This is a beautiful story about two people who were destined to meet. They bring out the best in each other and overcome so many obstacles to be together and really see the other for what they are.
The story was slow moving at times, but it is beautifully written and really makes you feel for these characters.

What a charming story, I loved it !
The characters are so skilfully painted and the setting is just perfect (speaking as a Gloucestershire farmer’s daughter!!)
I loved the way each chapter ended with ‘the things I know’
I look forward to reading more of this author

Amanda's books never disappoint and this was up there as one of her best in my opinion. Loved the main characters and their extended families. In places this was quite a sad story but in others it filled me with hope that everything would turn out OK for the couple. Loved Buddy and the chickens too. I would love a sequel to follow this little family. This is a story that will stay with me for some time and I highly recommend it.

At the start this book the reader is introduced to Thomasina, who is known as Hitch. She lives a sheltered life with her parents, who have cossetted her due to her physical appearance, on their farm.

She is kept busy running the Bed and Breakfast business but secretly dreams of a life away from the farm and away from her suffocating parents. When her brother John get a job in America, Hitch fears that her dreams are slipping away and with her hens for company she reluctantly accepts her fate.

Little does Hitch know that a booking at the B&B for a Mr Grayson Potts will develop into an unlikely friendship between the two of them.

This is a beautiful book about love, friendship and looks at life outside “the norm. The words flow from the page, encouraging you to keep reading – Amanda Prowse really is a wizard when it comes to creating magical stories that draw you in.

The Things I Know tells the story of Thomasina (Hitch) Waycott who has always lived life on the outside due to terrible bullying aimed at her physical appearance. She is resigned to her lonely life with her chickens on the family farm when she meets Grayson Potts. Now all the things she’s always wished for could come true if she can just let herself fall.

Whilst it’s not my favourite from Amanda Prowse as it’s quite slow and predictable, it is still a solid romantic read.

I enjoyed this book, it’s an unusual, refreshing tale of two lonely people who have suffered all their lives because they do not fit in with the ‘norm’. The bullying and abuse they have been subjected to as they grow up seriously affects them as adults, but when they find each other, the world begins to make more sense. Thomasina and Grayson are both hampered in their progression through life by over controlling parents, though both in very different ways. The author highlights how this affects their adult children, even when in Thomasina’s case, it is rooted in the best of intentions and deep love.
The graphic descriptions of farming where the farmers are only just surviving, provide an insight into their hard and unrelenting working life. It made this reader marvel that anyone would wish to be a farmer now.
At times the story is unutterably sad, as the limitations of Thomasina’s lonely and narrow life are explored. The narrative did dip somewhat in the middle, where the two lovers seemed to reach an impasse. However all was resolved in the end, possibly just a bit too improbably neatly, hence four stars. All in all, a feel-good story, well written, which I would recommend. I will look out for more of this author’s work.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

Loved my first book by Amanda Prowse. Engaging story of two somewhat misfits and how they changed each other’s lives for the better.

This story about a young woman and a guy who both have unique differences that set them apart from the rest of the world was a breath of fresh air.

Thomasina lives a sheltered life on the family farm. Grayson lives with his alcoholic mother in a tiny, cheerless London apartment. Their meeting is almost by accident, but the two feel an immediate connection. Because of their unique differences, both have been bullied. Neither has much experience making friends.

Initially, I found the writing charming. Each chapter ends with Thomasina listing things she knows (hence the book title). Grayson's answers to questions and observations often were blunt . . . always the truth. Thomasina was straightforward with her frustrations.

But then the dialog got strange.

As the story progressed and the pair spent more time together, their dialog became increasingly far-fetched, to me. Both seem a little too self-aware and entirely comfortable talking, at length and in specific detail, about their grievances. I'm not entirely sure how true-to-life that would be.

The novel's ending did not come as a surprise to me. Overall, I considered this a positive experience.

Thomasina Waycott has had her fair share of adversity. She has been ridiculed because of her looks. She lives with her parents ion the farm that they operate, but she longs to have her own life. To be on her own, to fall in love. There are what she dreams of. When Grayson Potts comes to stay on the farm she finds someone that she can confide in. They both know what it is like to not be like others. Grayson's life is in London, and Thomasina is anchored to the farm.
This was a beautiful story about finding the confidence to follow your dreams and having hope. I had never read anything by Amanda Prowse before, but I certainly will read more.

Sometimes a book just touches your heart and The Things I know by Amanda Prowse was one of them. Thomasina (Hitch) Waycott lived and worked on her family farm and loved it, but there were so many other things she wanted to try to do, especially travelling. However, her parents were always very overprotective of her because she had been born with several disabilities, including a cleft palate and limb deformities. She was also told she had learning disabilities, although she didn't feel that was the case. She never thought she could travel by herself, find love or have a family.

Then a gentleman guest came to visit the family farm/B&B and completely changed her outlook on life, making her determined to change her fate and try new things...and take a chance on love. A lovely story by a wonderful author who never disappoints! Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thomasina (Hitch) loves living & working on her family's remote farm & B & B. She knows she is different from other girls with her damaged foot & damaged face, but that doesn't stop her wanting the same as other girls- someone to love & a home of her own. Life changes when Grayson Potts comes to stay in the B & B & he is nothing like anyone she has ever met. He's eccentric, socially awkward & very kind.

I loved this story of the two lost souls who showed that the only opinions that really matter are the opinions of those who love you. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this lovely book.

A really sweet story which follows Thomasina's evolving from a timid, scarred young woman to a mature and confident woman woman who is finally able to love her for herself. I really felt like the reader got to feel the pain of her trials and tribulations while growing up, which made her transformation very heartwarming. I also liked the relationship that she had Grayson. I did find myself thinking many times that this setting was from years ago because all of the characters seemed so old fashioned, but that was not the case. So that made for a bit of disconnect in the novel. I also thought Thomasina's treatment by her family bordered on just a bit too harsh, which took a little bit away from the story for me. But overall a sweet story with a lovely main character that you will root for.

Another endless cycle of depressing and bleak conversation and plot. Started with a promise of great reading and quickly fizzled to the same old hamster wheel of a plot going nowhere and character not very like-able. This is of course my own opinion and may not be shared by others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed are absolutely my own.

I was happily surprised with this book. Did not think I would like it as much as I did. This is a new author for me but I will be adding her to my booklist.

Hitch lives on a rural farm and is very protected by her parents as she was born with many problems but all she wants to do is see the world.
Grayson is from the city and is sent to give a speech at a conference in the area of the farm. Grayson is "not perfect" either. He lives with an alcoholic mother who is very needy and would never let go of him.

Against all odds Hitch and Grayson see only the beauty and good in each other and try to overcome the hurdles in their way.

I would recommend this book. A very heartfelt story.

Firstly I would like to thank Amanda, Netgalley and the publisher for my free ARC.



These are the things I know -
Amanda has given the reader a wonderful protagonist called Hitch - well that is her nickname that she accepts, but her real name is Thomasina.
Hitch has been "left behind" by her brother.
Hitch wants to be in love.
Hitch would like to feel a sense of belonging instead of obligation.
Amanda gives Hitch a beautifully colourful journey.
You, dear Reader will be uplifted and delighted.
I highly recommend the new one from Amanda Prowse, a road full of hope and discovery on what looked to be a difficult journey.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Thomasina 'Hitch' loves her family, and working and living on the family farm. But like any young woman, she has dreams. She dreams of travelling the world, of falling in love, of having her own family, her own home...her own cake tins!

But she feels like an ugly duckling in a world of swans, due to a deformed lip, weak heart and crooked limbs, and feels opportunities everyone has are passing her by, that she will be stuck on the farm forever. Until Grayson Potts stays as B&B guest at the farm.

I loved Thomasina from the start - she is honest, loveable, kind to people and animals, and I wanted her to fulfil her dreams. I also related to Thomasina at times as I also have health problems, albeit "invisible illnesses" which I have felt have stopped me from achieving certain dreams.

I loved Thomasina's and Grayson's relationship, which felt heartwarming from the start. Both characters were warm and realistic and truly meant for each other - I hope Prowse can revisit both characters together in another novel?

The book was beautifully written and descriptions of the farm made me feel like I was there with Thomasina.

A perfect summer read which I struggled to put down at times!

*Book provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

I have loved Amanda Prowse’s book for years now and was really excited when I got the chance to read this book!

Thomasina has always been a bit different and special. She is used to her life on the farm, with her parents and welcoming guests into their B&B. Of course she also has dreams and wants to see the world.

One day Grayson Potts comes along as a guest and they instantly have a deep connection. Grayson has always been a bit different as well, and he is very sweet and kind. Is it too good to be true?!

Well, I think Amanda Prowse created two wonderful characters here and the atmosphere of the whole story is beautiful. It actually took me some time to properly get into it and I somehow struggled a bit with how the story progressed. It’ still a heart-warming book, but not my faveourite of her.

All in all, it was very moving and authentic. I just loved the two main characters together!

Rating: 4.5/5

Amanda Prowse is a wonderful author and her books never fail to please. The things I know is about a girl called Thomasina who lives and works on her parents' farm. Despite having a lovely name, everyone calls her Hitch, after the scar left behind when her cleft palate was fixed as a baby. In addition, she has a deformed hand and foot, none of which stop her from doing anything. Throughout her life people have had very little expectations for her and she has never been able to rise about the over protection, stifling affection of her parents. Hitch knows that no one thinks she can leave the farm and live on her own, hold down a proper job or anything that her family assumes her brother will do. But Hitch is not going to let anyone stop her dreaming of more. Even her cruel, thoughtless cousin Emery is not going to get the better of her. One morning a new guest arrives to stay at the family bed and breakfast, Grayson Potts. Grayson is also a little out of the ordinary, he says exactly what he thinks and feels and he and Thomasina find they can talk about anything, with a bond forming so fast, that neither wants to think about the fact he is only staying for two nights.

Amanda Prowse has once again tackled a difficult subject with incredible understand and empathy. Cruel Emery and kind Grayson show the reader the two opposing views of the way the world looks at individuals that don't fit societies version of 'normal'.. Emery is still, after many years, calling Thomasina cruel names that cut her so deep she is often too floored by the words to stand up to him. Then there's Grayson , who in his own beguiling way cannot see anything but beauty when he looks and talks to Thomasina and this reaction awakens something inside her that turns her whole world upside down. As a reader with a child who isn't neuro-typical I could not help but fall in love with this book. The Things I know shows the world that everyone has value and worth and that who you are and how you live your life, is far more important than what you look like on the outside.

Amanda Prowse always delivers heartwarming and engaging stories, including her latest book The Things I Know. Thomasina is a very different kind of main character and I loved everything about her. Thomasina meets Grayson and they are a perfectly imperfect couple, finding the strength in each other to stand up to those who treat them poorly or even bully them. They even give each other the courage to grow into their full potential as the adults they are meant to be. Thomasina, like many people in the real world finds comfort and companionship with animals to be much more satisfying than spending time with humans. Ms. Prowse is such a gifted author, her characters are so lovingly created that everyone can find bits and pieces of themselves on the pages. You feel real emotions, which is what great storytelling is about. Be careful where you read an Amanda Prowse book as I have been caught more than once sobbing on an airplane! I Highly recommend The Things I Know, along with anything else by Amanda Prowse.

This is the first book that I have read that was written by AManda Prowse, and I know I will be looking up her other books after falling into this story! I liked the unique way each chapter was closed by the main character making note of the things she knows.....and they are always unique to the chapter. Thomasina (Hitch) has learned a lot of hard lessons in her life due to the fact that she was born with “disabilities” that made her very self conscious, over-protected by her parents, and always feeling “less than” others. While helping her parents on their farm/bed and breakfast, she meets a young man named Grayson who has issues of his own that he has been living with. The two immediately find that they are kindred spirits, and the way that they learn and grow with each other is heartwarming. A few other characters throughout the story help to fill in details and give Thomasina and Grayson depth to their characters. The author brings the reader into the lives of the characters and makes us part of the story, with the happiness and sadness that goes with it. I received an ARc of this book in return for an honest review, which this has been. #TheThingsIKnow, #NetGalley