Emma Blue lives in a world of her own making. The online game that she created is where she can forget that her mother doesn't approve of her following in her father's footsteps. She doesn't understand that writing code is just as challenging as being a doctor and dealing with her endless disappointment only widens the gap between them.

Until she meets the boy that they call the "Grim Reaper" behind an old church and she finally realizes what it's like to be alive.

"Abruptly, he unfolds from the ground. He's bigger than I expected, tall and lean with broad shoulders. He moves like a ninja, all silent, fluid motion.
Looking at him now, I can't imagine him being afraid of anything.
But then he says, "I need to go home."
He sounds a little spooked, so I'm surprised when he puts out a hand to help me up. He's strong. His grip makes me feel weightless.
Once I'm on my feet, he doesn't move. Light from somewhere catches his eyes and makes them glint under the hood. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For seeing me." Then he turns, jogs across the street, and disappears into the darkness beyond."

Rev Fletcher thought his painful past was behind him. He was saved from the terror of a radically religious father by his adoptive parents. With their gentle guidance, he's been putting his shattered pieces together again.

And all it takes to destroy him once more is an email from the man who left an indelible mark on his body and his soul.

But when he's with Emma, he's not just the strange boy in the hoodie. He's stronger and deserving of love. If only they could just trust each other enough to step out of the shadows and face the unknown future.

"I'm having the most bizarre emotional experience.
There is another e-mail from my father on my phone.
There is a girl walking next to me.
I'm taking her to my house.
It's pouring rain and we're holding hands and I'm soaking wet. I'm freezing on the outside and warm on the inside, and I both want this moment to end and go on forever."

I fell completely in love with Rev while reading Letters to the Lost. He was broody, soulful and far deeper than wanted anyone to know. And in More Than We Can Tell, Brigid masterfully reveals him in a kaleidoscope of unexpected colors.

He struggles with distrust and yet yearns for a true connection. And like the other characters - both new and familiar - their inner battles are waged with a resilience far beyond their years.

There's still no shortage of moments that will make you swoon and then blink back the tears. And in the end, it's a harrowing journey that you'll be more than thankful to experience…

Holy. Crap.

I feel like no matter what I say it won’t do this book justice on how amazing it is, please just check it out!

First of all, Brigid Kemmerer is a genius. That’s all. She’s amazing. I love her.

Second of all, Rev Fletcher is the cutest, sweetest guy ever and my heart melts every time I think about him.

Rev and Emma have problems of their own, not similar at all, but important nonetheless, as they meet behind the church one a very peculiar friendship blooms (if you can even call it a friendship). But as their problems grow out of their hands they seem to be brought closer together, then far apart, the closer together again.

I remember when I read Letters To The Lost and I thought nothing else by Brigid Kemmerer could top that book… Oh was I wrong. More Than We Can Tell is such a delightful masterpiece that warms up your heart and might bring you to tears like it did to me. It’s a romance story that entangles a lot of different plots which makes it a lot more. It’s a book that holds a lot of important messages, from giving opportunities to online safety. It’s an amazing book that, I think, has something for everyone.

I think what made this book so special to me is that both characters stayed as two separate people even being together. I know that sometimes I read a book and the characters that once were Jane & John become Jane-John as if they were one person and I find that a little annoying, but it was nice to see that Rev and Emma remained Rev and Emma until the end, being together but still being themselves, I felt like that was very special, just like their story.

More Than We Can Tell is really not a heavy book even though it covers a few topics, it’s a cute little read that will fill your heart up.

Ohhhh, the feels!

Brigid Kemmerer’s More Than We Can Tell packs an emotional punch, exploring tough topics prevalent in our everyday lives, such as divorce, child abuse, and online bullying. The plot is heart wrenching and beautiful and so sweet in so many different moments, it’s hard to find bits and pieces to critique.

Emma is an online gamer who has designed her own game that is open to the public for use. She’s smart and talented, and just wants to follow in the footsteps of her game designer father. My biggest problem with Emma was that at times she lashed out in unnecessary situations and made a lot of things about herself. She often threw petty judgments toward her best friend Cait, and never wanted to actually discuss her problems with the people who cared about her. Instead, she fell into the trap of an internet perv and basically confessed all her sadness to him. I get this to some degree; it’s easier to be honest through a screen, where no one can see you or physically come at you, but it felt really unfair to Rev when he was more willing to confide in Emma when she asked about his problems. He was hesitant, but still more willing to put himself out there, and she could rarely return the favor. That being said, however, I did really like Emma for the most part; she grew a lot throughout the novel and was more open in the end.

Rev is a sweet cinnamon roll of a character, despite his status at school as the “grim reaper.” I loved getting to know him, and learn about his childhood, and how he got out of an abusive situation. He knew what his birth father did to him was wrong, and yet he still craved the man’s approval. Getting to experience Rev grapple with that guilt was a really interesting story arc and a contrast to that of his new foster brother, Matthew. I really liked getting to see the parallels and differences in their stories and how their situations have shaped them.

A few things happened that I felt were predictable and I saw coming a mile away, but honestly it didn’t bother me one bit. This story is so well written, I was captivated the entire time I was reading. I loved the characters and the emotion and the growth they all underwent. Overall, More Than We Can Tell is a lovely story of life and loss and hope and love.

*Thank you to Bloomsbury USA and Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

My Thoughts:
I read Letter to the Lost and LOVED it. I loved the way it approached parent/child relationships. This book does much the same but with different characters. Rev is Declan's best friend so we got to know him a little in Letters to the Lost. More Than We Can Tell is his story along with Emma's. Both characters are dealing with some really heavy issues in their lives. At first they confide in just each other. But they soon discover that their actions don't just affect them. I enjoyed learning more about Rev's background and watching him face down his demons. It was so touching as Rev figured out how truly loved and supported he was. It hit me hard in the "feels". Emma is still figuring out who her "people" are. I think she definitely put her faith in the wrong ones and it took her a while to see who was really there for her. Both characters were pragmatic and complex. I felt that Emma's story was left a little open ended, but nothing that really bothered me. I kind of wanted to find out what would finally happen with her and her mom. The best part was not only getting to see Rev close a huge and painful chapter in his life, but getting to Declan doing the same. While you don't have to read Letters to the Lost to enjoy this book, I highly recommend reading them both. I hope if this series continues we get to see how Matthew turns out.
Recommended for 15 and up.
Mild to moderate language and violent issues.

My favorite thing about Letters to the Lost was the friendship between Declan and Rev and I was very excited to hear that Rev was going to get his own book. I’m happy to report that I enjoyed More Than We Can Tell even more than I did Letters to the Lost.

As I said, I love Rev and Declan’s friendship. No matter what happens they are always there for each other. Even when they don’t agree or have an argument, they work through it and I love it. While I would’ve really liked for the whole book to be filled with the two of them, I was satisfied with the amount of page time we got. I liked that there was some follow up with some of the things Declan dealt with in his book, as well.

This book was Drama, Drama, Drama right from the start. Sexual harassment, divorcing parents, abuse, feeling alone, bullying. I thought it was dealt with very well for the most part, but there was just so much. I felt like Emma especially made a lot of small things much more dramatic than she had to. She was hard to like at times because she was such a little brat to her parents and her best friend and even to Rev at times and the things she said were so uncalled for. She did show some growth by the end of the book, but I feel like she still has a ways to go.

While I adore Rev, he did frustrate me several times in the book. If he would’ve just talked to his parents or to Declan sooner then he would’ve had a little less turmoil. However, I tried to remember that he is just a teenager and he was doing the best he could and he did eventually talk to them. (Plus, I’m not really one who can judge somebody for their lack of ability to communicate.) I loved the relationship between Rev and his parents, as well. So often in YA the parents are either missing or awful (and there was some of that in this book, too), but Rev’s adoptive parents were wonderful.

Though I thought the immediate intensity of Rev and Emma’s relationship was a little unrealistic, I did like them together. There were several super cute moments between them that I enjoyed, but I also really enjoyed how they helped each other emotionally. Their romance didn’t “fix” each other, but offered support to each other and I liked that.

Overall, I enjoyed More Than We Can Tell. I’m a fan of Kemmerer’s writing and I flew through this book. I loved getting to see Rev and Declan again. Even though I thought the drama was a little over the top at times, I thought there were some good, relatable lessons. I think fans of Letters to the Lost will not want to miss this one, though you don’t have to have read it to enjoy this.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 4 Stars

Letters to the Lost was an instant-favorite for me last year. It was, in my opinion, Brigid Kemmerer's best book up to that point. I was thrilled with the news that she was writing a book for one of my favorite secondary characters from Letters to the Lost. I think Brigid Kemmerer has really found her niche with these books. They are absolutely brilliant, and I love how much emotion they can evoke in me.

More Than We Can Tell tells the story of Rev and Emma, two kids who deserve huge hugs from everyone around them. I fell in love with Rev in Letters to the Lost, and I didn't think it was possible for care more for him, but Brigid made that happen here. This guy has gone through so so much at his young age, but he remains a good guy with a heart of gold. His life is thrown into upheaval in More Than We Can Tell when a toxic person from his past shows up again and tries to meddle in his life. Despite everything, Rev is a thoughtful young man, who thinks about others before he thinks about himself. It's impossible not to love him. My heart broke for his situation, and several times I wanted to cry at the unfairness of it all, but in a way, everything that Rev goes through only served to make him a stronger individual.

Emma was also an interesting addition to More Than We Can Tell. She is not only a gamer, but also a game-designer. I enjoyed her passion for gaming, and I liked how Brigid shed light on the dark side of gaming and the role of women in gaming. It was very relevant to Gamer Gate. Emma is a tough girl, and she doesn't deal well with her parents impending separation. I thought she was quite a complex character, and was very in tune with her emotions. Her anger, distrust and fear were palpable throughout the More Than We Can Tell. She does make a few questionable decisions in the book, but it's also important to remember that this is a teenage girl with a lot on her plate.

As with the previous book, there is a romantic story-line in More Than We Can Tell. It's subtle, and grows slowly from an unexpected friendship between Rev and Emma. They make for a fantastic pair, and I'm glad that they had each other while they went through everything. It's a sweet relationship, and I think the best part was the comfort they find with each other. It was just the kind of romance that I like reading about in YA. More Than We Can Tell has does a phenomenal job at depicting the intricacies of family relationships. I love Rev's adoptive parents, and they play pivotal roles here. Their unconditional love and support for Rev made my heart ache in a really good way. We also see a new family addition who plays an interesting role in Rev's life - I won't divulge who it is, but you'll know the minute you meet him. Emma's family life is very different from Rev's - it's messy, and there's some serious lack of communication between her and her parents. I especially thought the bond with her mother was very-well written.

Yet again Brigid Kemmerer has written a raw, emotional and beautiful story about two endearing souls, who grow up, discover themselves and find love in the process. She is seriously so talented, and will forever be an author who I won't stop praising. If you haven't picked up a book by her, I urge you to pick up one of her books. You won't be disappointed.

I hate to say it but I think I love this book more than the first book Letters To The Lost…. And I loved that book! This book does take place in the same universe as Letters To The Lost and Declan and Juliet do show up from time to time, but this book really focuses on Declan’s best friend Rev and a new character named Emma. Rev and Emma’s stories deal with a lot of different issues. In this story we have abuse, internet trolling, women in the workplace dealing with harassment, redemption/facing daemons of the past, family drama, bullies, divorce, internet stalking/meet ups that go bad and more. It seems like a lot for one book to cover but Brigid does a wonderful job covering all of it. The story is well written, easy to follow (you do not have to read the other book to read this one by the way), and fast paced. I love the characters and I just want to hug them all and tell them it will be ok. I really hope that there will be another book in this universe. Maybe one about Mathew?? Just throwing that out there ☺ . I would definitely recommend this book and Brigid’s other book to readers. It is mostly a clean read, though it does deal with tough serious topics.

