I Never Knew You

by Olivia Rytwinski

When Anya, 13, returns home from school she witnesses something so shocking and alien to her, that her outlook on life is altered forever. From that day on, at University, and beyond, the effects of what she experienced ripple outwards, influencing her responses to the people she meets and the situations she faces. Skip forwards to Anya, 39, living an idyllic rural life with her husband, Toby, and their two daughters. Anya is co-owner of Willows End Livery, set amidst moorland in Northern England. It’s been the hottest summer on record and on the surface life looks sweet, but underneath, the ripple effects continue to wreak their consequences. Praise for ‘I Never Knew You’ “Anya Kubik - a truly modern-day woman, deliciously flawed, but big-hearted and loves her family with enduring passion.” “An absolute gem of a novel - Anya’s deeply moving story about love and relationships remains with you long after the novel’s unexpected and dramatic climax.”

246 pages, Paperback

Published November 4, 2019

About the author

Olivia Rytwinski was born in Worcestershire and now lives in North Yorkshire with her family. She has a BA Honors Degree in English and a professional Postgraduate Degree in Marketing (ACIM). Olivia works as a full-time writer after previously working in Marketing Communications Management and education during her earlier career years.

Olivia has written five contemporary novels:-

- A Family by Design set in the Scottish Highlands
- I Never Knew you set in rural Wensleydale
- Shadowlake, set in The Lake District
- The Actor, Set In Whitby
- The Blue House, set near Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland
- The Blind Paradox set in York and Staithes

https://oliviarytwinski.com/

Available on Amazon and other online bo ehoksellers. Can be ordered in all bookstores.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Olivi...

Olivia’s writing and stories stem from her fascination with the workings of the human mind and how relationships and family dynamics evolve over time and struggle amidst all the pressures that modern society brings - and on top of this how we are all under the influence of our inbuilt biological drivers as well as our upbringings and cultural backgrounds, that shape our thoughts and behaviour.

Olivia is especially interested in writing stories about real women’s struggles in the modern era, and gives a strong voice to women from a range of backgrounds and professions; Clinical Psychologist, Actor, Lawyer and aspiring crime writer, Marketing Manager in the pharmaceutical industry, Livery Yard Manager, Conservation Officer.

Olivia gives talks and presentations about her writing and her novels to community groups throughout Yorkshire - sharing her journey to becoming a published author.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Ann Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and exciting novel

This is Olivia Rytwinski's second book and from the start I was drawn into the lives of a family who are loving but complex. The main protagonist, Anya is a warm and caring mother but there are circumstances and situations beyond her control that ultimately lead to dramatic consequences. The characters are well drawn and believable. The ending is climatic and it felt as though I had travelled on this exciting journey with Anya and her family!

[Scott Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another page turner from Olivia Rytwinski! As a long time reader of mystery, suspense, and thriller novels, I pride myself in being able to figure out the bad guy and his motive. Rytwinski, though, always seems to stay one step ahead of me and is able to throw me a curve ball near the end of the story. I Never Knew You was the best yet in this respect--the ending completely shocked me, and I never saw it coming.

As with all of her stories, Rytwinski captures both the good and bad qualities of all of her main characters--whether or not she plans on turning them into the bad guy at the end. Each of her characters are very human with often very fatal flaws and I appreciate this the most about her writing.

This being the fourth Rytwinski novel I have read, I also have come to appreciate the eloquence with which she writes. The language she uses is clear and portrays an air of dignity and while this may be typical of English writers, it really stands out to this American reader! It is always refreshing to be able to pick up one of Rytwinski's books! Definitely recommend!

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little confused by this book as the blurb on the back didn't really seem to match up with the story. I couldn't see the connection between the event that happened when she was 13 and her subsequent life and decisions, unless it means that she betrays those closest to her because of her mother's betrayal. As a character, I couldn't warm to her I'm afraid and that coloured my enjoyment of the book. Living in North Yorkshire, I did appreciate the descriptions of Yorkshire, the author brought the beauty to life, but the plot just wasn't for me.

[Jennifer Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and it was my favourite of Olivia's to date. It was captivating throughout, easy to read but not easy to predict the ending. I like the way the central character's husband is always a very flawed character, but Toby was more likeable than the others. I highly recommend this book!

[Parsons James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read I Never Knew You almost as soon as I'd finished her first novel, A Family by Design because I'd enjoyed it so much. Whilst I Never Knew You is completely different, I enjoyed it just as much, in fact even more than her first novel, because the characters are edgier and surprised me throughout by their deeds - both admirable and despicable. The characters and setting in a livery yard in Wensleydale are so detailed and cleverly drawn that I could vividly picture every single scene.
Anya, the main protagonist is warmhearted, beautiful, curious and complicated and the sort of woman I have fallen for in the past but couldn't stay with. I had to read the final chapters twice because they were so unexpectedly moving and made me emotional. Beautiful! There are not many writers who can move me to tears, so congratulations to Olivia Rytwinski for this. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to readers who enjoy mystery/thriller books with an exciting plot and original characters.