Audrey knows that life is filled with ups and downs, but she can't help feeling like she's been dealt more than her fair share as she's watched her family come undone over the years. Her dream as a mother had been for her daughters, Jess and Lily, to be as close as only sisters can be. But now as adults, they no longer speak to each other, and Audrey's two teenage granddaughters have never met. Even more upsetting is the fact that Audrey has no idea how to fix her family as she wonders if they will ever be whole again.
If only Audrey had known three decades ago that a secret could have the power to split her family in two, but ironically, also keep them linked. And when hostilities threaten to spiral out of control, a devastating choice that was made so many years ago is about to be revealed, testing once and for all Audrey and those she loves.
Is it too late for one broken family to heal and find their way back to each other...?
A beautiful novel of mothers and daughters, the bonds of family, and the secrets that can sometimes divide us yet also bring us together, If Only I Could Tell You will remain on your mind long after the last page is turned.
My Review:
Rating: 5/5 stars.
Firstly, I'd like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the eARC of this book for an honest review.
Narrated by three women, Jess, Lily and Audrey (two sisters and the Mum) the reader is taken on a journey that will break your heart. Audrey is trying to put her family back together after the past has torn the two sisters apart and they haven't been in contact since they were both young girls. With glimpses into the past I found myself being pulled into this family feud that left me guessing throughout, wondering what could have happened to cause this rift. The background story (if you ignore the family drama) was very close the home for me which is why I couldn't read it last year when I was granted the eARC. This book affected me on whole other level. I was listening to the audiobook on the way to University yesterday and spent the whole time crying, with joy and sadness.
Beckerman has done a wonderful job with this book. I really loved Audrey and felt like her biggest supporter. This book really pushes home that you really should be honest with your children because without the honesty the memories became so skewed for the two sisters and caused so much unnecessary pain. The twist that happened halfway through the book broke my heart even more. After I knew what the twist was I could see the little suggestions here and there but didn't guess it at all. The ending was exactly what I wanted to happen but that last chapter was brutal.
I recommend this book to everyone that can cope with heart shattering books. A brilliant Women's fiction that I will cherish.