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Potomac Point #1
If You Must Know
Life turns upside down for two sisters in Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie Beck’s emotional novel about how secrets and differences can break—or bind—a family.
Sisters Amanda Foster and Erin Turner have little in common except the childhood bedroom they once shared and the certainty each feels that her way of life is best. Amanda follows the rules—at the school where she works; in her community; and as a picture-perfect daughter, wife, and mother-to-be. Erin follows her heart—in love and otherwise—living a bohemian lifestyle on a shoestring budget and honoring her late father’s memory with a passion for music and her fledgling bath-products business.
The sisters are content leading separate but happy lives in their hometown of Potomac Point until everything is upended by lies that force them to confront unsettling truths about their family, themselves, and each other. For sisters as different as these two, building trust doesn’t come easily—especially with one secret still between them—but it may be the only way to save their family.
Sisters Amanda Foster and Erin Turner have little in common except the childhood bedroom they once shared and the certainty each feels that her way of life is best. Amanda follows the rules—at the school where she works; in her community; and as a picture-perfect daughter, wife, and mother-to-be. Erin follows her heart—in love and otherwise—living a bohemian lifestyle on a shoestring budget and honoring her late father’s memory with a passion for music and her fledgling bath-products business.
The sisters are content leading separate but happy lives in their hometown of Potomac Point until everything is upended by lies that force them to confront unsettling truths about their family, themselves, and each other. For sisters as different as these two, building trust doesn’t come easily—especially with one secret still between them—but it may be the only way to save their family.
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First published June 1, 2020
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About the author
Jamie Beck
22 books2,619 followersJamie Beck is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of 18 novels, which have been translated into multiple languages and have sold more than three million copies worldwide. She is a two-time Booksellers' Best Award finalist, a Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR award finalist, a National Readers' Choice Award winner, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work "smart," "uplifting," and "entertaining." In addition to writing novels, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family.
Fans can learn more about her on the web (www.jamiebeck.com). She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks) and Instagram (@writerjamiebeck).
My newsletter subscribers get monthly fun tips, a chance to win a reader gift box, and other exclusive content. Sign up now! https://bit.ly/JBeckNewsletter. For updates on discounts and new releases, follow me on BookBub at http://bit.ly/2GBcLM3. NO SPAM--EVER.
Fans can learn more about her on the web (www.jamiebeck.com). She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks) and Instagram (@writerjamiebeck).
My newsletter subscribers get monthly fun tips, a chance to win a reader gift box, and other exclusive content. Sign up now! https://bit.ly/JBeckNewsletter. For updates on discounts and new releases, follow me on BookBub at http://bit.ly/2GBcLM3. NO SPAM--EVER.
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February 25, 2020***Note from the author***
Thank you for considering reading and reviewing my next novel, IF YOU MUST KNOW. This book is special to me because it’s my first foray into writing mainstream fiction. When I decided to pivot away from romance, my goal was to craft something entertaining and a bit escapist while also maintaining some heart. Like most of my previous books, this one involves a complicated family. But while many family stories trade in material secrets or substantial betrayals, I’ve chosen to explore the ways common sibling rivalries and petty jealousies affect family dynamics and individuals’ perceptions--of themselves and of one another.
I drew inspiration for elements of this sister story’s plot from two sources: my mother’s best friend, who, at 74 years old, sold her house and now sails the East Coast and Caribbean year-round on her trawler; and the many stories my best friend’s husband, a forensic accountant, has told us throughout the years. For the bit of whimsy needed to lighten up the fictional family’s grieving of their fallen patriarch, I turned to my mother-in-law, a medium, to thread in the possibility of this trio of women communicating with the dead. My research took me everywhere from speaking with multiple law enforcement professionals to learning to make homemade sugar scrubs, so I had a lot of fun while writing this novel. I hope that joy bleeds through and adds to your reading experience.
In the end, I want the message most people take away from the story to be that our attitudes toward others often determine their attitudes toward us.
And don't worry, there's still a little love story woven into this tale!
XO-Jamie B
Thank you for considering reading and reviewing my next novel, IF YOU MUST KNOW. This book is special to me because it’s my first foray into writing mainstream fiction. When I decided to pivot away from romance, my goal was to craft something entertaining and a bit escapist while also maintaining some heart. Like most of my previous books, this one involves a complicated family. But while many family stories trade in material secrets or substantial betrayals, I’ve chosen to explore the ways common sibling rivalries and petty jealousies affect family dynamics and individuals’ perceptions--of themselves and of one another.
I drew inspiration for elements of this sister story’s plot from two sources: my mother’s best friend, who, at 74 years old, sold her house and now sails the East Coast and Caribbean year-round on her trawler; and the many stories my best friend’s husband, a forensic accountant, has told us throughout the years. For the bit of whimsy needed to lighten up the fictional family’s grieving of their fallen patriarch, I turned to my mother-in-law, a medium, to thread in the possibility of this trio of women communicating with the dead. My research took me everywhere from speaking with multiple law enforcement professionals to learning to make homemade sugar scrubs, so I had a lot of fun while writing this novel. I hope that joy bleeds through and adds to your reading experience.
In the end, I want the message most people take away from the story to be that our attitudes toward others often determine their attitudes toward us.
And don't worry, there's still a little love story woven into this tale!
XO-Jamie B
August 14, 2024
Whew! If you’re looking for a book with juicy drama, this is for you! A family of siblings who aren’t close, a mother and father who played favorites (and still do), a bunch of relationships on the rocks, men you will want to absolutely SLAP any time they appear on page… what could go wrong? I loved every minute. 😊
Amanda and her sister Erin have never gotten along. Erin is the free spirit. But when her loser boyfriend Max takes things one step too far, she kicks him to the curb in a great girl power moment. I loved Erin. And author Jaime Beck really knows how to write arguments that will make you want to absolutely slap her male characters, they are that slimy. Amanda is trusting (way too trusting.) We find out from chapter one that her husband Lyle is cheating on her while she’s pregnant, but Amanda makes one excuse for Lyle after the next.
Amanda, you just kind of want to shake your head and groan a lot of the time. Particularly after it comes out that she convinced their mom to loan Lyle a half million dollars AND he ran off with the mistress AND he won’t return their calls AND… the bad news just keeps piling up, but Amanda just bursts into tears and insists to anyone who speaks a bad word about Lyle that he would never do all these terrible things that the reader is insisting on.
Amanda, I did not care for quite as much as Erin. However(!) I liked the story overall because the author crafted a drama-filled twisted tale with a true narcissist at its center (the portrayal of Lyle was spot on and she did a great job of showing the problems when parents have “favorites” as well) and lots of surprises. Overall, this was a quick read that was fun.
Amanda and her sister Erin have never gotten along. Erin is the free spirit. But when her loser boyfriend Max takes things one step too far, she kicks him to the curb in a great girl power moment. I loved Erin. And author Jaime Beck really knows how to write arguments that will make you want to absolutely slap her male characters, they are that slimy. Amanda is trusting (way too trusting.) We find out from chapter one that her husband Lyle is cheating on her while she’s pregnant, but Amanda makes one excuse for Lyle after the next.
Amanda, you just kind of want to shake your head and groan a lot of the time. Particularly after it comes out that she convinced their mom to loan Lyle a half million dollars AND he ran off with the mistress AND he won’t return their calls AND… the bad news just keeps piling up, but Amanda just bursts into tears and insists to anyone who speaks a bad word about Lyle that he would never do all these terrible things that the reader is insisting on.
Amanda, I did not care for quite as much as Erin. However(!) I liked the story overall because the author crafted a drama-filled twisted tale with a true narcissist at its center (the portrayal of Lyle was spot on and she did a great job of showing the problems when parents have “favorites” as well) and lots of surprises. Overall, this was a quick read that was fun.
June 18, 2020
I enjoy novels told by two different friends or, in this case, sisters, who aren’t great at being friends. Amanda was always jealous that Erin was, from her point of view, their father’s favorite. Erin wished she could have basked in her mother’s acceptance like the good student Amanda.
It’s almost a year after their father’s death that Amanda and Erin face crises in their respective relationships at the same time they’re concerned that their mother isn’t doing well. Hoping their mom isn’t facing dementia, they have to overcome their differences to ensure their mom is safe, which means more than making sure she doesn’t leave something cooking on the stove and burning the house down. She had trusted a family member with a significant amount of money, and it appears this person might not be trustworthy, which devastates the whole family emotionally but will wipe their mother out financially.
This was a completely adequately done novel, but I feel ambivalent about it. For some reason I just didn’t feel passionate about the writing, and I’m not sure what was missing for me to get more excited. Obviously not every book is one you’re going to try to force your friends and family to read, though this was fun enough.
It’s almost a year after their father’s death that Amanda and Erin face crises in their respective relationships at the same time they’re concerned that their mother isn’t doing well. Hoping their mom isn’t facing dementia, they have to overcome their differences to ensure their mom is safe, which means more than making sure she doesn’t leave something cooking on the stove and burning the house down. She had trusted a family member with a significant amount of money, and it appears this person might not be trustworthy, which devastates the whole family emotionally but will wipe their mother out financially.
This was a completely adequately done novel, but I feel ambivalent about it. For some reason I just didn’t feel passionate about the writing, and I’m not sure what was missing for me to get more excited. Obviously not every book is one you’re going to try to force your friends and family to read, though this was fun enough.
May 4, 2020
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
They grew up as sisters distanced by their own style of seeing and acting out life. Amanda followed the rules, lived for the rewards of being the perfect daughter, wife and mother-to-be. Then her life took a shocking and painful spin out of control. Erin lives a Bohemian lifestyle, more colorful, more visionary than her black and white sister. Their differences caused tension in their family, but now as adults, deceit, loss and betrayal may be what brings them to a new understanding and acceptance.
Family secrets, petty jealousies and selfishness mark this tale of two sisters who may find they have more in common than DNA. IF YOU MUST KNOW by Jamie Beck has all of the makings of a truly deep and soul-level read, one that readers could say, that’s me or I know someone like that, but for me, it fell short.
I’m not sure if it was the portrayal of the mother, as being feeble at a young age, even before she did seem to have problems or perhaps the whining of Amanda, who quite frankly, put me off really enjoying the powerful message of this tale. Instead, I felt her own insular ideals of the perfect life made her less real to me.
Erin had her share of ups and downs, too, but her break up with her boyfriend seemed almost too contrived, too convenient, other than that, she made this story for me.
Not a fast-paced read, filled with heavy angst and surface resolutions, but not a lot of growth for all of the characters. This just missed the mark for me in the family saga department.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Montlake Romance! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Potomac Point - Book 1
Publisher: Montlake Romance (June 1, 2020)
Publication Date: June 1, 2020
Genre: Women's Fiction | Family Saga
Print Length: 362 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
They grew up as sisters distanced by their own style of seeing and acting out life. Amanda followed the rules, lived for the rewards of being the perfect daughter, wife and mother-to-be. Then her life took a shocking and painful spin out of control. Erin lives a Bohemian lifestyle, more colorful, more visionary than her black and white sister. Their differences caused tension in their family, but now as adults, deceit, loss and betrayal may be what brings them to a new understanding and acceptance.
Family secrets, petty jealousies and selfishness mark this tale of two sisters who may find they have more in common than DNA. IF YOU MUST KNOW by Jamie Beck has all of the makings of a truly deep and soul-level read, one that readers could say, that’s me or I know someone like that, but for me, it fell short.
I’m not sure if it was the portrayal of the mother, as being feeble at a young age, even before she did seem to have problems or perhaps the whining of Amanda, who quite frankly, put me off really enjoying the powerful message of this tale. Instead, I felt her own insular ideals of the perfect life made her less real to me.
Erin had her share of ups and downs, too, but her break up with her boyfriend seemed almost too contrived, too convenient, other than that, she made this story for me.
Not a fast-paced read, filled with heavy angst and surface resolutions, but not a lot of growth for all of the characters. This just missed the mark for me in the family saga department.
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Montlake Romance! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Series: Potomac Point - Book 1
Publisher: Montlake Romance (June 1, 2020)
Publication Date: June 1, 2020
Genre: Women's Fiction | Family Saga
Print Length: 362 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
June 15, 2020
If You Must Know, by Jamie Beck, is an enjoyable novel about two sisters that are completely different. When tragedy and betrayal occur within the family this forces them to become closer.
Their relationship gradually changes as the story progresses, at times both heart-warming and heart-breaking.
I enjoyed that the story is told from each sister's point of view.
A well-told, realistic story about family dynamics.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Their relationship gradually changes as the story progresses, at times both heart-warming and heart-breaking.
I enjoyed that the story is told from each sister's point of view.
A well-told, realistic story about family dynamics.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2020
Check out all of my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
IF YOU MUST KNOW (Potomac Point Book #1) by Jamie Beck is her latest contemporary Women’s fiction and the start of a new series. Ms. Beck has written an emotional and realistic story with dysfunctional family members in upheaval that I found difficult to put down.
Amanda and Erin Turner are sisters that have gone about life differently and have never felt close. They lead separate lives as adults. Amanda was the middle child and always wanted to please by being perfect and was closest with her mother. Amanda followed her plan and went to college, got married and is now expecting her first child. While Erin was the baby of the family and always felt different and was closest to her father. Erin has always led a bohemian life and while she teaches yoga and makes her own soaps and scrubs has never really worried beyond the current day.
Suddenly everything changes.
Amanda finds out her marriage is not as perfect as she believed. Amanda’s mother loaned her husband the majority of her dad’s death benefits for a business deal and he has taken off. As these secrets are being kept, Erin moves home to help with her mother’s inability to take care of herself. Erin does not know if it is because of her mother’s continued grief over losing her husband a year ago or the stress of the missing money. Suddenly all three women are together again and must deal with unsettling truths about themselves and their family.
I loved the different and difficult family relationships. The characters and emotions were to me believable because having grown up in a large family I could relate to all their character traits. Ms. Beck has written a complex and fully fleshed sister-to-sister relationship that had to evolve from childhood hurts and misunderstandings to grow and help each other in the present. Amanda and Erin’s mother’s past also played a large role in the present family dynamics.
I enjoyed this first book in the series and I will be looking forward to more.
IF YOU MUST KNOW (Potomac Point Book #1) by Jamie Beck is her latest contemporary Women’s fiction and the start of a new series. Ms. Beck has written an emotional and realistic story with dysfunctional family members in upheaval that I found difficult to put down.
Amanda and Erin Turner are sisters that have gone about life differently and have never felt close. They lead separate lives as adults. Amanda was the middle child and always wanted to please by being perfect and was closest with her mother. Amanda followed her plan and went to college, got married and is now expecting her first child. While Erin was the baby of the family and always felt different and was closest to her father. Erin has always led a bohemian life and while she teaches yoga and makes her own soaps and scrubs has never really worried beyond the current day.
Suddenly everything changes.
Amanda finds out her marriage is not as perfect as she believed. Amanda’s mother loaned her husband the majority of her dad’s death benefits for a business deal and he has taken off. As these secrets are being kept, Erin moves home to help with her mother’s inability to take care of herself. Erin does not know if it is because of her mother’s continued grief over losing her husband a year ago or the stress of the missing money. Suddenly all three women are together again and must deal with unsettling truths about themselves and their family.
I loved the different and difficult family relationships. The characters and emotions were to me believable because having grown up in a large family I could relate to all their character traits. Ms. Beck has written a complex and fully fleshed sister-to-sister relationship that had to evolve from childhood hurts and misunderstandings to grow and help each other in the present. Amanda and Erin’s mother’s past also played a large role in the present family dynamics.
I enjoyed this first book in the series and I will be looking forward to more.
February 22, 2024
Oh my...
Love, betrayal, sisterhood, family.
So...
What happens when two sisters who don’t get along most their life, suddenly find they need each other?
Well...
There was much I wanted to love about the story, but it dragged in spots – and so much sounded like other stories I have already read…
So...
I did what I hate doing...
I found myself skimming pages.
Still...
The story has redeeming qualities to it.
But...
What they were, I can't recall, it didn't make much of an impression on me.
Love, betrayal, sisterhood, family.
So...
What happens when two sisters who don’t get along most their life, suddenly find they need each other?
Well...
There was much I wanted to love about the story, but it dragged in spots – and so much sounded like other stories I have already read…
So...
I did what I hate doing...
I found myself skimming pages.
Still...
The story has redeeming qualities to it.
But...
What they were, I can't recall, it didn't make much of an impression on me.
September 30, 2020
The story is set in small- town Potomac Point, and is centered on two sisters who couldn’t be more different from each other.
Amanda who is pregnant, a teacher, a perfect daughter and wife whose life is suddenly shattered when her husband leaves her for another woman. Erin is a free spirit who lives a Bohemian lifestyle and follows her heart in matters of the love and family.
This is a character driven story about strong women, complex family dynamics and sibling rivalry. Overall, I enjoyed a great family drama that is heartwarming, emotional and poignant that is easy to read with great characters I loved reading about.
Well done Jamie Beck on this amazing story you told so well. Looking forward to this great start of the series.
Amanda who is pregnant, a teacher, a perfect daughter and wife whose life is suddenly shattered when her husband leaves her for another woman. Erin is a free spirit who lives a Bohemian lifestyle and follows her heart in matters of the love and family.
This is a character driven story about strong women, complex family dynamics and sibling rivalry. Overall, I enjoyed a great family drama that is heartwarming, emotional and poignant that is easy to read with great characters I loved reading about.
Well done Jamie Beck on this amazing story you told so well. Looking forward to this great start of the series.
August 12, 2022
"When you love and trust someone, you don’t think to be suspicious. You don’t look for clues or betrayals. You simply live and love with no more thought than it takes to breathe.”
Meet Amanda Foster and Erin Turner, two sisters who are COMPLETELY different in every way. Amanda the apple of her mother’s eye, always following the rules, married to a man named Lyle, with a daughter on the way. Then there is Erin, a free spirted music lover, living day to day promoting her soap business on Etsy, teaching yoga classes, and missing her father that passed away immensely. Even though they both reside in their hometown of Potomac Point, they are not close and communicate seldomly. But everyone’s feathers are about to get ruffled when someone close to them deceives them all.
Well, if you like drama, this is the book for you! This book is told from two different POV’s, Amanda and Erin. I think the plot was well done and this is a very believable family drama. However, I must admit I was annoyed by Amanda and her mother a lot (I am team ERIN all the way!!!!). The way that the mom was constantly picking on Erin with every conversation was overdone…insert eye roll. I will say that this Lyle character brought back vibes from people I dated in my past and I was very hell bent on seeing that he got what he deserved.
This book had a little bit of everything; dealing with grief, a failed marriage, dysfunctional sibling relationships, deceit, hopefulness, and love. I think Beck’s writing was good but I struggled loving this book based off of the characters of Amanda and her mom. 3.5 stars for me.
