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The Things You'll Never Know
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27“Nobody delves as deep into the guts of motherhood as Ashley Audrain; she really is in a league of her own.” —Lisa Jewell
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Push, a bold, unputdownable story of motherhood, desire, betrayal, and loss told by a mother after her own death.
“All those moments in life that mark a before, and an after. Before the death of me, and after. Before they knew the truth of what happened, and after.”
Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband, Adam, and their children. They’ve found her on the hallway floor. The double doors slam on the ambulance, and Fiona watches it take her body away—but how can that be, if she’s still here in her home, with her family? That’s when she realizes her worst fear has come Fiona is dead.
In the days that follow, Fiona moves quietly among them, as they become increasingly suspicious about her death. Everyone seems to be hiding something—her depressive husband, her devoted best friend, her estranged younger sister, her precocious six-year-old son, and most of all, Fiona herself. That is, until her teenage daughter discovers Fiona’s diary—and the stunning betrayal she had been hiding.
Exploring the performative identities of womanhood, the cost of being good, and what we owe ourselves and each other in the face of desire, Ashley Audrain's daring, thought-provoking novel will you find who you really are, before you die?
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Push, a bold, unputdownable story of motherhood, desire, betrayal, and loss told by a mother after her own death.
“All those moments in life that mark a before, and an after. Before the death of me, and after. Before they knew the truth of what happened, and after.”
Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband, Adam, and their children. They’ve found her on the hallway floor. The double doors slam on the ambulance, and Fiona watches it take her body away—but how can that be, if she’s still here in her home, with her family? That’s when she realizes her worst fear has come Fiona is dead.
In the days that follow, Fiona moves quietly among them, as they become increasingly suspicious about her death. Everyone seems to be hiding something—her depressive husband, her devoted best friend, her estranged younger sister, her precocious six-year-old son, and most of all, Fiona herself. That is, until her teenage daughter discovers Fiona’s diary—and the stunning betrayal she had been hiding.
Exploring the performative identities of womanhood, the cost of being good, and what we owe ourselves and each other in the face of desire, Ashley Audrain's daring, thought-provoking novel will you find who you really are, before you die?
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 12, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
—3/5 stars
Okay, let me start by saying this: the premise? Absolute fucking gold.
You're telling me this story is narrated by a dead mother who's watching her family unravel after her death while slowly realizing that the house she built with nothing but love, warmth, and safety has been hiding ugly little secrets all along? Yeah how was I not supposed to be obsessed with that? The second I read the synopsis, I was hooked. And when I got approved for the ARC, I was genuinely over the moon. I was so excited to dive into it because it sounded like exactly the kind of psychological thriller I live for.
And to be fair, the author deserves credit for one thing: this book grabs you by the fucking throat from page one and refuses to let go. I genuinely could not stop reading. Those ridiculously short chapters, three to five pages each kept tricking me into saying, "Okay, just one more." Suddenly I'd read another fifty pages without realizing it. The pacing is addictive, and the atmosphere keeps whispering that something huge is about to happen.
The problem? That "something huge" never really happened.
The entire book felt like one giant build-up with barely any payoff. It keeps stacking mystery upon mystery, making you think you're about to get a jaw-dropping reveal that'll leave you staring at your ceiling at 3 a.m. Instead, the twists felt painfully obvious. Honestly, I had narrowed everything down to two possibilities almost immediately, and from there it was just a matter of waiting to see which one the author would pick. That's not exactly what I want from a thriller. If I'm solving your mystery before your detectives are, we've got a problem.
And don't even get me started on the ending. Yes, there was one final reveal that was supposed to shock me, but instead I just sat there thinking really? That's what we're doing? It felt so far-fetched that instead of gasping, I was questioning how we even got there. I kept guessing who the killer was throughout the book, and when the reveal finally came, it wasn't satisfying, it just felt random for the sake of being unexpected. I wanted clever. I wanted devastating. I wanted to have my brain rewired. Instead, I just shrugged.
That's what frustrated me the most. This book had everything it needed to be incredible. The premise? Amazing. The atmosphere? Creepy. The pacing? Addictive. The short chapters? Chef's kiss. It had all the ingredients for a five-star thriller, but somehow the execution just never matched the potential. It built up so much tension that I was convinced the payoff would absolutely destroy me and then it simply didn't.
Maybe I've just read way too many thrillers, and maybe that's why I saw everything coming. I don't know. But when I pick up a thriller, I want to be manipulated. I want the author to make me question every single character, only to slap me across the face with a twist I never saw coming. That's literally the fun of the genre. Instead, this one felt like I was constantly waiting for the real twist only to realize that was the twist.
And that's honestly what hurts the most. I wanted to love this book. I really, really did. I went into it excited, hopeful, and convinced it was going to become one of my favourite reads of the year. I wasn't looking for reasons to dislike it, I was desperately searching for reasons to love it. But apart from the addictive pacing, the short chapters, and the constant feeling of "just one more chapter," there wasn't much else that truly stood out for me.
— Overall, I don't think it's a terrible thriller by any means. I can absolutely see why some readers might fly through it in one sitting and have a great time. It is entertaining, it's fast-paced, and it's incredibly bingeable. But if you're someone like me who's constantly chasing mind-blowing twists and endings that leave you questioning your own sanity this one probably won't hit that sweet spot. It had all the potential in the world, it just never reached it. And honestly? That's somehow even more disappointing than reading a bad book. 💌
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 12 July , 2026
the premise has me SAT. now i'm just praying the book actually delivers 😭🤞🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, let me start by saying this: the premise? Absolute fucking gold.
You're telling me this story is narrated by a dead mother who's watching her family unravel after her death while slowly realizing that the house she built with nothing but love, warmth, and safety has been hiding ugly little secrets all along? Yeah how was I not supposed to be obsessed with that? The second I read the synopsis, I was hooked. And when I got approved for the ARC, I was genuinely over the moon. I was so excited to dive into it because it sounded like exactly the kind of psychological thriller I live for.
And to be fair, the author deserves credit for one thing: this book grabs you by the fucking throat from page one and refuses to let go. I genuinely could not stop reading. Those ridiculously short chapters, three to five pages each kept tricking me into saying, "Okay, just one more." Suddenly I'd read another fifty pages without realizing it. The pacing is addictive, and the atmosphere keeps whispering that something huge is about to happen.
The problem? That "something huge" never really happened.
The entire book felt like one giant build-up with barely any payoff. It keeps stacking mystery upon mystery, making you think you're about to get a jaw-dropping reveal that'll leave you staring at your ceiling at 3 a.m. Instead, the twists felt painfully obvious. Honestly, I had narrowed everything down to two possibilities almost immediately, and from there it was just a matter of waiting to see which one the author would pick. That's not exactly what I want from a thriller. If I'm solving your mystery before your detectives are, we've got a problem.
And don't even get me started on the ending. Yes, there was one final reveal that was supposed to shock me, but instead I just sat there thinking really? That's what we're doing? It felt so far-fetched that instead of gasping, I was questioning how we even got there. I kept guessing who the killer was throughout the book, and when the reveal finally came, it wasn't satisfying, it just felt random for the sake of being unexpected. I wanted clever. I wanted devastating. I wanted to have my brain rewired. Instead, I just shrugged.
That's what frustrated me the most. This book had everything it needed to be incredible. The premise? Amazing. The atmosphere? Creepy. The pacing? Addictive. The short chapters? Chef's kiss. It had all the ingredients for a five-star thriller, but somehow the execution just never matched the potential. It built up so much tension that I was convinced the payoff would absolutely destroy me and then it simply didn't.
Maybe I've just read way too many thrillers, and maybe that's why I saw everything coming. I don't know. But when I pick up a thriller, I want to be manipulated. I want the author to make me question every single character, only to slap me across the face with a twist I never saw coming. That's literally the fun of the genre. Instead, this one felt like I was constantly waiting for the real twist only to realize that was the twist.
And that's honestly what hurts the most. I wanted to love this book. I really, really did. I went into it excited, hopeful, and convinced it was going to become one of my favourite reads of the year. I wasn't looking for reasons to dislike it, I was desperately searching for reasons to love it. But apart from the addictive pacing, the short chapters, and the constant feeling of "just one more chapter," there wasn't much else that truly stood out for me.
— Overall, I don't think it's a terrible thriller by any means. I can absolutely see why some readers might fly through it in one sitting and have a great time. It is entertaining, it's fast-paced, and it's incredibly bingeable. But if you're someone like me who's constantly chasing mind-blowing twists and endings that leave you questioning your own sanity this one probably won't hit that sweet spot. It had all the potential in the world, it just never reached it. And honestly? That's somehow even more disappointing than reading a bad book. 💌
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 12 July , 2026
the premise has me SAT. now i'm just praying the book actually delivers 😭🤞🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You have to be f**king kidding me. What in the Silent Patient Colleen Hoover did I just read?
Now that I have time to really digest what I just read after having a little bit of FOMO and being approved for an advanced copy from Viking/Pamela Dorman:
The book starts out with Fiona, who has just died. From here, the entire book is told from her perspective, what could have happened and how? It interweaves past and present with her husband Adam, who suffers from depression; her two kids, Astrid & Pepper (why he is named Pepper is the biggest mystery of all); best friend, Leah; and sister, Nell. We see them when they first meet, have kids, all the things!
The entire premise of this book is to see if we can guess how Fiona died and to watch how these relationships intermingle with each other. Throughout the book, we are given generic quotes such as:
"My heart fell with the weighted rhythm of sinking in water, back and forth. Floating down, and then down, and then down."
"I’ve been a fool, I thought. I couldn’t breathe. He was never really mine."
"He’s spread like an infection in my mind. I think of him while driving the kids around, while I read stories to Pepper at night, while I work, my hands on other people, imagining my hands on him. I think of him while I stare at the screen of the self-checkout at the grocery store. I think of him as I fall asleep."
And this happens for about 300 pages in a book that could have been 75 pages shorter, with zero depth. By about 50% of this book, as I kept reading, there was nothing but longing and characters who are sad and typical of what is supposed to be a "mystery," but is really be about a woman dealing with an unhappy marriage and kids who are kinda annoying.
Regardless, and I know I've said this before, these mystery genres are horrible, to say the least. Prove me wrong, as I've read quite a few.
I'M OVER IT.
Now that I have time to really digest what I just read after having a little bit of FOMO and being approved for an advanced copy from Viking/Pamela Dorman:
The book starts out with Fiona, who has just died. From here, the entire book is told from her perspective, what could have happened and how? It interweaves past and present with her husband Adam, who suffers from depression; her two kids, Astrid & Pepper (why he is named Pepper is the biggest mystery of all); best friend, Leah; and sister, Nell. We see them when they first meet, have kids, all the things!
The entire premise of this book is to see if we can guess how Fiona died and to watch how these relationships intermingle with each other. Throughout the book, we are given generic quotes such as:
"My heart fell with the weighted rhythm of sinking in water, back and forth. Floating down, and then down, and then down."
"I’ve been a fool, I thought. I couldn’t breathe. He was never really mine."
"He’s spread like an infection in my mind. I think of him while driving the kids around, while I read stories to Pepper at night, while I work, my hands on other people, imagining my hands on him. I think of him while I stare at the screen of the self-checkout at the grocery store. I think of him as I fall asleep."
And this happens for about 300 pages in a book that could have been 75 pages shorter, with zero depth. By about 50% of this book, as I kept reading, there was nothing but longing and characters who are sad and typical of what is supposed to be a "mystery," but is really be about a woman dealing with an unhappy marriage and kids who are kinda annoying.
Regardless, and I know I've said this before, these mystery genres are horrible, to say the least. Prove me wrong, as I've read quite a few.
I'M OVER IT.
April 19, 2026
I have been waiting for another book from Ashley Audrain! After reading “The Push” and “The Whispers” I was thrilled to read this new one. This was so heavy just like the other books.
She does such a good job at exploring the dark places inside of her characters and bringing it to life in a way that is so disturbing yet you can’t look away from. The pacing of her book was spot on. Every chapter I had to know more!!
This is definitely a book binge. I couldn’t put it down as I had to know what happened. The characters were in now way likable but that didn’t take away from
The book at all.
She does such a good job at exploring the dark places inside of her characters and bringing it to life in a way that is so disturbing yet you can’t look away from. The pacing of her book was spot on. Every chapter I had to know more!!
This is definitely a book binge. I couldn’t put it down as I had to know what happened. The characters were in now way likable but that didn’t take away from
The book at all.
May 6, 2026
Fiona watches as her husband and teenage daughter pull out of the driveway--it's just her and Pepper, her precocious 6 year-old son, for the weekend. And she needs this time with him, she does. Being a mom to two children is so different than a mom to one; Fiona is spread paper-thin between her family these days, she just needs some time to feel like herself again. Yes, that's what she needs; just a little time, maybe a quick lie-down, and then she'll be good as new for Pepper: mom of the year.
But something is wrong; how much time has passed? Why won't she wake up? Why is her family so distraught? Surely they can see her standing right here, amongst them. Everything's fine, it wasn't supposed to be like this, Fiona was about to fix everything before anyone even knew.
They have to know the truth.
"The Things You'll Never Know," for better or worse, will be the most binge-worthy thing you read all year readers, trust me on that. With the same staccato-quick chapters that propelled Ashley Audrain's utter sensation "The Push" to stardom, "The Things You'll Never Know" brings the same, unputdownable quality to the table, albeit with a more mysterious lens. From the start, Audrain's "The Push" told you exactly what it was: a nightmarish car crash of a character study that could only end in one way. Refreshingly, "The Things You'll Never Know" isn't quite so obvious. It's every bit a true mystery as it is a domestic thriller, and while there's elements to it that--once they take center stage--may lose some readers, I was in this until the end and found the payoff well worth it.
Not a perfect novel but an undeniably well-crafted slump-buster of a novel, "The Things You'll Never Know" is one to put on your to-read lists now.
*Many thanks to Viking Penguin for my advanced review copy of this title*
But something is wrong; how much time has passed? Why won't she wake up? Why is her family so distraught? Surely they can see her standing right here, amongst them. Everything's fine, it wasn't supposed to be like this, Fiona was about to fix everything before anyone even knew.
They have to know the truth.
"The Things You'll Never Know," for better or worse, will be the most binge-worthy thing you read all year readers, trust me on that. With the same staccato-quick chapters that propelled Ashley Audrain's utter sensation "The Push" to stardom, "The Things You'll Never Know" brings the same, unputdownable quality to the table, albeit with a more mysterious lens. From the start, Audrain's "The Push" told you exactly what it was: a nightmarish car crash of a character study that could only end in one way. Refreshingly, "The Things You'll Never Know" isn't quite so obvious. It's every bit a true mystery as it is a domestic thriller, and while there's elements to it that--once they take center stage--may lose some readers, I was in this until the end and found the payoff well worth it.
Not a perfect novel but an undeniably well-crafted slump-buster of a novel, "The Things You'll Never Know" is one to put on your to-read lists now.
*Many thanks to Viking Penguin for my advanced review copy of this title*
May 6, 2026
This story absolutely wrecked me in the best way.
This story resonated so deeply with me as both a mother and a wife. The portrayal of the husband’s depression was incredibly raw and honest, and it highlighted a side of relationships that isn’t talked about enough. As a wife, I really connected to that quiet, heavy feeling of being the one holding everything together; keeping the household functioning, showing up for everyone else while your own struggles go unseen and unacknowledged. It’s a lonely place to be, and this book captured that so well.
The writing is beautiful. It’s layered, emotional, and deeply human without ever feeling overdone. I loved the back and forth timeline; it added tension and depth, slowly peeling back the truth in a way that kept me completely invested.
And that ending… I was genuinely shocked. It’s the kind of twist that makes you pause and rethink everything you’ve just read.
This is one of those stories that lingers. It stays with you, settles into your thoughts, and doesn’t let go easily. A powerful, emotional read that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story resonated so deeply with me as both a mother and a wife. The portrayal of the husband’s depression was incredibly raw and honest, and it highlighted a side of relationships that isn’t talked about enough. As a wife, I really connected to that quiet, heavy feeling of being the one holding everything together; keeping the household functioning, showing up for everyone else while your own struggles go unseen and unacknowledged. It’s a lonely place to be, and this book captured that so well.
The writing is beautiful. It’s layered, emotional, and deeply human without ever feeling overdone. I loved the back and forth timeline; it added tension and depth, slowly peeling back the truth in a way that kept me completely invested.
And that ending… I was genuinely shocked. It’s the kind of twist that makes you pause and rethink everything you’ve just read.
This is one of those stories that lingers. It stays with you, settles into your thoughts, and doesn’t let go easily. A powerful, emotional read that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2026
Even though The Things You’ll Never Know by Ashley Audrain will not be released until 2027, I couldn't contain my excitement and had to jump in, and oh my, this book did not disappoint. Now I'm just sad that I'll never be able to read this book for th first time again. The Things You’ll Never Know is an amazing domestic thriller with family secrets, mental health rep, multiple POVs, a non-linear timeline, and unreliable narration.
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Ashley Audrain, Viking, and Penguin Random House LLC.
Publication date: January 12, 2027
I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Thank you, Ashley Audrain, Viking, and Penguin Random House LLC.
Publication date: January 12, 2027
Want to Read
June 6, 2026I cannot wait to start this one! Ashely Audrain is one of my auto-buy authors and this book sounds fabulous!
A huge thank you to Pamela Dorman and Viking Books for my ebook via Netgalley.
A huge thank you to Pamela Dorman and Viking Books for my ebook via Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. This was a VERY heavy book. I don’t believe there was a single light hearted moment in all the one hundred plus chapters. With that being said, I was completely blown away by how much I enjoyed the book. It’s very real and there’s nothing fake about what happens in this story. Life can be hard and the characters and the story definitely make that clear in this book. The plot was very well executed and all the details came together perfectly at the end. After reading the other books by this author I was prepared for the final chapter to be monumental, but wow- when I realized what was about to happen at the very end I found myself thinking to myself “no, no, no, no!!!” When I was finished I wasn’t able to stop thinking about the final ending, and what was revealed in the final 20% of the book. It was excellent. A heavy read, but so well written and just totally captivating. I loved it. 5 well deserved stars. Looking forward to discussing this one with other readers once they have the opportunity to read it!
