The Things I Know

Written by Amanda Prowse

Narrated by Amanda Prowse

From bestselling author Amanda Prowse comes a heartwarming tale of first impressions and lasting love.

Thomasina ‘Hitch’ Waycott loves living and working on the remote family farm and B&B. But she also wants more. To see the world. To own her own home. To fall madly in love.

But those are fairy tales, and if her life is a fairy tale, then she’s the ugly duckling. Her deformed lip, her crooked limbs and her weak heart have kept her from taking chances. But that’s about to change.

When Grayson Potts comes to stay, he’s unlike anyone Thomasina has ever met. He’s aloof, eccentric and exceptionally kind. He’s also totally unconcerned with the physical flaws that have always defined Thomasina.

The two form a bond that neither has had before. It’s possible that it could become something more, but Thomasina also wonders if it’s too good to be true. By putting her heart on the line, Thomasina may open herself to heartbreak. But she may also open herself to so much more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jun 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781721388127

Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse likens her own life story to those she writes about in her books. After self-publishing her debut novel Poppy Day in 2011, she has gone on to author twenty-five novels, including the number 1 bestsellers, Perfect Daughter and What Have I Done, six novellas and a memoir. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and she regularly tops book charts all over the world. Remaining true to her ethos, Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined. The most prolific female contemporary fiction writer in the UK, with a legion of loyal readers, she goes from strength to strength. Being crowned 'queen of domestic drama' by the Daily Mail was one of her finest moments. Amanda is a regular contributor on TV and radio but her first love is, and will always be, writing. You can find her online at www.amandaprowse.com, on Twitter or Instagram @MrsAmandaProwse, and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/amandaprowsenogreaterlove

Reviews for The Things I Know

[Jessica Williams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautifully told story about resilience and hope. The differently abled characters were delightful and stole my heart. Highly recommend.

[Leslye Mahoney · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed listening to this authors voicing of her story. She has a wonderful way of writing and recording her book, the detail and audio really gives you a sense of the characters and the location of the story. Very relaxing and interesting to hear and love her style of a prolog at the end too.

[Zoe O'Farrell (Zooloo's Book Diary) · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a gorgeous tale and I am so glad that I gave it a chance. Beautifully narrated by the author

[vickimarie2002 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thomasina "Hitch" is a very likeable character who was born some birth defects that has not allowed her to live a fulfilling life. She works on her family farm/bed and breakfast with her parents. The farm has been in the family for several generations and while she can see herself being a part of the farm forever, she also has a strong desire to leave. She dreams of touring the US and being free to live her own life. Then, one day a guest, Grayson Potts, comes to stay and her life is never the same. Does she try to live a life with Grayson, who has his own set of challenges, or does she stay on the farm? Maybe, she leaves it all and follows her brother to the US? This turned out to be a nice, heartwarming read.

