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The Things We Need to Say
Sometimes the things we never say are the most important.
Fran loves Will with all her heart. They had a whirlwind romance, a perfect marriage and a wonderful life. Until everything changed. Now Fran needs to find her way again and teaching a yoga retreat in Spain offers her just that. Leaving behind a broken marriage she has some very important decisions to make.
Will needs his wife, he needs her to open up to him if they’re to ever return to the way things once were. But he may have damaged any possibility he had of mending their relationship and now Fran is in Spain and Will is alone.
As both Fran and Will begin to let go of a life that could have been, fate may just find a way of bringing them back together.
Perfect for fans of Katie Marsh, Amanda Prowse and Sheila O’Flanagan
From the best-selling author of The Many Colours of Us comes an emotional story of grief, relationships and ultimately hope.
Coming May 2018.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2018
236 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Burton
14 books286 followersRachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and has previously written romantic comedies.
Rachel was born in Cambridge and grew up in a house full of books and records. She has read obsessively since she first realised those black squiggles on the pages that lined her parents’ bookshelves were actually words and it has gone down in family history that any time something interesting happened, she missed it because she had her nose in a book.
After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law but her love of books prevailed as she realised that she wanted to slip into imaginary worlds of her own making. She eventually managed to write her first novel on her lunch breaks.
She is obsessed with old houses and the secrets they keep, with abandoned gardens and locked gates, with family histories and surprising revelations, and with the outcomes of those surprises many generations later.
She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books. By writing novels she now has an excuse for her head being forever in the clouds.
Find her on Instagram as @RachelBWriter, subscribe to her newsletter rachelburton.substack.com or website rachelburtonwrites.com
Rachel was born in Cambridge and grew up in a house full of books and records. She has read obsessively since she first realised those black squiggles on the pages that lined her parents’ bookshelves were actually words and it has gone down in family history that any time something interesting happened, she missed it because she had her nose in a book.
After reading for a degree in Classics and another in English Literature she accidentally fell into a career in law but her love of books prevailed as she realised that she wanted to slip into imaginary worlds of her own making. She eventually managed to write her first novel on her lunch breaks.
She is obsessed with old houses and the secrets they keep, with abandoned gardens and locked gates, with family histories and surprising revelations, and with the outcomes of those surprises many generations later.
She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books. By writing novels she now has an excuse for her head being forever in the clouds.
Find her on Instagram as @RachelBWriter, subscribe to her newsletter rachelburton.substack.com or website rachelburtonwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
May 10, 2018
Heartwrenching, touching, and undeniably affecting!
The Things We Need to Say is an absorbing, character-driven novel that highlights the emotional, physical and mental strain infertility and the loss of a child can have on a marriage.
The writing is vivid and eloquent. The characters are raw, consumed, traumatized, and real. And the plot told from dual perspectives is a beautifully written tale about life, loss, heartache, infidelity, friendship, yoga, introspection, and second-chance love.
Overall I would have to say that The Things We Need to Say is an immersive, warm, thought-provoking novel that reminds us just how important trust, communication, honesty, forgiveness, and love are to the success of a relationship and thus ultimately our own happiness.
Thank you to Rachel Burton, HQ Digital, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
The Things We Need to Say is an absorbing, character-driven novel that highlights the emotional, physical and mental strain infertility and the loss of a child can have on a marriage.
The writing is vivid and eloquent. The characters are raw, consumed, traumatized, and real. And the plot told from dual perspectives is a beautifully written tale about life, loss, heartache, infidelity, friendship, yoga, introspection, and second-chance love.
Overall I would have to say that The Things We Need to Say is an immersive, warm, thought-provoking novel that reminds us just how important trust, communication, honesty, forgiveness, and love are to the success of a relationship and thus ultimately our own happiness.
Thank you to Rachel Burton, HQ Digital, and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
All my reviews can be found on my blog at https://whatsbetterthanbooks.com
April 21, 2018
This has everything that you don't need in a marriage.
Affairs, lies, infertility, lack of honesty and being open about your thoughts and feelings and sharing them.
I felt so bad for the pair of them.
They were such a great couple, then the not being able to have a child curled herself into a ball, loosing her Mother was also in the mix.
Its very hard to judge another for withdrawing as we all deal with trauma and hardship in different ways and not necessarily with the one you should be communicating with.
I could understand Will wandering for attention on the night they both argued., not saying I condone it, but I understand why it happened.
When Fran finds out about the fling he had she is more than devastated.
She had a Yoga retreat planned so she headed off without looking back.
Us the reader are left wondering if she will return and so is Will.
The story is told in both viewpoints and also goes back in time, you get the whole big picture of their relationship.
So well written, so sensitively put and with the most basic of emotional behaviour raw and open wide for all to see and judge.
I loved it.,
March 20, 2019
My Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
Midlife crisis? … Couldn’t he have just bought a Porsche or something?
His family were of the traditional British stiff-upper-lip variety; tall and robust with good bone structure – the kind of people who could drink all night without appearing inebriated and still be up at dawn to feed the dogs and shoot the pheasants.
My Review:
I surprised myself with the level of engagement and I experienced with this insightfully written, melancholy, and slowly developing story. I have no personal interest and typically avoid or don’t relate to the main issues at the foundation of the storyline, but the emotive and well-crafted words chosen and artfully arranged by this talented author required that I stop and reevaluate my opinions. Most of the characters were facing life-altering transitions and several were living in significant turmoil caused by messes or their own making, yet I couldn’t look away. I am usually annoyed by the avoidance tactics, extreme waffling, and flight tendencies displayed by the character of Fran, however, Fran was so endearing and making such an effort to put herself back together, I could easily forgive her shortcomings. The storyline was evocative, unpredictable, and intriguing; I remained engaged and speculative from beginning to end. Ms. Burton’s writing was superb throughout, and the characters’ inner musings were profoundly insightful, observant, and thoughtfully executed. This book is a cautionary tale to remind us what happens when people become so entrenched in perfecting and achieving their goals that they lose sight of themselves and everyone/everything around them. Been there, done that, bought that shirt. Though thankfully, not the same shirt as these characters.
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
Midlife crisis? … Couldn’t he have just bought a Porsche or something?
His family were of the traditional British stiff-upper-lip variety; tall and robust with good bone structure – the kind of people who could drink all night without appearing inebriated and still be up at dawn to feed the dogs and shoot the pheasants.
