A lovely story which I really enjoyed as something different from my usual genre. Highly recommend.

I was moved by this book. And I was rooting for Laura the entire way. What a beautiful story. I always love a good split-period story. Where you learn so much more because you see glimpses into the past and how it relates to the present.

Art is used as a metaphor not only in this books' content but in the prose of this book; each word is carefully curated, and contributes to a harmonious and artistic presentation. It's beautifully written.

The premise sounded really intriguing. It had a strong beginning, but quickly started to drag in the middle. The pacing of the story was very slow. The characters did not have much character growth. However, I did like the end. The writing itself was very lyrical and filled with vivid detail. I will look for more by the author.

Delve into History and Romance with Ella Carey's "The Things We Don't Say." It is a great book and an easy read. Love Ella's books and this one doesn't disappoint. Since I am currently teaching elementary aged children I can't recommend this book at their age. I would've read this when I was 15 so I will recommend it for 15+ years old.

I really wanted to like this book because I generally love historical fiction. The first few chapters were good but the book lost me after that, although I did finish it. It's very wordy and sometimes I felt lost "looking" for the plot. Honestly, the book had a lot of promise that got lost along the way in my opinion.

Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't read the whole thing something about the writing I had to stop.I liked the story I was reading but there I don't think it was written well enough.

I found this book to be a quick read, For lovers of historical fiction, I would recommend this book.

The story line was interesting and different. I did like the book but it wasn't a "wow " I do like historical fiction as rule so this book felt a little that way. A little romance, a little intrigue, and interesting characters.

Emma and Patrick are artists in the 1920's who, together with an eclectic mix of friends, live the unconventional lifestyle spanning two world wars. They love each other with a deep, but unrequited, love, given that Patrick is gay. Patrick renders a gorgeous painting of Emma, which is never sold, but hangs above her bed at Summerfield, their artists' retreat in England.

50 years later, after the painting has been put up as collateral for Laura's musical education by her grandmother, Emma, doubt as to its authenticity begins to arise. Did Patrick really paint this masterpiece? Or did he coach one of his students?

Laura embarks on a journey to find the truth, and finds quite a bit about her charming grandmother in the process.

A worthwhile and eye-opening look at Bohemian artistic culture from England to France to Italy in the early 20th century.

I read this EARC courtesy of Net Galley and Lake Union. pub date 11/01/18

THE THINGS WE DON'T SAY is an engrossing historical fiction novel. There are two different storylines. Just the way I like it when it comes to historical fiction novels. In the 80s is young Emma shocked to learn that the famous painting of her grandmother may be fake. This could mean the end of her music career as she is using the painting as a collateral to pay for her prestigious music school.

This book brought to mind Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell as well as Dora Carrington & Lytton Strachey. Why? Well, Laura was a painter and her sister wrote (hence Woolf and Bell) and Dora Carrington was a painter that was in love with the homosexual Lytton Strachey. And, in this book was Emma in love with Patrick, who was homosexual. Yes, I also thought about the relationship between Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin.

The book was interesting, I liked both storylines. However, I felt that the storyline in the 80s was slightly more interesting. But, that's probably because I was so curious to learn more about why the appraiser thinks it's a fake painting. Of course, it's not like you get to know why right away. Instead, you learn more about Emma's life with Patrick. We also learn more about Laura, who I would say idolizes her grandmother so much that she tries to imitate her life by having a gay best friend/"love interest". Then, we have Emma's mother who turned away from the art life completely. Which makes Emma more eager to embrace it. Anyway, let's just say that these women really need to sit down and talk it over.

THE THINGS WE DON'T SAY (you get the reason for the title while reading the book) is a great historical fiction and I recommend it warmly!