Thank you to the publisher (Pamela Dorman/Viking) and also NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy.
Thank you to the publisher (Pamela Dorman/Viking) and also NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy.
June 30, 2026
4.0 ⭐️
This was a fast-paced story that kept me guessing until (almost) the end. The characters were frustratingly real - I found myself loving and hating them for their flaws in equal measure. I felt like I had a new theory on what happened to Fiona after every few chapters, which of course made it impossible to put the book down. Some of the time jumps and POV changes were a little confusing since they weren’t always labeled, but I did love getting snippets from different parts of the characters’ lives. I absolutely loved The Push so I was truly honored to receive this as an ARC, thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the opportunity!
This was a fast-paced story that kept me guessing until (almost) the end. The characters were frustratingly real - I found myself loving and hating them for their flaws in equal measure. I felt like I had a new theory on what happened to Fiona after every few chapters, which of course made it impossible to put the book down. Some of the time jumps and POV changes were a little confusing since they weren’t always labeled, but I did love getting snippets from different parts of the characters’ lives. I absolutely loved The Push so I was truly honored to receive this as an ARC, thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the opportunity!
July 25, 2026
This book was PHENOMENAL!! I read it in a little over 24 hours and I was hooked from the first chapter. It really kept me guessing until the very very end. So excited to receive this ARC from NetGalley, this book will definitely be popular!
July 22, 2026
This book could’ve been a 50 page novella.
May 26, 2026
I think Ashley Audrain books should be read in the college freshman year. Being a woman is madness, and we do not get a realistic idea of how it will go beforehand. This book captures mid-life especially well, and I appreciate that the author gives Fiona some insight into her own life before she offs her. Thanks for that, Ashley!
eArc from NetGalkey
eArc from NetGalkey
May 2, 2026
Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC!
I read The Push last year and was completely obsessed. It was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and probably of all time. When I found out I was selected to receive an ARC for Ashley’s latest book my jaw was literally on the floor. Thank you thank you thank you to the lovely person who approved my NetGalley request.
Now for the book - of course I loved it. I love Ashley’s writing style and the entire time I thought I knew what happened to Fiona … until I didn’t. I found myself second guessing, third guessing, and even fourth guessing myself when I was trying to figure out the twist. I love unreliable narrators, multiple points of view, and different timelines so I felt like this book was written for me. Ashley, are you in my brain??
This is going to be a big one for the thriller community. It is just as good as The Push (which is saying a lot for me - I recommend it to anyone and everyone) - and now this will be added to that list
I read The Push last year and was completely obsessed. It was one of my favorite reads of 2025 and probably of all time. When I found out I was selected to receive an ARC for Ashley’s latest book my jaw was literally on the floor. Thank you thank you thank you to the lovely person who approved my NetGalley request.
Now for the book - of course I loved it. I love Ashley’s writing style and the entire time I thought I knew what happened to Fiona … until I didn’t. I found myself second guessing, third guessing, and even fourth guessing myself when I was trying to figure out the twist. I love unreliable narrators, multiple points of view, and different timelines so I felt like this book was written for me. Ashley, are you in my brain??
This is going to be a big one for the thriller community. It is just as good as The Push (which is saying a lot for me - I recommend it to anyone and everyone) - and now this will be added to that list
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh my goodness! I don't think I even have enough words in my vocabulary to properly express how much I loved this book. It begins with a shocking event and somehow manages to end with an even bigger shock. Honestly, I can't remember the last time I read something this gripping, emotionally devastating, and brilliantly crafted.
I've enjoyed Ashley Audrain's previous novels, but this one is on an entirely different level. It is absolutely phenomenal.
The characters feel astonishingly real—flawed, messy, frustrating, and completely human. Just when you think you've attached yourself to one character, a few chapters later they do something that makes you resent them, maybe even dislike them. Yet somehow you still understand them. Their emotions feel so authentic, like the way your spouse can drive you crazy, your sister can break your heart, or your best friend can say something that leaves you furious. These characters aren't simply written; they feel lived-in. They breathe on the page.
I actually waited longer than I wanted to start this book because my workload has been overwhelming lately, and I wanted to give it my full attention. But I kept thinking, "Maybe I'll just read a few pages." Well, that was a mistake—in the best possible way. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. This book was worth losing sleep over, worth the red eyes the next morning, worth functioning on far less rest than I should have. When you find a truly extraordinary book, you somehow create time to keep reading. Sleep becomes negotiable.
When I first read the blurb about Fiona—a massage therapist in her mid-forties who is found dead in her home after her husband returns from a camping trip while their young son Pepper sits nearby watching videos on his iPad—I assumed I was about to read a haunting story about a woman whose spirit lingers because of unfinished business. What I got instead was something far more powerful.
This is an emotionally rich work of women's fiction blended with a marriage drama and domestic mystery. It's a story about a family drowning in secrets.
Even as funeral preparations begin, Fiona's husband Adam receives a phone call revealing the truth about Fiona's death. Yet he keeps the information hidden from everyone. Why? Is he protecting the family? Protecting Fiona's memory? Protecting himself? The possibilities feel endless, and the mystery immediately sinks its hooks into you.
Every character carries their own burdens. Adam struggles with depression, professional setbacks, and the collapse of his marriage. Fiona's best friend Leah harbors a devastating secret dating back to their college years. Astrid, Fiona's teenage daughter, is secretly meeting someone and hiding truths of her own. And perhaps most heartbreaking of all, little Pepper knows far more about his mother's death than anyone realizes. Yet he remains silent because he promised his mother he would keep her secrets.
As Fiona's diary is discovered, a mysterious visitor appears at the family's door, and Fiona's estranged sister Nell begins digging deeper into the circumstances surrounding her death, layers of deception slowly peel away. The family members have been pretending for a very long time—not only to each other but also to themselves. As the truth emerges, so do the emotions they've buried: resentment, guilt, anger, heartbreak, regret, and grief. Watching these feelings explode onto the page is both painful and deeply satisfying.
Fiona is an exceptionally layered character. At different moments, you'll feel angry with her, heartbroken for her, and desperate to hug her. She's not always rational. She's deeply scarred by her past and often makes questionable choices. Yet she never stops feeling real.
The same can be said for every major character. Nell is trying to make up for being the sister she should have been. Adam is struggling to survive while carrying more pain than anyone realizes. Leah is consumed by guilt but continues doing everything she can to support the family. None of them are easy to love, yet all of them earn your empathy.
The structure is brilliantly executed. The timeline moves between the days surrounding Fiona's death, the past experiences of Fiona, Adam, Leah, and Nell, and the present-day aftermath. The shifting perspectives and timelines never feel confusing; instead, they gradually reveal the puzzle pieces exactly when you need them.
And that ending.
I genuinely screamed.
Ashley Audrain masterfully controls every reveal. The writing is impeccable. Every chapter deepens the mystery while simultaneously pulling at your heartstrings. The pacing is relentless, the emotional beats hit hard, and the revelations land with maximum impact.
I cannot adequately describe how much I enjoyed this book. The excitement I felt was the literary equivalent of screaming in a stadium packed with World Cup fans after a winning goal. That's how much I loved it.
Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Clear your schedule, grab a copy, and prepare to lose sleep.
My deepest thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Viking / Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read this remarkable novel.
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I've enjoyed Ashley Audrain's previous novels, but this one is on an entirely different level. It is absolutely phenomenal.
The characters feel astonishingly real—flawed, messy, frustrating, and completely human. Just when you think you've attached yourself to one character, a few chapters later they do something that makes you resent them, maybe even dislike them. Yet somehow you still understand them. Their emotions feel so authentic, like the way your spouse can drive you crazy, your sister can break your heart, or your best friend can say something that leaves you furious. These characters aren't simply written; they feel lived-in. They breathe on the page.
I actually waited longer than I wanted to start this book because my workload has been overwhelming lately, and I wanted to give it my full attention. But I kept thinking, "Maybe I'll just read a few pages." Well, that was a mistake—in the best possible way. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. This book was worth losing sleep over, worth the red eyes the next morning, worth functioning on far less rest than I should have. When you find a truly extraordinary book, you somehow create time to keep reading. Sleep becomes negotiable.
When I first read the blurb about Fiona—a massage therapist in her mid-forties who is found dead in her home after her husband returns from a camping trip while their young son Pepper sits nearby watching videos on his iPad—I assumed I was about to read a haunting story about a woman whose spirit lingers because of unfinished business. What I got instead was something far more powerful.
This is an emotionally rich work of women's fiction blended with a marriage drama and domestic mystery. It's a story about a family drowning in secrets.
Even as funeral preparations begin, Fiona's husband Adam receives a phone call revealing the truth about Fiona's death. Yet he keeps the information hidden from everyone. Why? Is he protecting the family? Protecting Fiona's memory? Protecting himself? The possibilities feel endless, and the mystery immediately sinks its hooks into you.
Every character carries their own burdens. Adam struggles with depression, professional setbacks, and the collapse of his marriage. Fiona's best friend Leah harbors a devastating secret dating back to their college years. Astrid, Fiona's teenage daughter, is secretly meeting someone and hiding truths of her own. And perhaps most heartbreaking of all, little Pepper knows far more about his mother's death than anyone realizes. Yet he remains silent because he promised his mother he would keep her secrets.