”If we carelessly disregard other people, we should change. But if we’re merely being true to ourselves, we shouldn’t. How others respond to pain or fear is their choice.”
Meet Amanda Foster and Erin Turner, two sisters who are COMPLETELY different in every way. Amanda the apple of her mother’s eye, always following the rules, married to a man named Lyle, with a daughter on the way. Then there is Erin, a free spirted music lover, living day to day promoting her soap business on Etsy, teaching yoga classes, and missing her father that passed away immensely. Even though they both reside in their hometown of Potomac Point, they are not close and communicate seldomly. But everyone’s feathers are about to get ruffled when someone close to them deceives them all.
Well, if you like drama, this is the book for you! This book is told from two different POV’s, Amanda and Erin. I think the plot was well done and this is a very believable family drama. However, I must admit I was annoyed by Amanda and her mother a lot (I am team ERIN all the way!!!!). The way that the mom was constantly picking on Erin with every conversation was overdone…insert eye roll. I will say that this Lyle character brought back vibes from people I dated in my past and I was very hell bent on seeing that he got what he deserved.
This book had a little bit of everything; dealing with grief, a failed marriage, dysfunctional sibling relationships, deceit, hopefulness, and love. I think Beck’s writing was good but I struggled loving this book based off of the characters of Amanda and her mom. 3.5 stars for me.
”If we carelessly disregard other people, we should change. But if we’re merely being true to ourselves, we shouldn’t. How others respond to pain or fear is their choice.”
May 5, 2020
I think I'm one of the few that wasn't crazy about the book. Some parts were good but I just couldn't get behind the two main characters. It felt inauthentic to me. I was bored for most of the book and only completed the book because I wanted to know how the author would wrap it up. It's in between a chick lit and a drama and fell short on both counts
March 7, 2020
If You Must Know is women fiction book that follows lives of two sisters Amanda and Erin, when they lives implode after certain things come to light. These two are very different. Amanda is married one, kindergarten teacher, the introvert, always doing the right thing. On the other hand Erin is free spirited, yoga instructor, taking life how it comes, tells it like it is. The whole family is dealing with still fresh loss of their father. But everything is worse when Amanda finds out that her husband is having an affair. Erin love life is no better after her ex boyfriend steals her valuable music records. They all have to come to terms with all the trouble they are facing individually and together as a family.
Pros;
* good writing & pace of the story
* interesting story line
* Erin and Amanda opposites makes for good points of view from both sides
* family relationships; I am glad that Amanda and Erin worked on their issues and sister bond
Cons;
* ending is more of happy for now which is subjective thing that I didn't like very much
* besides main issues with Amanda's husband nothing really resolved with certainty, which again can be my subjective thing
* I am left curious did I miss what is going on with their mother health
* I am unhappy how relationship between Erin and her mother is dealt with, through out the book she is awful to her and than everything is good in one sentence
* very little romance
Overall, this is a solid novel. It is a first in a series and I am not sure which characters will next book be about but Potomac Point is excellent small town setting.
I read this author before and her work now it reminds me of the transition that Kristan Higgins did years ago.
I'm excited for what is to come.
3,5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion
Pros;
* good writing & pace of the story
* interesting story line
* Erin and Amanda opposites makes for good points of view from both sides
* family relationships; I am glad that Amanda and Erin worked on their issues and sister bond
Cons;
* ending is more of happy for now which is subjective thing that I didn't like very much
* besides main issues with Amanda's husband nothing really resolved with certainty, which again can be my subjective thing
* I am left curious did I miss what is going on with their mother health
* I am unhappy how relationship between Erin and her mother is dealt with, through out the book she is awful to her and than everything is good in one sentence
* very little romance
Overall, this is a solid novel. It is a first in a series and I am not sure which characters will next book be about but Potomac Point is excellent small town setting.
I read this author before and her work now it reminds me of the transition that Kristan Higgins did years ago.
I'm excited for what is to come.
3,5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion
June 5, 2020
Absorbing, hopeful, and bittersweet!
If You Must Know is a heartwarming, engaging tale set in the small-town of Potomac Point that takes us into the lives of two main characters. Erin, a free spirit who is fun-loving and kind but often impulsive and reckless, and Amanda, a straightlaced, happily married, pregnant teacher whose idyllic world is suddenly shattered when her husband runs off with another woman and all of her mother’s savings.
The writing is smooth and fluid. The characterization is well-developed with an intriguing cast of characters, including two generations of strong, determined women who must learn to support forgive and embrace the future. And the plot is a delightful blend of heart, hope, angst, grief, drama and love.
If You Must Know is, ultimately, a story about family dynamics, heartbreak, secrets, friendship, loss, dreams, regrets, romance, contentment, sibling rivalry, discovering one’s true self, and the complex relationship between sisters. It’s a sweet, tender, emotional tale that does a lovely job of reminding us that no matter how challenging life might often seem things always seem to work themselves out in the end.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
If You Must Know is a heartwarming, engaging tale set in the small-town of Potomac Point that takes us into the lives of two main characters. Erin, a free spirit who is fun-loving and kind but often impulsive and reckless, and Amanda, a straightlaced, happily married, pregnant teacher whose idyllic world is suddenly shattered when her husband runs off with another woman and all of her mother’s savings.
The writing is smooth and fluid. The characterization is well-developed with an intriguing cast of characters, including two generations of strong, determined women who must learn to support forgive and embrace the future. And the plot is a delightful blend of heart, hope, angst, grief, drama and love.
If You Must Know is, ultimately, a story about family dynamics, heartbreak, secrets, friendship, loss, dreams, regrets, romance, contentment, sibling rivalry, discovering one’s true self, and the complex relationship between sisters. It’s a sweet, tender, emotional tale that does a lovely job of reminding us that no matter how challenging life might often seem things always seem to work themselves out in the end.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2021
My first DNF of 2021. It certainly was pointing into a DNF around page 45. I continued reading and skipping, reading and skipping, but it was very irritating to try and go
on. It was very disappointing and was not meant to be enjoyed or finished.
The self pity and stupidity of the three main female family characters, and the codependency/dysfunction continues on. Mom and her two adult daughters. These weak individuals were easily duped, nondecisive, and didn’t have any clue of worldliness or street smarts. It was a nonstop pity party, an oh woe is me type of lamenting that got old and repeated too often by all 3. The pathetic thoughts and actions by these three women were just so ridiculously stupid. I just could not go on to the end.
