What July Knew

Sonia
This book was not for me sadly. It was written well enough and easy to read but I found the constant reference to a "secret" with no explanation extremely tedious and I ended up not actually caring what the secret was! Domestic abuse is not something I enjoy reading about in a story although of course it is the reality for many. I can only give it a 5 out of 10 - I did want to know what happened and read to the end.

Chris
Found this book quite well written and easy to get into but found the story although cleverly thought out would have been an easier read if the daughter and step sister were portrayed as older children.
I will give it a 7

Carolyn
I liked this book. It was easy to get into and read. I liked July. She was a tough, clever little girl. When Mick abused her she thought it normal and that he was helping her by teaching her a lesson. Although other adults like her teachers and neighbours really knew she was being abused nothing was done because they were scared of Mick or didn't want to rock the boat. It was through July wanting to know about her mother and her own efforts that everything came to light. I thought the ending was quite satisfactory. I give it 8.

Cat
Although this book was quite enjoyable to listen to, I did think the plot was a bit ridiculous. I just found it unbelievable and not quite enough to make a whole novel out of. I didn't feel like any of the characters felt very real either. 5/10

Arleen
When I realised this book was 'written' by a 10 year old girl, I wasn't sure what to expect. I did finish the book and I liked it. The story took place in only 13 days and a lot was packed into that time. I understood exactly how July felt, though it wasn't my Dad that was the bully as he was a lovely kind man. I could understand July doing all she could to make her father like her. No one knows what goes on in family's if you are not party to it. I tried for years as a child and adult to be loved or even liked but it didn't work. In fact it made it easier for the bully. July tried so hard to please her dad and even thought it was her fault that he didn't like her.

I loved July's idea of making lists about everything. It helped her through a lot of heart ache. I also liked the cover of the book, the sticking plasters at the corner of the paper. A nice touch, I give it 7/10

Eve
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and interesting . I felt sorry for July, who only wanted to be loved and to have a history of being loved by her parents, which is a reasonable thing to want. The father was an unpleasant character and I was surprised that July still thought that one day he would show some love July's stepmother seemed affectionate, but she was as scared of her husband as everyone else. She became more caring as the book progressed and I think July grew to appreciate her. Sylvie, the stepsister, was rather unkind, as were most of the girls who were apparently her friends. The teacher knew something was wrong, but was persuaded not to go to the authorities. Reading this book, you can see how some children get overlooked. The grandparents were also ineffective, if loving . In the end July did find someone who loved her and her biological father even served a prison sentence for her. A sad book but Interesting . At times confusing. It was not immediately apparent who July was getting letters from in the prison. I would score this book 9

Helen
I enjoyed this book. I liked the main character July, and thought she was a good mix of childhood innocence, curiosity and determination. I liked the era the book was set in - this could have been considered in more depth.
I thought the premise of July being so keen to find out about her mum very convincing, and the way this was told was touching. I think the subject of domestic abuse was handled well. I did find the final third of the book to be much less plausible, but I wanted to read to the end, and would read other books by this author. 7/10

Mabe
This isn't a review as the thing is I can't really remember the book. But I know I enjoyed it and was rooting for her right throughout. I thought the reveal of who her father was such an unexpected twist.
So no review but a 7 from me I enjoyed it.

Kirsty
This book is devastatingly heart-breaking and beautiful. I absolutely love the unique storyline, the characters and just everything!!! It is one of the most touching books that I have ever read!!! This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely won't be my last! Before I say more about this book though I do need to point out that it does contain both domestic violence and child abuse. These are tough subjects to read or write about but Emily manages to weave them into such an emotional storyline that will stay with the reader for a long time. Emily also lists helplines at the back of the book to help anyone in these situations themselves. I am a big believer of topics such as these being written about in books in order to spread awareness which could save someone's life. In this book there are so many things that could have been different if the truth was told, someone had listened to their instincts or someone had helped yet none of this happened. There is a definite butterfly affect throughout where one incident ripples out lasting years and the more incidents and ignorance throughout leads to what happens.
It is an absolute rollercoaster ride of emotions filled with love, hate, romance, heartbreak, anger, laughter, regrets, family, love, loss, secrets, drama, family, abuse, secrets, twists, shocks, friendship and so much more. It is one of the most unforgettable books I have ever read!! It tells the story of July who has just turned 10 and is starting to question what happened to her mother after a note is left for her telling her what she believes is true isn't. This leads her down many paths investigating and asking many people. You'd think the one person she could turn to would be her family, especially her father. Sadly when she does this he literally beats her which had me in tears or several occasions so be aware of this and have the tissues at the ready!!! It is very rare that a book can land me in tears especially when animals aren't involved but Emily's astounding, touching, evocative and emotive book does just that. Emily's evocative writing skills sucks the reader straight into the storyline with the characters, situation and emotions coming to life around them.This is just one of those rare books that words just cannot express how powerful and emotional it is. It will make you cry tears of happiness, laughter and sadness. It will also fill you with nostalgia! July was born just 1 year apart from me so the events that went on, the songs and activities are all ones I grew up with so it was also a fun trip down memory lane. The fact that Emily has done her research absolutely shines through so a huge congratulations Emily! One of my pet hates is when authors don't research their topics and then the book is littered with unnecessary mistakes which can spoil the story for me. When I was reading this book I could feel my heartbeat speeding up as I was getting a dark sense of foreboding the deeper into the book I got and I ended up with tears streaming down my face so make sure you get those tissues ready!! It is one of those books that I just simply could not put down and I walked around everywhere with my kindle and the book. Every chapter ended in a way that I had to know what was going to happen next and then it would move on to the next chapter and do the same so I blew through this in one sitting. Reading this book really does make you feel that you are standing with June and going through the pain, love, and suffering. While you are reading this you are going through a journey of love and loss, heartbreak, secrets, love, and regrets and so, so much more. It really is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. You need to clear your schedules and get the tissues at the ready because you will not be able to put this book down. I must also add that I loved the lists and entries scattered throughout this book which made it even more realistic. There are some tough topics are explored with realism and sensitivity, that all culminated in a very gripping and powerful page turner. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and although it could be a difficult read at times with emotions running high I would seriously recommend it to anyone and everyone!!

The characters were all very strong and realistic and Emily's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. My heart went out to July and most of the main characters for different reasons during different chapters. I absolutely loved July's absolutely fantastic, strong, bubbly and attitude filled personality. All she wants is answers to what happened to her mum at the end of the day and she is just a child, what child wouldn't. She is such a strong girl and my heart bled for her. The fact that she refuses to lie down and give up even with everything she went through makes her such a strong female role model to so many people both in her situation and not. She is such a smart and mature girl and my heart really broke several times. I loved seeing her interactions with her sister Sylvie, "Auntie" Shelley, Yaya, her father and Mr Salter. My heart also went out to several of these other main characters especially Sylvie who is just a child herself, even though I wanted to scream at her in several occasions!!! I absolutely despised her so called father and don't think I have ever hated a fictional character in my life as much as I hated him!! July and Sylvie were the only ones completely innocent in this book but several of the characters didn't deserve what happened to them but I won't say much more as this is already a mega long review and I don't want to give anything away. I will end by saying a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Emily for creating such a wide range of unique and unforgettable characters that will stay with me for a long time as will this book!!!
This definitely deserves 10/10