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meganpalmer731's review
4.0
Very timely story about the family of a police officer who shoots and kills a teenager. Quick and interesting read.
jennabuythebook's review
2.0
From about the halfway point on all I could think was to scream “Get ahold of yourself, woman!!” to Jamie. Her frantic ness just made things so much worse. Luckily the last quarter of the book got a bit better to boost it to two stars.
courtthebookgirl's review
3.0
I was unusually disappointed in this book, as I typically love Pekkanen's novels. This one just didn't do it for me. The story, ripped from the headlines, had fantastic potential but never lived up to it. It wrapped up in a neat, little bow- far too neat, given the meat of the story. It was good, but not great.
cowmingo's review
4.0
First of all many thanks to the publisher for a free copy of this book. I won it in a GoodReads giveaway. I was so excited because Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite authors.
The story could be one of those ripped from the headlines deals (like they do on SVU all the time). The plot follows a police family as the father is accused of racial motives for shooting a young Hispanic boy. What follows though, is a brutally honest account of the hell that both sides go through as well as the importance of having someone on your side. I felt like the characters were believable and flawed and real (much like Pekkanen's other characters in her other books). I would have liked a little more of an epilogue as I felt it glossed over some of the things I really wanted to see but that is by no means a reason to discourage people from reading the book. It comes out in May and if I hadn't won it in a giveaway, it would be a one-click for sure.
The story could be one of those ripped from the headlines deals (like they do on SVU all the time). The plot follows a police family as the father is accused of racial motives for shooting a young Hispanic boy. What follows though, is a brutally honest account of the hell that both sides go through as well as the importance of having someone on your side. I felt like the characters were believable and flawed and real (much like Pekkanen's other characters in her other books). I would have liked a little more of an epilogue as I felt it glossed over some of the things I really wanted to see but that is by no means a reason to discourage people from reading the book. It comes out in May and if I hadn't won it in a giveaway, it would be a one-click for sure.
jessuponatime's review
3.0
This was told in 3 different perspectives and it was easy to keep track of them all. I thought each woman's POV was interesting. We met Jamie, Jamie's husband (Mike), Jamie's sister (Lou), and Mike's baby mama (Christie). We also meet Mike's children (with both Jamie & Christie), Lou's roommate, Mike & Jamie's friends, and Christie's new boss. I didn't have a favorite character, but I didn't hate anyone.
The story is about Mike's trauma after seeing his cop partner get injured on the job. Then, after returning to work, Mike goes through another traumatic experience. The rest of the story follows the characters as they work their way through this unfortunate event.
Overall, it was an enjoyable listen. Enjoyable doesn't feel like the correct word to use, but I was pulled in and wanted to know more. It was a sad story, but not in a depressing sense. It was just a good story and it's worth listening to. I prefer this over her other book, "The Perfect Neighbors".
The story is about Mike's trauma after seeing his cop partner get injured on the job. Then, after returning to work, Mike goes through another traumatic experience. The rest of the story follows the characters as they work their way through this unfortunate event.
Overall, it was an enjoyable listen. Enjoyable doesn't feel like the correct word to use, but I was pulled in and wanted to know more. It was a sad story, but not in a depressing sense. It was just a good story and it's worth listening to. I prefer this over her other book, "The Perfect Neighbors".
lynnaeaowens's review
3.0
Pekkanen has a gift for writing complex but realistic "everyday" characters. Her descriptions are amazing and it's easy to get drawn into each character's life.
I found our three protagonists (Jaime, Chrissy, and Lou) to be slighlty unlikeable but still compelling. Unfortunately, the main plot of the novel barely held my attention, and the more interesting subplots felt like awkward add-ons. The contemporary issue of police brutality and racism was handled well, although I found the resolution to be forced and simplistic (sort of a *they all lived happily ever after* conclusion that undermined a lot of the nuance earlier in the story). The conflict between Jaime and Mike was very dull and relied on him being unwilling to communicate AT ALL with his wife. There were situations where that rang true, but most of it felt like unrealistic tangents to help build the plot. Lou and Chrissy's careers are explored but their actual connection to the story's main themes and plot was nonexistant.
3/5 - still entertaining and well-written like the other Pekkanen novels I've read, but this one lacked cohesion.
I found our three protagonists (Jaime, Chrissy, and Lou) to be slighlty unlikeable but still compelling. Unfortunately, the main plot of the novel barely held my attention, and the more interesting subplots felt like awkward add-ons. The contemporary issue of police brutality and racism was handled well, although I found the resolution to be forced and simplistic (sort of a *they all lived happily ever after* conclusion that undermined a lot of the nuance earlier in the story). The conflict between Jaime and Mike was very dull and relied on him being unwilling to communicate AT ALL with his wife. There were situations where that rang true, but most of it felt like unrealistic tangents to help build the plot. Lou and Chrissy's careers are explored but their actual connection to the story's main themes and plot was nonexistant.