My rating for “If You Must Know” and really, if you must know, is the lowest rating of one star. And If you must know more, I am not recommending it - at all. Spare yourself the readers grief and move on to your next great read!
on. It was very disappointing and was not meant to be enjoyed or finished.
The self pity and stupidity of the three main female family characters, and the codependency/dysfunction continues on. Mom and her two adult daughters. These weak individuals were easily duped, nondecisive, and didn’t have any clue of worldliness or street smarts. It was a nonstop pity party, an oh woe is me type of lamenting that got old and repeated too often by all 3. The pathetic thoughts and actions by these three women were just so ridiculously stupid. I just could not go on to the end.
My rating for “If You Must Know” and really, if you must know, is the lowest rating of one star. And If you must know more, I am not recommending it - at all. Spare yourself the readers grief and move on to your next great read!
May 20, 2020
Love, betrayal, sisterhood, family...this books has it all. And it's fantastic. IF YOU MUST KNOW was my First Read selection and my first Jamie Beck book. It won't be my last because I whipped through this very enjoyable and entertaining story. It was perfect. Exactly what I needed in the moment. Loved it.
September 4, 2020
Very enjoyable read!
June 9, 2020
RATING: 2.5 STARS
2020; Montlake Romance
If You Must Know is Jamie Beck's first novel that is labeled as "women's fiction"/general fiction. She is more known for her contemporary romance. I have not read any other of her books, so I am not sure how they compare to one another. However, this novel seemed like a contemporary romance to me. Two sisters, who are also pitted as rivals, are both going through romantic strife that brings them closer. I thought this was an okay novel, but will not be continuing the series. I might read a future series if it is like Robin Carr, Susan Wiggs or Mariah Stewart. I will be trying Beck's contemporary romance novel, The Memory of You.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
2020; Montlake Romance
If You Must Know is Jamie Beck's first novel that is labeled as "women's fiction"/general fiction. She is more known for her contemporary romance. I have not read any other of her books, so I am not sure how they compare to one another. However, this novel seemed like a contemporary romance to me. Two sisters, who are also pitted as rivals, are both going through romantic strife that brings them closer. I thought this was an okay novel, but will not be continuing the series. I might read a future series if it is like Robin Carr, Susan Wiggs or Mariah Stewart. I will be trying Beck's contemporary romance novel, The Memory of You.
***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***
May 26, 2020
4.5/ 5 stars
If You Must Know is the first book in the Potomac Point series. It can be read as a standalone.
I would categorize this book as Women's Fiction. The book is a family drama with some romance.
There are two female narrators who are sisters: Amanda and Erin (1st person POVs).
These sisters could not be any more different. Amanda is married and pregnant. She is a nursery school teacher. She likes everything tidy and organized. She thinks things through carefully.
Erin is a yoga teacher. And has an Etsy business. She is the complete opposite of her sister. She is carefree, spontaneous, disorganized and messy.
I found the beginning to be very strong. Each sister had an interesting story. I was equally invested in both narrators.
Honestly this book was not what I was expecting at all. For some reason I thought that this book was a contemporary romance. And that it would be sexy. It was nothing like that. This was an emotional and compelling read that focused on two sisters and their dynamic with their widowed mother.
There was a lot happening with this family. And I could not put this book down.
There were definitely a few things that happened to each sister that I saw coming. And there were a few reactions especially from Amanda and the mom that just made me roll my eyes. But other than that I really enjoyed this book a lot.
I'm not exactly sure if book two has any connection to this book (maybe just where the stories take place). But I did not recognize the name of the woman who is the narrator of book two.
This book does not end in a cliffhanger and can be read as a standalone.
Thanks to netgalley and Montlake Romance for allowing me to read this book.
If You Must Know is the first book in the Potomac Point series. It can be read as a standalone.
I would categorize this book as Women's Fiction. The book is a family drama with some romance.
There are two female narrators who are sisters: Amanda and Erin (1st person POVs).
These sisters could not be any more different. Amanda is married and pregnant. She is a nursery school teacher. She likes everything tidy and organized. She thinks things through carefully.
Erin is a yoga teacher. And has an Etsy business. She is the complete opposite of her sister. She is carefree, spontaneous, disorganized and messy.
I found the beginning to be very strong. Each sister had an interesting story. I was equally invested in both narrators.
Honestly this book was not what I was expecting at all. For some reason I thought that this book was a contemporary romance. And that it would be sexy. It was nothing like that. This was an emotional and compelling read that focused on two sisters and their dynamic with their widowed mother.
There was a lot happening with this family. And I could not put this book down.
There were definitely a few things that happened to each sister that I saw coming. And there were a few reactions especially from Amanda and the mom that just made me roll my eyes. But other than that I really enjoyed this book a lot.
I'm not exactly sure if book two has any connection to this book (maybe just where the stories take place). But I did not recognize the name of the woman who is the narrator of book two.
This book does not end in a cliffhanger and can be read as a standalone.
Thanks to netgalley and Montlake Romance for allowing me to read this book.
August 31, 2020
Nope. Could not get into this. Chapter 1 is in the POV of one sister who apparently confuses being brand-conscious with having a personality and is clearly being gaslit by her even more horrible husband. I wanted to spend no more minutes with her. DNF.
May 18, 2020
If You Must Know by Jamie Beck - 2.5 stars - Amazon Publishing
A special thanks for @amazonpublishing sending me this ARC in the mail. Sisters Amanda and Erin have never gotten along. They live extremely different lives and don’t seem to have much in common. Their father passes away suddenly after a stroke, leaving them to sort out their new family dynamic without him. In the midst of their grief, they come together to support each other and their mother. Amanda’s perfect marriage is upended when she discovers her husband hasn’t been being honest with her about basically anything. Erin tries to help Amanda as she navigates being pregnant and restarting her life while dealing with her own issues. There is still a secret left between them and Erin is terrified of the damage that could occur to their relationship if Amanda finds out.
I don’t usually read this genre so that may be part of the reason why I didn’t enjoy this novel. In fact, I would love to hear from other people who read it. Amanda and Erin’s personalities are clearly described and the tone of the writing is very casual, making it an easy read. However, I found the climax to be unrealistic as well as the resolution to the problem. It was also dragging a bit at the end and I found myself skimming the pages. If it was a little bit shorter with more action in between, I think I would have enjoyed it more. The complexity of relationships within families was definitely the main theme in this novel and I just needed to be portrayed with a little bit more of a deeper significance.
