Amanda is one of my favourite authors and am proud to say that I have read all her books. This one was a tad slow to get into the part where I could not put it down but perseverance was worth it all.
This is an emotional story of Hitch (Thomasina) who was born not correctly put together and she is searching for someone to love her as she is. She had faced immense bullying from her cousin, did not fit in at school either and her parents were over protective of her. Although she had a tough life she loved working on the farm, especially caring for her girls - the chickens - that she sang and danced with.. As usual Amanda's story reflects issues that are prevalent in society with characters that are so real. I Loved the way that Thomasina has her own parts to express what she knows as though she is talking to herself.
This is a book that makes you cry and laugh and is a highly recommended book to read.

Entertaining story of a young woman born with physical issues and coddled by her parents on their farm who meets a young man with issues of his own. They fall in love. A very nice read.

The things I know is a great story. Thomasina lives with her parents on a family farm.
Always sheltered due to her birth defects, she wants more. A beautiful book about friendship and love. Highly recommend this book.

Amanda is one of my favourite authors and I was so excited to read this book! The story is so touching, heartwarming and gives hope to those struggling with difficulties, whether physical or psychological. Thomasina struggles with physical difficulties, a crooked lip, a deformed hand and her heart is not strong. But she has dreams, she dreams of her own house, a man to love and bake for but her family so cares for her that they have wrapped her in cotton wool. She lives on a farm with her parents, a farm that is struggling financially. They also take in guests, as in a B&B. Thom’s brother has moved to America to work on a ranch, and Emery, their cousin, has moved to the farm to help out, but he bullies Thomasina. Then a guest like no other arrives, Grayson Potts, who is also different. Thomasina and Grayson quickly form a bond and I so loved to see this bond develop. Grayson struggles too, he lives with his mother who is an alcoholic, bitter and very needy. A very beautiful story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thomasina 'Haitch' Waycott, born with a variety of physical deformities and disabilities, lives on a remote family farm and B&B but dream of living the fairytale of finding her true love and seeing the world. Grayson is a kind, aloof eccentric who comes to stay. The two overcome their hurdles to form a deep bond. A great, moving read.

I couldn't get into it - try as I might, the book was too slow for my taste. Looking at the many glowing reviews it seems I'm in the very minority but I can't help it. It was my first book by this beloved author, and most likely the last. That doesn't mean the book wasn't well written.
As I didn't finish it I won't post this review outside Netgalley.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy!

What an amazing read. I finished this book in one sitting. I loved everything about this book from the characters to the chemistry. Amazing.

EXCERPT: These are the things I know...

I know my name is Thomasina 'Hitch' Waycott.

I know I'm not like everyone else.

I know I was born a little bit different, like someone held the instructions upside down, or lost a part when they opened the box.

I also know that words are powerful things and they have weight.

I know certain words have sat in my stomach for as long as I can remember and weigh so much that when i am in a crowd or meet someone new they pull my shoulders down and make my head hang forward so I can only look at the floor.

Tard.

Fuckwit.

Rabbitmouth.

I know I want to see other countries.

I know I want to go to New York.

I know I want a boyfriend.

I know I want my own kitchen.

I know I want to paint my nails instead of having them caked in mud.

I know I want to own clothes that are pretty.

I know that I want to own sparkly red shoes that I will never get to wear but I can look at whenever I want...

What I don't know is just how different I am and I also don't know how I can find this out.

And I know that some days I'm happy and other days I'm sad, but that's the samne for everyone, isn't it?

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Thomasina ‘Hitch’ Waycott loves living and working on the remote family farm and B&B. But she also wants more. To see the world. To own her own home. To fall madly in love.

But those are fairy tales, and if her life is a fairy tale, then she’s the ugly duckling. Her deformed lip, her crooked limbs and her weak heart have kept her from taking chances. But that’s about to change.

When Grayson Potts comes to stay, he’s unlike anyone Thomasina has ever met. He’s aloof, eccentric and exceptionally kind. He’s also totally unconcerned with the physical flaws that have always defined Thomasina.

The two form a bond that neither has had before. It’s possible that it could become something more, but Thomasina also wonders if it’s too good to be true. By putting her heart on the line, Thomasina may open herself to heartbreak. But she may also open herself to so much more.

MY THOUGHTS: Heartwarming. Heartbreaking. This is a reminder that we should always encourage our children to be the best that they can be, not to enforce our ideas of their limitations upon them, even if we believe we do so out of love.

Thomasina (I refuse to call her Hitch) is a wonderful character. I laughed with her. I cried for her.

Prowse is an extraordinary writer.... she writes with empathy, not sympathy, or pity, but empathy. I think she must be a woman with an exceedingly big heart. A woman who values people just for who they are, not what they are. This shines through into her writing. She never fails to touch my heart.

4.5 very bright stars.

