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You Need to Know
From the bestselling author of The Ex and Those Other Women comes a thrilling family drama about the secrets we keep, the lies we tell and the truths that won't stay hidden.
The holidays are here. The extended family has gathered. The cars are packed and the convoy sets off. The cottage is a few hours' drive - but not everyone will live to see it ...
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road crash will tear apart their family.
The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been long coming.
Because at the heart of this family lies a secret - concealed, wrestled with, festering and harmful - and nothing now can stop it coming out.
But will any of them survive it?
Praise for Nicola Moriarty:
'Will have you turning pages in a blur to find out what happens' The Age on The Ex
'Moriarty is a masterful plotter' Better Reading
'I devoured it, loved it and totally escaped into it ... Fun and topical' Marian Keyes on Those Other Women
The holidays are here. The extended family has gathered. The cars are packed and the convoy sets off. The cottage is a few hours' drive - but not everyone will live to see it ...
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road crash will tear apart their family.
The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been long coming.
Because at the heart of this family lies a secret - concealed, wrestled with, festering and harmful - and nothing now can stop it coming out.
But will any of them survive it?
Praise for Nicola Moriarty:
'Will have you turning pages in a blur to find out what happens' The Age on The Ex
'Moriarty is a masterful plotter' Better Reading
'I devoured it, loved it and totally escaped into it ... Fun and topical' Marian Keyes on Those Other Women
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2021
394 people are currently reading
5283 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Moriarty
10 books1,299 followersNicola Moriarty lives in Sydney's north west with her husband and two small daughters. She is the younger sister of bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying teaching at Macquarie University, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop.
Hello there people in the world of books,
I Would love to hear from you either here on Goodreads or perhaps at Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/NicolaMoriart...
Hello there people in the world of books,
I Would love to hear from you either here on Goodreads or perhaps at Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/NicolaMoriart...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 680 reviews
May 31, 2021
EXCERPT: The kettle boiled and she poured her cup of tea, then she picked up her phone to call Mimi. For a moment her thumb hovered over the mail icon. The email had arrived three days ago. It had taken her a few minutes, but eventually she had recognised the sender's name. It was a name that gave her a nasty feeling in the pit of her stomach. And it was highly unusual that she would be writing to her.
Then she'd read the subject line: 'You Need to Know'. Her skin prickled with irritation. What on earth could this woman have to say that Jill apparently needed to know? The presumptious tone annoyed her, so she'd closed the app and ignored it.
Her thumb moved away from her inbox now, and instead she phoned Mimi.
ABOUT 'YOU NEED TO KNOW': The holidays are here. The extended family has gathered. The cars are packed and the convoy sets off. The cottage is a few hours' drive - but not everyone will live to see it ...
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road crash will tear apart their family.
The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been long coming.
Because at the heart of this family lies a secret - concealed, wrestled with, festering and harmful - and nothing now can stop it coming out.
But will any of them survive it?
MY THOUGHTS: You Need to Know that you need to read this!
I started You Need to Know when I got home from work, and I did not, could not, put it down until I finished. I devoured it, then licked my fingers afterwards.
I inhaled it. I lived it. I loved every word.
Moriarty has written a dramatic tale of family relationships with believable characters, and an original plot that increases in intensity and complexity culminating in multiple wreckages .... not all of them vehicular. Secrets that have been hidden in this family, from this family, are revealed and their relationships are fractured.
Moriarty's characters are so realistic, so complete, that they could have stepped off the pages and into my life. They could be my friends, my neighbours. This is a situation any family could find itself in. Moriarty writes her characters with a deep understanding and compassion.
An absolutely absorbing page-turner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#YouNeedtoKnow #NetGalley
I: #nicolamoriarty #harpercollinsaustralia
T: @NikkiM3 @HarperCollinsAU
#contemporaryfiction #australianfiction #familydrama #fivestarread #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Nicola Moriarty lives in Sydney's north west with her husband and two small daughters. She is the younger sister of bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying teaching at Macquarie University, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Australia via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of You Need to Know by Nicola Moriarty for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Then she'd read the subject line: 'You Need to Know'. Her skin prickled with irritation. What on earth could this woman have to say that Jill apparently needed to know? The presumptious tone annoyed her, so she'd closed the app and ignored it.
Her thumb moved away from her inbox now, and instead she phoned Mimi.
ABOUT 'YOU NEED TO KNOW': The holidays are here. The extended family has gathered. The cars are packed and the convoy sets off. The cottage is a few hours' drive - but not everyone will live to see it ...
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road crash will tear apart their family.
The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been long coming.
Because at the heart of this family lies a secret - concealed, wrestled with, festering and harmful - and nothing now can stop it coming out.
But will any of them survive it?
MY THOUGHTS: You Need to Know that you need to read this!
I started You Need to Know when I got home from work, and I did not, could not, put it down until I finished. I devoured it, then licked my fingers afterwards.
I inhaled it. I lived it. I loved every word.
Moriarty has written a dramatic tale of family relationships with believable characters, and an original plot that increases in intensity and complexity culminating in multiple wreckages .... not all of them vehicular. Secrets that have been hidden in this family, from this family, are revealed and their relationships are fractured.
Moriarty's characters are so realistic, so complete, that they could have stepped off the pages and into my life. They could be my friends, my neighbours. This is a situation any family could find itself in. Moriarty writes her characters with a deep understanding and compassion.
An absolutely absorbing page-turner.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#YouNeedtoKnow #NetGalley
I: #nicolamoriarty #harpercollinsaustralia
T: @NikkiM3 @HarperCollinsAU
#contemporaryfiction #australianfiction #familydrama #fivestarread #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Nicola Moriarty lives in Sydney's north west with her husband and two small daughters. She is the younger sister of bestselling authors Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty. In between various career changes, becoming a mum and studying teaching at Macquarie University, she began to write. Now, she can't seem to stop.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Australia via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of You Need to Know by Nicola Moriarty for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
April 20, 2021
Grandmother Jill, sons Tony, Pete and Darren, respective partners and grandchildren travel in convoy on Christmas Eve to their holiday home. However, a serious road traffic accident halts their progress. The story is told from several points of view and at the accident scene.
First of all, initially I find the pace of the build up to be slow but it’s well worth hanging in there as once certain revelations come to the fore we learn this outwardly close knit family has some major issues and problems which pulls you into the storyline. One of these is of a particularly serious magnitude which comes as a real shock. The tone alters as we come to appreciate that some issues have been shoved under the carpet as one character resembles an ostrich with its heard firmly embedded in the sand with serious ramifications. I really like the unpredictability of this as you don’t see it coming, the book then becomes gripping with some good moments of tension especially at the accident site. There are several thought provoking themes such as motherhood with questions like ‘am I a good mother?’, ‘do I want to be a mother?’. It also examines mother/child relationships and the varying emotions that entails. The relationships and dynamics between the characters becomes fascinating although there are a lot of characters to get your head around which to begin with is a bit overwhelming. However as you read on and become more familiar with them this ceases to become an issue. Jill the grandmother is very likeable but she does have major blind spots which she has to come to terms with. The most likeable character is son Darren although with one exception most are likeable but flawed. I like the way the story builds and builds as dilemmas of degrees of seriousness come to the fore and you realise this has the potential to be volcanic. The accident is so well described that your heart is in your mouth as the novel reaches a breathtaking climax.
Overall, the slow burner start cleverly layers the tension and issues and so becoming immersive reading.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the arc in return for an honest review.
First of all, initially I find the pace of the build up to be slow but it’s well worth hanging in there as once certain revelations come to the fore we learn this outwardly close knit family has some major issues and problems which pulls you into the storyline. One of these is of a particularly serious magnitude which comes as a real shock. The tone alters as we come to appreciate that some issues have been shoved under the carpet as one character resembles an ostrich with its heard firmly embedded in the sand with serious ramifications. I really like the unpredictability of this as you don’t see it coming, the book then becomes gripping with some good moments of tension especially at the accident site. There are several thought provoking themes such as motherhood with questions like ‘am I a good mother?’, ‘do I want to be a mother?’. It also examines mother/child relationships and the varying emotions that entails. The relationships and dynamics between the characters becomes fascinating although there are a lot of characters to get your head around which to begin with is a bit overwhelming. However as you read on and become more familiar with them this ceases to become an issue. Jill the grandmother is very likeable but she does have major blind spots which she has to come to terms with. The most likeable character is son Darren although with one exception most are likeable but flawed. I like the way the story builds and builds as dilemmas of degrees of seriousness come to the fore and you realise this has the potential to be volcanic. The accident is so well described that your heart is in your mouth as the novel reaches a breathtaking climax.
