think that will ever change.
We meet Kai, who we very quickly come to understand is the “wrong guy” for Ivy.
He isn’t rich enough.
He isn’t well known enough.
He isn’t connected enough.
But she loves him anyway.
Kai is solid. He is committed to changing his life, and he desperately wants to give Ivy everything he believes she deserves. He loves her. He is also deeply consumed by his research and by his desire to make other people’s lives better.
And it is incredibly difficult to explain this book because I honestly don’t think it can be explained.
It is a feeling.
This entire book is feeling. It is breaking. It is devastation.
And the mental health representation is handled in a way that makes you feel every single emotion so viscerally. Not only Kai’s, but Ivy’s too.
Bᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ.
And again, I think that is the entire point of this book.
The book doesn’t hand you a villain, a victim, or an easy answer. It makes you understand people even when understanding them hurts.
It makes you question how you can feel empathy so deeply for one person while also understanding and feeling the hurt and pain of someone else.
My heart was absolutely shattered for Kai. My soul feels permanently altered by him, by everything he didn’t know, everything he couldn’t understand, and everything he couldn’t change.
But at the same time, I felt Ivy.
I felt what she was experiencing. I felt the things she couldn’t allow. The things she couldn’t tolerate. The things she couldn’t change.
There is so much pain in this story, but there is also so much humanity.
When you pick this book up, and I genuinely hope you do, I hope you experience even a fraction of what I did. I hope you appreciate the magnitude of this story. I hope you allow yourself to sit with it.
Because this book deserves to be remembered.
𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭. 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓬𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓲𝓽.
And I hope when you reach the end, you sit there with all those deep, complicated emotions and realize that you are not quite the same person who started it.
Because I’m not.
My hope is that you will also understand why this book will stay with me.
Thank you to 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓪 𝓥𝓪𝓷 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓮𝓷 for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to read this book. You have somehow managed to give me my 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓸𝓯 2026, and I genuinely cannot imagine anything taking its place.
It was beautiful. It was devastating. It was unforgettable.
I started this book with not a single clue as to what it was about or what was waiting for me within these pages.
From the very first page, though, I felt it.
And in my opinion, that is the whole point.
I remember reading PART ONE and thinking, Am I crazy, or is this some of the most beautiful writing I’ve ever read? Her use of metaphors was incredible. Not only was the writing beautiful, but the way she reveals just enough without telling you everything at once had me desperate to know more.
I also remember feeling… calm.
That’s probably not quite the right word, because there was so much happening beneath the surface, but everything felt understated. Quiet. Almost calm.
And yet I felt everything.
The writing kept drawing me deeper and deeper into the story until I found myself sitting there at 2:49 a.m., having completely inhaled these words, surrounded by all these feelings and all this pain, with absolutely no idea what to do with any of it.
I am genuinely afraid that I won’t do this book justice because let me make this very clear:
𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓹𝓱𝓮𝓷𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓵.
Without a single doubt, it is one of the most memorable and impactful books I have ever read. And I don’t think that will ever change.
We meet Kai, who we very quickly come to understand is the “wrong guy” for Ivy.
He isn’t rich enough.
He isn’t well known enough.
He isn’t connected enough.
But she loves him anyway.
Kai is solid. He is committed to changing his life, and he desperately wants to give Ivy everything he believes she deserves. He loves her. He is also deeply consumed by his research and by his desire to make other people’s lives better.
And it is incredibly difficult to explain this book because I honestly don’t think it can be explained.
It is a feeling.
This entire book is feeling. It is breaking. It is devastation.
And the mental health representation is handled in a way that makes you feel every single emotion so viscerally. Not only Kai’s, but Ivy’s too.
Bᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ᴄᴀɴ ʙᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴇ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇ.
And again, I think that is the entire point of this book.
The book doesn’t hand you a villain, a victim, or an easy answer. It makes you understand people even when understanding them hurts.
It makes you question how you can feel empathy so deeply for one person while also understanding and feeling the hurt and pain of someone else.
My heart was absolutely shattered for Kai. My soul feels permanently altered by him, by everything he didn’t know, everything he couldn’t understand, and everything he couldn’t change.
But at the same time, I felt Ivy.
I felt what she was experiencing. I felt the things she couldn’t allow. The things she couldn’t tolerate. The things she couldn’t change.
There is so much pain in this story, but there is also so much humanity.
When you pick this book up, and I genuinely hope you do, I hope you experience even a fraction of what I did. I hope you appreciate the magnitude of this story. I hope you allow yourself to sit with it.
Because this book deserves to be remembered.
𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓭. 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓯𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓬𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓲𝓽.
And I hope when you reach the end, you sit there with all those deep, complicated emotions and realize that you are not quite the same person who started it.
Because I’m not.
My hope is that you will also understand why this book will stay with me.
Thank you to 𝓒𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓪 𝓥𝓪𝓷 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓽𝓮𝓷 for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to read this book. You have somehow managed to give me my 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓸𝓯 2026, and I genuinely cannot imagine anything taking its place.
It was beautiful. It was devastating. It was unforgettable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cue "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion because whew… I am completely speechless right now.
I honestly don't even know if I can jump into my next read right after this; I definitely need a solid day to recover. The author really pulled no punches here and broke my heart into pieces. Whenever someone asks me which books made me cry, my go-to answers are always Dear John by Nicholas Sparks and Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry... but it looks like I officially have a new addition to that list.
First off, I loved the dual, alternating POVs between Kai and Ivy. Their distinct voices and tones shine through so clearly that you always know exactly who is speaking. I’m usually not a huge fan of first-person narrative, but I was so glad this didn't entirely lean on internal monologue,it balances it out with plenty of dynamic dialogue between the characters.
And can we talk about the tropes? A big YES to the rich girl/poor boy, forbidden love dynamic. Ivy and Kai against the world (and especially against Ivy's father)! There is just something about this trope that I can never fully get over. Maybe it’s that thrilling, high-stakes element of loving someone so deeply that you’re willing to sacrifice everything you have just to be together. Is it sacrificial love? Absolutely.
Now, to be totally honest, as I started reading, I was constantly looking for more instant intensity. At first, the story flows almost like still water. Even when significant events unfolded, it felt like I was just floating steadily along rather than being hit by a rushing wave. But hold up,I changed my mind as I got closer to the middle and the end. The tension builds quietly, and then suddenly it hits you out of nowhere. You’re left completely shocked as the heavy consequences of their choices start catching up to them. I'm usually used to a consistently fast, intense pacing, but this book delivers its intensity in sudden, powerful bursts,and it hits so painfully hard near the finish line.
