Due to my belief that this is a great book for the genre I will be subtle in my own criticisms.

I found Emory to be a fascinating character even with all her flaws. The alternating story lines is not one of my favorites but Hannah's story was essential as an anchor. The two story-lines was executed in a way that help moved this novel forward.

Overall, I'd say it is a good read. The subject matter could get a little gritty at times for those more faith based but Stone's character development and writing style was solid.

I have so many thoughts. This book just lends itself to so many different discussions topics that I couldn't possibly cover them all.
It was without a doubt Tamara Ireland Stone's most mature work yet. The subject material, the depth of the characters... everything about this book felt so much more real, raw, and emotionally charged in ways her other books haven't been.
Without getting into spoilers, there were just a few little things that bothered me in this book, with one bigger thing in particular (which I'm not going to mention in detail because SPOILERS). It was just something that made me very very uncomfortable and that I didn't feel was at all necessary to the story. In my opinion, it actually took away from what I loved most about the story and what I thought to be the novel's essence.
Overall, though, this book was an incredibly emotional ride and, if you ask me, perfectly captures the existential questions teens ask themselves, and it did so through characters that were so believable and complex I could picture them existing and with a plot that both came across as something you could hear from an actual person (i.e. very normal) while also being extraordinary and a storyline you'd want to read an entire book about. It's without a doubt a novel that will stick with me and that I'll be thinking about for a long, long time.
Review Originally Posted at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2314011888?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Originally this sounded like a good teen novel. Two once best friends come together one fateful night and learn about what friendship really means. However, this story was super slow and dragged on. Skimmed the last several chapters just to get through it.

I enjoyed this book. Hannah's story, in particular, really resonated with me, because I am also a pastor's daughter who went to a private Christian school growing up. I liked how the novel portrayed Hannah's struggles with her faith (is it really something she believes or just something she was taught to believe?) as this is something that many young people raised in religious households go through. I I would definitely recommend this book. (Also, that cover is beautiful).

A powerful story of friendship, religion, near death experience, and family. The families we make for ourselves and our blood families. Bittersweet and uplifting in the end. Well worth reading and hard to put down.

I am a huge fan of Tamara Ireland Stone and I'm so glad that I was able to read this novel. Another beautiful story full of love, friendship, faith, family and forgiveness. Told in alternating chapters between Hannah and Emory, two best friends who have been in an argument for a few months, this story captures a lot of emotion and forces the reader to reflect on the way we accept and question things in the world. Emory's boyfriend, Luke is another vital character to this story. He and Emory are enjoying the end of their senior year when something tragic happens that changes all three of them. Emory and Luke must attempt to navigate their relationship as Luke comes to term with his experience. Hannah's role in this change in their lives is significant and I really liked the way that the author wrote her. Daughter of a strong Christian parents, a pastor father who runs a Christian school, Hannah is trying to come to terms with her faith and the role it plays in her world. She has her own relationship struggles, but Hannah is a character to gravitate toward because of that faith. There are so many layers to this story and I really loved it. I found that one of the strongest themes in this novel is the idea of speaking out and sharing your feelings without fear of judgement. The longer the story went on the more it reminded me of the lesson taught in Laurie Halse Anderson's novel, Speak, the power of speaking out and asking for help from others. All three (Hannah, Emory and Luke) have something to say and to accept about themselves and the process they take to get to that point is really what makes this a good book. Well done and so grateful to get to read this arc, thank you netgalley!

4.7 stars

Another fantastic novel from the marvelous Tamara Ireland Stone! Her book Every Last Word is one of my favorites of all time and her latest, Little Do We Know, is much different from her well-loved mental health novel. I didn't know much about the premise before reading, other than the story of friendship and a boy being the glue in their friendship. And that's all you need to know.

Every time I went to read this book I would just get Little Do You Know by Alex and Sierra stuck in my head and it was a mess. That however did not deter me in any way from loving every second of Little Do We Know. It is dual POV and each girl has a distinct voice. I did find myself enjoying Emory's POV a bit more, due to Hannah's storyline mainly being on her wavering faith. Now stop stop stop, I know that religion in novels tend to scare many readers off but let me assure you, this was not overbearing, preachy, or the entirety of Hannah's character. Her pastor father, the religious school, and her struggling testimony are all vital to the story and handled beautifully. I am personally religious and while my Christian faith does overlap with Hannah's, the differences didn't bother me or upset me in any way. If you liked the faith aspects of Emery Lord's The Names They Gave Us then you'll enjoy this one as well. My only issue was that in the middle it lacked just a bit due to Hannah's faith taking over the story for a few chapters. This may be fixed or adjusted in the finished copy however.