A special thanks for @amazonpublishing sending me this ARC in the mail. Sisters Amanda and Erin have never gotten along. They live extremely different lives and don’t seem to have much in common. Their father passes away suddenly after a stroke, leaving them to sort out their new family dynamic without him. In the midst of their grief, they come together to support each other and their mother. Amanda’s perfect marriage is upended when she discovers her husband hasn’t been being honest with her about basically anything. Erin tries to help Amanda as she navigates being pregnant and restarting her life while dealing with her own issues. There is still a secret left between them and Erin is terrified of the damage that could occur to their relationship if Amanda finds out.
I don’t usually read this genre so that may be part of the reason why I didn’t enjoy this novel. In fact, I would love to hear from other people who read it. Amanda and Erin’s personalities are clearly described and the tone of the writing is very casual, making it an easy read. However, I found the climax to be unrealistic as well as the resolution to the problem. It was also dragging a bit at the end and I found myself skimming the pages. If it was a little bit shorter with more action in between, I think I would have enjoyed it more. The complexity of relationships within families was definitely the main theme in this novel and I just needed to be portrayed with a little bit more of a deeper significance.
June 3, 2020
Families are a complicated mess, but when the chips are down those differences disappear and you find out who really has your back.
The Foster family is truly a unique family with diverse personalities. Amanda and Erin approach life differently. Amanda seems very uptight and perhaps she feels like she needs to be perfect. Erin is the wild child and lives life as it comes. Erin didn't feel like she fit into her family except with her dad. Nancy, the mom, is much like Amanda and that causes some friction between the three women. There were many times I wanted to shake Nancy and tell her to get over herself if she thinks she is that important that she has to worry about what people will say about Amanda's now scandalous life. I could say the same about Amanda and her fears about what others will think about her situation. It takes Erin shaking things up to loosen them up by the end of the book.
I was surprised at how some situations were handled with Lyle, Amanda's husband, at the end. I won't go into too much detail, but I'm not sure if the situation would have ended this way in real life. But let's just say that Lyle gets his just rewards.
I did enjoy watching Erin discover what a real relationship should be like when she meets Eli. He has his own issues, but the two of them are able to help each other move forward in life. I'm not sure if future books in this series will touch back on these characters, but I hope so because I don't think their story is finished.
A couple of quotes that really stuck out while I was reading this book:
"Will there ever be a day when people stop demanding that others conform to their own expectations?"
"Most people are good people, yet bad things happen every day. You and I? We aren't unique victims."
Overall we give this 4 paws up.
The Foster family is truly a unique family with diverse personalities. Amanda and Erin approach life differently. Amanda seems very uptight and perhaps she feels like she needs to be perfect. Erin is the wild child and lives life as it comes. Erin didn't feel like she fit into her family except with her dad. Nancy, the mom, is much like Amanda and that causes some friction between the three women. There were many times I wanted to shake Nancy and tell her to get over herself if she thinks she is that important that she has to worry about what people will say about Amanda's now scandalous life. I could say the same about Amanda and her fears about what others will think about her situation. It takes Erin shaking things up to loosen them up by the end of the book.
I was surprised at how some situations were handled with Lyle, Amanda's husband, at the end. I won't go into too much detail, but I'm not sure if the situation would have ended this way in real life. But let's just say that Lyle gets his just rewards.
I did enjoy watching Erin discover what a real relationship should be like when she meets Eli. He has his own issues, but the two of them are able to help each other move forward in life. I'm not sure if future books in this series will touch back on these characters, but I hope so because I don't think their story is finished.
A couple of quotes that really stuck out while I was reading this book:
"Will there ever be a day when people stop demanding that others conform to their own expectations?"
"Most people are good people, yet bad things happen every day. You and I? We aren't unique victims."
Overall we give this 4 paws up.
June 5, 2020
Once I began reading this book I was unable to put it down. In fact, I didn't finish it until almost 3:00 AM. Beck draws readers into the heart of a family that has been fractured but still has love at its core. I found the dynamic between sisters Amanda and Erin to be most compelling but each sister's relationship with their mother was also filled with peaks and valleys as were the lingering effects of their relationships with their late father. With unexpected revelations and challenges in each woman's life creating chaos, not to mention intense sibling rivalry, it was anybody's guess if mother and daughters would find a way to mend the wounds that separated them or if they would break them apart for good.
Beck does a beautiful job of creating multi-layered characters who angered and frustrated me at various points during the book while, at others, I found myself empathizing with them and cheering them on. They are well-formed, realistic, and kept me engaged from start to finish. They've all accepted (even reveled in) their roles within the family. Beck uses the unexpected changes in their circumstances to foster introspection and growth which in turn fosters the evolution of their relationships with one another.
This is women's fiction, not romance, though both sisters have romantic relationships, one on the upswing and one headed for disaster. Woven skillfully into the overall story, those relationships do have an impact on who each sister is, who she has been, and who she has the potential to become. It's fascinating to watch how each of them handles chaos and betrayal (not surprisingly, they have very different reactions) and the ultimate impact each situation has on the relationship, or lack thereof, between sisters.
If you're looking for a story filled with fascinating characters, family relationships, a bit of a mystery, and a hopeful ending, tuck a copy of If You Must Know onto your summer reading list. I highly recommend it.
4.5 stars
*ARC received for fair and unbiased review
Beck does a beautiful job of creating multi-layered characters who angered and frustrated me at various points during the book while, at others, I found myself empathizing with them and cheering them on. They are well-formed, realistic, and kept me engaged from start to finish. They've all accepted (even reveled in) their roles within the family. Beck uses the unexpected changes in their circumstances to foster introspection and growth which in turn fosters the evolution of their relationships with one another.
This is women's fiction, not romance, though both sisters have romantic relationships, one on the upswing and one headed for disaster. Woven skillfully into the overall story, those relationships do have an impact on who each sister is, who she has been, and who she has the potential to become. It's fascinating to watch how each of them handles chaos and betrayal (not surprisingly, they have very different reactions) and the ultimate impact each situation has on the relationship, or lack thereof, between sisters.