As Fiona's diary is discovered, a mysterious visitor appears at the family's door, and Fiona's estranged sister Nell begins digging deeper into the circumstances surrounding her death, layers of deception slowly peel away. The family members have been pretending for a very long time—not only to each other but also to themselves. As the truth emerges, so do the emotions they've buried: resentment, guilt, anger, heartbreak, regret, and grief. Watching these feelings explode onto the page is both painful and deeply satisfying.
Fiona is an exceptionally layered character. At different moments, you'll feel angry with her, heartbroken for her, and desperate to hug her. She's not always rational. She's deeply scarred by her past and often makes questionable choices. Yet she never stops feeling real.
The same can be said for every major character. Nell is trying to make up for being the sister she should have been. Adam is struggling to survive while carrying more pain than anyone realizes. Leah is consumed by guilt but continues doing everything she can to support the family. None of them are easy to love, yet all of them earn your empathy.
The structure is brilliantly executed. The timeline moves between the days surrounding Fiona's death, the past experiences of Fiona, Adam, Leah, and Nell, and the present-day aftermath. The shifting perspectives and timelines never feel confusing; instead, they gradually reveal the puzzle pieces exactly when you need them.
And that ending.
I genuinely screamed.
Ashley Audrain masterfully controls every reveal. The writing is impeccable. Every chapter deepens the mystery while simultaneously pulling at your heartstrings. The pacing is relentless, the emotional beats hit hard, and the revelations land with maximum impact.
I cannot adequately describe how much I enjoyed this book. The excitement I felt was the literary equivalent of screaming in a stadium packed with World Cup fans after a winning goal. That's how much I loved it.
Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Clear your schedule, grab a copy, and prepare to lose sleep.
My deepest thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Viking / Pamela Dorman Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to read this remarkable novel.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Like so many readers, I was swept up in the phenomenon of The Push. While I don’t think The Things You’ll Never Know will reach quite the same level of cultural buzz, I do think it will find a devoted audience. Ashley Audrain has once again written a novel that is less interested in providing easy answers than in sparking difficult conversations.
Fiona is a 45-year-old mother of two whose husband, Adam, struggles with clinical depression. While Adam and their teenage daughter are away on a camping trip, Fiona remains home with their six-year-old son, Pepper. By the time her family returns, Fiona is dead. From there, the story unfolds through Fiona’s perspective as a ghost watching the aftermath of her death, while her daughter discovers and begins reading her mother’s diary—uncovering secrets that dramatically reshape how she views the woman she thought she knew.
The mystery itself kept me engaged, but it wasn’t the biggest draw for me. What impressed me most was Audrain’s exploration of motherhood, the impossible expectations placed on women, and the quiet ways many women become invisible as they age. She examines people-pleasing, self-sacrifice, and the emotional labor that so often goes unnoticed, asking readers to consider how much of a woman’s identity is shaped by the roles others expect her to play.
The novel is exquisitely paced, although there are several emotionally uncomfortable moments that may be challenging for some readers. The characters make frustrating choices at times, but those decisions feel purposeful rather than sensational, inviting readers to wrestle with complicated questions instead of offering simple moral judgments. Audrain has a gift for creating characters who feel authentic in all their contradictions, and Fiona and her family are especially well realized despite the relatively small cast.
I found myself more invested in the emotional and thematic journey than in solving the mystery. While I anticipated where the story was heading fairly early on, that ultimately mattered very little. The novel succeeds because of the conversations it inspires about family, identity, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves about the people we love.
This would make an outstanding book club selection. There is so much to unpack—from motherhood and marriage to guilt, perception, and the feminine ideal—that I could easily imagine an hour-long discussion after finishing the final page.
If you enjoy domestic suspense that prioritizes character development and thought-provoking themes over constant twists, this is one to add to your TBR. It may not become an all-time favorite for me, but I have a feeling many readers will connect deeply with its emotional complexity and the questions it leaves lingering long after the final chapter.
★★★★☆ (4/5)
Thank you to Pamela Dorman Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy. The Things You’ll Never Know will be published in January 2027.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the immediate aftermath of her death, Fiona lingers as an omnipresent narrator watching over her grieving family and revisiting the days leading up to her passing. As the timeline shifts over the past 20 years of her life, secrets get revealed about the events and choices that led to her mysterious death.
The narration device of the recently-deceased Fiona has a lot of commonality with Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild, with Audrain's take being far more effective. I liked that the book did not linger on introspecting about the deceased's current state. Instead, she set some simple boundaries- she had transitioned to another space and could not leave the confines of the house- and let the rest unfold.
The book hops through time and alternates between first-person and third-person narration. There are several timelines, including Fiona's college years, the years of her marriage, the weekend immediately preceding her death, and the weeks right after her death. The chapters are all pretty short and easily-digestible, which is a benefit when different parts of Fiona's mystery start to piece together through her history. Overall, the book is a page-turner and while the resolution drags on for about 40 pages too long, there is enough intrigue there to keep the reader going.
That being said, the back half of the book really drags. I found the manner of Fiona's death to be extremely predictable with a lot of giant, neon-colored clues splashed throughout, which took away from a dramatic reveal. The timelines started to get confusing in the second half without any clear markers, and it would take me a few sentences to figure out exactly where we were in Fiona's life.
There was a lot of weird commentary about the two female characters without children. They're presented as having secondary life experiences compared to parents and how they hold on to decades-long secret resentments towards their childbearing friends. I'd love to see Audrain stretch herself to introspect about any kind of identity outside of being a mother.
And the final reveal about what caused Fiona's death? Yeah, that's a big no from me. Come on.
Because I'm the kind of person who obsesses over these kinds of details, I found it really hard to place this story geographically. I think it was supposed to be in the U.S. (maybe NYC or Philadelphia?), but there were more than a few Canadianisms in the vocabulary choices.
The narration device of the recently-deceased Fiona has a lot of commonality with Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild, with Audrain's take being far more effective. I liked that the book did not linger on introspecting about the deceased's current state. Instead, she set some simple boundaries- she had transitioned to another space and could not leave the confines of the house- and let the rest unfold.
The book hops through time and alternates between first-person and third-person narration. There are several timelines, including Fiona's college years, the years of her marriage, the weekend immediately preceding her death, and the weeks right after her death. The chapters are all pretty short and easily-digestible, which is a benefit when different parts of Fiona's mystery start to piece together through her history. Overall, the book is a page-turner and while the resolution drags on for about 40 pages too long, there is enough intrigue there to keep the reader going.
That being said, the back half of the book really drags. I found the manner of Fiona's death to be extremely predictable with a lot of giant, neon-colored clues splashed throughout, which took away from a dramatic reveal. The timelines started to get confusing in the second half without any clear markers, and it would take me a few sentences to figure out exactly where we were in Fiona's life.
There was a lot of weird commentary about the two female characters without children. They're presented as having secondary life experiences compared to parents and how they hold on to decades-long secret resentments towards their childbearing friends. I'd love to see Audrain stretch herself to introspect about any kind of identity outside of being a mother.
And the final reveal about what caused Fiona's death? Yeah, that's a big no from me. Come on.
Because I'm the kind of person who obsesses over these kinds of details, I found it really hard to place this story geographically. I think it was supposed to be in the U.S. (maybe NYC or Philadelphia?), but there were more than a few Canadianisms in the vocabulary choices.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley for this copy
Ashley Audrain has a gift for exploring the darker corners of family life, and Things You'll Never Know is another emotionally charged, psychologically astute novel that lingers long after the final page.
At its heart, this is a story about the secrets families keep. Not just from one another, but from themselves. Audrain examines love, resentment, guilt, and the complicated ways people try to protect those they care about, even when those choices have devastating consequences. The characters are deeply flawed, which makes them feel authentic and painfully human.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its emotional complexity. There are no simple heroes or villains here. Every character believes they are acting for the right reasons, and as the story unfolds, perspectives shift in ways that continually challenge the reader's assumptions. Audrain excels at revealing how a single event can be experienced and remembered very differently by each person involved.
The pacing is deliberate but consistently engaging. Tension builds steadily through carefully placed revelations rather than dramatic twists for their own sake. I found myself eager to keep reading, not because I needed to solve a mystery, but because I wanted to understand these characters and the choices that shaped their lives. The emotional payoff feels earned, and the ending leaves plenty to reflect on without feeling artificially ambiguous.
Audrain's prose is elegant and restrained, allowing the emotional weight of the story to speak for itself. She has a remarkable ability to convey discomfort, grief, and longing through quiet moments and subtle interactions, making the novel feel both intimate and unsettling.
If I had one minor criticism, it would be that readers looking for a fast-paced psychological thriller may find the novel more character-driven than suspense-driven. The focus is on relationships and emotional truth rather than constant plot twists. For me, that was a strength, but expectations should be set accordingly.
Overall, Things You'll Never Know is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel about family, memory, and the hidden truths that shape our lives. Ashley Audrain continues to prove that she is one of the strongest voices writing contemporary psychological fiction. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy layered family dramas with rich character development and lasting emotional impact.
Ashley Audrain has a gift for exploring the darker corners of family life, and Things You'll Never Know is another emotionally charged, psychologically astute novel that lingers long after the final page.