The character dynamics are also incredibly complex. Ivy is exceptionally patient, understanding, and constantly trying to justify Kai's actions. Yet, as their situation spirals, it’s remarkably easy to feel a deep wave of sympathy for Kai. Seeing someone who is struggling, isolated, and completely unraveling makes your heart ache for him, especially knowing he doesn't have the financial safety nets or resources that others might have. On the flip side, human endurance has its limits, and watching two people navigate that breaking point feels heartbreakingly real.
I also deeply appreciated how the author isn't afraid to portray a man in his most vulnerable, broken moments,showing genuine emotional pain rather than hiding it. And thank goodness for true, loyal friends in a story like this, because a solid supporting character really holds things together when everything else is falling apart.
That ending? I truly did not see it coming. It was downright brutal. Part of me wants to go back and re-read the last two chapters just to take it all in again, but another part of me knows my heart simply can't take the pain a second time.
If you're looking for an emotional, character-driven story about the heavy cost of love and silence, definitely add this to your TBR!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Cross-posted online:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/0nlyb00ks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/0nlyb00ks
I honestly don't even know if I can jump into my next read right after this; I definitely need a solid day to recover. The author really pulled no punches here and broke my heart into pieces. Whenever someone asks me which books made me cry, my go-to answers are always Dear John by Nicholas Sparks and Saving Noah by Lucinda Berry... but it looks like I officially have a new addition to that list.
First off, I loved the dual, alternating POVs between Kai and Ivy. Their distinct voices and tones shine through so clearly that you always know exactly who is speaking. I’m usually not a huge fan of first-person narrative, but I was so glad this didn't entirely lean on internal monologue,it balances it out with plenty of dynamic dialogue between the characters.
And can we talk about the tropes? A big YES to the rich girl/poor boy, forbidden love dynamic. Ivy and Kai against the world (and especially against Ivy's father)! There is just something about this trope that I can never fully get over. Maybe it’s that thrilling, high-stakes element of loving someone so deeply that you’re willing to sacrifice everything you have just to be together. Is it sacrificial love? Absolutely.
Now, to be totally honest, as I started reading, I was constantly looking for more instant intensity. At first, the story flows almost like still water. Even when significant events unfolded, it felt like I was just floating steadily along rather than being hit by a rushing wave. But hold up,I changed my mind as I got closer to the middle and the end. The tension builds quietly, and then suddenly it hits you out of nowhere. You’re left completely shocked as the heavy consequences of their choices start catching up to them. I'm usually used to a consistently fast, intense pacing, but this book delivers its intensity in sudden, powerful bursts,and it hits so painfully hard near the finish line.
The character dynamics are also incredibly complex. Ivy is exceptionally patient, understanding, and constantly trying to justify Kai's actions. Yet, as their situation spirals, it’s remarkably easy to feel a deep wave of sympathy for Kai. Seeing someone who is struggling, isolated, and completely unraveling makes your heart ache for him, especially knowing he doesn't have the financial safety nets or resources that others might have. On the flip side, human endurance has its limits, and watching two people navigate that breaking point feels heartbreakingly real.
I also deeply appreciated how the author isn't afraid to portray a man in his most vulnerable, broken moments,showing genuine emotional pain rather than hiding it. And thank goodness for true, loyal friends in a story like this, because a solid supporting character really holds things together when everything else is falling apart.
That ending? I truly did not see it coming. It was downright brutal. Part of me wants to go back and re-read the last two chapters just to take it all in again, but another part of me knows my heart simply can't take the pain a second time.
If you're looking for an emotional, character-driven story about the heavy cost of love and silence, definitely add this to your TBR!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for providing an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Cross-posted online:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/0nlyb00ks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/0nlyb00ks
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
-ˏˋ. ARC Review ˊˎ-
📖 Title: Everything He Never Told Me
✒️ Author: Clara van Houten
🗓️ Release Day: 18 August 2026
🎧 Format: e-book
📄 Page Count: 158
📌 Genre(s): Contemporary, General Fiction, Literary Fiction
⭐ Star Rating: 3.60 (4 Stars)
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
The cover states ‘A Psychological Romantic Thriller’ and I don’t think I fully agree with that? This is more general fiction/literary fiction. There are no mystery or thriller aspects as it were; instead you follow the devastating rise and fall of a relationship of two people who genuinely love each other. The entire book is monologue heavy, which is fine and it really does work for the story it’s telling. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it to start with because it's very detail/working through thoughts and feelings heavy and I had no idea what it was actually about, so it took me a couple of days to chunk through the first 20% but then once I hit the 20-25% mark, I started to actually understand what the book was about, and I just devoured it from there.
I liked all of the characters. Obviously, you really only get to know Kai and Ivy, but I appreciate the support and the obstacles that the side characters gave.
I'll be honest. This is the first book in a long time that has actually made me cry. It hit a lot harder for me because I have bipolar disorder and I could relate in ways that aren’t usually accessible.
The book explains everything to you. You get everybody's inside thoughts, and it's easy to have empathy for Kai despite his actions because you can quite clearly see that they're not intentional. Kai isn't a bad person. He's just clinically unwell. But as someone who, in their own marriage, has been Kai a few times, I empathized with him a lot, and Ivy's chapters really hit me emotionally because I can imagine that my husband shares some of those thoughts sometimes. It made the writing feel more real to me because it was hitting so close to home.
The way it ended was devastating, and I mean there is no word other than devastating. But it also felt right. It was definitely a twist I didn’t quite see coming, but it didn’t ruin the book for me at all - instead it sort-of felt like it gave it more depth.
I think that this was an insane debut novel. I notice that a lot of debuts these days are good stories, but you can quite clearly tell that they were written intentionally for other people to read, whereas this felt very personal. I don't know if it's intentional that it feels personal, but I didn't feel like I was reading something that was written for me; instead I felt like I was reading something that was written to get words and emotions out onto a page - like I was reading someone’s diary more than a novel, and that made the experience a lot better.
I also highlighted so much in this book. I’ll get the physical copy of this for two reasons. Reason 1: the book was insanely good and I’ll definitely re-read this. Reason 2: my annotations are going to be off the charts, new level type of annotations. I’m thinking I’ll even use colour coded tabs. I just have so many thoughts and feelings and it’s impossible to yap any of that into a written review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
📖 Title: Everything He Never Told Me
✒️ Author: Clara van Houten
🗓️ Release Day: 18 August 2026
🎧 Format: e-book
📄 Page Count: 158
📌 Genre(s): Contemporary, General Fiction, Literary Fiction
⭐ Star Rating: 3.60 (4 Stars)
•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
The cover states ‘A Psychological Romantic Thriller’ and I don’t think I fully agree with that? This is more general fiction/literary fiction. There are no mystery or thriller aspects as it were; instead you follow the devastating rise and fall of a relationship of two people who genuinely love each other. The entire book is monologue heavy, which is fine and it really does work for the story it’s telling. I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy it to start with because it's very detail/working through thoughts and feelings heavy and I had no idea what it was actually about, so it took me a couple of days to chunk through the first 20% but then once I hit the 20-25% mark, I started to actually understand what the book was about, and I just devoured it from there.
