The Words We Whisper by Mary Ellen Taylor

 The Words We Whisper

Book Summary

As a hospice nurse, Zara Mitchell has already seen more death than most people will experience in a lifetime. So when her older sister asks her to help care for their ailing grandmother, Zara agrees—despite strained family relationships.

Though pale and tired, Nonna has lost none of her sharp mind. She’s fixated on finding something long forgotten, and she immediately puts Zara to work cleaning out the attic. Unexpectedly, amid the tedium of sifting through knickknacks and heirlooms, Zara also reconnects with a man she’s attracted to but whose complicated past makes romance seem impossible.

But then Zara finds what Nonna was looking for: a wooden chest, an emerald broach, a leather-bound journal. As she immerses herself in stories of heroism and loss set against the backdrop of war-torn Italy in 1943, Zara finds answers to questions she didn’t know she had. And they change everything she thinks she knows about love, regret, and seizing the day.

My Thoughts

The Words We Whisper by Mary Ellen Taylor is a dual timeline novel that takes us between the 1940s in Rome and the present day in Richmond, Virginia.  The story is told from multiple points-of-view which includes Zara Mitchell, Gina Mitchell, Nicolas Bernard, and Isabella Mancuso.  The main narrators are Zara, a traveling hospice nurse, and Isabella Mancuso, a dressmaker at a high-end shop in Rome in the 1940s.  I thought The Words We Whisper contained good writing, but it is a slow starter.  I had a hard time getting into the book.  I thought the beginning was a bit of a put off and it is depressing.  I wish the story had begun differently (in a way that would have hooked me).  The Words We Whisper is an interesting story with things I liked and some things I found less appealing.  I enjoyed the historical sections more than the present day.  Isabella lives in Rome and wants to help her country against the invading Germans.    I can tell the author did her research.  With regard to the modern section, I could have done without the romance. I would have preferred to see more growth from Zara.  To have her coming into her own instead of falling in love. I like how the author tied the past and present together.  Nonna’s secrets are slowly revealed with the big unveiling at the end.  While The Words We Whisper is a good story, I felt something was missing.  The Words We Whisper is a story about war, loss, love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and new beginnings.  The Words We Whisper is a good book to read while relaxing on a lounger by the pool.  

The Words We Whisper publishes Tuesday, July 20 and it can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  It can be borrowed for free if you belong to Kindle Unlimited.  You can find Mary Ellen Taylor's other novels here.  The second image I included today is an actual traveling nurses van.  They take assignments that last three to six months.  This allows them to have their own home and save on expenses. I appreciate you dropping in and reading my review today.  I wanted to let you know that my mother's birthday celebration was a success.  She had a special day and she loved her gifts.  The special gift I had ordered ended up showing up in time (thank heavens). She received a gift each day for a week with her getting the big gift for her birthday.  She also had a cute cake to enjoy after her birthday dinner.  Tomorrow I am featuring The Lights of Sugarberry Cove by Heather Webber.  I hope that everyone has a harmonious day.   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.

Book

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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.