The Things I Should Have Told You

by Carmel Harrington

Every family has a story…


But for the Guinness family a happy ending looks out of reach. Olly and Mae's marriage is crumbling, their teenage daughter Evie is on a mission to self-destruct and their beloved Pops is dying of cancer. Their once strong family unit is slowly falling apart.


But Pops has one final gift to offer his beloved family – a ray of hope to cling to. As his life's journey draws to a close, he sends his family on an adventure across Europe in a camper van, guided by his letters, his wisdom and his love.


Because Pops knows that all his family need is time to be together, to find their love for each other and to find their way back home…


What readers are saying about Carmel Harrington:


‘Carmel Harrington…will make you see life in a different way’ – Woman’s Way


‘A wonderfully life-affirming, heart-warming book. Carmel Harrington writes with such honesty, you'd have to be made of stone not to laugh and cry’ – New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor


‘I always feel a little richer for having read one of Carmel’s books…this inspiring and emotional family-centred read stole my heart’ – Between the Lines

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 8, 2016

About the author

Carmel Harrington is an International bestseller of thirteen novels. She is from Co. Wexford, where she lives with her husband, Roger, children Amelia and Nate, and their beloved rescue dog, George Bailey.

Her latest novel, The Stolen Child, was a Sunday Times best crime fiction of the year selection and was described as ‘Endlessly surprising. This complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease.’ Carmel’s debut was a multi-award-winning novel, and several books have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. She is a regular on Irish TV screens and radio and has been a guest speaker at Literary events in Ireland, UK and USA. She was also Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.

Carmel’s emotional and gripping storytelling, with relatable characters, twisting plots and evocative locations, has captured readers' hearts worldwide. Her novels, including The Lighthouse Secret, The Girl From Donegal, A Mother’s Heart, and The Moon Over Kilmore Quay, have been Irish Times, Sunday Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestsellers.

Carmel loves hearing from readers, so please feel free to connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram @HappyMrsH, or join Curl Up With Carmel Book Club, an online book club on Facebook.

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars
I wasn’t sure how I would go with this book, when it started with alternate snippets from Olly and Mae in the prologue. But then Pops came on the scene. He is Olly’s father. Although he is not around for very long, his presence permeates the whole story of this family. The Guinness family when we first meet it, has more than a few issues. Pops who lives with Olly and Mae is gravely ill. Olly and Mae’s marriage is in severe trouble. Their thirteen year old daughter Evie is experiencing problems they know nothing about till disaster strikes. In all of this Olly and Mae’s son Jamie is a breath of fresh air and Pops is a gem, the kind of person anyone would want for a father or grandfather. His aim is to leave a lasting blessing for his family, even though initially it may not seem that way to all of them.
I have to agree with Mae when presented with the campervan in which the family is expected to spend two months travelling around. She states. ’Camping is not a holiday.’ Exactly my thoughts! And yet despite reservation, the trip happens. I empathised a lot with Olly, being an only child close to one parent and then having them die too after their other parent had died young. Olly broke my heart at times. Others times I wanted to bop him for being so clueless.
We get to experience not just Mae's reactions and thoughts, but also Olly's and Evie's with a snippet from Jamie. That really fleshes out the picture of what is happening. This story is humorous in parts and also produced tears in this reader. I did get a bit tired of the bad language, mostly the f word, but that aside, I was thoroughly and emotionally involved with the family, even when I didn’t understand their choices at times. Olly is not the only one making mistakes and unwise choices in this marriage and in trying to navigate parenting of two children in today’s world. It feels a realistic portrayal.
I loved the Guinness Family House Rules that come towards the end. One I liked was, 'Raising your voice doesn't make what you say any truer.' There were a few others as well. But I suggest you read the book and find them yourself. I particularly loved the recounting of the Sound of Music tour is Salzburg. It brought back lots of memories for me of when my husband and I went. This is a more than a scenic tour of places though, it is a story of family dealing with loneliness, grief, and other issues. It is also about what is important in life. A heart-warming read that has a genuine feel about it. Despite my initial reservations, I loved it!

[Margaret Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
The Guinness family is struggling to stay united. Mae and Olly have lost the love in their marriage, their thirteen-year-old daughter is in hospital after drinking herself into oblivion and elderly Pops is fading away at a rapid rate. Tensions within the family unit are at an all-time high and Mae is edging toward surrender. Pops has something else in mind for his son, his wife and their two kids. He arranges an epic road trip for the family in an attempt to help them to re-connect. But can the close- quarters of a camper van travelling through Europe really be the answer to their problems, or could it be the breaking of them altogether?



