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Something She's Not Telling Us
Charlotte has everything in life that she ever could have hoped for: a doting, artistic husband, a small-but-thriving flower shop, and her sweet, smart five-year-old daughter, Daisy. Her relationship with her mother might be strained, but the distance between them helps. And her younger brother Rocco may have horrible taste in women, but when he introduces his new girlfriend to Charlotte and her family, they are cautiously optimistic that she could be The One. Daisy seems to love Ruth, and she can’t be any worse than the klepto Rocco brought home the last time. At least, that’s what Charlotte keeps telling herself. But as Rocco and Ruth’s relationship becomes more serious, Ruth’s apparent obsession with Daisy grows more obvious. Then Daisy is kidnapped, and Charlotte is convinced there’s only one person who could have taken her.
Ruth has never had much, but now she’s finally on the verge of having everything she’s ever dreamed of. A stable job at a start-up company, a rakish, handsome boyfriend with whom she falls more in love with every day—and a chance at the happy family she’s always wanted, adorable niece included. The only obstacle standing in her way is her boyfriend’s sister Charlotte, whose attitude swerves between politely cold and outright hostile. Rebuffing Ruth’s every attempt to build a friendship with her and Daisy, Charlotte watches over her daughter with a desperate protectiveness that sends chills down Ruth’s spine. Ruth knows that Charlotte has a deeply-buried secret, the only question is: what? A surprise outing with Daisy could be the key to finding out, and Ruth knows she must take the chance while she has it—for everyone’s sake.
As the two women follow each other down a chilling rabbit hole, unearthing winding paths of deceit, lies, and trauma, a family and a future will be completely—and irrevocably—shattered.
Ruth has never had much, but now she’s finally on the verge of having everything she’s ever dreamed of. A stable job at a start-up company, a rakish, handsome boyfriend with whom she falls more in love with every day—and a chance at the happy family she’s always wanted, adorable niece included. The only obstacle standing in her way is her boyfriend’s sister Charlotte, whose attitude swerves between politely cold and outright hostile. Rebuffing Ruth’s every attempt to build a friendship with her and Daisy, Charlotte watches over her daughter with a desperate protectiveness that sends chills down Ruth’s spine. Ruth knows that Charlotte has a deeply-buried secret, the only question is: what? A surprise outing with Daisy could be the key to finding out, and Ruth knows she must take the chance while she has it—for everyone’s sake.
As the two women follow each other down a chilling rabbit hole, unearthing winding paths of deceit, lies, and trauma, a family and a future will be completely—and irrevocably—shattered.
320 pages, ebook
First published April 7, 2020
404 people are currently reading
9582 people want to read
About the author
Darcey Bell
9 books922 followersDarcey Bell was born in 1981 and raised on a dairy farm in western Iowa. She is a preschool teacher in Chicago. A Simple Favor is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 804 reviews
February 26, 2020
Something She's Not Telling Us is a lightning fast read, and if you enjoy salacious family dramas then this book might be for you. As per the author's typical shtick, most of the characters are unlikable, and the abrupt ending will make or break the experience for readers of this genre. My major complaint was the portrayal of mental illness in its most general form; As per her last book, I could totally see this being turned into a film, and would eagerly support the chance to see it on screen. If you enjoy popcorn psychological thrillers, go ahead and give this one a try.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
April 6, 2020
Welll 🤔🤔🤔🤔 I need to think about this one. Probably 3.5 stars...
First off...this cover is amazing! I love it and was so excited to dive into this one. Thank you so much to Harper Collins for providing me with a copy!
This was my first book I have read by this author and I was not sure what to expect. What I got was a very fast paced thriller ( which I love by the way). I was flipping through the pages and the suspense was building. I couldn't stand most of the characters in the book- which is fine with me because I think it makes them more interesting.
When Rocco- the free spirited, brother of Charlotte brings home yet another girlfriend, well his sister Charlotte is less than impressed. Charlotte is a bit unnerved at how pushy and confident his new girl Ruth is. Especially when Ruth takes an unusual interest in her young daughter Daisy.
When Daisy goes missing....well...of course you can guess the obvious suspects. Honestly this book really sucked me in but the ending fell flat. I really wanted it to go out with a bang...but I felt there was a ton of build up and then........it just fell flat unfortunately.
I did like the author's writing style and I do look forward to trying another book by her.
Big shoutout to Harper Collins for this copy!
First off...this cover is amazing! I love it and was so excited to dive into this one. Thank you so much to Harper Collins for providing me with a copy!
This was my first book I have read by this author and I was not sure what to expect. What I got was a very fast paced thriller ( which I love by the way). I was flipping through the pages and the suspense was building. I couldn't stand most of the characters in the book- which is fine with me because I think it makes them more interesting.
When Rocco- the free spirited, brother of Charlotte brings home yet another girlfriend, well his sister Charlotte is less than impressed. Charlotte is a bit unnerved at how pushy and confident his new girl Ruth is. Especially when Ruth takes an unusual interest in her young daughter Daisy.
When Daisy goes missing....well...of course you can guess the obvious suspects. Honestly this book really sucked me in but the ending fell flat. I really wanted it to go out with a bang...but I felt there was a ton of build up and then........it just fell flat unfortunately.
I did like the author's writing style and I do look forward to trying another book by her.
Big shoutout to Harper Collins for this copy!
April 20, 2020
3.5 Stars
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
Charlotte knows she has a good life but often finds herself overcome with worry especially where her five-year-old daughter, Daisy is concerned. Charlotte is currently working with a psychiatrist who is trying to help her deal with her anxiety and her past. Charlotte knows she can't predict the future or change the past but if she could there's one thing she would definitely change.
Charlotte, her husband, and Daisy returned home from Mexico the night before. Charlotte receives a text from her brother, Rocco telling her he’s home now too. They were originally supposed to be on the same flight as Rocco and his girlfriend; Ruth, but when they were about to board, Ruth couldn’t find her passport. They’d had to stay behind to sort it out.
