- Title: More Than You Know
- Author: Nan Rossiter
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Published: April 2013 – Kensington
- Source: Review copy from the author
Synopsis: Losing her father on the night she was born could have torn Beryl Graham’s family apart. Instead, it knitted them together. Under their mother’s steady guidance, Beryl and her older sisters, Isak and Rumer, shared a childhood filled with happiness. But now Mia Graham has passed away after battling Alzheimer’s, and her three daughters return to their New Hampshire home to say goodbye.
Swept up in memories and funeral preparations, the sisters catch up on each other’s lives. Rumer and Isak have both known recent heartache, while Beryl has given up hope of marriage. But surprising revelations abound, especially when they uncover Mia’s handwritten memoir. In it are secrets they never guessed at–clandestine romance, passionate dreams, joy and guilt. And as Beryl, Rumer, and Isak face a future without her, they realize it’s never too late to heed a mother’s lessons–about taking chances, keeping faith, and loving in spite of the risks… (back cover)
My take: When the three Graham sisters come together to prepare for their mother’s funeral they find out things they never new about her – shocking things. She left a memoir that told them everything and gave them a new perspective of her life. She raised her three daughters alone after a car crash took the life of her husband on the night of their 5th anniversary. They thought she never remarried because she couldn’t imagine loving anyone else but their father. Her memoir tells them the real story.
Though dismayed by what they’ve learned, they take to heart the lesson to never take life for granted and to appreciate especially the mundane events of everyday life. Timely advice because all three are at crossroads in their personal lives.
More Than You Know is a novel of faith and family that will resonate with many readers. I enjoyed it.
*Note: At the end of the novel Nan Rossiter shared a couple of recipes made by the Graham sisters. I’ve made copies and plan to try both!
I like this type of story — family secrets have always had an appeal to me in fiction. Thanks for sharing Mary.
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Looking at the cover I was expecting a fun summer read but this sounds like so much more. Loving the sound of the characters, thanks for the recommendation.
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I’ve always been interested in books that reveal family secrets. This sounds like it’s right up my alley. Thanks, Mary!
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Sounds very good. THANKS for the review.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
My Blog
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That sounds wonderful!
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Thanks for sharing this book and your thoughts Mary.. It will be going on my tbr list for sure…
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I love your review of this book. Makes me want to read it. I also want to frame the cover!
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Margie, the cover reminds me of your rating system 🙂
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I had the same thought!
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I too like this kind of story. Thanks for the review.
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Wow, now I’m wondering why she never remarried. This sounds good!
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I’ve had my eye on this one – I’ll have to take it along on vacation! 🙂 Great review, Mary!
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Thank you for the wonderful review, Mary! You made my day!!! 🙂
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Thanks for sending me your book, Nan. I really liked it. Are we going to get more of Beryl and Micah’s story someday???
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You are! I’m working away on it now…for next spring. Will keep you posted!
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Now you made my day 🙂
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🙂
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Sisters and family secrets? Sounds good to me.
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Now I’m all curious about the mother’s memoir.
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Mother’s memoir, family secrets, a bunch of sisters meeting at their mother’s funeral. Sounds like a good setup.
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I want to learn the secret! Guess I will have to read it!
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Like everyone else, I’m curious about the mom’s secret too. I’m glad I saw this review; otherwise, I might have thought it was a bit of fluff based on the cover (nothing wrong with fluff sometimes, though) 🙂
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[…] Review: More Than You Know by Nan Rossiter […]
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I’m going to check this one out….I don’t think I’ve read this author before, but I like the sound of this book. Thanks for the review!
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I also read The Gin and Chowder Club but Nan Rossiter. I think you’d like her books, Laurel-Rain.
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I have to read this one!! I always wished I had a sister!
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