Wexford writer, Carmel Harrington has put her heart and soul into this novel. The importance of family becomes obvious from the very first page and the ups and downs within a family unit are not hidden. Mae is now the sole breadwinner of the Guinness family and Olly is not coping with unemployment as easily as he would like. He feels that he has lost a large piece of himself and his marriage is suffering. Mae is finding it hard to surrender her role as the homemaker and the one that her kids turn to. When Evie is hospitalized, she feels the burden of guilt but is happy to snipe away at her husband in an attempt to shift blame. Seven-year-old Jamie is too young to notice the bitterness but Grandpa Pop has seen everything. His final gift to the family is a powerful one. One camper van, one disjointed and grieving family, ten countries in eight weeks. There are ferry trips, campsites with varying levels of comfort, miles and miles of road to cover and pre-arranged surprises from Pops. All this with two kids and no internet. Interesting times. 4805 miles are travelled, ten countries in eight weeks and a whole host of 'issues'.
This is a story of a fractured family, a disjointed marriage and a last-ditch attempt at finding what they used to have. Is staying together for the sake of the kids really the answer? Can discovering areas of Europe help the Guinness family re-connect? Over the miles there are plenty of tears, tantrums and tensions. But there are also moments of laughter, adventure and re-connection. But is it too late?

No family is perfect and this book balances emotions cleverly throughout. Mae and Olly could be any couple in Ireland who have been affected by the downturn in the economy. Pops is a wonderful character that lingers long after the journey has ended. This is a novel that you can really escape into, ignoring your own family dramas, and travel the roads of Europe alongside a family you are not related to. Win, Win! Female fiction that is perfect for fans of Emma Hannigan, Claudia Carroll and Cathy Kelly.

[Bookread2day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who loved Maeve Binchy will adore this gem of a book. With the Guinness family grief is inevitable and it's ok to cry. The Guinness family look at relationships between husband and wife, parent and child, and how lies and half- truths can tear people apart. Carmel Harrington's books will make you see life in a different way. They are all heart wrenching and heartwarming.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the outside world, the Guinness family in Wexford appear to have it all - a happy marriage, two wonderful children, all under one roof with their beloved Pops. But looks can often be deceiving. Olly and Mae's marriage is starting to crumble around them. With little or no interaction, both of them struggle with where they fit in their family, and with the everyday frustrations of life testing them, they have moved away from each other. Their beautiful and clever, thirteen-year-old daughter, Evie, has almost killed herself by consuming a truckload of alcohol. As this is so out of character for their little girl, they know that she is hiding something from them - can they uncover the truth and help her find her happy self again? Jamie, their youngest, is their superhero, always making them smile and providing cuddles, but the tension at home is affecting him too. And then there is Pops, Olly's dad. The best dad anyone could wish for. And he is dying. And the Guinness family don't know how they will survive without him.

But Pops knows that something must change or Olly and Mae will lose the most important thing in the world - their family. Realising that his time on this earth is almost over, Pops arranges the trip of a lifetime for Olly and the kids, for them to undertake after he has gone. Armed with Nomad, a camper-van, Pops has organised a journey that will take them from Wexford to France, from Germany to Romania, with a special letter from him at each destination to help them along their way. Love, anger, guilt, and fears will tumble from the Guinness family, but if they follow Pops' instructions, they might just find their way back to each other again.

THE THINGS I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU by Carmel Harrington is such a special, powerful book. When I finished reading it in one sitting, having laughed and cried alongside the Guinness family, I knew that this book had that something extra that makes it superb. I love the layout of the book because seeing it through each character's eyes really allowed me to get to know all of the family - in this book I didn't feel there was a main character as each member was vital to the story. With stunning imagery, I was transported to destinations across Europe and I have definitely added some of these to my bucket list. With serious topics such as bullying and grief, THE THINGS I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU pulled at my heartstrings and had me in tears. But in true Carmel Harrington style, I was also crying tears of laughter at each stop along the way on their exciting road trip. Life is never easy but if you take each day as it comes and cherish what you have, you might realise the answers to your problems are right in front of you if you just open up and talk. THE THINGS I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU by Carmel Harrington needs to be read by everyone. It is a beautiful tale that will stay with me for a long time to come.

*Book received from Publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Ronnie Turner]

My Review:


This is a book with a great sense of adventure and a wealth of charm. it’s funny and has a warm will-make-you-smile quality to it. The characters are lovable and are a joy to follow. And, if you are traveller at heart, this book is will give you snippets of the beauty to be found within Europe. And what’s more, you get to experience these snippets with the Guinness family. This isn’t only a book about family and adventure. It’s a book about a journey to find something that was lost.