At its heart, this is a story about the secrets families keep. Not just from one another, but from themselves. Audrain examines love, resentment, guilt, and the complicated ways people try to protect those they care about, even when those choices have devastating consequences. The characters are deeply flawed, which makes them feel authentic and painfully human.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its emotional complexity. There are no simple heroes or villains here. Every character believes they are acting for the right reasons, and as the story unfolds, perspectives shift in ways that continually challenge the reader's assumptions. Audrain excels at revealing how a single event can be experienced and remembered very differently by each person involved.
The pacing is deliberate but consistently engaging. Tension builds steadily through carefully placed revelations rather than dramatic twists for their own sake. I found myself eager to keep reading, not because I needed to solve a mystery, but because I wanted to understand these characters and the choices that shaped their lives. The emotional payoff feels earned, and the ending leaves plenty to reflect on without feeling artificially ambiguous.
Audrain's prose is elegant and restrained, allowing the emotional weight of the story to speak for itself. She has a remarkable ability to convey discomfort, grief, and longing through quiet moments and subtle interactions, making the novel feel both intimate and unsettling.
If I had one minor criticism, it would be that readers looking for a fast-paced psychological thriller may find the novel more character-driven than suspense-driven. The focus is on relationships and emotional truth rather than constant plot twists. For me, that was a strength, but expectations should be set accordingly.
Overall, Things You'll Never Know is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel about family, memory, and the hidden truths that shape our lives. Ashley Audrain continues to prove that she is one of the strongest voices writing contemporary psychological fiction. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy layered family dramas with rich character development and lasting emotional impact.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ashley Audrain has officially become an auto-buy author for me. I love the way she writes about motherhood—not the polished, picture-perfect version, but the complicated, messy, and sometimes uncomfortable reality of it. She has a way of putting thoughts on the page that many parents have probably had but would never say out loud. Every book leaves me thinking, and The Things You’ll Never Know was no different.
This story centers on a family carrying years of hurt, misunderstandings, and secrets, showing how one life-altering event ripples through each relationship. As the different perspectives unfold, you slowly piece together what really happened and how every character has been shaped by it. I loved that there wasn’t a clear villain or hero. Everyone was flawed, everyone was trying in their own way, and that made the story feel incredibly real.
My biggest struggle was the pacing. For me, the middle dragged quite a bit. I kept waiting for something to really shift, and while I was still invested because Audrain’s writing is so compelling, I found myself wishing the story would move a little faster. It spent a lot of time building the emotional tension, almost to the point where I expected a huge payoff.
Instead, the ending felt surprisingly quick. After such a slow burn, everything seemed to come together almost too neatly. I wanted a little more room to sit with the consequences and a little less closure. One of the things I usually love about Audrain is that she isn’t afraid to leave readers uncomfortable, and this ending felt more wrapped up than I was expecting.
Even with those criticisms, I still really enjoyed the book. Ashley Audrain has such a gift for writing emotionally complex characters and asking difficult questions about motherhood, marriage, family, and identity. She makes you empathize with people even when you don’t agree with them, and I found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished.
It wasn’t quite The Push for me—that’s still my favorite—but it’s another thoughtful, emotionally layered novel from an author I’ll continue to read without hesitation. If you enjoy character-driven stories that explore the complicated realities of family life and aren’t afraid to make you a little uncomfortable, this is absolutely worth picking up.
This story centers on a family carrying years of hurt, misunderstandings, and secrets, showing how one life-altering event ripples through each relationship. As the different perspectives unfold, you slowly piece together what really happened and how every character has been shaped by it. I loved that there wasn’t a clear villain or hero. Everyone was flawed, everyone was trying in their own way, and that made the story feel incredibly real.
My biggest struggle was the pacing. For me, the middle dragged quite a bit. I kept waiting for something to really shift, and while I was still invested because Audrain’s writing is so compelling, I found myself wishing the story would move a little faster. It spent a lot of time building the emotional tension, almost to the point where I expected a huge payoff.
Instead, the ending felt surprisingly quick. After such a slow burn, everything seemed to come together almost too neatly. I wanted a little more room to sit with the consequences and a little less closure. One of the things I usually love about Audrain is that she isn’t afraid to leave readers uncomfortable, and this ending felt more wrapped up than I was expecting.
Even with those criticisms, I still really enjoyed the book. Ashley Audrain has such a gift for writing emotionally complex characters and asking difficult questions about motherhood, marriage, family, and identity. She makes you empathize with people even when you don’t agree with them, and I found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished.
It wasn’t quite The Push for me—that’s still my favorite—but it’s another thoughtful, emotionally layered novel from an author I’ll continue to read without hesitation. If you enjoy character-driven stories that explore the complicated realities of family life and aren’t afraid to make you a little uncomfortable, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m not sure that Ashley Audrain can write a book I am not obsessed with. I absolutely LOVE her writing!
It’s so real.
It’s so relatable.
It’s so satisfying.
From The Push to The Whispers to The Things You’ll Never Know, I appreciated how Audrain explored the themes of motherhood and all its messiness. She has a knack for putting into words the parts of motherhood that often go unspoken. I really like how she isn’t afraid to explore the complicated emotions, quiet resentments, fears, and impossible expectations that can come with being a mother. It’s this honesty, combined with how relatable her characters feel, that makes me love her stories even more.
What I love most about Audrain’s writing is how real it feels. She has an incredible ability to explore motherhood in all of its beautiful, heartbreaking, and messy complexity. She gives a voice to the emotions so many women experience but often don’t say out loud, the quiet resentments, impossible expectations, fears, guilt, and the constant tug-of-war between who you are and who everyone expects you to be. It’s raw, honest, and incredibly relatable, which is exactly why her stories stay with me long after I’ve finished them.
This story pulled me in immediately. I loved the alternating points of view, the past-and-present timeline, and the journal entries woven throughout the novel. Each layer slowly peeled back another piece of the mystery while adding even more emotional depth. The characters felt authentic, flawed, and completely believable, making the family dynamics all the more compelling.
If I had a complaint, it would be the name Pepper for a boy. Every single time I came across his name, I pictured a girl. It didn’t take away from the story, but it definitely was a distraction for me.
Audrain has such a distinctive writing style. She doesn’t rely on shocking twists alone. I like how she digs into complicated relationships and uncomfortable truths with such honesty that her books feel deeply personal. Few authors capture the emotional realities of motherhood as authentically as she does. And it goes without saying this was another fantastic read, and without question one of my favorites of the year.
Thank you big time to Viking Penguin and Net Galley for the advance copy!!
It’s so real.
It’s so relatable.
It’s so satisfying.
From The Push to The Whispers to The Things You’ll Never Know, I appreciated how Audrain explored the themes of motherhood and all its messiness. She has a knack for putting into words the parts of motherhood that often go unspoken. I really like how she isn’t afraid to explore the complicated emotions, quiet resentments, fears, and impossible expectations that can come with being a mother. It’s this honesty, combined with how relatable her characters feel, that makes me love her stories even more.
What I love most about Audrain’s writing is how real it feels. She has an incredible ability to explore motherhood in all of its beautiful, heartbreaking, and messy complexity. She gives a voice to the emotions so many women experience but often don’t say out loud, the quiet resentments, impossible expectations, fears, guilt, and the constant tug-of-war between who you are and who everyone expects you to be. It’s raw, honest, and incredibly relatable, which is exactly why her stories stay with me long after I’ve finished them.
This story pulled me in immediately. I loved the alternating points of view, the past-and-present timeline, and the journal entries woven throughout the novel. Each layer slowly peeled back another piece of the mystery while adding even more emotional depth. The characters felt authentic, flawed, and completely believable, making the family dynamics all the more compelling.
If I had a complaint, it would be the name Pepper for a boy. Every single time I came across his name, I pictured a girl. It didn’t take away from the story, but it definitely was a distraction for me.
Audrain has such a distinctive writing style. She doesn’t rely on shocking twists alone. I like how she digs into complicated relationships and uncomfortable truths with such honesty that her books feel deeply personal. Few authors capture the emotional realities of motherhood as authentically as she does. And it goes without saying this was another fantastic read, and without question one of my favorites of the year.
Thank you big time to Viking Penguin and Net Galley for the advance copy!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this advance reader’s copy, in exchange for an honest review. “The Things You’ll Never Know” is scheduled for release on January 12, 2027.
The opening pages are powerful. Fiona is lying on the floor, staring into her family’s faces: husband Adam, and children Astrid (15) and Pepper (6). Fiona has died. But Fiona is also the narrator (at least in this part of the story), her spirit describing the scene as her body is taken away and her family comes unglued.
What happened? How did she die?
Intriguing questions. But the remaining 300-plus pages never measure up to the provocative opening. And when the big reveal (as well as some smaller reveals along the way) comes, it’s not really that big.
My first issue with this story is that the two main characters, Fiona and her husband Adam, are extremely unlikable. For that matter, Fiona’s best friend Leah is also detestable. And her kids, Astrid and Pepper, are beyond annoying. Nell, Fiona’s estranged sister, seems the only semi-normal person in the story. That makes for a challenging read.