If you're looking for a story filled with fascinating characters, family relationships, a bit of a mystery, and a hopeful ending, tuck a copy of If You Must Know onto your summer reading list. I highly recommend it.
4.5 stars
*ARC received for fair and unbiased review
March 1, 2020
If you must know is a great story about two sisters and their mother that are trying to support each other through some very difficult situations. The suspense kept me on edge at all times and I enjoyed the point of view of each character and their so different life story. The deceitful husband, the thought decisions that Amanda has to take to protect her unborn child, the mental health issues raised by their mother and the finding her way in life of Erin , all together made for a great few hours of a Sunday afternoon reads.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
August 21, 2025
Amanda's perfect marriage isn't so perfect.
Erin's happy-go-lucky life can't continue as such indefinitely.
If you must know is a story of two sisters who can't seem to get along for all of the reasons that families have difficulty functioning. It takes two tragedies--the death of their father and the betrayal of Amanda's husband--for the two sisters to reconcile. Along the way they help their grief-stricken mother as well.
I enjoyed reading about how these two sisters come together when the going gets tough--and it gets really tough, y'all.
Special bonus to Jamie for creating a throwaway character named Brad Peyton. I chuckled.
Erin's happy-go-lucky life can't continue as such indefinitely.
If you must know is a story of two sisters who can't seem to get along for all of the reasons that families have difficulty functioning. It takes two tragedies--the death of their father and the betrayal of Amanda's husband--for the two sisters to reconcile. Along the way they help their grief-stricken mother as well.
I enjoyed reading about how these two sisters come together when the going gets tough--and it gets really tough, y'all.
Special bonus to Jamie for creating a throwaway character named Brad Peyton. I chuckled.
June 11, 2020
This story are told from Amanda and Erin point of view. Amanda wanted everything to be perfect and tidy while Erin is a free spirit and quite messy lol They are complete opposite from each other.
I hate how Amanda and her mom treated Erin. Treating her like she don't belong to their family like asdfghjkl that hurts af! But yeah this thing did happen in real life so this story feels realistic.
Something bad happened to their family and it makes them getting closer to each other. Finally they understand each other. Goshhh that took years!! They should've try that before but they didn't lol
Thank you Netgalley for If You Must Know ARC!
I hate how Amanda and her mom treated Erin. Treating her like she don't belong to their family like asdfghjkl that hurts af! But yeah this thing did happen in real life so this story feels realistic.
Something bad happened to their family and it makes them getting closer to each other. Finally they understand each other. Goshhh that took years!! They should've try that before but they didn't lol
Thank you Netgalley for If You Must Know ARC!
June 2, 2020
When devastating truths are revealed, a family leans on one another, breaking down walls between them and seeking their perfect revenge.
Amanda Foster thought she had the perfect life.
A loving and devoted husband.
A home to grow old in.
And a baby on the way.
But one phone call and letter, changes everything.
I won't go into what is revealed, but I will say I hated Lyle with a passion. Each page his name appeared on had my blood boiling. What was even maddening was how Amanda initially handled this new reality.
This story explores how Amanda and her family deal with Lyle's deception. Of all the family members, I liked Erin, Amanda's sister, the best. She's a little flighty and very impulsive, but she was the perfect counterbalance to Amanda and her mom, who were so focused on their reputations, they didn't look at the big picture. Erin became the voice of reason, even if they dismissed her half the time.
"You've spent your whole life chasing perfection - with school, food, this house - but it's time to wake up to reality. There is no perfect. There’s only messy truths.'
This was a very angsty read for me, mostly because of my hatred for Lyle. But there was a silver lining in the story, and that is how it brought this family closer. It wasn't an immediate change, but gradually, they each opened up, trusting one another for advice or a shoulder to cry on.
Given everything the author puts these characters thru, I love how they rose to the challenge and got some payback. Erin was amazing, and it was great to see how far she came in this book. In addition, Amanda eventually took Erin's advice, and made the best of a bad situation.
This is a well written and emotional story. A great women's fiction read, with the bonus of a new romance.
For more reviews, visit
Amanda Foster thought she had the perfect life.
A loving and devoted husband.
A home to grow old in.
And a baby on the way.
But one phone call and letter, changes everything.
I won't go into what is revealed, but I will say I hated Lyle with a passion. Each page his name appeared on had my blood boiling. What was even maddening was how Amanda initially handled this new reality.
This story explores how Amanda and her family deal with Lyle's deception. Of all the family members, I liked Erin, Amanda's sister, the best. She's a little flighty and very impulsive, but she was the perfect counterbalance to Amanda and her mom, who were so focused on their reputations, they didn't look at the big picture. Erin became the voice of reason, even if they dismissed her half the time.
"You've spent your whole life chasing perfection - with school, food, this house - but it's time to wake up to reality. There is no perfect. There’s only messy truths.'
This was a very angsty read for me, mostly because of my hatred for Lyle. But there was a silver lining in the story, and that is how it brought this family closer. It wasn't an immediate change, but gradually, they each opened up, trusting one another for advice or a shoulder to cry on.
Given everything the author puts these characters thru, I love how they rose to the challenge and got some payback. Erin was amazing, and it was great to see how far she came in this book. In addition, Amanda eventually took Erin's advice, and made the best of a bad situation.
This is a well written and emotional story. A great women's fiction read, with the bonus of a new romance.
For more reviews, visit
June 1, 2020
If You Must Know by Jamie Beck was my first book by her and not a typical romance book. This was the author’s first foray into fiction. I will definitely read this author again as I enjoyed her writing style, characters and overall theme of the book.
At the heart of the book is the relationships involving the Turner Family. Sisters Amanda and Erin love each other, but do not see eye to eye on life and have not been as close as sisters can be. Add in their relationships individually and with their parents, and dysfunction is apparent amongst them all. When an unfortunate event leaves Amanda pregnant and alone, family bonds will help them all to heal and rebuild a better life, a better family and show the strength that they each possess.
The book tells the story of Amanda showing her “perfect” life, the cracks that she didn’t know were there and the image she wants everyone to see. Erin is more carefree, living life on her terms and feeling at odds with her mother and sister. All feeling the loss of the patriarch of the family, they charter the waters in their own way to find a way to move on.
I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters, and how they learned to understand and accept each other in a different and better way. There was a growth amongst them all, and an acceptance for the other that they couldn’t see before. The story is told from both sisters point of view letting you get inside each’s head and know the whys of their decisions and actions. I also enjoyed the supporting characters in the book, and would love to see Eli and Erin’s story developed more.