THE AUTHOR: Amanda Prowse was a management consultant for ten years before realising that she was born to write. Amanda lives in the West Country with her husband and their two teenage sons.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for a providing a digital ARC of The Things I Know by Amanada Prowse for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own personal opinions.

For an explanation of my rating system, please refer to my profile page on Goodreads.com or the about page on my webpage sandysbookaday/wordpess.com This review and others also appear on my webpage

This was a bit slot to start and get into, but once it does well worth the perseverance. It’s such an emotional, heartfelt read. This is about a young girl born with difficulties and you share them with her, feel her pain. It is beautifully written, I love the fact it’s about ordinary people and such a lovely slow burn romance/attraction with a young man with his own difficulties with society. It’s such a beautiful book. I loved it.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I'm happy I requested this book because I discovered a very good writer.
It's a bit slow at the beginning but if you're patient you're in for a great reading experience.
I loved the well written cast of characters, the setting and the plot.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A touching story of a young girl "Hitch" who was born with difficulties trying to live out her own fairy tale.

After living on a remote farm her whole life, being protected by her loving family and only having her animals for friends, Hitch knows there must be more to life. When a handsome stranger, who also has some difficulties, comes to stay at her farm her whole world is turned upside down.

This is a beautiful tale of their romance with lots of ups and downs. It'll have you laughing, crying and wishing for a happy ending!

Amanda Prowse certainly knows how to hit you with the feels. This is such an emotional book; it has its high moments where you are smiling along with Hitch/Thomasina. There are moments as well where you just want to cry alongside her.
The book is beautifully written, everything is described perfectly, and you really do feel as if you are there on Waycott's farm! I' v always wanted my own chickens, but I never realised how much work goes into keeping them, I think I will need to employ Thomasina's expertise when the time comes!
Thomasina has lived a very secluded and simple life with her parents on a farm near Bristol. Her life hasn’t been easy due to disabilities that she was born with. She has had to deal with comments and people staring at her deformities all her life; however, she’s had enough of hiding away and wants to spread her wings.
This book shows a young girl overcoming what people think of her and blossoming into the beautiful soul that she is. She really does prove that it is what is in the inside that matters. She is kind-hearted and loving, and that is all that matters. We all have our insecurities about how we look, but we could all certainly learn something from Thomasina! Throw away the shackles, laugh and live life no matter what!
Even though this is a beautiful story; it did take me quite a while to get into it. I think this was mainly due to the size of the chapters. There are only 15 in total over a 300-page book. I’ve said this before about long chapters; I would much rather have short and fast ones, to keep me saying ’just one more chapter before bed’ than to look at the beginning of a chapter and see that it is going to take me 44 minutes to read. I’m more likely to think ‘I don’t have that time to invest I’d best not start a new chapter’. So I progress much slower through a book. Once I did get into the book, I flew through it as the story was so beautiful.
I had a little problem with the ending as some of the events didn’t make sense. Without wanting to give anything away, Thomasina wanted to do something but could only do it if a certain something happened. That thing didn’t happen, but she still got to do the thing she wanted. It felt a bit far-fetched. It was still a lovely ‘happy-ever-after’, but I would have liked to have kept it a bit more real.
Overall, though, a wonderfully emotional book and I would love to follow more of Thomasina and her life, but I get the feeling this was wrapped up nicely, and we won’t be seeing her again, more’s the pity!

Thomasina Hitch Waycott is a young adult who lives with her loving family on a small farm in England near Bristol. “Hitch” was born with some ailments and difficulties, including a cleft lip and palate, that was later awkwardly repaired (and sadly, resulted in the nickname “Hitch”). In spite of all that, she is an active participant on the farm- helping with chores, the B&B guests, and caring for her chicken friends. But sometimes the safe cocoon that her parents have created for her feels too small. The “joys that other people took for granted, like love, marriage, having a friend, and being able to wear high-heeled shoes” seemed a bit out of her reach.

At times, the beauty of the farm, her loyal dog, and her farm work are enough for Thomasina. But, when she is faced with taunts at the local pub, or feels stifled by her parents, she wants more. She keeps a list of what she knows, and one day she begs the universe for help. How can she change? How can she break out of her rut?

And once Thomasina opens herself to possibilities, her world does begin to change. Her brother makes a big change, a B&B guest arrives, and her parents start thinking about the future. Thomasina learns that change can be positive, or it can be very uncomfortable, which is why it is good to have a pair of sparkly red shoes for inspiration.

In the “About the Author” section at the end of this quietly compelling book, we are told “Ms. Prowse writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love test in ways they never imagined.” The author is a prolific writer, although this is the first book of hers (But it won’t be the last!) I have read. Author Prowse is skillful at weaving an emotional story. Inspiring, entertaining, uplifting settings and themes are her canvas where she sets colorful characters that we care about and bond with. Some of the dialogue scenes were a bit long, but this is a readable story that will stick with you.

Thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK, Lake Union Publishing for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

First time reading Amanda Prowse's work and it will not be the last time. The story is endearing, and the writing is impeccable. The descriptions make it so, that you feel as if your standing on the farm watching the whole story unfold before your very eyes. The story starts with the birth of a daughter who felt as if the instructions had been upside down when she was made, and maybe they had lost a part when they opened the box. Yes, it is with charm and finesse that will make you fall in love with Hitch, Thomasina Potts!



Thanks, NetGalley for the opportunity to read & review this delightful story

‘I feel like you’re the kind of person who can find the gaps, fill in the missing pieces and solve the puzzle of my happiness.’

Thomasina "Hitch" Waycott lives and works on her parent's farm, which is also a bed and breakfast, that has been in her family for generations in rural England, across the river from Wales. She's always been treated as "less than" her younger brother. She was born with a cleft palate that was fixed poorly. She also has other medical problems and has been bullied her whole life. Her parents have been over protective. Meanwhile she's getting older and wants to experience life.

Her life changes when Grayson Potts stays at the B & B for a couple of nights. Grayson has his own issues. He has Asperger's Syndrome, has also been bullied his own life.

When this unlikely couple meets for the first time, neither sees the other's imperfections and a growing attraction starts immediately between them.

I loved this book. I loved Thomasina and Grayson's characters. Everything about the book was just right and will definitely speak to those people out there that have ever been bullied. I loved the descriptions of the farm, with its chickens, guard pig - just everything. Even the sad pieces, and there are a few, were handled just right.

I highly recommend.

I received this book from Lake Union Publishing (Amazon Publishing) through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

I loved this story of these two being more than their differences. Each had a special challenge that people used to define them. It had always been that way, until they met each other. Meeting gave them someone who saw them as a person not damaged but whole. Each saw love and appreciation not settling for the scraps but standing up and taking the meal. It's a great story one that I read to the end. I did however feel like it was repetitive, constantly having the same argument or conversation or self-dialogue. That and how long it took but and yes there's always a but I kinda get the delay. So kinda on the fence there. It is well written and an emotional read although kind of sad and borderline depressing. This isn't my first read by this author and while she does tend to do subjects that are tough I have enjoyed them because they make you dig deep. This is definitely one of them and like I said a good read just not my favorite.

Thomasina and Grayson’s story encourages me that there is hope and good things for people with disability. Thomasina thought she didn’t have any hope to have a romantic relationship. She did and Grayson, even though he has Asperger Syndrome, came out in a big way to lavish love, attention and companionship to our heroine.

The book started out very pessimistic, but things picked up towards the middle of the book. I read this to encourage myself, and am so happy I did. Good read.

Sometimes you just stumble across a book. That was the case for me and I am so glad I did. I thought that this was an absolutely wonderful read. This book is filled with rural charm, harsh reality and an overall feeling of sweetness. Thomasina ‘Hitch’ has a story that will touch your heart. Thomasina has been different since birth. Her challenges may slow her down but they certainly do not stop her. I thought she was very smart, incredibly kind, loving and a hard worker. The book gives you a look into her life, hopes, dreams and fears. I felt it was incredibly eye-opening. So often, people are labeled and fenced in by expectations (or a lack of). This is even worse for those with differences. My heart simply ached for Thomasina. Her loneliness, the desire for more and her yearning to truly live were almost tangible as you read through the book. The book is very well written and read easily. Thomasina's world was so well developed that I felt I could feel the heat from the stove, feel the crunch of the frosted grass under my feet and smell the wonderful meals that Thomasina cooked. This emotional read will put your own emotions through their paces as the story unfolds, and what a beautiful story it is.

This is beatiful written story that will pull on your heartstrings. It is a heartwarming story that is filled with hope and happiness, sadness. I truly enjoyed reading about Grayson and Thomasina. The characters are two people who don't quite fit in and who are different. It was a page turner and kept my interest through out the story.
I vouluntairy read and reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you you NetGalley, Amazon Publishing UK and Lake Union publishing for letting me read this story.

Unfortunately I will say this book was not for me. It was sadder than I expected and way too repetitious. Thomasina “Hitch” is trying to find her way but is weighed down by her parents’ who love her but underestimate her. She was born with physical ailments and her parents have held her back instead of helping her to reach her full potential and follow her dreams. After her brother leaves the family farm she feels unable to pull away herself. Until she meets Grayson. He is a little different himself and also finds himself weighed down by the weight of his own very different family obligations. Together they help each other realize their full potential and find their own self confidence. Of course it’s not that easy. Thomasina is stuck and the reader follows her as this weighs heavily on her. I think I expected this to be more heartwarming and sweet than it was. It’s very sad reading how awful Thomasina and Grayson’s circumstances are and frustrating how slowly they work on changing anything. I have not read anything by this author before but I don’t think her writing is for me. This was just too much of a bleak novel for me. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.