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The thing I know about The Things I Know by Amanda Prowse is that you have to read it. Now. This story is miraculous, sweet and tender. It’s so warm and full of heart, so full of characters that you will love and hate, hope for, get impatient with, feel grief, sadness and despair with, and revel in their joy. The contrast in settings is stark – Thomasina in the lush, beautiful country at the B&B and Grayson in the what can only be described as squalid city – and both feel so real you can imagine you are there.Grayson and Thomasina may seem odd and quirky at first – and they are – but they are also the people we should all aspire to be: strong in their beliefs, truthful, kind. We are the ones not in sync, not them. They have such open conversations, no sarcasm, no mocking, no hidden meaning. Questions asked are sincere. They are honest, and honesty might hurt, but they have nice hearts.Thomasina’s life is about to change. Things haven’t worked out as she hoped but it’s been a life she’s enjoyed and she is comfortable and cared for. With her parents selling the B&B what will become of her? Oh, yes, she’ll survive and be taken care of, but is this the final door slamming on her dreams? Grayson is amazing at his job, has a gift for it, but he wants more. And he wants to escape. But he made a promise long, long ago and how can he even think of breaking it? Even to be with Thomasina, who instantly seems like an old friend he never knew he had.Grayson has the mind of a computer and the heart of a poet. At one point he says, “It’s not that I’m afraid of her, more afraid of doing the wrong thing. And not just doing the wrong thing, but the wrong thing in front of you.” Doesn’t this just perfectly capture how we all often feel? Thomasina keeps a journal of “The Things I Know.” A very insightful and courageous journal. And both Grayson and Thomasina agree that time is passing and life doesn’t come to you – you have to chase it. And they show their courage by facing their fears and doing just that. They know who they are and who they want to be, they have dreams and desires and goals. Even though they have been beaten down and ridiculed and held back, they persevere. They are hard-working and determined, not perfect, but not afraid to acknowledge their flaws, either. And willing to acknowledge in their hearts that the happy-ever-after ending might not be theirs in the end.The Things I Know reminds me of an old book and movie - The Enchanted Cottage. Oliver and Laura see only the beauty in each other and it changes them. The same is true of Thomasina and Grayson. When I learned the origin of Hitch’s nickname I shuddered, and when Grayson refused to call her Hitch and asked her to tell everyone her name is Thomasina he captured my heart.The Things I Know is a love story, but with some hard truths, full of hope and redemption for some of the characters, and a story of change and facing your fears no matter what. It is a wonderful, marvelous, magical book and I want everyone to read it and experience the joy I did. Thanks to author Amanda Prowse and NetGalley for providing an advance copy for my honest review.

[nicx27 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amanda Prowse is an author I have been meaning to read for a long time and so I jumped at the chance of reading her latest book, The Things I Know. I am, of course, kicking myself for not reading her work before as I absolutely loved it.It's the story of Thomasina Waycott, known to everyone as Hitch. Why the name? Well, she was born with several medical problems such as a cleft lip, a foot that makes her walk on tiptoe and a weak heart, but it's the cleft lip that earned her the nickname as it formed a sort of hitch. In a way, it's a bit of a mean nickname but it's all she's ever known and even her parents use it.Hitch dreams of another life, one where she is allowed to be free of the day to day constraints of her family's farm. She loves the farm, particularly her beloved chickens (one of the chicken scenes made me cry!) but she longs to have her own set of cake tins, ones she can fill with cakes made with love for a man, and a family of her own.Until Grayson Potts turns up in her life, it's just that, a dream, but he makes Hitch feel as though she can achieve anything. The way they feel about each other is just wonderful and somehow Prowse manages to make those feelings mean so much and come across perfectly, rather than them coming across as twee.I loved Hitch, but I really loved Grayson. I loved that he saw beyond Hitch's physical issues, that he saw underneath the surface to the person beneath. Grayson's also one of life's misfits and he's the perfect match for Hitch. Their growing mutual affection just melted my heart.At one point when I was reading I thought to myself how beautifully simplistic it was. This is the scene, when Grayson, a Londoner, experiences the country air and the space, and I thought it was really lovely:"Weaving along the country lanes, Hitch glanced to her left, taking in the sight of Grayson Potts with his head leaning out of the open window as the wind lifted his hair, eyes closed, shirtsleeves rolled above the elbow, and with an expression that looked something close to bliss. He reminded her of Buddy [her dog] when he was allowed to travel up front. There was something about this man - and curiously, she suspected that the magical thing was how he made her feel about herself."I was captivated by this wonderful book. I adored the way Grayson stood up for Hitch, much more than he would for himself, and also the way that Hitch blooms and changes over the course of the story. They both have their family demons to deal with and what could have made them stronger as a pair sometimes threatened to pull them apart. However, I was very happy with the ending and I shall say no more!So, what do I know after reading The Things I Know? I know that although this was my first Amanda Prowse book, I seriously hope it won't be my last. I know it's a beautiful story of love, family, overcoming doubts and problems and finding ways to be happy. And I know that I thought it was fantastic.