If You Must Know: A Novel

Written by Jamie Beck

Narrated by Susannah Jones and Thérèse Plummer

Life turns upside down for two sisters in Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jamie Beck’s emotional novel about how secrets and differences can break—or bind—a family.

Sisters Amanda Foster and Erin Turner have little in common except the childhood bedroom they once shared and the certainty each feels that her way of life is best. Amanda follows the rules—at the school where she works; in her community; and as a picture-perfect daughter, wife, and mother-to-be. Erin follows her heart—in love and otherwise—living a bohemian lifestyle on a shoestring budget and honoring her late father’s memory with a passion for music and her fledgling bath-products business.

The sisters are content leading separate but happy lives in their hometown of Potomac Point until everything is upended by lies that force them to confront unsettling truths about their family, themselves, and each other. For sisters as different as these two, building trust doesn’t come easily—especially with one secret still between them—but it may be the only way to save their family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781799750444

Jamie Beck

Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Jamie Beck’s realistic and heartwarming stories have sold more than two million copies. She is a two-time Booksellers’ Best Award finalist and a National Readers’ Choice Award winner, and critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” In addition to writing novels, she enjoys dancing around the kitchen while cooking and hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family. Fans can learn more about her at www.jamiebeck.com, which includes a fun extras page with photos, videos, and playlists. She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook at facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks.

Reviews for If You Must Know

[sunnydrk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sisters with little in common are forced to confront unsettling truths. Pretty good.

[bookanonjeff · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Former RWA Board Member Expands Horizons. Jamie Beck is so well known as a romance author that she actually served as a member of the Romance Writers of America - the major romance writer organization in the US, at least - Board of Directors for a bit. She has since left those duties and has now expanded her writing to boot. Her romances have always been solid, if solidly within RWA rules. Here, she leaves romance for the realm of women's fiction, focusing primarily on two sisters who could not be more opposite as they find themselves needing to learn to lean on the other. And she does her usual excellent work, despite the new genre. At times feeling like she might be trying to break into the mystery world, ultimately this has more of a feel of The Other Woman, the 2014 hit starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Mrs. Justin Verlander's pre-baby boobs. (Ok, so that last is a bit of a joke - I *am* a guy, and I largely went into the movie for the one seen with Ms. Upton on the beach. It turned out to be an awesome movie, and this book is very reminiscent of its best parts.) I can't really say that this is a "bold" departure for Ms. Beck, as long time fans will feel very comfortable here even in the new genre, but it is absolutely a refreshing departure and a strong showing that Beck is Beck, no matter the genre. Very much recommended.

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: If You Must KnowAuthor: Jamie BeckPublisher: Montlake Romance Series: Potomac Point Book 1Reviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: FiveReview:"If You Must Know: by Jamie BeckMy Speculation: I enjoyed this author's take on "If You Must Know" that was about 'sisterhood, family relationships, betrayal, and love.' We find two sisters Amanda and Erin, were opposite but still had a love for eachother. Bring in a mom who was having problems after her husband's death, a husband who was having an affair, and you will have one intriguing story that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next. By the end of the story, I believe that each of the main characters will find out a little more about themselves as they discover more about their family relationship in being able to reevaluate better their lives they have been leading.

[lorikboyd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 StarsFirst in a new series by Jamie Beck set in a small town. I’ve enjoyed her previous series (Sanctuary Sound) which centered around childhoodfriends, and was more of a romance. This book focuses on sisters Amanda and Erin. Sisters different as night and day. Amanda..buttoned up, the good girl, Mom’s favorite. Erin..free spirit, pushes the envelope, Dad’s favorite. The girls, along with their brother and Mom, are still dealing from the sudden death of their beloved father. Amanda and husband Lyle are awaiting the birth of their first child when a bombshell is dropped. Loved the dynamics between the sisters, and with their Mom. Mom is grieving hard and showing signs of stress and health issues. This story moved a little slow for me at times but the writing was good. Told from each sisters point of view, which I liked since they were so different. Enjoyed the change of dynamics between sisters, watching them mature and change. Found the family dynamics very realistic and relatable. I look forward to reading the next in the series. Thanks to Ms. Beck, Montlake Romance and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.