I liked all of the characters. Obviously, you really only get to know Kai and Ivy, but I appreciate the support and the obstacles that the side characters gave.
I'll be honest. This is the first book in a long time that has actually made me cry. It hit a lot harder for me because I have bipolar disorder and I could relate in ways that aren’t usually accessible.
The book explains everything to you. You get everybody's inside thoughts, and it's easy to have empathy for Kai despite his actions because you can quite clearly see that they're not intentional. Kai isn't a bad person. He's just clinically unwell. But as someone who, in their own marriage, has been Kai a few times, I empathized with him a lot, and Ivy's chapters really hit me emotionally because I can imagine that my husband shares some of those thoughts sometimes. It made the writing feel more real to me because it was hitting so close to home.
The way it ended was devastating, and I mean there is no word other than devastating. But it also felt right. It was definitely a twist I didn’t quite see coming, but it didn’t ruin the book for me at all - instead it sort-of felt like it gave it more depth.
I think that this was an insane debut novel. I notice that a lot of debuts these days are good stories, but you can quite clearly tell that they were written intentionally for other people to read, whereas this felt very personal. I don't know if it's intentional that it feels personal, but I didn't feel like I was reading something that was written for me; instead I felt like I was reading something that was written to get words and emotions out onto a page - like I was reading someone’s diary more than a novel, and that made the experience a lot better.
I also highlighted so much in this book. I’ll get the physical copy of this for two reasons. Reason 1: the book was insanely good and I’ll definitely re-read this. Reason 2: my annotations are going to be off the charts, new level type of annotations. I’m thinking I’ll even use colour coded tabs. I just have so many thoughts and feelings and it’s impossible to yap any of that into a written review.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything He Never Told Me is a quiet, devastating, beautifully written psychological drama that lingers long after you finish. It’s not a thriller in the traditional sense—it’s something far more intimate and unsettling. This is a story about love that was real, hope that felt possible, and the slow, heartbreaking unraveling that neither Ivy nor Kai ever saw coming.
Kai and Ivy begin with such sincerity. Two people trying to build an ordinary happiness despite the expectations, pressures, and disapproval surrounding them. Their early chapters feel warm and full of promise, which makes the shift—those sleepless nights, the creeping jealousy, the inexplicable accusations—all the more painful. The author captures that gradual change with remarkable subtlety. Nothing happens all at once; it’s the accumulation of small silences, small fractures, small moments that are easy to explain away until suddenly they aren’t.
The dual POV is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Seeing both Ivy’s confusion and Kai’s internal turmoil adds a depth that makes the story feel achingly human. There’s no villain here, no easy answer—just two people trying, failing, loving, and hurting in ways that feel deeply authentic. The portrayal of mental illness is handled with compassion and clarity, showing how it reshapes not only the person experiencing it but everyone who loves them.
The writing itself is gorgeous—quiet, lyrical, and emotionally precise. There’s a softness to the prose that makes the heavier moments hit even harder. And when the truth finally arrives, it reframes everything that came before with a kind of heartbreaking inevitability.
Everything He Never Told Me is a tender, haunting exploration of love, grief, and the slow erosion of a relationship under the weight of something neither partner can fully name. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a profoundly meaningful one—thoughtful, empathetic, and unforgettable. This is the kind of story that stays with you, reshaping the way you think about the silences we live with and the ones we leave behind.
With thanks to Clara Van Houten, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Kai and Ivy begin with such sincerity. Two people trying to build an ordinary happiness despite the expectations, pressures, and disapproval surrounding them. Their early chapters feel warm and full of promise, which makes the shift—those sleepless nights, the creeping jealousy, the inexplicable accusations—all the more painful. The author captures that gradual change with remarkable subtlety. Nothing happens all at once; it’s the accumulation of small silences, small fractures, small moments that are easy to explain away until suddenly they aren’t.
The dual POV is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Seeing both Ivy’s confusion and Kai’s internal turmoil adds a depth that makes the story feel achingly human. There’s no villain here, no easy answer—just two people trying, failing, loving, and hurting in ways that feel deeply authentic. The portrayal of mental illness is handled with compassion and clarity, showing how it reshapes not only the person experiencing it but everyone who loves them.
The writing itself is gorgeous—quiet, lyrical, and emotionally precise. There’s a softness to the prose that makes the heavier moments hit even harder. And when the truth finally arrives, it reframes everything that came before with a kind of heartbreaking inevitability.
Everything He Never Told Me is a tender, haunting exploration of love, grief, and the slow erosion of a relationship under the weight of something neither partner can fully name. It’s not an easy read, but it’s a profoundly meaningful one—thoughtful, empathetic, and unforgettable. This is the kind of story that stays with you, reshaping the way you think about the silences we live with and the ones we leave behind.
With thanks to Clara Van Houten, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything He Never Told Me is a story about Kai Lindholm, a brilliant engineer who wants to build prosthetics for veterans, and Ivy, the woman he loves. Ivy is the daughter of a very wealthy and domineering father who has a plan for her life. Kai is not in those plans. Even though her father wants her to marry another man named Mason, Ivy accepts Kai's proposal, and the two of them get married and begin their lives without the money Ivy has always been used to. The couple both believe in Kai's ability to build a prosperous business, and together they work toward that goal. Life, as it oftentimes does, throws them a curve ball, and things don't quite go according to plan.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book when I started reading but hearing it both in Kai's voice and then in Ivy's was interesting. I knew something wasn't quite right as I read, and I think van Houten did a great job of leading us down the very scary, difficult path of deteriorating mental health and grief. Hearing the story from both sides was a creative way to show readers how things were declining. I don't have firsthand experience with the particular circumstances the characters found themselves in, but from what I do know about it, it feels like the author does her subject matter justice.
I'll be honest. When I finished reading, I needed to be in a quiet place for a while so the story could settle in my head. It was heartbreaking. Oh my goodness. Truly heartbreaking. The relationship between Kai and Ivy is the whole heart of this novel, but honestly, the romance didn't feel much like a romance. As I write this, however, I'm wondering if that was the whole point. The relationship was toxic, and that was illustrated well. I find myself wondering how Ivy is doing now and how much time has passed for her since the end of this part of her story. That right there tells me van Houten was able to tell me a tale that I'm still thinking about after putting the book down. I'd call that a success.
