I really liked this book. I'd been craving a good domestic thriller and [book:Things We Never Say|214664259] totally hit the spot.

The three main characters were well-developed and likable (despite their flaws). I found them, and their relationships, relatable.

I wouldn't call this book well-paced, as it was slow to start. But it hit a good rhythm about halfway through and I was locked in! There weren't any major surprises or reveals but there was enough drama to keep me interested throughout.

There were parts that could've benefitted from additional detail, both in terms of the characters' feelings + their surroundings...but I'm the type of reader that likes a lot of description so not everyone will feel this way.

Overall I really liked this book. I recommend it if you're into dosmestic thrillers/family dynamics/female friendships.

3.9 rounded up to 4.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

☆ALC REVIEW☆
Publication date: November 12, 2024


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


This thriller was super fast-paced with short chapters, which made for an easy, interesting listen. Definitely check trigger warnings! A lot of realistic life situations combined with some badas$ women!

Thank you, NetGalley, Caitlin Weaver, and Dreamscape Media, for an early audio copy in exchange for an honest review!

Overall, I thought this was an okay story. Nothing was very surprising as I've read similar books like THINGS WE NEVER SAY before. I'd only recommend it to new readers.

Thanks for my gifted ALC.

Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver
Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky

I had a great time being a fly on the wall in the lives three PTA moms of a very elite and expensive private school. Anna's husband is the headmaster of the school and she is expected to keep up appearances in every way, to always impress, and to enhance the image of the school and her husband. But Anna's life is really very different than it appears and she is in the kind of danger that so many ignore, minimize and even sometimes defend.

Rhea is a stay at home mom although there is little "stay at home" to it with two very busy boys, an adoring husband, and a life full of making sure she says and does the right things to stay on the good sides of the most influential moms of the school. Rhea has a huge regret in her past on top of the fact that she feels like a huge imposter among this society of the wealthy and influential. That's not where Rhea came from and Rhea is sure she'll be shunned to the ends of the earth if anyone really knew her past, where she came from and what she did.

Maggie is a successful therapist who has even published a book on relationships. She and her husband have been best friends from the beginning but so much is missing from what everyone must assume is a perfect marriage. Maggie's life will implode if anyone finds out that she's a hypocrite for writing what she does not live.

All three women are very different from each other and would never come together other than for an important project for the school. But they meet, they drink, they share and secrets are revealed. The sky is going to fall down on all of them for their having come together and it's fun to watch. Change hurts but change can be for the better and some people really deserve the change that gets brought down on their heads. Jesse Vilinsky does a very good job with all the characters, the men sound like men, the women sound like women. I plan to read Caitlin Weaver's first book since I enjoyed this one so much.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley.

I really liked all three of the women in this story and I like how all of their storylines intertwined with each other. They came together and became the ultimate friend group. Helping each other through each of their emotional traumas. I think Anna is my favorite because her storyline to me was one of the most heartbreaking.

The narration was phenomenal, but I will say this book was a little convoluted on audio. I found it hard to follow at times because the narrator is the same for all 3 women's perspectives. It was well read, but hard to follow. I think this book would be much easier traditionally read.

Thank you so much to Caitlin Weaver and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to listen and review! Definitely going to check out more from Ms. Weaver.

Part Thriller but also part women's fiction - yes, please! This gave me Big Little Lies and other Liane Moriarty book vibes. My heart was with each of the 3 main characters, and bonus points for changing between their POVs. This book had almost all of my favorite elements of an amazing read (it was just missing a crazy serial killer. Which isn't really a spoiler. lol) But to no one's surprise, I listened to this book for several hours straight and finished it in less than 24 hours. SO definitely give it a try.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for this review.

This is my second book by Caitlin Weaver and I am ready for her next one. I really enjoyed the flow and tension in the book. It made me want to keep reading long after I needed to stop to get to other things in my life.

The three strong women characters were relatable. They were unlikely friends, but Weaver wrote it in such a way that made me believe in them. The support each of these women gave to each other was awesome.

I am ready to read whatever Caitlin Weaver decides to write next.

I liked this as an ebook but I loved it as an audiobook! The narration was wonderful and I just felt like I was there. The ending was perfect too! Life can be messy like this. I loved it.

This was a great domestic drama. I’m not sure how it was categorized as a thriller, but it was entertaining. This isn’t normally a book I would go for, as I prefer something a bit more fast paced, thrilling, and creepy. However, after listening I am pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed the storyline and the friendships that developed in the book.

I always enjoy this narrator as she has great range, she is easy to understand, and it is easy to tell the characters apart based on her voice. I listened at 2x and it was the perfect speed.

All in all, a good story!