When Pops passes away, he leaves behind a troubled, splintered family: Husband and wife, Ollie and Mae, at each other’s throats. Their children, Ellie and Jamie, unhappy. Ellie hell-bent on pressing the self-destruct button and Jamie, grief-stricken over losing not only his grandfather but his friend too. Actually, Pops was a friend too all of them – listener, shoulder to cry on, comforter, head of the family. Pops’s family was once a strong, happy unit but now the edges of their unity has frayed. Cancer eating up his last few weeks, he buys a campervan and plans an adventure that he believes will give the connection between his family one last chance to pull itself back from the brink. Eight weeks travelling Europe. Eight weeks to get to know one another again. Eight weeks to recover what they lost.
The Guinness family set off on their adventure. What follows is 4805 miles travelled in their campervan ‘Nomad’ and numerous letters from Pops to guide them on their way.

I have to say my favourite character is Pops! How lovely that in his last few weeks, he is planning something to procure a happier future for his family and to have the foresight of knowing that an adventure will be the thing to do just that. So wise and selfless. What an amazing person!

This book not only makes us smile and laugh, it reminds us of the true meaning of what it is to have a family! It is a mighty fine novel!

With this book, you feel like you are going on the Guinness family’s adventure with them. This book touches on loss and bullying but maintains its, at times, very funny and overall up-lifting theme. I really enjoyed The Things I Should Have Told You. And the ending! Just wait – it’s brilliant!

Poignant. Tender. Up-lifting.




All my reveiws can be found on: https://ronnieturner.wordpress.com/

I received my review copy via the publisher.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the family - the journey - Pops and his letters. I read every word - no skimming. Its warm, funny, emotional and real. I am not a "let's take a trip" kind of person but this was so inspiring. Loved the map at the beginning.

[Selen | talesbysel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 nomad stars 🌟

Theme: family, roadtrip, 2nd chance

“Life is not meant to be lived in one place, one must travel.”

I was so sure it was going to be 3 stars but the last 60-70 pages, I started tearing up a lot. Author kept squeezing my heart page after a page. I loved “with every mile they have driven, they have taken a step towards each other” Their time in Romania was my absolute favorite, loved how she opened their lives to new possibilities.

“Sometimes the only way to a happy ending is to find a new beginning.”

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

All is not well in the Guinness family, but even though he’s dying, Pops has an idea that will make or break them.

Here’s a question – why on earth is this my first Carmel Harrington read? I loved The Things I Should Have Told You.

Carmel Harrington has taken a simple plot premise – a family travelling for a few weeks around Europe – and turned it into an emotional read that tugs at the heart strings and restores the reader’s faith in human nature. I may have been so affected by this book because my own father’s death is still only a few weeks away so I could relate to how the family feel as they deal with Pops’ demise, but I think it is the natural ease of style that Carmel Harrington has that made the story such a convincing one. Often I was surprised to find I was crying as I read because I was so touched.

The plotting is realistic and authentic with just the right level of detail that I felt I was aboard Nomad the camper van too. I knew some of the stops en route and want to visit the others as a result of reading The Things I Should Have Told You because the settings were so clearly depicted without overburdening the reader with extraneous detail. I can’t say any more as the destinations are crucial to the plot, but one two week stay has certainly provided food for thought.

But brilliant plotting and setting aside, it is the wonderful characterisation that makes The Things I Should Have Told You so beautiful a book. I felt the greatest affinity to Mae, probably because she’s closest in age and gender to me, but all the characters were three dimensional, convincing and realistic. Whilst The Things I Should Have Told You can be clearly defined as women’s fiction, I could see that reading it would provide men with an invaluable insight into the female psyche and young adult readers may well identify with Evie and her problems. Even little Jamie has a special role to play, often acting in an almost Shakespearean manner as comic relief after intensity of emotion. I often find children in fiction stereotypical and uninspiring, but I felt both Evie and Jamie were as real as any child I’ve met.

The themes and messages behind The Things I Should Have Told You are universal and I’d defy any reader not to identify with at least one of them. There’s sensitive exploration of relationships in all their forms, the impact of social media, the need to belong, the way everyday life can make us lose sight of who we really are who who we want to be and, better still, the sensitive writing helps provide a few of the answers.

The Things I Should Have Told You is a warm, sensitive story that made me feel all the better for reading it. What more could you ask for from a novel?

[Julie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thrilled to meet the Guinness family in this beautifully written book. Held together by the ‘glue’ of the family Pops, Olly’s Dad, who is incidentally a very wise man, sees that his family is crumbling in front of him and uses his insight to arrange a final gift that he hopes will unite the family. Olly and his wife Mae have drifted apart after he lost his job and is now a stay at home Dad to their children Evie and Jamie.

As the family, some reluctantly, set off to Europe in a camper van they nick name Nomad they are truly tested. Getting the opportunity to visit many countries and experience traditions and local food has the Guinness’s thrown together to share their fears and laughter. This adventure carefully planned from start to finish by Pops gives the family a chance to come together again.

I loved the journey of this story told by all the family members. There is laughter and tears so have your tissues ready. I have never been ‘a camper’, preferring the luxury of a nice comfortable bed, but the Nomad did have some appeal. While reading the Guinness’s experience in Porec Croatia it brought back a hilarious memory of last year while I haw on holiday there, as the weather wasn’t too good we decided to hire out some bicycles and ended up cycling through a nudist campsite! I can just imagine this happening to the Guinness family.

Carmel is a fabulous author and I have thoroughly loved all her books. Packed with emotion The Things I Should Of Told You makes for a great read. Thank you Carmel I can’t wait for the next book!

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Loved it! Tender, funny and very inspiring.

Review coming on publication date.

[Rea Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an endearing book (can I say that? Haha). To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading it, but I'm so glad I did. Beautifully written and the story was so touching. Heartbreaking and heart-healing at the same time. I loved the story Carmel told with this book and I sure hope I can find more books by her. Amazing book!

[Eileen Pucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is recommended for people who love Maeve Binchy. It was indeed very Binchy-like in that all of the characters' problems were satisfying solved by the end and the reader is left assured that they will all live happily ever after. It was a quick and satisfying read but the Dad character was a pathetic whiner and got fairly irritating after the first couple of chapters.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

If only every single problem could be fixed by a long vacation. If only!

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was only late last year that I finally got around to reading a book from Carmel Harrington, I had only ever heard great things about this writer and they all proved true as I adored Every Time a Bell Rings. Now she is back with The Things I should Have Told You following the Guinness family’s adventure around Europe in a modern camper van. But this is not just any old holiday where the reader follows the madcap events that could befall a family abroad and in a confined space instead this is an in-depth, emotional voyage of self discovery, forgiveness and acceptance. An adventure that will see each member undergo a transformation of sorts, be it subtle or major, but all very much needed and all under the guidance of Pops through his inspirational letters which come at just the moment when needed most.

Right from the prologue Carmel’s talent shines through in such beautiful emotive writing that has you reaching for the pen to take note of some quotes as they are so inspirational and meaningful and strike a chord with the reader. ’Our lives are just a series of moments. From the small mundane occasions that we let pass by without notice, to the big showstoppers that make us pause and take note. Then, when you least expect it, a moment so powerful and defining happens that changes everything in a split second. The thing about change is, it’s not always good’. For the Guinness family a combination of events leads to this moment when change occurs and although it is not a happy occasion it may just turn out to be one of the most fruitful, positive experiences they will ever experience.

The Guinness family are at a crossroads each of them, maybe bar youngest son Jamie who just enjoys life and superheroes, has something they are hiding or just feelings they are not willing to let out in the open. Olly is 40 and married to Mae who is a school principal tied to her job and slightly fed up with the way her marriage is going. Olly is a stay at home husband ever since he lost his job. He has given up on finding a new job and resigned himself to staying at home - running the household, taking care of the kids and his ailing father Pops. But now the balance of power has shifted within the marriage Olly can feel Mae slipping away from him. Has she had enough? Is Olly not the man she once married.? Olly has events in the past which still linger long in his mind which affect his everyday thinking. Initially and perhaps for quite a lot of the book I found Mae to be very standoffish. She snapped at Olly and never seemed to agree with him over anything instead creating obstacles or opposition where there was really no need to cause arguments. It was almost like she wanted to create friction with Olly so she had a way out and could give reasons if everything did implode. I know she may have felt like she was surrendering her role but her actions made it difficult for me to warm to her. I felt sorry for Olly that he had to deal with Mae and her changing attitudes and offhand behaviour. He must have been feeling downgraded in way that he had lost his job and had to stay at home. It was like losing some of his masculinity. There is nothing wrong at all being a house husband but the reader senses it hasn’t done any good for the overall sake of the family. Then we have 13 year old Evie who has drunk herself into such a stupor she has ended up in hospital. I found this totally and utterly shocking that someone could so young could be driven to do something destructive but as the reasons became clear my sympathies only grew for Evie.