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this book when I started reading but hearing it both in Kai's voice and then in Ivy's was interesting. I knew something wasn't quite right as I read, and I think van Houten did a great job of leading us down the very scary, difficult path of deteriorating mental health and grief. Hearing the story from both sides was a creative way to show readers how things were declining. I don't have firsthand experience with the particular circumstances the characters found themselves in, but from what I do know about it, it feels like the author does her subject matter justice.
I'll be honest. When I finished reading, I needed to be in a quiet place for a while so the story could settle in my head. It was heartbreaking. Oh my goodness. Truly heartbreaking. The relationship between Kai and Ivy is the whole heart of this novel, but honestly, the romance didn't feel much like a romance. As I write this, however, I'm wondering if that was the whole point. The relationship was toxic, and that was illustrated well. I find myself wondering how Ivy is doing now and how much time has passed for her since the end of this part of her story. That right there tells me van Houten was able to tell me a tale that I'm still thinking about after putting the book down. I'd call that a success.
August 8, 2026
Ivy’s father had her entire life planned out, and it certainly didn’t include her falling in love with a man he deemed was beneath her. While he tried to force her into an engagement with a man of his choosing, she made it clear she wouldn’t accept by marrying the man she chose, even if it meant cutting ties with her father completely. But while their marriage started off as happy, she soon saw a different side of her husband, one he didn’t always realize he was letting out, and while she supported the dreams he had for both of them, his company soon consumed every moment, and she found herself sharing a bed with a stranger.
Kai had always wanted to design prosthetic limbs for veterans, and he spent years working on a perfect prototype, while falling in love with Ivy. Convinced that he would complete his design and build them the life they wanted, he devoted himself completely to the task, but it wasn’t enough to protect him from the mind he no longer controlled. With his passion turning into obsession, he found himself lost to jealousy and paranoia, soon pushing away the people who stood by him until he no longer recognized the man in the mirror.
I received an early copy of this book from @NetGalley and I really enjoyed it. While it was originally labelled as a psychological romantic thriller, I do think the new label of psychological drama is much better suited. I loved how the author used a dual POV to tell the story, but wrote it in a way that the narrators were telling the story in the past, adding reflections and foreshadowing that one could only know by living through it all. It was also separated into parts that represented the different phases of Kai’s state of mind, showing his deterioration as it happened. This book started on such a hopeful note, although the foreshadowing told us it wouldn’t stay that way, but I truly never expected it to play out the way it did. I loved how the author used Kai’s POV to indicate things that may have been a sign of things to come, but also didn’t show him as a villain in the story, rather a victim of his own mind. As a debut by this author, it definitely delivered.
Kai had always wanted to design prosthetic limbs for veterans, and he spent years working on a perfect prototype, while falling in love with Ivy. Convinced that he would complete his design and build them the life they wanted, he devoted himself completely to the task, but it wasn’t enough to protect him from the mind he no longer controlled. With his passion turning into obsession, he found himself lost to jealousy and paranoia, soon pushing away the people who stood by him until he no longer recognized the man in the mirror.
I received an early copy of this book from @NetGalley and I really enjoyed it. While it was originally labelled as a psychological romantic thriller, I do think the new label of psychological drama is much better suited. I loved how the author used a dual POV to tell the story, but wrote it in a way that the narrators were telling the story in the past, adding reflections and foreshadowing that one could only know by living through it all. It was also separated into parts that represented the different phases of Kai’s state of mind, showing his deterioration as it happened. This book started on such a hopeful note, although the foreshadowing told us it wouldn’t stay that way, but I truly never expected it to play out the way it did. I loved how the author used Kai’s POV to indicate things that may have been a sign of things to come, but also didn’t show him as a villain in the story, rather a victim of his own mind. As a debut by this author, it definitely delivered.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC Review
Everything He Never Told Me by Clara van Houten.
Kai Lindholm and Ivy Sinclair-Vance come from two completely different worlds, yet they quietly fall in love while in college. Kai dreams of creating prosthetic arms for veterans who have lost theirs, while Ivy dreams of escaping the golden cage her father built around her. After getting married, life seems to be everything they hoped for. But little by little, subtle changes begin to appear in Kai's personality. At first, they're easy to dismiss, but as time goes on, those small changes become impossible to ignore. Kai must decide whether he's willing to face what is happening to him, while Ivy has to decide how far she's willing to stand beside the man she loves.
This is a psychological romantic thriller that I know will stay with me for a long time. Told through dual POVs, the story takes its time building the world and the emotional weight of the characters. Unlike many psychological thrillers that rely on constant twists and adrenaline, this one creates an unsettling, quiet atmosphere. There's a lingering feeling that something is wrong, and you keep turning the pages, waiting for the moment everything finally unravels.
What I appreciated most was how grounded the story felt. The conflicts and relationships are realistic, making the emotional impact even stronger. Rather than pushing you to choose sides, the book makes you hope that everyone finds the outcome they deserve. I finished it in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down.
As someone who almost always hopes for a happy ending, I was surprised by how satisfied I felt with this one. It fit the story perfectly and felt true to the journey these characters had been through.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with emotional depth, slow-building suspense, and complex relationships, this is definitely one you won't want to miss.
Everything He Never Told Me by Clara van Houten.
Kai Lindholm and Ivy Sinclair-Vance come from two completely different worlds, yet they quietly fall in love while in college. Kai dreams of creating prosthetic arms for veterans who have lost theirs, while Ivy dreams of escaping the golden cage her father built around her. After getting married, life seems to be everything they hoped for. But little by little, subtle changes begin to appear in Kai's personality. At first, they're easy to dismiss, but as time goes on, those small changes become impossible to ignore. Kai must decide whether he's willing to face what is happening to him, while Ivy has to decide how far she's willing to stand beside the man she loves.
This is a psychological romantic thriller that I know will stay with me for a long time. Told through dual POVs, the story takes its time building the world and the emotional weight of the characters. Unlike many psychological thrillers that rely on constant twists and adrenaline, this one creates an unsettling, quiet atmosphere. There's a lingering feeling that something is wrong, and you keep turning the pages, waiting for the moment everything finally unravels.
What I appreciated most was how grounded the story felt. The conflicts and relationships are realistic, making the emotional impact even stronger. Rather than pushing you to choose sides, the book makes you hope that everyone finds the outcome they deserve. I finished it in one sitting because I simply couldn't put it down.
As someone who almost always hopes for a happy ending, I was surprised by how satisfied I felt with this one. It fit the story perfectly and felt true to the journey these characters had been through.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with emotional depth, slow-building suspense, and complex relationships, this is definitely one you won't want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I honestly don't know how to put into words how this book made me feel.
