I received an ARC from Netgalley and so thrilled! I loved everything about this book. The writing was amazing. I was so invested in the characters and what was going to happen to them I could not put it down. Difficult read as well given the setting of WWII. Highly recommended.

The Things We CanNot Say is a book with two stories that play out together throughout the book. One story is about Alina a young Polish girl who is living near Auschwitz and sees the horrors of the war as the Germans invade Poland. Alina experiences the devastation of the war and the descriptions are heart wrenching ....an absolutely emotional gut wrenching book to read.
The second story that is intertwined is the story of Alice who is a modern day mother of an autistic child who is married to a man who is not involved with the day to day care of the special needs child.
Each story on it's own was very good, but the way that the book flip-flopped between past and present left a little to be desired for me.I had some issues with the flow of the book and story.

WWII-era novels are some of my favorite books to read, so I was excited to check out this book. I found it quite slow to get into, but it did become a bit more engaging as the story unfolded.

The story takes place in both Nazi-occupied Poland in the 1930s and present-day America. This is an emotional read, and the characters, in general, are well-crafted. I enjoyed the fact that one character had a son with autism, as I don’t think I’ve ever read that in a book of this genre. His mother, Eddie, was my favorite character. However, some parts of the story were a bit unrealistic or predictable. Even so, fans of WWII stories will likely enjoy this book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

Kelly Rimmer has written a captivating book. It switches back and forth from modern day to WWII. Alice is dispatched to Poland to unravel a family mystery. Along the way her family learns how to cope with the individual needs of each of her children and she learns to release her grip on her younger. Child's care. It's an engrossing read. I could barely tear myself away from reading it.

I have read many WWII historical fiction novels. You would think that, they would get old or they would become the 'same ole story'. This book proves that nothing could be further from the truth.

It is told in two different timelines and boy, are they both wonderfully told.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin - Graydon House Books for this advanced readers copy.

Alina and Alice are both on an emotional journey. Alina in Poland was struggling to survive in WW 2. I loved her story. I also enjoyed Alice’s story of finding herself when juggling the needs of her family. This book was amazing. The surprises throughout the story of Alina kept me hooked. I. Connected with Alice and her relationship with her grandmother. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

What a book! I've never read a book with a character on the autistic spectrum and it was so interesting to see a little light shine on the life of the parents and siblings of a child with autism. Though this is historical fiction, in a sense, it flopped back and forth between a past and present - the Nazi's invasion of Poland, and her descendents.
Thought at first I wasn't sure how I would like this book (I've read a lot of time-hopping books lately) it was a good read! I enjoyed the writer's voice and the innocence portrayed through the 17 year old.
Though I put the book down to do "real life" things, my mind kept returning to this story and wondered what would happen! I enjoyed this immensely.

4.5 Stars. I absolutely love historical fiction, especially centered around WWII and this novel was quite incredible. Alternating between Alice in current day and her grandmother Alina during wartime in occupied Poland, the story centered around their relationship and Alice gradually learning about what her grandmother went through during the war. There was so much insight in this novel about what the citizens of Poland went through during the occupation by the Germans and how brutal it was. The love story that centered throughout the book was just beautiful and heartbreaking. I think this book beautifully covered a lot of lessons about how tough, but also amazing and fragile life can be, so you should always hold on to hope. Thank you to Netgalley and Graydon House for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer was one of my favorite books I have read about World War II and the Nazis. All my emotions were working on overdrive as I read this book. Once I started it I found it hard to put down. Kelly Rimmer brought to life the struggles and anguish the Polish families living in Poland during the course of the Nazi invasion had to endure. I have read so many books about the Holocaust and the cruelties the Jewish people, gays and gypsies faced in the camps but I was disturbed at how little I knew about how the Nazis treated the Poles.

The Things We Cannot Say alternated between present day Florida in the United States and Trzebinia, Poland during the Nazi invasion of Poland. Alice, a wife, mother, daughter and granddaughter was visiting her Babcia (grandmother in Polish) in present day Florida. Alice’s 95 year old Babcia had recently had a stroke that had left her unable to speak. Alice went to the hospital with her seven-year-old autistic son Eddie (Edison). Eddie was non-verbal and used a program on his I-pad that helped him communicate with others. Babcia knew that she did not have a lot of time left before she would die and she had a very important request for Alice to do for her. As Eddie snuggled next to his Babcia she took his I-pad and with much frustration and repetitive tries finally was successful in making Alice understand what she wanted her to do for her. Babcia’s dying wish was for Alice to travel to Trzebinia, Poland.

