Life turns upside down for two sisters in Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie Beck’s emotional novel about how secrets and differences can break—or bind—a family.
Sisters Amanda Foster and Erin Turner have little in common except the childhood bedroom they once shared and the certainty each feels that her way of life is best. Amanda follows the rules—at the school where she works; in … school where she works; in her community; and as a picture-perfect daughter, wife, and mother-to-be. Erin follows her heart—in love and otherwise—living a bohemian lifestyle on a shoestring budget and honoring her late father’s memory with a passion for music and her fledgling bath-products business.
The sisters are content leading separate but happy lives in their hometown of Potomac Point until everything is upended by lies that force them to confront unsettling truths about their family, themselves, and each other. For sisters as different as these two, building trust doesn’t come easily—especially with one secret still between them—but it may be the only way to save their family.
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I enjoyed this story more than I expected to when I first started reading it. Not a romance, not necessarily a thriller but definitely a bit suspenseful. Three women, all enduring the loss of someone they loved, or they liked, or perhaps they could live with out (in a roundabout way). When you’ve lived your life with expectations of each other, or maybe lack of expectations, can you find a way to band together to make it through some definite hardships, deaths, losses, and come out the other side stronger in the end? A mother and her two daughters learn that they can either be all in together or constantly on the outs with each other and that the way they see/remember things may change based on a different point of view.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first Jamie Beck book and it was amazing! Life can sometimes throw you a curve ball and if you don’t watch out it will knock you to the ground. With exceptional, matter of fact story telling Beck drops you right into the mitts of these fabulous characters and how they handle their devastation. I highly recommend this book to everyone! Enjoy!
I’ve read several Jamie Beck novels and this has been my favorite so far. I’m really surprised by the low reviews. Maybe you have to have sisters and troublesome relationships with them before this really strikes a chord with you. It certainly did with me. I’ve also got the mother like the one in the book that has very strong opinions and gets angry if you don’t agree with her.
I love books about sisters, but usually they have the sort of relationship from the start that I wish I had with mine. It was definitely a work in progress with Amanda and Erin. It wasn’t smooth sailing all of a sudden, which I thought was very realistic. That bothered some readers, but trust me it doesn’t work that way.
I thought this was a great book about relationships between all sorts of people–sisters and parents, spouses, friends, romantic interests and even just neighbors (what will they think?).
I was given a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
The Turner women are at different turning points in their lives. All 3 have their own relationships with each other that plays a part in their futures together and with those around them.
Amanda and Erin are struggling with being true to themselves while their mothers has her own insecurities. Throughout “If You Must Know” each character forms a new, stronger bond with the others, coming to learn that family runs deep, but may require more work than you’d expect.
This was my first time reading Beck but I am sure I will be reading more. This novel had me feelings all the emotions while reading.
Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy.
If You Must Know is a great novel that follows the story of sisters Amanda and Erin, along with their mother as they navigate life in their hometown of Potomac Point.
Amanda and Erin have never been close, as they are very different people. They are the middle and youngest respectively out of the three kids, with Kevin their older brother. While they both still live in Potomac Point, they don’t spend much time together and there isn’t a whole lot of trust between them. Amanda is a rule follower who is married and expecting her first child. Erin is much more of a free spirit who wants to do what makes her happy versus being so black and white.
Loss, betrayals and family secrets may just be the thing that brings these two very different sisters together. While they have so many differences, there are things that show them that they are more similar than either one ever guessed. They realize that now is the time to come together versus continuing to stay apart.
This book was emotional, had plenty of angst and really showcased how family can either come together or be split apart. While I’m more of a romance reader, this was a good change for me and one that I would recommend.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher**
The story of family conflict and how it is eventually resolved. Both girls, Amanda and Erin, stand up to their mates successfully and find love. A fun read with serious problems solved.
Erin and Amanda are extremely different personalities. They are sisters that grew up together but don’t have much in common. Amanda is all of a sudden facing a crisis and has to rely on her sister in ways she never has. The story was a good one reminding us all that we shouldn’t judge others for being different than ourselves. Everyone is different and it should be valued instead. It is also a good story of family coming together even when it isn’t easy. I did like the story and the characters. It had a very satisfying ending and left me with a positive message. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
IF YOU MUST KNOW is the absolute best book I have read this year!
Jamie Beck has a way of writing a book that speaks to a reader’s heart, mind and soul. Her characters are strong, believable and real to life.
In this book, the trials and tribulations the two sisters and their mother endure, in my opinion, are the same as what many woman encounter in their own daily lives. The way the women in this book meet their problems head on is a testament to their strength and belief in their abilities to overcome their challenges. Learning each can rely on the other, strengthens their family bond and unites them in a way they never thought possible.