Those of you who read Letters to the Lost last year will absolutely love this new standalone novel all about Rev Fletcher. He was Declan's quiet, reserved and mysterious best friend, and now we get HIS story.

I still don't really know how to put my review into words. This book wasn't quite as poetic as her last, but the writing was still spectacular. There was not so much focus on romance, but there is still romance. There is much more angst in this book and it has an entirely different feel, so if you're hoping for the same story... this isn't it. What this is, is such a wonderfully written book about friendship, FAMILY, and truly learning who you are.

“We all push sometimes, just to make sure someone is on the other side, pushing back.” 

Brigid brings us Rev and Emma. Two outcasts building a friendship as they navigate the pressures of family dynamics, friendships and technology surrounding today's young people. It is extremely relevant and well put together. It was impressive seeing a YA book where the parents are actually present.

“[...] He says the Internet makes too many people loud, and too many people silent, but the loud ones are all we hear.. We have to ask questions to hear the silent people.” 

Again, for those Letters to the Lost lovers, Declan is back in this novel and you DON'T want to miss is part in Rev's book which is actually pretty significant. I mean, they are best friends.

I can't wait to see what else Brigid Kemmerer writes. I feel like she hit me out of nowhere and she's given me a top read of the year 2 years in a row now!!!

One of the best books I’ve read so far this year and I won’t be forgetting it any time soon. The characters and dialogue are so authentic with realistic reactions to situations. Trust, friendship, family and partnership all feature prominently in this book which I was so sad to finish. I was thrilled to discover that I had purchased this author’s previous book, “Letters To the Lost” and it is a companion to this one!

Kemmerer creates realistic characters and situations that are both heartwarming and frustrating at the same time. I was super excited when I heard this book was going to be Rev's story and that's no joke. Rev is one of the most likable and relatable characters in contemporary YA romances I've read. I was not disappointed by this companion to "Letters to the Lost."

See link below!

3.25 stars

Put down at 85%

I adored Letters to the Lost and it was one of my favorite contemporary reads last year, but the companion, which features Rev, was not as captivating as I'd envisioned it to be. I still love Rev's character and I was excited to read his narrative, but there was a spark missing for me with the plot, romance and with Emma, the other protagonist. I didn't end up finishing this one because I found myself reading to finish the book rather than to enjoy it. I think it's a situation of me not you with this book, and while I didn't necessarily like Emma that much, her emotions and tangled thoughts felt real and visceral in a way that tells me I'll keep an eye out for Kemmerer's future books.

After the absolute delight that was Letters to the Lost – and, even more, considering how much I adored Rev’s character in that book – I thought there was no way this book could be anything less than a home run for me. Unfortunately, I think I may have overestimated this one. I tried to write a standard review of this book, but honestly, there’s just not that much to say about it, so instead, I’ll give you a list of what I liked, and what I didn’t like.

That makes me smile. "I do what I can," I whisper.
"Shh," he says. "I'm texting with someone."
I grin and slide my fingers across the screen.

→ what I liked ←
• We get to spend a lot of time with Rev and learn more about his backstory, including some insight into his life as the child of an abusive pastor, and how religion and abuse have shaped him into who he is today.

• Emma offers fantastic insight into the life of a gamer girl, as well as the life of any female content creator in the gaming stratosphere, as we see her suffer harassment, unfair treatment, and unrealistic expectations – all of these fueled by the fact that she doesn’t hide her gender identity from the world.

• With Emma’s harassment comes a painfully realistic view of how men in the gaming community tend to treat women. A misstep isn’t even required from her to warrant lewd and horrific comments from the men playing the game she has created; her existence alone, her “intrusion” into the space these boys have called their own, is plenty to bring these attacks upon her.

• We also get some “nice guy” portrayals in a character who belligerently convinces himself that an act as simple as basic politeness to a woman means she somehow owes him her time, attention, and money.

• My favorite part of the book: we get to spend a bit of time with Declan as Rev seeks comfort and advice from him. In many books that I’ve read where characters had a cameo in a later story, it felt like the original characters had been changed to somehow fit this new “side character” mold, which is always really jarring, but Brigid Kemmerer doesn’t put Declan through that in the slightest; he’s still 100% who I knew and loved in Letters to the Lost.