So much more than an unusual love story, this novel centers on a life in the arts, whether a musician or painter. Emma Temple becomes part of a Bloomsbury group of bohemians in the early 1900’s. Rebelling against her Victorian upbringing, Emma is a painter, a free thinker who falls in love with Patrick. Unable to return romantic love in kind, Patrick becomes her life companion, painting a picture capturing Emma’s personality. Jump to the 1980’s, where Emma’s granddaughter, Laura, is a violinist, attending a conservatory in London. When the collateral for her school loan, the painting of Emma, is questioned, what else about these lives will be revealed. I loved the characters, the sense of place and time. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

This is the story of Laura, a music student who is the granddaughter of a semi-famous artist who seemed to be more famous for having had a relationship with another famous artist, rather than her own art. Music school is expensive, Laura takes a loan out, loan is guaranteed with a famous painting of her grandmother, painting turns out to be a replica (shocker), bank calls in loan, Laura does some digging and the truth comes out along with what I can only assume the author thought would be a scandalous web of lies and relationships.

I wanted to love this book, but honestly, I found it boring. I never connected with the characters, and the plot line was mediocre and unimaginative. The entire thing felt cliche. Even the love triangle her grandmother had is recreated with Laura. I couldn't wait to finish this. I'm giving this 3 stars because the author tried, and the writing wasn't bad.

Sorry NetGalley, this is a no-go for me.

A thoroughly enjoyable, poetic read that kept my interest throughout every chapter.
Ella Carey captured these characters in a way that felt real and true.
A multi-generational telling of friendship, love and family and is described and weaved into a tale of what those very things mean to us as individuals, as unconventional as they may be to others, but holding on to one's beliefs and the ties that bind no matter society's pressures.
It is an emotional journey that not only intrigues but is thought provoking as to how one object, they all have in common, will draw them together or break them apart.
This story evolves in ways that won't disappoint.

I had a little trouble connecting with this book and I'm not sure why. I've always loved the author's writing, but this book missed the mark for me.

The character of Emma was amazing and the reason I kept reading. I was hoping that Emma and Laura would prevail in her quest.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

A wonderful book full of warmth and shade. A tapesatry woven across two timelines to reunite granddaughter and grandmother over the origins of who painted whether bohemian Patrick painted his beloved Laura’s painting. I’m a sucker for books set in and around music and this ticked all my boxes

If you enjoy parallel timeline stories, you won't want to miss The Things We Don't Say. I really enjoyed Laura, Emma, and Patrick's story and think you will too!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

The best thing about an author your familiar with is the buzzing anticipation you feel before you turn to the first page and I'm so happy to say Ella Carey delivered once again with her promise of rich historical mixed with cosmopolitan modern.

The Things We Don't Say orbits around a painting and the turmoil the accusation of it being a fake entails. Wonderful characters again by the way of Laura, Emma and Patrick. I love the back and forwardness of different times with the parallel stories that Ella paints to create a tapestry beautiful of words. A deep and meaningful love story, the mix of entwined stories and the delivery of a tale I didn't want to finish.

Once again, a beautiful read and I think Ella Carey is getting more amazing and adventurous with her writing as each book is published.

I am a fan of the authors previous work so I was thrilled to receive this for review. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity. My opinions are my own.
This is a delightful atmospheric book about artists, how they work and the meaning behind their pieces. It is also the story of the absolute joy a artist has in creating their work and how meaningful each piece of art is to the artist.

The story of Emma and Patrick's is told between the past and present times, beginning in the early 1900's, and 1980's with Patrick passed away. The story revolves around his painting "Things We Don't Say." There is a wonderful mystery that unfolds around this painting throughout the story.
Emma and her granddaughter, Laura are two main characters in the 1980 time and their lives are told around each others story in a gentle sweeping way that entrances the reader into their world. Their passions for art, music, and love are told with great detail and compassion for each of them. Their passions is what drives the story and the mystery.

I enjoyed the writing style and loved the subject of the plot in the art world. I am always looking forward to further work from this author.. There is much to love about this story. I was entranced from page one. This is a book to savor when your not interrupted. Well done to the author.

I enjoyed this book. There was a theme of circles throughout the novel, and i found that very fitting. The novel centers around Emma and Laura, her granddaughter, as they try to prove that a painting of Emma is authentic. It stretches over time, beginning in the 1910s and to 1980, and circles on itself again and again. The circle of this narrative is tight, but somehow still manages to spiral outward in a meaningful way. There were so many questions that were eventually answered, but not in a way that seemed predictable or trite. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel!