Do Not Disclose, A Memoir of Family Secrets Lost and Found made me cry--not for any one particular reason but because it really captured the complexity of life, the intense processing that accompanies learning. your parents as adults, and the multitude of stories that are simply out in the world existing that we may never know.

I just loved it. It was a slow burn and a patient, dual mystery. I highly recommend to those who love a multigenerational family tale with history and heartache mixed in.

Publication Date: Aug 24th, 2021

Thank you to @NetGalley & @shewritespress for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#DoNotDisclose #NetGalley #shewritespress

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Leora Krygier moved me as I flip the pages of her story. She tells it with such delicacy you can feel the pull to hold back and not tell “just too much” like her parents.
The title “Do Not Disclose” had a variable of meanings for me. The main one being that traumas are often kept as close to our own hearts and souls as possible, we order ourselves not to share, Even when we don’t, the pain can still be passed down to the next generation, I think it passes on with even more intensity because of the misunderstanding.. The silence is louder.
Leora’s desire to learn more takes her down such an interesting road! I was totally enamored with the postcard found in clothing at a thrift shop! LOVED THIS!
This story will make your heart swell as she digs deeper! And it will make you want to know more!
Leora is a gifted writer. I enjoyed her poetic cadence that showed up often in the story, I felt as though that was when the book was most alive, But, trust me….the other parts are just as important and just as cool to read, this was where I felt her pull to “Not Disclose” too much.
I loved this book!
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I like the cover of this book as it could actually be a still shot of a scene from the book, of the very thing that sets Leora off on investigating her family and what turns out to be its rather complicated history. The picture on the cover made me think of an old handbag my grandmother had full of old photographs too. If I saw this book on a bookstore shelf, I would certainly pick it up to learn some more about it, so I think the cover works well.

I’ll be totally honest from the blurb I thought that perhaps the mention that Leora’s parents were Holocaust survivors that the book was going to be about their life, or their families lives during this dark era of history, but it was more about Leora’s parent’s more recent life history and a secret they have been keeping from Leora. Something neither of her parents talk about even to each other. Leora’s mum Yael has recently retired from her work at the Jewish Federation and is determined to tidy up the house and get rid of some of the things Leora’s dad Levi seems to, in her opinion, hoard. Levi hates to throw anything away saying it may be some use one day. When Leora finds the photograph of herself sat in between her mother and her Aunt Rhea that sets her mind to discovering who Aunt Rhea is and what the “big” family secret is. Leora’s mother tolerates Rhea and her daughter Dena in their life but Leora isn’t sure what happened between her mum and Rhea. I wanted this part about Leora’s parents and Rhea to be more detailed. How Levi and Rhea had met, what had happened. What happened when Yael discovered the reality of the relationship with Levi, Rhea and Dena. I was left with questions unanswered.

As well as that mystery, whilst browsing in an old postcard shop, she comes across a postcard and is determined to find out as much as she can about it. She also wants to find the author of the postcard or someone who knew him. Throughout her research Leora does gain some new long-lasting friendships. In fact, I enjoyed reading about Leora and her daughter bonding whilst visiting one of these friends.
It’s difficult to say a great deal more without revealing too much of the book itself. There were parts of the book that I really enjoyed reading, and certain sections I loved but then when it switched about it felt confusing, I kept wondering how the two sections of the book were going to come together.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were that at times the different themes, parts of the story felt like two books not quite correctly slotted together. I did like both parts of the whole book but together they sometimes didn’t fit that well, it kind of spoilt the flow of the book. It just felt like the book needed tweaking, or fine tuning just a little more. Or even put into two separate books!

Summing up whilst I did enjoy the book as a whole, I honestly found the way it jumped around a tad confusing and at time irritating. I had also worked out the situation/parentage of Dena which I actually thought Leora had revealed earlier in the book so I didn't quite understand the 'big realisation' that Leora had later in the book.

I'm a big WWII fan and grab any book I can to read on this subject. I was excited about this one because it was a memoir!! I enjoyed the story, but at times it was difficult to follow. I was wishing so much that I would love it and I might try reading it again at another time because maybe it was just me.

Anytime one of these books comes up for review I am all over it. Do Not Dislose is two secrets in one story. Leora uncovers a stain in her family history while trying to track down a WWII veteran from an old postcard. It was nostalgic to read about her research in 2003 and the marvel of using a laptop instead of being tethered to a desk top, something I well remember. I enjoyed reading about her sleuthing and the secrets of her own family history.

A very moving and emotional journey is portrayed beautifully by the author. Although at times difficult to follow, I enjoyed reading this very personal memoir. Recommended.

I'm sorry, I just couldn't get into this book. I tried for a number of chapters but I found the overwriting irritating and disrupting so that I kept losing the story.
The writer has other really good reviews, so I wouldn't be distracted by my negative one. You can't please everyone.