Cover Image: The Things I Know

The Things I Know

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

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

Was this review helpful?

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!!

Was this review helpful?

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

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

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.

Was this review helpful?

Review
Thank you @netgalley and @mrsamandaprowse for the advanced copy of The Things You know.
I was delighted to receive this advanced copy of this book as a big fan of this author.
I really enjoyed this book. Thomasina was born with a deformed lip, and crooked limbs and was treated like a child by her family. Then she meets Grayson, and he sees past her flaws and they form a bond.
This book is light hearted and an easy read, the main character captures your heart a little.

Was this review helpful?

"And I know that some days I'm happy and other day's I'm sad, but that's the same for everyone, isn't it?"
This is a beautiful love story between two young adults.
Their meeting was fate.
Thomasina aka Hitch helps to run her family farm that also has a B&B.
A young quiet, honest man named Grayson Potts comes to stay for two days while at a presentation for his work.
This is their journey. Not all love and beauty, but definitely uplifting, challenging and enlightening.
You will love these two people!
I came away from this novel with the prayer that people who read this book by Amanda Prowse will see people with disabilities as people first.
"I know I need to find the courage to chase the life I deserve."
Everyone has goals, dreams and desires!
Wonderful story!

Was this review helpful?

I know that Amanda has written another epic tale.

I know that Amanda has once again drawn me in.

I know that the story of Thom and Gray just reminds us that love and a happy life can find us all regardless of ability and looks.

I know that you will enjoy reading about Thom and Gray as much as Amanda's other books.

Was this review helpful?

I simply love the way Amanda brings her characters to life. She draws you into their world and soon you start to laugh and cry with them. The things I know is another fantastic book which draws you into a simple life far away from the city and into the life of a young woman who wants to change her life and how she feels trapped with all the obligations around her. It takes us on a journey of her struggles and triumphs and you find yourself wanting the best for her. Great book by a fabulous author!

Was this review helpful?

The Things I Know is another beautiful love story from Amanda Prowse. It tells the story of Thomasina ‘Hitch’ Waycott and Grayson Potts. At the end of each chapter, Thomasina writes in her journal about the things she knows. I’m sure I’ll not be the only reviewer to write their thoughts this way, but I thought it seemed a good way to layout my review.

So in the style of Thomasina, these are the things I know…

I know that Amanda Prowse has a real knack for creating characters that you take to your heart.

I know that I immediately felt protective of Hitch, as she was known as at the beginning of the story, and perhaps that was the trouble. She had a few disabilities which meant that her parents, with the best of intentions, had been too protective and hadn’t given her the chance to shine.

I know that Grayson with his straightforward way of looking at the world, saw past every physical problem and right to the heart of who Thomasina was and what she could be. And I loved him for that.

I know that this is the story of two people who never quite seemed to fit in, finding their place with each other and their place in the world.

I know that wanting your own cake tins is possibly one of the most lovely things you could wish for. That will make sense when you read the book!

I know that Amanda Prowse writes about the issues in this book in a sensitive and relatable way: special or different needs, addiction and bullying.

I know that this is a book which will evoke all kinds of emotions. You will smile, you will feel angry, you will laugh, you may find a lump in your throat.

I know that I was holding in my breath in the last chapter wondering how it would all end for Thomasina and Grayson.

I know that if you have loved Amanda Prowse’s previous novels then you will love this one too.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this story and was rooting for Hitch the whole way through and it's true that when you start to assert yourself, life does get better. I would recommend this book 100/%. Amanda has done it again and written a book that just tugs at your heart strings. I would like to thank the publishers and netgalley for letting me have the book to review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own views.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderfully heartwarming book from an amazing author . This book is like a really warm hug just when you need one . Beautiful characters and heartwarming storyline .

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful and heartwarming love story of two people, Thomasina and Grayson, who are considered a “bit different” to others. Their story will pull on your heartstrings as you watch the instant connection they make with each other when they first meet. Their story is full of overcoming life’s obstacles and proving that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. A truly touching, powerful, empowering story that I highly recommend you read.
Many thanks to NetGallery, the publisher and author, Amanda Prowse, for the opportunity to to read this wonderful book. This is my true and honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Amanda Prowse once again a beautifully written story.
A heartwarming story set on a farm where we meet Hitch and her family.
The characters had depth and I loved Hitch and Grayson, and the fact they were both very special people who had their share of challenges.
Life hasn’t been easy for either of them and I felt for them with the challenges they came up against.
The story left me with a smile on my face.
I highly recommend

Was this review helpful?

This is another great read from Amanda Prowse. In this story, Thomasina, a young woman, lives and works on her family farm in the West Country. She was born with a number of health issues, including a deformed hand and foot, and a cleft palate which has been badly repaired. She has grown up bearing the brunt of other people's name calling and believes she will never have the life that she longs for - she would love to go to New York and own a pair of red sparkly shoes. She also longs for a proper boyfriend and a place of her own to call home. Then one day Grayson Potts arrives at the farm as a B and B guest. He too has his problems - he is clearly on the autism spectrum and leads a lonely existence with his alcoholic mother in London. But will the course of true love run smoothly for these two? This is a love story with a difference, which I recommend as a lovely, heart warming read. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Was this review helpful?

A good read with well developed characters, not one of my favourites from Amanda but nevertheless a well written book which I recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

Is there anything more powerful than the written word?
Once again Amanda Prowse has written a true masterpiece. The characters came to life with her carefully written descriptions. Thomasina and Grayson are adorable characters; I loved watching them grow throughout the story!! Because these two don't fit into 'society's norm' they have both unnecessary prejudices.
Everything about this book just knitted together so brilliantly: the location, the characters with their hectic lives.
I'm sure this book will fly off the bookshelves.

Was this review helpful?

I do love Amanda Prowse and her books. Ever since I read the first one, I have been hooked, and I was really looking forward to this new one.

Delving into the mind and world of Thomasina, or Hitch, as she is known, and reading about her meeting Grayson, and falling in love, felt like a privilege.

I have to commend Amanda for executing the nuances of this novel with such sympathy and grace. The thoughts and feelings of someone with a disability, but a person who is like everyone else, someone who wants her own life, and to be able to do everything others do, without the limitations that have been imposed upon her by her own loved ones.

That, and her capture of a person on the spectrum, someone whose thought process is so very different to the majority of the world.

And their love story.

I was hooked. I loved Pops and Mum, and I adored Thom and Gray!

One of my favourite quotes from the book - " I like the way you care for my daughter and, for the record, I happen to agree with you. I think she's pretty perfect too." Thomasina's Pops.

There's a lesson in this - in the end, anything is possible - you just have to make that first step towards change.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing and Amanda Prowse for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I love Amanda's books and I was looking forward to getting started with this one. I was saving it for the weekend as I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down. I couldn't wait - when I started this I had 10 minutes reading time whilst eating breakfast but found myself still reading an hour later. I wanted to savour it, but couldn't stop reading and finished it later in the day. A beautiful touching story which will stay with me.

Amanda is such a talented writer - as with all of her books, I was drawn in from the start and became so emotionally invested in the characters. I was willing a happy ending for Thomasina and Grayson. This is a beautifully written story about being a bit different and the difficulties this causes in our society. It is a story with sadness, family relationships, finding happiness and, most of all, hope. I wanted to reach into the book and give Thomasina a big hug. I loved the farmyard setting and descriptions of the farm meant I could picture it so clearly including Daphne, Thomasina's favourite chicken and faithful friend Buddy the collie dog.

I can't recommend this book highly enough - I would give more than 5 stars if I could. A wonderful uplifting emotional read - fabulous, I loved it.

Was this review helpful?