You never know what’s really happening behind closed doors.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Caitlin Weave for this ARC.

Caitlin Weaver’s The Things We Never Say is a compelling and emotionally charged novel that delves into the complexities of family dynamics, the unspoken words that shape our relationships, and the delicate dance between love and loss. In this heartfelt exploration, Weaver paints a poignant portrait of two sisters, one struggling with grief and the other yearning for connection, as they navigate the tangled web of their shared history and hidden secrets.

Plot Overview:
The story centers around Emma and Ivy, two sisters who are forced to confront their past when their mother, Evelyn, is diagnosed with a terminal illness. The novel alternates between Emma’s and Ivy’s perspectives, offering readers a nuanced view of each character’s inner world. As the sisters return home to care for their mother, they find themselves confronting unresolved emotions, old wounds, and the deep-seated tensions that have been simmering beneath the surface for years.

At its core, The Things We Never Say is about the way we hold back parts of ourselves from the people we love. Emma and Ivy’s relationship is a poignant reflection of this, as they struggle with miscommunication, the weight of unspoken words, and the different ways they cope with grief and responsibility.

Writing Style:
Weaver’s writing is evocative and immersive, with an ability to capture the complexity of human emotions with authenticity and grace. The prose is lyrical without being overdone, and her keen understanding of familial bonds shines through in the small, intimate moments that she crafts between the characters. The alternating viewpoints of Emma and Ivy provide a multifaceted view of their relationship, offering a layered exploration of their internal conflicts and differing perceptions of their shared past.

Themes:
One of the novel’s most poignant themes is the idea of unspoken truths—the things we leave unsaid for fear of rejection, disappointment, or the inability to find the right words. Weaver examines how silence can be just as powerful as speech, how it can create distance or foster deeper understanding, depending on how it is handled. The story also touches on the themes of grief, forgiveness, and self-discovery, as both sisters work through their personal challenges while grappling with their mother’s impending death.

Another compelling aspect of the book is the examination of family roles. Emma and Ivy’s roles within their family have shifted over time—Emma is the caretaker, the responsible one, while Ivy has distanced herself emotionally. These dynamics form the backbone of their emotional growth throughout the novel, as they are forced to confront their past and redefine their relationship with each other and their mother.

Characters:
The characters in The Things We Never Say are richly developed, with complexities that feel both relatable and real. Emma, the elder sister, carries the weight of responsibility and often struggles with her role as the “adult” in the family. Her internal conflict is raw and relatable, as she navigates the difficulties of being the one to take charge while also dealing with her own sense of loss and guilt.

Ivy, the younger sister, offers a more emotionally distant perspective, struggling with her own fears of abandonment and inadequacy. She often feels overshadowed by Emma’s selflessness, and this creates a distance between them that is both heartbreaking and believable.

Their mother, Evelyn, is a character whose presence is felt throughout the novel, even though she is often physically absent. Her illness forces the family to reckon with the things that have been left unsaid for years, and her character is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of communication before it’s too late.

Final Thoughts:
The Things We Never Say is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page. Caitlin Weaver has crafted a story that is both tender and heartbreaking, capturing the nuances of family relationships with honesty and depth. The themes of grief, forgiveness, and the weight of unspoken words are universal, and the book offers a touching meditation on the importance of saying the things we often keep inside. For fans of literary fiction that explores family, love, and loss, this is a must-read.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

This book had me in a chokehold! Absolutely loved it can see it being a really popular book! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it, loved the way the story unfolded and was not at all predictable. Very satisfying ending too. Loved it and highly recommend.

Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver is a gripping novel that unravels through the perspectives of several women, each entwined in a web of secrets that surround their children’s school and the small community they share. Weaver skillfully layers these viewpoints, creating a rich tapestry of motives, fears, and hidden pasts, which keep the reader guessing about each woman’s true intentions and secrets.

The strength of the novel lies in Weaver’s ability to make each character’s perspective distinct and nuanced, allowing readers to become deeply invested in their individual journeys and the complex relationships they share. As the story progresses, the suspense intensifies, with buried secrets coming to light and tensions bubbling over in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways. The twists and turns lead to a climactic ending that satisfies both emotionally and narratively.

Things We Never Say is a testament to how secrets can bind people together yet also drive them apart. Weaver’s deft storytelling, combined with her sharp exploration of female relationships and social dynamics, makes this book an engrossing read. It’s a novel that balances suspense with heartfelt exploration, making it a must-read for fans of character-driven thrillers and domestic dramas alike.

This was so good. Every family has secrets and they're all coming to light. So well written. Loved the characters!

As a mom of two, I'm a fan of PTA whodunnit stories, so I jumped on Things We Never Say after reading the book's description. And let me tell you, Caitlin Weaver did not disappoint! From the rag-tag group of protagonists to the clever plot, Things We Never Say is one of my favorites for 2024 -- a must read!

BIG LITTLE LIES but make it 1000x more spectacular! I loved this so much and found myself thinking about this story whenever I wasn’t reading it. It’s told in alternating POVs which I loved!

