The book started out well with interesting characters but kept going on too much without getting anywhere until the ending. It could have easily been a shorter book. The book is a trigger for domestic violence and child abuse

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting, kept me involved all through the story. I was totally gripped and intrigued. Will definitely be looking for more books my this author in the future.

This being only a chapter sampler is difficult to review, however I did enjoy the style of writing and thought that the story was engaging I would definitely like to read more

Great sampler which just had me wanting more…..
Look forward to buying this one!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommend

A captivating chapter sampler of 'What July Knew' which makes me want to read more of Koch's book. Having met Koch before her first book was published, she deserves every success - and I hope this book does well.

Although I only got chapter sampler, it intrigued me enough to want to keep reading. I will be keeping an eye out for this.

An intriguing start to a book. Look forward to more perhaps? There was not quite enough to form a true opinion, but I liked what I read.

Just read an extract from this book and I'm totally ho0ked. Can't wait to read more about July and her struggles to learn more about her late Mum.

In the opening chapter of July Knew, we get a peek into the young protagonist's life. July Hooper knows only eighteen facts about her mother who was killed in an accident when she was just a baby, but is surrounded by secrets from her father and neighbours.

In a bid to learn more about her mother, July begins an investigation into the events leading up to the accident. The book is well-paced and keeps readers guessing until the very end, and the interactions between July and her mysterious informant are thoughtful and heartwarming.

A captivating and evocative tale, What July Knew is sure to enchant and charm readers with its rich and nuanced exploration of family, love, and loss.

I had only a sample chapter of this novel to read but it became immediately clear that this was to be a multifaceted, often disturbing read. The protagonist is a ten year old girl named July whose life is tough: the combination of a strict father, a well-meaning but ineffectual stepmother and a sadistic stepsister makes for a difficult family setting for this little girl who yearns to find out what happened to her deceased mother. Might a summer holiday homework be the answer?
Having finished the sample chapter and read several other reviews, I am now determined I wish to read this book and I recommend other readers do, too! My thanks go to NetGalley and to the publishers for the free sample chapter.

This was a chapter sample but a great introduction... off to get the rest of the book.
I loved the introduction. Set from July's perspective, we get an insight into her feelings and life, and then everything she believed about her mother is turned upside down. A great introduction.

Really good start! The chapter sampler definitely made me want to buy the book. The snapshot of July Hooper's life we get is an intricate puzzle, and we see fewer of the pieces than July does. The language is lyrical in some parts with beautiful metaphors and at times extremely straightforward, which makes for a very interesting read.

I have heard a lot about this book so was intrigued to read the first chapter - think there is much to know about July and look forward to reading the whole book.

I didn’t receive the full book so can’t give a full review, but from what I have read, there is something promising here. Lots of intrigue and enough of a compelling plot to keep people entertained.

I’m intrigued. From the cover, I didn’t expect something that had a mystery so quickly. I took to July instantly, her inquisitive mind is adorable. I want to know what happened to her mum!!

I thought this was a full ARC when i requested it so unfortunately cannot leave a full review of the book and difficult to know how to rate it, however i enjoyed the chapter sampler and will consider purchasing the book to find out how the story goes on.

A great opening to a book which leads you to wanting more, July is ten and lives with her father and has questions about her missing mother that no one will answer...

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the sampler chapter.

While I only had access to the first chapter of this book, it quickly has me hooked. The writing style is interesting and I particularly liked the author’s early comparison of facts and secrets to scraps of fabric, which she continued throughout the chapter. The interspersed facts about June’s mother allowed me to begin to imagine her, yet still leave enough unknown to keep me reading.

The twist at the end of the chapter left me wanting to read on - if only this had been a full ARC! - and I’ll definitely be looking to pick up a copy of this one.

Ahh thought this was a full book. However, on reading the sampler I’ll definitely be buying the book!

A good opening chapter gives me a good idea of what the story will cover. July appears to be a complex character.
The writing is good the reader is being lead to want to continue but there is also an element of what wull mske this different to orher mysterys.

Wish it was more tgan a sample as it could go either way. Look firward to reading more