Overall, the slow burner start cleverly layers the tension and issues and so becoming immersive reading.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin Michael Joseph for the arc in return for an honest review.
April 3, 2022
Family drama with tragedy just a hair’s breadth away.
3.5.
The Lewis Family;
Jill – the matriarch of the family, mother to three adult sons. It’s been nearly a year since she lost her husband, Frank.
Tony – the eldest son. Married Andrea two years ago.
Pete – the middle son. Married to Mimi. Together they share four children, Callie (16), Tara (8}, and twin babies, James and Elliot (who are girls btw).
Darren – the youngest son. Single.
On Christmas Eve, the family are driving to their holiday home for their annual Christmas Day family celebration, when the four cars they are travelling in collide on the freeway. How badly hurt are the Lewis family? More importantly, will all of them survive the crash?
The prologue opened on Christmas Eve, with an injured Mimi coming to the realisation that she, along with her family, have been in a serious accident. It then rewinded to cover the month of December leading up to the day of the crash. The four main narrators were;
Mimi – who isn’t sure she wanted another child, let alone twins, and whose eldest daughter is acting like she hates her.
Jill – is struggling to adjust after the sudden loss of her husband.
Andrea – is worried about her neighbour, and her husband, who’s spending all his time working on his second manuscript.
Darren – is finding it hard to get over his breakup with his longterm girlfriend, Charlotte.
I quickly became attached to these characters, as I worried for their safety, and the various secrets they were hiding from each other and the rest of their family.
There were also snippets immediately following the accident, from passing motorists who came across the crash. Those parts were very suspenseful, as I had no idea who was in which car, how critically injured the various family members were, and whether there were any fatalities. And, also what had caused the collision in the first place.
But the last 30% was a bit much. Not only was there more than one secret too many, but it was hard to believe one in particular remained one for as long as it did. I also hate it when characters act out of character just to make a plot more shocking. And that there weren’t consequences for those actions. I could’ve done without those thriller elements, and I felt that the car accident was sufficient enough to thrill. It was a shame, because up until then this domestic noir was heading for a solid 4, or even 4.5.
Readers who are willing to suspend their disbelief will undoubtedly enjoy this more. This was my first read by Nicola Moriarty, and there’s no question she can write, and I’d definitely be willing to give her another try, as You Need to Know had a lot of potential.
3.5.
The Lewis Family;
Jill – the matriarch of the family, mother to three adult sons. It’s been nearly a year since she lost her husband, Frank.
Tony – the eldest son. Married Andrea two years ago.
Pete – the middle son. Married to Mimi. Together they share four children, Callie (16), Tara (8}, and twin babies, James and Elliot (who are girls btw).
Darren – the youngest son. Single.
On Christmas Eve, the family are driving to their holiday home for their annual Christmas Day family celebration, when the four cars they are travelling in collide on the freeway. How badly hurt are the Lewis family? More importantly, will all of them survive the crash?
The prologue opened on Christmas Eve, with an injured Mimi coming to the realisation that she, along with her family, have been in a serious accident. It then rewinded to cover the month of December leading up to the day of the crash. The four main narrators were;
Mimi – who isn’t sure she wanted another child, let alone twins, and whose eldest daughter is acting like she hates her.
Jill – is struggling to adjust after the sudden loss of her husband.
Andrea – is worried about her neighbour, and her husband, who’s spending all his time working on his second manuscript.
Darren – is finding it hard to get over his breakup with his longterm girlfriend, Charlotte.
I quickly became attached to these characters, as I worried for their safety, and the various secrets they were hiding from each other and the rest of their family.
There were also snippets immediately following the accident, from passing motorists who came across the crash. Those parts were very suspenseful, as I had no idea who was in which car, how critically injured the various family members were, and whether there were any fatalities. And, also what had caused the collision in the first place.
But the last 30% was a bit much. Not only was there more than one secret too many, but it was hard to believe one in particular remained one for as long as it did. I also hate it when characters act out of character just to make a plot more shocking. And that there weren’t consequences for those actions. I could’ve done without those thriller elements, and I felt that the car accident was sufficient enough to thrill. It was a shame, because up until then this domestic noir was heading for a solid 4, or even 4.5.
Readers who are willing to suspend their disbelief will undoubtedly enjoy this more. This was my first read by Nicola Moriarty, and there’s no question she can write, and I’d definitely be willing to give her another try, as You Need to Know had a lot of potential.
June 1, 2021
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Smoking hot! I devoured You Need to Know by Nicola Moriarty, it was deliciously addictive and brilliant!
This novel is a compelling domestic family drama, I found it impossible to put down as the story unfolded and the suspense ramped up.
Jill is mother to three grown-up sons, Pete, Tony and Darren, she’s mother-in-law to Mimi and Andrea and grandmother to Callie, Tara and baby twin girls, Elliot and James. She’s recently widowed and still grieving her husband Frank’s unsuspected death. Surprisingly all her sons are writers and working on novels (wonder where that idea came from?).
Meanwhile the cars are packed and all the families are all ready to set off on their traditional Christmas getaway to their holiday cottage a few hours drive away …BUT they are not all going to make it there, a tragedy is brewing........who will survive it?
It’s best if not too much of this plot is revealed……trust me!
There are so many gripping secrets and relationship issues in this family, the characters are fascinating and surprisingly very realistic. The storyline was cleverly plotted, fast paced and unpredictable. I loved this book and after reading it I believe Nicola Moriarty is an Australian author who is top of her game!
Would love to see this on Netflix !
Publication Date 7th April 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for an ARC to review.
Smoking hot! I devoured You Need to Know by Nicola Moriarty, it was deliciously addictive and brilliant!
This novel is a compelling domestic family drama, I found it impossible to put down as the story unfolded and the suspense ramped up.
Jill is mother to three grown-up sons, Pete, Tony and Darren, she’s mother-in-law to Mimi and Andrea and grandmother to Callie, Tara and baby twin girls, Elliot and James. She’s recently widowed and still grieving her husband Frank’s unsuspected death. Surprisingly all her sons are writers and working on novels (wonder where that idea came from?).
Meanwhile the cars are packed and all the families are all ready to set off on their traditional Christmas getaway to their holiday cottage a few hours drive away …BUT they are not all going to make it there, a tragedy is brewing........who will survive it?
It’s best if not too much of this plot is revealed……trust me!
There are so many gripping secrets and relationship issues in this family, the characters are fascinating and surprisingly very realistic. The storyline was cleverly plotted, fast paced and unpredictable. I loved this book and after reading it I believe Nicola Moriarty is an Australian author who is top of her game!
Would love to see this on Netflix !
Publication Date 7th April 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for an ARC to review.
March 3, 2022
Be warned that once you start reading this book you will not be able to stop. It is practically unputdownable. (love that spellcheck accepts that as a word)
You Need to Know begins with a car crash but we do not know whose. As the book progresses there are short updates about the crash which builds up an amazing amount of suspense. I could not wait to get to Christmas Eve and find out what happened.
There are a huge number of characters - it is about a large family and they all have friends and partners and ex partners some of whom make extraordinary requests! I am thinking Charlotte but let's not go there. There are also a number of POV's and this helps to maintain interest as the author switches from one story to another.
One thing I would love to ask the author is what made her do that quirky thing of naming two innocent little girls James and Elliot. Can you imagine the teasing they would get at school in real life! I suppose they might get away with calling themselves Elly and Jamie.
Anyway this book is definitely another winner from Nicola Moriarty. Please keep them coming.
You Need to Know begins with a car crash but we do not know whose. As the book progresses there are short updates about the crash which builds up an amazing amount of suspense. I could not wait to get to Christmas Eve and find out what happened.