I loved this story; I read like a movie or shows where you are on the edge of your seat. Three women who have more in common then they think, they all have secrets. But when they come together, they are stronger, it isn't until there is a scandal. As they try to figure out what the scandal is, secrets come out that can't be put back in a box. They have to come together for each other to save one, that will change their lives forever. This is a most read, you will not be disappointed, and it will make you believe in the power of women and what they can do.


Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of this story for my honest review.

this book was soooooo good and totally had me on edge the entire book. highly recommend work from caitlin weaver!!!!!

Brilliant. I loved it! Was gripped immediately! Highly recommend. It's really about women coming together to support each other through some terrible things. I found it inspiring and exhilarating. I adored this book. Read it in 2 days!

Three very different women are thrown together to work on an event committee for the private school that all of their children attend. Throughout working on this committee, they grow closer and start building a tentative friendship. Each woman is dealing with personal issues in their own lives, and they keep secrets from each other and from their families. Their secrets seem to pale in comparison, however, when they discover a scandal that could send shock waves throughout the community of their small private school. Will their own secrets overwhelm them, or will they band together to out the scandal, potentially ruining all of their lives?

Thank you to Caitlin Weaver, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for the early release copy of this book!

This book was phenomenal! This book is perfect for anyone looking for scandal, complicated family dynamics, and fully fleshed-out female characters. Caitlin Weaver is so good at creating compelling characters (especially with her female characters), and hits the nail on the head when writing about female friendships. I was so impressed with the unique story lines in this book, and how she wrote about sensitive, potentially triggering topics with nuance and respect for people who may have been affected by those topics. I had to speed-read the last 20% of this book because I had to know how it ended. Caitlin Weaver has quickly become an auto-read author for me, and I can't wait to read what she writes next!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️




✨ story of 3 mothers
✨ thriller
✨secrets and lies



⚠️ physical abuse



✨ if you are looking for a light airy read which is feel good afterwards? This book is definitely worth the read.

✨ Rhea,Maggie and Anna are the main highlight of the story. Mainly focusing on Anna, who suffered a lot from her husband (Jerry) . It gotten to the point that she wasn’t to leave the house despite of everything.
✨ her friends were supportive, investigating a whopping secrets that will make there bond even more great.


✨ story line was great. I felt very light after reading this and it wasn’t a heavy slow paced feeling.




✨ Thankyou @storm publishing g for the opportunity to have this arc for a honest review.





✨shaye.reads

Three women, with little in common other than where their children attend school, find themselves with proof of cover-up scheme. But what is the administration of this elite private school hiding? And who is involved?

Caitlin Weaver had me hooked from the beginning of Things We Never Say. I needed to know what was happening, who was involved, and the lengths these privledged people would go to to do what is right, or what they thing is right for them.

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I did not know entirely what to expect from this novel, but I found the premise extremely engaging and intriguing - I was really looking forward to reading it.

I am slightly disappointed to rate this book three stars, as I was expecting quite big things whilst beginning reading it. I liked the whole set up of a group of women knowing each other, and looking at the separate narrative strands throughout and how they became one as the time went on, but I just thought it was a bit too much for me. There were too many points of view, too many different narratives going on and I just found that I couldn't follow it as easily as I wanted to - I was getting confused with who was married to who and I just think it was an overload for me.

I normally do tend to find narratives with multiple strands overwhelming, so this isn't necessarily a critique of the book at all, just more my inability to follow when there's so much going on. This being said, the major narrative was captivating and I was left in shock as to what was revealed throughout the book. I think there was just a bit too much going on for it to be any more than a three star rating in my book.

This author has become another one that I am going to be keeping an eye out for any new books. I loved this book and couldn’t recommend it enough! Please pick up this book, it is brilliant and such a quick read as I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on September 27, 2024.

Things We Never Say is a great read. This book touches on some very sensitive subjects that maybe hard for some readers. Please read warning before reading this book. Your mental health matters.

This is a really great read. I really enjoyed the storyline, and the characters are written well. I think the author did a great job on making the story seem realistic. I was hooked from page one, and really didn't want to put this book down. This is the second book I've read from this author and I look forward to reading more!!

Loved this book . I couldnt put it down as I was interested in what was going to happen to the characters. The author has knocked it out of the ball park and I highly recommend.

THE HOOK/APPEAL: Moms. Scandals. Secrets. Friendships.

THE REVIEW: It had twists and a secret nougat center that will keep people's attention overall. It's about the core of needing honesty within relationships and what happens if that gets compromised.

THE RATING: Solid 4

A new to me author Caitlin Weaver has written a powerful novel of domestic suspense. This seems to be a popular genre recently or maybe it is a coincidence that I have read a few books along similar lines recently.

Anna, Maggie and Rhea are all on the fund raising committee of Civitas, a top ranking private school. It seems at first that apart from as committee members that these women have nothing in common. Actually it turns out they do, as they are all hiding secrets within their marriages. As they get to know each other their friendship grows as shared vulnerabilities emerge.

An engaging story about marriage, relationships and how we never really know what goes on behind closed doors. Recommend to fans of the genre.

With thanks to Storm Publishing and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review ‘Things We Never Say’