What do you think?
Rate this book
You Don't Know Nana
Nana’s granddaughters are surrounding her bedside.
But before Nana passes, she has last words and a parting gift for each of them. Though, some of these offerings seem nicer than others, and none are inconsequential…
BRINKLEY is a mother to two young daughters and the wife of a pragmatic and successful realtor. Everyone agrees she lives a charmed life. Then again, no one knows about her sleepless nights.
ELIZABETH is a self-assured accountant engaged to the man of her an eccentric, up-and-coming novelist who happens to come from a powerful, wealthy family. She is planning a wedding dreams are made of, so why is she starting to feel she’s trapped in a nightmare?
AVERY is a bartender in Philadelphia with a complex past and unrealized future. She has a lot of questions after Nana’s passing, but can’t seem to find answers – maybe because her mind keeps dragging her to places she doesn’t want to revisit.
As the sisters grapple with their grief, long-held secrets surface from an estranged family member about Nana and the life she once lived. Each sister reckons with a new perspective of herself, her family, and the understanding that things are never quite as they seem.
But before Nana passes, she has last words and a parting gift for each of them. Though, some of these offerings seem nicer than others, and none are inconsequential…
BRINKLEY is a mother to two young daughters and the wife of a pragmatic and successful realtor. Everyone agrees she lives a charmed life. Then again, no one knows about her sleepless nights.
ELIZABETH is a self-assured accountant engaged to the man of her an eccentric, up-and-coming novelist who happens to come from a powerful, wealthy family. She is planning a wedding dreams are made of, so why is she starting to feel she’s trapped in a nightmare?
AVERY is a bartender in Philadelphia with a complex past and unrealized future. She has a lot of questions after Nana’s passing, but can’t seem to find answers – maybe because her mind keeps dragging her to places she doesn’t want to revisit.
As the sisters grapple with their grief, long-held secrets surface from an estranged family member about Nana and the life she once lived. Each sister reckons with a new perspective of herself, her family, and the understanding that things are never quite as they seem.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2022
2 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Alyssa Belfiglio
2 books1 followerAlyssa Belfiglio graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in psychology and minor in religious studies. You Don't Know Nana is her debut novel. She lives and works in Philadelphia, PA with her husband and cat.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 28, 2022
What a great read!!! When I first started reading, I thought this book would a mystery/thriller following the family as they learn about nana’s past. As I read on, I realized it wasn’t a mystery novel but it was so much more! Yes, the characters learn about nana and her past but they also learn about themselves, life and forgiveness. The characters are very well written which makes it easy for the reader to identify with! I found myself laughing, crying and cheering each on as they overcame their struggles. I will definitely be thinking about this book for a long time!!! Highly recommend!
January 31, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. I eagerly followed along as the girls each took their winding roads towards growth, purpose, and resilience. Many parts made me laugh, while others forced me to think. The charitable nature with which the characters were ultimately treated satisfied me; there were no simple victims and perpetrators, only people. I wish this view was a bit more common. I'm thoroughly looking forward to this author's next book. Whatever it is, I hope Mama Donna crashes the party!
March 15, 2025
I could not put this book down. I loved how you really got to know each character individually, and they were also so relatable. This book had a mixture of humor (I found myself laughing out loud in many chapters) and also mysterious as we discovered more details surrounding Nana’s gifts, which made me want to continue reading on to find out what happens next. There were so many emotions throughout this book, that made it an unforgettable read. Highly recommend, you will not be disappointed!
August 25, 2024
This book is a MUST read! It dives into family dynamics and generational gaps as the main character tries to uncover the secrets of her grandmother’s life. With well-developed characters and a mix of humor and insight, it’s both engaging and touching. This is a great story about discovering family secrets and gaining new appreciation for the people we love. I wasn’t able to put this book down!
August 24, 2024
A great story from multiple points of view. Funny, relatable, and entertaining, yet also poignantly observant and insightful. Families, friends, and oneself - this book explores everything that makes life challenging, exciting, and meaningful.
August 24, 2024
This book is a page-turning family drama that delves into the complex dynamics of relationships, love, and the unspoken tensions that simmer beneath the surface of even the closest families. You won’t be disappointed giving this book a read.
February 7, 2022
I could relate to each sister. This was a great read with so many feels!
May 25, 2022
Could not put this book down! The story helps remind the reader how every person has something in their life they are struggling with or wish was different despite the perfect perceptions we like to place on ourselves and other people. I found myself identifying with many of the characters, their raw emotions and some of the situations they experienced. The author's writing is very witty and profound. Overall, I would definitely suggest to anyone to give it a read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews