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A review by chaptersofchase
We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
Some stories ask hard questions about the past — and who gets left out of it.
Thank you, Bantam Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of We Don't Talk About Carol {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
I've always found stories that dig into family history fascinating — especially the way they reveal the hidden lives of those who came before us. Our parents and grandparents weren't just background characters in our stories; they lived full lives, carried traumas, and made choices that ripple through generations. When we don't talk about their pasts, we risk losing the lessons they might offer.
That's what initially drew me to this book— the mystery of a young Black woman who went missing in the 1960s and the ripple effect her disappearance has on her family decades later. As the main character investigates her Aunt Carol's disappearance, the novel touches on a fundamental truth: tens of thousands of Black Americans go missing each year, and yet their cases are rarely given the visibility or urgency they deserve.
However, the story became unfocused. Much of the book shifts toward the protagonist's fertility journey — including her infertility diagnosis and IVF treatment — which, while important, took over the story I thought I was stepping into. That shift left me wishing for a more in-depth exploration of the original mystery.
CW: infertility, childhood trauma
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
I read the first half of the book and then switched to the audio version, which provided a well-rounded experience. Narrator Nicole Cash did a beautiful job of capturing the emotions of each scene, bringing the characters to life with subtlety and clarity.
Read if you enjoy:
📖 Slow burn
🔍 Cold cases
✌🏼 Dual timeline
I recommend reading We Don't Talk About Carol, and it would make the perfect choice for a book club!
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/
Thank you, Bantam Books & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of We Don't Talk About Carol {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 6.3.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆
I've always found stories that dig into family history fascinating — especially the way they reveal the hidden lives of those who came before us. Our parents and grandparents weren't just background characters in our stories; they lived full lives, carried traumas, and made choices that ripple through generations. When we don't talk about their pasts, we risk losing the lessons they might offer.
That's what initially drew me to this book— the mystery of a young Black woman who went missing in the 1960s and the ripple effect her disappearance has on her family decades later. As the main character investigates her Aunt Carol's disappearance, the novel touches on a fundamental truth: tens of thousands of Black Americans go missing each year, and yet their cases are rarely given the visibility or urgency they deserve.
However, the story became unfocused. Much of the book shifts toward the protagonist's fertility journey — including her infertility diagnosis and IVF treatment — which, while important, took over the story I thought I was stepping into. That shift left me wishing for a more in-depth exploration of the original mystery.
CW: infertility, childhood trauma
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆
I read the first half of the book and then switched to the audio version, which provided a well-rounded experience. Narrator Nicole Cash did a beautiful job of capturing the emotions of each scene, bringing the characters to life with subtlety and clarity.
Read if you enjoy:
📖 Slow burn
🔍 Cold cases
✌🏼 Dual timeline
I recommend reading We Don't Talk About Carol, and it would make the perfect choice for a book club!
______
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/