I haven't seen him in ten years, and one little note has me craving his approval.

→ what I disliked ←
• Am I imagining things, or does Brigid Kemmerer refuse to write enjoyable female characters? In Letters, Juliet had a terrible attitude and lashed out constantly, but at least her behavior was usually almost justifiable; Emma, on the other hand, is absolutely horrible to everyone she meets! She spends the entire book casting petty shade at her “best friend”, verbally attacking Rev for no reason whatsoever, and throwing herself a massive pity party.

• The weird love triangle was so unwelcome; despite Rev giving her every reason to like him, Emma has an unhealthy fascination with this online stranger. I could understand if there was ever any actual growth between the two of them, but the bulk of their conversations are just Emma repeatedly whining about her parents while Ethan offers quips like “It could be worse!” and “At least it isn’t as bad as my parents!”

• Emma’s attitude towards her best friend constantly revolves around saying rude things about her friend’s YouTube beauty channel, and Emma belittles the struggles that come with that hobby/business ceaselessly, which is not only catty and some serious girl-on-girl hate, but it also re-enforces this “geek” vs. “hot girl” dichotomy crap.

• Despite a tremendous amount of build-up to Rev’s issues with his father, the ending felt really… bizarre? Lackluster? Anti-climactic?

• I never found myself rooting for Emma and Rev, at all. In fact, I spent most of the book just hoping Rev would run far, far away and find someone who actually respected and cared for him.

• There’s a male side character who gets picked on with homophobic remarks, but we learn that he isn’t gay; instead, he has suffered horrible sexual assault from multiple men in his life and is being taunted for it. Despite his trauma apparently being widely known at the high school he attends, no real time is spent on getting him the help that he needs or stopping the assailants from continuing to do this to other boys, and the whole thing just felt like this poor child’s rape was being used as a plot device.

• We get to see Juliet for, like, five seconds, and in that five seconds, she does something kind of rude and intrusive, so, you know… not a great bonding moment – again, it strikes me as odd that she’s so poorly written, considering how great Declan was and the substantial amount of time we get to spend with him in this book.

When people dismiss him as crazy, I know they don't understand. He wasn't crazy. He was... deliberate. Calculated.

→ final thoughts ←
As you can see, unfortunately, my dislikes were much more prominent than my likes in this one. I wanted so desperately to love this book that, when I reached the 30% mark or so and realized there was no way it was redeeming itself enough for 5 stars, I honestly considered DNFing it and saving myself some of the disappointment. I’m not saying 3 stars is a terrible rating – there were still things to enjoy about Rev and Emma’s story, for sure! – but when I compare it to Letters, it just feels like a totally different author wrote this book.

All quotes are from an unfinished ARC and may not match the final release. Thank you to Bloomsbury Children’s for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Although set in the same universe as her popular book Letters to the Lost, Brigid Kemmerer’s latest novel More Than We Can Tell is a standalone story that follows two teens who are each carrying around a heavy burden of secrets. Eighteen-year-old Rev Fletcher was raised by an abusive father until he was removed from his home at age 7 and placed with foster parents who eventually adopted him as their own. Even though he now lives in a loving and supportive environment, Rev is still occasionally haunted by the horrors of his past and by the fear that he will somehow grow up to be like his father. Rev lives a normal life and gets by most days without dwelling on his fears too much, but when an unexpected letter arrives from his father, all of those fears rise to the surface and threaten to pull Rev under. He doesn’t know what to do and doesn’t want to upset his adoptive parents, so he keeps the letter a secret even though it is eating him up inside that his father has somehow managed to find him after all these years.