There are a huge number of characters - it is about a large family and they all have friends and partners and ex partners some of whom make extraordinary requests! I am thinking Charlotte but let's not go there. There are also a number of POV's and this helps to maintain interest as the author switches from one story to another.
One thing I would love to ask the author is what made her do that quirky thing of naming two innocent little girls James and Elliot. Can you imagine the teasing they would get at school in real life! I suppose they might get away with calling themselves Elly and Jamie.
Anyway this book is definitely another winner from Nicola Moriarty. Please keep them coming.
April 16, 2021
Wow, wow, wow, Nicola Moriarty - that was brilliant! You Need to Know is a book that you need to read - trust me! After reading so many glowing reviews from some of my most trusted Bookstagrammers I was intrigued. I have read a few of Nicola's previous books and loved them so I had high expections. So happy that my library had the audio available and I downloaded it instantly.
This books was devoured in a day, I could not stop listening to it. A fantastic family drama set in the northern suburbs of Sydney with a cast of interesting characters, all with their own dramas and problems. At first I thought I would have trouble keeping them straight but I need not have worried. They are all very unique and easy to keep track of.
I am not going to say much about the story, the blurb is below. I will say that I love how Nicola writes relatable characters and multi layered stories. It is a must read from a fantastic Aussie author.
Blurb from Goodreads.
The holidays are here. The extended family has gathered. The cars are packed and the convoy sets off. The cottage is a few hours' drive - but not everyone will live to see it ...
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road crash will tear apart their family.
The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been long coming.
Because at the heart of this family lies a secret - concealed, wrestled with, festering and harmful - and nothing now can stop it coming out.
But will any of them survive it?
January 29, 2025
A very busy mystery with lots of characters to love, and lots to dislike. Starting with a serious accident where onlookers do not stop, and the one that does is family. Where to start? Who to help?
At the core there are characters with struggle, and others who I didn't warm to. One young mother had an alcohol issue. When this issue is written without experience, I can sense this, so I prefer knowing the struggle is real. This character quite easily ended up fixing her problem, which isn't real world stuff.
Many flawed characters with messy lives, a multi generational mystery that involved many sidelines. A stolen manuscript, abuse and some hidden secrets. I was disappointed with one main character turning a blind eye to her close relatives appalling and continued behaviour. She knew.
Many fans loved this more than I, this was a solid mystery with the couple of issues listed above holding me back. I also failed to connect with any characters, thus my average rating.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
At the core there are characters with struggle, and others who I didn't warm to. One young mother had an alcohol issue. When this issue is written without experience, I can sense this, so I prefer knowing the struggle is real. This character quite easily ended up fixing her problem, which isn't real world stuff.
Many flawed characters with messy lives, a multi generational mystery that involved many sidelines. A stolen manuscript, abuse and some hidden secrets. I was disappointed with one main character turning a blind eye to her close relatives appalling and continued behaviour. She knew.
Many fans loved this more than I, this was a solid mystery with the couple of issues listed above holding me back. I also failed to connect with any characters, thus my average rating.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
May 4, 2021
2 Stars
I was going to give it 3 stars, maybe 3.5 stars, but the final page revelation rubbed me the wrong way.
I was going to give it 3 stars, maybe 3.5 stars, but the final page revelation rubbed me the wrong way.
May 17, 2021
A fast paced, domestic drama set in North Shore Sydney that I read very quickly. It’s told from multiple points of view which initially I thought there were too many characters, it took a little while for the brothers to be distinctive for instance. Eventually it all fell into place and I found it impossible to put down. It all takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The previous Christmas Eve Jill’s husband Frank died. She has three sons who are all writers. Tony married to Andrea, a teacher with no children. Peter married to Mimi, with four daughters, 16yo Callie, 8yo Tara and newborn twins. Lastly Darren, currently single but still hung up on his ex. Jill, Mimi and Andrea are the strongest voices and their various issues are told well. In between the narratives are the description of a car accident on Christmas Eve so you know the story is going to reach a dramatic climax. Such an entertaining read with a few laughs, some shocks and a twist or two.
November 2, 2021
Going on holidays with family should be a relaxing and fun time together, but sadly for Jill and her family this is not to be be after a tragic accident happens. The mystery and intrigue that follows will have the reader turning the pages ever so quickly wanting to find out what happens next.
My goodness, what a compelling read, this was and one I honestly couldn't put down. You Need to Know by Aussie author Nicola Moriarty is a well written story about family drama, secrets and lies. I absolutely loved this book and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
My goodness, what a compelling read, this was and one I honestly couldn't put down. You Need to Know by Aussie author Nicola Moriarty is a well written story about family drama, secrets and lies. I absolutely loved this book and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
July 7, 2021
I was going to give myself less stars because of the mistake I missed in chapter twenty-three for the first print-run, but I didn't want to bring my over-all average down, so five stars it is. ;)
p.s. thank you for all the reviews Goodreads people, I appreciate every single one!
p.s. thank you for all the reviews Goodreads people, I appreciate every single one!
April 28, 2025
reading vlog: https://youtu.be/RnysFMwO-84
an absolutely UNPUTDOWNABLE family saga!! I could not stop reading this book and found how all the elements played out super interesting! honestly could not stop reading this once i started.
an absolutely UNPUTDOWNABLE family saga!! I could not stop reading this book and found how all the elements played out super interesting! honestly could not stop reading this once i started.
April 21, 2021
The holidays are here. The extended family has gathered. The cars are packed and the convoy sets off. The cottage is a few hours drive - but not everyone will see it.
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road accident will tear apart the family. The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been a long time coming. Because at the heart of this family lies a secret.
Set in Australia: Jill and her extended family are travelling to a holiday home where they are spending their Christmas holidays when they are involved in a traffic collision. It deems as if all the family members have are hiding secrets. The story is told from multiple points of view and flips back to before the crash and after. This is an easy to read family drama with lots of twists. The pace is steady. In the last 20%, the revelations kept coming. I liked the authors writing style. The story held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #PenguinMichaelJoesephUK and the author #NicolaMoriarty for my ARC of #YouNeedToKnow in exchange for an honest review.
For Jill, her three sons, their wives and children, a terrifying road accident will tear apart the family. The crash will be an accident but the shattering that follows has been a long time coming. Because at the heart of this family lies a secret.
Set in Australia: Jill and her extended family are travelling to a holiday home where they are spending their Christmas holidays when they are involved in a traffic collision. It deems as if all the family members have are hiding secrets. The story is told from multiple points of view and flips back to before the crash and after. This is an easy to read family drama with lots of twists. The pace is steady. In the last 20%, the revelations kept coming. I liked the authors writing style. The story held my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #PenguinMichaelJoesephUK and the author #NicolaMoriarty for my ARC of #YouNeedToKnow in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2021
You Need to Know is an engrossing mystery / multi-generational family drama from the pen of Nicola Moriarty.
The main action takes place over the month of December, as the extended Lewis family prepare for Christmas. It's approaching a year since family patriarch, Frank, died in tragic circumstances, a milestone that is hanging over everyone, particularly his widow, Jill, who feels a personal responsibility for his untimely death. Meanwhile, her three sons and their families are facing additional stressors, many to do with parenthood.
Eldest son Tony has surprised everyone in the family by producing a manuscript that's expected to become a bestseller. He and his wife Andrea, a high school teacher, have upgraded their lifestyle based upon his substantial publisher's advance. They're childless by choice, until Andrea starts questioning how and when they actually reached that decision, and whether there's time to reconsider. Meanwhile, she has concerns about the child of a neighbour, who she believes is being neglected. She's having trouble treading the line between showing legitimate care and concern and interfering where she shouldn't.
Middle son Pete is happily married to Mimi, the two of them working together in the writing and illustration of a popular children's series. They've recently welcomed twin daughters, the curiously named Elliott and James, in addition to their two elder daughters, Tara aged 8 and Callie, 16. The pressure of parenting the twins is causing Mimi significant stress and she's struggling to control her drinking. Meanwhile eldest daughter Callie has become withdrawn and sullen, her parents struggling to understand the reasons behind her changed behaviour.
