She Taught Me Everything

A beautifully written and poignant exploration of a relationship between two sisters. The story unfolds beautifully with flashbacks to Nicky and Viv's childhood adding depth and layers to the story. The characters were so well-developed, imperfect, and complex, creating a very engaging story.

Highly readable, the plot unfolds at a suspenseful pace without ever being overdramatic or unrealistic. This novel has really stayed with me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. This is the first work I've read by Amy Smith Linton even though I read that she used to be a writer at my local newspaper, The St. Petersburg Times, now known as The Tampa Bay Times. What a fantastic writer she is! I was on the fence about whether or not to request this book and am so glad that I did. She Taught Me Everything is the story of sisters Viv and Nicola and their volatile childhood growing up with Jahn and Magda. As Viv and Nicola approach adulthood, they find out secrets about themselves and each other, including a secret about their parents and who they really are. I haven't read a story quite like this one and what makes it unique is that it is every day trauma - not a suspense/thriller. Not a murder, not a serial killer - just real life issues and things that people do to one another sometimes intentionally and sometimes without knowing. One aspect of the book I really enjoyed is that I truly didn't know how it was going to end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys general fiction or literary fiction.

Love this family drama. Love love!
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.