Rev is not the only one in More Than We Can Tell living under the burden of secrets and fears. High school junior Emma Blue is also battling some demons of her own. Emma is a gamer and a gifted coder, so gifted in fact, that she has designed an entire video game from scratch. Coding and designing video games are what Emma wants to pursue as a career, but her father, who actually designs video games for a living, is never around to support her, while her mother, who is a doctor, thinks all of this gaming is just a waste of time. Because she feels they don’t really support her, Emma works on her video game in secret and doesn’t even try to show her parents what she is doing or how good at it she really is. Things get messy, however, when an online troll starts sending her threatening messages through her game. The comments escalate to the point where Emma is basically being sexually harassed through the internet, but because Emma fears her parents will just tell her to delete the game she has worked so hard on, Emma decides to shoulder the burden of this harassment herself and doesn’t tell anyone what is going on even though she is actually afraid of the troll by this point.

Rev and Emma meet by chance one night while Emma is out walking her dog, and the two of them hit it off immediately and are able to open up to one another in ways that they don’t feel like they can with anyone else.

Will their new found friendship turn into something more? Can they help each other deal with the secrets that are wearing them down?

Wow, where to even start with this book? Honestly, I loved pretty much everything about it. It’s filled with wonderfully complex characters, relevant themes, beautiful relationships, and so much more. It made me laugh at times, and it also made me tear up a few times, and I’m a sucker for a book that grabs all of my emotions like that.

I fell in love with both Rev and Emma right away, for very different reasons. Rev was just such a beautiful soul and it hurt my heart to watch him struggle with the memories of what his awful father did to him. It especially got to me that he was so worried that he would turn out just like him, when everything about his personality screamed that he would be the exact opposite. I hated the way his father kept getting into his head and dragging him down, but at the same time, I could easily understand how it kept happening.

I loved Emma because of her independence. I didn’t necessarily agree with her keeping things from her parents, but at the same time, I admired her strength and her determination not to give up on her dream of designing games for a living. My inner geek also loved that she was so passionate about STEM and that she was a pretty badass gamer as well.

The relationships in More Than We Can Tell were beautifully written as well. Rev’s loving relationship with his adoptive parents, Geoff and Kristin, was especially moving to read about, knowing how awful his life had been prior to coming into their home. I teared up several times just watching them love and support him even when he, at times, tried to push them away. My love for this relationship also extended out to them all for inviting another troubled teen into their home. Even though he wasn’t exactly central to the overall storyline, I loved the character of Matthew for many of the same reasons I loved Rev and so it was lovely to see him find a home, even if it’s only temporary, with a family as great as Rev’s (On a side note: I would love to see another book set in this universe that follows Matthew.)

The friendship between Declan and Rev was probably my favorite part of the entire book. I’ve actually not read Letters to the Lost yet, but I’ve heard this friendship plays a role in that book as well, so I fully intend to go back and read that. These young men are about as close to brothers as they could possibly be. I enjoyed the ease of their banter, which is just so funny at times, but most importantly, I loved that Declan always seems to just “get” Rev. He’s tuned in to what Rev needs, even if Rev doesn’t know it himself. There’s one scene where Rev loses it at school and throws a punch at Declan. Instead of getting mad about it, Declan shows up at Rev’s house right after school and, to paraphrase, says “Come on. If you need to punch it out, let’s go find you a better target than my face” and takes him to work through his frustrations on an actual punching bag. That’s friendship right there.

The growing relationship between Emma and Rev is lovely too. I loved their little meetups on the lawn outside the church and how easily their conversations flowed from the silly and casual to the more serious things that were on their minds. Kemmerer does a beautiful job here of advancing their relationship from strangers to acquaintances to friends to maybe a little something more without it feeling like insta-love.

I could go on and on about all the things I adored about More Than We Can Tell but I’m going to close by saying that in addition to the beautifully drawn characters and relationships, what really pulled me into this story were all of its themes. This is a story about love, family, friendship, forgiveness, and trust. It also serves as an important reminder to give your family a chance to have your back and that you don’t always have to shoulder your own burdens.

I can’t think of a single issue I had with More Than We Can Tell. It’s just a wonderfully crafted story on every level.

Brigid Kemmer’s More Than We Can Tell is a beautifully written and moving story that will grab you by the emotions and won’t let go. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll fall in love with Rev and his family and friends. I look forward to reading Letters to the Lost soon because I’m ready for more from the universe.

