What do you think?
Rate this book
What's Left Unsaid
An enthralling novel of secrets, second chances, and confronting the past by the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of When I’m Gone.
After a series of devastating losses, Chicago journalist Hannah Williamson has landed in Senatobia, Mississippi, to care for her bedridden grandmother and endure grunt work at a small newspaper. But in cleaning out its archives, Hannah discovers a compelling distraction from her a series of rejected articles from the 1930s that illuminate a long-hidden mystery.
The articles, penned by a young woman named Evelyn, are haunting accounts of first love, trauma, and surviving a mysterious shooting that left Evelyn paralyzed at the age of fourteen. The articles stir up more questions than answers, and Hannah becomes consumed by what’s left unsaid. Encouraged by Guy Franklin, a local middle school teacher, Hannah’s investigation into Evelyn’s past becomes more personal with each new reveal. For Hannah, as both a journalist and a woman bearing her own emotional wounds, this is a chance to move forward and bring closure to the story of the girl whose secrets are buried in Senatobia.
What Hannah’s about to discover next is that, even after nearly a century, the truth she’s been looking for still has the power to change lives. Especially her own.
After a series of devastating losses, Chicago journalist Hannah Williamson has landed in Senatobia, Mississippi, to care for her bedridden grandmother and endure grunt work at a small newspaper. But in cleaning out its archives, Hannah discovers a compelling distraction from her a series of rejected articles from the 1930s that illuminate a long-hidden mystery.
The articles, penned by a young woman named Evelyn, are haunting accounts of first love, trauma, and surviving a mysterious shooting that left Evelyn paralyzed at the age of fourteen. The articles stir up more questions than answers, and Hannah becomes consumed by what’s left unsaid. Encouraged by Guy Franklin, a local middle school teacher, Hannah’s investigation into Evelyn’s past becomes more personal with each new reveal. For Hannah, as both a journalist and a woman bearing her own emotional wounds, this is a chance to move forward and bring closure to the story of the girl whose secrets are buried in Senatobia.
What Hannah’s about to discover next is that, even after nearly a century, the truth she’s been looking for still has the power to change lives. Especially her own.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2021
5162 people are currently reading
5103 people want to read
About the author
Emily Bleeker
13 books1,717 followersEmily lives in suburban Chicago with her family. Between writing and being a mom, she attempts to learn guitar, sings along to the radio (loudly), and embraces her newfound addiction to running.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews
June 22, 2021
Finding the truth is far easier than accepting its aftermath. It doesn't always settle in the right places.
Emily Bleeker introduces us to a highly complicated, sometimes thorny-edged, deeply flawed main character. I have to put that out there. Hannah Williamson is wrapped tightly in a webby cocoon of her own makings. Perhaps she has just been programmed genetically to sometimes topple when life leans hard. Either way, Hannah seems to elbow her way into tough situations and then discovers that the safety of the shore is not always nearby.
When life scrambles your eggs, you hunt for a better basket. Hannah, a thirty-one year old journalist, is leaving Chicago in her rearview mirror. She worked for a time at the prestigious Chicago Tribune. But a failed six year relationship with her ex, Alex, has sent her into a downward spiral. The death of her beloved father knocked her to her knees. Hannah got hooked on sleeping pills and eventually lost her job. She laid on the couch and obsessed about Alex until she could no longer function. Hannah was in a bad place.
But sometimes life hands us a flashlight. All we have to do is add batteries. It came in as a call for Hannah to return to Senatobia, Mississippi where her ninety-one year old mamaw, Mable, needed caring for. Hannah quickly packed. She was fortunate to secure a job at the Tate County Record newspaper working for the editor, Monty Martin. You are no longer working for the Tribune when you are relegated to the dusty basement to photocopy records. But Hannah will come upon something in that dark ol' basement that will set a spark inside of her. It will also change the lives of so many.
While sorting through a mountain of papers, Hannah discovers letters written by a young woman named Evelyn in 1935 to the newspaper's then editor. Evelyn begins to tell her story as a young girl growing up in the area. The events are heartbreaking and Hannah receives installments in a piecemeal fashion because of the chaotic filing. It appears that Evelyn's story was never published, but that doesn't stop Hannah from searching for the rest. Monty has no idea of what is happening below the floorboards in that basement.
What's Left Unsaid takes us on a journey from the 1920's to present life in Senatobia. Emily Bleeker nudges us to observe the ill conditions of life in a society where abuse, racism, bigotry, misogyny, and outright cruelty existed. Through the voice of Evelyn, we will certainly feel the jolt of it.
And all the while, Hannah will be on a mission to publish Evelyn's story to appear before the eyes of the present. Bleeker allows Hannah to step out on shakey ground as she tries to find her own footing in the process. Hannah's people skills are certainly unpolished and her decision making seems to leave stains and pains upon the individuals around her. Hannah is like a landmine in the making. But What's Left Unsaid is a beautifully rendered story of rising from the ashes.....ashes from the past and the ashes of our own making.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Emily Bleeker for the opportunity.
Emily Bleeker introduces us to a highly complicated, sometimes thorny-edged, deeply flawed main character. I have to put that out there. Hannah Williamson is wrapped tightly in a webby cocoon of her own makings. Perhaps she has just been programmed genetically to sometimes topple when life leans hard. Either way, Hannah seems to elbow her way into tough situations and then discovers that the safety of the shore is not always nearby.
When life scrambles your eggs, you hunt for a better basket. Hannah, a thirty-one year old journalist, is leaving Chicago in her rearview mirror. She worked for a time at the prestigious Chicago Tribune. But a failed six year relationship with her ex, Alex, has sent her into a downward spiral. The death of her beloved father knocked her to her knees. Hannah got hooked on sleeping pills and eventually lost her job. She laid on the couch and obsessed about Alex until she could no longer function. Hannah was in a bad place.
But sometimes life hands us a flashlight. All we have to do is add batteries. It came in as a call for Hannah to return to Senatobia, Mississippi where her ninety-one year old mamaw, Mable, needed caring for. Hannah quickly packed. She was fortunate to secure a job at the Tate County Record newspaper working for the editor, Monty Martin. You are no longer working for the Tribune when you are relegated to the dusty basement to photocopy records. But Hannah will come upon something in that dark ol' basement that will set a spark inside of her. It will also change the lives of so many.
While sorting through a mountain of papers, Hannah discovers letters written by a young woman named Evelyn in 1935 to the newspaper's then editor. Evelyn begins to tell her story as a young girl growing up in the area. The events are heartbreaking and Hannah receives installments in a piecemeal fashion because of the chaotic filing. It appears that Evelyn's story was never published, but that doesn't stop Hannah from searching for the rest. Monty has no idea of what is happening below the floorboards in that basement.
What's Left Unsaid takes us on a journey from the 1920's to present life in Senatobia. Emily Bleeker nudges us to observe the ill conditions of life in a society where abuse, racism, bigotry, misogyny, and outright cruelty existed. Through the voice of Evelyn, we will certainly feel the jolt of it.
And all the while, Hannah will be on a mission to publish Evelyn's story to appear before the eyes of the present. Bleeker allows Hannah to step out on shakey ground as she tries to find her own footing in the process. Hannah's people skills are certainly unpolished and her decision making seems to leave stains and pains upon the individuals around her. Hannah is like a landmine in the making. But What's Left Unsaid is a beautifully rendered story of rising from the ashes.....ashes from the past and the ashes of our own making.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Emily Bleeker for the opportunity.
September 20, 2023
What’s Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker is a 2021 Lake Union publication.
This is an absorbing novel that proves that the truth will find you out- one way or another...
Hannah, after a series of setbacks, moves back in with her elderly grandmother who is recovering from a few health problems. Working for a newspaper she overqualified for, is demoralizing, but when Hannah is given the even more demeaning task of cleaning out archives stored in the basement, she discovers a series of articles written decades ago by a teenager named Evelyn. Evelyn is wheelchair bound after having been shot and her articles layout the background leading up to the shooting. The articles were never published- but why??
Soon Hannah is as obsessed with finding out what happened to Evelyn as she is with spying on her ex- fiancé on social media. Yet, for some reason, Hannah’s boss and a powerful local family of politicians seems determined to thwart her investigation…
This story is interesting and could be quite absorbing at times. I liked the mystery, and the tasteful romance, as well as the personal growth Hannah experienced. I love family dramas and old buried secrets, so I was quite satisfied with those elements- but I’m so weary of books stuffed with an over abundance of social issues. This book was a bit heavy-handed at times, with mental illness, drug addiction, racial commentary, and crimes against women all crammed together in one place.
That said, I did like the way the story came together. One could feel Evelyn’s presence as old, buried crimes and scandals were revealed. The outcome was pleasant considering the seriousness and solemnity of the situation. Hannah’s courage to take charge of her life is also inspirational and it was good see her finally put her past, and her obsessions, behind her and look forward to a future where she’ll have true love and make a difference in the lives of many people through her work.
Overall, a solid enough story. I had a few niggles and did think the book was a bit too long, but all in all an enjoyable enough read.
3 stars
This is an absorbing novel that proves that the truth will find you out- one way or another...
Hannah, after a series of setbacks, moves back in with her elderly grandmother who is recovering from a few health problems. Working for a newspaper she overqualified for, is demoralizing, but when Hannah is given the even more demeaning task of cleaning out archives stored in the basement, she discovers a series of articles written decades ago by a teenager named Evelyn. Evelyn is wheelchair bound after having been shot and her articles layout the background leading up to the shooting. The articles were never published- but why??
Soon Hannah is as obsessed with finding out what happened to Evelyn as she is with spying on her ex- fiancé on social media. Yet, for some reason, Hannah’s boss and a powerful local family of politicians seems determined to thwart her investigation…
This story is interesting and could be quite absorbing at times. I liked the mystery, and the tasteful romance, as well as the personal growth Hannah experienced. I love family dramas and old buried secrets, so I was quite satisfied with those elements- but I’m so weary of books stuffed with an over abundance of social issues. This book was a bit heavy-handed at times, with mental illness, drug addiction, racial commentary, and crimes against women all crammed together in one place.
That said, I did like the way the story came together. One could feel Evelyn’s presence as old, buried crimes and scandals were revealed. The outcome was pleasant considering the seriousness and solemnity of the situation. Hannah’s courage to take charge of her life is also inspirational and it was good see her finally put her past, and her obsessions, behind her and look forward to a future where she’ll have true love and make a difference in the lives of many people through her work.
Overall, a solid enough story. I had a few niggles and did think the book was a bit too long, but all in all an enjoyable enough read.
3 stars
May 27, 2021
The book kept me interested in finding out what had happened to Evelyn and I enjoyed her side being written in letter form. The end of the book had a couple of good twists. Unfortunately, I did not like the main character, Hannah. She is self-indulgent, selfish, and reckless with the feelings and lives of the people around her. Constantly reading about her self-pity in one breath, followed by her "woke" outrage in the next, got irritating after awhile and felt like I was reading a lecture on privilege rather than a story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this arc.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this arc.
September 14, 2021
What’s Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker is a relationship drama as much as a mystery. Either way, it is a most engrossing read. Hannah’s life as she knows it has imploded in an unexpected fashion. She is a journalist with the Chicago Tribune, that is, before she is summarily released from her position. Because her grandmother has suffered a serious injury, Hannah moves to Senatobia, Mississippi to take care of her while she tries to get her life back together. In order to keep occupied, she gets a job at a small local newspaper. While doing clean-up work in its archives, she finds a series of letters written to the newspaper. The letters from the 1930s had never been published. Piecing the letters together, Hannah detects a story which should see the light of day, no matter how many locals wish to stop the publication. This novel has a varied cast of characters, some you will like more than others but all you will enjoy reading about. What’s Left Unsaid has it all: love, mysteries, secrets and a fascinating ending. This is the first Emily Bleeker book I have read and I look forward to reading more in the future. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2021
Journalist Hannah Williamson, still suffering from a break-up with her live-in boyfriend which resulted in her developing an addiction to prescription drugs and losing her job at the Chicago Tribune as well as suffering a mental breakdown, has landed in Senatobia, Mississippi, to care for her bedridden grandmother. Her boss at the small newspaper where she has secured a job tasks her with the job of digitizing the newspaper's archives where she comes across a series of letters, written in the 1930s, from "Evelyn" to the newspaper's editor. Hannah becomes increasingly invested in Evelyn's story which eventually exposes many secrets.
