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Book Summary and Reviews of Things We Didn't Say by Kristina Riggle

Things We Didn't Say by Kristina Riggle

Things We Didn't Say

A Novel

by Kristina Riggle

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  • Published:
  • Jun 2011, 352 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

Twenty-six-year-old Casey thought love and a fierce stubbornness would be enough to hold together her fragile new family with fiance Michael and his three children: two difficult teens and a quirky little girl prone to stress-induced stomachaches. But Michael's ever-lengthening silences make her wonder if she has a place in the house at all.

Then, fourteen-year-old Dylan doesn't show up at school, pushing Casey's uncertainly to the back burner. His father's convinced he's just cutting class, but Casey fears something much worse as every lead she chases turns up nothing. Then, the kids' volatile mother crashes on the scene daughter Angel digs up an ugly fact about Casey's past, and suddenly Casey's new life - her fresh start - unravels before her eyes. Even if they can find Dylan safe and sound, it's clear that this family's problems run much deeper than anyone dared say out loud.

Paperback Original.

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Riggle paints with exquisite care a not-so-pretty picture of modern life, when running away can seem like the only option if it promises just a little bit of freedom. Bring tissues." - Library Journal

"Though Riggle's use of multiple perspectives is less than inspired, she creates an involving portrayal of the obstacles confronting today's families." - Publishers Weekly

"Riggle... ambitiously tells the story through the viewpoints of the three adults and the three children, and she mostly succeeds in capturing each narrator's distinct tone... [An] absorbing novel about a blended family." - Booklist

"Kristina Riggle writes women's fiction with soul. Her characters are both familiar and quirky, and reading their stories is like spending a weekend catching up with your oldest friends. You come away laughing and also touched that someone knows you so well." - Tiffany Baker, author of The Little Giant of Aberdeen County

This information about Things We Didn't Say was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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Jane C. (Brighton, MI)

Things We Didn't Say
Great Book Group read. Kristina makes you think about how you hide things from family and friends. Especially things that are controversial and might cause problems. As the book develops, you begin to realize that if things had been said in a timely manner, maybe results in life would be different. Ms Riggle seems to have a finger on character development from many perspectives. Not sure how she is able to entwine the thoughts and moods of so many characters at one time to develop a fascinating novel. Since I live in Michigan, it was fun to see the the places that she used as a background for the story.

Marjorie W. (Bonita Springs, FL)

Things We Didn't Say
I couldn't put it down! Kristina Riggle did an excellent job of drawing the reader into the middle of this family. The title certainly describes what happens in the story. I became very involved with the characters - flawed as they seemed to be. I would recommend this book to anyone who just enjoys a good, engrossing story!

Beth C. (Sioux Falls, SD)

"Things We Didn't Say"
Kristina Riggle's current book is a nice piece of women's fiction. It deals with a dysfunctional family and their efforts to cope. The way she handled addiction recovery and lapse seemed quite realistic.The characters are well-drawn, so it is easy to care about them. Each of them is suffering in ways that seem age appropriate. There are enough topics within the book to make it a good choice for a book group discussion.

Melissa K. (Oviedo, Florida)

Things We Didn't Say
A very compelling read. I couldn't put it down. The characters are well developed, and the storyline is realistic. The topic of family was presented in a contemporary fashion. I especially loved that the ending provided conflict resolution without being too syrupy. I am anxious to read another book written by Kristina Riggle.

Kaye D. (Huntley, IL)

Watching the life of a modern family from the inside
I loved, loved this book. I could relate to all of characters and it was interesting how the chapters were broken down as to what character I was reading about. I felt like I was that person and I was inside their mind and thoughts. Without going into any great detail there were some characters that you won't like (there was one that I absolutely couldn't stand), others who you'll feel sorry for and others that you'll feel compassion for. It is a study of a typical American Family, divorced mother and father, new girlfriend, teenagers, children, parents, the whole gammit. I got this book in the mail on Saturday and it's Tuesday night and I already finished it. With my schedule that's quite an accomplishment and only happens when a book really grabs me, which this book did. I think this book would be very interesting in a book club because everyone there would probably look at it differently based on their own personal life and experiences.

Sue J. (Wauwatosa, WI)

Interesting read
I became absorbed in the story and the characters after the first few chapters. The author did an excellent job of creating each character's point of view and leading the reader through the maze of conflicts and resolutions.It was an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

...16 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Kristina Riggle

Kristina Riggle is a freelance journalist, a published short story writer, and coeditor for fiction at the e-zine Literary Mama. She is also the author of The Life You Imagined and Real Life and Liars. She lives and writes in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, two kids, and dog.

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