#BookReview: The Impossible Truths of Love by Hannah Beckerman @hannahbeckerman @NetGalley @AmazonPub

Hi everyone! Today, I have a book review for an author new to me, who I discovered via NetGalley >>>

About the Book:

Book cover for The Impossible Truths of Love by Hannah Beckerman From bestselling author Hannah Beckerman comes a moving story about memory, secrets, and what it really means to feel that you’re one of the family.

When Nell’s father makes a deathbed declaration that hints at a long-held secret, it reignites feelings of isolation that have plagued her for years. Her suspicions about the family’s past only deepen when her mother, Annie, who is losing her memories to dementia, starts making cryptic comments of her own.

Thirty-five years earlier, Annie’s life was upended by a series of traumas—one shock after another that she buried deep in her heart. The decisions she made at the time were motivated by love, but she knew even then that nobody could ever understand—let alone forgive—what she did.

As the two women’s stories unravel, a generation apart, Nell finally discovers the devastating truth about her mother’s past, and her own.

In this beautifully observed and emotionally powerful story of identity, memory and the nature of family, Hannah Beckerman asks: To what lengths would you go to protect the ones you love?

My Review:

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟


Many thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for a free Advanced Review Copy of this book. I haven’t read this author before, but after this stunning read, I’ll be sure to check out her other stuff.

This is one of those reviews where I can’t say too much without putting in spoilers. Suffice it to say, this is a WOW read that I would have read in one sitting if life had allowed. As it was, I finished this amazing novel in two stints.

The narrative is split between “then” and “now” and follows the main character, Nell, and her mother, Annie.

Nell’s father is dying of cancer, which has taken him down at speed. Meanwhile Annie has developed Dementia. Nell’s world has turned upside down already, and then her father says something on his deathbed that changes everything she thought she knew about her life. The rest of the story unfolds from there, and the truth is revealed in stages via each trip back in time.

Here are some lines that stood out for me …

“Her breath smells tired, musty, like air that has been trapped in a room for too long.”

And …

“… the urgency creeping around the corners of her consonants.”

And …

“… bland euphemisms filling the space where her worst fears lie.”

And …

“The rest of Bill’s question hangs in the air, unsure whether it wants to settle or fly away.”

I could go on. The imagery, description, and emotion in this is superbly done. The Impossible Truths of Love gets a resounding five stars from me. Go and read this book!

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.


I’d love to hear what you think of this review. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

 

For anyone interested, here are the Amazon links …

UK … https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

US … https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R8XRTB2/

 

25 Comments on “#BookReview: The Impossible Truths of Love by Hannah Beckerman @hannahbeckerman @NetGalley @AmazonPub

  1. This sounds very interesting, Harmony. Secrets being revealed on deathbeds and due to dementia is intriguing.

  2. Excellent review, Harmony. The deathbed confession is a great hook, and I love the quotes that you pulled out. Thanks for the introduction to a new author and the wonderful recommendation. 🙂

  3. Wow, what an awesome review, Harmony. I’m already intrigued by what revealation Nell’s father could have made on his deathbed. I also love books with dual timelines. This one sounds really intriguing!

  4. Oh, I just love it when we pick up a book by an author unknown to us, and it turns out to be this good. I love the storyline. Deathbed declarations are a tremendous catalyst. Thank you for sharing, Harmony!

  5. I love the examples from the book. Beautifully written. Sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks, Harmony.

  6. Excellent review as always, Harmony.
    The mystery, to me, is how you read so many books!
    I hope “life intervening” was boring laundry and not you feeling ill. Hugs xx

    • Some of ‘life intervening’ was boring stuff. Other bits were me not feeling so well, ugh. Glad you enjoyed the review, Sarah, and hugs your way too! 🙂

  7. Thank you for sharing your incredible review, Harmony. I’m intrigued and look forward to eventually reading it. 😊