My Review:
I surprised myself with the level of engagement and I experienced with this insightfully written, melancholy, and slowly developing story. I have no personal interest and typically avoid or don’t relate to the main issues at the foundation of the storyline, but the emotive and well-crafted words chosen and artfully arranged by this talented author required that I stop and reevaluate my opinions. Most of the characters were facing life-altering transitions and several were living in significant turmoil caused by messes or their own making, yet I couldn’t look away. I am usually annoyed by the avoidance tactics, extreme waffling, and flight tendencies displayed by the character of Fran, however, Fran was so endearing and making such an effort to put herself back together, I could easily forgive her shortcomings. The storyline was evocative, unpredictable, and intriguing; I remained engaged and speculative from beginning to end. Ms. Burton’s writing was superb throughout, and the characters’ inner musings were profoundly insightful, observant, and thoughtfully executed. This book is a cautionary tale to remind us what happens when people become so entrenched in perfecting and achieving their goals that they lose sight of themselves and everyone/everything around them. Been there, done that, bought that shirt. Though thankfully, not the same shirt as these characters.
July 16, 2019
Oh, please! How much of this GARBAGE do I still have to see until the day is over ?! Then your woman has problem with infertility and you will look for another mulhet to fuck DURING MONTHS !!!!! The problems here is not the lack of communication, IS THAT HE DID NOT KNOW TO KEEP HIS DICK IN HIS PANTS! And the woman solves everything with yoga and gets that garbage back ?! How pathetic these women writers think women are? !! THIS IS RIDICULOUS!
July 16, 2019
Too confusing
I didn't like all the time jumps and I was never sure who's head I was in. I especially hated the scene where he cheated. I thought since the affair was over I wouldn't have to read the details but I was wrong and the timing of it made it even worse. The separation was okay and she met some nice people, including an old boyfriend, and she decided to forgive her husband. I still don't know why he didn't. And it wasn't just one time it was for at least two months and that just made me sick. I am a glutton for punishment and honestly I don't know what drew me to this book. I like marriage in peril stories but not with actual cheating. It was a hard read and not for me. But it was very eloquent and the writer definitely has skills but it just didn't appeal to me. Just my opinion. When I finished I just felt sad and uneasy, not happy. And I should've been.
I didn't like all the time jumps and I was never sure who's head I was in. I especially hated the scene where he cheated. I thought since the affair was over I wouldn't have to read the details but I was wrong and the timing of it made it even worse. The separation was okay and she met some nice people, including an old boyfriend, and she decided to forgive her husband. I still don't know why he didn't. And it wasn't just one time it was for at least two months and that just made me sick. I am a glutton for punishment and honestly I don't know what drew me to this book. I like marriage in peril stories but not with actual cheating. It was a hard read and not for me. But it was very eloquent and the writer definitely has skills but it just didn't appeal to me. Just my opinion. When I finished I just felt sad and uneasy, not happy. And I should've been.
October 27, 2022
This is the first book by Rachel Burton that I have read, and I had mixed feelings, but they tended to be negative.
As the plot develops, it becomes clear that Fran and Will had a horrible event, and as you read on, you learn more and more about what that event was. This pair has gone through a lot, and you could feel their pain.
The present and past are alternated throughout the narrative, giving us a clear understanding of Will and Fran's marriage. I could not help but feel sympathy for Fran as she battles infertility problems and the burden it placed on her marriage. The tale, in my opinion, begins to take shape after Fran lands in Spain. Here, with the aid of other retreat participants, Fran finally begins to accept who she is and what she has developed into.
The writing is expressive and vibrant. The characters are authentic, traumatized, honest, and consumed. And the story is well crafted, with a dual-perspective storyline.
What therefore, is it that irritates me despite all the positive things I already mentioned?
Fran is a highly lovable character, and her suffering, loss, and sadness are quite palpable. In spite of the fact that as the book progressed I started to realize that perhaps Will wasn't actually selfish and obnoxious, I still can't believe it. He forced her to her lowest point in order to obtain what he desired. It's tragic that Fran had the opportunity to cheat but refrained out of love for Will, yet, Will will never be able to do the same. She deserves better ending.
I am certain of their affection. To truly appreciate something, you occasionally have to lose it. Love, however, is insufficient to ever forget an affair or make it go away.
Although the message of transformation, hope, and love in this novel is still mixed with those of loss, sadness, and fear, I firmly believe that if you truly love someone, you would never consider cheating on them, even when they were at their lowest point.
Through good times and bad, a couple remains committed to one another! When things get tough, avoid looking for another person, and never excuse your actions by blaming the circumstances.
Never betray a relationship no matter how poorly you communicate.
As the plot develops, it becomes clear that Fran and Will had a horrible event, and as you read on, you learn more and more about what that event was. This pair has gone through a lot, and you could feel their pain.
The present and past are alternated throughout the narrative, giving us a clear understanding of Will and Fran's marriage. I could not help but feel sympathy for Fran as she battles infertility problems and the burden it placed on her marriage. The tale, in my opinion, begins to take shape after Fran lands in Spain. Here, with the aid of other retreat participants, Fran finally begins to accept who she is and what she has developed into.
The writing is expressive and vibrant. The characters are authentic, traumatized, honest, and consumed. And the story is well crafted, with a dual-perspective storyline.
What therefore, is it that irritates me despite all the positive things I already mentioned?
Fran is a highly lovable character, and her suffering, loss, and sadness are quite palpable. In spite of the fact that as the book progressed I started to realize that perhaps Will wasn't actually selfish and obnoxious, I still can't believe it. He forced her to her lowest point in order to obtain what he desired. It's tragic that Fran had the opportunity to cheat but refrained out of love for Will, yet, Will will never be able to do the same. She deserves better ending.
I am certain of their affection. To truly appreciate something, you occasionally have to lose it. Love, however, is insufficient to ever forget an affair or make it go away.
Although the message of transformation, hope, and love in this novel is still mixed with those of loss, sadness, and fear, I firmly believe that if you truly love someone, you would never consider cheating on them, even when they were at their lowest point.
Through good times and bad, a couple remains committed to one another! When things get tough, avoid looking for another person, and never excuse your actions by blaming the circumstances.
Never betray a relationship no matter how poorly you communicate.
May 11, 2018
THE THINGS WE NEED TO SAY by Rachel Burton is a powerful, emotional, heartbreaking, and inspiring story about love and all of its complications, and about life when it doesn't turn out as planned.