Unfortunately this one did not work for me, it was too slow and not much of a thriller. It's more a domestic suspense and I needed more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was hard to get into at first and follow with all of the different characters, but holy cow! It is worth it.
Phenomenal audiobook with great narration and characters you grow to like. Great writing and surprises left and right.
Loved it!!!

Everyone has secrets, but not all secrets carry equal weight. And as three very different women find out in this story, the consequences of some secrets can be utterly devastating.

The charismatic headmaster of a wealthy private school is not as he seems - even if it is only his long suffering wife who really knows the truth about him. Because Jerry is a man who is up to some very dodgy business, and he will go to great lengths to protect himself.

What he hasn't bargained for is the fact that when his wife Anna takes on the task of organising a gala event to celebrate a school anniversary, she comes into contact with two very different women, Maggie the psychologist and Rhea the Queen Bee of the Parents Association. The chemistry between the three of them ends up leading to a most unexpected friendship, whose consequences could not easily have been predicted.

Anna, Maggie and Rhea are all mothers whose children attend a prestigious private school in Atlanta. Anna's ties to the school are the strongest, given that she is married to the headmaster, Jerry.

So perhaps she has the most to lose when the three of them stumble across some unexpected and explosive information whilst they are organising the school's annual gala. Or does she? Because Anna's marriage is not quite as it seems...

The writer very efficiently weaves together multiple strands from the events taking place in all three women's lives. We learn about the secrets that two of the women are protecting, and a secret that the third was not even aware of having. This is a really entertaining and in some ways heartwarming story, and it deals with themes that many people may find relatable.

This story delivers an engaging and insightful portrait of women's lives, their experiences of marriage and motherhood, and the value of female friendships. The pacing is at times a little irregular. But overall, this is well worth a read and it gets 4 stars.

This book was great. I loved the storyline and the plot twists. The characters were interesting and the narration was perfect. I really love thriller books where women ban together for a common goal.

This novel intertwines the lives of three women, each embroiled in unique circumstances that ultimately draw them together. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, particularly the final third, which was exceptionally well-executed. The narratives of the three women were beautifully woven together, highlighting their strength and resilience. This was my first time reading Caitlin Weaver's work, and I was impressed by her ability to craft a compelling story that not only brings characters together but also explores their individual journeys. Her storytelling is engaging and poignant, making for a truly enjoyable experience. I look forward to exploring more of her work in the future.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Anna: Married to the headmaster but has to wear long clothes to cover up the bruises.
Rhea: President of the PTA with a secret that no one in her new life knows.
Maggie: Relationship therapist who hasn’t been intimate in her marriage for three years.

If those descriptions don’t make you want more, I don’t know what will! This book tells the story of these three women come together to uncover a secret bigger than all of theirs which affects them all.

I really enjoyed this book and how these women from three walks of life became friends. I will recommend this one to all!

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Caitlin Weaver for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found myself completely engrossed in this story! Rhea, Anna, and Maggie were very engaging and relatable characters. I found myself invested in their lives right from the start! Each one of their lives were affected by big life altering secrets! I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it would all come together in the end. Especially when it came to Anna’s story. I found hers to be the most compelling!

If you enjoy family drama, secrets, and scandals then I think you’ll like this domestic thriller. I definitely recommend listening to the audiobook! It’s narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Jesse Vilinsky!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Things We Never Say" and all opinions expressed are my own. I listened to the audio book. Scandal!!! I was wondering what would happen next with the PTA Gala Committee. Overall I thought this was an interesting story and suspenseful.

This book is one of the best neighborhood and family drama domestic thrillers that I've read in a long time. Three women connected through a private school functions become friends. There have been some shady things happening in the school with the firing/resignation of one of the teachers. Additional shady things are going on in the personal lives of these women. As truths get revealed more drama and further revelations ensue.

I could not stop listening to this book. It hooked me from the start and kept me wanting to know what was coming next. The audio narration was excellent. The characters were well-developed and the plot was excellent. If you're looking for a quick moving, drama filled read - this book is for you!

4/5
SO MESSY. All the drama. Everyone’s lives were being upturned at the same time. Also an aspect of found family that was a sweet touch.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Jesse Vilinsky narrates this story and does an excellent job! I highly recommend the audio version.

Three women, all of whom have dark secrets, are forced onto a PTA gala committee for the centennial celebration for their uber exclusive, private school. Anna is the quiet one and wife of the auspicious headmaster. Maggie is a couples/sex therapist and Rhea is the southern belle. As the three women work together, they get to know each other and begin to let their guard down. During their time together, they stumble upon a huge scandal for the school. As each one's secret is outed, will the truth destroy them?

This is a juicy and salacious read about the domestic drama of the uber wealthy. I loved the characters and their relationships as they began to develop. I found the suspense high at times and the fast pace perfect. The story alternates between the 3 POV and works well.

All in all a well written, suspenseful, fast paced read! Highly recommend!!!