- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (11 Jun. 2019)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1477825215
- ISBN-13: 978-147782521
Synopsis
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.
Review
The Things I Know is the stunning new novel from Amanda Prowse. Thomasina, known as Hitch is twenty four an has never left her small village or the family run farm and bed and breakfast. When her younger brother decides to go to America and work on a farm there, Hitch starts to feel a wanderlust and want more from her life. But for Hitch that is not easy, suffering health problems and deformity with her foot and hand she has been cocooned in her life on the farm. One day Grayson Potts come to stay at the bed and breakfast and her world shifts on its axis, he sees the person not the physical deformities, understand her, but is she opening herself up for heartbreak or is she about to finally get the life she dreams of.
This is such a beautifully written book, full of emotion and heart. Amanda has such a natural ease in her writing that draws you in, makes you feel comfortable and draws you into the character’s lives Inclusion is a big social issue at the moment and through the characters of Hitch and Grayson we see two very different people who are not accepted socially, have no friends and feel they don’t fit in, but want find their own way in the world with each other. The realism of her characters and the lives they lead makes them so endearing.
Hitch is twenty four but her life is very much limited to the farm, her parents have always tried to protect her from the harsh words and stares of others. She feels suffocated and wants more from her life; a husband to cook for, and a chance to travel and spread her wings. I found her such an endearing character and couldn’t help but warm to her character, and I really wanted her to fulfil her dreams. She is very much the butterfly of this book; at the beginning she is Hitch, sheltered from the world, where to focus is on what she can’t do, and then she meets Grayson, becomes Thomasina, a attractive woman who can do what she wants and finally spread her wings.
Grayson has always been classed as different as well, he is very intelligent but lacking some social skills. Like Hitch he has had a confined life looking after his mother with not much of a future. However, with Hitch he is able to open up, talk and be more confident. There is no doubt that together they make a formidable couple, more confident and able to tackle all that stands in their way.
Things I Know is a stunning novel about love, acceptance, dreams and being able to spread your wings. This book is a heartwarming read, full of emotion and warmth in the characters and plot. Amanda Prowse doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, she shows great empathy and understanding towards her characters. Fans of Amanda will love this book, and if you haven’t read any of her books I highly recommend you give them a go. Breathtaking, heartwarming and delightful; and absolute joy to read.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always I appreciate your likes, follows and shares.