I was drawn into this story almost immediately and especially into Evelyn's letters. I got very anxious for Hannah to find more of the letters so that I could learn the whole story. Although I didn't like Hannah much in the beginning, I gradually warmed to her and enjoyed her dry wit and snappy comebacks. I've always imagined writing dialogue in a book must be very difficult but I thought it was really well done in this book, very realistic and modern. There's a bit of romance in the book but it's very understated, just the way I like it! In the acknowledgements, the author's description of writing a novel during the pandemic was really interesting to read and I'm impressed with the amount of research she did under such difficult circumstances. We also learn that Evelyn is based on a real person, a relative of the author's.
This is the first book by Emily Bleeker that I've read although I think I have a couple on my TBR list but I'll definitely read another book or two by her.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for a chance to read an ARC of this novel which was released on July 27, 2021. All opinions expressed are my own.
This completes my Netgalley obligations for the month of July! Now to tackle August!
I was drawn into this story almost immediately and especially into Evelyn's letters. I got very anxious for Hannah to find more of the letters so that I could learn the whole story. Although I didn't like Hannah much in the beginning, I gradually warmed to her and enjoyed her dry wit and snappy comebacks. I've always imagined writing dialogue in a book must be very difficult but I thought it was really well done in this book, very realistic and modern. There's a bit of romance in the book but it's very understated, just the way I like it! In the acknowledgements, the author's description of writing a novel during the pandemic was really interesting to read and I'm impressed with the amount of research she did under such difficult circumstances. We also learn that Evelyn is based on a real person, a relative of the author's.
This is the first book by Emily Bleeker that I've read although I think I have a couple on my TBR list but I'll definitely read another book or two by her.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for a chance to read an ARC of this novel which was released on July 27, 2021. All opinions expressed are my own.
This completes my Netgalley obligations for the month of July! Now to tackle August!
August 27, 2021
Painful
I normally like Bleeker's novels, but reading this one was a chore. Hannah's obsession with Alex is just plain annoying. I got tired of reading his name, and it made Hannah's character unlikable. On top of that, several scenes were hard to believe, like a cell phone that won't work because it was in Hannah's back pocket during a rainstorm. Fifteen minutes in the rain and days in rice, and the phone won't work? Ten months without a word from Alex, and he texts when the phone miraculously starts to work? 100% implausible.
I normally like Bleeker's novels, but reading this one was a chore. Hannah's obsession with Alex is just plain annoying. I got tired of reading his name, and it made Hannah's character unlikable. On top of that, several scenes were hard to believe, like a cell phone that won't work because it was in Hannah's back pocket during a rainstorm. Fifteen minutes in the rain and days in rice, and the phone won't work? Ten months without a word from Alex, and he texts when the phone miraculously starts to work? 100% implausible.
August 20, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
My mama always said that you need to let people have whatever fiction makes their life tolerable. And I agree. There’s no use in churning up the past.
This man could make her feel like this— like a shook-up bottle of pop or the time she’d put regular dish soap in the dishwasher in her first apartment instead of dish detergent and the kitchen had flooded with suds.
No one from her father’s family had ever said the word depression or suicide—Mamaw’s tolerable fiction was an accident while Sam was cleaning his firearm, but accidents didn’t usually come with a goodbye note.
He moved out immediately, ignored her calls and texts, and fell into a new life without her like in his life story she was written in pencil and he’d decided to make revisions.
Her accent was thick like it was an elixir she’d swallowed whole and it was coating her throat and mouth.
My Review:
This was my introduction to the wily craft of Emily Bleeker so I had no idea that I was stepping into a book tornado, as fact - her storylines tossed me around but good. The feels were going in every direction but my heart was battered and bruised by her poignant threads concerning Evelyn. It wasn’t until after I had finished reading that I learned the book was a mixture of fact and fiction and Evelyn’s half was not only based on fact, it packed an even more powerful punch as it was close to home.
At various times while reading, my palm itched to give the main character of Hannah more than a few pops to the back of the head for being so tiresome and self-involved; but depression does that, a condition the author truly captured well. Hannah was deeply and realistically flawed, childish, and often annoying, yet her tale was intriguing and I had a hard time not being snappish when my perusal was interrupted.
All of Ms. Bleeker’s characters were well-contrived and held my interest and curiosity. I enjoyed the colorful descriptions and snarky inner musings as Northern Hannah arrogantly appraised those around her in her new transplanted environment of Mississippi while staying with her paternal grandmother. Yet her superior attitude had a false bottom as even if her current position at a small newspaper was beneath her, she also knew it was the only one that would currently have her and she was in danger of losing it with her continual cock-ups.
The writing was perceptively observant and hit upon various social issues old and new, as some problems such as abuse of power and privilege and racism are deeply rooted and most likely will never go away and have unfortunately been resurrected to be far worse than a mere five years ago.
My mama always said that you need to let people have whatever fiction makes their life tolerable. And I agree. There’s no use in churning up the past.
This man could make her feel like this— like a shook-up bottle of pop or the time she’d put regular dish soap in the dishwasher in her first apartment instead of dish detergent and the kitchen had flooded with suds.
No one from her father’s family had ever said the word depression or suicide—Mamaw’s tolerable fiction was an accident while Sam was cleaning his firearm, but accidents didn’t usually come with a goodbye note.
He moved out immediately, ignored her calls and texts, and fell into a new life without her like in his life story she was written in pencil and he’d decided to make revisions.
Her accent was thick like it was an elixir she’d swallowed whole and it was coating her throat and mouth.
My Review:
This was my introduction to the wily craft of Emily Bleeker so I had no idea that I was stepping into a book tornado, as fact - her storylines tossed me around but good. The feels were going in every direction but my heart was battered and bruised by her poignant threads concerning Evelyn. It wasn’t until after I had finished reading that I learned the book was a mixture of fact and fiction and Evelyn’s half was not only based on fact, it packed an even more powerful punch as it was close to home.
At various times while reading, my palm itched to give the main character of Hannah more than a few pops to the back of the head for being so tiresome and self-involved; but depression does that, a condition the author truly captured well. Hannah was deeply and realistically flawed, childish, and often annoying, yet her tale was intriguing and I had a hard time not being snappish when my perusal was interrupted.
All of Ms. Bleeker’s characters were well-contrived and held my interest and curiosity. I enjoyed the colorful descriptions and snarky inner musings as Northern Hannah arrogantly appraised those around her in her new transplanted environment of Mississippi while staying with her paternal grandmother. Yet her superior attitude had a false bottom as even if her current position at a small newspaper was beneath her, she also knew it was the only one that would currently have her and she was in danger of losing it with her continual cock-ups.