Charlotte owns a floral-arrangement business and has an important meeting at nine am. The meeting is then postponed to four o'clock. Unfortunately, the time change means she'll be late picking Daisy up after school. She tries but has no luck finding someone else to pick Daisy up. Charlotte attends her meeting and rushes to Daisy's school.
Charlotte FINALLY gets to the school. Instantly she can tell something isn’t right. The teachers look confused. Charlotte asks what’s going on. “I guess there’s been a little mix-up. She’s already been picked up”. They tell Charlotte that Daisy’s aunt picked her up and that there was a man with her. But Daisy doesn’t have an aunt.
It’s now 5:30 pm. Daisy has been gone two and a half hours.
Charlotte is frantic. She worries that Daisy might not have her inhaler with her. What if she gets sick?
Where is Daisy?
Sooo many secrets!!!!
The majority of this story is told from the two main characters' points of view, switching back and forth between past and present. I liked the multiple perspectives at first. However, after a while, it became a little repetitive. Hearing the same part of the story from two (sometimes three) characters was a bit much at times.
I can see why this book has a lot of mixed reviews. The story was over the top. Although it wasn't quite what I expected, this was a quick and entertaining read that passed some time. I'm curious to see what Darcey Bell comes up with next.
I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
May 13, 2020
Fast-paced and addictive. All I could think while I was reading this book is how crazy Charlotte would’ve acted during this pandemic. The girl would seriously be Cloroxoing the Clorox. She was seriously one of the most paranoid, overprotective, panicked people I’ve ever read about. The book starts off with Charlotte going to pick her daughter Daisy up from preschool and Daisy not being there. It appears as though Daisy’s “Aunt“ has picked her up. The problem is Daisy does not have an aunt. Could it have possibly been Charlotte’s brother Rocco’s unstable girlfriend Ruth? The question is is Ruth really unstable? Or is that all in Charlotte’s head? The book jumped around in time and between the alternating perspectives of Charlotte and Ruth. I truly had no idea who to believe throughout this entire book. Who was the unreliable narrator? Ruth? Charlotte? Or both of them? Neither of these women were likable and I felt so bad for Daisy. This poor little girl was treated like she could break at any moment and I felt as though she felt responsible for her mother. This was a quick read and I was definitely entertained, but I do think it fizzled a little at the end.
This book in emojis 🎒 🎪 🌮 👨👩👧 🙍🏼♀️ ✈️
*** Big thank you to Harper Collins for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
This book in emojis 🎒 🎪 🌮 👨👩👧 🙍🏼♀️ ✈️
*** Big thank you to Harper Collins for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
March 19, 2020
The curse of the 2nd book strikes again! This book was a mess. I loved A Simple Favor, but Something She's Not Telling Us was a big letdown.
The story didn't make a whole lot of sense, there was no suspense or build-up, the characters were all awful (not in a villain type of way, just bad).
The whole book was farfetched and implausible
1.5 stars rounded up because I didn't hate it, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it.
The story didn't make a whole lot of sense, there was no suspense or build-up, the characters were all awful (not in a villain type of way, just bad).
The whole book was farfetched and implausible
1.5 stars rounded up because I didn't hate it, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it.
August 13, 2020
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
2.5 Stars
My first experience with Darcey Bell was not a good one (to put it lightly). But then I watched the film version and really (like really really) dug it so I definitely wanted to give her another go. About the only thing that can be said to sum up this sophomore experience for me is . . . .
Obviously this is no literary masterpiece, but I read it back before the temps were hot enough to immediately fuse your underwear to your butt on a Saturday morning out on the deck while imbibing copious amounts of coffee and found it to be sort of just the trainwreck I was looking for at that moment.
To sum it up briefly, this is the story about a family vacation that ends up with a potential kidnapping once the parties return home. It features picture-perfect couple Charlotte and Eli and their daughter Daisy along with Charlotte’s “rakish” (*cough drunken manbaby cough*) brother Rocco and his latest girl-of-the-moment Ruth, a Mexican Adventure where threats are made of possibly revealing long-held secrets and where at least one character might not be exactly what they appear to be. The story is presented via Charlotte, Ruth and occasionally Rocco's narratives with time hops all over the place so if that’s not your bag, this will annoy the crap out of you. Like I said above, this completely jumps the tracks into batshit crazy – but in a Lifetime Stabby Stabs sort of way where it’s truly just a page-turney sort of delicious disaster. Basically? Pure brain candy. Oh, and it has a horrible face cover that I hate . . . .
2.5 Stars
My first experience with Darcey Bell was not a good one (to put it lightly). But then I watched the film version and really (like really really) dug it so I definitely wanted to give her another go. About the only thing that can be said to sum up this sophomore experience for me is . . . .
Obviously this is no literary masterpiece, but I read it back before the temps were hot enough to immediately fuse your underwear to your butt on a Saturday morning out on the deck while imbibing copious amounts of coffee and found it to be sort of just the trainwreck I was looking for at that moment.
To sum it up briefly, this is the story about a family vacation that ends up with a potential kidnapping once the parties return home. It features picture-perfect couple Charlotte and Eli and their daughter Daisy along with Charlotte’s “rakish” (*cough drunken manbaby cough*) brother Rocco and his latest girl-of-the-moment Ruth, a Mexican Adventure where threats are made of possibly revealing long-held secrets and where at least one character might not be exactly what they appear to be. The story is presented via Charlotte, Ruth and occasionally Rocco's narratives with time hops all over the place so if that’s not your bag, this will annoy the crap out of you. Like I said above, this completely jumps the tracks into batshit crazy – but in a Lifetime Stabby Stabs sort of way where it’s truly just a page-turney sort of delicious disaster. Basically? Pure brain candy. Oh, and it has a horrible face cover that I hate . . . .