Secondly, the narrative shifts through too many timeframes: the present, the weekend Fiona died, and several backstories covering nearly two decades. After 200 pages the confusion sets in, especially when some of the time shifts are not announced at the start of the chapter. The only indicator that it’s a backstory is the narration shifts from Fiona’s perspective to that of a third-person narrator.
Oh, and there’s no indication of where the story takes place. It seems like it’s somewhere in the U.S., but it could also be Toronto or another Canadian city. Not critical, but cultural setting adds a lot to understanding people’s actions.
In between there’s a lot of lying, secrets, cheating, and just plain head-scratching behavior by virtually every cast member. The ending is perhaps the biggest letdown of all, landing like a thud on the final pages.
Just two stars for “The Things You’ll Never Know.” The interesting premise and solid opening are not supported by the remainder of the book.
And you can read all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) blog site. New reviews posted every Monday.
The opening pages are powerful. Fiona is lying on the floor, staring into her family’s faces: husband Adam, and children Astrid (15) and Pepper (6). Fiona has died. But Fiona is also the narrator (at least in this part of the story), her spirit describing the scene as her body is taken away and her family comes unglued.
What happened? How did she die?
Intriguing questions. But the remaining 300-plus pages never measure up to the provocative opening. And when the big reveal (as well as some smaller reveals along the way) comes, it’s not really that big.
My first issue with this story is that the two main characters, Fiona and her husband Adam, are extremely unlikable. For that matter, Fiona’s best friend Leah is also detestable. And her kids, Astrid and Pepper, are beyond annoying. Nell, Fiona’s estranged sister, seems the only semi-normal person in the story. That makes for a challenging read.
Secondly, the narrative shifts through too many timeframes: the present, the weekend Fiona died, and several backstories covering nearly two decades. After 200 pages the confusion sets in, especially when some of the time shifts are not announced at the start of the chapter. The only indicator that it’s a backstory is the narration shifts from Fiona’s perspective to that of a third-person narrator.
Oh, and there’s no indication of where the story takes place. It seems like it’s somewhere in the U.S., but it could also be Toronto or another Canadian city. Not critical, but cultural setting adds a lot to understanding people’s actions.
In between there’s a lot of lying, secrets, cheating, and just plain head-scratching behavior by virtually every cast member. The ending is perhaps the biggest letdown of all, landing like a thud on the final pages.
Just two stars for “The Things You’ll Never Know.” The interesting premise and solid opening are not supported by the remainder of the book.
And you can read all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) blog site. New reviews posted every Monday.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having given both The Push and The Whispers four stars (with The Push still sticking with me years later), I was really looking forward to Ashley Audrain's latest novel.
The premise immediately hooked me, especially as a mother myself. Audrain has a real talent for exploring the darker, more complicated sides of family life and motherhood, and The Things You'll Never Know is no exception. It's an emotionally heavy read, tackling themes of motherhood, desire, betrayal and the complexities of relationships, so don't go into it expecting something light-hearted.
The pacing is excellent. The short chapters made it incredibly easy to keep saying "just one more", and I was constantly looking forward to picking it back up. Audrain's writing is as compelling as ever, and I particularly enjoyed how thoroughly Fiona's character was explored. She felt like a fully realised, deeply flawed person, and I found her fascinating to read about, even when I didn't always like her.
That said, I did have a few issues with the structure. The timeline jumps around frequently, and while some shifts are signposted with headings, others aren't, leaving me occasionally disoriented. I also wasn't a fan of the switches between first- and third-person narration, which made the reading experience feel a little uneven.
I also found some of Fiona's interactions with her son, Pepper, during the final weekend genuinely uncomfortable to read. She's intentionally written as a flawed character, but there were moments that were difficult to sit with.
The novel builds an excellent sense of mystery, and I spent most of it convinced there was going to be a huge revelation waiting at the end. Unfortunately, that's where it lost me slightly. The ending was undeniably sad, but I found the payoff surprisingly understated. After all the tension and intrigue, I was expecting something with a little more impact, so the conclusion left me feeling more disappointed than shocked.
Overall, this is another well-written, addictive novel from Ashley Audrain. It kept me turning the pages from beginning to end, but while the journey was compelling, I couldn't help feeling that the destination didn't quite live up to it.
The premise immediately hooked me, especially as a mother myself. Audrain has a real talent for exploring the darker, more complicated sides of family life and motherhood, and The Things You'll Never Know is no exception. It's an emotionally heavy read, tackling themes of motherhood, desire, betrayal and the complexities of relationships, so don't go into it expecting something light-hearted.
The pacing is excellent. The short chapters made it incredibly easy to keep saying "just one more", and I was constantly looking forward to picking it back up. Audrain's writing is as compelling as ever, and I particularly enjoyed how thoroughly Fiona's character was explored. She felt like a fully realised, deeply flawed person, and I found her fascinating to read about, even when I didn't always like her.
That said, I did have a few issues with the structure. The timeline jumps around frequently, and while some shifts are signposted with headings, others aren't, leaving me occasionally disoriented. I also wasn't a fan of the switches between first- and third-person narration, which made the reading experience feel a little uneven.
I also found some of Fiona's interactions with her son, Pepper, during the final weekend genuinely uncomfortable to read. She's intentionally written as a flawed character, but there were moments that were difficult to sit with.
The novel builds an excellent sense of mystery, and I spent most of it convinced there was going to be a huge revelation waiting at the end. Unfortunately, that's where it lost me slightly. The ending was undeniably sad, but I found the payoff surprisingly understated. After all the tension and intrigue, I was expecting something with a little more impact, so the conclusion left me feeling more disappointed than shocked.
Overall, this is another well-written, addictive novel from Ashley Audrain. It kept me turning the pages from beginning to end, but while the journey was compelling, I couldn't help feeling that the destination didn't quite live up to it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After loving this author’s previous two novels, I could not wait to read this book! Once again, Ashley Audrain tackles motherhood, marriage, and what it takes to fully become yourself, to put yourself first and not have any regrets. Is living that way really possible, or does guilt consume a mother/wife/woman her whole life?
This story starts off with Fiona’s husband going away for the weekend on a camping trip. Her husband, Adam, is taking their teenage daughter, Astrid with him. Fiona is staying home with their six year old son, Pepper. However, when Adam and Astrid return home from their trip, Fiona is found dead on the floor. Pepper is unharmed, and doesn’t know what happened.
After authorities are called, and arrangements are made, we then get to watch Fiona watch her family move about and live as Fiona is dead. We also get flashbacks to twenty years prior when Fiona was in college, and also when her and Adam first met. Her daughter finds her diary, and we get details of her life leading up to her death.
Fiona’s sister, Nell, comes to stay and help out for a short time with her family. Her best friend Leah, is also there to help out with the children. Everyone close to Fiona seems to be keeping secrets, and it doesn’t seem as if we will ever get to the truth of what really happened to Fiona.
All of the characters in this story were deeply flawed, but yet so real. I might add they weren’t very likable either. I felt very strongly for Fiona, as she had to figure life out for herself. She also never knew how to put herself first, until she did…
I will say that this book started off super strong for me. I then felt that the final reveal/conclusion was very underwhelming- and ruined what could have been a five star read for me. Either way, I still recommend reading this book, and I will jump at the chance to read whatever Ashley Audrain writes next!
(3.5 stars-rounded up)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Pamela DormanBooks/Viking, and the author for an advanced DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 12, 2027
This story starts off with Fiona’s husband going away for the weekend on a camping trip. Her husband, Adam, is taking their teenage daughter, Astrid with him. Fiona is staying home with their six year old son, Pepper. However, when Adam and Astrid return home from their trip, Fiona is found dead on the floor. Pepper is unharmed, and doesn’t know what happened.
After authorities are called, and arrangements are made, we then get to watch Fiona watch her family move about and live as Fiona is dead. We also get flashbacks to twenty years prior when Fiona was in college, and also when her and Adam first met. Her daughter finds her diary, and we get details of her life leading up to her death.
Fiona’s sister, Nell, comes to stay and help out for a short time with her family. Her best friend Leah, is also there to help out with the children. Everyone close to Fiona seems to be keeping secrets, and it doesn’t seem as if we will ever get to the truth of what really happened to Fiona.
All of the characters in this story were deeply flawed, but yet so real. I might add they weren’t very likable either. I felt very strongly for Fiona, as she had to figure life out for herself. She also never knew how to put herself first, until she did…
I will say that this book started off super strong for me. I then felt that the final reveal/conclusion was very underwhelming- and ruined what could have been a five star read for me. Either way, I still recommend reading this book, and I will jump at the chance to read whatever Ashley Audrain writes next!
(3.5 stars-rounded up)
Many thanks to NetGalley, Pamela DormanBooks/Viking, and the author for an advanced DRC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading, in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date: January 12, 2027
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Audrain, and Penguin Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. This book wastes no time pulling you into the mystery, and every chapter ends with another question that makes it impossible to stop reading. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I was flying through the pages. I had to slow down so I could enjoy the twists and simply take it all in. Fiona and Adam are married with two children, Astrid and Pepper. Leah is Fiona’s best friend, and Nell is Fiona's sister who lives in London. The history and connection of the characters are done amazingly well. What a treat!
