From the very first page, I was completely captivated. The mysterious photograph and the eerie silence surrounding Sydney's aunt pulled me in immediately, and I couldn’t put the book down. The story unfolds in such a gripping way, weaving family secrets, long-held trauma, and the haunting past of a community. Sydney’s journey to uncover the truth about her aunt is not just a quest for answers, but a deep dive into her own personal struggles—her troubled past and her doubts on starting a family.
What makes this story so powerful is how it balances mystery with emotional depth. The author does a fantastic job of portraying Sydney’s inner turmoil, making her pursuit of the truth feel both urgent and heartbreaking. As secrets are uncovered, I found myself questioning not only the past but also what we’re willing to sacrifice for those we love. It’s a profound look at the ties that bind us and the shadows that can hold us captive.
This book is a riveting, emotional journey that will stay with me long after reading it. The narrative is sharp, the characters are deeply real, and the mystery at the heart of it all is impossible to forget.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

wow, i cant believe this is a debut novel. im so impressed.

this story was exceptional. a lot of mystery books where the main character is investigating an event from the past have a problem where that main character doesnt have much of a story or personality, and overall dont feel real; but this is NOT the case for this book. sydney is an amazing character.

i was on so invested in this. im looking forward to kristen berry's future work

I had the goosebumps with this one! I could not put it down. My husband even wanted to know what was happening. I was on the edge of my seat. Loved this book!

Kristen L. Berry wrote a strong storyline and characters that I cared about in this universe. I was invested in what was happening and enjoyed the overall feel in the genre. The characters were realistic and had that overall feel that I was hoping for. It was everything that I hoped for and was glad I read this.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

"We Don't Talk About Carol" by Kristen L. Berry is a gripping exploration of family secrets and the haunting legacy of unsolved mysteries. Following Sydney Singleton, a determined journalist, discovers an old photograph of a beautiful teenage girl tucked away in a drawer at her grandmother's home. When her grandmother is questioned, Syd learns it's her deceased father's sister. Her grandmother quickly shuts down Syd's questioning, saying, "We don't talk about Carol."

From there, the narrative unravels this unsettling connection Syd develops to her aunt Carol, a Black girl who she learns went missing decades ago in the 1960s along with five other unsolved Black teenage girls - who all happened to vanish in the same neighborhood around the same time frame. Berry’s writing effectively captures Sydney's obsession and anger, drawing readers into the dark history that has plagued her family for generations.

Sydney’s struggles with her mental health and her marriage add layers to the story, making her quest for the truth both deeply personal and universally relatable. The intertwining themes of motherhood, struggles with miscarriage, fertility treatments, and the weight of family expectations resonate throughout, compelling readers to reflect on their own legacies. The historical backdrop of the 1960s in North Carolina adds depth and poignancy to Sydney’s journey. Berry paints a vivid picture of the societal silence not only within families surrounding these tragic disappearances but also when it comes to missing Black children in the news and the lack of resources allotted to their cases.

While the pacing occasionally lags, especially in the middle sections, the emotional payoff and the unraveling of family secrets make it shocking and worthwhile. Overall, this debut novel is a powerful testament to the lengths one will keep the truth hidden and how far one will go to seek the truth. Berry’s intricate storytelling leaves a lasting impact, earning this book a well-deserved four stars.

Thank you, #NetGalley, #KristenLBerry, and #RandomHousePublishingGroup, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of #WeDontTalkAboutCarol .

We Don’t Talk About Carol is a brilliant, haunting mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, unraveling secrets with every page. The writing is sharp, evocative, and atmospheric. The parallels between Sydney’s present struggles with motherhood and her investigation into Carol’s disappearance provide a rich, emotional backdrop to the mystery unfolding. It’s impossible not to feel for Sydney as she unravels the tangled web of lies, even as it leads her to a breaking point. It’s deeply emotional, thought-provoking read about the destructive power of secrets, and what we’re willing to do to protect those we love, even when it means confronting painful truths.

I cannot believe this is a debut novel!!!
I started reading this and could not stop! Stayed up way too late, but had to finish it! This book has so many layers. It begins with the discovery of a photograph while visiting her grandmother. The response from her grandmother when Sydney asks who this is, "We don't talk about Carol." Sydney used to be an investigative reporter, so of course she wants to know more about this aunt. When she begins to look into her aunt's life, she discovers that 6 black girls went missing at the same time. However, there was no real investigation done at the time (this was in the 1960's). Thus, Sydney's passion to discover what happened to her aunt and the other girls is fueled.

While this happens, Sydney is in the midst of IVF with her husband, Malik (whom I loved!!!). She is also struggling in her relationship with her sister, Sasha, and her mother. Her father- Carol's brother, was killed in a car accident years ago. Growing up, their family life was traumatic and stressful. Their family motto, "We don't talk about what goes on in the family, outside of the family".

There is so much to unpack in this story. I felt so much outrage as Sydney kept hitting roadblocks when investigating the 6 girls deaths. She meets family members of the girls, and starts piecing together characters, actions and clues that begin to point her in the direction of solving the case. While this is going on, she is struggling with she might be a questionable mother, guilt at missing being a reporter, supporting her husband mentally as he continues to build his business, and repairing relationships with her sister and mother.

I loved the characters! Sydney and her sister are so well developed! I understood why they were the way they were, and was rooting the whole time for them to connect again. Malik was always supportive of Sydney, and when he had doubts they were able to come together. Stanley, Eloise and Barbara added so much dimension as the remaining family members of the missing girls.

The investigation was solid. It was also frustrating, heartbreaking. Every step was tightly woven, and the way the personal lives were interweaved in the narrative was flawless.

And the twist at the end!!!!

I also appreciated the research and resources that the author provided on missing African Americans. This book, and my devotion to the podcast Crime Junkies show the statistics are shocking that even in this day, the disappearance of African Americans and also Indigenous People make up a large percentage, but have the lowest investigation/Solve rate.

I highly recommend this book. The story is mesmerizing- the investigation, characters, plot and pace!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bantam for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

"We Don’t Talk About Carol" was a read that I enjoyed a great deal. The characters are well done, and the plot was unique and interesting.

When their grandma passes, a mystery is discovered. You learn a lot though about so many different issues, including families, mental health and secrets.

There was a twist at the end, which surprised me. And isn't that what twists are supposed to do?

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.All opinions are my own.

"We Don’t Talk About Carol" is a masterfully crafted novel that deserves a solid four-star rating. While it revolves around a long-standing mystery waiting to be unraveled, this is merely one facet of a much broader narrative. The story delves into themes of family trauma, mental health, PTSD, and hidden family secrets. As I progressed through the pages, I felt increasingly immersed in the world of the book. An unexpected twist at the conclusion adds to its allure. I sincerely hope this work receives the recognition it merits—make sure to add it to your reading list!

This was such a surprise in the best way. The way the author beautifully wove this family's story from the 60s and the 2020s so flawlessly was such a treat. The common thread of mental illness, social issues, and familial drama was portrayed in such a way that it hits you at the core.

A great read! I was so invested from the start. I loved all of the characters, and I felt that the story played out perfectly.

If you like books that make you ugly cry, then this one is for you!
After her grandmother dies, Sydney, finds a photograph of a little girl that shares a striking resemblance to her. Sydney finds out the little girl in the picture is actually her aunt that she never knew she had. Her aunt was one of six black girls who had gone missing in the 60's. Determined to find out what happened to her Aunt and using her experience as a Journalist, Sydney strikes out on her own to uncover the truth. This journey we follow her on is a heartbreaking one filled with lies, and family secrets that have contributed to generational trauma. Kristen Berry does an amazing job at calling out communities that keep harmful secrets as well as the authorities that are meant to serve and protect our communities but neglect to do so.
While the plot was intriguing and held my interest my favorite part of this book were the characters. They felt real, I could hear my family saying the dialogue written and making facial expressions described on the page. I loved this book so much and look forward to more from this author.

We Don't Talk About Carol

I believe it will be an underrated gem. The story delves deep into mental health, family problems, secrets, and, most notably, the lack of police involvement and care when it was needed.
Bell drags up emotions and memories so well described. I thought I was there at times. Building a story that moves back and forth from the 1960s to the 2020s while also including great character development that wasn't easily ignored.
I really liked it, I enjoyed reading the clues and where they might connect, while also learning that what happens at home doesn't always have to stay there. It's ok to build yourself a community that you can thrive in.

Thank you to Kristen L. Bell, Random House Publishing, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Now this is how you write a book! I was shouting and in disbelief when things started to come together. 5 ⭐️

The description does not do it justice. Yes, it’s about missing black girls and the main character potentially losing herself in the investigation but it is so much more. I got lost in this book like Sydney got lost in the case.

I can’t believe this is a debut novel. Kristen Berry, get back in the lab. We need you!

This was emotional, complex, and well written. It is a “family secret” type suspense novel with aspects that read like a thriller. Every detail was important and I loved how deliberate she was in chasing after justice for these missing Black girls. Berry handles childhood trauma and C-PTSD so well.

It’s also not just about a missing aunt. It’s the family ties, secrets, lies, shame, and the “keep this in the family” mentality that plagues so many families.

If you like true crime podcasts, family secrets, and a focus on underreported stories, this is for you. So good. Thank you NetGalley and Random House for providing this advanced reader copy! Will be buying a copy of my own 💙

Overall, I had a good time with this one. There was a great hook right from the start. The journey Sydney goes on is believable and I felt like I was right along side her trying to discover what happened. There were page-turning moments and the ending tied up all of the loose ends nicely leaving me satisfied with the conclusion.

The first third of the book was a bit slow and it was hard to get into initially. I realize this was to set the scene and develop the characters but it was a lot of family drama that I didn’t care much about. It wasn’t until about a third of the way through that the story took off and had me invested.

This was an easy read and definitely something to pick up if you’re at all into true crime. I also appreciated the emphasis on the fact that cases involving black people are much less publicized and more likely to go unsolved.

This was such a good book! It had a lot of twists and turns and it was truly a gripping book. It has secrets, missing info found out from the past, etc. And without giving too much away, it is a wild ride! It was not what I was expecting, and I really enjoyed reading this book!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!