For All She Knows by Jamie Beck

 For All She Knows

Book Summary

For All She Knows by Jamie Beck has Grace Phillips and her best friend, Mimi Gillette at odds over the upcoming vote regarding the budget for the local high school.  The school wishes to spend millions updating the sports facilities which Mimi approves of since her son, Rowan is a football player.  A football scholarship is the only way Rowan will be able to attend college.  Grace feels the funds should be spent on academics which would benefit the majority of the students.  It has caused a rift in the town and it is affecting Grace’s son, Carter.  Rowan’s football friends have been picking on Carter.  Mimi agrees to let Rowan have some of his buddies over one evening.  She is surprised to learn that Rowan invited Carter since the two boys have not been close in recent years.  Mimi is on a date when she receives a call from Rowan that there has been an accident.  Mimi arrives home to find Carter laying at the bottom of the steps with a severe injury.  Grace is indignant over what happened to her son, and she wants to make sure those who are responsible for his injuries are held accountable.  This further divides the small community of Potomac Falls and wreaks havoc with her friendship with Mimi as well as her marriage.  Litigation causes further upset.  Grace’s husband does not recognize his wife and wonders what is driving her to cause so much dissention.  Is there a chance at peace and forgiveness in Potomac Falls? 

My Thoughts

For All She Knows by Jamie Beck is the third book in the Potomac Falls series.  Each book can be read as a standalone.  For All She Knows is an emotional novel.  Grace’s son is severely injured, and she wants to make sure the people responsible pay for their crimes.  Grace’s actions divide a town, a friendship, and a family.  I thought For All She Knows contained good writing with steady pacing.  We get to see how a tragic incident can change lives in an instant.  Issues from the past rule how Grace raises her children.  She wants to make sure that her children have a safe and happy childhood.  Mimi is a mother who is laxer with the rules (opposite of Grace).  These two women are best friends until a school budget issues and then Carter’s injuries divide them.  For All She Knows deals with forgiveness, guilt, and blame.  We see how the past affects decisions made today.  The story alternates point-of-view between Mimi and Grace.  This allows us to see both sides of the issues.  Emotions pour from the pages.  Anger, fear, love, caring, hurt, and loss are some of the feelings.  I was surprised by Mimi’s thoughts toward underage drinking.  I cannot imagine allowing a teenager access to my liquor cabinet (or not locking it) or leaving beer unattended in the fridge.  Teenagers and alcohol are a bad mix.  Jamie Beck tackled some difficult subjects in For All She Knows.  Fans of this author will enjoy this poignant tale.  

For All She Knows publishes March 30 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  If you are a Kindle Unlimited member, you can borrow it for free.  The other two novels in the Potomac Point series are If You Must Know and Truth of the Matter.  Both of the books are on Kindle Unlimited as well.  Thank you for visiting today.   Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on A New Love for Charlotte by Amy Lillard.  It is the 11th A Wells Landing Romance.  I am off to put together our new grill.  Our last one rusted away (Florida sun did a number on it along with the ocean air) before we moved.  I have been smelling barbecue around the community that had me hankering for food on the grill.  I am getting a cover for this grill to help protect it from the environment.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Truth of the Matter by Jamie Beck

Book Summary

Truth of the Matter by Jamie Beck has Anne Sullivan Chase starting over after being married for seventeen years.  Her husband, Robert has found a newer model.  Anne buys her grandmother’s home in Potomac Point which will give herself and her daughter, Katy a fresh start. Anne spent many happy summers with her grandparents in this charming beach community. Her contractor, Dan Foley finds a recipe box when doing demolition in the master bedroom.  It contains some unusual items that belong to her grandmother, Marie who has dementia.  Anne decides to learn more about the mysterious items and how they relate to her grandmother’s past.  Anne is also dealing with a remodel while living in the house, but she wanted to get them settled as soon as possible.  The upheaval has not been good for her sensitive teenage daughter whose anxieties have gotten worse.  Anne needs to find a way to help Katy.  Anne turned to art when she was younger to help express her emotions and she wonders if that would work for herself and Katy.  She has Dan remodel a shed in their backyard into an art studio.  It will allow Anne to get back to painting and for Katy to find her a creative as well as emotional outlet.  Will Anne and Katy find a way to move forward in Potomac Point?

Art Shed Studio

My Thoughts

Truth of the Matter by Jamie Beck is the 3rd novel in the Potomac Point series.  This book can be read on its own.  I thought this story was well-written with the point-of-view alternating between Anne, Katy, and Anne’s grandmother, Marie.  I like the author’s writing style which made the story easy to read.  Anne’s husband asked for a divorce after finding a new woman who has two children.  The family home is sold which allows Anne to buy her beloved grandmother’s home in Potomac Point.  Anne enjoyed the summers she spent with her grandparents in the seaside town.  She knows that herself and her daughter, Katy need a fresh start and where she will not see Richard with his new family.  We get to see how Anne and Katy struggle with the divorce as well as settling into a new town and school.  Katy begins having issues and we see how Anne deals helps Katy.  She is a strong woman who is compassionate and kind.  I liked the mystery surrounding the grandmother, Marie.  There are a couple of items found in an old recipe box that the contractor uncovered.  Marie’s story unfolds over the course of the book.  Truth of the Matter deals with some sensitive topics (drugs and cutting for example). I thought the topics were handled well.  I like that we see Anne rediscover her artistic passion.  There is a lot of soul searching and reflection on Anne’s part as she deals with everything going on in her life.  Truth of the Matter does move at a slower pace, but it goes with the emotional issues in the story (such topics cannot be rushed).  Truth of the Matter is a poignant, multigenerational tale.

Anne creates in her art studio shed

Truth of the Matter is available from Amazon*.  If You Must Know if the first novel in the Potomac Point series.  Both books are available through Kindle Unlimited. The next book in the Potomac Point series is For All She Knows which releases March 30, 20201.  You can find more novels by Jamie Beck here.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my review.  I will return tomorrow with 15 Minutes of Flame by Christin Brecher. It is the 3rd A Nantucket Candle Maker Mystery.  I hope that you have an inspiring day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.