Alina Dziak was a young fifteen year old girl living in Trzebinia, Poland during the Nazi invasion with her parents, twin brothers and her older sister and her husband. Alina and Tomasz were more than best friends. He was her soulmate and she was his. Living in the same village they met when she was nine years old but she had known since then that she would marry him someday. Even when Tomasz went to Warsaw before the Nazi invasion to study medicine she knew he would come back to her. Then the Nazis invaded Poland. Alina’s world was changed drastically. On the day of the invasion, the Nazis brutally killed the mayor of her village and Tomasz’s father, the doctor for her village as she stood there with the people of her village and her family and witnessed the cold hearted cruelty. Alina’s twin brothers were ordered to leave their home and family and were sent to work in Germany. Her family later learned of both of their deaths. Dreaming and hoping for Tomasz’s return was the one thing that forced Alina to live and go on with her life as it was. Alice’s and Alina’s stories come together when Alice decides to travel to Poland to grant her Babcia’s dying wish. Alina’s and Tomasz’s story was one of ultimate love for one another, bravery and sacrifice. Their love for each other was beautiful and pure as was Alice’s love for her Babcia.

This is the first book I have read by Kelly Rimmer but it will not be my last. Her style of writing allowed my to see and feel every part of this story. As I already stated, this is one of my all time favorite books of this genre I have read in a long time.. I cried and smiled throughout the book. If you are looking for a book about love, bravery, resilience, devastation and perseverance then this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Graydon House and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read The Things We Cannot Say. All the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

When I worked as a school librarian, there were always some books that I knew some high school kiddos just had to read. These books showed people living extraordinary lives even though they viewed themselves as so very ordinary, perhaps even lacking in character and courage. The Things We Cannot Say is just one of those books. It also is one that I would have circulated with a package of tissues since tears are inevitable.

Rimmer's novel alternates between Poland during WWII and contemporary America. The thread that connects the two is Alina. Growing up the adored youngest child of a poor Polish family, she is sheltered and coddled and finds love with Tomasc, a young man determined to become a doctor. The German occupation alters their plans and distorts every aspect of their lives. For Alina and her family keeping their heads down and obeying the rules appears to be a good plan. But, any reader of WWII history knows that there is no escaping the brutality that Nazi occupation brings to their daily lives. Tomasc, studying in Warsaw when the war begins, has far different problems but his daily life, even his survival, is unknown to Alina. Together their love allows a bravery and perseverance that few can imagine.

In contemporary America, Alice masters the art of juggling mother. Her husband does not always understand her devotion to their children; their daughter is too intelligent to have an easy, normal childhood; their son is nonverbal autistic with demanding, non-negotiable routines. With all of these emotional weights, Alice's grandmother, Babcia, suffers a stroke and begins to assert what initially appears to be a ridiculous request - Alice must go to Poland. So much had been unsaid and now Babcia's yearning for truth is almost palpable. How can Alice possibly go? How can her family manage? Alice doesn't really know what her grandmother wants only that she must try to bring answers.

The title, The Things We Cannot Say, is really appropriate here. For many of the "greatest generation," not talking about pain and fear and loss was a way of life. This book reveals strength in unlikely places, bravery in terrified souls, and fortitude in the very young. Ordinary people can act morally and make a difference - exactly what I wanted my students to learn about themselves.

I received this book "The Things We Cannot Say" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. This is a long book but an excellent one! I've been starting to read historical fiction. The story takes you to Poland during WWII and modern day today. It has many emotional moments. Loved Edison! It is truly heartbreaking that people had to go through what they went through during the war. I often wonder what my relatives went through over there. My grandfather came to America before the war but I'm sure there were relatives back in Poland. Amazing story - stick with it as it is a long one to read.

“The Things We Cannot Say” by Kelly Rimmer tells the story of a young Polish woman, Alina Dziak who has loved Tomasz Slaxki since forever and they are determined to marry one day. Until the Nazi’s invaded, that is. Tomasz reluctantly joins the Nazi’s to keep himself from being transported to a forced labor camp. However, he becomes totally disillusioned and runs from the Nazi army to join the resistance forces. He returns to Alina while helping a Jewish family escape. The family is discovered and the wife and baby are murdered. Saul, the father survives, but Tomasz is apprehended.

The Russian army defeats the Nazis in Poland and Alina and Saul are housed in a Russian camp. Alina discovers that she is pregnant and is married in this camp before coming to America. What happened next is the story of a lifetime of secrets…secrets that are at last uncovered.

I found this book to be difficult to read at times. Man’s inhumanity to man is never understandable, but during this period in history, it seems to be overpowering. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.com and was under no obligation to post a review.

Beautiful novel bringing together the past and the present. You meet 2 main characters with 2 different lives from different eras whose lives interwine: Alina, a young woman smitten with her love, Tomasz, during the awful times of the Hitler's reign and Alice, a mother of 2 children, who is dealing with challenges of figuring out what her family is trying to communicate to her non-verbally. Both Alina and Alice learn alot about themselves and overcoming obstacles that both ladies though they could otherwise. Kelly's book is well written and got me hooked! Was able to finish it in a few days. I would re-read the book in a heartbeat and would definitely recommend it to anyone!

I love WWII historical fiction and this book is one of my favorites. The story includes two time lines. One of the main characters is Alina. She is a Polish Catholic teen who is in love with her Jewish boyfriend, Tomasz. Like his father, he is studying to be a physician. The time line is the beginning and the duration of the Polish invasion by the Natzis during the war.
The more current character is Alina’s granddaughter, Alice. Alice and Alina share a special grandmother and granddaughter bond. Alina is in her 90’s and is unwell. She has kept a family secret her entire adult life and now is requesting that Alice help her to bring closure to her unanswered questions about Tomasz and to finally reveal what really happened during the war.
I really loved Alina’s life story and her character was very believeable. I did not think there was anything new to read about the horrors of the Natzi invasion and occupation but I was wrong. This book focuses on the non Jewish Polish community, who also suffered and were starved and abused. Their empathy and compassion towards their Jewish neighbors and the risks taken to help them had me on the edge of my seat many times. I enjoy multigenerational historical books and this one is a five star from me. Alina and Alice’s story made the story very personal and emotional.
I received an ARC of the book from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

The Things We Cannot Say, by Kelly Rimmer, is a book that not only has beautiful, but realistic prose, but touched me to my very core. It's the rare book that had me racing to finish, but already missing it before I'd even turned to the last page. It's a rare book that can draw you into the past, but also believably represent the present. This is so much more than a book about the Holocaust, or about autism, about WWII or about today. It's about family, who we are, and who we can become when all is threatened or we feel it's lost. I promise you this book will be one that is on all bestseller charts. Read it as soon as you can. You can thank me later.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Graydon House for an advance copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

I must admit this book started off slow for me. In learning about Alice and her family struggles, I thought too much time was spent detailing life with her son Edison. (Not going to give spoilers). However once Alice is on her Grandmother's quest, the story really does come together. I did feel that Alina was a weak character, perhaps intentionally written that way, as throughout the story she is most likely to say 'no' rather than 'yes', and at some times it does become annoying. For me the best part was the very ending - even though the outcome is obvious, the way it is handled at the very end of the story is wonderfully poignant.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next by Kelly Rimmer.

This book gave me All The Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale in its plot but add its own unique experience. Very seldom do I find a WW2 fiction based on Polish people. The reading experience was a eye opening not just by the history but also with what the main character deals with her in daily life.

“The Things We Cannot Say” is an utterly lovely novel.

Alina, a young Polish girl, dreams of a life where she and her best friend, Tomasz, will one day be together. But when the Nazis arrived, her hopes and dreams are threatened.

Although the story has more of a romantic air than what I’d normally read, it feels like (historically speaking) that author did her research. I love historical fiction that bounces back and forth in time.

This is a must read for fans of historical fiction!

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC!

I received an ARC of this book from netgalley.com.

This book has gutted me. I read a lot of historical fiction, but the devastation in this book has torn a new hole in my heart. This book shows what love can be between lovers and between family members. The POV goes between a modern mom with a 7 year old on the autism spectrum and her grandmother as a young woman in Poland. One of the best reads of 2019 for sure.

“The Things We Cannot Say” was an absolutely beautiful book. The book masterfully weaves together the story of Alina, Tomasz, and their families during the Nazi Occupation of Poland with Alice, Alina’s great-granddaughter, her family, and their lives in current times. I must say I was initially hesitant to read it, fearing it would be overly depressing in its depiction of the tragedy of World War II. And while the book, to its credit, does not gloss over the horrors of World War II, the story and its characters were infused with a strength and goodness that kept it far from depressing. It was instead filled with hope, tenderness, and determination. You will finish the book astounded at the dignity and courage of those fighting for survival and meaning in the darkest times. You will also be left with the realization that dark times, whatever form they take, do not necessarily destroy the goodness of those struggling through them but rather that goodness and grace may be what ends up shining the brightest on the other side of those dark times. That realization is a gift from the author and one of the many reasons this book is a treasure not to be missed. I was privileged to receive an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher, Greydon House in exchange for an honest review.