Knowing You

Bloody hell! Read this in about 5 hours, staying up til I finished at 1:30am.

Knowing You is a fantastic book! It's the story if Violet Vaughan, who works in publishing. After her break-up, she meets Bella and together, they begin a transformation from Shrinking Violet to Vi.

Her story is emotional and real and really gripping. The mix of secondary characters are great, particularly Kath and the ladies.

Violet's back story is deeply moving and I cried for her.

I was left gasping and with my jaw on the floor when I finished reading this book. Bloody loved it.

To me this is a book of two halves - the first half gives us a feel for what Violet is normally like, how her break up for Lenny is affecting her, and about her job in publishing. We get to meet her friends and there is a lot of talk about books which I l always like.

Then the second half well from about 60% onwards I knew I couldn't put the book down, had no idea what was going on around me, as I was so utterly absorbed as everything seemed to move up a notch, and some of the things I was wondering about became slightly more confirmed, but at the same time shocking me.

Depending on your circumstances there are themes in this book that could be upsetting, but at the same time most likely will ring true for anyone going through the same things. I am not going to mention that big themes of the book though as I have no intention of spoiling anything for anyone.

In fact this is a hard book to review given to me all the best bits, the most impressive sections and the bits I'd love to shout about are all in the second half of the book, and work best if you have read it all, so rest assured its absolutely fantastic, and had me completely and utterly gripped.

The best comparison I have is to liken this to Amanda Prowse - in terms of really getting to grips with a tricky issue, writing about it in an accessible and sensitive way, making you really feel something for the characters involved, If this is the direction that Samantha Tonge is moving in, and it certainly seems that way after the last two books, then I can only look forward to seeing what she tackles next, as this was really impressive.

I loved the Violet worked in publishing, anything that gives me an insight as to how books are made / acquired etc.. always fascinates me, and I loved her friends at the retirement home book club that she runs have decided to set up a blog.

All the lighter moments of the book were equally well described and I really felt as though I was getting to know Violet, her new flatmate Bella and all of her friends and colleagues really well.

There were times where I really disliked Violet, she is someone who seems as though she is too easily led by others and seems to struggle to know her own mind. At times I wanted to, knock some sense into her,, and at others just give her a hug as she seemed so inexperienced too.

Interspersed with the present day story we get flashbacks of what life was like for Violet in 2001, when she was only 7. They added a lot of the book, and gave an idea of where some of Vi's personality traits evidently stemmed from.

If like me you love reading women's fiction, but also quite like reading darker books too - then this new dark women's fiction genre - and Knowing You in particular could be just what you are looking for. I certainly glad that I read it.

Thank you to Canelo and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Found this book a bit hard to follow at times but did enjoy it. Strong characters which are relatable would recommend this book.

There were so many things I loved about "Knowing You" by Samantha Tonge and many that made me feel very uncomfortable. Surely, the main character, Violet's transformation is a good thing and well over do? This is undoubtedly a sign of a great book when you start to question yourself. There are characters who you will love and hate.. Story lines that tackle real subjects without glamourising them, but within a well written romantic story too.
I liked the publishing setting and learning more of this cut throat world. It is difficult to say too much, without putting spoilers in this review. Give it a read and you won't be disappointed.

Another absolutely stunning read from Samantha Tonge!
I really loved Samantha’s previous novel (Forgive Me Not), so when I heard she had a new book coming out I couldn’t wait to read it, and boy it didn’t disappoint.

The three things that stand out for me with Knowing You are:
1. It is quite simply a fantastic page-turner.
2. The characters are wonderfully developed from all walks of life, and all shapes, sizes and flaws. I was arm in arm with Violet for every turn she took in this book.
3. (And this is what really makes this author stand out in my mind) It delves into incredibly difficult subjects with class and sensitivity in a truly spectacular way.
I won’t go into any more detail on the subjects the novel covers as I would hate to spoil it for other, but I would like to say that once again I’ve come away from reading a book by this author with my eyes opened a little more to the difficulties people face.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canelo and the author for allowing me the opportunity to read this fabulous book!

An unsettling read about honesty and secrets. I felt so much empathy for Violet throughout.

Samantha Tonge creates a strong sense of both character and place in her latest novel, a thought-provoking book which would make an interesting book club choice.

Kind-hearted Violet has never fitted in, but despite being bullied at school is now content. She is dating ambitious Lenny, has her dream job in publishing and runs a book club at the local retirement home.

However, when her relationship with Lenny begins to falter, Violet seeks the advice of her new flatmate, Bella. She changes her image and with her head held high aims to show that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life to be happy and successful. Her long-term friends Kath and Farah worry about Bella’s influence and slowly Violet starts to distance herself from them.

When I started this book it was a slow start... I would put it down and pick it up again a few days later, but it picked up and I'm glad I continued with it! This was just an unsettling, secretive book with well written characters.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC of #KnowingYou
Pub Date: 14 Mar 2019

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Violet's story. I couldn't put the novel down and felt for Violet and her struggles with friendships and men. It was a well written and realistic portrayal of the pressures that a woman can face in today's society and it ended in a satisfying place although I was left wondering about how Violet would get on with her life. I haven't read anything by Samantha Tonge before but I will certainly look out for her novels now. She writes with empathy and has an eye for detail and creates wonderful warm characters. A great read!

I could not stop reading this book; it was thrilling, endearing and then once I’d got about halfway through everything just took off in a way that meant I had no time for putting it down.

My initial reaction when I took part in the book reveal a few months ago, was intrigue as I could tell it was something slightly different to Samantha’s previous works. I was instantly drawn in to what secrets would be unveiled and what the characters would be like, because Samantha’s last book Forgive Me Not (reviewed here) was multilayered, personal and so fervently written. This book was all of that and more, wrapped so cleverly in to a story that pushes your understanding and breaks your heart.

I didn’t want Violet’s story to end. Knowing You is very much a powerful book; engrossing, emotional, profound, and bleak in parts, but it is cathartic reading. It challenges taboos and covers many difficult subjects, therefore I would warn that if you are one to avoid triggering content or want a light, comedic read then this is not a book for you at this time. However, if you enjoyed the perceptive depth, heart and deftly uplifting content of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, Three Things About Elsie or Dear Mrs Bird etc then this is a book you will cherish and devour.

I adored the characters in this book, such interesting friendships and the inside take on the publishing world was really very fascinating.

It is difficult to say much more about Bella and Violet’s journey, or to name my favourite parts, because it is so well written that any reveal threatens to unravel the secrets and spoil the plot. But I was very impressed with the conviction woven through the story; how deeply you understand and support what is happening, but actually you have no idea.

I loved every second of it!

A cleverly written thought provoking book. It tells the story of Violet when she was a child and also now as an adult. It is hard when things happen in your life and you’re unsure how to deal with it and also who to turn to. The book follows Vi’s life through two difficult times in her life. An interesting and emotional read.