The writing was perceptively observant and hit upon various social issues old and new, as some problems such as abuse of power and privilege and racism are deeply rooted and most likely will never go away and have unfortunately been resurrected to be far worse than a mere five years ago.
July 12, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: July 27, 2021
After the death of her father, the breakdown of a long-term relationship and an addiction that led to the loss of her job and a failed suicide attempt, Hannah Williamson agrees to return to her father’s hometown in Mississippi to care for her aging grandmother, and try and get her own life back on track. While working at the local newspaper there, Hannah comes across some unpublished letters, written by a young woman in the 1920s who was placed into a residential care facility after a shotgun accident left her paralyzed. Hannah instantly feels an attachment to the protagonist of the letters, Evelyn, and feels that there is a story waiting to be told. But as she begins to investigate the story, she unearths a lot of unrevealed secrets that the small town in the South would like to keep hidden and now Hannah must decide how far she is willing to go to bring Evelyn’s story to life.
Emily Bleeker’s newest novel, “What’s Left Unsaid” is a complicated novel to be sure. Hannah is not your usual protagonist that we see in this type of novel, struggling to overcome immense losses as well as mental illness. That combined with the very emotionally charged topics of addiction, suicide, racism and sexism, and “What’s Left Unsaid” is not an easy read. It is, however, a gripping and passionate one and Hannah is a likable character all the same.
The plot of this novel is actually two stories in one, one narrated by Hannah in the present time, as she deals with all of the complications in her life and the other narrated through letters by the young woman, Evelyn, as she tells her equally traumatizing story. The letters by Evelyn help Hannah find her inner peace, and renew her passion, but that is not their only connection (which is slowly hinted at until being revealed in one, big powerful twist at the end).
Bleeker’s novel has a strong focus on racism, especially Black racism in the deep southern United States. A large portion of this novel focused on the long-standing attitudes of multi-generational white families in the Southern U.S, and the old-fashioned opinions that have led to a lot of racial tension throughout the years. It is obviously a very relevant topic, which will strike home with readers, regardless of what side of the fence they stand on.
“What’s Left Unsaid” ends on a happy note, with the right amount of justification being delivered. It is part historical fiction, part modern Southern romance, but it is completely and compulsively readable. I have read (almost) every novel by Bleeker, and I always look forward to what she will deliver next.
Expected publication date: July 27, 2021
After the death of her father, the breakdown of a long-term relationship and an addiction that led to the loss of her job and a failed suicide attempt, Hannah Williamson agrees to return to her father’s hometown in Mississippi to care for her aging grandmother, and try and get her own life back on track. While working at the local newspaper there, Hannah comes across some unpublished letters, written by a young woman in the 1920s who was placed into a residential care facility after a shotgun accident left her paralyzed. Hannah instantly feels an attachment to the protagonist of the letters, Evelyn, and feels that there is a story waiting to be told. But as she begins to investigate the story, she unearths a lot of unrevealed secrets that the small town in the South would like to keep hidden and now Hannah must decide how far she is willing to go to bring Evelyn’s story to life.
Emily Bleeker’s newest novel, “What’s Left Unsaid” is a complicated novel to be sure. Hannah is not your usual protagonist that we see in this type of novel, struggling to overcome immense losses as well as mental illness. That combined with the very emotionally charged topics of addiction, suicide, racism and sexism, and “What’s Left Unsaid” is not an easy read. It is, however, a gripping and passionate one and Hannah is a likable character all the same.
The plot of this novel is actually two stories in one, one narrated by Hannah in the present time, as she deals with all of the complications in her life and the other narrated through letters by the young woman, Evelyn, as she tells her equally traumatizing story. The letters by Evelyn help Hannah find her inner peace, and renew her passion, but that is not their only connection (which is slowly hinted at until being revealed in one, big powerful twist at the end).
Bleeker’s novel has a strong focus on racism, especially Black racism in the deep southern United States. A large portion of this novel focused on the long-standing attitudes of multi-generational white families in the Southern U.S, and the old-fashioned opinions that have led to a lot of racial tension throughout the years. It is obviously a very relevant topic, which will strike home with readers, regardless of what side of the fence they stand on.
“What’s Left Unsaid” ends on a happy note, with the right amount of justification being delivered. It is part historical fiction, part modern Southern romance, but it is completely and compulsively readable. I have read (almost) every novel by Bleeker, and I always look forward to what she will deliver next.
February 22, 2021
A great book based upon on a real woman during the 1930’s who experiences rape, pregnancy, and attempted suicide. Hannah, a suicidal former journalist at the Chicago Tribune moves to a small town in Mississippi to care for her aging grandmother after losing her job and long term boyfriend. While working at the town’s small newspaper she discovers letters to the company which were never published. The letters were written by a young woman confined to a home for the disabled after being paralyzed by a shot. Hannah decided to investigate and is fascinated by these letters and wants to publish an article using the information she obtains gradually while archiving the newspaper’s information. The story is told by Hannah interspersed with Evelyn’s letters. The characters are very realistic well written, and interesting. This novel has suspense, romance and twists and turns throughout the novel. This novel was an ARC through NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for my honest review.
July 23, 2021
How far would you go to uncover a secret that's not even yours? Even if it was decades old?
This book is unputdownable. It kept me at the edge of my seat and I completely devoured it. I loved how we learn to discover Hannah while she is working through her emotional wounds in her own way. She is trying to move forward, and Evelyn's story could very much help her do so.
But the road to recovery is not an easy one. It is full of ups and downs, and this book demonstrates it so well. Everything felt so realistic, and that's partly why I loved this book so much.
TW for rape, addiction, racism, sexism, suicide.
Many thanks to Uplit Reads and Emily Bleeker for the early copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book is unputdownable. It kept me at the edge of my seat and I completely devoured it. I loved how we learn to discover Hannah while she is working through her emotional wounds in her own way. She is trying to move forward, and Evelyn's story could very much help her do so.
But the road to recovery is not an easy one. It is full of ups and downs, and this book demonstrates it so well. Everything felt so realistic, and that's partly why I loved this book so much.
TW for rape, addiction, racism, sexism, suicide.
Many thanks to Uplit Reads and Emily Bleeker for the early copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 15, 2021
Was this a novel or a lecture on so many different social issues that it made my head hurt?
Yup, the issues.
The author had a good story in Evelyn and Hannah’s search for what happened to Evelyn.