Youngest son Darren, also a working writer, is single since his long-term partner, Charlotte, left him for another woman. He still has feelings for her, and is finding it hard to move on. Then Charlotte and her partner make a confronting request of him. Meanwhile, he's also failing to meet publisher's deadlines on the delivery of his current book, suffering writer's block due to the combined effects of his yearning for Charlotte and a scarred ego following a particularly vicious review of his previous novel in The Sydney Morning Herald.
The story opens dramatically, from Mimi's perspective, at the scene of a serious car accident, in which several family members seem to be involved. The main narrative is punctuated with short vignettes from this scene, up until about the two-thirds point, when the story catches up to the present. We read of the unfolding family drama from the alternating perspectives of Jill, Mimi, Andrea and Darren, enabling Nicola Moriarty to maintain several family secrets until the dramatic conclusion. She no doubt writes from her own experience when exploring the tensions and resentments that can develop alongside mutual support in an extended family of writers (her sisters include novelists Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty). It's also evident that she's drawing on her personal experience of grief following the death of her father, to whom You Need to Know is dedicated.
I found You Need to Know an engrossing and thought-provoking read. The author's use of changing perspectives within short sub-chapters give it a punchiness and it's hard to put down once started. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy family and relationship-based dramas with a few skeletons hidden in the closets of what appear on the surface to be shiny, happy lives. Moriarty engages with some pretty challenging themes within the novel, and deals with them in a sensitive and respectful manner.
The main action takes place over the month of December, as the extended Lewis family prepare for Christmas. It's approaching a year since family patriarch, Frank, died in tragic circumstances, a milestone that is hanging over everyone, particularly his widow, Jill, who feels a personal responsibility for his untimely death. Meanwhile, her three sons and their families are facing additional stressors, many to do with parenthood.
Eldest son Tony has surprised everyone in the family by producing a manuscript that's expected to become a bestseller. He and his wife Andrea, a high school teacher, have upgraded their lifestyle based upon his substantial publisher's advance. They're childless by choice, until Andrea starts questioning how and when they actually reached that decision, and whether there's time to reconsider. Meanwhile, she has concerns about the child of a neighbour, who she believes is being neglected. She's having trouble treading the line between showing legitimate care and concern and interfering where she shouldn't.
Middle son Pete is happily married to Mimi, the two of them working together in the writing and illustration of a popular children's series. They've recently welcomed twin daughters, the curiously named Elliott and James, in addition to their two elder daughters, Tara aged 8 and Callie, 16. The pressure of parenting the twins is causing Mimi significant stress and she's struggling to control her drinking. Meanwhile eldest daughter Callie has become withdrawn and sullen, her parents struggling to understand the reasons behind her changed behaviour.
Youngest son Darren, also a working writer, is single since his long-term partner, Charlotte, left him for another woman. He still has feelings for her, and is finding it hard to move on. Then Charlotte and her partner make a confronting request of him. Meanwhile, he's also failing to meet publisher's deadlines on the delivery of his current book, suffering writer's block due to the combined effects of his yearning for Charlotte and a scarred ego following a particularly vicious review of his previous novel in The Sydney Morning Herald.
The story opens dramatically, from Mimi's perspective, at the scene of a serious car accident, in which several family members seem to be involved. The main narrative is punctuated with short vignettes from this scene, up until about the two-thirds point, when the story catches up to the present. We read of the unfolding family drama from the alternating perspectives of Jill, Mimi, Andrea and Darren, enabling Nicola Moriarty to maintain several family secrets until the dramatic conclusion. She no doubt writes from her own experience when exploring the tensions and resentments that can develop alongside mutual support in an extended family of writers (her sisters include novelists Liane Moriarty and Jaclyn Moriarty). It's also evident that she's drawing on her personal experience of grief following the death of her father, to whom You Need to Know is dedicated.
I found You Need to Know an engrossing and thought-provoking read. The author's use of changing perspectives within short sub-chapters give it a punchiness and it's hard to put down once started. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy family and relationship-based dramas with a few skeletons hidden in the closets of what appear on the surface to be shiny, happy lives. Moriarty engages with some pretty challenging themes within the novel, and deals with them in a sensitive and respectful manner.
April 11, 2021
Nicola Moriarty’s newest title, You Need To Know, is a gripping domestic drama centred around the members of a single family, Jill, her three sons - Pete, Tony and Darren; her two daughter in-laws - Mimi and Andrea; and her grandchildren - 16yo Callie, 10yo Tara, and infant twins, Elliot and James.
There’s more than one smashing twist in this dramatic story of a family on a collision course with secrets that threaten to shatter their bonds forever. The main action takes place over a period of about a month in the lead up to Christmas, interspersed with flashes which hint at the tragedy to come. Moriarty builds the tension slowly, with various dramatic plot elements that are both self contained, and play into the larger crisis, several of which unfold in unexpected ways.
Told from the perspectives of Jill, Mimi, Andrea, and Darren, Moriarty slowly reveals the varied stressors the family are experiencing, and secrets they are keeping, some of which are fairly mundane, others more explosive. I thought the author captured the dynamics of both the individual family groupings, and between the extended family very well. Despite the large cast, each character is distinctive, and there is no confusion as the narrative moves between them. I quickly became invested in the family members, eager to learn their fate.
You Need to Know offers a tense, well-crafted storyline, interesting, multifaceted characters, and a sensational climax. I think Nicola Moriarty has found her niche in the Aussie domestic thriller genre.
There’s more than one smashing twist in this dramatic story of a family on a collision course with secrets that threaten to shatter their bonds forever. The main action takes place over a period of about a month in the lead up to Christmas, interspersed with flashes which hint at the tragedy to come. Moriarty builds the tension slowly, with various dramatic plot elements that are both self contained, and play into the larger crisis, several of which unfold in unexpected ways.
Told from the perspectives of Jill, Mimi, Andrea, and Darren, Moriarty slowly reveals the varied stressors the family are experiencing, and secrets they are keeping, some of which are fairly mundane, others more explosive. I thought the author captured the dynamics of both the individual family groupings, and between the extended family very well. Despite the large cast, each character is distinctive, and there is no confusion as the narrative moves between them. I quickly became invested in the family members, eager to learn their fate.
You Need to Know offers a tense, well-crafted storyline, interesting, multifaceted characters, and a sensational climax. I think Nicola Moriarty has found her niche in the Aussie domestic thriller genre.
May 2, 2021
International bestselling author Nicola Moriarty returns with a scintillating domestic drama full of tension, apprehension, secrets, lies and devastation. Building on a shocking picture of a life shattering car wreck, You Need to Know examines the moral and ethical decisions involved in this dramatic event. Heartbreaking, contemplative and connective, You Need to Know is another standout novel from Nicola Moriarty.
We are all guilty of hiding things and keeping secrets, often protecting our loved ones from the cold hard truths that might hurt them. You Need to Know pulls apart the lives of four characters who are all damaged by impact of a serious car crash on Christmas Eve. From mothers, wives, young children and teenagers, no one is immune. You Need to Know reveals the private struggles and individual problems faced by the cast members featured in Nicola Moriarty’s latest release. From questions of motherhood, marriage difficulties, parenthood pressures and teenage anxiety, You Need to Know is a book that will send shock waves through your system. At the heart of it all is the build up to and the eventual fallout of a horrific car accident.
I was immediately drawn to Nicola Moriarty’s latest effort, You Need to Know. Inspired by the famous children’s picture book, Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen, Nicola Moriarty’s new book considers the ‘who’ aspect of a tragic car accident. The reader must place themselves in the shoes of the characters confronting this devastating roadside scene. The question is – was it the first, the last – or perhaps neither that caused this crash? With plenty of theories and presumptions to draw on from this devastating scenario, there is much to work through in You Need to Know. With a strong moral spin, Nicola Moriarty’s new novel made for a jolting read!
It did take me some time to get used to the four very different voices that fill the pages of You Need to Know. However, once I was able to absorb these contrasting viewpoints I hit the ground running. Moriarty does an excellent job of portraying each separate protagonist and she also develops the interplay very well between the cast. The dialogue was a highlight for me personally, it is defined by a strong sense of authenticity, which allowed me to play out the key events of the story in my own mind. I was also able to place myself directly in the shoes of the protagonists featured in You Need to Know. Sometimes this was a uncomfortable reality, while other times I felt a sense of connection to the characters. I seemed question the cast and their responses a fair bit in this novel, but I think this was Moriarty’s goal with You Need to Know.