I especially like the way Ms Beck does not sugar coat life in this book. Nor does she paint a tidy picture of the future, but the reader finishes the book, feeling good knowing these three women will rise up to meet whatever problems life throws their way, and with the help of each other life will be good. I love the hopefulness with which the author leaves the reader.
IF YOU MUST KNOW is just a flat out, all around great read!
Former RWA Board Member Expands Horizons. Jamie Beck is so well known as a romance author that she actually served as a member of the Romance Writers of America – the major romance writer organization in the US, at least – Board of Directors for a bit. She has since left those duties and has now expanded her writing to boot. Her romances have always been solid, if solidly within RWA rules. Here, she leaves romance for the realm of women’s fiction, focusing primarily on two sisters who could not be more opposite as they find themselves needing to learn to lean on the other. And she does her usual excellent work, despite the new genre. At times feeling like she might be trying to break into the mystery world, ultimately this has more of a feel of The Other Woman, the 2014 hit starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Mrs. Justin Verlander’s pre-baby boobs. (Ok, so that last is a bit of a joke – I *am* a guy, and I largely went into the movie for the one seen with Ms. Upton on the beach. It turned out to be an awesome movie, and this book is very reminiscent of its best parts.) I can’t really say that this is a “bold” departure for Ms. Beck, as long time fans will feel very comfortable here even in the new genre, but it is absolutely a refreshing departure and a strong showing that Beck is Beck, no matter the genre. Very much recommended.
If You Must Know is an endearing story about a family who lost a key person that held them all together, the man of the house, the husband, best friend, and father of three adult children. The story starts with a flashback on how each child was treated by their loving father and their reaction to his death. The Turner sisters have more dynamics going on with each other since there are some jealousy issues and unsettling between them and then their relationship with each of their parents. The sisters, Amanda and Erin are complete opposites in their personalities, reactions, and feelings which in turn complicate their current situation. Amanda is straight-laced prim and proper; while Erin is more Bohemian, a left-over hippie from the seventies, carefree, and loving music, yoga, and life. One sister gets dumped while the other dumps her relationship, secrets are shared, hearts are broken, memories are made, and relationships are mended after much ado.
If you must know is predominantly a story about familial bonds and sibling rivalry centering on sister’s Amanda and Erin and their dysfunctional relationship. Both sister’s have preconceptions about the other with underlying insecurity on both parts. Amanda is an introvert who always has to be seen to do the right thing with a seemingly perfect life. Erin on the other hand is more of an extrovert and has a more easy going , laid back lifestyle, she’s a risk taker and doesn’t plan things too far ahead.
Jamie Beck has created a believable and relatable storyline revolving around the family . Their Mother isn’t dealing with life after the loss of their father, she also has health problems relating to her grief that she’s trying to hide from them. Erin was closest to her father and is finding it hard without him. He was the only one she felt understood her, she has a strained relationship with both Amanda and her mother. Amanda is closest to her Mother and thought She had the perfect marriage , when things begin to fall apart and the extent of her husband’s lies become apparent she has to rely on the rest of the family for support . Kevin ,her brother is a lawyer and brings in his friend Stan to help investigate matters.
This was really well written with a good sense of family dynamics, suspense and a little romance. It kept me reading until the last page . I look forward to the next book. I thoroughly recommend it.
I received a copy of the book from #Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and all thoughts are my own and unbiased
A beautiful exploration of sisterhood and parental bonds. Sisters Amanda and Erin are like oil and water. Amanda’s seemingly perfect and Erin is a ballbuster. But they each must come to terms with their natures, their choices, their strengths and weaknesses in If You Must Know.
I absolutely loved Erin who was so misunderstood by her sister and mother. Loved that she showed them in the end that being a life-long pantser didn’t automatically mean that her choices were invalid.
Of course, I felt for Amanda whose perfect life falls apart in chapter one. But, if I have to pick between the sisters, Erin is my boo all the way.
This is the first WF novel by Jamie Beck and it hit all the best marks for me. Read it, people. NOW!
3.5 stars
I am a huge fan of Ms. Beck, and was looking forward to this new story.
It centers around two polar opposite sisters.
Amanda Foster is the quiet, happy , “goody two shoe” one who’s a teacher, a wife, and soon to be a mom.
Erin Turner is the “wild one”, a yoga teacher, and what you see is what you get.
But when lies are revealed and what each thought was true comes tumbling down, life as they knew it is forever gone and a new reality sets in.
This is not the author’s usual romance novel, but rather a story about the relationships between two sisters and their mother. Nor is it my usual choice of story and one I am still not sure how I feel about.
