Slipping between Nazi-occupied Poland and the frenetic pace of modern life, Kelly Rimmer creates an emotional and finely wrought narrative that weaves together two women’s stories into a tapestry of perseverance, loyalty, love and honor. The Things We Cannot Say is an unshakable reminder of the devastation when truth is silenced…and how it can take a lifetime to find our voice before we learn to trust it.

The Things We Cannot Say - Kelly Rimmer - Google Books The Things We Cannot Say - Kelly Rimmer - Google Books

The main characters are Alina, a young woman when WWII breaks out, and Alice, a mother in the US. Like many historical fiction books, this one features a present-day storyline and alternates with one from the past. Usually, I enjoy the past/historical timeline much more. In this book, however, I found both storylines compelling and engaging. As farmers, Alina and her family live a hard yet comfortable life until the invasion. When the Nazis invade, everything changes drastically. In 1942, Europe remains in the relentless grip of war. Just beyond the tents of the refugee camp she calls home, a young woman speaks her wedding vows. It’s a decision that will alter her destiny…and it’s a lie that will remain buried until the next century. This beautifully crafted story weaves together the present and the past seamlessly with threads of heartbreak, sacrifice, and love! I’m not sure what I can say about this outstanding book that hasn’t already been said. I like many other readers absolutely LOVED this book and found it extremely hard to put down. This was a dual timeline story and Aussie author Kelly Rimmer has done an exceptionally well job in constructing this part of the book as the story flows so smoothly between the two time periods making it not only an easy story to follow, but also a very enjoyable one.Alice was devastated when her grandmother, her beloved Babcia was hospitalized after a stroke. She and her mother were both aware Babcia was in her nineties and wouldn’t have much longer to live, and since Alice’s Pa had died, Babcia had become much more frail. When Babcia indicated to Alice that she wanted her to go to Poland to unearth the secrets from her past, Alice at first knew she couldn’t possibly make the journey. Her husband Wade was extremely busy with work, their seven-year-old son Eddie was severely autistic and needed her constantly. And ten-year-old Callie – how could Alice leave them all? After reading this book, one cannot help but compare the terrible invasion of Poland in 1939 with the senseless invasion taking place in Ukraine today. Perhaps that is why Poland is so ready to assist the refugees pouring into its country today, because the memory of what happened so long ago is still in everyone's mind. Kelly Rimmer has raised the already high bar with this unforgettable novel. Fans of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah now have a new go-to author." Bestselling author Sally Hepworth Fans of The Nightingale and Lilac Girls will adore The Things We Cannot Say.” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer | Goodreads The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer | Goodreads

WWII Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night before he leaves for college, Tomasz proposes marriage. But when their village falls to the Nazis, Alina doesn't know if Tomasz is alive or dead. Kelly Rimmer has raised the already-high bar with this unforgettable novel, The Things We Cannot Say. Alina and Tomasz's story is one of bravery, resilience, and the lengths we will go to for the ones we love. Fans of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah now have a new go-to author' Sally Hepworth, author of The Secrets of Midwives Kelly Rimmer is the USA Today best selling author of contemporary and historical fiction novels including Me Without You, The Secret Daughter, and her most recent release, The Things We Cannot Say. She is also the author of the contemporary romance series, Start Up in the City. Kelly lives in rural Australia with her family.Even the title of this book gets me. Throughout the family’s history, there are many things that cannot be said. This is a central theme throughout the narrative. As Babcia ages, she is unable to fully explain what she wishes Alice to do to help her. We already know, Eddie can’t say all the things he wishes to say. Certain things are not said to protect secrets. The more I think about this title, it has a deeper meaning than I can adequately reflect in this review. It’s a perfect choice for this amazing novel. THE VERDICT

The Things We Cannot Say: A heart-breaking, inspiring novel

From the author of Truths I Never Told You, Before I Let You Go, and the The Warsaw Orphan, Kelly Rimmer’s powerful WWII novel follows a woman’s urgent search for answers to a family mystery that uncovers truths about herself that she never expected. The title gives us a clue that something kept secret in this family. But this poetically written, heartwarming, amazing story is not about the family secrets , it’s about the words we keep inside and it’s about the emotions we hide. It’s about the reconnection of the family by reaching their roots and discovering their ancestors and an epic, unconditional, never ending love story defeats the time, dead and war. While I have to admit the WWII wasn't one I've previously read about, it didn't grab my attention. So we have a girl, Alina, who lives in Poland and is in love with Tomas since forever. They planned to marry then the war started. Her story, albeit no less sad, was tamer than the usual WWII books I've read. No, she's not forging papers nor involved with the resistance... she's just trying to survive day by day with her family. It was interesting in a way but I wasn't emotionally invested in her story. Kelly Rimmer knows how to write dual timeline stories. I was hooked on both narrators and their lives. As with all of her books, The Things We Cannot Say is powerful, epic, and so emotional. It’s full of love, loyalty, steadfastness, and hope. It’s about how silence can devastate and takes years or generations from which to heal. In the present day, eighty five year old Hannah is dying. She's having strokes, is in the hospital, and will probably never leave alive. Despite the fact that she can't communicate verbally, she has something she wants her granddaughter, Alice, to do for her. Alice, who is in a daily struggle to meet the needs of her son Eddie, seven years old, nonverbal, and on the autism spectrum. Eddie's means of communication becomes a way for Hannah to communicate her wishes with Alice and soon, Alice knows that Hannah has something very important for her to do.Meanwhile, Kelly's narrator read at a much faster pace and her voice was fresh and full of life. I have to admit that made me look to her parts more than Alina's. My thinking is usually I need to visually read the text for this genre - but this was offered up as an Audible daily special - so took a chance - and WOW... the narration read by ‘both’ women, ( Ann and Nancy), is outstanding. I’m not sure I can put into words how much I love Kelly Rimmer’s T he Things We Cannot Say. I will do my best. What’s That Book I Keep Hearing About?