I picked this up expecting something that would mess with my head, but it ended up being so much more emotional than I ever expected. Instead of focusing on twists and suspense, it tells the story of two people who love each other deeply while everything around them slowly starts to fall apart. And it completely broke my heart.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how it handled mental health. In this world it is such an important topic and a difficult topic as well, and I never felt like it was being romanticized or used as just a plot point. It showed how much mental illness can affect not only the person going through it, but everyone around them too. I could really feel Ivy's love, her confusion, and her desperation to help someone she was slowly losing.
There were so many moments where my heart just hurt for both of them. It's one of those books that reminds you that sometimes love isn't enough to fix everything, and that's a really hard truth to sit with.
I also really loved that Kai was speaking directly to the reader throughout the story. It made everything feel so much more personal, like I was inside his head experiencing everything with him. It gave me a better understanding of what he was going through and made it impossible not to feel for him, even when things became difficult.
If you're picking this up expecting a fast-paced thriller, you won't find that here. This is much more of an emotional story than a thriller, and I actually think that's what made it so memorable for me. It's a book about love, loss, and the things that can go unsaid for far too long.
This one is definitely going to stick with me for a while.
I honestly don't know how to put into words how this book made me feel.
I picked this up expecting something that would mess with my head, but it ended up being so much more emotional than I ever expected. Instead of focusing on twists and suspense, it tells the story of two people who love each other deeply while everything around them slowly starts to fall apart. And it completely broke my heart.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how it handled mental health. In this world it is such an important topic and a difficult topic as well, and I never felt like it was being romanticized or used as just a plot point. It showed how much mental illness can affect not only the person going through it, but everyone around them too. I could really feel Ivy's love, her confusion, and her desperation to help someone she was slowly losing.
There were so many moments where my heart just hurt for both of them. It's one of those books that reminds you that sometimes love isn't enough to fix everything, and that's a really hard truth to sit with.
I also really loved that Kai was speaking directly to the reader throughout the story. It made everything feel so much more personal, like I was inside his head experiencing everything with him. It gave me a better understanding of what he was going through and made it impossible not to feel for him, even when things became difficult.
If you're picking this up expecting a fast-paced thriller, you won't find that here. This is much more of an emotional story than a thriller, and I actually think that's what made it so memorable for me. It's a book about love, loss, and the things that can go unsaid for far too long.
This one is definitely going to stick with me for a while.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything He Never Told Me - Clara Van Houten
3 stars!!
Thank you to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and to the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. My review is of my own opinion.
This is marketed as a psychological romantic thriller - however I think thriller is far from what this story is.
It follows Ivy and Kai, two people with very different lives coming together and finding love.
I loved how Ivy and Kai started to be romantically and I think the author did a very great job at showing the characters had great depth.
After fighting to be together, Ivy and Kai seem to have the perfect quiet little life until Kai starts acting strangely and making wild accusations, keeping secrets, and not providing his best self to Ivy anymore.
Ivy and Kai eventually take some time apart and Kai becomes worse. He's constantly calling, causing scenes in public, disturbing Ivy's peace, etc.
This is truly heartbreaking because it shows the real reality of mental health crisis. Kai is diagnosed with BPD and starts medications to hopefully better himself to be with Ivy, however he spirals down and starts lowering his doses and it doesn't end well.
Leading up to this, we learn that Ivy has discovered a new joy that is both wonderful and terrifying. One that you'd hope Kai could find joy in as well.
This story was quite a read. It gave mental health a highlight and shows us that even if we love someone, we cannot fix them and it is not our job to do.
The ending to this was not what I was mentally prepared for as I was silently rooting for Kai to get better and things just seem to not end well for anyone.
Pick this up on August 18th, 2026 if you are a fan of drama, suspense, and heartache!
3 stars!!
Thank you to Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and to the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. My review is of my own opinion.
This is marketed as a psychological romantic thriller - however I think thriller is far from what this story is.
It follows Ivy and Kai, two people with very different lives coming together and finding love.
I loved how Ivy and Kai started to be romantically and I think the author did a very great job at showing the characters had great depth.
After fighting to be together, Ivy and Kai seem to have the perfect quiet little life until Kai starts acting strangely and making wild accusations, keeping secrets, and not providing his best self to Ivy anymore.
Ivy and Kai eventually take some time apart and Kai becomes worse. He's constantly calling, causing scenes in public, disturbing Ivy's peace, etc.
This is truly heartbreaking because it shows the real reality of mental health crisis. Kai is diagnosed with BPD and starts medications to hopefully better himself to be with Ivy, however he spirals down and starts lowering his doses and it doesn't end well.
Leading up to this, we learn that Ivy has discovered a new joy that is both wonderful and terrifying. One that you'd hope Kai could find joy in as well.
This story was quite a read. It gave mental health a highlight and shows us that even if we love someone, we cannot fix them and it is not our job to do.
The ending to this was not what I was mentally prepared for as I was silently rooting for Kai to get better and things just seem to not end well for anyone.
Pick this up on August 18th, 2026 if you are a fan of drama, suspense, and heartache!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything He Never Told Me is a unique story told in an even more unique way. It’s billed as a psychological romantic thriller; however, I found that to mislead expectations. It was more of a psychological drama, and hit that mark pretty well in my opinion. The relationship wasn’t especially romantic and the thriller aspect lasted about two sentences, so I worry people are going to be disappointed on those fronts.
The author did a great job exploring the dialectics of thought and emotion in her characters. Those aspects were often told on repeat a bit too much, though. A lot of the language was rehearsed chapter after chapter, which got a bit grating.
I personally did not connect well to the characters occasionally speaking directly to readers. It was rare, and maybe others won’t find that off-putting, but it took me out of the story a bit. Felt somewhat adjacent to being told what to do.
The story does a good job building tension, creating an atmosphere of something being just a bit off. I would say that the grand finality could have had a bit more emotion connected to it. I liked the abruptness of it, though. I appreciated how unexpected it was. I liked being surprised, but I could see the ending might be really harsh, reading too much like relief, to anyone who struggles with the same issue. I won’t say more about that.
Despite the critique, I enjoyed the uniqueness, remained interested in the outcome, and appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Clara van Houten. ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and statements are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything He Never Told Me completely caught me off guard in the best possible way. While it's been marketed as a psychological thriller, I found it to be much more of an emotional psychological drama—and honestly, I think that's where it shines.