That said, it’s a well written story about family dynamics or lack thereof.
For me it was more of a 3.5 stars book.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley and Montlake Romance. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
If You Must Know…I loved this book. This is a beautiful heartwarming book about a family that comes together, redefining their relationships and family dynamics, in light of an earth shattering, detrimental scandal. I won’t give spoilers, but I was very pleased with the route and ending the story took. I loved not only the character development but the relationship development, which was seamless and so well done. This book is a great reminder of the importance of family and I truly savored the way the three, very different, women came together and evolved in their relationships. PS> I would love to read more about Erin and Eli……
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Jamie Beck’s, and with her newest book, If You Must Know, that hasn’t changed. Jamie Beck is a master at the inner workings of relationships, especially those between friends and families.
In her newest and most definitely women’s fiction, is a story of two very different woman who seem to have one thing in common, their sisterly bond, weak as it is. But as we get into the book, we learn that deep down they both have so much more, like insecurities, regrets, hopes and dreams and the real desire to be closer to each other. However, a lifetime of misperceptions and differences can’t be wiped away overnight. Each woman is struggling with her own issues, plus dealing with their mother who is going through her own problems. None are great at communicating with each other, because as is true in real life, no one cuts as deep as those we love the most. The author does a phenomenal job of demonstrating this in the story.
Some of the things I loved about this story were how realistic the characters read, how realistic the family dynamics were, and I loved the small humorous moments that kept what could have been a very sad story from going to the dark side. I also loved Mo (everyone will love Mo).
Overall this was a fantastic book. A bit of suspense in the storyline dealing with Amanda’s husband (loved the ending). A bit of sweet romance for Erin. And a happy, satisfying ending for the Turner women and this reader. As usual, I look forward to Jamie Beck’s next book!
If You Must Know by Jamie Beck a fighting four-tar read. This is the first story in the Potomac series and I am eager to read more as I can see that this will be a great series, I only gave it four stars as I felt like it lacked a little something, but overall it was a great story and reading about the three Turner women made me think more deeply about times in my life so maybe that’s the other reason for a four, I am in a funk now. I do want people to read this story though, as I do believe that many people will get so much from it.
If you must know…
this book was AWESOME!!! A definite TBR! Add it to your summer reading lists and pre-order your copy now!
I absolutely loved this book! There was so much emotion and drama going on but it took the reader through all of the ups and downs of Amanda and the Turner family.
The chaos that Lyle puts Amanda through while she is carrying his child makes you want to find this jerk and punch him in the face!
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the author in exchange for an honest review. I had the honor of receiving an ARC of this book because I absolutely love Jamie Beck’s work!
This is a great story! The opening sentence is a gem; There ought to be a warning anytime you wake up on a day that will forever change your life. Isn’t that a great thought, and I definitely wish that were true.
Amanda strives to be the perfect daughter, the perfect wife, the perfect teacher and was well on her way to be the perfect mom, until the perfect world she made, completely crumbled. In learning more about her situation, as the story unfolds, we meet her mother, who is strong on the outside and fragile on the inside. In addition, we meet her sister, Erin, who is at the other end of the personality chart from Amanda and their mom.
Their lives become closely interconnected as they try to handle the obstacles that life has thrown upon them. Their past relationship is in the forefront, and now as all adults, the dynamics have changed.
The characters are wonderfully crafted. I loved reading about the growth that happened during the course of this book. The plot is believable and very emotional due to the superb job the author did in creating this world. I am very excited to see that this is Book 1 of the Potomac Point series. I definitely want to read about what happens next. There is much more to I want to know about these strong women and I want them all to find happiness.
I am a huge fan of Jamie Beck and this is definitely another great addition to her collection. I recommend this book highly. I think it will become a choice for many book clubs.
I want to thank NetGalley and Montlake Romance for allowing me the pleasure of reading If You Must Know. I enjoyed this book so much and wanted to share my opinion in hope that other readers will discover this wonderful new series. My review is my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the advanced reader copy.
I just finished this book at 2:30 am. If You Must Know was an awesome read, I could not put it down from the start to the very end. This book was full of excitement, suspense, sibling struggles and love and loss. New found love, strong family ties. I too have an older sister and could relate to what it is like to compete for the attention of a parent trying to be the favorite child. In the end we are all loved very much by our parents and siblings.
The characters were well developed. But that’s pretty much the best part of the book. I did enjoy the relationship between the sisters. The fact that they continued to work on their relationship was positive. It is always interesting to read about family dynamics and various character’s personalities.
This was an easy-to-read chick lit.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.