But then she decided to lecture us on racism, white privilege, child abuse, mental illness and did it in such an unrealistic way that I got fed up. Way too many issues, a mish mash of fitting them into a story and bam….I was actually feeling a bit gypped for finishing it.
Don’t waste your time- even if you like the half reasoned lectures, you’ll hate the main character and the way depression is portrayed. Massive disservice.
Yup, the issues.
The author had a good story in Evelyn and Hannah’s search for what happened to Evelyn.
But then she decided to lecture us on racism, white privilege, child abuse, mental illness and did it in such an unrealistic way that I got fed up. Way too many issues, a mish mash of fitting them into a story and bam….I was actually feeling a bit gypped for finishing it.
Don’t waste your time- even if you like the half reasoned lectures, you’ll hate the main character and the way depression is portrayed. Massive disservice.
September 19, 2021
Ugh!! This was boring and the political undertones grated on my nerves! Issues like racism, rape, suicide, etc. are important for sure, but there was just too much crammed in, it was almost “preachy” - so maybe “undertones” isn’t the right word. Either way, I could forgive all of that if the story was interesting, but I found the characters to be weak and the plot dull and boring! I’m just proud of myself for actually finishing this one because I wanted to abandon multiple times. Sorry, this one was just not for me.
November 9, 2021
My first book by this author, Emily Bleeker, and I was pleased with both the writing style and the pace at which the story unfolded. The two primary characters, Hannah and Evelyn, each had healing to do; one was emotional healing and the other physical. As they did so, we saw more of the story of their lives appear and the reasons for their reticence and armor that they wore.
Hannah has moved from Chicago to Mississippi - not something I would want to do - in order to care for her grandmother, Evelyn, after losing her job as a reporter and after suffering from a mental breakdown. It would appear that Hannah never was given the necessary skills to cope with a life that dealt her hardships so going to Evelyn's home was a good place for her. There, in a new, much smaller newspaper job, she begins to piece together a mystery, one that could change everyone's life forever. Some secrets should remain that way - but.... sometimes, secrets revealed do lead to healing.
I truly enjoyed this book. It's not really a mystery and definitely not a suspense thriller. It's a book about women and one that I hope many women will read.
Hannah has moved from Chicago to Mississippi - not something I would want to do - in order to care for her grandmother, Evelyn, after losing her job as a reporter and after suffering from a mental breakdown. It would appear that Hannah never was given the necessary skills to cope with a life that dealt her hardships so going to Evelyn's home was a good place for her. There, in a new, much smaller newspaper job, she begins to piece together a mystery, one that could change everyone's life forever. Some secrets should remain that way - but.... sometimes, secrets revealed do lead to healing.
I truly enjoyed this book. It's not really a mystery and definitely not a suspense thriller. It's a book about women and one that I hope many women will read.
August 10, 2021
Hannah had an awesome career working at the Chicago Tribune. Then everything started crumbling around her. She uproots her life and finds herself in small-town Mississippi helping to take care of her grandma. She also finds a job at the small local paper, which is quite a bit different from The Trib.
Her first major responsibility is to digitize the paper's old files from the 1930s, a crap job for a reporter for sure. Can you imagine? UGH!
While sorting through the paperwork, she finds some old letters from a girl named Evelyn that contains some very disturbing information. Hannah puts her reporter hat on and begins investigating this story.
I loved that much of the book was told from letters, although not exclusively an epistolary novel, I thought it was a perfect blend. I also loved all of the Chicago references, being a Chicago burb lifer myself. The mystery element was very intriguing and I loved watching Hannah play super sleuth. There is also a romance element. Although it's not the center of the story, I'm glad it's in there as everything is better with a little romance. At least to me❤️❤️❤️
4.5 🌟
Her first major responsibility is to digitize the paper's old files from the 1930s, a crap job for a reporter for sure. Can you imagine? UGH!
While sorting through the paperwork, she finds some old letters from a girl named Evelyn that contains some very disturbing information. Hannah puts her reporter hat on and begins investigating this story.
I loved that much of the book was told from letters, although not exclusively an epistolary novel, I thought it was a perfect blend. I also loved all of the Chicago references, being a Chicago burb lifer myself. The mystery element was very intriguing and I loved watching Hannah play super sleuth. There is also a romance element. Although it's not the center of the story, I'm glad it's in there as everything is better with a little romance. At least to me❤️❤️❤️
4.5 🌟
July 29, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
Emily Bleeker's latest novel tells the story of two women- Hannah, a journalist looking for a second chance while living with her paternal grandmother, and Evelyn, a young woman in the 1930's seeking to bring to light the identity of the person who shot her.
I liked this story but I felt a little distant from all the events and it took me 3 days to finish it. Evelyn's story was by far my favorite of the two protagonists. All in all, a good read but not sure how much of the details I shall remember of the overall story.
#WhatsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley
Expected Publication Date 27/07/21
Goodreads review 25/07/21
Emily Bleeker's latest novel tells the story of two women- Hannah, a journalist looking for a second chance while living with her paternal grandmother, and Evelyn, a young woman in the 1930's seeking to bring to light the identity of the person who shot her.
I liked this story but I felt a little distant from all the events and it took me 3 days to finish it. Evelyn's story was by far my favorite of the two protagonists. All in all, a good read but not sure how much of the details I shall remember of the overall story.
#WhatsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley
Expected Publication Date 27/07/21
Goodreads review 25/07/21
April 2, 2021
Solid Work of Fiction. This is a difficult one. There is *so much* "white people are evil" "racial discussion" through the first 2/3 of the book that at the time it looked like it would be my first *ever* 4* review for this author (and I've reviewed *all* of her prior books, either after publication or, as in this case, as advance reader copies). That noted, it *did* have a couple of moments of calling out the white guilt in ways I've often wanted to scream myself. Between these moments and the back third largely dropping these discussions in favor of more deeply diving into the substance of the tale at hand, the latest 5* review was indeed saved, as the story overall is in fact that strong - particularly that back third, when the various discussions and plot threads are woven together quite remarkably... and explosively. Indeed, while it is not known if the *exact* resolution of everything is real, one could very easily imagine it being so. I read for escapism, and if you're looking for that particular goal in the current environment... maybe wait a few years to read this one. But realize that this one was effectively finished (minus the polishing and publication mechanics) right as the race wars of the summer of 2020 were exploding, which alone provides a degree of context for much of those discussions. Overall a truly strong book for what it is, and still very much recommended.