This was my first book by Clara van Houten, and I was so impressed. The short, alternating chapters between Ivy and Kai kept the story moving effortlessly, and I found myself flying through the pages. The dual perspectives added so much depth, allowing you to understand both characters as their relationship slowly transformed under the weight of circumstances beyond their control.
The characters felt incredibly authentic, and their struggles were portrayed with sensitivity and realism. Watching two people who would do anything to be together face disapproving parents, impossible expectations, and the devastating impact of mental illness made for a heartbreaking yet deeply compelling read. The recurring thread involving Kai's work designing prosthetic arms added an emotional layer that stayed with me long after I finished.
I never saw the ending coming. It was powerful, thought-provoking, and completely recontextualized everything that came before it. This is one of those stories that lingers in your mind well after you've turned the final page.
If you're looking for an emotionally rich, character-driven story with suspense woven throughout rather than a traditional twist-filled thriller, I highly recommend picking this one up. I'll definitely be reading more from Clara van Houten in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This was my first book by Clara van Houten, and I was so impressed. The short, alternating chapters between Ivy and Kai kept the story moving effortlessly, and I found myself flying through the pages. The dual perspectives added so much depth, allowing you to understand both characters as their relationship slowly transformed under the weight of circumstances beyond their control.
The characters felt incredibly authentic, and their struggles were portrayed with sensitivity and realism. Watching two people who would do anything to be together face disapproving parents, impossible expectations, and the devastating impact of mental illness made for a heartbreaking yet deeply compelling read. The recurring thread involving Kai's work designing prosthetic arms added an emotional layer that stayed with me long after I finished.
I never saw the ending coming. It was powerful, thought-provoking, and completely recontextualized everything that came before it. This is one of those stories that lingers in your mind well after you've turned the final page.
If you're looking for an emotionally rich, character-driven story with suspense woven throughout rather than a traditional twist-filled thriller, I highly recommend picking this one up. I'll definitely be reading more from Clara van Houten in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC for my true honest review.
I ended up enjoying this one... but I also spent a good chunk of the book wondering where exactly the thriller was hiding.
It's marketed as a psychological romance thriller, and I'd definitely agree with the psychological and relationship drama aspects. The story does a solid job exploring grief, mental health, and what it's like to be trapped in a toxic relationship. Watching the main character slowly realize that the person she thought she knew wasn't exactly who she believed was interesting, and I could definitely put myself in her shoes.
But the thriller? I'm still looking for it.
Maybe I went in with the wrong expectations, but when I pick up a thriller, I'm expecting twists that make me question everyone, suspense that keeps me turning pages, or at least one "WHAT?!" moment. Instead, this felt much more like a domestic drama with psychological elements than an actual thriller. There weren't any major twists, edge-of-your-seat moments, or cliffhangers that made me desperate to keep reading.
That doesn't mean I disliked it. I actually enjoyed the journey for what it was, especially because I'm always open to reading outside my usual comfort zone. I just wish the marketing had been a little more accurate. Had this been sold as a psychological relationship drama with romantic elements, I probably would've gone into it with a completely different mindset.
So if you're expecting an intense thriller full of shocking reveals, you may end up feeling a little like I did... asking, "Did I miss something?" 😂
I ended up enjoying this one... but I also spent a good chunk of the book wondering where exactly the thriller was hiding.
It's marketed as a psychological romance thriller, and I'd definitely agree with the psychological and relationship drama aspects. The story does a solid job exploring grief, mental health, and what it's like to be trapped in a toxic relationship. Watching the main character slowly realize that the person she thought she knew wasn't exactly who she believed was interesting, and I could definitely put myself in her shoes.
But the thriller? I'm still looking for it.
Maybe I went in with the wrong expectations, but when I pick up a thriller, I'm expecting twists that make me question everyone, suspense that keeps me turning pages, or at least one "WHAT?!" moment. Instead, this felt much more like a domestic drama with psychological elements than an actual thriller. There weren't any major twists, edge-of-your-seat moments, or cliffhangers that made me desperate to keep reading.
That doesn't mean I disliked it. I actually enjoyed the journey for what it was, especially because I'm always open to reading outside my usual comfort zone. I just wish the marketing had been a little more accurate. Had this been sold as a psychological relationship drama with romantic elements, I probably would've gone into it with a completely different mindset.
So if you're expecting an intense thriller full of shocking reveals, you may end up feeling a little like I did... asking, "Did I miss something?" 😂
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Everything He Never Told Me”, was a direct invitation from the author through NetGalley, and I’m very glad that I accepted the chance to read this short book. I liked the cover, and the synopsis appealed to me as well. This story is labeled as a psychological romantic thriller, but I feel that it is more of a romantic drama if anything.
This story is told through two POV’s of Kai and Ivy. Kai Lindholm and his father just get by on the small family business that his father owns. Kai is also on a mission to launch his own successful business in creating prosthetic arms for veterans, or people who have lost a limb.
Ivy Sinclair-Vance is from a very well to do family. Ivy’s father already has her future planned out for her, and it doesn’t involve Kai. Kai is not good enough for Ivy, according to her father.
Against her father’s wishes, Ivy and Kai get married. They live in a tiny apartment, and can barely make rent- but they have each other. Slowly, Ivy begins to see a side of Kai she never seen before. Is it stress? New marriage? Or something else?
I will admit that I had a hard time getting into this book at first, but once I did I really enjoyed it. The ending of this book was quite a surprise, and I wish it didn’t end so quickly.
This was the author’s debut book, and I will be looking forward to whatever she writes next!
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for an advanced DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, for an honest opinion.
Publication date: August 18, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thriller, Romance, General Fiction (adult).
This story is told through two POV’s of Kai and Ivy. Kai Lindholm and his father just get by on the small family business that his father owns. Kai is also on a mission to launch his own successful business in creating prosthetic arms for veterans, or people who have lost a limb.
Ivy Sinclair-Vance is from a very well to do family. Ivy’s father already has her future planned out for her, and it doesn’t involve Kai. Kai is not good enough for Ivy, according to her father.
Against her father’s wishes, Ivy and Kai get married. They live in a tiny apartment, and can barely make rent- but they have each other. Slowly, Ivy begins to see a side of Kai she never seen before. Is it stress? New marriage? Or something else?
I will admit that I had a hard time getting into this book at first, but once I did I really enjoyed it. The ending of this book was quite a surprise, and I wish it didn’t end so quickly.
This was the author’s debut book, and I will be looking forward to whatever she writes next!
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Victory Editing for an advanced DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, for an honest opinion.
Publication date: August 18, 2026
Genre~ Mystery & Thriller, Romance, General Fiction (adult).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A quiet, slow study of mental health, relationships, and the devastating ways something completely outside of anyone's control can change the course of a life. It's not an easy read, but that's part of what makes it so impactful.