I’m trying my hardest not to delve to deeply into the mechanics of this book, as I do not wish to deliver any spoilers. I will say there are some powerful themes centered around the domestic life side of things. Moriarty also offers up a thorough interrogation of motherhood, parenthood, teenage life, relationships, family, trust, betrayal, addiction, fixation, compulsion, choice and liability. With each of these core themes covered within a short time frame, You Need to Know packs a punch. The last 60 pages will leave you reeling, it winded me!
An arresting domestic drama that outlines the dark moments and the trail of destruction left behind following a terrifying car crash, You Need to Know is an unmissable read!
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
You Need to Know is book #35 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
We are all guilty of hiding things and keeping secrets, often protecting our loved ones from the cold hard truths that might hurt them. You Need to Know pulls apart the lives of four characters who are all damaged by impact of a serious car crash on Christmas Eve. From mothers, wives, young children and teenagers, no one is immune. You Need to Know reveals the private struggles and individual problems faced by the cast members featured in Nicola Moriarty’s latest release. From questions of motherhood, marriage difficulties, parenthood pressures and teenage anxiety, You Need to Know is a book that will send shock waves through your system. At the heart of it all is the build up to and the eventual fallout of a horrific car accident.
I was immediately drawn to Nicola Moriarty’s latest effort, You Need to Know. Inspired by the famous children’s picture book, Who Sank the Boat by Pamela Allen, Nicola Moriarty’s new book considers the ‘who’ aspect of a tragic car accident. The reader must place themselves in the shoes of the characters confronting this devastating roadside scene. The question is – was it the first, the last – or perhaps neither that caused this crash? With plenty of theories and presumptions to draw on from this devastating scenario, there is much to work through in You Need to Know. With a strong moral spin, Nicola Moriarty’s new novel made for a jolting read!
It did take me some time to get used to the four very different voices that fill the pages of You Need to Know. However, once I was able to absorb these contrasting viewpoints I hit the ground running. Moriarty does an excellent job of portraying each separate protagonist and she also develops the interplay very well between the cast. The dialogue was a highlight for me personally, it is defined by a strong sense of authenticity, which allowed me to play out the key events of the story in my own mind. I was also able to place myself directly in the shoes of the protagonists featured in You Need to Know. Sometimes this was a uncomfortable reality, while other times I felt a sense of connection to the characters. I seemed question the cast and their responses a fair bit in this novel, but I think this was Moriarty’s goal with You Need to Know.
I’m trying my hardest not to delve to deeply into the mechanics of this book, as I do not wish to deliver any spoilers. I will say there are some powerful themes centered around the domestic life side of things. Moriarty also offers up a thorough interrogation of motherhood, parenthood, teenage life, relationships, family, trust, betrayal, addiction, fixation, compulsion, choice and liability. With each of these core themes covered within a short time frame, You Need to Know packs a punch. The last 60 pages will leave you reeling, it winded me!
An arresting domestic drama that outlines the dark moments and the trail of destruction left behind following a terrifying car crash, You Need to Know is an unmissable read!
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
You Need to Know is book #35 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
April 14, 2021
This book is more of a drama than a thiller, because let's be honest - there is NOTHING thrillery about it. There's a lot of family drama though so if you're into it then it might be a book for you.
I'm not unfortunately.
There are multiple POVs, which I normally like, but here they were annoying as all of the chcracters spoke with the same voice and I found myself often checking whose POV Im currently reading.
The writing isn't bad but it's not great and the dialogues felt cringy at times.
It took me almost two weeks to plough through this book and I don't feel it was worth it to be honest.
The final twist was very unsurprising and the ending for me, as a parent, was eye-rolling at best.
I received this book from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
I'm not unfortunately.
There are multiple POVs, which I normally like, but here they were annoying as all of the chcracters spoke with the same voice and I found myself often checking whose POV Im currently reading.
The writing isn't bad but it's not great and the dialogues felt cringy at times.
It took me almost two weeks to plough through this book and I don't feel it was worth it to be honest.
The final twist was very unsurprising and the ending for me, as a parent, was eye-rolling at best.
I received this book from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
July 19, 2021
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**4.5 stars**
You Need To Know by Nicola Moriarty. (2021).
Jill, her three sons, their wives and children are driving on Christmas Eve. But something sinister is simmering behind their happy smiles. Mimi is struggling with her new twins, but wine helps. Andrea is questioning how happy her marriage is. Darren is shocked by a surprise request. Teenager Callie has become withdrawn. On their way to their holiday house, a terrifying car accident devastates them all. But someone unexpected was in one of the cars so nobody is searching for them. And their time is running out.
I really, really enjoyed this book. In fact, I devoured it. I was totally drawn into the various dramas within this one family. The narrative puts a spotlight on to the fact that while we may be caught up with our own issue, our loved ones may equally be struggling with their own problems. It also highlights no matter how close your family is, there is likely to be some secrets floating around... The main point of views included are Jill (the matriarch), Mimi (Jill's daughter-in-law), Andrea (also Jill's daughter-in-law), and Darren (Jill's single son). I think using the alternate perspectives really benefited the atmosphere of this story; so much tension and suspense!
Overall: another fantastic read from this author, I've enjoyed all of hers that I've read so far and have no doubt I'll be appreciating more in the future.
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**4.5 stars**
You Need To Know by Nicola Moriarty. (2021).
Jill, her three sons, their wives and children are driving on Christmas Eve. But something sinister is simmering behind their happy smiles. Mimi is struggling with her new twins, but wine helps. Andrea is questioning how happy her marriage is. Darren is shocked by a surprise request. Teenager Callie has become withdrawn. On their way to their holiday house, a terrifying car accident devastates them all. But someone unexpected was in one of the cars so nobody is searching for them. And their time is running out.
I really, really enjoyed this book. In fact, I devoured it. I was totally drawn into the various dramas within this one family. The narrative puts a spotlight on to the fact that while we may be caught up with our own issue, our loved ones may equally be struggling with their own problems. It also highlights no matter how close your family is, there is likely to be some secrets floating around... The main point of views included are Jill (the matriarch), Mimi (Jill's daughter-in-law), Andrea (also Jill's daughter-in-law), and Darren (Jill's single son). I think using the alternate perspectives really benefited the atmosphere of this story; so much tension and suspense!
Overall: another fantastic read from this author, I've enjoyed all of hers that I've read so far and have no doubt I'll be appreciating more in the future.
December 5, 2022
You Need to Know is a domestic noir by Australian author Nicole Moriarty, younger sister to Liane & Moriarty. The story begins with a car crash as the family head off for their Christmas holiday and we know that not everyone survives. What we don’t know is who is in the car accident, and snippets of the scene are threaded through the rest of the story as it builds up to that fateful Christmas Eve when all the family secrets are revealed with dire consequences.
Jill is the widowed mother of three author sons: Tony, Peter and Darren. Her world rocks disconcertingly when she receives an email titled “You Need to Know” which she is afraid to face up to and open.
Darren the youngest brother is battling writer's block and grieving the loss of his partner Charlotte who is now, as he says, batting for the other team. His life suddenly changes when the stray “Doggo” comes into his life and at the same time the intriguing Sage.
Mimi is married to Peter and resenting the arrival of her new twins which have catapulted her from a mother of two to a mother of four. She is also desperately trying to connect with Callie the eldest who has transformed suddenly from a sunny-natured girl to a sullen teenager.
Andrea is married to older brother account-come-writer Tony and starting to question their decision to remain childless. Andrea is soon over her head watching out for the vulnerable child Violet next door.
This was a gripping read that reels you into the family’s lives. The final reveal is disturbing and I’m not a fan of a sudden out-of-character action or plot twist in the final sentence of a book, but overall a good story.
Jill is the widowed mother of three author sons: Tony, Peter and Darren. Her world rocks disconcertingly when she receives an email titled “You Need to Know” which she is afraid to face up to and open.
Darren the youngest brother is battling writer's block and grieving the loss of his partner Charlotte who is now, as he says, batting for the other team. His life suddenly changes when the stray “Doggo” comes into his life and at the same time the intriguing Sage.