Fran and Will love each other, of that there is no doubt. But after the heartache of the last few years, especially this past year, they are struggling to reconnect and recover who they used to be together. And when Fran discovers something that Will has been keeping from her, it is the final straw, and she is happy to leave for Spain where she is teaching at a yoga retreat as it will give her the time and space she needs to figure out her life.
While Fran is gone, Will is forced to really look at himself and everything that has happened to them both in a different light. He loves Fran but he is terrified that too much heartache has happened for them to ever really recover but how could he ever live without her? Is it possible that love is not enough?
Now I'm warning you that there is a very high chance of tears when you read Fran and Will's story and the heartache that they have endured, and as I hugged my kids goodnight after reading this story I definitely held them for a little bit longer than usual. The characters are relatable, flawed, and oh so very human and you cannot help but care for them as their story captures your heart and attention. Mistakes are made, grief is shared, and friendships are solidified in this beautiful story about finding your way in life when your future takes an unexpected turn, and I could not put this book down until I knew how it ended.
THE THINGS WE NEED TO SAY by Rachel Burton is a stunning novel that brings grief, hope, strength, and love to the surface and I highly recommend it to fiction fans everywhere.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley
Fran and Will love each other, of that there is no doubt. But after the heartache of the last few years, especially this past year, they are struggling to reconnect and recover who they used to be together. And when Fran discovers something that Will has been keeping from her, it is the final straw, and she is happy to leave for Spain where she is teaching at a yoga retreat as it will give her the time and space she needs to figure out her life.
While Fran is gone, Will is forced to really look at himself and everything that has happened to them both in a different light. He loves Fran but he is terrified that too much heartache has happened for them to ever really recover but how could he ever live without her? Is it possible that love is not enough?
Now I'm warning you that there is a very high chance of tears when you read Fran and Will's story and the heartache that they have endured, and as I hugged my kids goodnight after reading this story I definitely held them for a little bit longer than usual. The characters are relatable, flawed, and oh so very human and you cannot help but care for them as their story captures your heart and attention. Mistakes are made, grief is shared, and friendships are solidified in this beautiful story about finding your way in life when your future takes an unexpected turn, and I could not put this book down until I knew how it ended.
THE THINGS WE NEED TO SAY by Rachel Burton is a stunning novel that brings grief, hope, strength, and love to the surface and I highly recommend it to fiction fans everywhere.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from Netgalley
June 11, 2018
This tore my heartstrings apart. One moment of infidelity leads to infinite moments of grief. When Fran finds out the truth about her husband Will, she heads off to the Yoga retreat.
Narrated in both their POVs, I still read most of it with a film of tears..
A beautiful book on faltering relationships
(No more of such emotional books)
Narrated in both their POVs, I still read most of it with a film of tears..
A beautiful book on faltering relationships
(No more of such emotional books)
May 11, 2018
This is a beautifully written novel covering a difficult situation. Tender and emotional but not overly sentimental, it is one in which I have been completely immersed.
I have a real fondness for stories told from alternating points of view, and I really enjoyed how we find out all about Fran and Will's relationship retrospectively. There is no doubt that they are a perfect pairing, each still very much in love with their spouse. But it's also obvious that there is some sort of crisis in their marriage; somewhere, something has gone wrong and they have both retreated into themselves to deal with it. Hence the very fitting title for this book.
Rachel Burton has avoided the mistake easily made by some authors of overdoing the sweetness and ending up with a sickly tale. To the contrary, this is a fresh, clean and very honest account of a couple struggling with their feelings. When you are hurting, it's not always the person closest to you who is easiest to discuss things with. Sometimes it's just simpler to just batten down the hatches and freeze everyone else out.
I took pleasure from learning more about yoga and discovering it's not all about keeping fit physically, but also caring for yourself emotionally. I can imagine many readers looking for their nearest beginners class after reading this! It's been gratifying to bury myself in this one - the characters are from all walks of life and all equally well-drawn; the settings are fabulous (travel agents, stand by with requests for the areas mentioned) and the writing draws you in until you find yourself slowly sinking into this book. I love the cover too, it sums up the atmosphere perfectly. It'll be no surprise to discover I fully recommend this novel and give it five fat, juicy, sparkling stars!
My grateful thanks to publishers HQ Digital for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
I have a real fondness for stories told from alternating points of view, and I really enjoyed how we find out all about Fran and Will's relationship retrospectively. There is no doubt that they are a perfect pairing, each still very much in love with their spouse. But it's also obvious that there is some sort of crisis in their marriage; somewhere, something has gone wrong and they have both retreated into themselves to deal with it. Hence the very fitting title for this book.
Rachel Burton has avoided the mistake easily made by some authors of overdoing the sweetness and ending up with a sickly tale. To the contrary, this is a fresh, clean and very honest account of a couple struggling with their feelings. When you are hurting, it's not always the person closest to you who is easiest to discuss things with. Sometimes it's just simpler to just batten down the hatches and freeze everyone else out.
I took pleasure from learning more about yoga and discovering it's not all about keeping fit physically, but also caring for yourself emotionally. I can imagine many readers looking for their nearest beginners class after reading this! It's been gratifying to bury myself in this one - the characters are from all walks of life and all equally well-drawn; the settings are fabulous (travel agents, stand by with requests for the areas mentioned) and the writing draws you in until you find yourself slowly sinking into this book. I love the cover too, it sums up the atmosphere perfectly. It'll be no surprise to discover I fully recommend this novel and give it five fat, juicy, sparkling stars!
My grateful thanks to publishers HQ Digital for approving my copy via NetGalley. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
April 2, 2018
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this novel and for the first quarter I was wondering if I had made the right decision to read it, purely as I was exhausted and not thinking straight. However a few pages later I started to really get to grips with the book and over the course of the next few hours lost myself between the pages of Fran and Will's story.
I suspect that if I had been through any of the things Fran has been through then I would have been in floods of tears for large amounts of the book as it is emotional, but it is also beautifully written, and really makes you think too.
The story is told in the present from both Will and Fran's perspectives and also in a series of chapters set int he past slowly chronicling all the highlights and lowlights of their marriage together up to the present. To start with you are given the bare bones information as to their current situation, but as the book progresses gaps start to be filled in, and with it your opinions may alter.
Most of the present day of the book is set in Salou, Spain on a yoga retreat that Fran is the instructor on, the trip has not had the best timing in terms of a revelation the day before Fran flies out but it gives the pair a chance to think and reflect on how circumstances have got to this stage.
I loved the bits where Fran was out and about in the local area and got a real feel for the Catalan area of Spain, complete with its own language and references to current events from the last year or two out in the region.
The other people on the yoga retreat we get to know really well too and I loved being drawn into their stories too, as they are allon the retreat for different reasons but feel that yoga will help them out with their personal situations.
I wouldn't be surprised if this is a book that will stay on my mind for a while, I'm not sure what I would have done in Fran's position but it certainly gives food for thought. This was the first book I had read by Rachel Burton and it certainly won't be the last, as I found the story incredibly well written and full of emotion, with believable characters and situations.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I suspect that if I had been through any of the things Fran has been through then I would have been in floods of tears for large amounts of the book as it is emotional, but it is also beautifully written, and really makes you think too.
The story is told in the present from both Will and Fran's perspectives and also in a series of chapters set int he past slowly chronicling all the highlights and lowlights of their marriage together up to the present. To start with you are given the bare bones information as to their current situation, but as the book progresses gaps start to be filled in, and with it your opinions may alter.
Most of the present day of the book is set in Salou, Spain on a yoga retreat that Fran is the instructor on, the trip has not had the best timing in terms of a revelation the day before Fran flies out but it gives the pair a chance to think and reflect on how circumstances have got to this stage.
I loved the bits where Fran was out and about in the local area and got a real feel for the Catalan area of Spain, complete with its own language and references to current events from the last year or two out in the region.
The other people on the yoga retreat we get to know really well too and I loved being drawn into their stories too, as they are allon the retreat for different reasons but feel that yoga will help them out with their personal situations.
I wouldn't be surprised if this is a book that will stay on my mind for a while, I'm not sure what I would have done in Fran's position but it certainly gives food for thought. This was the first book I had read by Rachel Burton and it certainly won't be the last, as I found the story incredibly well written and full of emotion, with believable characters and situations.
Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 27, 2018
*** Many thanks to author and Jennifer for providing copy of this book as a part of Blug tour. ***
Is love always enough? I believe it varies from person to person but see in this book if that’s enough for Will and Fran or not.
This is contemporary women’s fic about main characters Fran and Will who were struggling in their married life and were trying to make each other happy but in doing so they created lot of mess. It’s truly about the things they need to say to save their marriage and themselves; about how important unspoken feelings are, about hope, faith, being yourself in relationship, and finding happiness within yourself.
Will– perfectionist, organized, divorce lawyer, 8 yrs. older than Fran. He was charmer and successful but his dream of starting family turned to his obsession to the point that he wondered from his marriage and his love. Author created this character so nicely that you can see the both flaws and goodness in him. You can get the clear picture why he did that, it felt genuine and real.
Fran– Yoga practitioner and teacher. Her struggle was visible from the very first chapter. She was lovely, timid but also was strong just she lacked that confidence. I loved the way she cared for Will and put his happiness first but I also didn’t like it she didn’t express herself properly. She was good-hearted and endearing. I loved the way she connected with all retreaters.
I was surprised to find other characters of the book who had small but very important place in story, protagonist’s life, and they made lot more space in my heart as well.
Narration switched mainly between Will and Fran telling their life story, their current problems and struggle and then going back to past when they were young and met first time, alternatively. It was also narrated by Fran’s retreater Elizabeth.
I loved the way their full life was depicted. Topic of miscarriage was handled carefully. It was definitely not easy to handle these many miscarriages for Fran. I could feel her grief and fear of losing Will, it felt so natural. It was bit sad to read Fran and Will’s loss but characters found positivity and hope which made book feel good.
What I loved more apart from Will and Fran’s story was Yoga classes, the retreaters and their thoughts. All retreaters were just amazing. They were so honest and Yoga made them easy to open with each other. They all had their own problems and life story. I can also do little bit yoga but after reading this book I got to know how different it can be when you do them under good teacher’s guidance and with like-minded group.
Book progressed steadily. Things that I assumed occurred early in the book so I couldn’t guess twists in the book and so I enjoyed them more. Last few chapters of the book was just remarkable, I loved beautiful dialogues and quotes. End was lovely and feel good.
Overall, it was heart-touching, inspiring and emotional. I just loved Fran and Will’s story. If you are looking for bit of faith and hope it’s definitely great to read.
You can find all my reviews on blog- Books Teacup and Reviews
Is love always enough? I believe it varies from person to person but see in this book if that’s enough for Will and Fran or not.
This is contemporary women’s fic about main characters Fran and Will who were struggling in their married life and were trying to make each other happy but in doing so they created lot of mess. It’s truly about the things they need to say to save their marriage and themselves; about how important unspoken feelings are, about hope, faith, being yourself in relationship, and finding happiness within yourself.
Will– perfectionist, organized, divorce lawyer, 8 yrs. older than Fran. He was charmer and successful but his dream of starting family turned to his obsession to the point that he wondered from his marriage and his love. Author created this character so nicely that you can see the both flaws and goodness in him. You can get the clear picture why he did that, it felt genuine and real.
Fran– Yoga practitioner and teacher. Her struggle was visible from the very first chapter. She was lovely, timid but also was strong just she lacked that confidence. I loved the way she cared for Will and put his happiness first but I also didn’t like it she didn’t express herself properly. She was good-hearted and endearing. I loved the way she connected with all retreaters.
I was surprised to find other characters of the book who had small but very important place in story, protagonist’s life, and they made lot more space in my heart as well.
Narration switched mainly between Will and Fran telling their life story, their current problems and struggle and then going back to past when they were young and met first time, alternatively. It was also narrated by Fran’s retreater Elizabeth.
I loved the way their full life was depicted. Topic of miscarriage was handled carefully. It was definitely not easy to handle these many miscarriages for Fran. I could feel her grief and fear of losing Will, it felt so natural. It was bit sad to read Fran and Will’s loss but characters found positivity and hope which made book feel good.
What I loved more apart from Will and Fran’s story was Yoga classes, the retreaters and their thoughts. All retreaters were just amazing. They were so honest and Yoga made them easy to open with each other. They all had their own problems and life story. I can also do little bit yoga but after reading this book I got to know how different it can be when you do them under good teacher’s guidance and with like-minded group.
Book progressed steadily. Things that I assumed occurred early in the book so I couldn’t guess twists in the book and so I enjoyed them more. Last few chapters of the book was just remarkable, I loved beautiful dialogues and quotes. End was lovely and feel good.
