Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone is a novel that will definitely leave you thinking long after reading it. The concept of faith is explored in an interesting way that will have readers question their own beliefs. Friendship and what it takes to maintain a relationship with your friends is a theme that also runs deep through the book.
Title: Little Do We KnowAuthor: Tamara Ireland Stone
Also by this author: Every Last Word
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Rating:
Next-door neighbors and ex-best friends Hannah and Emory haven’t spoken in months. Not since the fight—the one where they said things they couldn’t take back.
Now, Emory is fine-tuning her UCLA performing arts application and trying to make the most of the months she has left with her boyfriend, Luke, before they head off to separate colleges. Meanwhile, Hannah’s strong faith is shaken when her family’s financial problems come to light, and she finds herself turning to unexpected places—and people—for answers to the difficult questions she’s suddenly facing.
No matter how much Hannah and Emory desperately want to bridge the thirty-six steps between their bedroom windows, they can’t. Not anymore.
Until their paths cross unexpectedly when, one night, Hannah finds Luke doubled over in his car outside her house. In the aftermath of the accident, all three struggle to understand what happened in their own ways. But when a devastating secret about Hannah and Emory’s argument ultimately comes to light, they must all reexamine the things they hold true.
In alternating chapters, a skeptic and a believer piece together the story of their complex relationship and the boy caught somewhere in the middle. New York Times best-selling author Tamara Ireland Stone deftly crafts a moving portrait of faith, love, and friendship.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Little do we Know by Tamara Ireland Stone
When a book involves faith and religious beliefs, I am always a little bit worried about how far the author will go with it. It is not often that I read books with this theme, but I really enjoyed Ireland Stone’s other novel, Every Last Word, so I thought I would give this a try. I am so glad that I did because the book doesn’t speak to one religion, it actually questions it. I really enjoyed how different concepts and belief systems were introduced throughout the story.
❀ Theme of Friendship
Friendship is a theme that I have always loved, and there is no shortage of it in Little Do We Know. The book is told through alternating perspectives of Hannah and Emory. The girls have been best friends since childhood, however at the beginning of the book it is revealed that the girls have had a falling out. As the story progresses, the mystery surrounding why the girls’ friendship is broken is slowly revealed. It is a very explosive revelation, and without spoiling the plot, I will say that it might be difficult for some readers.
❀ Sensitive Issues
It is sometimes hard to review a book that has a sensitive issue. I am not a trained psychologist and I cannot accurately assess if a book has dealt with the issue appropriately. However, I felt as I was reading that there should have been more support offered to guide the character, especially in a YA novel.
❀ An Interesting Story
Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone is an interesting story that explores the themes of faith and friendship. Readers will definitely be left questioning their own beliefs as the book unfolds. It is an enjoyable contemporary that is sure to be a favourite if you are a fan of the author’s other novels.
About Tamara Ireland Stone
TAMARA IRELAND STONE writes young adult and middle grade novels. Her New York Times bestseller, Every Last Word, won the Cybils Young Adult Fiction Award, the Georgia Peach Book Award, the Buxtehuder Bulle German Youth Literature Award, and was a YALSA Teens’ Top Ten pick. She is also the author of Time Between Us, which has been published in over twenty countries; its sequel, Time After Time; and Click’d, the first book in her new middle-grade series.
Before she began writing fiction full time, Tamara spent twenty years in the technology industry. She co-founded a woman-owned marketing strategy firm where she worked with small startups as well as some of the world’s largest software companies. When she’s not writing, she enjoys skiing, seeing live music, watching movies, and spending time with her husband and two children. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
I like stories about friendships, so I’m interested to see how this book explores that theme. And although I sometimes do read Christian fiction (mostly by accident!), I too am wary about books that have a religious focus. I’m glad to hear this one is open-minded about it.
Angela recently posted…Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Playing With Matches
The way it is written is so wonderful and I really appreciated that it wasn’t preachy.
Lovely review! This book sounds really interesting and I love that it explores friendships and faith as well. I’ve never read anything by the author, but I might have to give this one a try 🙂
Loved your review!
Marie recently posted…Monthly wrap-up – May 2018
I do hope that you give it a try! I think it is one you will enjoy. 🙂
Great review! When the concept of faith is explored in a book I can kind of both like it and dislike it, if that makes sense but it depends on how the author handles things. I like that the book has alternating chapters. Could be interesing for sure!
It totally makes sense! 😉
Wonderful Review! 🙂
Raven recently posted…Monthly Wrap-Up | May [2018]
Awww…be friends again! Please! And THAT COVER. Covers like these, with beautifully colorful interesting elements make me happy, and draw me right in!
The cover really complements the book so much and it is super stunning! 🙂
This is a great review of this book.
I, too, am wary of religious books. Not because I’m not religious(quite the opposite, actually) and I don’t like ppl shoving other religions down my throat. Having said that, I’m open to learning about other religions and I’m also curious about what this author has to say. I’ve seen this book running around in the book community, now I’m interested!
I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on this one if you do give it a try. 🙂
I will share my opinions on it if I ever decide to buy it out of allllll my TBRs!
interesting book concept
This sounds like a good review. I like books that make me think.
This sounds really interesting. I like the mystery of why the friends had a falling out and that it’s about friendship and questions religion. I have to get this one. It sounds like a great book from your review!
Mary
I hope that you love it, too! 🙂
As a USC alum I hope she doesn’t get into UCLA… and wakes up and decides to go to a real school ;-). JK (kind of), I actually have friends that went to that school, although I try not to hold that against them.
I do like books with some religious themes in them, and this looks like an interesting book. Thanks for the review!
Brooke Lorren recently posted…I Loved The Fates Divide
It is a very interesting story, for sure! 🙂
Sounds good!
I am looking forward to reading this because I liked her first book, but I was concerned about the religious aspect being preachy. So glad it’d not going to be like that. Love the cover too!
Sue @ Crushingcinders recently posted…Adding to Your TBR – June 2018
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it if you do read it. 🙂
I might give this book a try. I’ve never read a book about friendships and faith. Enjoyed your review.
This is one of my favourite books simply because it was so beautifully written.
The book sounds very intriguing. I love the gorgeous cover!