Another amazing book from Amanda who does not disappoint. We follow the main female character Hitch’s life journey as well as her family and friends. Great writing style as always and believable characters. Another book I didn’t want to put down as I was always left wanting to know more. Wonderful characters, wonderful story telling and a wonderful book. Please write another book based on these characters.

A wonderful and heart-warming romance, and thankfully, one with more realistic characters. I could relate to Thomasina's character because of her disabilities. People can be cruel with their words and looks, but Thomasina wants to break free from the limitations placed on her. An instant connection with Grayson gives her hope for the future.

Inspirational story that gives hope and strength to the ones in need. The story is a well written love story. I adore the characters and truly loved this story! Would highly recommend!!!

Another fabulous read from Amanda Prowse. If you're already a fan, I'm sure you'll love this one too. As always, great writing style and believable, realistic characters. I was drawn into Thomasina/Hitch's story from the very start and felt she was a loved friend by the end. Highly recommended!

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.

This book was so different to my usual romance books and I was hooked straight away. I did find it a little strange at first but soon got into the story. It made me laugh and cry and I was so angry at times at the way poor Thomasina was treated by her cousin and his friends.

It was a candid story about disfigurement and achievements in life that you can get over if you believe in yourself. I loved every minute of this and was annoyed when it came to an end as I am sure there is more to this couple than meets the eye.

It’s always a joy when I get to read an Amanda Prowse book and this latest not only tugged at my heart strings but had me pleading for happiness and acceptance for the main character Thomaina ‘Hitch’. Amanda brings to life the characters of Thomasina and her first true boyfriend Grayson Potts in a way that I felt a motherly protection towards them.

This heart-warming tale tells of two people who have struggled with life as they are regarded as different because of either their appearance or eccentricity. I loved the fact that their bond deepened as the story unfolded with a new found confidence in them both. Family and friendships features strongly in this story and sensitive subjects are dealt with honesty.

Beautifully written and inspirational, this moving story gives hope and light to those who consider themselves as different.

My thanks to Amanda and Net Galley for the ARC of The Things I Know, these are my own thoughts.

I received the Kindle edition of The Things I Know as an ARC via NetGalley. My goodness, what a lovely love story. As mom to a child who is somewhat like Grayson, I found so much to love in his unassuming honesty., and recognized his struggle to be understood in a world that works so differently than his own thought processes. Thomasina grabbed my heart from the beginning with her humor and free spirit, just waiting to be set free.

This isn’t a story with lots of intense action, yet I was drawn in from the first page. It was a lovely slice of life story centered around what ended up being a significant turning point for Thomasina. I appreciated her struggle to have her heart and intellect valued and seen despite her physical limitations. I loved that she was a dreamer who, with just a little encouragement, became a doer.

This was a tender and sweet story that so easily could have been depressing and sad, given the serious obstacles that are dealt with, including living with disabilities, bullying, alcoholism, depression, and financial struggle. However, Amanda Prowse has woven a beautiful thread of hope, humor, and determination throughout that will leave you feeling like peeking into Thomasina and Grayson’s hearts was a tremendous gift. One you want to share with a friend.

Having read the first couple of chapters I was worried, I wasn't mesmerised straight away like I am usually by Amanda's books but I didn't need to fear within the first 5 chapters she had me hooked as usual and it just got better. It was beautifully written, mesmerisingly powerful, the two main characters Hitch and Grayson were special in their own right and together were magical. A true love story and a reminder that nobody is perfect but your perfect in somebodys eyes

Thomasina is a truly wonderful character. I absolutely loved her and felt like we were firm friends by the end of the story. She has had to overcome a lot in her life and put up with more than most. My heart went out to her with how some people treat her and I just wanted to wrap her up and keep her safe of which I soon realised was exactly what she doesn’t want or need.

Mid twenties and still living at home with her parents on the farm, you could quite easily forgive Thomasina for dreaming of bigger and better things. The farm and home life was just wonderful to read of though. Apart from Emery who Isn’t the nicest of people, I wanted to transport myself and join them around the kitchen table whilst they enjoyed the cooked breakfasts and their tea and cake. It made me feel all cosy and warm inside.

