More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

Sometimes a novel comes along that doesn't only make an emotional impact but its words also makes you think. More Than We Can Tell is one of those as it's a real eyeopener about the horrible things that can go on with people behind closed doors – and a powerful reminder to really listen to those around you. Especially when people are quiet and perhaps reluctant to share, as there can be so much more going on beyond the surface that they're able to put into words.

From the author of Letters to the Lost (which I've not read, but I've heard nothing but excellent things about), comes a new heart-wrenching story of two very different people at the same school as Declan and Juliet from the bestselling first novel, who unexpectedly became a part of each other's worlds. They aren't natural compatibles as friends, but circumstances beyond their control throw them together and they connect on a much deeper level than school mates.  

Emma is a gamer girl. She doesn't just like video games, she has actually coded her own complex RPG that is being played by hundreds of people online. She aspires to be a video game designer like her father and ignores all the protests of her mother who wants her to go to med school. Usually online gaming is her escape, until a troll enters her game and starts to bully her online just for being a girl.

Rev is known as the Grim Reaper in school, always hiding beneath long-sleeved shirts and hoodies and not communicating with anyone outside of his best friend Declan, and Declan's girlfriend Juliet. Rev was adopted when he was seven years old as he'd been mentally and physically abused by his extremely religious biological father his entire life. But when Rev turns eighteen his father gets back in touch and Rev is lost about what to do...

More Than We Can Tell is a deeply touching and shocking contemporary YA tackling big issues such as cyber bullying, abuse, divorce and some of the terrible things that happen in the foster care system. It was an extremely uncomfortable read at times but for that very same reason it was also an extremely important one.

It provides a very powerful look at the difficulties of growing up in the 21st century and some of the incredible hardships teenagers have to deal with today. Both Rev and Emma were well-developed and fascinating characters and felt like very real people that you can find in any high school today, creating an instant emotional connection with them.

This isn't an easy book to read, but it's a hugely important one. I got a lump in my throat several times while reading it and I doubt most people can keep it dry when discovering the character's back stories, especially those of Rev and his stepbrother Matthew, both of whom I came to care deeply for.

More Than We Can Tell is so much more than *I* can tell. It's shocking and thought provoking, but most of all it's an extremely moving story of growing up in a messy and complicated time. Emma and Rev are just two examples of the teenagers out there dealing with horrible things in their lives while at the same time trying to carve out their spot in the world. It's tough, really tough, but with this book author Brigid Kemmerer shows that you don't have to navigate through it all alone ♥


More Than We Can Tell is published by Bloomsbury on 8 March 2018 and you can pre-order your copy from Foyles or your own preferred retailer.


🎵 Listening to: Hamilton – My Shot
🔹 Mood: Accomplished