This story was emotional, gripping, well-written, and so, so heartfelt. Every taboo topic, from Hannah's faith, to Luke's near death experience with heaven, to Emory's sexual assault was handled so well and I really admired Stone's writing abilities. I absolutely flew this story of girl and girl friendship, and dealing with difficult parents, personal growth, and the stress of upcoming college. All of this story was so beautifully written and perfectly captured the emotions I felt at 17. Highly recommend for all fans of contemporary, especially Emery Lord.

I really enjoyed this book. Tamara Ireland Stone became a favorite of mine after Every Last Word. The themes of friendship and heartache were represented throughout the novel as well as faith in religion and in yourself and your relationships. The only thing that bothered me about this book was Hannah's relationship with the teacher or choir director. It was not okay under any circumstances.

This is an engaging story of the close friendship of two high school seniors close to graduation. Hannah and Emory have been neighbors and best friends since they were babies, but a few months before the beginning chapter they had a serious falling out that is not disclosed until the end. In alternating chapters from each point of view we learn about their different paths: Hannah is somewhat deliberate, a pastor's daughter, involved in music, and goes to a religious school; Emory is impulsive, very involved in drama, has a serious boyfriend, and goes to public school. The differences between them have always complemented each other until recently. When Emory's boyfriend Luke is involved in a life-threatening sports accident and he is found by Hannah, the themes of friendship, betrayal, faith, and family are all wrapped up in the outcome. The dialogue is authentic and so are the teens' actions. There is sexual activity (condoms used) and swearing, but these are in no way gratuitous. The characters are complex, flawed, believable, and with one exception very likable.

I really enjoyed reading Every Last Word, so I was eagerly anticipating reading this book. It did not disappoint. Little Do We Know is a moving story that delves into themes of family bonds, friendship, love, and faith. I plan to purchase a copy for my classroom, as I know it would be well-loved for general reading, in addition to fitting well into several of my literature circles units. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book is definitely long, but it feels totally complete. Hanna and Emory have been best friends for 17 years. There are exactly 36 steps between their bedroom windows. But three months ago, Hannah and Emory had a fight. They both said things they regret, and now those 36 steps seem like miles. When Hannah finds Emory's boyfriend Luke passed out in his car, their lives change forever.

This book is told in alternating perspectives, and has several different subplots. But, I feel like each subplot was wrapped up nicely, and it really felt shorter than 300 pages.

Hannah and Ellory have been best friends and neighbors their entire lives. Now they haven’t spoken for over three months. Hannah’s dad used her college fund to boost the Christian school he founded and Hannah finds herself falling for the music pastor. Meanwhile, Ellory is cherishing the days until she and her boyfriend head off to separate colleges and attempts to help her mother plan her wedding. Neither Hannah nor Ellory wants to discuss what happened three months ago.

TW: molestation

SPOILERS AHEAD

It’s impossible to talk about my opinions regarding this book without spoiling the ending; consider yourself warned.

The relationship between Hannah and Ellory rang true for me; also, both of their characters were really well developed. Hannah’s school and church are spot-on for an Evangelical Christian church/school. Ellory’s discomfort at spending time at Hannah’s church also makes sense. I appreciated the discussion of Hannah’s doubts regarding what she believes and whether she believes because it’s true or if she believes because she’s been taught these things her whole life. The church is described accurately without being mocked.

The scene near the end where Ellory and Hannah talk about what happened - Ellory’s stepdad-to-be molested her one day when her mom wasn’t home, and when she told Hannah, Hannah tried to get her parents involved, but a flippant comment from her dad made Ellory feel that she was to blame for what happened. The reveal and consequent dramatic conclusion / Disney-esque ending was a bit much, but probably not over the top for the intended audience. Recommended.

Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: underage drinking, molestation
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars

Read-alikes: Devoted; Evolution, Me, & Other Freaks of Nature; Speak

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.

I was happy to see this tagged as a story that includes faith or religion; IMO, there aren't enough YA novels that include this in the plot. But many teens come of age questioning what they've been raised to believe - and not all teens walk away. There are lots of books about walking away from faith, or shocking parents or coming out, but hardly any about a teen who questions and remains faithful (or at least willing to explore his or her own faith).

The story is told via dual POVs - Hannah, the pastor's kid who attends a private, religious academy; and Emory, child of a single mom who attends a public high school. They're neighbors who've become like sisters over the years but now their friendship is on the rocks. Hannah said some things, Emory felt judged and so the girls no longer speak. Both of them WANT to speak again, but senior year's demands and their own doubts keep them apart.

Until the night Emory's boyfriend has a serious health issue. Hannah is the one to intervene after she finds him, and what happens after her involvement is the main conflict in the story. Both girls deal with realizing their parents are fallible - Hannah has conflicts with her pastor father's way of trying to raise the profile of their private school, while Emory struggles with her mother's engagement.

One thing I liked was how the author avoided demonizing any of the adults. She showed both good and bad characteristics of her characters, and allows the reader to make up his/her own mind about what good choices look like. Neither is religion portrayed as cult-like or manipulative; it's simply part of the backdrop of the story. This isn't a Christian book at all, but the Christian faith is present.

Highly recommended for teens who like romance, and who are looking for conflicts with a typical American faith.

Little Do We Know is a book that will resonate with readers. The story of Hannah and Emory and Luke will capture the interest and the heart of the reader. It tackles big questions and takes the reader on a journey with the characters. I wish I could put a copy in my students’ hands right this minute!

When childhood friends, Hannah and Emory, grow apart a sudden accident makes them interact again. This book is for readers intrigued by near death experiences, trusting your faith, and being exploited over a near death experience and unwanted publiciity, Great book by a favorite author.

Hannah and Emory grew up together as best friends who lived next door to each other. They were as close as two friends could be, and shared everything. All of that changed, though, when something happened between the two of them. Now it has been months since they talked to each other, and it seems like nothing can bring them back together before their senior year ends.

This book was almost a mystery, as the event that caused trouble between the characters is only hinted at and briefly mentioned throughout the first half of the book. Still, it was fairly obvious what happened if you think about it and pay attention to the hints dropped. By the end of the book, everything comes out and the characters will finally have to deal with everything that happened.

The relationship between Emory and Luke is amusing and endearing, and definitely helps the book along. The relationship between Hannah and her older crush seems out of place and unnecessary, though, and detracts a bit from the overall story. There were several things in this book that seemed unneeded, but it did not hurt the story too much. It seems like Hannah's faith was important to the story, but how it was handled seemed to jump all over the place.

Overall, the book was enjoyable, and it was extremely moving at parts. There were a lot of flaws, however, that kept it from being as good as it could have been. It's hard to adequately review this book, but I think that kind of is fitting considering the book it is about. It was definitely worth reading, but it was not the best book I have read recently.

3 1/2 stars

Hannah and Emory have been best friends since.. forever. All the reader knows is that there was a big fight, and now their relationship can be divided into before and after. Hannah, the daughter of a pastor, and Emory, a spirited burgeoning actress, tell their stories about the tail end of their senior years in high school. Hannah's story focuses on her relationship with her father and her faith, and Emory's story focuses on her relationship with her boyfriend, Luke.

While I loved the intersection of friendship and faith (not commonly delved into in YA), I found this predictable. I skimmed the last 80% because it felt like it dragged, even though it was pretty short. I think that a lot of high school readers would LOVE this book, though, because parts of it are relatable.

This story is about two girls, Hannah and Emory, who are getting ready to head off to college. Hannah's father is the pastor at a church, and Hannah has always been a believer, while Emory is not. The two were best friends until a fight that involved saying things they couldn't take back. Then, one night Luke, Emory's boyfriend is injured, and it's Hannah who finds him. Will the girls be able to repair their friendship and what was their fight about that damaged such a strong friendship?

This was an enjoyable read that I couldn't put down. I found the storyline very believable and the characters relatable for the intended audience.

A coming of age novel about best friends, family imperfections, young love, and faith in God.

I enjoyed the novel.

Liked this one despite it being slow moving and predictable. I didn't like Emory since she was self-centered, haughty, and dependent. Hannah was amazing and so was Luke. I liked how the author incorporated a near death experience and moving on with life afterwards into this..