Monday, January 21, 2019

Things Left Unsaid

GIVEAWAY
WALSH, COURTNEY
THINGS LEFT UNSAID

An emotional novel of family, friendship and forgiveness from Courtney Walsh, the New York Times bestselling author of Hometown Girl.

Lyndie St. James is thrilled that her best friend, Elle, is getting married but is unprepared for the emotional storm of the wedding week and returning her childhood summer home of Sweethaven. The idyllic cottage community harbors some of her best -- and worst -- memories. It's not only the tragic death of her childhood friend Cassie that has haunted her for the last ten years, it's the other secrets she's buried that have kept her from moving on.

But Lyndie isn't the only one with secrets.

Cassie's mother, father, and brother, still struggling with loss, have been drifting further and further apart. And Elle herself, the last to see Cassie alive, carries an impossible burden of guilt. Now reunited, each of them has a choice: to reveal the truths of that night or continue to live in its shadow. That means embarking on a personal journey of the heart -- to escape the darkness and all its regrets  and to finally come to terms with the past, and, especially with each other.

My Review:

"Some things have to be said out loud. 
That's how they lose their power."

Whoa -- kinda speechless here. This story wasn't at all what I expected it to be...it was all that and so much more! Walsh digs deep into the fractured lives of her characters and delivers an emotionally breathtaking read. This is a story about the many facets of grief. About the kind of brokenness only grace can heal. About stilted friendships and past mistakes and how it all comes crashing down one week when everyone gathers for the wedding of the season.

Honestly, I was mesmerized from the very first page. The author tells the story from multiple perspectives which let me into each character's heart and mind. I love an emotional read -- the kind that ties you up in knots and makes chocolate and tissues a necessity and Walsh definitely delivers that! I was on edge the whole read, trying to figure out how a past tragedy altered the lives of each character. And the slow reveal of backstories was excruciating!

Consider this your rabid-compulsive-read warning. You won't be able to put this book down...unless it's to scribble out profound quotes that you end up sticking up all over your house so they can bring you the same kind of transformation they brought Walsh's characters. In fact, I did so in such a frenzy that I neglected to record page numbers for the quotes included here. My apologies!

"You can keep struggling and trying to do this your own way, or you can actually lay it down and let God do whatever He wants with it."

Profound and powerful. Steeped in faith. Brimming with grace. Boldly proclaiming the magnificence of a God who forgives and forgets. An unforgettable story that might just change your life in the same way it changed the lives of the characters in this book...if you dare let it.

"You give away the very thing you need. If you need hope, find a way to give others hope. If you need a friend, find a way to be a friend. If you need forgiveness, give forgiveness."

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Things Left Unsaid, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 26 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

42 comments:

  1. I've heard about this book
    Sounds Great 👍
    Thanks for the chance to win 😃💖😍
    I have it on my lists 😍😘😍
    iamabho AT gmail DOT com 😍 👍

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has a lot of great reviews. A pretty memorable read. Good luck, Linda!

      Delete
    2. Cool Thanks for the recommendation
      😁💜😊

      Delete
  2. Sounds like a must read! mauback55 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've read one of her books and loved it. Please enter me for this one, Kav! THANKS!
    jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure I've read all her books -- well, the ones that came in print format -- and I've loved them all. Good luck, Jackie!

      Delete
  4. Courtney’s books are so good! Looking forward to reading this one! Melmo2610ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She's an amazing author! Good luck, Melissa.

      Delete
  5. The only book by Courtney I have read is "Just Look Up" and loved it. I've heard a lot about this book and really want to read it!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep -- it's been making the cyber rounds and all the rumors are true -- it's awesome! :-) Good luck, Trixi!

      Delete
  6. Now I like when more than one is telling a story, character wise. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That multiple pov is done so well. The best I've read, I think. So easy to lose yourself in each character's story. Good luck, Kim!

      Delete
  7. Exceptional review, KAV! I've not yet read Courtney's books. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
    psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Caryl!!!! Gasp! You must read something by Courtney sooner than later! Good luck!

      Delete
  8. Loved your review and now would love to read.
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lucy. Good luck! I think we'd twin over this one!

      Delete
  9. Pretty sure this book released in the middle of a very scary time in the author's life (her daughter was sick). Your quotes made me realize how hard it must have been for her to live out her faith in that struggle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I heard something to that effect too. What a blessing this book has been to me and I'm sure many more. Good luck, SIS!

      Delete
  10. I enjoy Courtney's books. This sounds like one that shouldn't be missed.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've never read one of Courtney's books so would like to try this one. Sounds good!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oohhhh -- you are in for a treat, Cheryl. Good luck!

      Delete
  12. This book sounds so special. Thought-provoking, emotional, and engaging. What a great review to articulate all that! Thanks for the giveaway!

    usedtextbooks5(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Chanel. It's such a powerful story! Good luck!

      Delete
  13. I love these novels about family. Great review!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am reading Just Look Up by Courtney right now! What a great writer.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She is a must-buy author for me. Good luck, Patty!

      Delete
  15. She's an amazing author! Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes she is! And she's outdone herself with this novel. Good luck, Heidi!

      Delete
  16. I love Courtney Walsh! And I am SO excited to read this story! I've been hearing such great things and I know it'll be wonderful.

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's made quite a splash in the cyberworld -- and with good reason. Good luck, Melissa!

      Delete
  17. Chocolate is always a necessity when I read.
    I'll make sure to have 2 boxes close by when reading Courtney's book.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good chocolate strategy there, Janet. Good luck!

      Delete
  18. Another author I have not read yet, but really want to.
    Mbaaij at hetnet dot nl

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the giveaway!

    ladysnowangelphotos(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I stay up with Walsh's releases and saw this one, but then abruptly forgot. I'm glad you had the good sense to be on top of it. :)
    tlhcoupon(at)Hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to be of service, Terrill! I found out about Things Left Unsaid during a Reader's Choice Week so I'm happy for all you eagle-eyed readers who keep my wishlists healthy. Good luck!

      Delete