The story explores the unraveling of a life and the people caught in the middle of it. There is so much left unsaid, so many things that aren't anyone's fault, and yet the consequences can still be enormous. The slower pace worked for me because it gave the story room to sit with those realities rather than rushing past them.
Having known people in real life who have experienced similar struggles, I found parts of this heartbreaking to read. There is something incredibly painful about watching someone change in ways they can't necessarily control, while the people who love them are left trying to understand, help, and sometimes simply cope with the fallout. The manic energy could shift from almost hopeful or exhilarating to frightening in the blink of an eye, and I thought that contrast was particularly well done.
What stayed with me most was the reminder that sometimes there isn't a villain to blame. There isn't necessarily one person or moment responsible for everything falling apart. Sometimes mental illness can alter a life, a relationship, or the dreams someone had for their future without anyone choosing for that to happen.
🍵 Final Verdict
A thoughtful and human look at mental health and the ripple effects it can have on everyone involved. A book that makes you stop and think about the person behind the illness and how profoundly one person's struggle can affect an entire life.
The story explores the unraveling of a life and the people caught in the middle of it. There is so much left unsaid, so many things that aren't anyone's fault, and yet the consequences can still be enormous. The slower pace worked for me because it gave the story room to sit with those realities rather than rushing past them.
Having known people in real life who have experienced similar struggles, I found parts of this heartbreaking to read. There is something incredibly painful about watching someone change in ways they can't necessarily control, while the people who love them are left trying to understand, help, and sometimes simply cope with the fallout. The manic energy could shift from almost hopeful or exhilarating to frightening in the blink of an eye, and I thought that contrast was particularly well done.
What stayed with me most was the reminder that sometimes there isn't a villain to blame. There isn't necessarily one person or moment responsible for everything falling apart. Sometimes mental illness can alter a life, a relationship, or the dreams someone had for their future without anyone choosing for that to happen.
🍵 Final Verdict
A thoughtful and human look at mental health and the ripple effects it can have on everyone involved. A book that makes you stop and think about the person behind the illness and how profoundly one person's struggle can affect an entire life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everything He Never Told Me is a slow-burning psychological drama about love, marriage, secrets, and what happens when the person you built your life with slowly becomes someone you no longer recognize.
I really liked the way Clara van Houten gradually shifts Kai and Ivy’s relationship from what appears to be a love story into something much more complicated. In the beginning, they seem to have escaped the expectations placed on them and built the ordinary life they both wanted. But little changes start piling up. Sleepless nights, jealousy, unexplained accusations, and Kai’s growing obsession with his company slowly begin to erode the relationship.
What worked particularly well for me was the gradual nature of Kai’s transformation. There isn't one single moment where everything suddenly falls apart. Instead, the tension builds through small warning signs, unanswered questions, and things Ivy tries to rationalize until she can no longer ignore what is happening.
Ivy is easy to empathize with because her struggle isn't simply about figuring out what happened. It's about realizing that love doesn't necessarily mean you can save someone, and sometimes the person you love can become the person you need to protect yourself from.
The story also does a good job exploring how secrets and silence can damage a relationship long before the truth finally comes out. I appreciated that the focus remained on the emotional unraveling rather than relying solely on shocking twists.
A compelling and emotionally uncomfortable look at a relationship falling apart one small secret at a time.
I really liked the way Clara van Houten gradually shifts Kai and Ivy’s relationship from what appears to be a love story into something much more complicated. In the beginning, they seem to have escaped the expectations placed on them and built the ordinary life they both wanted. But little changes start piling up. Sleepless nights, jealousy, unexplained accusations, and Kai’s growing obsession with his company slowly begin to erode the relationship.
What worked particularly well for me was the gradual nature of Kai’s transformation. There isn't one single moment where everything suddenly falls apart. Instead, the tension builds through small warning signs, unanswered questions, and things Ivy tries to rationalize until she can no longer ignore what is happening.
Ivy is easy to empathize with because her struggle isn't simply about figuring out what happened. It's about realizing that love doesn't necessarily mean you can save someone, and sometimes the person you love can become the person you need to protect yourself from.
The story also does a good job exploring how secrets and silence can damage a relationship long before the truth finally comes out. I appreciated that the focus remained on the emotional unraveling rather than relying solely on shocking twists.
A compelling and emotionally uncomfortable look at a relationship falling apart one small secret at a time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
📝 ARC Review: I have mixed feelings for this story. - As a tragic love story, it delivered. I didn’t really understand why it was toted as a thriller though.
The overall vibe, dealing with mental illness that can be hard to manage and how it affects your life and those around you, was very well written in my opinion.
This was told in dual, first person POV, and written as if reading letters from the characters, recounting what happened to them/their relationship. I didn’t mind that overmuch, however, the manner in which the characters spoke to each other did not feel natural. It was as if each conversation was alluding to what they were trying to say. They spoke around the issue in terms that felt more like how a shrink might try to get you to express feelings in abstract manners. Idk, that’s the best way I can describe it and therefore it took me about 8 chapters before I even started to enjoy the book, and even then I still had a hard time with how they conversed, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Genre: Psychological Romantic Thriller
POV: First Person; Dual
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5
Release Date: August 18, 2026
Vibes: Unsettling and tragic
Tropes 👇
- Young Love
- MC’s from different walks of life
- FMC going against her fathers wishes
- MMC working on building prosthetic limbs for veterans
- Mental Health struggles
- Tragic Love
CW’s 👇
- Unexpected Pregnancy
- BiPolar Disorder
- Episodes of anger/violence
- Death
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The overall vibe, dealing with mental illness that can be hard to manage and how it affects your life and those around you, was very well written in my opinion.
This was told in dual, first person POV, and written as if reading letters from the characters, recounting what happened to them/their relationship. I didn’t mind that overmuch, however, the manner in which the characters spoke to each other did not feel natural. It was as if each conversation was alluding to what they were trying to say. They spoke around the issue in terms that felt more like how a shrink might try to get you to express feelings in abstract manners. Idk, that’s the best way I can describe it and therefore it took me about 8 chapters before I even started to enjoy the book, and even then I still had a hard time with how they conversed, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Genre: Psychological Romantic Thriller
POV: First Person; Dual
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5
Release Date: August 18, 2026
Vibes: Unsettling and tragic
Tropes 👇
- Young Love
- MC’s from different walks of life
- FMC going against her fathers wishes
- MMC working on building prosthetic limbs for veterans
- Mental Health struggles
- Tragic Love
CW’s 👇
- Unexpected Pregnancy
- BiPolar Disorder
- Episodes of anger/violence
- Death
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 30, 2026
Thank you so much to the author for sharing an ARC of this book with me on NetGalley !!!