So the Guinness family are disjointed and lacking unity and the basic family connections that had held them together for so long. In steps the wonderful Pops who sets a plan in motion just before he passes. This is his last gift to the family he can see how things are falling apart and he hates to see the people he loves so dearly and who looked after him so well falling apart at the seams for want of talking and spending time together. Arriving home one day the family find a state of the art camper van parked in the driveway and are more than surprised to discover they are the proud owners of the van and there are letters too. Pops has been hard at work and has arranged a tour of Europe for the family. At certain points they will receive a letter with where to go next and what to do. These letters brought such humour and warmth to story. Pops may have been gone but he shone through in the words he had written. Essential advice alongside the instructions comes at just the time in the adventure when the family need it most and I found myself looking forward to reading the letters to see where would the family visit next and what they would get up to.

The addition of a map at the front outlining the family’s journey was great and I think this piece of advice from Pops is perhaps the most poignant of all considering the fractions within Olly and Mae’s marriage. ‘Life is short. So don’t spend it regretting what you should have said, to those you care about. If you love someone, say so! Not just with words mind but in your actions too. Leaving nothing unsaid’. A trip in camper van for weeks cooped up with my family sounds like an absolute nightmare to me but Carmel makes this work and you find yourself laughing along with the family and enjoying all their exploits as they journey through Europe and with each step further they take away from all their troubles back in Ireland the more they begin to open up and express their feelings, share their issues, insecurities and problems and begin to listen to Pops advice. They slowly start to understand it’s better not to leave things bottled up or unsaid as it will only eat you up and cause conflict.

Carmal Harrington can certainly write an excellent story but where she excels is with her character development. She totally gets inside the heads of each member of the Guinness family and the reader quickly finds themselves absorbed in the story. Focusing on just one family and having a very few minor characters towards the end could have been risky but the Guinness family are quite special. They have their flaws but provide plenty of entertainment and humour as we journey with them. The ending was just beautiful and very apt and the final stop on the holiday I am so glad Carmel included it. It didn’t at all feel contrived instead the story came full circle in an inspiring way.

The Things I Should Have Said was an extremely enjoyable read with plenty of life lessons for all to learn. Anyone who reads this will take so much from it and you will be left with a smile on your face as you close the final page. Hurt, fear, anger, angst all disappear as through the ingenious of Pops' love, strength and firm family bonds emerge. Carmel Harrington has poured her heart and soul into writing this book. It was joy from start to finish balancing the wit nicely alongside some more serious, sad moments. This should be read in as few sittings as possible as the Guinness family will truly steal a piece of your heart.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

What an awesome read! I loved absolutely everything about this book lovely heartwarming characters and the roadtrip that Pop's sent the Guinness family off on came at the perfect time to reunite Mae,Olly,Evie and Jamie it shows the struggles and joys of 8 weeks and 10 countries with hardly any WiFi and any parent of teens know how much of a trauma this means...and the amazing European adventure they had together!
A roadtrip holiday is our perfect trip one we've done many times & reading Carmel's latest book had me jotting places down in my ever growing list!!
Highly recommend!

[Paula Sealey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully warm and uplifting book detailing the trials of the Guinness family as they attempt to repair their broken relationships and bring the family unit back together.

Olly and Mae have been experiencing difficulties in their marriage and neither of them seems to know how to make things better. Mae isn't even sure if she actually wants to! Teenage daughter Evie hears all of the arguing between her parents but is fighting a secret battle of her own. Young Jamie is content to play at superheroes, but his parents know it won't be long before he is drawn into their battles. Then there is Pops, Olly's dad. He sees everything that is going on, and decides to give them all a very special gift when he knows he won't be here any longer to hold them together. His gift is a camper van and a series of pre-planned trips around Europe that he hopes will once again unite the family he loves so dearly and remind them how much they mean to each other.

Very moving without being overly sweet or preachy, Carmel Harrington beautifully captures the tribulations of family life and gently reminds us not to take what you have for granted.

[Sandra Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. I was happy and sad. One of the best books I have read this year.

[Hedvig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magyarul (Valamit el kell mondanom) helyenként kicsit szentimentális volt, de többször elsírtam magam rajta

[Kelly Spillane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the publishers, Harper Collins, for an arc copy of this book in return for a honest review.