Fiona’s sudden death immediately raises suspicions, and I questioned everyone, especially Adam. The deeper the story went, the more tangled everything became. Between long-buried secrets, hidden relationships, unanswered questions from the past, and shocking revelations, I was constantly trying to piece everything together. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist had me second-guessing myself.
One of my favorite aspects was the steady stream of cliffhangers. There was always another mystery waiting around the corner. I loved wondering what Adam was hiding, what really happened years earlier, and how all of the characters were connected. The suspense never let up, and I genuinely couldn’t wait to uncover the truth.
The emotional side of the story was just as compelling. Family dynamics, friendship, grief, and guilt blended seamlessly into the mystery, making the characters feel layered and believable rather than merely advancing the plot.
This was an addictive, twist-filled thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you enjoy books packed with family secrets, unreliable characters, constant cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, making you want to keep reading, and plenty of “wait…what?!” moments, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it!
From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. This book wastes no time pulling you into the mystery, and every chapter ends with another question that makes it impossible to stop reading. I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I was flying through the pages. I had to slow down so I could enjoy the twists and simply take it all in. Fiona and Adam are married with two children, Astrid and Pepper. Leah is Fiona’s best friend, and Nell is Fiona's sister who lives in London. The history and connection of the characters are done amazingly well. What a treat!
Fiona’s sudden death immediately raises suspicions, and I questioned everyone, especially Adam. The deeper the story went, the more tangled everything became. Between long-buried secrets, hidden relationships, unanswered questions from the past, and shocking revelations, I was constantly trying to piece everything together. Every time I thought I had it figured out, another twist had me second-guessing myself.
One of my favorite aspects was the steady stream of cliffhangers. There was always another mystery waiting around the corner. I loved wondering what Adam was hiding, what really happened years earlier, and how all of the characters were connected. The suspense never let up, and I genuinely couldn’t wait to uncover the truth.
The emotional side of the story was just as compelling. Family dynamics, friendship, grief, and guilt blended seamlessly into the mystery, making the characters feel layered and believable rather than merely advancing the plot.
This was an addictive, twist-filled thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you enjoy books packed with family secrets, unreliable characters, constant cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, making you want to keep reading, and plenty of “wait…what?!” moments, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it!
July 22, 2026
The Things You'll Never Know (alt title The Truth) is the third novel from Ashley Audrain, but it's my first introduction to this author. I was immediately hooked by the premise - a recently deceased wife and mother watching her family deal with her death - and once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. The author's writing style is very engaging and the short chapters make it very easy to think "just one more chapter..." and realize somehow an hour has gone by. I usually only read at bedtime so I know something is good when I'm reading it at breakfast and any other time I can find during the day - which is what happened with this one!
The story itself is mostly told from the main character's POV with flashbacks and the occasional chapter from a side character's POV. I feel like the story is a combination of unique ideas and over-used tropes, if that makes sense. But it works for the most part. The true cause of death is revealed right at the end and while it was a bit of surprise, if you were paying attention you will remember clues from earlier in the story. I do wish we had been able to observe at least one of the side characters come to the realization of what really happened and how they at least began to deal with it.
One side note: I don't have children, so maybe I don't know any better but...one of the side characters is the main character's 6 year old son. The boy is quite precocious but I feel like some of the things he says and does make him feel younger than 6 and some of them make him feel older. Maybe it's because we see him through his mom's eyes and she wants to keep him a baby? Or maybe that's the nature of a 6 year old? I don't know. Other readers who are mothers will know better than I would how accurate his portrayal is.
Overall I did really enjoy it and will be thinking about it for the next few days. I can definitely see this becoming a bingeable summer poolside read!
Thank you so much to Viking Penguin, Pamela Dorman Books, and Ashley Audrain for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my fair review.
The story itself is mostly told from the main character's POV with flashbacks and the occasional chapter from a side character's POV. I feel like the story is a combination of unique ideas and over-used tropes, if that makes sense. But it works for the most part. The true cause of death is revealed right at the end and while it was a bit of surprise, if you were paying attention you will remember clues from earlier in the story. I do wish we had been able to observe at least one of the side characters come to the realization of what really happened and how they at least began to deal with it.
One side note: I don't have children, so maybe I don't know any better but...one of the side characters is the main character's 6 year old son. The boy is quite precocious but I feel like some of the things he says and does make him feel younger than 6 and some of them make him feel older. Maybe it's because we see him through his mom's eyes and she wants to keep him a baby? Or maybe that's the nature of a 6 year old? I don't know. Other readers who are mothers will know better than I would how accurate his portrayal is.
Overall I did really enjoy it and will be thinking about it for the next few days. I can definitely see this becoming a bingeable summer poolside read!
Thank you so much to Viking Penguin, Pamela Dorman Books, and Ashley Audrain for this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my fair review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fiona has layers to herself that she gives to Adam, Pepper, Astrid, Leah, Nell, and her mother. There are layers she leaves for herself. In those secret layers she has shared thoughts with herself on paper never expecting to expose those feelings with anyone. Those feelings and thoughts were her own until death took away her secrets.
…
Fiona had to fill something else inside of her so she could be the person her family needed. The absence of Fiona was felt in the empty space that she once occupied as mother, wife, and friend. To each person that Fiona had a relationship with she left behind a hole that is unique to each one.
…
This was a fascinating concept executed exceptionally well. Ashley Audrain captures the essence of being everything you know while also giving readers the parts of Fiona that nobody knew. Audrain is a beautiful storyteller who captivates readers with piqued curiosity. This story doesn’t need a genre to categorize itself. Instead it falls within that realm of subjective experience. Audrain kept me guessing about Fiona and her cause of death the entire time. I believe it was intended that way in order to fully understand all the secrets.
…
Wow! What an amazing adventure of secrets. I’m not as good with words as Audrain so I can’t express how deeply moved I was by this book. All the interconnecting parts of the puzzle kept me glued to this book. I took it all in as it was written clinging to every word with curiosity. I had no way of knowing where Audrain was taking this story, it came as a surprise. Five stars is not enough for the power of this book. I’m rarely moved by a storyline. This is more than a concept. It’s a spectacular execution of brilliant writing skills in the most impressive way.
…
Fiona had to fill something else inside of her so she could be the person her family needed. The absence of Fiona was felt in the empty space that she once occupied as mother, wife, and friend. To each person that Fiona had a relationship with she left behind a hole that is unique to each one.
…
This was a fascinating concept executed exceptionally well. Ashley Audrain captures the essence of being everything you know while also giving readers the parts of Fiona that nobody knew. Audrain is a beautiful storyteller who captivates readers with piqued curiosity. This story doesn’t need a genre to categorize itself. Instead it falls within that realm of subjective experience. Audrain kept me guessing about Fiona and her cause of death the entire time. I believe it was intended that way in order to fully understand all the secrets.
…
Wow! What an amazing adventure of secrets. I’m not as good with words as Audrain so I can’t express how deeply moved I was by this book. All the interconnecting parts of the puzzle kept me glued to this book. I took it all in as it was written clinging to every word with curiosity. I had no way of knowing where Audrain was taking this story, it came as a surprise. Five stars is not enough for the power of this book. I’m rarely moved by a storyline. This is more than a concept. It’s a spectacular execution of brilliant writing skills in the most impressive way.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A near perfect first half carrying a far less second.
The Things You’ll Never Know started so strong I was ready to start recommending it before I’d even finished. Bold of me.
Ashley Audrain is incredibly skilled at writing discomfort. She opens with a compelling mystery and an unsettling premise, and her grasp on motherhood (especially the darker, intrusive thoughts that can come with it) felt unnervingly sharp. Girl, get out of my head!
For the first half, I was hooked. Couldn’t put it down. I was already mentally clearing shelf space for a “best of the year” spot.
Then the second half arrived and politely ruined that plan.
The pacing lost steam, character details I didn’t enjoy started pouring in, and the timeline became muddy. The chapter timing labels stopped altogether *let me know if that gets fixed and I’ll delete that* and all the tension just sorta left. As we got more answers this book actually became more confusing.
I also clocked the ending IMMEDIATELY… which, to be fair, if you don’t see it coming your mind will be blown.
This is a hard one to rate because I loved how it made me feel at the start and resented how the momentum slowed at the end. Audrain can write emotional discomfort better than almost anyone, but here it felt like the strongest parts of the book showed up early and left before the finale. In the end, I didn’t find the conclusion satisfying and I still had questions.
That being said, a LOT of people are gonna like this book and I was one of them…. I think.
Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: Jan 12, 2027
The Things You’ll Never Know started so strong I was ready to start recommending it before I’d even finished. Bold of me.
Ashley Audrain is incredibly skilled at writing discomfort. She opens with a compelling mystery and an unsettling premise, and her grasp on motherhood (especially the darker, intrusive thoughts that can come with it) felt unnervingly sharp. Girl, get out of my head!
For the first half, I was hooked. Couldn’t put it down. I was already mentally clearing shelf space for a “best of the year” spot.
Then the second half arrived and politely ruined that plan.
The pacing lost steam, character details I didn’t enjoy started pouring in, and the timeline became muddy. The chapter timing labels stopped altogether *let me know if that gets fixed and I’ll delete that* and all the tension just sorta left. As we got more answers this book actually became more confusing.
I also clocked the ending IMMEDIATELY… which, to be fair, if you don’t see it coming your mind will be blown.