April 26, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Rocco has bad taste in women. Bad taste as in drug addicts, kleptomaniacs, and liars. Fortunately, he also loses interest quickly. Unfortunately, he always needs his sister’s approval so he always brings these women around her.
Charlotte, Rocco’s older sister, is protective to a fault over her brother and her five year old daughter, Daisy. Desperate for approval, she always tries to like Rocco’s flavor of the week. When he brings Ruth by for dinner, though she’s eccentric, she’s nice - maybe too nice - and Charlotte is desperate to think Rocco has finally found someone “worthy.”
But something feels off. Ruth is manipulative and her stories always feel just shy of the truth. It’s unclear if she’s hiding something or just embellishing in hopes for approval.
Told by multiple narrators and over varying timelines, we learn about dark pasts and family secrets. Who is telling the truth and will the lies come crashing down? Are the secrets actually protecting anyone or will everyone end up being hurt?
This was a great read!! I didn’t want to put it down! I’m a sucker for an unreliable narrator and twisted storyline. It didn’t quite make five stars for me because I wanted more. The story ended a little abruptly and left me saying but but but....!!!! Definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Rocco has bad taste in women. Bad taste as in drug addicts, kleptomaniacs, and liars. Fortunately, he also loses interest quickly. Unfortunately, he always needs his sister’s approval so he always brings these women around her.
Charlotte, Rocco’s older sister, is protective to a fault over her brother and her five year old daughter, Daisy. Desperate for approval, she always tries to like Rocco’s flavor of the week. When he brings Ruth by for dinner, though she’s eccentric, she’s nice - maybe too nice - and Charlotte is desperate to think Rocco has finally found someone “worthy.”
But something feels off. Ruth is manipulative and her stories always feel just shy of the truth. It’s unclear if she’s hiding something or just embellishing in hopes for approval.
Told by multiple narrators and over varying timelines, we learn about dark pasts and family secrets. Who is telling the truth and will the lies come crashing down? Are the secrets actually protecting anyone or will everyone end up being hurt?
This was a great read!! I didn’t want to put it down! I’m a sucker for an unreliable narrator and twisted storyline. It didn’t quite make five stars for me because I wanted more. The story ended a little abruptly and left me saying but but but....!!!! Definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2020
Charlotte is a doting mom who adores her five-year-old daughter, Daisy. She's also extremely overprotective and anxious, watching and worrying over Daisy's every move. Charlotte and her brother, Rocco, had a tough childhood. Rocco reacts by dating a variety of troubled women. But it seems like he's finally found someone special in his latest girlfriend, Ruth. Ruth really seems to love Rocco--and Daisy. But Charlotte rankles at how much Ruth likes Daisy and vice versa. Then Daisy is kidnapped from school, and Charlotte is convinced that Ruth took her. Is she right, or is it just Charlotte's fears rearing up again?
This was a twisty read that kept me guessing the entire time. It makes you work a bit to keep up, going back and forth between different perspectives and time periods, but it is interesting, dark, and compelling, with several good surprises thrown in. I was constantly switching my allegiances between Charlotte and Ruth, wondering which one (if either) I should trust. The ending felt a little abrupt and quick, but I would certainly read Bell's other work. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Paperbacks and LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
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This was a twisty read that kept me guessing the entire time. It makes you work a bit to keep up, going back and forth between different perspectives and time periods, but it is interesting, dark, and compelling, with several good surprises thrown in. I was constantly switching my allegiances between Charlotte and Ruth, wondering which one (if either) I should trust. The ending felt a little abrupt and quick, but I would certainly read Bell's other work. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Paperbacks and LibraryThing in return for an honest review.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
June 27, 2020
Well written anxiety thought process.
A scene: a bagful of buns gets put on a floor near a doorstep and then people eat that stuff. Ugh.
Another one: job intervew where the applicant secreary is asked by the interviewing boss to read an erotic story about some boss and his secretary going down the s&m hole. Ughhh.
Is 'Everything' 'shipshape'? Definitely not. Everyone has problems that they aren't equipped to deal with in this one.
Can't help thinking that the plot is really weird (and maybe a tad underbaked?). Something she's not telling us, huh? I imagine most sane people don't tell something since it's either trivial or boring or not something one should talk about casually or not to make people uncomportable? Imagine meeting a person who would tell every-freaking-one they meet every teensy thingy ever? How boring/uncomfortable could that get?
Q:
Buddenbrooks and Gladiola... she named her shop after a novel she’d never understood and a flower she’d never liked—until one day she realized how amazing they both are. It’s the perfect early-midlife lesson: a second shot at wisdom. (c)
Q:
She even loves reading her email. More job offers are coming in, charity dinners and weddings. When she clicks on her business account, she feels as if a stranger is going to give her a present: money—and something to think about, a fun problem to solve. (c)
Q:
“We’ll send you a slide show of images of the hurricane. We just want you to see what we’re thinking. Just for inspiration.”
“Not just ‘thinking’ but ‘doing,’” the man corrects her, hanging air quotes around her mistake. “This is what we’re doing here. What gets us out of bed in the morning.”
“That’s what I mean,” says the woman. “What we are thinking and doing.” (c) Ugh-huh. Always go for that low-hanging fruit after making sure you're MECE.
Q:
Beneath everything, humans are animals. They recognize animal fear. (c)
Q:
Before Klepto Kathy, he dated a woman who ripped out her hair in clumps, and before her the cutter, and before her the nudist, and before her the one who locked herself in their bathroom and swallowed a fistful of antibiotics from the medicine chest. (c) Great taste. At least the guy was never bored.
Q:
“I’m a survivalist,” Ruth says. “I mean, a survivalist consultant. I help rich people freeze-dry healthy organic foods to stock their panic rooms and bomb shelters.”