I LOVED Letters to the Lost, and was so excited that one of my favorite side characters from that book was getting his own story. We got a glimpse of Rev's complicated past in Letters, and Kemmerer did a wonderful job letting us really see who he was beneath the hoodie.

•Pro: Rev was the biggest draw for me to this book. His past was so painful, and I liked the way Kemmerer slowly revealed those details to us. His past was related to us from multiple people, and I especially loved hearing about it from Kristin, his mom.

•Pro: Kristin and Geoff are just he most wonderful YA parents. I have such an admiration for people, who are able to open their homes and hearts to foster children, especially the ones that are slightly damaged, and really need some healing love. It's so wonderful that Kemmerer brings attention to these kinds of people, and that she created such wonderful characters to represent these people.

•Pro: Emma and Rev were pretty special together. Emma was able to see in Rev what very few people could, and I was so glad they found each other. I also thought that they were very well drawn characters, and I cared about them both.

•Pro: Declan really had the patience of a saint. Rev was struggling in a big way with some things, and Dec was there for him. Through the outbursts and moods, he stood by his side, ready to support him.

•Pro: Speaking of Rev's struggle, his inner turmoil was conveyed so well, and the way it seeped into all parts of his life was very believable. I totally felt his pain through the page.

•Pro: Emma grew a lot over the course of this story. Her whole world got titled on its side, and she was forced to confront certain realities in her home life. She damaged some relationships , and was forced to reflect on her actions and repair the wreckage.

•Pro: We find out the meaning behind Rev's name, and it was pretty cool.

•Con: I liked the ending overall, but I wish we had gotten a little bit more after the BIG thing happened. I just would have liked to have seen more of Rev and Emma as a couple.

•Pro: Kemmerer takes on a bunch of topics in this one: divorce, abuse, the foster system, and cyber bullying, and I thought she wove them all into the story quite well.

•Pro: But, it was a very sweet ending, so I was not upset by any means.

•Pro: Matthew was an interesting addition to this book. He, like Rev, had a horrific past, and I sort of hope we will get a third book in this world that will feature Matthew.

•Pro: This book had some romance, suspense, drama, and humor, which delivered a bunch of feels.

Overall: A beautiful story of connection, family, and the power love has to heal, that really touched my heart.

***4.5/5 Stars***

More Than We Can Tell was an emotional book that was the perfect mixture of heart-wrenching and oh so sweet. So I definitely wasn't surprised that I had tears in my eyes, when I was only a few chapters into this story. It was a testament to how easily these characters captured my heart. And while this can be read as a standalone, I recommend picking up Letters to the Lost too. That story first introduced us to Rev, and it was one of my favorite books from last year.

I think of the girl beside the church.
You’re afraid.
I’ve spent years learning how not to be afraid. And now, with a few short sentences, my father has sliced through all my defenses. - Rev


Confession time - I had already fallen for Rev Fletcher in Letters to the Lost. He was Declan's best friend, and we saw what an amazing man he was. He was always there for Declan, had so much compassion in his heart, and was such a good guy. Even though it was obvious that he suffered from his own personal demons. So to start off the book with his world exploding? Oh. My heart ached so badly for him. And it was all because he received a letter from his biological father. The man who raised him till he was eight, and who physically and mentally tortured Rev. All in the name of God. And from just that one letter, Rev started to spiral down into a dark abyss.

I keep worrying about my father, wondering when something is going to snap inside me. Wondering when I’m going to turn vicious and cruel, just like he did. - Rev


While Rev found himself sinking into a horrific darkness, he met someone who was suffering too. Emma Blue. Within that first interaction, they shared a tiny piece of what they were feeling. I loved that with just a few words, they felt that connection. They made each other not feel so alone in the world. And from there, each time they ran into one another or met up, they let each other in just a little bit more. It was such a beautiful progression to watch their friendship blossom. They listened, they offered advice, they confessed and they found solace in each other. But within it all, was butterflies and the possibility of a first love.

