It’s been ten years since Payton Thatcher’s twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine―as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm’s length.
But with her middle sister Jillian’s engagement, Payton’s party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian’s plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.
Beth K. Vogt’s newest novel Things I Never Told You is a dramatic story of a woman’s loss through grief and the beginning stages of healing. Vogt writes it masterfully – she draws you in to Payton’s story, dripping the details slowly throughout the story as Payton comes to terms with her past. I love the way that Vogt held my attention and brought Payton’s loss into focus as the plot advanced.
Payton is a fascinating lead character. She’s under extreme stress and trying to deal with the loss of her twin from ten years before, and it shows in her emotions and her ability to cope. I found her reactions to stress extremely realistic, and I appreciate reading about a character who doesn’t have it all together when life feels like it’s falling apart.
I’m sure that it must have felt that way, too. With major trauma affecting both her past and her present, Payton has big things on her plate. Things I Never Told You will tug on your heartstrings and make you want to sit down and give Payton a hug. I appreciate Vogt’s delicate emotional balance in writing this story; she draws you in and makes you feel completely connected to Payton, but I never felt as strung out as she must have.
That balance, and Vogt’s smooth writing, made me feel a part of the story. I can’t wait for the next installment of the Thatcher Sisters’ story!
I received a free copy of Things I Never Told You from the author. All opinions are my own.