I definitely recommend this book.
At the heart of the book is the relationships involving the Turner Family. Sisters Amanda and Erin love each other, but do not see eye to eye on life and have not been as close as sisters can be. Add in their relationships individually and with their parents, and dysfunction is apparent amongst them all. When an unfortunate event leaves Amanda pregnant and alone, family bonds will help them all to heal and rebuild a better life, a better family and show the strength that they each possess.
The book tells the story of Amanda showing her “perfect” life, the cracks that she didn’t know were there and the image she wants everyone to see. Erin is more carefree, living life on her terms and feeling at odds with her mother and sister. All feeling the loss of the patriarch of the family, they charter the waters in their own way to find a way to move on.
I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters, and how they learned to understand and accept each other in a different and better way. There was a growth amongst them all, and an acceptance for the other that they couldn’t see before. The story is told from both sisters point of view letting you get inside each’s head and know the whys of their decisions and actions. I also enjoyed the supporting characters in the book, and would love to see Eli and Erin’s story developed more.
I definitely recommend this book.
April 27, 2021
Story with lots of family dynamics and challenging relationships. Loved how the sister relationship came together to serve up sweet revenge. Looking forward to the next installment in the Potomac Point series! 6 out of 10.
May 18, 2020
This is my first book Jamie Beck that I have read and it was a good read. I like books about family relationships.
Two sisters, Amanda and Erin. The sisters were total opposites of each other, who had totally different lives, Amanda married and Erin a kind of free spirit who lives life on the edge , but when push comes to shove the sisters come together and do what they can to look after their mother and help each other when Amanda who is pregnant and whose husband has left her for another women. The sister’s show each other just how strong their love for each other is and what they can forget and forgive each other to build a stronger and healthier and loving relationship where they have to learn to trust each other.
I like the dynamic of families, growing up without a sister, I am always fascinated by the relationship of sisters, I have seen other sisters in my family and how they respond to each and I think Jamie Beck did a wonderful job of expressing the feeling of these two sisters and also their relationship with their mother. That is something I do know about. So, this dynamic was very relatable for me.
Thank you, Jamie Beck, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book and I look forward to my next book by Jamie to reach my TBR shelf.
Two sisters, Amanda and Erin. The sisters were total opposites of each other, who had totally different lives, Amanda married and Erin a kind of free spirit who lives life on the edge , but when push comes to shove the sisters come together and do what they can to look after their mother and help each other when Amanda who is pregnant and whose husband has left her for another women. The sister’s show each other just how strong their love for each other is and what they can forget and forgive each other to build a stronger and healthier and loving relationship where they have to learn to trust each other.
I like the dynamic of families, growing up without a sister, I am always fascinated by the relationship of sisters, I have seen other sisters in my family and how they respond to each and I think Jamie Beck did a wonderful job of expressing the feeling of these two sisters and also their relationship with their mother. That is something I do know about. So, this dynamic was very relatable for me.
Thank you, Jamie Beck, and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book and I look forward to my next book by Jamie to reach my TBR shelf.
January 26, 2021
The Turner women have reached a point in their lives where they really need each other. Sisters Amanda and Erin have never gotten along. Erin and their mom were always contentious and since the death of their father, they have all been a little lost. When Amanda finds out her husband is leaving her while she is pregnant, she will have to lean on her family in order to make it through.
Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I really enjoy books that deal with sisters and mothers. This book did not disappoint. It kept me invested from the very beginning. The moral of the story is that even though we may not always like our family, we love them and know that they will always be there for us when we need them.
Thank you to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I really enjoy books that deal with sisters and mothers. This book did not disappoint. It kept me invested from the very beginning. The moral of the story is that even though we may not always like our family, we love them and know that they will always be there for us when we need them.
July 21, 2020
This was my Amazon First Reads pick for the month of May.
"I can't say our time together was fun. As a matter of fact, I wish we'd never crossed paths. I honestly think I hate each and every one of you."
No, that isn't a quote from the book. That's what I said when I finished reading it. Why? Well, I thought this was going to be some sort of suspense type mystery due to it alluding to secrets (it wasn't and there really aren't any) and as I'm sure you can gather from my quote, I disliked every single character. Not only were they lacking in development, they were all annoying and whiny. The mother was the worst of the bunch. I could not stand her. She's the main reason I started to skim pages. Amanda was close behind though with how gullible she was. Not to mention her holier than thou attitude while simultaneously hating herself internally. She was nothing short of a train wreck. Erin was the least offensive but not by much. She's supposedly the exact opposite of her sister Amanda but in many ways, they were exactly alike. The fact that two of these women got scammed by someone who wasn't even very good at it isn't at all surprising. They are exactly what these types look for. Easy prey. The other may not have been as swayed, but she was just as guilty. She has information that she could have shared but does the standard "they wouldn't have believed me." It doesn't really work though because she never even tried. Too bad too. She could have saved everyone from reading this book. The ending was much like a Lifetime movie. Unrealistic moments leading to a predictable conclusion. Do yourself a favor and do what I didn't. Spare yourself.
"I can't say our time together was fun. As a matter of fact, I wish we'd never crossed paths. I honestly think I hate each and every one of you."
No, that isn't a quote from the book. That's what I said when I finished reading it. Why? Well, I thought this was going to be some sort of suspense type mystery due to it alluding to secrets (it wasn't and there really aren't any) and as I'm sure you can gather from my quote, I disliked every single character. Not only were they lacking in development, they were all annoying and whiny. The mother was the worst of the bunch. I could not stand her. She's the main reason I started to skim pages. Amanda was close behind though with how gullible she was. Not to mention her holier than thou attitude while simultaneously hating herself internally. She was nothing short of a train wreck. Erin was the least offensive but not by much. She's supposedly the exact opposite of her sister Amanda but in many ways, they were exactly alike. The fact that two of these women got scammed by someone who wasn't even very good at it isn't at all surprising. They are exactly what these types look for. Easy prey. The other may not have been as swayed, but she was just as guilty. She has information that she could have shared but does the standard "they wouldn't have believed me." It doesn't really work though because she never even tried. Too bad too. She could have saved everyone from reading this book. The ending was much like a Lifetime movie. Unrealistic moments leading to a predictable conclusion. Do yourself a favor and do what I didn't. Spare yourself.
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