Today I have a review of Kelly Rimmer’s newest book, The Things We Cannot Say. Rimmer quickly became a favorite author of mine last year when she released Before I Let You Go, an unforgettable, emotional story. If you haven’t read that one, don’t miss it, or this one!
My Thoughts:
Told in two timelines, we hear from Alina Dziak in 1942 just as she gets married in a Russian refugee camp. Her decision to marry will change her life and bury a lie for decades.
Young Alina Dziak grows up in Poland falling in love early with her best friend, Tomasz. She is engaged at fifteen, around the same time Nazi solders arrive at the border. Tomasz is away at college in Warsaw, and she waits for him to return so they can marry.
Alina’s quiet little town is taken over by Nazis, and the climate becomes divisive and hateful. At the same time, Tomasz completely disappears. She waits and waits to hear from Tomasz as Nazi soldiers patrol her family’s farm.
The second timeline features Alice, in modern times, and the mother of a child with autism. She also cares for her aging Babcia to whom she is very close. Babcia has secrets, and after having a stroke, she wants to talk and make requests at a time when she it’s not easy for her.
Kelly Rimmer knows how to write dual timeline stories. I was hooked on both narrators and their lives. As with all of her books, The Things We Cannot Say is powerful, epic, and so emotional. It’s full of love, loyalty, steadfastness, and hope. It’s about how silence can devastate and takes years or generations from which to heal.
Overall, The Things We Cannot Say is about seeing the good in those around us and believing in the power of redemption. I ate this book up from start to finish, and it’s on my list of favorites this year. It’s huggable, emotional, and beautifully-written. Did I already mention you shouldn’t miss it?!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
In 1942, Europe remains in the relentless grip of war. Just beyond the tents of the Russian refugee camp she calls home, a young woman speaks her wedding vows. It’s a decision that will alter her destiny…and it’s a lie that will remain buried until the next century.
Since she was nine years old, Alina Dziak knew she would marry her best friend, Tomasz. Now fifteen and engaged, Alina is unconcerned by reports of Nazi soldiers at the Polish border, believing her neighbors that they pose no real threat, and dreams instead of the day Tomasz returns from college in Warsaw so they can be married. But little by little, injustice by brutal injustice, the Nazi occupation takes hold, and Alina’s tiny rural village, its families, are divided by fear and hate. Then, as the fabric of their lives is slowly picked apart, Tomasz disappears. Where Alina used to measure time between visits from her beloved, now she measures the spaces between hope and despair, waiting for word from Tomasz and avoiding the attentions of the soldiers who patrol her parents’ farm. But for now, even deafening silence is preferable to grief.
Slipping between Nazi-occupied Poland and the frenetic pace of modern life, Kelly Rimmer creates an emotional and finely wrought narrative that weaves together two women’s stories into a tapestry of perseverance, loyalty, love and honor. The Things We Cannot Say is an unshakable reminder of the devastation when truth is silenced…and how it can take a lifetime to find our voice before we learn to trust it.
Have you read The Things We Cannot Say, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Fab review!
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Thanks, Nicki! I hope you have this book on your TBR! Totally your type of hist fic! ♥️
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Wonderful kitty picture and review, Jennifer!i added this historical fiction to my tbr list. Happy Thursday,🌹🌹🐾🐾🐾🐾🐈🐱❤️📚🌹🌹😻
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Thank you, Virginia! I happen to think you will absolutely LOVE this special, unforgettable book! Can’t wait for you to read it! ♥️
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Definitely not going to miss this story after reading your wonderful review, Jennifer.
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Thanks, Marialyce! This has your name all over it. I am certain you’ll get so much from it. ♥️
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I do love dual timeline stories, and this sounds amazing. Thanks for reviewing, Jennifer!
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My pleasure, Tammy! This is definitely one of my favorites!
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Great review, Jennifer. I look forward to reading this book.
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Thank you, Janet! I hope you get a chance to read it. The hist fic is right up your alley!
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Awesome review 🙂 this is quite intriguing. While not really a massive fan of historical stuff, i do love a good family secret!
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Thanks, Norrie! I think you’d enjoy the drama here too. ♥️ And definitely full of secrets!
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This one is also one of my favorite books this year!!
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I can totally see why, Tina! It’s A-MAY-ZING! ♥️
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I always enjoy an intriguing historical. Will check this one out.
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I hope you get a chance to read it, Alex! It’s definitely a favorite of mine now! ♥️
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Historical fiction is my favorite so I’m not sure why I haven’t read this one yet!
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I think this would be rated high for me as well. I love historical fiction. I heard amazing things about her first book also. They all sound super emotional.
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Wonderful review Jen! I might have this one too! Happy almost Friday!!💜
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I’ve loved her previous novels and have been hanging on to this one for a while. I think I’m going to have to read it very soon. Awesome review, lovely! ❤
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This sounds like my kind of book. I had been waiting to read some reviews since I’m not familiar with the author, but I definitely want to read the book now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it!
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This sounds soooo good! I love a good historical fiction. Great review!
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Fantastic review! I love this book!
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Wow! This sounds like a book I’d love. Thank you for the wonderful review and putting it on my radar!
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Beautiful review, Jennifer. This sounds like quite a moving story. I like Kelly Rimmer’s books, don’t know had hadn’t of this one before. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.
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Thanks so much, Diana! This one just came out in the US. I hope you get a chance to read it. If you like her books, it’s one of her best! ♥️
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Oh no, I *need* to find out what happened to Tomasz! I haven’t Kelly Rimmer’s previous book but the fact you have this on your favourites list is enough to get me to try both of them. Wonderful review, Jennifer! ❤
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I hope you get to read them, Kathy, and thank you! ♥️ This author handles tough topics with a lot of sensitivity. That’s my favorite thing about her writing- her respect for her characters.
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I really need to get to this book! It sounds soo good! I love dual timelines I feel like it gives a book more dept! Great review!! =)
~ Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
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Thanks, Kendra! I really hope you get a chance to read this one! It’s outstanding and a favorite of mine this year! ♥️
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First, this picture!!! So cute! Beautiful!
Now about the book! Brilliant review 🙂
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Thank you so, so much, Meggy! This book was just out-of-sight! I am so grateful my kitties cooperated for that picture! ♥️
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Sounds like a good one!
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I LOVE this description, of The Things We Cannot Say, “finely wrought narrative that weaves together two women’s stories into a tapestry of perseverance, loyalty, love and honor. ” Also, as always, I love reading tales from this time period and stories told from multiple perspectives or time periods. Added this to my list. 🙂
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