Overall, it was heart-touching, inspiring and emotional. I just loved Fran and Will’s story. If you are looking for bit of faith and hope it’s definitely great to read.
You can find all my reviews on blog- Books Teacup and Reviews
February 3, 2018
I have been excited about this upcoming release ever since I heard Rachel was working on a new book after being bowled over by her debut, The Many Colours of Us; I was not left disappointed and completely fell in love with it.
Running away from a catalogue of heartache and betrayal, Fran arrives to deliver a yoga retreat in Salou, Spain. However, it soon becomes apparent that it isn't just Fran that has problems, and a chance encounter with a part of her past opens up a side to Fran she felt she had lost, but at what cost? Exploring what happens when things seem to be falling apart, of letting go and new beginnings, this story reveals with stunning clarity how appearances often are deceptive and everyone has their own story.
The friendships within the story are beautiful and as a yoga fan myself I really loved reading how the group had such different backgrounds and perspectives but came together as a real collective support, which has been my own experience in my yoga community. Additionally, the culture, history and warmth of the Catalan region was definitely the escapism I needed on drab January days.
This book has so much to offer and actually to categorise it as simply a romance I personally think does it a slight disservice (not that there's anything wrong with romance novels, I am a huge fan trust me); it focuses more on life's complicated and fragile voyage, written with a heartbreakingly raw and genuine prose that pulls you in and holds you tight. There is a real sense that the author has put heart and soul in to writing this that feels intimate and haunting.
There is a fair amount of heartbreak and loss; the issues of fertility problems, miscarriage and loss are explored, but in a truly sensitive and gentle manner that I feel would be of help to different women in many ways. After experiencing a distressing miscarriage I can't help but be sensitive to how they are portrayed in novels, and at times have felt uncomfortable with fictional portrayals, however this book was cathartic to read and I felt delivered the difficult subject with the care and tenderness it needs. It also explores the assumptions and often crass things that people can say/ask without realising it to people about having a family; often unaware of the less than straightforward reality for many. I think we can all be guilty at times of not thinking of the whole picture when we are talking to others; there's often so much we have no idea about.
As the title suggests, this is a book ultimately about communication, about forgiveness, hope and love, and one that I was left thinking over for days afterwards.
avoid
October 14, 2021self note
Her hub cheats on her for 2 months.
She goes away for yoga.
comes back takes back cheater.
Her hub cheats on her for 2 months.
She goes away for yoga.
comes back takes back cheater.
Read
February 18, 2020I'm not rating bc I borrowed from a friend and skimmed, A LOT. This is written in the oddest tense I have ever encountered. In fact, unless I paid attention even less in English class than I remember, I don't think it even exists. It jerks you out of the story and has the effect of making it all seem robotic. Odd, very, very odd.
Edit: This book has made me think very hard. Lol. Is the tense Illisem? I have racked my brains, but even this tense doesn't quite cover it. If anyone (on the off chance that you are reading my review) knows, would you be so kind as to enlighten me?
Example: "He thought he could live his life according to a plan. He thought the Old Vicarage, the village, the idea of a perfect life would make that plan a reality. But all he has is the moment he lives in - he's beginning to realise Fran was always right about that. He has to make the future more liquid, his plans less rigid. He has a vague idea he'd like to move away from the village, that he needs to seek help about how angry he is, that he needs to work out what to do about the career he's beginning to hate."
“But she was so much more than he ever deserved. He never thought she’d let him down; he never thought she wasn’t enough. He still doesn’t know why he did what he did. He couldn’t answer the question when Fran asked it and he couldn’t answer it when Jamie or his father asked it. He has no idea why he risked everything like that.
But he does know he loves Fran, and he’s sure she still loves him. Maybe he isn’t the same man he used to be, the same man she fell in love with, but maybe they can start again together if they still love each other.
He needs to know if that is enough.”
Excerpt From: Burton, Rachel. “The Things We Need to Say.” HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018-04-20. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
See? I know there is some third person there, but is she mixing tenses? Sorry, my OCD and lack of attention during English 101 is showing. For some reason it's really bothering me.
Edit: This book has made me think very hard. Lol. Is the tense Illisem? I have racked my brains, but even this tense doesn't quite cover it. If anyone (on the off chance that you are reading my review) knows, would you be so kind as to enlighten me?
Example: "He thought he could live his life according to a plan. He thought the Old Vicarage, the village, the idea of a perfect life would make that plan a reality. But all he has is the moment he lives in - he's beginning to realise Fran was always right about that. He has to make the future more liquid, his plans less rigid. He has a vague idea he'd like to move away from the village, that he needs to seek help about how angry he is, that he needs to work out what to do about the career he's beginning to hate."
“But she was so much more than he ever deserved. He never thought she’d let him down; he never thought she wasn’t enough. He still doesn’t know why he did what he did. He couldn’t answer the question when Fran asked it and he couldn’t answer it when Jamie or his father asked it. He has no idea why he risked everything like that.
But he does know he loves Fran, and he’s sure she still loves him. Maybe he isn’t the same man he used to be, the same man she fell in love with, but maybe they can start again together if they still love each other.
He needs to know if that is enough.”
Excerpt From: Burton, Rachel. “The Things We Need to Say.” HarperCollinsPublishers, 2018-04-20. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
See? I know there is some third person there, but is she mixing tenses? Sorry, my OCD and lack of attention during English 101 is showing. For some reason it's really bothering me.
February 16, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Rachel Burton, and it is truly beautiful. I myself have suffered with infertility issues and I have to say some of the emotions and descriptions of loss that the writer weaves into the story really resonated with me. Everyone's journey is different, and it's refreshing to read about it in such a captivating and honest way. Fran and Will's relationship kept the pages turning, and the backdrop of the setting, the yoga, and the secondary characters really made me love this story. Enchanting, heart breaking and hopeful.
March 10, 2018
A moving, poignant story sensitively written and framed by a beautiful setting. It is a story of love, loss, betrayal and forgiveness each of which is portrayed with authenticity and empathy. A very enjoyable read with a satisfying ending and great for fans of meditation like me. Lose yourself in this very grown-up love story.
May 11, 2018
You can find this review and many others at https://sinfullywickedbookreviews.com/
The Things We Need To Say introduces us to Will and Fran. To outsiders, they looked like the perfect couple, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. Their marriage has been slowly crumbling for years. Then a tragedy hits which pushes them further apart more so than ever before. When they finally start to reconnect and explore the love they both still had for each other, a secret is revealed that could have a devastating effect on their marriage. This secret comes at such a bad time as Fran is about to embark on a week long retreat to Spain to teach a yoga class. Fran and Will do love each other, but could this secret have the potential to split them up for good?
The story alternates between the present and the past and we really get an insight into Will and Fran’s marriage. A marriage that is filled with love, heartache, and pain. I could not help but empathize with Fran as she struggles through infertility issues and how much of a strain it put on her marriage. Fran really needs this retreat. It is a way for her to reconnect with herself and to reflect on what she wants out of life and especially her marriage. I feel that the story really opens up once Fran arrives in Spain. It is here, with the help of others at the retreat, that finally opens Fran up to who she is and what she has become. It is also here that she can finally open up about her marriage and the losses that she has gone through. She becomes a new person while she learns how to love herself and to let people in. But, with this realization, is it still too late to save her marriage?
The Things We Need To Say is an emotionally filled story with unimaginable grief, but it is also a story filled with love, hope and redemption. Rachel Burton takes on some heavy subject matters, but does it in such a compassionate way that shows the real struggles that women are faced with and the emotions they go through at times of adversity. I highly recommend you read this story as it has such a powerful message and Fran’s story needs to be shared.
The Things We Need To Say introduces us to Will and Fran. To outsiders, they looked like the perfect couple, but sometimes looks can be deceiving. Their marriage has been slowly crumbling for years. Then a tragedy hits which pushes them further apart more so than ever before. When they finally start to reconnect and explore the love they both still had for each other, a secret is revealed that could have a devastating effect on their marriage. This secret comes at such a bad time as Fran is about to embark on a week long retreat to Spain to teach a yoga class. Fran and Will do love each other, but could this secret have the potential to split them up for good?
The story alternates between the present and the past and we really get an insight into Will and Fran’s marriage. A marriage that is filled with love, heartache, and pain. I could not help but empathize with Fran as she struggles through infertility issues and how much of a strain it put on her marriage. Fran really needs this retreat. It is a way for her to reconnect with herself and to reflect on what she wants out of life and especially her marriage. I feel that the story really opens up once Fran arrives in Spain. It is here, with the help of others at the retreat, that finally opens Fran up to who she is and what she has become. It is also here that she can finally open up about her marriage and the losses that she has gone through. She becomes a new person while she learns how to love herself and to let people in. But, with this realization, is it still too late to save her marriage?
The Things We Need To Say is an emotionally filled story with unimaginable grief, but it is also a story filled with love, hope and redemption. Rachel Burton takes on some heavy subject matters, but does it in such a compassionate way that shows the real struggles that women are faced with and the emotions they go through at times of adversity. I highly recommend you read this story as it has such a powerful message and Fran’s story needs to be shared.
May 11, 2018
The Things We Need to Say is a gently paced, thoughtful novel about a couple who have reached the point in their marriage where they need to decide if what they have is worth fighting for, or if the time has come to walk away. They have faced so much heartache over the years and in their grief have become isolated; two people living in the same house but not sharing their lives. Fran has accepted a position teaching on a yoga retreat in Spain but on the eve of her departure learns some devastating news about her husband. Will begs her to stay but she realises she needs the space to decide what to do next. The story is told from both Fran and Will's perspectives, with occasional chapters set in the past which gradually let us know how their relationship progressed from falling head over heels in love to crisis point. It was fascinating to see both sides of their story but I think I knew Fran more by the end of the novel. I felt she developed separately during the course of the book whereas Will was perhaps still defined by his relationship with her.
I'm not going to give too much away about the plot suffice to say that is an emotional, honest and empathetic look at issues which affect many couples. As the novel progresses the truth about just what Fran and Will have endured is slowly revealed and it is heartrending. There are moments in the book where it would only be too easy to blame Will for their problems or to become infuriated with Fran for her failure to communicate her fears to her husband. However, this is a novel about forgiveness and acceptance, about the need to be truly present in a marriage and the importance of sharing every emotion - even those that are perhaps easier to put a brave face to.
Much of the book is set in Salou in Spain (Or Catalonia to be more precise) and this beautiful setting gives the story a lovely summery feel which contrasts poignantly with the often sad themes in the novel. As Fran shares her yoga knowledge with the other people on the retreat we learn their stories too and follow their journeys as they face their personal issues and begin their own healing processes. I found it particularly refreshing to read a book where there is no-one who could be considered a negative character. There are moments when somebody may be off-hand, or even rude and there's one particular relationship which I definitely had conflicting feelings about but each character shares their hard won experiences and in doing so they help each other to decide what they want next in life.
The Things We Need to say is a touching and very relatable novel and although the themes may be upsetting, it's a book about forgiveness, communication and ultimately about hope. It is undoubtedly a tear-jerker but it is also a life-affirming read and a rather beautiful, very honest love story.
I'm not going to give too much away about the plot suffice to say that is an emotional, honest and empathetic look at issues which affect many couples. As the novel progresses the truth about just what Fran and Will have endured is slowly revealed and it is heartrending. There are moments in the book where it would only be too easy to blame Will for their problems or to become infuriated with Fran for her failure to communicate her fears to her husband. However, this is a novel about forgiveness and acceptance, about the need to be truly present in a marriage and the importance of sharing every emotion - even those that are perhaps easier to put a brave face to.
Much of the book is set in Salou in Spain (Or Catalonia to be more precise) and this beautiful setting gives the story a lovely summery feel which contrasts poignantly with the often sad themes in the novel. As Fran shares her yoga knowledge with the other people on the retreat we learn their stories too and follow their journeys as they face their personal issues and begin their own healing processes. I found it particularly refreshing to read a book where there is no-one who could be considered a negative character. There are moments when somebody may be off-hand, or even rude and there's one particular relationship which I definitely had conflicting feelings about but each character shares their hard won experiences and in doing so they help each other to decide what they want next in life.
The Things We Need to say is a touching and very relatable novel and although the themes may be upsetting, it's a book about forgiveness, communication and ultimately about hope. It is undoubtedly a tear-jerker but it is also a life-affirming read and a rather beautiful, very honest love story.
Read
March 13, 2018This was really sad! Uplifting too as it's about change and hope and what a yoga retreat can offer you - when you go to Spain to teach one that is and you end up healing yourself. I'm not a sporty person or a yoga one but even i could appreciate how the closeness of the group and the support it provided gave Fran the help she needed. Fran's journey there and her changes during and after were nice to read but there was still a sense of delicateness. It read very personal as if the author was using some experiences of her own or fantastic research! I felt I was intruding almost at times but maybe that's just me. I think it just shows that we can all have problems hidden within and not realise what it going on with the person beside us. I now actually feel that a retreat of some kind in Salou would be nice - but still not convinced of yoga. Maybe a writing one?
May 23, 2018
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received. The Things we Need To Say is a lovely but sometimes extremely sad novel. I won’t go into the subject matter, it is one that the reader will appreciate more if they learn like I did, the events what happen throughout their marriage.
But I will say, that the title of this book couldn’t be anything else. If things were spoken about everything could have been different. Not only for Fran and Will but many of the other characters in the novel. Whilst most of the novel does concern Fran and Will and you do hear both sides of their story, the minor characters are also very important in the novel.
I always admire an author who can make the lesser characters feel so important and in this book it is shown that others have bad times as well. That grief isn’t something that just one person goes through, and Fran is shown to want to help others through yoga.
I enjoyed seeing trust and friendships develop, seeing how strangers could open up to each other in the right circumstances. And how by doing so, it showed that there was no wrong way to cope with loss.
Yoga is an activity I know nothing about. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know any of the positions or terminology, it was enough that I could see the benefit that it had. If anybody who reads it is familiar, they will probably see this much more.
A second book by Rachel Burton that I have no hesitation in recommending.
But I will say, that the title of this book couldn’t be anything else. If things were spoken about everything could have been different. Not only for Fran and Will but many of the other characters in the novel. Whilst most of the novel does concern Fran and Will and you do hear both sides of their story, the minor characters are also very important in the novel.
I always admire an author who can make the lesser characters feel so important and in this book it is shown that others have bad times as well. That grief isn’t something that just one person goes through, and Fran is shown to want to help others through yoga.
I enjoyed seeing trust and friendships develop, seeing how strangers could open up to each other in the right circumstances. And how by doing so, it showed that there was no wrong way to cope with loss.
Yoga is an activity I know nothing about. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know any of the positions or terminology, it was enough that I could see the benefit that it had. If anybody who reads it is familiar, they will probably see this much more.
A second book by Rachel Burton that I have no hesitation in recommending.
February 12, 2018
Heartbreaking, heartwarming and hopeful.
The Things We Need to Say, follows the journey of Fran and Will, a couple who between them have shared excruciating heartbreak. Needing time alone, Fran goes to Spain to run a yoga retreat where she meets a cast of strong, endearing characters. Her time there is a time to reflect and grow as a person and each character is able to offer something to help her on her journey.
The Things we Need to Say is a wonderfully well-written novel which covers the issues of infertility, infidelity and temptation in a heart-wrenchingly honest way.
The Things We Need to Say, follows the journey of Fran and Will, a couple who between them have shared excruciating heartbreak. Needing time alone, Fran goes to Spain to run a yoga retreat where she meets a cast of strong, endearing characters. Her time there is a time to reflect and grow as a person and each character is able to offer something to help her on her journey.
The Things we Need to Say is a wonderfully well-written novel which covers the issues of infertility, infidelity and temptation in a heart-wrenchingly honest way.
April 26, 2018
Well - the title says it all. It truly is an emotional and uplifting story. There isn't a huge plotline or action or romance. It is just a story of life - the good, the bad and the ugly. This amazing couple suffered so much loss and grief, and instead of coming together to weather the storm, they turned away from each other and stopped communicating and just even simply hugging. This is a story about whether love truly is enough to hold on to so that you can pull yourselves back to each other when life's storms pull you apart. My heart is happy and hopeful after reading this.
May 28, 2018
**3.5 stars**
On the eve of Fran’s trip to Spain where as a yoga teacher, she is taking a group of students on a retreat , she finds out of her husband’s infidelity. Their marriage has been going through some troubling times but Fran thought they were coming into the phase of acceptance, when she’s hit with the news.
Fran see’s this retreat as a space to reflect and through the chapters we are taken back to understand what has brought them to this position. As readers, we also come to realise that everyone in Fran’s group on the retreat has issues they are trying to work through.
With many themes running through this novel including infertility and miscarriage, the message I took from this novel is that communication is so important. I don’t agree with what Will did but I do understand that Fran was shutting him out and when I realised that this was a common reaction of Fran’s, I did start to get frustrated with her.
I do feel I have done this book a bit of an injustice though as my head space was with another book that I had just finished that had a theme of domestic violence, so I feel it wasn’t the right book to read at the time. That aside, I did enjoy it but maybe not as much as I may have at another time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC to read.
On the eve of Fran’s trip to Spain where as a yoga teacher, she is taking a group of students on a retreat , she finds out of her husband’s infidelity. Their marriage has been going through some troubling times but Fran thought they were coming into the phase of acceptance, when she’s hit with the news.
Fran see’s this retreat as a space to reflect and through the chapters we are taken back to understand what has brought them to this position. As readers, we also come to realise that everyone in Fran’s group on the retreat has issues they are trying to work through.
With many themes running through this novel including infertility and miscarriage, the message I took from this novel is that communication is so important. I don’t agree with what Will did but I do understand that Fran was shutting him out and when I realised that this was a common reaction of Fran’s, I did start to get frustrated with her.
I do feel I have done this book a bit of an injustice though as my head space was with another book that I had just finished that had a theme of domestic violence, so I feel it wasn’t the right book to read at the time. That aside, I did enjoy it but maybe not as much as I may have at another time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an ARC to read.
May 12, 2018
All reviews can be found on my blog at https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
I had the pleasure of reading ‘The Things We Need to Say’ last year and it just goes to show just how intense Rachel Burton’s story telling is, when I am able to write a review for the book months after reading it.
Told from both Fran and Will’s perspective, the story goes into detail about their marriage, as well as detailing what happened in the past. Despite the too-ing and fro-ing and jumping into the past, the way in which the story is told isn’t done in a confusing manner. In fact, I found it to be quite a humble way of telling the story as I was able to find out more about the main characters, as well as what made Fran and Will tick through the highs and the lows of their marriage.
There is a strong and emotional theme running throughout the storyline, a theme which a lot of readers may find they resonate with in one way or another, and it’s very clear that the author has written the storyline in its entirety, from her very own heart.
With the couple in two different places, both Fran and Will have time to work out what to do to save their marriage, if anything at all. Personally, I couldn’t see why Will did what he did, especially as it was during a time when his wife needed him more than ever. Her life, as well as his, had just been turned upside more than once – can you really blame Fran for needing to step away?