Mimi is married to Peter and resenting the arrival of her new twins which have catapulted her from a mother of two to a mother of four. She is also desperately trying to connect with Callie the eldest who has transformed suddenly from a sunny-natured girl to a sullen teenager.
Andrea is married to older brother account-come-writer Tony and starting to question their decision to remain childless. Andrea is soon over her head watching out for the vulnerable child Violet next door.
This was a gripping read that reels you into the family’s lives. The final reveal is disturbing and I’m not a fan of a sudden out-of-character action or plot twist in the final sentence of a book, but overall a good story.
June 28, 2021
A very ambitious, bigger than life adventure about a big Sydney family. Much of the story and characters and what was going on in their lives will resonate with me for a long time.
There are three brothers, all supposed writers, and all their wives, children and mother. It is probably no coincidence that Nicola is one of three writing sisters who all grew up writing stories for their father every week. But the big dramas going on in all their lives, especially poor Darren and also the mum, Jill. So a family preparing to go away for Christmas up the coast one year from the father tragically dying in the bushfires that year, each holding on to some secrets and trauma.
I couldn't help feeling that it often was a bit over the top, but never boring or unrealistic. Having read several of Nicola's books previously (she gave me a copy of Paper Chains a few years ago when I heard her speak with her two writing sisters at Kirribilli Club afterward) so I am obviously a big fan. Good stuff.
There are three brothers, all supposed writers, and all their wives, children and mother. It is probably no coincidence that Nicola is one of three writing sisters who all grew up writing stories for their father every week. But the big dramas going on in all their lives, especially poor Darren and also the mum, Jill. So a family preparing to go away for Christmas up the coast one year from the father tragically dying in the bushfires that year, each holding on to some secrets and trauma.
I couldn't help feeling that it often was a bit over the top, but never boring or unrealistic. Having read several of Nicola's books previously (she gave me a copy of Paper Chains a few years ago when I heard her speak with her two writing sisters at Kirribilli Club afterward) so I am obviously a big fan. Good stuff.
April 26, 2022
The story of one family, a car accident behind the story then we go back to the weeks leading up to the accident. Mimi increasing in her drinking to cope with twins and two other children. Jill her mother-in-law who lost her husband the Christmas previous. Then the three brothers all authors struggling with life in one way or another. Andrea one of the brothers wives worried about the lack of care of a neighbour’s child. Then Mimi’s eldest daughter who is increasingly distressed as the story continues, what has happened to make her disengage from her family bonds. How did the accident happen. Who was to blame for the family accident. Will they ever be the same again. Fast paced, characters well thought through and examined and an outstanding and unbelievable ending. One of the best books I have read this year
May 10, 2021
This one is described by the publisher as a "thrilling family drama", but unfortunately I didn't find anything thrilling about it. Simply put, this one just wasn't for me.
From about 10% in, I had a sneaky suspicion that I wasn't going to like this book. I probably should have thrown in the towel but I decided to persevere because the synopsis sounded great and I was hoping that things were going to improve. Unfortunately they didn't. Cutting to the chase let me say this: I found this book to be incredibly boring. The first 60% of the book was immensely slow and nothing seemed to be happening. There was also a lot of focus on parenting, being a mother, kids, kids that are happy, kids that are difficult, kids that aren't properly looked after, and so on, which just isn't my cup of tea. And because there was no "thrilling" aspect to go along with these themes, I was really battling to stay invested in the story.
This story really is a family saga and not much more. Yes, the second half of the book and especially the last 30% does improve and things get more interesting with certain reveals about certain family members, but by then I was so bored to tears that I just didn't find anything much to get excited about.
I note that many others have rated this book as a 5-star read and although I'm mightily surprised by that, it does ultimately mean that perhaps the problems that I had with this book were all mine. Be that as it may, I'm happy to be done with it so that I can move on to something else.
(As a note, Goodreads seems to have logged this book on their website twice, under the two different covers. This is a mistake on their part as it means that the reviews are split between two different editions rather than being consolidated into one review page. I just mention this because the other review page contains more reviews for those of you that are interested).
From about 10% in, I had a sneaky suspicion that I wasn't going to like this book. I probably should have thrown in the towel but I decided to persevere because the synopsis sounded great and I was hoping that things were going to improve. Unfortunately they didn't. Cutting to the chase let me say this: I found this book to be incredibly boring. The first 60% of the book was immensely slow and nothing seemed to be happening. There was also a lot of focus on parenting, being a mother, kids, kids that are happy, kids that are difficult, kids that aren't properly looked after, and so on, which just isn't my cup of tea. And because there was no "thrilling" aspect to go along with these themes, I was really battling to stay invested in the story.
This story really is a family saga and not much more. Yes, the second half of the book and especially the last 30% does improve and things get more interesting with certain reveals about certain family members, but by then I was so bored to tears that I just didn't find anything much to get excited about.
I note that many others have rated this book as a 5-star read and although I'm mightily surprised by that, it does ultimately mean that perhaps the problems that I had with this book were all mine. Be that as it may, I'm happy to be done with it so that I can move on to something else.
(As a note, Goodreads seems to have logged this book on their website twice, under the two different covers. This is a mistake on their part as it means that the reviews are split between two different editions rather than being consolidated into one review page. I just mention this because the other review page contains more reviews for those of you that are interested).
September 13, 2021
I think that …I just read a soap opera script dressed up as a novel. It’s all here - flawed characters, secrets, relationships, all leading up to a tragic event. Or karmic, depending upon your view of things. I could see all of these events happening on the cliffhanger/flashback episodes of Neighbours or Home and Away. And women: jeez, put the bottles down for a moment.
May 25, 2021
#YouNeedToKnow
By Nicola Moriarty
“You Need To Know” is written by the popular Australian author, Nicola Moriarty, whose previous books include ‘The Ex Girlfriend’ and ‘The Fifth Letter’. This, her latest novel is a domestic family suspense which I enjoyed and found very addictive.
Focusing on the secrets we keep between family members, the lies we tell and the truths that won't stay hidden, “You Need To Know” is well plotted and executed with a lot of realistic characters. One character I particularly liked was single lad Darren, who was struggling to get over his ex girlfriend Charlotte. At a meet up with her and her new partner, Darren is stunned when Charlotte comes out with a proposition for him, one which will cause many a funny moment and a raised eyebrow!
The author captured the women and men’s perspectives perfectively and it was refreshing to see all their individual thoughts and emotions regarding their differing aged children or lack there of. I was intrigued by the layout of the story, the prologue and letters to Frank and as a mother I found it fun and entertaining, hearing the mothers points of view on life, love and family. Set in North Shore, Sydney the story focuses on Jill and her three sons, Peter, Tony and Darren and their relationships and the denouement and conclusion was very clever and satisfying. With the odd twist along the way, I found myself flying through the book, thoroughly engrossed.
Grief, relationships, sibling rivalry and motherhood all feature prominently and are handled sympathetically and realistically.
Unfortunately I haven’t read any of Nicola’s previous books but I am now keen to read them and I will certainly be looking out for any of her further novels in the future.
You can find out more about the author and “Need to Know” from the following link -
https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/126...
Thank you to Sriya and Michael Joseph books for inviting me on the tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest opinion.
By Nicola Moriarty
“You Need To Know” is written by the popular Australian author, Nicola Moriarty, whose previous books include ‘The Ex Girlfriend’ and ‘The Fifth Letter’. This, her latest novel is a domestic family suspense which I enjoyed and found very addictive.
Focusing on the secrets we keep between family members, the lies we tell and the truths that won't stay hidden, “You Need To Know” is well plotted and executed with a lot of realistic characters. One character I particularly liked was single lad Darren, who was struggling to get over his ex girlfriend Charlotte. At a meet up with her and her new partner, Darren is stunned when Charlotte comes out with a proposition for him, one which will cause many a funny moment and a raised eyebrow!
The author captured the women and men’s perspectives perfectively and it was refreshing to see all their individual thoughts and emotions regarding their differing aged children or lack there of. I was intrigued by the layout of the story, the prologue and letters to Frank and as a mother I found it fun and entertaining, hearing the mothers points of view on life, love and family. Set in North Shore, Sydney the story focuses on Jill and her three sons, Peter, Tony and Darren and their relationships and the denouement and conclusion was very clever and satisfying. With the odd twist along the way, I found myself flying through the book, thoroughly engrossed.
