If Only I Could Tell You

by Hannah Beckerman

[zooloo1983]

What can I say that has not already been said? Get the blinking tissues ready for this one, I mean this book should come with that warning!! We are not talking about the small leaky problem, we are talking huge tears, which could eventually turn into sobs, especially if you are feeling emotional already! Jeez!

The three women, Audrey, the mother and her two children, Lily and Jess ripped apart by a terrible secret. It did keep me guessing what the secret was and I thought I had got it a few times but changed my mind. Still when you get there, if you are not already emotional by then you will be. Slowly as the story unfurls heartbreak features heavily in their lives. I want to reach in and just give them all a hug.

So much is happening in this book, it deals with so many different topics, and the way that If Only I Could Tell You is written leaves you flicking the pages over so quickly as you are engulfed in all the emotions of each character. With the writing so exquisite you will not want to be putting this book down, because if you are like me you will get sucked into their world, living their lives with a need to know what has destroyed this family.

With flashbacks to the past adding an extra depth to the story, one of the flashbacks that got me the most was Phoebe (Lily’s daughter) and Mia (Jess’ daughter) meeting and playing in Audrey’s garden. When Audrey’s daughters turn up and see them play and the sisters, in turn, argue just showed how far apart they have come but what for! Aaargh!! In fact, all the flashbacks got me!

There are no words I can use to give this book any sense of justice it deserves. You need to read it for yourself and become as captivated as I have with this family. It is beautiful, brutal and will leave you feeling so raw and quite frankly a blubbering wreck. That is all I can say.