“Seriously?” So this one is crazy too. It’s always something they didn’t expect and couldn’t have predicted. (c)
Q:
One of our most profitable ventures has been a website called Experience Hunters International. We have contacts in cities all over the world willing to adopt, for up to five days, a business traveler or a tourist. Not for sex, though we don’t judge. We do track customer reviews.
“The point is to experience life in a different country. Our carefully vetted contacts’ friends are your friends, their hangout spots are your hangout spots. Our algorithms match you with a person who you would be friends with, if you lived there. It’s been very successful, as you can imagine.” (c)
Q:
I watched hot young people having fun, and I wanted to have their lives.
Any desire you have, someone else has it too. (c)
Q:
It had been the most beautiful summer day, the kind of day you live the rest of the year for, the kind of day you remember all winter. (с)
A scene: a bagful of buns gets put on a floor near a doorstep and then people eat that stuff. Ugh.
Another one: job intervew where the applicant secreary is asked by the interviewing boss to read an erotic story about some boss and his secretary going down the s&m hole. Ughhh.
Is 'Everything' 'shipshape'? Definitely not. Everyone has problems that they aren't equipped to deal with in this one.
Can't help thinking that the plot is really weird (and maybe a tad underbaked?). Something she's not telling us, huh? I imagine most sane people don't tell something since it's either trivial or boring or not something one should talk about casually or not to make people uncomportable? Imagine meeting a person who would tell every-freaking-one they meet every teensy thingy ever? How boring/uncomfortable could that get?
Q:
Buddenbrooks and Gladiola... she named her shop after a novel she’d never understood and a flower she’d never liked—until one day she realized how amazing they both are. It’s the perfect early-midlife lesson: a second shot at wisdom. (c)
Q:
She even loves reading her email. More job offers are coming in, charity dinners and weddings. When she clicks on her business account, she feels as if a stranger is going to give her a present: money—and something to think about, a fun problem to solve. (c)
Q:
“We’ll send you a slide show of images of the hurricane. We just want you to see what we’re thinking. Just for inspiration.”
“Not just ‘thinking’ but ‘doing,’” the man corrects her, hanging air quotes around her mistake. “This is what we’re doing here. What gets us out of bed in the morning.”
“That’s what I mean,” says the woman. “What we are thinking and doing.” (c) Ugh-huh. Always go for that low-hanging fruit after making sure you're MECE.
Q:
Beneath everything, humans are animals. They recognize animal fear. (c)
Q:
Before Klepto Kathy, he dated a woman who ripped out her hair in clumps, and before her the cutter, and before her the nudist, and before her the one who locked herself in their bathroom and swallowed a fistful of antibiotics from the medicine chest. (c) Great taste. At least the guy was never bored.
Q:
“I’m a survivalist,” Ruth says. “I mean, a survivalist consultant. I help rich people freeze-dry healthy organic foods to stock their panic rooms and bomb shelters.”
“Seriously?” So this one is crazy too. It’s always something they didn’t expect and couldn’t have predicted. (c)
Q:
One of our most profitable ventures has been a website called Experience Hunters International. We have contacts in cities all over the world willing to adopt, for up to five days, a business traveler or a tourist. Not for sex, though we don’t judge. We do track customer reviews.
“The point is to experience life in a different country. Our carefully vetted contacts’ friends are your friends, their hangout spots are your hangout spots. Our algorithms match you with a person who you would be friends with, if you lived there. It’s been very successful, as you can imagine.” (c)
Q:
I watched hot young people having fun, and I wanted to have their lives.
Any desire you have, someone else has it too. (c)
Q:
It had been the most beautiful summer day, the kind of day you live the rest of the year for, the kind of day you remember all winter. (с)
May 17, 2020
An easy to read thriller that had me guessing, but I kept waiting for a twist that never came and the ending was disappointingly anticlimactic.
April 12, 2020
yikes, this is really bad.
Read
May 22, 2020review to follow.
Wow..two DNF'S in same week!
Am I getting pickier? Or not giving things a chance?
It is a shame because I had read about four or five top notch books before this.
So I cannot even assign a rating. I did not get very far.I stopped about 10-15 percent in. I had reservations about this book before starting it because I have read so many books with a plot like this.
One thing I do not always like in books is internal conversations. I either love them or hate them. I just could not go on here because it seemed more about a mother/daughter than a mother and son's girlfriend. I suppose it's focus changes and had I gone on I'd have sen that. I just have to many on my TBR list for that so..
I hope others read it and enjoy it. Great cover and love the title!
Wow..two DNF'S in same week!
Am I getting pickier? Or not giving things a chance?
It is a shame because I had read about four or five top notch books before this.
So I cannot even assign a rating. I did not get very far.I stopped about 10-15 percent in. I had reservations about this book before starting it because I have read so many books with a plot like this.
One thing I do not always like in books is internal conversations. I either love them or hate them. I just could not go on here because it seemed more about a mother/daughter than a mother and son's girlfriend. I suppose it's focus changes and had I gone on I'd have sen that. I just have to many on my TBR list for that so..
I hope others read it and enjoy it. Great cover and love the title!
April 6, 2020
Another girlfriend? Wonder what this one is like?
Every girl Rocco has brought to meet his sister Charlotte has been a bit odd.
This new one, Ruth, gave Charlotte bad vibes from the minute she met her especially because of the obsession she had with her daughter Daisy.
When Daisy is taken/kidnapped from school, there can be no one else to suspect but Ruth, and Charlotte knew her reservations about Ruth had been correct.
We meet Ruth before and after she became Rocco’s girlfriend and find out she has always wanted a child and had a nightmarish childhood. Could Daisy be the answer to what she always wanted?
SOMETHING SHE’S NOT TELLING US is filled with uncertainty about almost every character and has characters with big secrets, but none as big as Ruth's.