August 6, 2021
What a great, complex, beautiful story of one woman's history of who shot and paralyzed her and why. Hannah Williamson is a journalist who was let go from her job in Chicago so she moved to Mississippi to care for her elderly 91 year old grandmother, Mamaw.
Hannah obtains a job and comes across an Emily Kensley's written documents that contain the mystery to her being shot many years previously. Hannah wonders what happened and begins to read and investigate and it becomes very interesting and many families appear to somehow be connected or at least hiding something for whatever reasons that Hannah wanted to get to the bottom of.
I loved everything about this book. There was a beautiful relationship between Mamaw and Hannah that was so endearing. Then there was Guy, a man with whom Hannah built a very good friendship. I felt that he was a good guy right away. I love how their relationship developed into a truly caring one that would be one to last.
There was one aspect of the book that I didn't care for and that is that at the very end of the story there was a lot added that felt rushed. It didn't mess anything up for me but I did wonder why so much was in so few pages. Otherwise I absolutely loved it.
I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review stating my opinion.
#WhatsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley
Hannah obtains a job and comes across an Emily Kensley's written documents that contain the mystery to her being shot many years previously. Hannah wonders what happened and begins to read and investigate and it becomes very interesting and many families appear to somehow be connected or at least hiding something for whatever reasons that Hannah wanted to get to the bottom of.
I loved everything about this book. There was a beautiful relationship between Mamaw and Hannah that was so endearing. Then there was Guy, a man with whom Hannah built a very good friendship. I felt that he was a good guy right away. I love how their relationship developed into a truly caring one that would be one to last.
There was one aspect of the book that I didn't care for and that is that at the very end of the story there was a lot added that felt rushed. It didn't mess anything up for me but I did wonder why so much was in so few pages. Otherwise I absolutely loved it.
I want to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review stating my opinion.
#WhatsLeftUnsaid #NetGalley
July 28, 2021
Thank you UplitReads / Amazon Publishing / Brilliance Audio for the gifted copy.
I have been a fan of Emily Bleeker’s books for quite some time now, ever since reading her book Working Fire. I was excited when I saw she had a new one coming out, and that it paired two of my favorite genres – historical fiction and mystery – and I loved it!!!
This book grabbed me right from the beginning and once I started it, I found I was totally captivated. The story lines were compelling and had just the right amount of complexity so as to keep me invested throughout. I am always a fan of the dual timeline and was equally drawn to both timelines here. This definitely has that story-within-a-story feel to it, which I love. As much as I wanted to know what had happened to Evelyn in the past, I was just as curious as to what was going on with Hannah in the present.
I loved that this book is based on Emily’s great-aunt. I always love when authors use real life to inspire their stories and while I did not know that going into it, it now makes this story all the more incredible. And the use of letters to bring Evelyn’s story to life in the past really drew me in.
This is the type of book that sneaks up on you as to just how thought-provoking it really ends up being. The author manages to weave in some important, rather timely topics, both in the past and the present timelines, handling them in tactful, tasteful ways. To that end, it really would make a great pick for book clubs as there is much to unpack and discuss!
I love Emily’s writing and even though this newest one is a bit of a departure from her previous books, I absolutely loved this one and highly recommend it!
Audio thoughts: I was able to listen to this one and I thought Shannon McManus did a fantastic job with the narration. She really brought this story to life, giving the characters unique personalities and infusing just the right amount of emotion and tension into her voice as needed.
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
I have been a fan of Emily Bleeker’s books for quite some time now, ever since reading her book Working Fire. I was excited when I saw she had a new one coming out, and that it paired two of my favorite genres – historical fiction and mystery – and I loved it!!!
This book grabbed me right from the beginning and once I started it, I found I was totally captivated. The story lines were compelling and had just the right amount of complexity so as to keep me invested throughout. I am always a fan of the dual timeline and was equally drawn to both timelines here. This definitely has that story-within-a-story feel to it, which I love. As much as I wanted to know what had happened to Evelyn in the past, I was just as curious as to what was going on with Hannah in the present.
I loved that this book is based on Emily’s great-aunt. I always love when authors use real life to inspire their stories and while I did not know that going into it, it now makes this story all the more incredible. And the use of letters to bring Evelyn’s story to life in the past really drew me in.
This is the type of book that sneaks up on you as to just how thought-provoking it really ends up being. The author manages to weave in some important, rather timely topics, both in the past and the present timelines, handling them in tactful, tasteful ways. To that end, it really would make a great pick for book clubs as there is much to unpack and discuss!
I love Emily’s writing and even though this newest one is a bit of a departure from her previous books, I absolutely loved this one and highly recommend it!
Audio thoughts: I was able to listen to this one and I thought Shannon McManus did a fantastic job with the narration. She really brought this story to life, giving the characters unique personalities and infusing just the right amount of emotion and tension into her voice as needed.
You can see all my reviews at: https://www.alwayswithabook.com/
July 28, 2021
Unfortunately this book didn’t do it for me. It seemed to take forever to get into this story. This is the first book I’ve read by Emily Bleeker and I was really looking forward to it. I felt too much time was taken in the beginning going over time and again all of the main character, Hannah Williamson’s personal weaknesses. The most interesting parts of the book were Evelyn’s letters that had been written to the paper Hannah writes for. There’s a dual timeline here of present day with Hannah and the 1930’s with Evelyn.
I really wanted to like this book but just couldn’t. The book does touch on issues such as mental health, suicide, rape, and systematic racism.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing fir an uncorrected proof of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I really wanted to like this book but just couldn’t. The book does touch on issues such as mental health, suicide, rape, and systematic racism.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing fir an uncorrected proof of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 11, 2021
I liked this book. The main character could be unlikable, but I don't think that means a book is bad. Everyone can be unlikable, everyone can get wrapped up in their own drama that they forget that the world exists. It doesn't mean someone is bad, and beyond helping. Also, as someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety for over 10 years, sometimes I'm unlikable, and selfish, and difficult. But at least the main character realized at the end that she was in the wrong, and that she needed to work on her personal development. I liked that about the book. It wasn't just a main character who did bad things and then never learned from their mistakes.
I will be honest, I don't really like novels with romance. Fortunately, this story was more focused on Hannah's research about a woman who wrote letters to a small newspaper in the 1920s/1930s. The romance was a small side plot, but a lot of her mental health issues resulted from a break up that happened before the novel. That break up led to a mental crisis that resulted in her being in a psychiatry unit due to her suicidality.