This is a hard one to rate because I loved how it made me feel at the start and resented how the momentum slowed at the end. Audrain can write emotional discomfort better than almost anyone, but here it felt like the strongest parts of the book showed up early and left before the finale. In the end, I didn’t find the conclusion satisfying and I still had questions.
That being said, a LOT of people are gonna like this book and I was one of them…. I think.
Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: Jan 12, 2027
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Things You’ll Never Know
By Ashley Audrain
Published by Viking Penguin
Release Date: January 12, 2027
I am a 49 year old mother of two adult children that always felt like a disappointment while growing up with a complicated relationship with my sister, so boy did I relate to this book! It mimics how life really is with its interwoven stories, secrets held deep inside, and complicated relationships and feelings. The description alone grabbed my attention, “Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband…and her children…(you have to read it to get the details in the middle)…Fiona is dead.”
Motherhood is wonderful but hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience times when you just don’t know who you are because your identity has gotten wrapped up into the beings around you. Our children don’t know or understand that we too are growing up beside them.
My review will not do it justice as I try to keep the details hidden, but I will tell you I ate this up. I couldn’t get to the end fast enough so that I would understand more of the secrets and nuances found inside, but once I got to the end I wished I wouldn’t have finished so fast. I’ve thought about the characters and stories found inside The Things You’ll Never Know multiple times since I reached the last page. I want more despite the fact that it ended well. Ashley Audrain created a smartly written masterpiece that would make an awesome summer movie blockbuster.
You want this book.
You need this book.
You can’t shake this book.
⭐️ 5 stars • HIGHLY RECOMMEND ⭐️
Thank you Viking Penguin for the review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I am a 49 year old mother of two adult children that always felt like a disappointment while growing up with a complicated relationship with my sister, so boy did I relate to this book! It mimics how life really is with its interwoven stories, secrets held deep inside, and complicated relationships and feelings. The description alone grabbed my attention, “Fiona stares up at the faces of her husband…and her children…(you have to read it to get the details in the middle)…Fiona is dead.”
Motherhood is wonderful but hard, and it’s not uncommon to experience times when you just don’t know who you are because your identity has gotten wrapped up into the beings around you. Our children don’t know or understand that we too are growing up beside them.
My review will not do it justice as I try to keep the details hidden, but I will tell you I ate this up. I couldn’t get to the end fast enough so that I would understand more of the secrets and nuances found inside, but once I got to the end I wished I wouldn’t have finished so fast. I’ve thought about the characters and stories found inside The Things You’ll Never Know multiple times since I reached the last page. I want more despite the fact that it ended well. Ashley Audrain created a smartly written masterpiece that would make an awesome summer movie blockbuster.
You want this book.
You need this book.
You can’t shake this book.
⭐️ 5 stars • HIGHLY RECOMMEND ⭐️
Thank you Viking Penguin for the review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved Ashley Audrain’s previous novels The Push and The Whispers and was so thrilled when she announced her next book The Things You’ll Never Know!
As a mother myself, whose biggest fear is not being her to watch and help my daughter grow up, this book devastated me from the very start. Fiona, mother and main voice of this story, dies and is essentially a ghost in her home watching her family grieve and come to terms with her death and all the ramifications that come with it. The way Fiona’s character was cycling through all the emotions and loss of watching her children but not being able to comfort them wrecked me. I could see myself in her in the way she let being their mother consume her wholly.
The book was very fast paced and even though it jumps around to different timelines and different peoples perspectives, it was very easy to follow and kept me wanting to read just one more chapter.
The dynamics with Fiona and Adam’s marriage were hard and strenuous but also at the core had a deep love and need for understanding. From one chapter to the next you would despise them and then love them.
I LOVED the first like 90% of this book and at times didn’t want it to end, but I was disappointed by the ending. It just felt rushed and not fully explained in the same way the rest of the book had felt.
Even though I’d wished for more at the ending I still FULLY enjoyed this book and am soo pleased that Ashley Audrain continues to write books that I connect with wholeheartedly.
Thank you to Ashley Audrain, Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books & NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
As a mother myself, whose biggest fear is not being her to watch and help my daughter grow up, this book devastated me from the very start. Fiona, mother and main voice of this story, dies and is essentially a ghost in her home watching her family grieve and come to terms with her death and all the ramifications that come with it. The way Fiona’s character was cycling through all the emotions and loss of watching her children but not being able to comfort them wrecked me. I could see myself in her in the way she let being their mother consume her wholly.
The book was very fast paced and even though it jumps around to different timelines and different peoples perspectives, it was very easy to follow and kept me wanting to read just one more chapter.
The dynamics with Fiona and Adam’s marriage were hard and strenuous but also at the core had a deep love and need for understanding. From one chapter to the next you would despise them and then love them.
I LOVED the first like 90% of this book and at times didn’t want it to end, but I was disappointed by the ending. It just felt rushed and not fully explained in the same way the rest of the book had felt.
Even though I’d wished for more at the ending I still FULLY enjoyed this book and am soo pleased that Ashley Audrain continues to write books that I connect with wholeheartedly.
Thank you to Ashley Audrain, Viking Penguin | Pamela Dorman Books & NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ashley Audrain has a genuinely great voice, and her novels are incredibly easy to read. The web she builds around family life, and specifically around the identity of wife and mother, is where she really shines, and this one is no different in that regard. I will absolutely be coming back to this one on audiobook when it officially releases.
That said, the final punch felt a little weak compared to where The Push landed. I had a pretty good feeling about where things were heading from the very first chapter, and the reveal did not quite land with the force I think it was going for. Part of that is on the logic of it for me. I kept turning something over in my head and thinking, as a mother, that just would not happen. I cannot say more without spoiling it, but if you have kids, you will probably know exactly what I mean when you get there.
Audrain remains one of the best at writing the specific suffocation of being a woman inside a family, and this is still a compelling, easy read. Just not her strongest ending. But I did really like it regardless.
That said, the final punch felt a little weak compared to where The Push landed. I had a pretty good feeling about where things were heading from the very first chapter, and the reveal did not quite land with the force I think it was going for. Part of that is on the logic of it for me. I kept turning something over in my head and thinking, as a mother, that just would not happen. I cannot say more without spoiling it, but if you have kids, you will probably know exactly what I mean when you get there.
Audrain remains one of the best at writing the specific suffocation of being a woman inside a family, and this is still a compelling, easy read. Just not her strongest ending. But I did really like it regardless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2026
The Things You’ll Never Know
By Ashley Audrian
Release Date 01/12/2027
5 ✨S̓̓T̓̓A̓̓R̓̓S̓̓
Some books entertain you.
Some books unsettle you so deeply you start side-eyeing your own thoughts at 2 a.m.
This one?
It crawls under your skin and stays there.
The Things You’ll Never Know is sharp, haunting, emotionally brutal in the quietest way possible — the kind of story that makes you pause after certain chapters to stare at the wall like you personally need therapy now.
Beautifully written. Deeply uncomfortable. Completely addictive.
Fiona sends her husband, Adam, on an annual camping trip with their 15-year-old daughter, Astrid.
She’s staying back at home with their son Pepper, who's 6 years old. Upon his return, he finds Fiona dead; their lives are completely shattering in real time, all the while unbeknownst to them, Fiona’s ghost is watching and narrating her future and past.
Fiona watches the aftermath of her death unfold inside the very home she left behind, forced to witness her family uncover pieces of the private life she worked hard to keep hidden. That perspective gives the story such an eerie emotional edge because even in death, she still feels everything — shame, anger, regret — but above all, an overwhelming love for her children. And while she desperately wants to protect them, there are dark secrets buried in her past that she never intended anyone to discover. The most brutal part? She can do absolutely nothing to stop the truth from surfacing.
#ashleyaudrain #pameladormanbooks #thethingsyoullneverknow #5starbook #vikingbooks
By Ashley Audrian
Release Date 01/12/2027
5 ✨S̓̓T̓̓A̓̓R̓̓S̓̓
Some books entertain you.
Some books unsettle you so deeply you start side-eyeing your own thoughts at 2 a.m.
This one?
It crawls under your skin and stays there.
The Things You’ll Never Know is sharp, haunting, emotionally brutal in the quietest way possible — the kind of story that makes you pause after certain chapters to stare at the wall like you personally need therapy now.
Beautifully written. Deeply uncomfortable. Completely addictive.
Fiona sends her husband, Adam, on an annual camping trip with their 15-year-old daughter, Astrid.
She’s staying back at home with their son Pepper, who's 6 years old. Upon his return, he finds Fiona dead; their lives are completely shattering in real time, all the while unbeknownst to them, Fiona’s ghost is watching and narrating her future and past.
Fiona watches the aftermath of her death unfold inside the very home she left behind, forced to witness her family uncover pieces of the private life she worked hard to keep hidden. That perspective gives the story such an eerie emotional edge because even in death, she still feels everything — shame, anger, regret — but above all, an overwhelming love for her children. And while she desperately wants to protect them, there are dark secrets buried in her past that she never intended anyone to discover. The most brutal part? She can do absolutely nothing to stop the truth from surfacing.
#ashleyaudrain #pameladormanbooks #thethingsyoullneverknow #5starbook #vikingbooks
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