‘The Things We Need to Say’ is emotion at its finest. Not the sort of emotion where you just cry and then feel better, but the sort of emotion where you heart slowly breaks, the lump forms in your throat, and the tears, despite having filled your tear ducts to the brim, are afraid of falling in case you can’t ever stop. I’m not ashamed to admit that this book broke me, and I am most certainly not ashamed to say that I am glad it did just that.
I am in awe at how personal the author was willing to go for her characters and her storyline. She made them come alive in such a way that even Google probably wasn’t part of the author’s research material.
Rachel Burton is an effusive, and powerful writer whose exuberant storytelling gets under your skin in such a beautiful manner.
Devastatingly beautiful, inspiring and extremely thought provoking; Rachel Burton has written from the heart as she unintentionally becomes the voice of everything we need to say.
I had the pleasure of reading ‘The Things We Need to Say’ last year and it just goes to show just how intense Rachel Burton’s story telling is, when I am able to write a review for the book months after reading it.
Told from both Fran and Will’s perspective, the story goes into detail about their marriage, as well as detailing what happened in the past. Despite the too-ing and fro-ing and jumping into the past, the way in which the story is told isn’t done in a confusing manner. In fact, I found it to be quite a humble way of telling the story as I was able to find out more about the main characters, as well as what made Fran and Will tick through the highs and the lows of their marriage.
There is a strong and emotional theme running throughout the storyline, a theme which a lot of readers may find they resonate with in one way or another, and it’s very clear that the author has written the storyline in its entirety, from her very own heart.
With the couple in two different places, both Fran and Will have time to work out what to do to save their marriage, if anything at all. Personally, I couldn’t see why Will did what he did, especially as it was during a time when his wife needed him more than ever. Her life, as well as his, had just been turned upside more than once – can you really blame Fran for needing to step away?
‘The Things We Need to Say’ is emotion at its finest. Not the sort of emotion where you just cry and then feel better, but the sort of emotion where you heart slowly breaks, the lump forms in your throat, and the tears, despite having filled your tear ducts to the brim, are afraid of falling in case you can’t ever stop. I’m not ashamed to admit that this book broke me, and I am most certainly not ashamed to say that I am glad it did just that.
I am in awe at how personal the author was willing to go for her characters and her storyline. She made them come alive in such a way that even Google probably wasn’t part of the author’s research material.
Rachel Burton is an effusive, and powerful writer whose exuberant storytelling gets under your skin in such a beautiful manner.
Devastatingly beautiful, inspiring and extremely thought provoking; Rachel Burton has written from the heart as she unintentionally becomes the voice of everything we need to say.
January 29, 2018
The follow-up to any book, let alone one as beautiful as "The Many Colours of Us" is always tricky, but Rachel Burton does this with ease. "The Things We Need to Say" is heart-warming and gut-wrenching in its honesty, telling the story of a couple (Fran and Will) torn apart by the things life throws at them and how they decide to deal with the knock-on effect of grief and lies.
Rachel tells us the story through Fran's point of view. Of how she escapes to a yoga retreat in order to help others, but ends up helping herself. Through the people she meets and the demons she is faced with, Fran finds out how to carry on, when she thought there was no hope left at all.
This is a real tear-jerker and more raw then the debut, but it won't disappoint.
Rachel tells us the story through Fran's point of view. Of how she escapes to a yoga retreat in order to help others, but ends up helping herself. Through the people she meets and the demons she is faced with, Fran finds out how to carry on, when she thought there was no hope left at all.
This is a real tear-jerker and more raw then the debut, but it won't disappoint.
May 9, 2018
Well done novel of a couple- Fran and Will- struggling with so many things that they lose sight of what's important. When Fran discovers what Will has done she takes off for the yoga retreat she's long planned to attend. She's not running away, she's giving herself time to think. I enjoyed the Catalan setting and the other people she meets there. Fair warning that this is told in alternating voices and time lines, which worked for me because it allowed me to see things slowly. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Nicely written and plotted and I even felt some sympathy for Will (although not for what he did.).
May 18, 2018
This book touched my heart. I ached for Fran and Will and my heart broke with them. But it is indeed a history of hope. As long as you hold on to hope you can overcome whatever life throws at you. I really enjoyed this book and it was hard to put it down and go to sleep. My only complaint: it got a little repetitive sometimes. Nonetheless, it is a must-read evocative story.
May 11, 2018
Read/listened to on my Kindle in a day.
A very well written honest book portraying the emotional rollercoasters of infidelity and infertility, of loss and grief. A writer able to weave a silver strand of hope even when taking the reader into the inner thoughts of characters tormented by the past. #netgalley We are reminded how important it is not to be afraid of #TheThingsWeNeedToSay
A very well written honest book portraying the emotional rollercoasters of infidelity and infertility, of loss and grief. A writer able to weave a silver strand of hope even when taking the reader into the inner thoughts of characters tormented by the past. #netgalley We are reminded how important it is not to be afraid of #TheThingsWeNeedToSay
May 12, 2018
The Things We Need to Say was a little out of my reading wheelhouse of late, but something about it caught my attention. The book is wonderfully written and such a compelling story that I finished it in one day. The story moves back and forth in time to give some insight into what made Fran and Will the people they are today. I was a bit worried that those jumps in time would get confusing, but it's quite well done and those parts do help shape the reader's opinions of this couple. I did spend a considerable amount of time waffling on whether they should try to make their marriage work or move on separately from one another, but with everything they've been through, it was hard not to root for their happy ending. The story is emotional as Fran and Will go through their ups and downs - some more serious than others - but the book is about so much more than working through problems in a marriage. It's about love, loss, and picking up the pieces to find a way back to happiness and hope.
May 11, 2018
What an incredible and emotional story!
The sensitive and deeply personal subjects the author tackles in this intense story are managed with great care, as is the writing itself, which creates believable characters who are realistically flawed in an unpredictable, sad but ultimately hopeful journey. This had me thinking about how easy it is to lose focus on what is important, and how vital it is to maintain an awareness of priorities. Highly recommended.
The sensitive and deeply personal subjects the author tackles in this intense story are managed with great care, as is the writing itself, which creates believable characters who are realistically flawed in an unpredictable, sad but ultimately hopeful journey. This had me thinking about how easy it is to lose focus on what is important, and how vital it is to maintain an awareness of priorities. Highly recommended.
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