I block him.
Then I slam my laptop shut. I flip over in bed and scream into my pillow.
I scream so loud and so long that I forget what silence is like.
I scream until I run out of breath. - Emma


I was so thankful that Emma met Rev. Because it felt as though she had no one at times. She struggled in her relationships with her parents. They weren't supportive of her, weren't around, and they treated her like an inconvenience. On top of that, she seemed to be drifting away from her best friend. As if that wasn't enough, she suffered from horrific online bullying. And while I loved how outspoken and tough Emma could be at times, I did struggle with her. She had a habit of pushing others away or saying hurtful things. And the few times she did that to Rev, well it hurt me too. Even though I saw where she learned that behavior from, and I got why she did it, I still didn't like it at all. But thankfully Emma made up for it again and again.

“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For seeing me.”
Then he turns, jogs across the street, and disappears into the darkness beyond.


There were so many beautiful messages in this book, that I believe are extremely important. They ranged from bullying, to trusting the wrong people, to discovering solace in the ones you love and to also finding acceptance within yourself. And on top of the messages, there were other people that added so much heart to this story. Such as Declan, Rev's adoptive parents and Matthew! Ahhh I can't say anymore, but I'd love to read Matthew's own book someday *fingers crossed*! So I found myself closing the book extremely happy with how it all ended. It's a fabulous read, and I definitely recommend it!!

PS If you want to read my 5 Star Review of Letters to the Lost, the book the first introduces us to Rev, you can read it here.

*ARC kindly provided by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

MORE THAN WE CAN TELL is a bit different from its companion book, Letters to the Lost, but the themes the author explores here are every bit as heavy and serious. This is not a light read, and it's every bit as compelling and heartbreaking as the previous book.

Rev Fletcher has a tragic past, and I read about the things done to him in horror. I don't doubt that such things do happen, and it's heartbreaking, especially when it happens to kids who are vulnerable and innocent. You can understand his scars and the fears that still haunt him, how they drive his actions. But I'm glad he has such supportive and understanding adoptive parents, and they're the reasons he turned out to be a decent young man.

Emma Blue is one of the reasons I was attracted to his story. She's a gamer and developer of this RPG game. I love geeks and gaming and I couldn't resist. The author also took this opportunity to highlight the challenges facing women in this male-dominated industry (computers and tech and gaming). While I appreciate Emma's independence, I grew frustrated with her when she wouldn't even accept Rev's help and I don't know what her problem was when it's obvious the situation is beyond her control. Her reactions whenever Nightmare sent her a message is a bit over the top (slamming laptops shut, etc) though understandable, and I would've thought she'd appreciate and want Rev's help. She seems adamant about not accepting help though, either from her parents or Rev or any authority figure with the mess she'd found herself in, and I'm baffled as to why. So I find her character a bit contradictory.

Readers who've loved Letters to the Lost will be happy to know Declan had a bit of a cameo here and we're also given insights into what happened after the end of the previous book. Of course, he and Juliet got together, but there's something else about his personal life, some closure to his situation.

Though the story is told from the first person POV, the points of view alternates between Emma and Rev, for which I'm grateful because I feel this gives a story depth than if the story were just seen from one person's POV.

I can't end this review without mentioning Matthew and the friendship between the boys. I think it was heartwarming, the way it went down between them, especially with Rev.

Also, this book drives home the point that things aren't what they seem, especially over the Internet and the dangers inherent in using this medium to unsuspecting people--both adults and kids--without giving a lecture about it. Highly recommended.

I loved this one. Great characters and rich dynamics ripe for discussion. Rev was my favorite—at times I had a tough time with Emma, which I think is a good thing. She was a very real teenager, and her decisions and the reasons behind them are fascinating to understand. I liked the way the characters compliment each other. Also loved the continuation of the strong friendship between Rev and Declan and the powerful story of Rev’s adoption and new foster brother. This story did not shy away from hard truths about the foster care system, and Matthew’s story will mean a lot to a lot of people.

Fantastic, really lovely writing and very timely topics. I loved seeing the gamer culture addressed.

I really love these characters that Brigid Kemmerer has created. I'm happy that I got to read Rev's story!