3/5 - still entertaining and well-written like the other Pekkanen novels I've read, but this one lacked cohesion.
taralpittman's review against another edition
4.0
In full disclosure, I've been a fan of Sarah Pekkanen's writing for several years so I feel like I approach her novels with a bit of bias; however, I feel pretty confident in saying that this is truly one of her best and the subject matter couldn't be timelier. Pekkanen, in a recent interview through her publisher, stated that the topic was actually unrelated to current events; she'd turned in the manuscript over a year ago, but did ask the editor to make reference to the recent events of Ferguson, Missouri so that readers would not think she'd ignored the obvious connection.
Underlying subject matter aside, this novel is really about relationships, as all of her novels are, and the ever-changing dynamics between those who are in relationship to one another. As Pekkanen mentions in this interview, Things You Won't Say refers to the feelings and thoughts we often hide from those we love, whether it be to protect them or to protect ourselves; as usual, she highlights the consequences of those omissions.
Don't get too caught up in the details behind the story, the shooting, etc., because that's not really what the book is about; if you're going to "nitpick" and look for holes, this is not the book for you. If you're interested in an emotional drama full of situations and circumstances, to which most should easily relate on some level, and beautifully-flawed characters, then definitely put this one on your summer reading list; you won't regret it. I think this would also make a great book club/discussion piece, for both women and men.
Underlying subject matter aside, this novel is really about relationships, as all of her novels are, and the ever-changing dynamics between those who are in relationship to one another. As Pekkanen mentions in this interview, Things You Won't Say refers to the feelings and thoughts we often hide from those we love, whether it be to protect them or to protect ourselves; as usual, she highlights the consequences of those omissions.
Don't get too caught up in the details behind the story, the shooting, etc., because that's not really what the book is about; if you're going to "nitpick" and look for holes, this is not the book for you. If you're interested in an emotional drama full of situations and circumstances, to which most should easily relate on some level, and beautifully-flawed characters, then definitely put this one on your summer reading list; you won't regret it. I think this would also make a great book club/discussion piece, for both women and men.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
2.0
As the wife of a police officer, Jamie Anderson uncomfortably lives with the risk that Mike may be hurt or killed while performing his duty and isn't sure how to best comfort her husband after his partner, and best friend, is shot and badly wounded. Just a few short weeks later Mike, stoic but still obviously distressed, is paired with a new hire, and finds himself in a situation that results in him shooting and killing a gun-wielding teenage boy. When the boy's weapon is not found at the scene, Mike's mental fitness given recent events is questioned, leading to an indictment for manslaughter, and sending Jamie into a panic as her cherished family unravels under the strain.
Pekkanen begins with a strong and provocative premise in The Things You Won't Say, exploring the personal consequences for Jamie and her family in the wake of the shootings. In particular she focuses on the breakdown of communication between Jamie and Mike, both of whom are under enormous stress, and afraid to open up to one another about their fears for the future.
I felt badly for both Jamie and Mike who are quickly overwhelmed by circumstances that can't control, and I was sympathetic to the issues that arose between them. I think the author captured the high emotions involved in the situation, however I was somewhat disappointed by the lack of nuanced characterisation, Jamie is hysterical much of the time, while Mike is withdrawn.
I also thought the core of the story was weakened by the addition of the perspectives of Christie, Mike's self absorbed ex girlfriend, and mother to their son Henry; and Lou, Jamie's younger sister, a zookeeper. While I liked both characters, who are very different, they are merely distractions, offering little support to the main plot.
Things You Can't Say isn't a bad read, but I felt it never really lived up to its potential. For me it lacked depth and focus.
karak's review
2.0
Ok, so I really don't like stories that involve male law enforcement. I just dislike that alpha personality and it just doesn't work for me at all.
jooke's review
4.0
3.5*
Rating this book isn't an easy job. Because honestly I hated the story and disliked most of the main characters. BUT...
This story did manage to grip me and made me feel disappointed, sad, devastated, touched to angry. It was also very sobering to realize how easy truths can be twisted to work for or used against you. How unspoken words can cause more damage than spoken ones. How they form a barrier that is difficult to overcome. How prejudices influence our perception and choices. This story shows what loyalty, love and trust means...
So even when I didn't like the story, I can admit it is a well written book that puts some very common issues in the spotlight and gives us something to think about.
Rating this book isn't an easy job. Because honestly I hated the story and disliked most of the main characters. BUT...
This story did manage to grip me and made me feel disappointed, sad, devastated, touched to angry. It was also very sobering to realize how easy truths can be twisted to work for or used against you. How unspoken words can cause more damage than spoken ones. How they form a barrier that is difficult to overcome. How prejudices influence our perception and choices. This story shows what loyalty, love and trust means...
So even when I didn't like the story, I can admit it is a well written book that puts some very common issues in the spotlight and gives us something to think about.