There is more than the usual share of unlikable characters in this book and an underlying tension from page one.
Just what is Ruth not telling everyone? Or....just what is everyone not telling anyone?
The ending will have you on pins and needles as Ruth continues with what she does best....making up facts, imagining things to be something they aren’t, and telling lies. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Every girl Rocco has brought to meet his sister Charlotte has been a bit odd.
This new one, Ruth, gave Charlotte bad vibes from the minute she met her especially because of the obsession she had with her daughter Daisy.
When Daisy is taken/kidnapped from school, there can be no one else to suspect but Ruth, and Charlotte knew her reservations about Ruth had been correct.
We meet Ruth before and after she became Rocco’s girlfriend and find out she has always wanted a child and had a nightmarish childhood. Could Daisy be the answer to what she always wanted?
SOMETHING SHE’S NOT TELLING US is filled with uncertainty about almost every character and has characters with big secrets, but none as big as Ruth's.
There is more than the usual share of unlikable characters in this book and an underlying tension from page one.
Just what is Ruth not telling everyone? Or....just what is everyone not telling anyone?
The ending will have you on pins and needles as Ruth continues with what she does best....making up facts, imagining things to be something they aren’t, and telling lies. 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2020
Something She's Not Telling Us by Darcey Bell is a real page-turner of a psychological thriller and could easily be read in one sitting. I'm honestly still trying to put all my thoughts together and I am going to keep this review pretty short.
The book is full of unlikable characters which is fine, but I was really frustrated with Charlotte pretty much the entire book and not once did I think she was all that smart. I haven't read A Simple Favor yet so I really have no idea how the two compare, but I hope in general that I end up liking it a bit more. I loved the fact that Something She's Not Telling Us was really fast paced and it definitely kept me turning pages, plus it had that fun train-wreck quality. Overall it was enjoyable but not too hard to figure out so I would pick this up if you are in the mood for something quick that doesn't dig too deep.
I enjoyed the author's writing style and I am definitely looking forward to reading her first book and anymore that she writes!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
The book is full of unlikable characters which is fine, but I was really frustrated with Charlotte pretty much the entire book and not once did I think she was all that smart. I haven't read A Simple Favor yet so I really have no idea how the two compare, but I hope in general that I end up liking it a bit more. I loved the fact that Something She's Not Telling Us was really fast paced and it definitely kept me turning pages, plus it had that fun train-wreck quality. Overall it was enjoyable but not too hard to figure out so I would pick this up if you are in the mood for something quick that doesn't dig too deep.
I enjoyed the author's writing style and I am definitely looking forward to reading her first book and anymore that she writes!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
November 7, 2019
When it comes to pacing, Darcey Bell is at the top of the class. As with A Simple Favor, once you get going on Something She’s Not Telling Us, it’s really, really tough to stop.
Though I wanted the villain to be more in the end than just a certifiable nut (which is less interesting than more nuanced reasons for criminal action), the sense of menace the villain exudes and the way it builds through the story is very well crafted.
As with A Simple Favor, it’s tough to truly like any of the characters, though that went down a bit easier in Favor than here because the tone of that book was so delightfully flippant. It seems like Bell was going for the same thing here, but it’s tough to do that with child kidnapping. We are all unapologetically on the mother’s side, even if she’s kind of irritating.
Still, the villain is a good one, and aside from the rather abrupt ending, the narrative is a fun, light read that’s sure to appeal to most domestic thriller fans.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Though I wanted the villain to be more in the end than just a certifiable nut (which is less interesting than more nuanced reasons for criminal action), the sense of menace the villain exudes and the way it builds through the story is very well crafted.
As with A Simple Favor, it’s tough to truly like any of the characters, though that went down a bit easier in Favor than here because the tone of that book was so delightfully flippant. It seems like Bell was going for the same thing here, but it’s tough to do that with child kidnapping. We are all unapologetically on the mother’s side, even if she’s kind of irritating.
Still, the villain is a good one, and aside from the rather abrupt ending, the narrative is a fun, light read that’s sure to appeal to most domestic thriller fans.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
January 25, 2021
3/5 :)
(8 pages in and I already hated Charlotte... )
I really liked the plot of this book, but sometimes the characters were really annoying. The build-up and suspense in this book were good, but unfortunately, the ending was not exactly what I was looking for. It did not do justice to the story at all. There're so many questions left unanswered (some might like this so they can use their imagination, but for me, it just didn't seem like a good idea after all that build-up.) The end was kind of rushed and not really interesting; pretty predictable, yet it didn't quite satisfy me.
But overall, this was still an ok book. If the ending were better, it would've easily been at least a 4...
(8 pages in and I already hated Charlotte... )
I really liked the plot of this book, but sometimes the characters were really annoying. The build-up and suspense in this book were good, but unfortunately, the ending was not exactly what I was looking for. It did not do justice to the story at all. There're so many questions left unanswered (some might like this so they can use their imagination, but for me, it just didn't seem like a good idea after all that build-up.) The end was kind of rushed and not really interesting; pretty predictable, yet it didn't quite satisfy me.
But overall, this was still an ok book. If the ending were better, it would've easily been at least a 4...
February 25, 2024
Man everyone is crazy in this book. I did enjoy A Simple Favor more, but this wasn't bad.
Overall my mind went to crazier places than the book took me, so I was left with a bit of disappointment, but the first half to 2/3 of the book was really good. The end fizzled a bit though.
3.5 stars for me.
Overall my mind went to crazier places than the book took me, so I was left with a bit of disappointment, but the first half to 2/3 of the book was really good. The end fizzled a bit though.
3.5 stars for me.
November 27, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of
Something She's Not Telling Us.
I didn't read A Simple Favor but I did enjoy the movie. I know, I know, that's not the same.
Still, the author's name rang a bell when I saw this book and I was pleased when my request was approved.
