I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Thomasina is a young woman who knows many things. She knows that she was born with a variety of physical deformities, as if she were built from plans held upside down. She also knows that she has been bullied all of her life. On the positive side, she wants to be loved, have her own kitchen, travel, and lead a normal life.

When she meets Grayson, she finally realizes that she can not only be accepted, but be loved for her strong personality and character traits. She can be beautiful to someone. This gives her the strength to take her future into her own hands and be successful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

These are the things I know...

I know my name is Thomasina "Hitch" Waycott.

I know I'm not like everyone else.

I know I was born a little bit different, like someone held the instructions upside down or lost a part when they opened the box.

I also know that words are powerful things and they have weight.

I know certain words have sat in my stomach for as long as I can remember and weigh so much that when I'm in a crowd or I meet someone new they pull my shoulders down and my head hang forward so I can only look at the floor.

Tard.

Fuckwit

Rabbitmouth

I know I want to see other countries.

I know I want to go to New York

I know I want a boyfriend

I know I want my own kitchen

I know I want to paint my nails instead of having them caked in mud.

I know I want to own clothes that are pretty

I know I want to own sparkly red shoes that I will never get to wear but I can look at whenever I want

What I don't know is just how different I am and I also don't know how I can find this out.

And I know that some days I'm happy and others days I m sad, but that's the same for everyone, isn't it?

I found some things out myself reading this. I know that I love the way the English have words, My lovely, bloody useless, I am in a bit of row, arse, and the list can go on. Thomasina lives on an English farm/bed and breakfast with her parents. Thomasina is different as she was borne with defects that affect her looks. How much do we perceive others in how they look and even how they act when we don't know the whole story? In reading about Thomasina and her family you right away see a real connection. Life is hard but happiness is paramount. Thomasina is happy for her brother has he is chasing his dreams in the United States. However, she can't help but feel that her own life has no purpose. No life. Her parents have always protected her when it has come to her disabilities but they missed out innocently on what life really means.

I found that I know that to live you must take risks. Every good story has a foe and Thomasina's foe is her cousin Emery. He has tortured her with words that are hurtful and harmful while maintaining a working relationship with her parents. How does Thomasina get past the life sucking words of Emery to a confidence that will give her life. She has her chickens that she calls the girls, and her faithful dog, but what she doesn't have is a boyfriend or even a good girl friend.

I found that when someone believes in you, your whole life can change. Grayson has his own prison walls. A promise he made to his father as left him to care for his alcoholic mother. When Grayson stays at Thomasina's bed and breakfast, their differences to everyone else becomes what attracts them to each other. Grayson sees beautiful in Thomasina and Thomasina sees faithful in Grayson. Their coming together answers the question what love is.

The narration is engaging has your are captivated by Thomasina. Her struggles, her victories and her passion for life. Life in the simplest forms of raising chickens, making mistakes, owning those mistakes and taking the plunge. I was sorry to see it end. Highly recommend.

A Special Thank You to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This story had me from the beginning. I loved the story about Thomasina (Hitch) Waycott and her struggle in life to be accepted. People made fun of her her entire life but she had a heart of gold. This is her story and it was fantastic.

Every book I have read by this author I have loved. She is an author that writes with so much passion you become apart of her books. So when The Things I Know by Amanda Prowse I just had to find a shady spot on my garden and open my kindle and read her book. Wow.......She did not disappoint.

I loved all the characters within this book and this book is my favourite so far.

BIG Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

Amanda Prowse captures Thomasina beautifully, from the descriptions of her physical differences to the traumatic way she has been treated and spoken to her whole life- by the community, the school bullies and to an extent her family, who try to shield her from hurt but effectively imprison her as a result.
When Grayson enters her life, quirks and all, the gentle unfurling of a friendship and then a blossoming romance keep you on the edge of your seat in a "will they- wont they- what is he playing at" way and the way his background story is revealed is so naturally interwoven into Thomasina's story that you feel that you know them both.
When Thomasina finally finds her voice I almost cheered out loud for her!
I loved every single word of this book!

I loved this book. There were so many great things about it. I loved that the characters were not "picture perfect". I loved that they were so real and human. I loved the honesty and the directness and how they had real life issues. I read the entire book in less than 2 days. I received a copy to read and review from Netgalley and I am lucky to have been able to read this ARC because it was just a breath of fresh air. I loved this book and would love to know more of what happens next. I want for Thomasina and Grayson to live happily ever after and I would love to be there when the story unrolls.

Hitch is one of my most favorite characters in a long time. A sweet story about love and hope. Belief and overcoming obstacles.

This was such a wonderful and inspirational read, and I totally fell in love with Thomasina, such a beautiful character, with a beautiful heart and incredible strength.

Amanda writes amazing stories straight from the heart and she gets you every single time.

An endearing feel good tale with almost old fashioned characters. Thomasina has physical disabilities and Grayson social ones but they find a way to overcome a lifetime of discrimination and fall in love. Sympathetically written about ordinary folk without the airs and graces so the reader can identify with the characters and empathise.. I have enjoyed Amanda's writing in the past and this book did not disappoint, in fact I think I have enjoyed this one the most.

I have read, and enjoyed, a number of Amanda's books in the past and whilst the story was involving and the characters interesting I have to admit that the nickname 'Hitch' really irked me from the very beginning. It felt like a bully name that would be used - not a term of endearment that family members would be using. Unfortunately for me it detracted from the story.

Another great read from Amanda Prowse.This is the story of Thomasina who lives and works on her parents farm.
She is a bit different from other people but still has hopes and wishes to be loved,see New York and own sparkly red shoes.
Grayson Potts comes to the farm as a paying guest and guess what?
Grayson is different as well but this doesn't stop them falling for each other.This shows that there is someone out there for everyone and no one should give up on their hopes and dreams.

A thought provoking and emotional book about a young woman starting to make changes to her life. I loved the evolution of Hitch / Thomasina and her relationships with her family and friends.

Mainly set on a farm in the West Country this novel celebrates what it means to be different, to never quite fit in and what it means to feel like an outsider. Both central characters fall into this category, Thomasina (Hitch) who lives on the farm with her family is physically disfigured with a cleft palate and what I presume is a club foot. These are things that have affected her throughout life so far,thwarting any ambition, rendering her unlovable in her eyes and with hardly any friends. Grayson Potts is also different in that he is highly intelligent but socially awkward and lives alone with his alcoholic mother in a tiny depressing flat in London from where he commutes daily to his job in banking. When these two individuals meet unexpectedly with Grayson staying in the farm’s B&B their lives start to take on new meaning. There is a strong moral message to this novel highlighting that it doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside it’s whats inside that truly matters and that we all have a valid place in this world despite our differences. In a world where people have become self obsessed and place huge importance on looking a certain way it is perhaps a timely reminder that we shouldn’t be so shallow, so unkind or so dismissive of people that don’t ‘fit’ the mould. The storyline itself is very simple in that the farm is failing to make money and the family is on the verge of selling out to the detested Buttermore clan. Can Thomasina see beyond her physical disabilities and realise her dreams and save the day alongside Grayson?? In a way this easy to read but rather twee novel reminded me of the tv serialisation ‘The Darling Buds of May’ as the city interloper, Grayson, quickly falls in love with country life and maybe Thomasina too? Both characters were extremely likeable and the setting added to the comforting nature of this novel. Perhaps country life was somewhat romanticised and of course the storyline was very predictable. Whilst a light, heartwarming read this was perhaps a little to syrupy sweet for my taste. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Amanda is a good storyteller. Telling a story from the point of view of someone with a disability is difficult at best but Amanda made it real as well as informative so that the reader can understand how someone with a disability might feel.
No matter who you are everyone is a human being and has feelings that can get hurt just as easily as anyone else intentional or not.

👍👍🙃💚🤗
A fantastic though heart-wrenching story. I must admit, I could not read it without pauses because the emotion Hitch/Thomasina's story evoked was just too much at times. Happiness with the small things in life like her beloved chickens and the glory of a sunrise; despair at the monotony and drudgery of her hard work on the farm; hurt and embarrassment due to her physical defects and those who constantly taunt her; love and concern for her protective, overworked parents; glorious dreams of travel and an independent life away from the farm; jealousy at her brother's ability to head off for foreign pastures; wonder at her connection with Grayson; crushing defeat as some of her hopes crumble; deep sorrow at the uncertain fate of the family homestead:
Thomasina moves through the gamut as a young woman at a crossroads, whether or not she wants to be there, and how she decides to handle it is moving and life affirming.

The romance is tempered with an all too realistic account of the routines and commitments that hold us back. I will admit it brought me to tears several times. Grayson, the paying guest who sees only the best in Thomasina, is another complex character who deserves better from his fellow man. He and Thomasina bring out the best, most adventurous part of each other. This is a haunting pair of characters who will stay with me. Superb writing too!😊

I read a complimentary copy of the book provided by Netgalley; this is my voluntary and honest review.

Having read and loved several of Amanda Prowse’s books I was so excited to have this and couldn’t wait to dive straight into this story.

“My name is Thomasina (Hitch). I know I’m not like everyone else” Hitch is living on her parents farm helping to run their B&B but dreams of travelling and falling in love. Growing up was difficult as she was called horrid names as she looks different from anyone else with her scarred lip and twisted foot. Children can be so cruel but sadly adults were as bad with their pitying looks and whispering.

Along comes Grayson who stays at her parents B&B, he also doesn’t seem comfortable with life, but is honest and does not lie. Their friendship/romance was so heartwarming, their love for each other so complete that they never noticed each other’s flaws. Made the saying “There’s someone out there for everyone” seem true and gives hope to any single people who doubt how they look.

I loved Thomasina, she has a heart of gold and has been through the mill. Just when she finds the perfect man for her, they have to find a way for them to be together when they live in different areas and have work commitments.

This was so beautifully written. You had me laughing and crying at the same time. I so wanted a happy ending for this couple, to find out you will have to read this wonderful book!!

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.

An enjoyable read in which the author very clearly describes all the characters in the story. I found it rather disappointing that the story was wound up so abruptly in the epilogue. It felt as though the author got bored with writing the story and chose to wrap things up quickly!

I have loved Amanda Prowse from her very first book Poppy day. She never fails to disappoint and this latest book is another winner. I do have to admit that I did find the beginning of this book a little slow and I did wonder if maybe I wasn't going to enjoy this book quite as much as I'd enjoyed others however once I got through the first few chapters it started to get under my skin and the pages were flying as I became immersed in Hitch's (Thomasina's) world.

This book covered so much from disfigurement to bullying to family's to divorce, forgiveness and love. It's so hard to know where to start with my review.

Thomasina, (I will refer to her by her real name as she doesn't want to be known by the name of Hitch) was born disfigured with a cleft pallet, a wonky foot and a heart condition, as if that wasn't enough she had a hand that didn't grip properly. I loved this character not for her disfigurements but for the person inside. She's dealt with bullying and that included the worst kind of bullying when it happened over a period of years at home and yes, that's got to her at times but she's a strong, resilient person that sets out to get what she wants.

When Thomasina meets Grayson there is an instant connection. We find out that he is not physically disfigured but he appears to have some kind of autism but the pair just connect and they are made for each other.

The path to love is far from smooth. Grayson has his demanding mother to consider, She just doesn't like Thomasina she dislikes the world and everyone in it. It takes courage for Grayson to step away and form a new life.

What I loved about this book was the minor characters also had a big part to play. Thomasina's mum want straight to my heart with her saying of, "Everything is going to be OK, I promise." This brought to me memories of my own mum who would say a similar thing to me. And I couldn't help but fall in love with the chickens. My heart broke for poor old Daphne.

Amanda portrays not just characters but people. The disabilities of the characters is not the focus of the story. The focus is the personalities behind the disabilities. The life struggles that each and everyone of us face. The struggle to fit in, in this world and the strength we need to find to keep on battling through.

This book made my laugh in places and almost cry in others. I could write about it all night but all I can say is this is a must read for any fan of true heartwarming fiction.

Review is posted on https://jayneanderson79.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-things-i-know-by-amanda-prowse.html

I really enjoyed this love story of Thomasina and Grayson. The author really pulled me into Thomasina’s heartache and sorrow. I found myself wanting to help her and be her friend. Grayson turned out to be just that friend. I so enjoyed this book. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review

Being a mother of a special needs child, when I first started this book all I could think was that I hoped to goodness that I wasn't doing to my child what Thomasina's mom was doing and had done to her. It hurt to read about how Thomasina felt and about some of the things that had gone on in her life. I had hope when Mr. Potts showed up and showed Thomasina that he didn't see all her "flaws" that he only saw a beautiful person that he could grow to care about. Mr. Potts is slightly different in his own right, but his "flaws" are more mental where Thomasina's are physical. Together, they build each other up and make each other feel loved and strong, but then life interferes again, they separate and it takes them a while to reconnect and find a new beginning. Although I liked this book, it felt rather drawn out to me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.