Overall, I liked the book, and the characters. It also touched briefly on southern history, specifically regarding racism in small town Arkansas? Alabama? There was a whole section where her future boyfriend called her (a white woman) out for her outrage over something that was racist. I think that's an important reminder for white people, that white performative outrage doesn't help and can silence Black and Brown voices.
One of the interesting things, is that if you read the acknowledgments, you will see that the author bases some of the story off of her family's history. She did a podcast episode with her sister that I am going to listen to.
I will be honest, I don't really like novels with romance. Fortunately, this story was more focused on Hannah's research about a woman who wrote letters to a small newspaper in the 1920s/1930s. The romance was a small side plot, but a lot of her mental health issues resulted from a break up that happened before the novel. That break up led to a mental crisis that resulted in her being in a psychiatry unit due to her suicidality.
Overall, I liked the book, and the characters. It also touched briefly on southern history, specifically regarding racism in small town Arkansas? Alabama? There was a whole section where her future boyfriend called her (a white woman) out for her outrage over something that was racist. I think that's an important reminder for white people, that white performative outrage doesn't help and can silence Black and Brown voices.
One of the interesting things, is that if you read the acknowledgments, you will see that the author bases some of the story off of her family's history. She did a podcast episode with her sister that I am going to listen to.
July 23, 2021
Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This family drama is centered around a young woman who, after suffering the breakdown of her long-term relationship and the death of her father, goes through emotional turmoil and loses her job as well as her equilibrium. In an effort to make a fresh start and support her ailing grandmother, she moves to a small town in the southern US, and gets wrapped up in a cliffhanger of a story she finds in the newspaper archives. These two timelines are woven through the book, which kept me reading to find out what happened. Unfortunately, I found Hannah, the young woman in the present, exceedingly unlikeable - she was self-centered and made way too many rash decisions that were inconsiderate of others, using them to achieve her own goals and seemingly oblivious of what her actions meant for others. The author made an effort to address important issues such as systemic racism, sexual assault, politics and mental health - but all of these topics were skimmed over rather than addressed, which did not make for enjoyable reading. The ending was foreseeable and came across as very pat.
This family drama is centered around a young woman who, after suffering the breakdown of her long-term relationship and the death of her father, goes through emotional turmoil and loses her job as well as her equilibrium. In an effort to make a fresh start and support her ailing grandmother, she moves to a small town in the southern US, and gets wrapped up in a cliffhanger of a story she finds in the newspaper archives. These two timelines are woven through the book, which kept me reading to find out what happened. Unfortunately, I found Hannah, the young woman in the present, exceedingly unlikeable - she was self-centered and made way too many rash decisions that were inconsiderate of others, using them to achieve her own goals and seemingly oblivious of what her actions meant for others. The author made an effort to address important issues such as systemic racism, sexual assault, politics and mental health - but all of these topics were skimmed over rather than addressed, which did not make for enjoyable reading. The ending was foreseeable and came across as very pat.
July 18, 2021
An easy to read compelling story - with a story within a story.
The MC is Hannah - and she is in a rough patch of her life. She's back with her grandma, taking care of her while she's recovering from an injury. She's recently split with a long term boyfriend and lost her job and fled Chicago. She's back in a small town and working for a small town paper. She's not terribly happy and the beginning is just a bit slow.
Hannah is digging through archives at her small town paper and stumbles on some papers from a woman that completely captivates her with her story. This mystery woman, Evelyn, promises to explain how she was shot and what her story is. It was a twisty story, filled with interesting small town characters and a dark secret. I really liked the reveals in the story even if I had an instinct where it was going. The conclusion to both stories was well done and I enjoyed it!
The MC is Hannah - and she is in a rough patch of her life. She's back with her grandma, taking care of her while she's recovering from an injury. She's recently split with a long term boyfriend and lost her job and fled Chicago. She's back in a small town and working for a small town paper. She's not terribly happy and the beginning is just a bit slow.
Hannah is digging through archives at her small town paper and stumbles on some papers from a woman that completely captivates her with her story. This mystery woman, Evelyn, promises to explain how she was shot and what her story is. It was a twisty story, filled with interesting small town characters and a dark secret. I really liked the reveals in the story even if I had an instinct where it was going. The conclusion to both stories was well done and I enjoyed it!
August 1, 2021
What's Left Unsaid has an intriguing premise: down-on-her-luck author stumbles a century old mystery while endeavoring to put her life back together. What a way to reel me in.
I liked this book okay, but I never made a strong connection to the characters or the story. I think because there was so much going on in the MC's present-day life. I never felt fully vested in Evelyn's story.
The MC, Hannah is struggling in the aftermath of depression. There is a lot of discussion of that and suicidal ideation, so if that's a no-go area, please tread carefully.
I must say the author did a lovely job of detailing the bittersweet feelings those of us who live in the south, and choose to stay and fight for a better future here.
“In my way of thinking— there’s no use hiding from the fact that there was a fence stuck in that tree, or even yelling about it if you’re not willing to stick around and do your part to make it better . I love my home. I want to help it bloom again."
I liked this book okay, but I never made a strong connection to the characters or the story. I think because there was so much going on in the MC's present-day life. I never felt fully vested in Evelyn's story.
The MC, Hannah is struggling in the aftermath of depression. There is a lot of discussion of that and suicidal ideation, so if that's a no-go area, please tread carefully.
I must say the author did a lovely job of detailing the bittersweet feelings those of us who live in the south, and choose to stay and fight for a better future here.
“In my way of thinking— there’s no use hiding from the fact that there was a fence stuck in that tree, or even yelling about it if you’re not willing to stick around and do your part to make it better . I love my home. I want to help it bloom again."
November 18, 2021
This book was way too much. The author tried to cover about a billion different topics and it left the story in the background. The story itself was so predictable I don’t even know how I finished it.
The author tried to make the main character so “woke” that it was distracting and annoying. She tried to tackle racial injustice, severe mental health issues, rape, addiction, breakups, affairs, and losing a parent, among a hundred other things. Maybe covering one or two of these issues in the same book could be bearable but you simply can’t cover them all without it being overwhelming.
I didn’t like much about this book honestly. The only reason I didn’t give it one star is because I was able to finish it.
The author tried to make the main character so “woke” that it was distracting and annoying. She tried to tackle racial injustice, severe mental health issues, rape, addiction, breakups, affairs, and losing a parent, among a hundred other things. Maybe covering one or two of these issues in the same book could be bearable but you simply can’t cover them all without it being overwhelming.