Grayson is another fabulous character. If anything this story just has the best characterisation and made the story come to life. I felt like I was going through the emotions of the characters and was totally wrapped up in the story. Only problem with this authors books is as I enjoy them so much they seem to end far to quickly. I could have spent hours more reading and spending time with these wonderful characters.

The Things I Know is a heart warming and endearing read that you will not be able to put down. I couldn’t devour it fast enough as some of the characters will really pull on your heart strings. A truly fabulous read and I hope the author will revisit the characters at some point in the future as they are ones that I know I will think of often. All the stars for this one. Loved it.

I absolutely loved this gorgeous book!
Just when I think this author cannot touch my heartstrings more than her last book, she goes and does it again, with bells on!
Such a tender love story between two beautiful souls.
You just find yourself willing them on in their relationship.
Hitch is such a strong character, yet you see all the upset and unhappiness that she carries with her daily. Then along comes Gray, a person who is unlike all others, who has the ability to see Hitch as someone who he can relate with, who doesn’t judge him. It’s was wonderful to watch them grow and flourish as they got to know each other more.
I loved that it wasn’t your typical characters, my own son does have many of the traits shown by Gray, and it was lovely to see a positive image about being different to others. It really warmed my heart to read this emotional yet positive book.

In this book Amanda once again manages to create some very real characters with a real persons faults and foibles, and puts them in the ‘real’ world where people aren’t always very nice, and some people can let you down, whilst others can be surprisingly good.

‘Hitch’ lives on a remote farm and B&B with her parents. She has a badly repaired cleft palate (hence her nickname) and deformed limbs, and whilst her parents protect her as best they can she is used to being teased and taken advantage of.

When a businessman, Grayson, with his own special eccentricities comes to stay at the B&B both see something in the other that they can relate to, and both see past the differences and difficulties the world sees. Both are used to being told that they are different in a negative way, but in each other they both find the best of themselves.

The things I know
1. I love this book.
2. I love Amanda Prowse’s writing.
3. I would love to go and stay in the B&B on the farm. 😀

The Things I Know, Amanda Prowse

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: general fiction (Adult), women's fiction

Ah no....usual moan :-( Why, why do we have women's fiction as a category? Why assume men won't/don't read romance – they do, they write it and read it.

With that off my chest, on to the book. I loved it. I've read several by Amanda now and she creates characters that feel incredibly real, and scenes that are like snippets for everyday life. That means the plots too feel genuine, and that's what I want in a story. Something I can believe in.

I adored Hitch, hated that name that epitomizes her disability. She's adored by her parents, but as often happens when children have disabilities, they are so scared for her they restrict her, smother her almost, and treat her like a child, always soothing and not really listening to what she wants now she's older. It must be hard seeing your child upset and the natural temptation is to keep them close, keep them away from harm. Hitch though is feeling a bit lost by life, its a wash, rinse, repeat kind of time for her and she wants a future of her own, a family, her own cake tins. That looks like its not on for her until Grayson Potts comes to stay, and he and Hitch see something in each other that completes them, makes them feel whole. Grayson too has issues, ones that make it difficult for him to relate to others but give him a talent in the finance industry.

They become close, even though its just a couple of days, and gradually both spread their wings a bit and look to a future. I loved when hitch became Thomasina. Its not without traumas though, problems, pitfalls and unpleasant people.
I loved that Amanda showed that disabled folk want – and should have – more than just a safe life, that its OK to want more, that they are the same as anyone else and should be treated that way. The older I get the more I see “normal” as mythical, really we're all someone along a sliding scale of normal, not one fixed point that denotes it and anyone away from that magic mark is not normal, and shouldn't expect to have the same rights, realities, life expectations as those who fit that narrow criteria.

Stars: Five, another great read from Amanda, and one to keep for re-reading. Such a wonderful story, no deep dark dramas, but a gentle spreading of wings from two wonderful characters.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

The Things I Know By Amanda Prowse, reviewed for Netgalley

I find Amanda’s books a treat to read every time. I am always drawn to her book covers and the titles give just a hint of what to expect.
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.

This is such a sweet story, whilst at the same time not straight forward. Is life ever?

Hitch tells the story from her point of view (maybe a story from another point of view such as Emery could work too).

I really wanted to savour this story! I could envisage the characters and hear their voices, I really love how it’s written. I was able to smile laugh and be choked by emotion!

It’s a story of family, relationships and how gritty life can be with the cards that we are dealt.
Based down the road from me in Bristol, The Things I Know, I’d recommend you to read it.

"An itty bitty scrap of a thing" is how Thomasina's Mother described her to friends after she was born with a cleft palate, a twist to her toes and a couple of bent up fingers. She also described her as "a fighter and no mistake".
Fondly called Hitch by her family due to the appearance of her lip , she feels very loved by her parents but also somewhat over-protected. Following the visit of an American couple who stay over at Waycott, the family farm, Hitch has dreams of one day going to New York to, amongst other things, drink cworfee, inspired by her younger Brother Jonathan who has already flown the family nest and business and gone to the states.
A guest by the name of Grayson comes to stay at the farm . Grayson is geeky, shy and very different and he also sees past Hitch's disabilities .He's kind and caring and out of respect for her he requests that Hitch in future be referred to by him and everyone else as Thomasina,. Their relationship develops very quickly and the couple soon become close but family responsibilities get in the way of any future together.
I loved Thomasina's character. She was very loyal to her family , caring , kind and vulnerable but also strong at the same time.
Grayson was a very unique character , perfect for Thomasina but at times he frustrated me and I wanted to give him a shake.
In true Amanda Prowse tradition this was a very enjoyable read and highly recommended by me.

Another wonderful uplifting Amanda prowse read, gorgeous charecters with a lovely story, already can't wait for the next one

Amanda has done it again. I have loved every one of her books and this is no exception. It’s a lovely easy reading about two characters who feel they are different to other people and how they fall in love. It just goes to show there is someone for everybody in this world regardless of looks and ability to do normal everyday tasks without a struggle. I highly recommend this book and all of Amanda books, you will be in for a treat!!

This book was sad, happy and intense at times. I loved how driven the main character is and how she wants to experience all she can! I enjoyed the story!
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the early copy

I was Captivated from the prologue !
Thomasina “Hitch” knows first hand that life is not fair for Hitch everyday is the same as the day before. While she dreams to see the world , fall in love, live a life, without her physical difficulties , she is reminded by her mom that she is different.
Grayson has his own struggles, only knowing the world as hard and cold, until he meets Hitch. These two could not compliment each other any more, two complete soul mates, who just bring out the best in each other !
This book was so unexpected for me, I went in without knowing anything about it and yet, it’s so beautifully written and the author has a way of bringing the readers attentional the little things, pillows, eggs, sunrises .
I loved this book and these characters will stay with me for a long time.

Amanda Prowse has written another brilliant novel that is both relatable and moving. I felt true empathy for the characters, especially with Hitch (Thomasina). Two misfits navigating a world where things for them are not automatically easy. The story-line is gripping and the characters credible and likeable. Whilst it has not taken the 'top spot' on my favourite Amanda Prowse reads it certainly scores highly and a recommend it to fans and new readers alike.

3.5 stars.
I loved the characters, the rural setting (West Country, England) and how these two lonely and different from the norm individuals find comfort in each other and fall in love without too much drama.
This is also a wonderful story about a place - the small village of Austley Morton – and a home (the heroine’s, Waycott Farm), the hardships, uncertainty but also beauty of farming and rural life.
Thomasina is a great heroine, strong and resilient despite all the obstacles life threw in her way. Her relationship with the dog, the hens and the cows is heartwarming, and sometimes hilarious.
Grayson is a peculiar man, I was expecting his aloofness and lack of social skills to be a bit more elaboratd.
The dialogue between Thomasina and Grasyson in the second half of the book sometimes felt contrived and I think the hero’s mother dramatics was a bit over the top.