Sadly, Something She's Not Telling Us didn't enthrall me. I'm not sure, after finishing it a few days later, what it's all about.
A desperate woman named Ruth seeking a family of her own after the trauma of her own childhood?
An unlikable female character in Charlotte, and the stereotypical secret she holds close to her chest?
There was a serious lack of suspense, excitement and too much filler, such as Ruth's hostile workplace environment and colleagues.
There was a dearth of exposition about Ruth; where did she come from? How long has she been like this? Is she mentally ill?
The author's inability to focus on the story made my mind wander as I was reading.
Is the story about Ruth and Charlotte?
Charlotte and her daughter, Daisy?
Screwy families?
The secrets Charlotte and Ruth are hiding? Or the fact they are both unlikable?
Many readers have stated their dislike of the ending, its vagueness and ambiguity. I liked it, only because the story itself is meandering with no heart or focus so the abrupt ending was no surprise.
I can't recommend this because of the unlikable characters, rambling narrative and lack of suspense.
I didn't read A Simple Favor but I did enjoy the movie. I know, I know, that's not the same.
Still, the author's name rang a bell when I saw this book and I was pleased when my request was approved.
Sadly, Something She's Not Telling Us didn't enthrall me. I'm not sure, after finishing it a few days later, what it's all about.
A desperate woman named Ruth seeking a family of her own after the trauma of her own childhood?
An unlikable female character in Charlotte, and the stereotypical secret she holds close to her chest?
There was a serious lack of suspense, excitement and too much filler, such as Ruth's hostile workplace environment and colleagues.
There was a dearth of exposition about Ruth; where did she come from? How long has she been like this? Is she mentally ill?
The author's inability to focus on the story made my mind wander as I was reading.
Is the story about Ruth and Charlotte?
Charlotte and her daughter, Daisy?
Screwy families?
The secrets Charlotte and Ruth are hiding? Or the fact they are both unlikable?
Many readers have stated their dislike of the ending, its vagueness and ambiguity. I liked it, only because the story itself is meandering with no heart or focus so the abrupt ending was no surprise.
I can't recommend this because of the unlikable characters, rambling narrative and lack of suspense.
April 20, 2020
I never read A Simple Favor but I did watch the movie and I found it absolutely ridiculous and SO MUCH FUN. I expected mostly the same for this read and I definitely found ridiculousness.
The only likable character here is Daisy - but don't get me wrong - I always love hating on characters. I just would like for at least one character to have some substance and everything just felt a bit of a parody. Most of the time I am happy to suspend all reality for the sake of the story. Unfortunately this one with the back and forth in time lines and the whiplash of crazy just felt disjointed and out of sorts. There's also that typical story line we see a lot in thrillers that I didn't care for in this one. That along with the abrupt ending just didn't do it for me.
Now, on the plus side, this is one hell of a ride. There's so much that happens you'll be constantly lifting your chin up to close your mouth. It's a quick, binge read and certainly entertaining if you need something to fly through. I think, for me, this would've resonated better on film.
The only likable character here is Daisy - but don't get me wrong - I always love hating on characters. I just would like for at least one character to have some substance and everything just felt a bit of a parody. Most of the time I am happy to suspend all reality for the sake of the story. Unfortunately this one with the back and forth in time lines and the whiplash of crazy just felt disjointed and out of sorts. There's also that typical story line we see a lot in thrillers that I didn't care for in this one. That along with the abrupt ending just didn't do it for me.
Now, on the plus side, this is one hell of a ride. There's so much that happens you'll be constantly lifting your chin up to close your mouth. It's a quick, binge read and certainly entertaining if you need something to fly through. I think, for me, this would've resonated better on film.
April 24, 2020
I wanted to love this book. All the hype on Instagram had my hopes high. It was good read, I did not like the ending it felt really rushed. I wish that we had more story.
I loved that is all turned out alright for Daisy.
I gave this book 3.5 stars.
I loved that is all turned out alright for Daisy.
I gave this book 3.5 stars.
March 31, 2020
Release Date: April 7, 2020
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Domestic Thriller
I feel like I may be generous in giving this book 3 stars. However, I think the story has good parts along with problematic parts which is why I'm staying neutral with my rating.
My first thoughts after finishing this book is that it was dull. I expected a bit more of a buildup in terms of the kidnapping and some feelings of suspense, but I never got these impressions. Perhaps if the kidnapper didn’t have her own POV it would have felt more intriguing but because she did the suspenseful aspects were missing. Secondly, I felt the lead up to the twist (which was presented about halfway through the book) was slow. It dragged on at a snail’s pace and I almost stopped reading. Once the twist was shown things took a turn and started to speed up. The chapters got shorter, the “waters got choppier” and the reveals got exciting. I don’t read a lot of books where mental illness plays a role in characters motives (this is not a spoiler as I’m not say who is mentally ill and as a reader you won’t know WHO it is until it’s revealed anyway), but I like how Darcey Bell used this technique in the story. Some readers won’t care for it and that’s fine, but it IS one of the things I liked about the it.
The second thing that bothered me a bit were the characters. None of them were remotely likable. Some authors can pull this off while others shouldn’t bother unless they add some semblance of likability in the story. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen here. The only character I liked a little bit was Daisy and she was the kid so… That tells you something.
The third thing that perturbed me was the twist that Charlotte was hiding. Darcey threw in a major curve ball with her character and NEVER finished it. It seems like such a huge part of the story, yet it went nowhere INSIDE the story. I was confused and feeling aggravated about it. Readers who have read the book will know what I mean. I won’t say because I don’t want to spoil it for potential readers but be warned that there are no satisfactory answers for it.
Finally, the ending was so ABRUPT. I was reading and then BAM it was over. There was so much left unsaid and left me feeling like I read the book for nothing. I need SOME answers when reading thrillers like this and was left with feelings of confusion. How does it end? What will they do? Etc. Some readers may like books that are fairly open ended but that is NOT me. I need clear, concise answers.