Grief, relationships, sibling rivalry and motherhood all feature prominently and are handled sympathetically and realistically.
Unfortunately I haven’t read any of Nicola’s previous books but I am now keen to read them and I will certainly be looking out for any of her further novels in the future.
You can find out more about the author and “Need to Know” from the following link -
https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/126...
Thank you to Sriya and Michael Joseph books for inviting me on the tour and for my copy of the book in return for an honest opinion.
April 5, 2021
Wow!! I didn’t see that coming! What a plot! What great, completely real characters! At the start I was afraid there were too many characters, but not for a second did I wonder, it’s really well done. What a fast paced whirlwind! Such a difficult book to review without spoilers, but definitely a great one!
April 29, 2021
Wow what a cracker of a story. It all begins with a fatal car accident involving multiple vehicles on Christmas Eve and then we turn back time 12 months earlier when the family took a similar route to their cabin in the mountains.
Multiple characters starting with Jill the matriarch of the family and her 3 sons and their wives and girlfriends. All of them are hiding secrets from each other and themselves. Mimi and Pete have newborn twin daughters as well as two older children, and the pressure of being a mum of four is slowly getting to her. Tony is the published author of the family and he and his wife have made the decision to not have children (or have they?). Darren has just come out of a relationship with the love of his life and has writers block, his publisher is pressuring him to submit another manuscript, but between a lost dog and a decision to help with former girlfriend, life just seems too complicated.
This story is told in alternating chapters between all the characters and the timeline from a year ago and the twists and turns just kept on coming until even the very last page. Even though there were a lot of characters to keep track of I had no problem following the story.
I've read most of Nicola's books and I believe this is her best book yet - a real page-turning domestic suspense, loved the fact that it was set in Australia as well. Lets hope that someone picks this up and turns it into a movie - it would be absolutely gripping to see it on screen. She just gets better and better with each book and has definitely found her niche in domestic suspense.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins for a copy of this book for review purposes.
Multiple characters starting with Jill the matriarch of the family and her 3 sons and their wives and girlfriends. All of them are hiding secrets from each other and themselves. Mimi and Pete have newborn twin daughters as well as two older children, and the pressure of being a mum of four is slowly getting to her. Tony is the published author of the family and he and his wife have made the decision to not have children (or have they?). Darren has just come out of a relationship with the love of his life and has writers block, his publisher is pressuring him to submit another manuscript, but between a lost dog and a decision to help with former girlfriend, life just seems too complicated.
This story is told in alternating chapters between all the characters and the timeline from a year ago and the twists and turns just kept on coming until even the very last page. Even though there were a lot of characters to keep track of I had no problem following the story.
I've read most of Nicola's books and I believe this is her best book yet - a real page-turning domestic suspense, loved the fact that it was set in Australia as well. Lets hope that someone picks this up and turns it into a movie - it would be absolutely gripping to see it on screen. She just gets better and better with each book and has definitely found her niche in domestic suspense.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Harper Collins for a copy of this book for review purposes.
June 3, 2021
A tantalisingly good thriller
It feels like an age since I have read a mystery thriller that keeps me completely absorbed in the story. I love Moriarty’s writing style; I was captivated from the first page.
There are a lot of unique and interesting characters. Mimi, a struggling mother of four girls and a new mum to twins. Her husband Peter, a carefree, easy-going dad struggling to accept he did not get the sons he so desperately wanted. Tony, a critically acclaimed author rising to success after his debut novel, his wife Andrea, a caring soul looking out for a troubled child. Darren, struggling to come to terms with the fact that the love of this life and best friend left him for a woman and Jill, mother and grandmother, struggling with grief on multiple levels. Darren and Mimi were my favourite charcters.
There are many ‘secrets’ embedded in the story that kept me fast pace reading, needing to know what happens. The ending perfectly packages the story with no questions left unanswered. This was a quick, enjoyable read for me.
It feels like an age since I have read a mystery thriller that keeps me completely absorbed in the story. I love Moriarty’s writing style; I was captivated from the first page.
There are a lot of unique and interesting characters. Mimi, a struggling mother of four girls and a new mum to twins. Her husband Peter, a carefree, easy-going dad struggling to accept he did not get the sons he so desperately wanted. Tony, a critically acclaimed author rising to success after his debut novel, his wife Andrea, a caring soul looking out for a troubled child. Darren, struggling to come to terms with the fact that the love of this life and best friend left him for a woman and Jill, mother and grandmother, struggling with grief on multiple levels. Darren and Mimi were my favourite charcters.
There are many ‘secrets’ embedded in the story that kept me fast pace reading, needing to know what happens. The ending perfectly packages the story with no questions left unanswered. This was a quick, enjoyable read for me.
January 30, 2023
Jill’s three sons mean the world to her. Now she’s on her own she relies on her boys and their families to be there in the background, a comfort, a safety net. But when they all travel separately to spend Christmas together at the family holiday home there’s a dreadful crash. Who lives and who dies? And more importantly, which secrets are unearthed? Because this is a family that has plenty…
I listened to this on audiobook and it was truly wonderful. I didn’t realise it was by an Australian author and I’m an absolute sucker for an Aussie accent so that was the icing on the cake for me. As well as the accent there’s also a very clever, exceptionally well drafted plot which focuses on all the members of the Lewis family. These characters are all pretty different so it was easy to keep abreast of who was who and I was intrigued by them all.
It’s a slow burner of a book, high on character development. These characters were brilliant, all normal flawed people, I related to so many of them and cared about most. Throw in an explosive denouement and you have a five star winner of a book. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was truly wonderful. I didn’t realise it was by an Australian author and I’m an absolute sucker for an Aussie accent so that was the icing on the cake for me. As well as the accent there’s also a very clever, exceptionally well drafted plot which focuses on all the members of the Lewis family. These characters are all pretty different so it was easy to keep abreast of who was who and I was intrigued by them all.
It’s a slow burner of a book, high on character development. These characters were brilliant, all normal flawed people, I related to so many of them and cared about most. Throw in an explosive denouement and you have a five star winner of a book. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
May 3, 2021
I have always really enjoyed Nicola Moriarty’s novels so I knew this was definitely going to be a must-read for me. It was perfect for an afternoon curled up on the couch as this is a story that it’s easy to get lost in.
It’s told from several points of view: Jill is a relatively recent widow, who writes letters to her late husband Frank. In them she alludes to certain things, things that she’s reluctant to dive into or examine too deeply. Jill and Frank had three sons together: their oldest Tony, was an accountant who recently sold a novel for a large amount of money and it’s tipped to be a best-seller. He’s married to Andrea, a teacher and they enjoy a childfree life by choice (or do they?). Middle child Pete has been married to Mimi for a long time. They have a 16yo daughter, an 8yo daughter and recently welcomed twins after Pete convinced Mimi for “just one more”. They got 2 girls instead of Pete’s longed for boy and things aren’t working out exactly as Mimi hoped. She’s worried about her oldest daughter, who is completely disengaged. Her middle daughter seems to have left her childhood behind to help parent the twins. Mimi finds herself reaching for the wineglass a lot these days. And youngest son Darren is struggling with his second novel and a break up when his ex asks him a very complex question…..
The whole family are gathering to head to Jill’s beach house, which is where they’ll spend Christmas. The book begins with an incident from that trip and then goes back in time to show how everyone got to the place they were in at the beginning and I loved the way this was told! Especially the snapshots of the “current” time which are told from the differing perspectives of strangers as they come across it. During the main bulk of the story we are treated to the points of view of Mimi, Jill, Andrea and Darren which fleshes out the entire family and the differing relationships within it. All of the sons are involved in creative pursuits: Pete has written children’s stories for many years and his wife Mimi illustrates them. Darren wrote a book that was expected to do well but tanked and was the recipient of a savage review and now he’s completely blocked on his second novel because of it. Tony, always a numbers man, surprised the family when he sold a manuscript no one was aware he was working on, for an exorbitant amount. Mimi has been in the family a long time, close to 20 years whereas Andrea is much newer. Darren is the only brother unmarried, still mourning the demise of his most recent relationship although he and his ex are still friends, Darren still harbours the hope that she’ll realise she made a mistake and they can reconcile, even though deep down, he knows it’s futile.
