Natasha Niezgoda's Reviews > All the Things We Never Knew

WHEN LIFE IS HARD, HAVING SOMEONE BY YOUR SIDE IS EVERYTHING



Rex lost his mom and Carli’s folks are going through a divorce. Fate brings them together and their unique bond allows them to work through these very real, very raw emotions in the safety of love and understanding.

You guys. The teenaged love story aside, this book is a reflection of real life. Like I teared up several times because I felt those feelings of guilt, abandonment, avoidance, isolation, betrayal and being undeserving.

All The Things We Never Knew had so many “yeah, me too” moments in it. From divorce to an absent parent, I have personally felt a lot of the things Tamani wrote about. And sadly, I think a lot of others have too.



But maybe that’s why this book is so important - because of its deep relatability.

Yes there is an almost “love at first sight” romance that brings Rex and Carli together. But what sustains this story is how they navigate these very serious life happenings.

I don’t know how many YA books discuss death of a parent or divorce in a non-over dramatized light. And I’m thankful for the realism that Tamani stuck to.

I truly think this book can offer pivotal commiseration to teens who are experiencing similar “home life” circumstances. And for that reason, I give it 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.