Go grab a box of tissues because this is an emotional ride. I had to put it down many times because it is so gut wrenching. The letters that are written to her daughter about her are so touching. Thank you to author Laura Pearson, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc of this book.

This book has great heart. At first I wondered how it would take an entire book to tell the story but I got involved in the story and the characters. The story centers on 22 year old Jess and her battle with cancer. Jess a new mom and single faces not only her own feelings but those of the significant people in her life. She pens a series of letters to her daughter Edie and those letters fill in the history of Jess's story and the inner workings of Jess's mind.
Definitely worth a read to spend time with Jess on her journey.
I received an early copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book "I Wanted You to Know" and all opinions expressed are my own. This is a sad story of a mom writing letters to her daughter because she is dying. Yes, very sad situation but something just didn't click for me. Overall okay.

A heartbreaking story. I read this book when it was first released in 2019 and even though it was sad it was a beautifully written story that really moved me from the beginning and was well worth another read..Jess's journey is one we can all relate to as its something that can happen to anyone and its told in a very clever way. Tissues are needed as it's a very moving novel.

Oh my goodness. If I were Edie (less than one year old) with a Mum with breast cancer, I would be so thankful for the letters that her mother (Jess) wrote to her. I kept thinking that even though Edie's mum had cancer, she was so lucky to have such a special mum.

This is the best, most well written, most heartbreaking book I have ever read. And I recommend it highly. The thought that I kept having though ... I know two women who lost their mothers (cancer and brain tumor) when they were around the 6th grade. I'm not sure that I have the guts to recommend it to them.

I rarely, rarely cry when I read books. I ugly cried ... had to take a shower. This one got me. I will have a hold on my heart forever. Read it. If I could vote for one book as the best book in 2023, this would be my choice. Thank you - Laura Pearson - for writing it.

This will definitely be a book club book; one to discuss and talk about.

Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to (yet once again) a "new to me" author. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Boldwood Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review. Publication date was 10 Oct 2023.

What a great book! Laura Pearson delivers an emotional story on a very sad topic but does it in a way that emphasizes and focuses on the strength of family. I loved how the support system of the main character was both family of birth and family of choice. This was a truly beautiful book. Thank you #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read I Wanted You To Know by Laura Pearson. This is one of the saddest books I've read in a long time. Overall, it is a well written book and you can tell through the author's writing that she has lived through cancer herself. I had a hard time with one part of the book and unfortunately, it's a large part of the story. The relationship between the Caroline and Jess (mother and daughter). It just made no sense to me. and irked me. They said they were close and how wonderful their relationship was growing up yet, they didn't treat each other very well. Their interactions with each other upset me. I loved Jess's best friend, Gemma and Edie's biological dad, Jake. Those two were the only real, believable characters in this story. I sorry I can't say anything more positive since I've read other books by this author and enjoyed the.

What an emotional story that really tugs at your heartstrings.
Thanks for the opportunity to read & review it.

Do you have a movie that you watch when you really need a good cry? For me it's the movie Stepmom with Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts from 1998. I am definitely dating myself here but I stand by this amazing movie and highly recommend it if you’re looking to get rid of those tears.

I Wanted You to Know is the perfect tear cleanser in book form. It is probably one of the more sad books I have read, but also one of the most impactful. I finished it two days ago and have been unable to stop thinking about Jess. Jess has cancer and is a new mother and is very young. She doesn’t know what to do and starts writing letters to her young daughter, Edie. This book made me cry and left me with so many thoughts.

It really made me think about how precious life is and how stupid it is to get lost in the mundane b.s. we all struggle with from time to time. It made me think about holding the people I love close. It also really made me think about my cousin Jess, who I lost to cancer a few years ago.

This book is for everyone because we all know someone that has been impacted by cancer. There is so much strength in the characters in this story and I really recommend you read it.

4.5 stars

Also, I highly recommend The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. Another book by Pearson that is amazing.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted You To Know is the story of a young woman gets pregnant in college, breaks up with her boyfriend, and learns that she has cancer. She begins to write letters to her newborn daughter in case she doesn't survive. I knew it would be a sad book, but expected it to be more hopeful and touching. There is a little of that, but overall the book seemed depressing and full of negatives. It fell short of what I was expecting or hoping it to be.

I was in doubt if I wanted to read a book about cancer, seeing my husband has it. I gave it a try and ,didnt regret it. Its a heartbreaking story that happens in real life. Jess, a typical young 21 yr old single woman with a baby in her womb. She is diagnosed with breast cancer.
A powerful insight of a cancer patients emotions as she is facing the hardest challenge of all, a child who she won't see grow up.
What better way for her child to know her mother, through her own words and emotions that this cancer is bringing . Jess also finds some truths why Jake, her ex boyfreind lost touch with her.
Here you find a story where loyalty of freindship and family sticks through the good and the bad.
I got teary eyed in some chapters , and couldnt put the book down. A sensitive poignant view from the patient herself, it grips you to the end.
Thank you AGORA Books and NetGalley for this ARC,in return for my own opinion and review.

A brave, emotional, powerful and tough read, but a story that needs to be shared and so well written.

Jess is an incredibly brave young lady, and not just because she is facing a cancer battle, but also because she is a single-mother, fighting to provide for her daughter, Edie, as best as she can.

Yes there is anger, pain and hurt, but throughout the battle, Jess conducts herself calmly and kindly, allowing herself to look at situations from others points of view.

The chapters alternate in telling the story and with letters to Edie, telling her all those things Jess wants her to know.

This book had me sobbing at several points, but particularly the poignancy and bravery of saying goodbye to those you love. The authors notes at the front also add a lump to your throat. It took me several days to read as I spread out the emotion. Truly a story of the importance of friendships, love and family, in whatever form. I finished reading it, thinking how lucky I am and wanting to hold my loved ones a bit closer.

Good grief. Literally.
There is so much to talk about in this book. So many elements to consider. Jess has terminal brest cancer, and her daughter Edie hasn't even turned 1 yet.
Jess has to navigate her declining health, whilst ensuring Edie's future without her. This is no fluffy, feel-good book. It is unflinching, and brutally honest in it's dealing with the topic. Pearson has thought of every consideration someone in Jess' position would have to make, and it is raw and painful, but beautifully tender too. I thought that Pearson would have to know someone going through this, because there is so much reality in there.
Jess writes letters to Edie, to explain about life and love, and so Edie will know what kind of a person and mother Jess is. These letters are heart-breaking and wonderful, and I shed more than a few tears reading them.
I loved it, but keep those tissues nearby.

Beautiful. Jess has just given birth; she young; recently broken up with her partner Eddie and is living with her mum. Jess receives some devastating news that changes all their lives. This is the sorry of the love letters Jess writes to her daughter Edie; intertwined with the story of how Jess navigates her imminent death.

Oh Boy! A raw emotional, poignant read that left me reeling. This is the story of twenty-one year old Jess and her daughter Edie. Like her mother before her, Jess is bringing up her baby alone, the father nowhere to be seen. When Edie is a few weeks old Jess finds a lump and discovers the horrifying news that its breast cancer. Alternate chapters are Jess’s letters to Edie telling her about her childhood, her father, her friends and how she got to the point in life where she gave birth.

This is obviously an emotional read but it's also so much more. We all have difficulties in life of varying degrees and maybe we can all draw strength from such a tragic story. It's raw and a no holds-barred read ,but it's also about positivity in the face of adversity of the very worst kind and dealing with the little things that matter the most. It’s one of the saddest books I’ve read and found myself saying “ oh no” a few times, so invested was I in the characters. I read this in a single sitting, I knew what the ending was likely to be but had to find out the whole story. It’s heart breaking, it’s ground breaking perhaps. Powerful, emotional, thought provoking and beautifully written. A truly memorable read.

For more reviews please follow me on Twitter or Threads @nickisbookblog

(amazon posted- misfits farm)

--------------------------

EXCERPT: Jess climbed into bed and held the phone in place with her shoulder while she lifted Edie to her breast. 'A year ago, I was getting pissed at student nights and trying to drag myself into uni with a hangover. And now I have a baby and I have cancer. How the hell did that happen?'

ABOUT 'I WANTED YOU TO KNOW': When Jess gives birth to Edie, it’s the happiest day of her life. She knows, from the moment her little girl’s hand grasps her finger, that her daughter owns her heart, completely and utterly. And even though Edie’s father has left them, and single motherhood isn’t easy, her beautiful, innocent child brings her untold joy. But then Jess receives a diagnosis that changes everything. Edie’s life – that is just beginning – is interrupted by worried looks, heavy conversations. And Jess must face the possibility of leaving her daughter to grow up without her. Propelled by a ticking clock, Jess knows what she has to do. She begins to put pen to paper, to tell her daughter everything she might need to know. How to love, how to lose, how to forgive, and, most importantly, how to live when you never know how long you have…

MY THOUGHTS: This is one of the most heartbreaking books I have ever read, definitely not recommended for reading in public, but it is also full of the true joys of life. I cried. I smiled. I smiled through my tears. I now feel totally emotionally wrung out and exhausted, but in the best possible way.

Laura Pearson reminds us of what is truly important in our lives, and it's not material possessions. It is friendship and love and family. She has written characters with amazing reserves of strength and compassion, though they do have their 'wobbles' along the way, Jess's mum in particular.

Jess doesn't want Edie to not 'know' her and so writes her a series of letters about her life to be given to Edie when she is older. In doing so, she is forced to take an honest look at herself, her relationships, and to take responsibility for her mistakes and rash judgements. It's not always easy to like Jess. She holds onto grudges and can be very judgmental. But she loves her baby daughter and wants to do her best for her in what little time she has.

The writing is beautiful. Just when I though my heart couldn't take any more, Laura Pearson would change tack and give me a joyous moment to hold onto.

I unreservedly recommend this book which I read in under 24 hours. Warning: You will need copious amounts of tissues. 🥲🥹😢😭🥹

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

#IWantedYouToKnow #NetGalley

Publication Date October 10 2023

THE AUTHOR: Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of I Wanted You To Know by Laura Pearson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This book broke my heart but warmed it up at the same time. Jess is a 21 year old new Mom to baby Edie when she finds out she has cancer. How could she have cancer when she just had a gorgeous baby girl and she has plans. Jake is the love of her life but he had aspirations to play in a band and Jess didn’t want to hold him back from that so she left him go and decided to raise their baby alone. Through this book we go through the emotions of Caroline, Jess’s mom who is losing her only child, her best friend in the world Gemma, and Jess herself as she comes to terms with the fact that her life is coming to an end. Jess writes letters to her daughter with life lessons and stories about herself. She asked Gemma to give these to her daughter when she is old enough. I felt for Caroline in this book as a mother losing her child, and Jess as a young mother saying goodbye to her baby. I loved seeing the love and support that poured from this book and it really touched my heart. It’s this is not a feel good happy book because of the sad subject matter, but I still came away with a feeling of love and hope. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book.

A beautifully written, emotional story and a great reminder that we should enjoy our lives and do everything that is important .
Thank-you to Netgalley and Boldwood for this ARC . This is my honest review.

Wow, just wow! This is an amazing book and not read anything like this before. Such a moving and emotional book written with such passion.

Heartbreaking. Poignant. Brilliantly written. Magnificent.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!