I thought Moriarty built the tension and suspense expertly here, in terms of leading up to the dramatic event. Everything is timed perfectly to come to a head as the family sets off in many separate cars, but travelling together in a convoy. Some of the struggles the characters are dealing with are not a secret – such as, for example, the reliance Mimi is coming to have on alcohol to simply get her through the day. I know there’s a lot of jokes and the like about “wine time” for mums and how many cannot wait to get the kids off to bed to get stuck into a glass to relax and unwind after a busy day. But for Mimi, it’s becoming much more than that and no one really seems to be noticing, especially husband Pete. Even after several close incidents (such as seeing a booze bus when giving her teen daughter a driving lesson, etc) isn’t really enough for Mimi to do anything more than think about it. For Andrea, meeting a neighbour has made her question the life she’s chosen for herself and she’s wondering just how much input she had in the decisions she and Tony made “as a couple”. I also enjoyed the scenes from Jill’s point of view as she worries about her children, their partners, her grandchildren and laments the loss of her husband as well as the feelings of guilt she has about it. When the story unfolds, it becomes obvious why Jill makes some of the choices she does and why she insists on certain things.
This was a highly enjoyable family drama with plenty of twists and turns in the story, some of which the reader was expecting and others that were more of a shock as they unfolded. I was invested in so many of the characters and wanted to learn how certain things were going to affect them all, once revealed. And I really did enjoy the switching back and forth of the time/perspective, that I felt, created a clever sense of urgency, with the characters being so unaware of what was coming but the reader was not.
Another fantastic read.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
It’s told from several points of view: Jill is a relatively recent widow, who writes letters to her late husband Frank. In them she alludes to certain things, things that she’s reluctant to dive into or examine too deeply. Jill and Frank had three sons together: their oldest Tony, was an accountant who recently sold a novel for a large amount of money and it’s tipped to be a best-seller. He’s married to Andrea, a teacher and they enjoy a childfree life by choice (or do they?). Middle child Pete has been married to Mimi for a long time. They have a 16yo daughter, an 8yo daughter and recently welcomed twins after Pete convinced Mimi for “just one more”. They got 2 girls instead of Pete’s longed for boy and things aren’t working out exactly as Mimi hoped. She’s worried about her oldest daughter, who is completely disengaged. Her middle daughter seems to have left her childhood behind to help parent the twins. Mimi finds herself reaching for the wineglass a lot these days. And youngest son Darren is struggling with his second novel and a break up when his ex asks him a very complex question…..
The whole family are gathering to head to Jill’s beach house, which is where they’ll spend Christmas. The book begins with an incident from that trip and then goes back in time to show how everyone got to the place they were in at the beginning and I loved the way this was told! Especially the snapshots of the “current” time which are told from the differing perspectives of strangers as they come across it. During the main bulk of the story we are treated to the points of view of Mimi, Jill, Andrea and Darren which fleshes out the entire family and the differing relationships within it. All of the sons are involved in creative pursuits: Pete has written children’s stories for many years and his wife Mimi illustrates them. Darren wrote a book that was expected to do well but tanked and was the recipient of a savage review and now he’s completely blocked on his second novel because of it. Tony, always a numbers man, surprised the family when he sold a manuscript no one was aware he was working on, for an exorbitant amount. Mimi has been in the family a long time, close to 20 years whereas Andrea is much newer. Darren is the only brother unmarried, still mourning the demise of his most recent relationship although he and his ex are still friends, Darren still harbours the hope that she’ll realise she made a mistake and they can reconcile, even though deep down, he knows it’s futile.
I thought Moriarty built the tension and suspense expertly here, in terms of leading up to the dramatic event. Everything is timed perfectly to come to a head as the family sets off in many separate cars, but travelling together in a convoy. Some of the struggles the characters are dealing with are not a secret – such as, for example, the reliance Mimi is coming to have on alcohol to simply get her through the day. I know there’s a lot of jokes and the like about “wine time” for mums and how many cannot wait to get the kids off to bed to get stuck into a glass to relax and unwind after a busy day. But for Mimi, it’s becoming much more than that and no one really seems to be noticing, especially husband Pete. Even after several close incidents (such as seeing a booze bus when giving her teen daughter a driving lesson, etc) isn’t really enough for Mimi to do anything more than think about it. For Andrea, meeting a neighbour has made her question the life she’s chosen for herself and she’s wondering just how much input she had in the decisions she and Tony made “as a couple”. I also enjoyed the scenes from Jill’s point of view as she worries about her children, their partners, her grandchildren and laments the loss of her husband as well as the feelings of guilt she has about it. When the story unfolds, it becomes obvious why Jill makes some of the choices she does and why she insists on certain things.
This was a highly enjoyable family drama with plenty of twists and turns in the story, some of which the reader was expecting and others that were more of a shock as they unfolded. I was invested in so many of the characters and wanted to learn how certain things were going to affect them all, once revealed. And I really did enjoy the switching back and forth of the time/perspective, that I felt, created a clever sense of urgency, with the characters being so unaware of what was coming but the reader was not.
Another fantastic read.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
May 2, 2021
4.5*
‘You Need to Know’ is a thrilling family drama set in suburbia and is filled with a cast of engaging characters. It centres around the one family, each member with their own drama and secret problems. I usually struggle when there is an array of characters but such is Nicola’s writing that it was easy to keep tabs on them due to the unique story Nicola attributed to each.
The tale is told from multiple perspectives and Nicola slowly sets the scene as each personal story begins to unravel moving towards a final convergence that will prove catastrophic for many of them. The story takes place through the month of December and the lead up to Christmas. It is interspersed with flashbacks from previous years and also cryptic snippets of the tragedy that will befall them all. This would have to be one of the most cleverly crafted stories I have read. With interweaving characters, tension brewing and the various plots all converging into one critical occurrence, it really demonstrates how cleverly Nicola has considered plotted and penned this tale.
This story is gripping in parts and with some twists you simply will not see coming. As kept secrets play out in this family drama, it resonates as many of the character profiles make it real and a frightening possibility. Each character voice is distinctive and there is never confusion thus allowing the reader to empathise with the various storylines.
All up You Need to Know is well worth reading. With its multi layers it is such a cleverly crafted tale that will have you racing to discover what the climactic finale will prove to be. Take a bow Nicola for cementing yourself in Australia’s domestic drama genre - it was a thrilling ride.
"I still haven't opened the bloody email ... there's something so commanding about it. ‘You need to know ’ I don't see why it's up to her to tell me what I need to know. Maybe I should delete it.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
‘You Need to Know’ is a thrilling family drama set in suburbia and is filled with a cast of engaging characters. It centres around the one family, each member with their own drama and secret problems. I usually struggle when there is an array of characters but such is Nicola’s writing that it was easy to keep tabs on them due to the unique story Nicola attributed to each.
The tale is told from multiple perspectives and Nicola slowly sets the scene as each personal story begins to unravel moving towards a final convergence that will prove catastrophic for many of them. The story takes place through the month of December and the lead up to Christmas. It is interspersed with flashbacks from previous years and also cryptic snippets of the tragedy that will befall them all. This would have to be one of the most cleverly crafted stories I have read. With interweaving characters, tension brewing and the various plots all converging into one critical occurrence, it really demonstrates how cleverly Nicola has considered plotted and penned this tale.
This story is gripping in parts and with some twists you simply will not see coming. As kept secrets play out in this family drama, it resonates as many of the character profiles make it real and a frightening possibility. Each character voice is distinctive and there is never confusion thus allowing the reader to empathise with the various storylines.
All up You Need to Know is well worth reading. With its multi layers it is such a cleverly crafted tale that will have you racing to discover what the climactic finale will prove to be. Take a bow Nicola for cementing yourself in Australia’s domestic drama genre - it was a thrilling ride.
"I still haven't opened the bloody email ... there's something so commanding about it. ‘You need to know ’ I don't see why it's up to her to tell me what I need to know. Maybe I should delete it.”
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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