I didn’t like much about this book honestly. The only reason I didn’t give it one star is because I was able to finish it.
September 17, 2021
Hannah Williamson may well be one of the most unlikable characters I have ever read. Petulant, immature, unprofessional, manipulative, selfish and impulsive come to mind very quickly. No character arc can redeem her repulsiveness.
Also, the author seems confused. Is this a book about social justice? Racism? A thriller? A love story? It was all over the place and none of it good. I also think a white female author writing about a black man’s experience living in the South feels icky. It’s the opposite of what she is preaching and reeks of white privilege.
This book was just bad from start to finish.
Also, the author seems confused. Is this a book about social justice? Racism? A thriller? A love story? It was all over the place and none of it good. I also think a white female author writing about a black man’s experience living in the South feels icky. It’s the opposite of what she is preaching and reeks of white privilege.
This book was just bad from start to finish.
September 28, 2021
I can’t believe I actually finished this book. Hated the heroine (if you can call her that). Too many issues thrown in this book. Books should have a social activist warning. I get too much of that on the news on a daily basis.
February 16, 2022
just not for me
I’m finding it difficult to hang on when a character rubs me the wrong way. The story itself seemed interesting and may have worked if I could have just gotten past how annoying she was.
I’m finding it difficult to hang on when a character rubs me the wrong way. The story itself seemed interesting and may have worked if I could have just gotten past how annoying she was.
October 18, 2021
This book was so good. I loved the characters and the fact that Ms. Bleeker was able to weave the protagonists life with problems with which many of us deal, especially mental health and the #metoo movement .
July 30, 2021
Thank you @uplitreads for introducing me to a fantastic author, Emily Bleeker – who wrote a captivating and enthralling historical fiction/ Southern fiction mystery like no other.
I was kept at the edge of my seat with this story. I found myself in such a joyful mood every time I pick up the book and continue with this amazing story which was very hard to put down. I enjoyed every word in this book and loved having two stories in one in this dual time line story.
The current story is centered on Hannah Williamson, a Chicago Tribune journalist who moves to Senatobia, Mississippi, to help help care for her grandmother – this move seems to be more of an escape for Hannah after an emotionally heart wrenching and difficult break-up with Alex after being together for six years. Hannah’s life was spiraling downhill with an addiction and eventually losing her job. While there, she takes on a job at a small town newspaper writing about small town news, and helping archive old articles and letters in the basement. While there she discovers a series of articles left unpublished from the 1930’s about Evelyn, a fourteen year old girl left paralyzed after surviving a shooting. What she embarks upon in that basement invigorates her entire being into discovering more about Evelyn’s story that will affect the lives of so many.
What’s Left Unsaid is a compelling and powerful story that addressed heavy themes about racism and misogyny, but it is also an uplifting story about second chances, getting back up, and moving forward no matter the challenges and difficulties.
I highly recommend!
I was kept at the edge of my seat with this story. I found myself in such a joyful mood every time I pick up the book and continue with this amazing story which was very hard to put down. I enjoyed every word in this book and loved having two stories in one in this dual time line story.
The current story is centered on Hannah Williamson, a Chicago Tribune journalist who moves to Senatobia, Mississippi, to help help care for her grandmother – this move seems to be more of an escape for Hannah after an emotionally heart wrenching and difficult break-up with Alex after being together for six years. Hannah’s life was spiraling downhill with an addiction and eventually losing her job. While there, she takes on a job at a small town newspaper writing about small town news, and helping archive old articles and letters in the basement. While there she discovers a series of articles left unpublished from the 1930’s about Evelyn, a fourteen year old girl left paralyzed after surviving a shooting. What she embarks upon in that basement invigorates her entire being into discovering more about Evelyn’s story that will affect the lives of so many.
What’s Left Unsaid is a compelling and powerful story that addressed heavy themes about racism and misogyny, but it is also an uplifting story about second chances, getting back up, and moving forward no matter the challenges and difficulties.
I highly recommend!
January 29, 2022
I don’t like writing bad reviews for anything because I feel bad talking about someones work like that. When it comes to Whats Left Unsaid by Emily Bleeker I had to make an exception.
I’m one of those people that enjoy being shown what is happening in a book instead of being told about what is happening. Emily Bleeker is obviously the kind of author that enjoys telling the reader what is going on in great drawn out detail. There was more than point while reading the book I wanted to scream at her to get to the point already.
It is obvious in the way the story is told, that the author doesn’t know much about the South and may have never even stepped foot in Mississippi. The story has a very stereotypical view of what someone from Chicago would assume life is like in Mississippi and Tennessee, not so much a realistic glimpse of what southern life is like.
While we are on the topic of the the author not knowing much about what she chooses to write about, the way depression is protrayed throughout the novel is mildly infuriating. There is so much potential to make the main character, whats her name, deep and layered and relatable yet she is seriously the most boring main character I have ever had the struggle through reading about.
The story has the potential to be such a captivating story with a twist you really don’t expect but its overshadowed by the wokeness and the sheer amount of social issues packed into one novel. I’m not a fan of having social issues shoved down my throat in books as reading is an escape for me but if one must include them could we maybe stick to one issue per story?
Full review with spoilers here https://coiesquestions.com/whats-left...
I’m one of those people that enjoy being shown what is happening in a book instead of being told about what is happening. Emily Bleeker is obviously the kind of author that enjoys telling the reader what is going on in great drawn out detail. There was more than point while reading the book I wanted to scream at her to get to the point already.
It is obvious in the way the story is told, that the author doesn’t know much about the South and may have never even stepped foot in Mississippi. The story has a very stereotypical view of what someone from Chicago would assume life is like in Mississippi and Tennessee, not so much a realistic glimpse of what southern life is like.
While we are on the topic of the the author not knowing much about what she chooses to write about, the way depression is protrayed throughout the novel is mildly infuriating. There is so much potential to make the main character, whats her name, deep and layered and relatable yet she is seriously the most boring main character I have ever had the struggle through reading about.
The story has the potential to be such a captivating story with a twist you really don’t expect but its overshadowed by the wokeness and the sheer amount of social issues packed into one novel. I’m not a fan of having social issues shoved down my throat in books as reading is an escape for me but if one must include them could we maybe stick to one issue per story?
Full review with spoilers here https://coiesquestions.com/whats-left...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews