Member Reviews

This is a beautifully written and thought provoking book, which charts the journey of a young mum who discovers she has terminal breast cancer.

Young single mum Jess lives with her own mother and can’t believe that she is going to have to leave her own daughter before she turns a year old. With the help of her friend, her mother and then the love of her life Jess copes with her diagnosis and writes heartfelt letters to baby Edie telling her how much she is loved and to give her advice for the future.

The role of female friendship is very important in the book and dealing with illness, bereavement and family is dealt with so well, but at the same time not airbrushing over the difficult issues.

I would highly recommend this book and will definitely be reading others by the author.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

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I wanted you to know is simply a beautiful read. The blurb drew me in and the story lived up to the expectation, Once you pick it up you will want to read to the end.

This book will make you cry as Jess comes to terms with the fact that she isnt going to be able to see her beautiful baby grow up so sets about writing her a series of letters, a heartbreakingly beaughtiful read. Make sure you have tissues...plenty

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This book was beautifully written. I had a hard time finishing it because of the headspace I was already in, it was a little too sad for me. I did finish it though and am glad I did, but definitely if you are struggling with something really sad in your life right now, read with caution.
There was an honesty in this book that was really beautiful to see, and the characters made themselves real to me which is why it was such a sad book.

I was given a free advanced copy of this book from Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

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A list of things to bear in mind when you read Laura Pearson’s latest novel I Wanted You to Know.
1. You will need tissues
2. You need to make sure you don’t read it on public transport or when sat around a pool with others nearby
3. Be prepared to fall in love with the characters
4. Understand it will break your heart
5. And you really will need a LOT of tissues
When 21 year old single parent Jess is diagnosed with incurable breast cancer, she writes a series of letters for her baby, to make sure she ‘knows’ her Mummy, as well as making sure that her daughter will be loved and cared for.
I follow the author on social media and know she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the birth of her baby. I cannot imagine how hard this book must have been to write, but she is exactly the right person to do it. Her insight shines through.
A beautiful and really sad, yet somehow uplifting story of friendship and motherhood. Amazing!

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From the description I knew this was going to be an emotional read, but I didnt expect it to reduce me to tears . A sad story but so beautifully written. If you read only one more book, make it this one !
Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest review

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Oh my goodness, this book is so incredibly moving!

When 21 year old Jess is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she starts to writes letters to her baby, Edie, for her to read when she is older. Jess wants to make sure that Edie doesn’t miss out on having a mother’s love and wisdom as she grows up and wants to make sure that Edie understands her Mum’s relationship with Jake, Edie’s father. I was in bits - the thought of leaving your child behind and her so young, she wouldn’t remember you. Utterly heartbreaking.

This book is raw and written tenderly, portraying Jess as a very brave young woman.

As she becomes weaker, Jess depends on her Mum and her best friend, Gemma. Although they are both incredibly supportive to Jess and Edie, they are also dealing with their own grief, knowing they will lose Jess in time and this conflict between their need to support Jess and their need to manage their own grief is intense and, as a reader, I could physically feel their unimaginable pain.

Laura Pearson’s evocative writing is so compelling, it’s hard to put this book down and step away. It’s certainly a book that will stay with me for a very long time.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Laura Pearson and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

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🤰Incredibly sad but I could not stop reading!😭

I Wanted You To Know is a tour de force story of love and loss. It's probably the most heart-wrenching story I have ever read in my sixty+ years. And, yes, obviously there were tissues and tears, especially for the final chapters. I know sad endings don't appeal to many and I myself typically prefer an HEA. But Jess and her baby Edie's story, already introducing tragedy from the first chapter, is so superbly written that I had to keep reading even as the news got grimmer and Jess has to face her biggest fear: the sorrow of her infant daughter growing up without her.

In the span of just months this young mother goes through so much and yet making the best decisions and memories for Edie remains her central focus. Relationships and love are what this whole novel is about and Laura Pearson did a fantastic job provoking thought and emotions about mortality, life and the importance of parental love and friendship. In creating a special series of letters to be saved for Edie that lay bare Jess's love and hopes for her daughter, this young mother pours out on paper her own past and her dreams for the child she will never see grow up.

The characters are real, flawed human beings full of regret. But that's what makes this novel so great, that they never stop trying.

With highest recommendations I will be thinking and talking about this book. It's shattering but oh, so good!

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

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This book broke me! Such a heartbreaking storyline and it put everything into perspective. What matters the most in life is what matters when you are faced with no longer being around. I cried, I laughed and I was heartbroken. Thank you for the chance to review. I recommend that everyone reads this book!

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

As a mom with a chronic illness who has exhausted all available treatments and a beautiful 9 year old daughter this book absolutely crushed me.

It was a beautifully told story (make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy) and I especially loved reading all of the letters throughout the book.

This is a book that will stick with me forever.

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This book is a true testament to how one cannot take life for granted given how quickly it can be taken away and the greatest legacy you can leave behind is the love you gave to those around you. When Jess write those letters to Edie describing her relationship with Jake and what Edie will experience through life, you felt the unconditional love she had for her daughter. Jess was lucky in the sense that she found her great love and together they created a daughter. Even as she slipped away as your young body gave way to cancer, was thankful for those moments she got to spend with her mum and Gemma as well as her reconciliation with Jake. She knew and those around her also knew that they will always love and be loved by her.

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The chapters of I Wanted You to Know alternate between Jess, a young mother with breast cancer, and the letters she writes for her small daughter to have after she is gone. In doing so, Jess actually tells the love story of her time with Edie's father. This is a very touching, heart-rending story. Thanks to author Laura Pearson, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Thank you to Net Galley for my e-copy! This book has been on my to read list for over 2 years! This story follows Jess as a new mom raising her daughter with the help of her own mother, while she navigates terminal diagnosis. She write letters to her daughter to read when she is older about her life, experiences, lessons learned, etc. This story hits you in the heart as it’s so unfair to have to go through the battle of cancer, especially at a young age. This is the kind of story that sticks with you. 3.5 stars.

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This book is heartbreaking but spoke to me and had me thinking and being grateful for al I have. The love of a mother is undoubtedly one of the strongest but to know you will not be around to share your children's life is unimaginable.

Jess is barely 21 but is faced with the devastating news that she has breast cancer. As a single mother she has poured all her love into her daughter . With her life in balance she wants to let her daughter know all the things she wishes she could tell her if she had more time. Her letters to her daughter shares her thoughts on how to love, lose, forgive and to make the most of her life.

Cancer is the most horrible disease and one which most of us has been touched by. The devastation it causes has been beautifully portrayed in this book and the impact on those involved and their family and friends is immense.

The authors insight in this book is evident and it will definitely leave the reader with tears in their eyes and a firm resolve to not “sweat the small stuff !” Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this unforgettable book .

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Do not approach this book without tissues! I knew it would be heart breaking and thought I was prepared…I was not!

A beautiful, heart breaking and frank look at dying! Jess is 21 and a mother to baby Edie, when she gets heart breaking news. How will she cope being a mum and having cancer? How will she manage when the end comes?

Brilliant characters, and a heart breaking plot. Wonderfully written.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this novel, to be re-released on October 10, 2023. The opinions below are my own.

At 21 years old, Jess is just beginning her life as a single mom to an infant daughter, when she receives an earth-shattering cancer diagnosis. Realizing that her future will be brutally cut short, she begins to write letters to her child so that she will be more than simply a stranger in a photograph.

If you are looking for a book to fill that sad girl autumn aesthetic, look no further. Based on the premise alone, you know going in that there will be no happy ending to be found here.

However, this book did not destroy me emotionally in the way that I had anticipated. We first meet Jess as she is grimly given the news of her diagnosis. The novel is then told in a dual format: traditional third person present-day text alternating with first-person letters with flashbacks into her past. I think that this created a bit of emotional detachment for me as a reader. I believe if there had been a bit more character development leading up to the diagnosis, I would have had more of a foundation or connection to the MC. As it was, her past was slowly revealed through her intermittent letters and while it saddened and touched the empath in me, it was too little too late to elicit deep, strong emotion. I needed less telling and more showing. I seem to be an outlier in this opinion though (it’s me, hi, i’m the problem, it’s me!). My favorite scenes were the ones between Jess and her best friend, Gemma. Everyone should have a Gemma in their life; she was the real MVP.

I would recommend this book, especially for mothers and daughters. There is much to relate to regarding relationships and regrets. It serves as a reminder that life is precious and we shouldn’t wait to live our best lives. It also shows that, ultimately, love is the legacy we leave behind.

3.5 stars

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Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
I never guessed from the cover that I would cry while reading. Everything is for men, in between birth and death. But life is not just the same for everyone. Everyone has a level of drama but some people definitely go through more. This book is just like that. Cancer in a young person is like a hit through my heart, I loved the writing and the story building. But does it really had to be this much sad? I dont know.. Technically, the cover is lovely but a bit jolly for the story..

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Truly a gut wrenching read. I Wanted You to Know is the most emotional book I have ever read. I made the mistake of reading a few chapters at lunchtime while at work and had to stop. It made me so emotional. Beautifully written book of a young mother diagnosed with breast cancer-the letters that she wrote to her daughter broke my heart. Definitely recommend this book but be prepared with a box or two of tissues. This book will haunt me for a long time. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Laura Pearson. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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When an author writes from her heart she creates a novel but when she writes from the depths of her soul she creates a masterpiece and Laura has certainly done that with ' I wanted You to Know'.

From the moment I read the first page, I knew that this book was going to touch my heart. I could not stop the tears; not just one or two, but gut wrenching sobs from beginning to end, This book makes you realise how life is precious and how a mother's love for her child is eternal.

'I Wanted You to Know' tells the story of Jess who is 21 years old, a new mother, who has recently been diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. Jess writes letters to her daughter Edie about how to cope with life after she's gone. The story explores the dynamics betweenJess's friends and family and how they all help Jess be there for her daughter.

For me, this is by far the best book I've read this year.

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I absolutely loved this book — so many times tears were streaming down my face and it really made me realize that life can change and end at any moment — We all think we are going to live to be in our 90s but it just doesn’t happen for all of us.
A beautifully written —heartbreaking novel— I could connect to the story easily as this allowed me to see things from my mothers prospective as she went through a cancer scare when I was a young child. I could relate to Jess`s feelings towards her Father as well allowing me to connect more with the character. This book is a great reminder that we never know how long we have and 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.

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I must say that I cried my way through this book. At the end I sobbed!

I think that I was hoping that the end might be different, but It held my attention to the conclusion.

As a mother and a grandmother I felt every emotion Jess was feeling!

It is a very raw and emotional book about live, love and death.

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