Now, I don’t want my whole book to be a major bashing of the book because it’s not deplorable by any means. Instead, it’s just not MY cup of tea. Some of the things I did like (which kept me reading despite my issues with it) were the fact that mental illness plays a role in character actions and motivations, the plot was an overall catchy one, the book can easily be read in one sitting if you have the time and interest in it, and Darcey Bell is quite a writer. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future even though this wasn’t a favorite of mine.
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Domestic Thriller
I feel like I may be generous in giving this book 3 stars. However, I think the story has good parts along with problematic parts which is why I'm staying neutral with my rating.
My first thoughts after finishing this book is that it was dull. I expected a bit more of a buildup in terms of the kidnapping and some feelings of suspense, but I never got these impressions. Perhaps if the kidnapper didn’t have her own POV it would have felt more intriguing but because she did the suspenseful aspects were missing. Secondly, I felt the lead up to the twist (which was presented about halfway through the book) was slow. It dragged on at a snail’s pace and I almost stopped reading. Once the twist was shown things took a turn and started to speed up. The chapters got shorter, the “waters got choppier” and the reveals got exciting. I don’t read a lot of books where mental illness plays a role in characters motives (this is not a spoiler as I’m not say who is mentally ill and as a reader you won’t know WHO it is until it’s revealed anyway), but I like how Darcey Bell used this technique in the story. Some readers won’t care for it and that’s fine, but it IS one of the things I liked about the it.
The second thing that bothered me a bit were the characters. None of them were remotely likable. Some authors can pull this off while others shouldn’t bother unless they add some semblance of likability in the story. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen here. The only character I liked a little bit was Daisy and she was the kid so… That tells you something.
The third thing that perturbed me was the twist that Charlotte was hiding. Darcey threw in a major curve ball with her character and NEVER finished it. It seems like such a huge part of the story, yet it went nowhere INSIDE the story. I was confused and feeling aggravated about it. Readers who have read the book will know what I mean. I won’t say because I don’t want to spoil it for potential readers but be warned that there are no satisfactory answers for it.
Finally, the ending was so ABRUPT. I was reading and then BAM it was over. There was so much left unsaid and left me feeling like I read the book for nothing. I need SOME answers when reading thrillers like this and was left with feelings of confusion. How does it end? What will they do? Etc. Some readers may like books that are fairly open ended but that is NOT me. I need clear, concise answers.
Now, I don’t want my whole book to be a major bashing of the book because it’s not deplorable by any means. Instead, it’s just not MY cup of tea. Some of the things I did like (which kept me reading despite my issues with it) were the fact that mental illness plays a role in character actions and motivations, the plot was an overall catchy one, the book can easily be read in one sitting if you have the time and interest in it, and Darcey Bell is quite a writer. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future even though this wasn’t a favorite of mine.
May 16, 2020
Well this was a fast and entertaining read, brimming with unreliable characters. I just predicted early on what was happening and it flopped for me a bit. I would recommend for someone looking for a fast read though, or just looking to start dipping into the suspense pool. For me, I guess I’m tainted by reading so many now.
*thank you publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own
*thank you publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own
April 6, 2020
This one had huge potential for me, unlikable characters making questionable decisions, vague past histories that you just know are juicy, and more family dream that I could ever dream up. While it was a very quick read and one that held my attention I was left wanting more when I finished. The end of this one will definitely make it or break it for readers I think and I’m somewhere in the middle. I didn’t love it and I definitely didn’t hate it but I just felt underwhelmed when it all came together in the end.
October 13, 2020
This month, I wanted to get through some of my back list thrillers and Darcey Bell’s quick read thriller was exactly what I needed! This book had an amazing cover that really caught my eye and I am so glad I picked this one up.
This domestic suspense told in multiple POVs was twisty and fun to read. I enjoyed the writing style, the suspenseful and nail biting chapters, and the quirky characters.
My first book with this author and I will definitely be picking up her first book, A Simple Favor.
This domestic suspense told in multiple POVs was twisty and fun to read. I enjoyed the writing style, the suspenseful and nail biting chapters, and the quirky characters.
My first book with this author and I will definitely be picking up her first book, A Simple Favor.
July 5, 2020
Minor non-specific spoilers.
I really liked “A Simple Favor” so I was very excited to read this one. I listened to the audiobook, which was extremely well-performed by the narrator, who does some of the best voices I’ve heard in awhile - each character is totally distinctive and believable and the voices themselves are great.
Unfortunately, the story itself held a lot of promise in the beginning, but became extremely underwhelming by the end. There could have been so many interesting explanations for why the villain did what they did, but the book never really got there.
Also gotta say, I love unreliable narrators ... but it takes a special kind of author to pull off a completely lying narrator. You don’t really have a chance at guessing what’s really going on here if the narrator is full on lying about events that never took place. I can only think of a few books where this has worked and this isn’t one of them. I much prefer the approach the author took in “A Simple Favor” with narration that tricked you by omissions and clever turns of phrase instead.
By the end this book turned out to be kind of cliche soap-opera fare, rather than the Simple Favor type thriller I was expecting. Still really like this author’s previous work and will definitely give her another chance, but this one wasn’t for me. If you like more of a women’s fiction “who’s been sleeping with who” domestic type story you may like this one more than I did, but I was looking for something more of the thriller variety.
I really liked “A Simple Favor” so I was very excited to read this one. I listened to the audiobook, which was extremely well-performed by the narrator, who does some of the best voices I’ve heard in awhile - each character is totally distinctive and believable and the voices themselves are great.
Unfortunately, the story itself held a lot of promise in the beginning, but became extremely underwhelming by the end. There could have been so many interesting explanations for why the villain did what they did, but the book never really got there.
Also gotta say, I love unreliable narrators ... but it takes a special kind of author to pull off a completely lying narrator. You don’t really have a chance at guessing what’s really going on here if the narrator is full on lying about events that never took place. I can only think of a few books where this has worked and this isn’t one of them. I much prefer the approach the author took in “A Simple Favor” with narration that tricked you by omissions and clever turns of phrase instead.
By the end this book turned out to be kind of cliche soap-opera fare, rather than the Simple Favor type thriller I was expecting. Still really like this author’s previous work and will definitely give her another chance, but this one wasn’t for me. If you like more of a women’s fiction “who’s been sleeping with who” domestic type story you may like this one more than I did, but I was looking for something more of the thriller variety.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2020
Secrets abound in this new page-turner from Darcey Bell. Many are answered with some well-placed plot twists. Others turn into plot holes. I rounded up from 3.5 stars due to two things: the engaging narrative and the captivating cover. The POVs were well-balanced and distinguishable. I also found that the varied timelines were effective in dialing up the drama. The ending is at the same time satisfying and disappointing. Ruth's character is pivotal and as we approached the end of the book the flaws in her narrative are revealed detracting from the resolution of the missing child.
Thank you to Harper Paperbacks and Edelweiss for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Harper Paperbacks and Edelweiss for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2021
3.5, rounded down.
Although I didn't read it, I really liked the film adaptation of Bell's first novel, so thought I'd take a chance on this, wanting something light, mindless and breezy in these perilous times. For the most part, this fit the bill, and though there is nothing spectacular about the prose, the story moves quickly and is involving - but suffers from a tendency to repeat and over-explain things - and there is a difference between an unreliable and a psychotic narrator. And unfortunately, Bell fails to stick the landing, and after 300 pages, the book kind of peters out with a lame ending.
Although I didn't read it, I really liked the film adaptation of Bell's first novel, so thought I'd take a chance on this, wanting something light, mindless and breezy in these perilous times. For the most part, this fit the bill, and though there is nothing spectacular about the prose, the story moves quickly and is involving - but suffers from a tendency to repeat and over-explain things - and there is a difference between an unreliable and a psychotic narrator. And unfortunately, Bell fails to stick the landing, and after 300 pages, the book kind of peters out with a lame ending.
August 17, 2020
I have never written a book review before, but this book angered me so much I felt like I had to. I have read MANY unreliable narrator stories, and many stories involving mental illnesses, and this book was absolutely hands down the WORST book in those categories I have ever read. SPOILERS: the book is written from multiple narration perspectives, but one of the perspectives is that of a “schizophrenic” person. Throughout her narration, she outright lies multiple times from a first person perspective and describes events *while they are happening* that never occurred. This is not “suspenseful writing”, its lying to your audience to create mystery. To add insult to injury, this is explained away by revealing towards the end of the novel that said character is mentally ill or schizophrenic. This twist and it’s portrayal is not only medically incorrect, it is insulting. As an author, I cannot believe that Bell did not bother to research the mental illness she was writing about, and chose instead to make up her own rules for how schizophrenics behave. This is a plot device I would expect out of 1980s understandings of schizophrenia, and the fact that this book was released this year is shocking. If authors cannot bother to write mental illness correctly, they should not write stories involving mental illnesses at all. This book was irresponsible, lazy, and reductive. Do not waste your time or money.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2020
I haven't read "A simple favor" so "Something she's not telling us" was my first approach to the author's work. Although the premise sounded quite interesting I don't think the book delivered what the synopsis promised. Is it a bad book? Not at all. Is it a memorable book? Not at all.
There's Charlotte, married with a daughter, Daisy, the perfect loft and a booming business, but with a secret no one knows about. And there's Ruth, her brother's new girlfriend, whose behavior seems to hide something. Charlotte suspects Ruth's obsession with Daisy and Ruth is worried about Charlotte overprotectiveness over her daughter. The story is told from both perspectives, so all throughout the book the reader wonders which one is telling the truth. My main problem with the story was that, although it was entertaining, it wasn't surprising at all. You can easily guess one of their secrets much before it is revealed and when we learn more about the villain's backstory, the story ends abruptly. Also, I found that some of the secondary character's actions, whose only purpose was to move the story forward, were highly questionable and unreal.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Collins for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
There's Charlotte, married with a daughter, Daisy, the perfect loft and a booming business, but with a secret no one knows about. And there's Ruth, her brother's new girlfriend, whose behavior seems to hide something. Charlotte suspects Ruth's obsession with Daisy and Ruth is worried about Charlotte overprotectiveness over her daughter. The story is told from both perspectives, so all throughout the book the reader wonders which one is telling the truth. My main problem with the story was that, although it was entertaining, it wasn't surprising at all. You can easily guess one of their secrets much before it is revealed and when we learn more about the villain's backstory, the story ends abruptly. Also, I found that some of the secondary character's actions, whose only purpose was to move the story forward, were highly questionable and unreal.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Harper Collins for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2020
From the moment Charlotte meets Ruth, her brother's new girlfriend, there is something about the woman she doesn't trust. Certainly Ruth has her secrets but then so does Charlotte. And both women seem determined to stop at nothing to discover what the other one is hiding.
I hated the women in this book. Oh they are so ugly in their thoughts and actions. But that's exactly why I was glued to the pages! The only thing that I was disappointed in was the letdown of that ending. I felt we were really going to see an epic showdown but it was a little more than a fizzle. That aside, I am very interested in reading more from Darcey Bell.
Goodreads review published 26/04/20
I hated the women in this book. Oh they are so ugly in their thoughts and actions. But that's exactly why I was glued to the pages! The only thing that I was disappointed in was the letdown of that ending. I felt we were really going to see an epic showdown but it was a little more than a fizzle. That aside, I am very interested in reading more from Darcey Bell.
Goodreads review published 26/04/20
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