Olly Guinness hasn't had it easy lately, his thirteen year old daughter nearly dies from alcohol poising just weeks before he tragically loses his beloved father, Pops, to Cancer. Olly realises that he has lost control of his life, he had no job, due to being made redundant a year previously and he and his wife, Mae, are growing further and further apart with every passing day. But Pops wasn't going to leave his family without giving them one last surprise. When the Guinness family return home from Pops' funeral, there is a camper van waiting for them in the driveway. They soon learn that Pops is sending them on an eight week trip around Europe, in Nomad, their new campervan. After a few false starts, we follow Olly, Mae and their to children, Evie and Jamie as they take the trip of a lifetime around Europe. What follows is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story of how one family learned how to enjoy every moment and to 'leave nothing unsaid'.

This was the book that I was most anticipating this year, and I am more than a little bit delighted to say that it exceeded my expectations in every way possible. I am a huge fan of Carmel's books and I feel that The Things I Should Have Told You is her best so far. This is beautifully written book, that I loved from start to finish. I loved the idea of this book, and ordinary family, not without their fair share of problems, setting off on the adventure of a lifetime, guided by Pops, who is sadly no longer with them.

I adored that the first chapter of the book is told from Pops point of view. This gives us a little insight into Pops life and I think that it really helped to set the story. From chapter two onwards, each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the four members of the Guinness family. I love that the story is written like this, because it allowed me to get to know each character better and it allows us to follow the family's adventure from the point of view of both the adults and the children.

The biggest appeal in this book is without a doubt the characters. Olly, Mae, Evie, Jamie and Pops are some of the most relatable characters that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. There are so many people in Ireland, and indeed all over the world, who can relate to what the family are going through. There are not many people left in the world today, who hasn't been affected by Cancer in one way or another. For many, who have lost a loved one to this horrible disease, they will be able to relate to what Olly and the rest of his family are going through. Likewise, there are many people who can relate to Olly being made redundant and Mae having to work twice as hard just to make ends meet, while Olly becomes a stay at home dad and pushes his family away, due to shame and frustration. It is Evie who I can relate to the most. Having been bullied myself when I was younger, I found that I was really able to relate to Evie and what she is going through at the beginning of the book. Carmel was able to get the feelings of the characters in relation to these issues across, while still dealing with that in a sensitive light, and for that she must be applauded.

The Things I Should Have Told You made me cry tears of sadness and of joy, sometimes simultaneously. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures. It was such a pleasure to join the Guinness family on their trip through France, Germany, Austria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and Italy. I cherished how the letters from Pops lead the family through their journey and his gorgeous letters left me with a huge lump in my throat on more than one occasion. One of the best things about being a reader is that you get to travel to many different places with many different people, without ever leaving your home and I can honestly say that the time I have spent with the Guinness family is one of the best adventures that I have ever been on.

The Things I Should Have Told You was everything I wanted it to be and more. It's funny, smart and insightful. Beautifully written and it is evident that Carmel has put her heart and soul into writing this gem of a book. I could have easily have devoured this book in one sitting, but I am so glad that I chose to savour this book over the course of a few days. Everytime I closed the book, I imagined that the Guinnesses were happily involved in whatever activity I left them at, and that made me smile. This book has the most beautiful ending that I never would have seen coming. The Things I Should Have Told You left me with a huge smile on my face and when I closed the cover or the final time, a little bit of my heart remained between the pages.

5 stars

[J Heyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A monumental journey

This charming tale of a family in crisis was told in a heartfelt poignant way. Loved the way it was beautifully written with humor and feeling.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book, several times I felt a lump in my throat! The story was brilliant and one that could in some way apply to any of us. It certainly held a few lessons. Well done Ms H!

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to one of the best times of the year – publication day of Carmel Harrington’s newest book baby, and boy The Things I Should Have Told You is a beautifully, perfectly formed book. Infact it has become part of my book family, never to be disowned!

Do you ever read a book that seems to be perfectly written to match a stage you are at in your own life? You devour every part, and come away wondering if someone was sending you a message by placing the book in your hands to be read? That is what this book has done for me.

Carmel is very talented at writing a great novel, with multi-faceted characters who, in my mind, are very real, and just like you and I. They face tough times, and as with her earlier works, Carmel never shies away from tackling serious subjects such as grief, illness, bullying, and unhappiness. But she never writes characters that are like ‘oh, woe me’, or who give up. Infact I often find her work inspirational and with very strong messages of love and family running through them.

The Things I Should Have Told You reminds us of the importance of never leaving things left unsaid. Live, laugh, love, and appreciate the world around you, and those in it. The book actually ends with some house rules, some of which I have written down to peak at when things are getting me down. They are simple, beautiful, and truly inspirational.

I loved meeting and spending time with the Guinness family. Olly, Mae, Pops, Evie and Jamie. They are by no means perfect, and just like most families’ things are up and down, with rows, discontent and, well, life in general. Pops is the go-to guy, who is loved by all, and holds the family together. But Pops is ill, infact he is dying, and I guess he can see that all is not well. So as a final gift to them he leaves a bunch of letters, and a camper van. Each letter holds a set of instructions to follow, and will see them leave home and travel together for eight weeks. But can being cooped up together in a confined space for any length of time, away from friends and everyday life really help? I can’t imagine being stuck in that scenario with my family!!

And so the adventure begins…. each chapter telling the story from multiple points of view, which is always a winner in my book as it allows me to get to know them each as individuals, and what makes them tick, as well as how they get on as a family, rather than just one narrators voice.

I particularly loved Olly and Mae’s daughter Evie. Yes, it’s been a long time since I was a teenager, but I remember those years so well. Wanting to fit in with the crowd, to be liked, to be noticed, and all the angst that goes with it. Evie is a great reminder than whilst teens seem shallow they are actually very deep, and at times troubled young people who really do need to be nurtured.

I would love to sit here and chat about all the different parts of the book that resonated with me, made me chuckle, made me sad, or inspired me. But I loved this book so much I just want to leave it as a lovely surprise for you. I will say though that the epilogue is one of the best I have read in a long time, and I may have let out a big squeal as I read it! Oh, and I nearly broke my neck jumping out the bath to rush and rave about the book to my poor Mum!!!

If you haven’t read Carmel before – where have you been? You need to rectify that! And if you have, and liked her work, then this is another beauty to indulge in.

Thank you Carmel for being so talented in putting feelings and emotion on to paper (ok, Kindle), and for reminding me how important family, love and life are. Never waste time on those that don’t support you and have your best interests at heart. I will smile whenever I think of the Guinness family, and will keep the house rules with me from now on.


So people, this is definitely on my ‘must read’ list, and if you hadn’t guessed by now I would recommend you rush out, buy a copy, and accompany the Guinness family on their travels.

P.S. Isn't the cover just stunning!?!

[James Eggert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Journey

Truly enjoyable novel about family, love, joy, pain, and mourning. Their journey through Europe will touch your heart and make you want to follow their footsteps.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book by Jaime Frost at harper Collins in exchange for an honest review, something which I'm more than happy to do. Carmel Harrington is an author that makes you live inside her books, from the very first page you'll be hooked.

Olly, Mae, Evie and Jamie are a family that are on the brink of totally falling apart. Nobody is communicating properly with each other all all bar Jamie are so entrenched in their own problems that they shut each other out. Olly was made redundant and became a house husband, Mae feels redundant as both a wife and mother and daughter Evie has a near death experience which pulls the family up short. Pops, Ollie's dad lives with them and is terminally ill, watching his family disintegrate before his eyes is just too much for him to bear. On the day of his funeral they open a letter for him that will change their lives forever. He knows what a lovely, tight knot family they once were and wants to give them the chance to find themselves and each other again - he sends them on an eight week adventure across Europe in 'Nomad' the camper van. To say it's a shock and they're not all happy at the thought of spending eight weeks in a confined space would be an understatement.

This book is magical, it made me cry so many times I lost count, it made me smile continuously and laugh out loud at some of the scenario's they found themselves in. Carmel has created characters that will pull at your heart strings and she takes us on a journey of discovery both of places and experiences and about the Guinness family too. It is a book that won't fail to make you look at your own life too.

Life is too short, it should be filled with happy memories and talking openly and honestly all the time would alleviate many problems. Inevitably life takes it's toll on relationships and family but love, laughter and communication is key. We all take our friends and family and the things they do for us for granted but Carmel Harrington, through The Things I Should Have Told You, highlights the importance of taking the time to say little things that let people know how much you care and appreciate them and the things they do for us and most importantly filling your life with experiences, removing the mental barriers that stop us.

I have a caravan and my husband has often suggested taking it to Europe and I've always got a reason not to. I so want to go now. Reading this book and living the Guinness family life was so uplifting. The places that the Guinness family visit and the experiences they have on the way are described in such a way I feel I was there. I've sat on a campsite and people watched, sniggering at the 'newbies, setting up and trying to encourage a sullen, teenager into trying new food - been there, it wasn't a success. I thought it was just us!

I highly recommend this book, it is my favourite read of Carmel Harrington's and is a book that you can't fail to fall in love with - from the characters to the journey across Europe - I'm off now to get the maps out and make some plans.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carmel Harrington's Every Time A Bell Rings was one of my top reads of 2015 - yes I'm still going on about it! It was a story I thought was beautifully told and which really touched me. Her latest novel, The Things I Should Have Told You, is just as wonderful and I am sure it will be in my top reads of this year when I come to make up my list.

The Guinness family are in crisis: 13 year old Evie has nearly died following a reckless dare, Pops is dying of cancer and Olly and Mae just don't seem to communicate any more. Young Jamie too can sense the stressful situations all around him. But Pops has a plan to bring his beloved family together and plans an amazing trip round Europe for them to enjoy after he's gone. The family are less than impressed to find out about this when they return from his funeral to find a campervan parked in their driveway!

I just loved following the Guinness family on their adventures, rather reluctantly undertaken at first it has to be said. I think that spending 8 weeks in a campervan would challenge any family, let alone one with their various issues and problems! Although Pops isn't around, he is a huge presence in the story through his letters. Like the family, I looked forward to reading them to see what wise words he would have and where they would be going next. It was such an amazing thing for him to do for his family, to try to make sure they would be a strong supportive unit after he'd gone.

I do think Carmel's books should come with a packet of tissues attached to the front cover because she has an amazing knack of making you feel all the emotions along with her characters! Yes there were tears and a lump in my throat at various points in the book, most notably when the family visit the American War Cemetery in Normandy and when Evie revealed the troubles she had been having a school. I so wanted to give her a hug! But there were so many happy moments too that tissues could be just as handy for wiping away happy tears. Or tears of laughter as the warm Irish humour comes through!

The one thing to take from this book is that it is so important to tell people how you feel and that you love them. Not just because they might not be there one day but just because everyone needs to know they are loved. Communication between family and friends is so important for healthy strong relationships. The Guinness Family House Rules at the end sum up family life - or just life in general - beautifully. I won't quote them all here as some of them are very relevant to the storyline but these in particular sum up the essence of the book for me: [i]"Leave nothing unsaid. If you love someone, tell them. Live your best life."[/i]

So as you've probably gathered, I just adored this book and can't recommend it highly enough. Carmel Harrington is definitely one of my go to authors when I want a story that will me me laugh, cry and smile and leave me with a happy glow. As one of the cover quotes says it's a real [i]'hug of a novel'.[/i]

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it very much, it was the first of this author for me and I will certainly look out for her others.

[Lorna Sixsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderfully "feedgood" book by Carmel and I loved following the family's trip around Europe, as they discovered new things about themselves as well as all the new destinations.

[B.R. Maycock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to start by reminding you of ‘Every time a bell rings’ which I reviewed last year (see review here) and re-iterating what a powerhouse author Carmel Harrington is. I’m lucky enough to know Carmel, through the Imagine, Write, Inspire writing group I belong to, and she is seriously one of the most vibrant, helpful, amazing people I’ve ever met. There’s a reason I’m telling you this, and that is that this book very much matches her personality. It is a book full of warmth, family and hope, a book that is full of messages and ideals, all nicely bundled together with fantastic imagery and great characters. I really enjoyed this book. I read it over three nights, and each day thought about it and looked forward to sitting down with it. As you can see from the blurb it involves a family that is falling apart heading off on a camper van journey. The journey itself is long, and puts us in different locations with so much description, that I found myself actually thinking of the day when I might bring my children on a similar one, to experience the culture and history and beauty that was ever present here. There were so many moments of faraway enchanting symbolism that were excellant.

There were arguments and tension that are all too real in family life, and a number of chords were struck. That being said I suppose I found at times it was a little too innocent especially in terms of the children, and they seemed old beyond their years at times but I don’t have girls so I just may not know what I’m talking about here!

I have to say that over that last year my taste in books has changed a lot, which I suppose it should. I used to struggle with books such as this, that were very homely, and Irish, with warm, wholesome romance but now I must say this is very much up my street. A special mention to Pops, I worried about him through out the book and was afraid to reach the end (not a spoiler!) Very much recommended and actually one I’ll be shouting about in the shorter evenings, where books such as this serve as a treat to be consumed in front of a fire, or at least in a warm room with the rain beating down outside.
Rating: 4.5/5

[Shona Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I have read anything written by Harrington and I cant help but kick myself and ask why it has taken me so long.

It's not very often that an author is able to elicit strong emotions from a reader within the first few pages of their story, normally you would need to build a relationship between the reader and characters to get the kind of emotions I felt right from the very first pages of The Things I Should Have Told You, but Harrington has perfected it. In fact those emotions where there throughout the entire book, bubbling just under the surface and bubbling over many, many times.

This isn't just a story of how one family dealt with the grief and loss of their beloved Pops, it's about their travel through Europe and how they found themselves. And each other. It has made me want to bundle up my family into a motorhome and head off out to explore the world together.