“I’ve read that the first thing you lose, when things start to go wrong in your head, is your sense of ordinary time”
This book was … as I’m writing this, I’m trying to wrap my head around it. The pain, the grief, the excitement, the denial, the hope and then the inevitability of what was about to happen that I didn’t want to see coming. I wish I could express with words what my heart is going through right now. I so wish I could say this is a story that has no connection with reality. But I would be lying to you. I would be the worst kind of liar. This story was heartbreaking. Gut wrenching. Devastating. It broke all the hope you had at the begging. It will make you believe there is a way forward only to shut it up before you know it. And then you will believe it again. And then … you’ll have to read it to understand what I mean. Check your trigger warnings before reading this book. After you do, think about the choices you make everyday to live, to love and to protect those you cherish. Think about the right and wrong choices you make everyday. And think about how hard some of them are. Because I think this is exactly what Kai was trying to do.
“This grief didn’t come with a timeline anybody could give me. It just came with a pill bottle. And a choice to make about it, every single night, for the rest of however long I was going to keep choosing right”
“I’ve read that the first thing you lose, when things start to go wrong in your head, is your sense of ordinary time”
This book was … as I’m writing this, I’m trying to wrap my head around it. The pain, the grief, the excitement, the denial, the hope and then the inevitability of what was about to happen that I didn’t want to see coming. I wish I could express with words what my heart is going through right now. I so wish I could say this is a story that has no connection with reality. But I would be lying to you. I would be the worst kind of liar. This story was heartbreaking. Gut wrenching. Devastating. It broke all the hope you had at the begging. It will make you believe there is a way forward only to shut it up before you know it. And then you will believe it again. And then … you’ll have to read it to understand what I mean. Check your trigger warnings before reading this book. After you do, think about the choices you make everyday to live, to love and to protect those you cherish. Think about the right and wrong choices you make everyday. And think about how hard some of them are. Because I think this is exactly what Kai was trying to do.
“This grief didn’t come with a timeline anybody could give me. It just came with a pill bottle. And a choice to make about it, every single night, for the rest of however long I was going to keep choosing right”
August 10, 2026
⭐️ — 4/5
HUGE thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.
First I want to touch on the fact that this is not a thriller. I know the cover says that, and NetGalley had it listed under Mystery & Thrillers, but it just isn’t. The Goodreads listing lists it as a Psychological Drama and I feel that is much more accurate a description.
Immediately I was going to rate this book lower, as the misclassification was really frustrating to me. While I think it’s important to note that discrepancy in a review to accurately share my thoughts, I’m going to review based on content and ignoring that little thriller aspect. It’s not correct, I’m acknowledging that now, so the rest of my review is based on the book as a psychological romantic drama.
THAT BEING SAID…this story features characters with struggles that are incredibly relatable and it made me FEEL so many emotions. The way that it’s written, as though each character is looking back and telling their perspective from some place in the future, makes the story feel so authentic. Reflecting on their shared history, sharing the same situations from their different perspectives, foreshadowing on what their future will be from narrators who obviously know how it ends — all of it together worked so well that in the end I felt I knew these characters personally.
I think that the unexpected ending was — while not what I was expecting or even hoping for — exactly what this story needed.
✔️ psychological drama
✔️ complex relationships
✔️ unique storytelling style
✔️ short chapters
✔️ dual POVs
HUGE thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and the author for my copy of this book — all thoughts in my review are my own.
First I want to touch on the fact that this is not a thriller. I know the cover says that, and NetGalley had it listed under Mystery & Thrillers, but it just isn’t. The Goodreads listing lists it as a Psychological Drama and I feel that is much more accurate a description.
Immediately I was going to rate this book lower, as the misclassification was really frustrating to me. While I think it’s important to note that discrepancy in a review to accurately share my thoughts, I’m going to review based on content and ignoring that little thriller aspect. It’s not correct, I’m acknowledging that now, so the rest of my review is based on the book as a psychological romantic drama.
THAT BEING SAID…this story features characters with struggles that are incredibly relatable and it made me FEEL so many emotions. The way that it’s written, as though each character is looking back and telling their perspective from some place in the future, makes the story feel so authentic. Reflecting on their shared history, sharing the same situations from their different perspectives, foreshadowing on what their future will be from narrators who obviously know how it ends — all of it together worked so well that in the end I felt I knew these characters personally.
I think that the unexpected ending was — while not what I was expecting or even hoping for — exactly what this story needed.
✔️ psychological drama
✔️ complex relationships
✔️ unique storytelling style
✔️ short chapters
✔️ dual POVs
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC REVIEW ✍️
Title: Everything He Never Told Me
Author: Clara van Houten
Genre: psychological thriller
Year: 18th August 2026
Summary:
The story is told through two perspectives - Ivy and Kai who are dating at the beginning of the book. Ivy who is higher class, has a father who would like to control how his daughter loves. The book tells us about their complex relationship, the good and the bad.
Opinion:
This book is definitely not a thriller, it reminds me more of a psychological drama/love story. The main themes of the book are; love, loss, mental illness. The beginning of the book, in terms of the introduction of the two main characters relationship seemed way too long, however, that could have just felt forever as I was expecting the 'thriller' part to begin which never appeared. The language was extremely descriptive and the readers were given dialogues between characters. The ending was actually good, making the read worth it. Overall, the story was emotional, even though I wanted to dislike one of the characters, it was way too difficult as to the fact what the character was going through. That character couldn't do anything about it, as mental illness is something that creeps up on a person and attacks quietly at first, destroying many things along the way.
My rating:
3.5 / 5
Title: Everything He Never Told Me
Author: Clara van Houten
Genre: psychological thriller
Year: 18th August 2026
Summary:
The story is told through two perspectives - Ivy and Kai who are dating at the beginning of the book. Ivy who is higher class, has a father who would like to control how his daughter loves. The book tells us about their complex relationship, the good and the bad.
Opinion:
This book is definitely not a thriller, it reminds me more of a psychological drama/love story. The main themes of the book are; love, loss, mental illness. The beginning of the book, in terms of the introduction of the two main characters relationship seemed way too long, however, that could have just felt forever as I was expecting the 'thriller' part to begin which never appeared. The language was extremely descriptive and the readers were given dialogues between characters. The ending was actually good, making the read worth it. Overall, the story was emotional, even though I wanted to dislike one of the characters, it was way too difficult as to the fact what the character was going through. That character couldn't do anything about it, as mental illness is something that creeps up on a person and attacks quietly at first, destroying many things along the way.
My rating:
3.5 / 5
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