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Carmel Harrington
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The Things I Should Have Told You Kindle Edition

by Carmel Harrington (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 2,129 ratings

‘Anyone who loved the great Maeve Binchy will adore this gorgeous gem of a book’ – Claudia Carroll


The gripping new novel from Irish Times bestseller Carmel Harrington, shortlisted for Newcomer of the Year at the BGE Irish Book Awards.

Every family has a story…

But for the Guinness family a happy ending looks out of reach. Olly and Mae's marriage is crumbling, their teenage daughter Evie is on a mission to self-destruct and their beloved Pops is dying of cancer. Their once strong family unit is slowly falling apart.

But Pops has one final gift to offer his beloved family – a ray of hope to cling to. As his life's journey draws to a close, he sends his family on an adventure across Europe in a camper van, guided by his letters, his wisdom and his love.

Because Pops knows that all his family need is time to be together, to find their love for each other and to find their way back home…

What readers are saying about Carmel Harrington:

‘Carmel Harrington…will make you see life in a different way’ – Woman’s Way

‘A wonderfully life-affirming, heart-warming book. Carmel Harrington writes with such honesty, you'd have to be made of stone not to laugh and cry’ – New York Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor

‘I always feel a little richer for having read one of Carmel’s books…this inspiring and emotional family-centred read stole my heart’ – Between the Lines

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  1. Print length
    433 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HarperCollins
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    8 Sept. 2016
  6. File size
    2.4 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

Review

‘Will make you see life in a different way’
Woman’s Way

‘Heartwrenching and heartwarming’
Evening Herald

‘Guaranteed to brighten your day’
Novelicious

‘Carmel Harrington has done it again! Brilliantly written … it surpasses all expectations’
Chicklit Club

‘A bittersweet, quietly brilliant novel that will make you cry, laugh and cry all over again’
Female First

‘Funny, poignant and bursting with heartfelt humour’
I Heart … Chick Lit

‘Completely stunning’
Reviewed the Book

‘It will stay with you well after, you have turned the last page’
Bleach House Library

About the Author

Irish Sunday Times bestseller Carmel Harrington writes issue driven contemporary fiction. With comparisons to Maeve Binchy & Liane Moriarty, Carmel writes with warmth and compassion about characters so believable that they could be sitting beside you. From Co. Wexford she lives in a small village with her husband Roger and two young children, Amelia and Nate. Carmel has published six novels, won two writing awards – Kindle Book of the Year 2013 and Romantic eBook of the Year 2013 and been shortlisted for a BGE Irish Book Award in 2016. Her books are published worldwide, regular chart toppers and are translated into eight languages to date. In 2017, she published two books – the official ITV novel and UK bestseller Cold Feet The Lost Years and The Woman at 72 Derry Lane which remained in the Irish Top 10 for five weeks. Her other bestsellers include The Things I Should Have Told You, Every Time A Bell Rings, The Life You Left and Beyond Grace's Rainbow.
She is a regular on Irish television as a panellist on TV3's Elaine Show. In addition, she is Chair of Wexford Literary Festival, which she co-founded.
For more information visit www.carmelharrington.com.
You can find Carmel on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @HappyMrsH.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01A52I7KM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 8 Sept. 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 433 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0008150112
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 2,129 ratings

About the author

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Carmel Harrington

Carmel Harrington

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Carmel Harrington is an international bestseller of thirteen novels. She lives in County Wexford with her husband, Roger, their children, Amelia and Nate, and their rescue dog, George Bailey. Her latest novel, THE STOLEN CHILD, a Number One bestseller, was named a Sunday Times Best Crime Fiction of the Year pick. They described it as ‘Endlessly surprising …this complex novel requires faultless plotting, and Harrington pulls it off with consummate ease.’

Carmel’s debut was a multi-award-winning novel, and several of her other books have been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. She frequently appears on Irish television and radio, and has been a guest speaker at literary events in Ireland, the UK, and the USA. Additionally, she served as Chair of the Wexford Literary Festival for three years.

Carmel’s emotional and gripping storytelling, with relatable characters and twisting plots, has captured readers’ hearts worldwide. Her thrillers and family dramas including THE LIGHTHOUSE SECRET, THE GIRL FROM DONEGAL, A MOTHER’S HEART, and THE MOON OVER KILMORE QUAY, have been Irish Times, USA Today, and Kindle bestsellers.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
2,129 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a lovely, easy read that provides wonderful insight into the emotional rollercoaster of family life, with a good storyline throughout and authentic dialogue. They appreciate the character development, with one customer noting how Carmel's writing matches her personality. Customers describe the book as wonderfully warm and feel-good, with one review highlighting its excellent epilogue.

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56 customers mention ‘Readability’56 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and splendidly written, with one customer mentioning they enjoyed reading it during their commute.

"...But I loved this book so much I just want to leave it as a lovely surprise for you...." Read more

"...Thank you for a great fourth book Carmel and for being the great writer that you are. Looking forward to book 5!" Read more

"...I gave it three stars as I did finish it and found it an OK read, it just lacked a bit of umph." Read more

"...family members view point which really gives you an immense sense of understanding from all points of view...." Read more

55 customers mention ‘Emotional content’52 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's emotional content, describing it as a wonderful insight into family life and a charming tale of a family in crisis.

"...Thank you Carmel for being so talented in putting feelings and emotion on to paper (ok, Kindle), and for reminding me how important family, love and..." Read more

"...It is a book full of warmth, family and hope, a book that is full of messages and ideals, all nicely bundled together with fantastic imagery and..." Read more

"...again Carmel triumphs and pulls you in from her opening lines with raw emotion and characters who demand your full attention bringing you on your..." Read more

"...This is a journey of mind, body and soul. It will expose your innermost emotions and fire you from delirious happiness to abject sorrow and back..." Read more

34 customers mention ‘Storyline’34 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this book, describing it as a wonderful feel-good fiction with a lovely story of strength throughout.

"...I will say though that the epilogue is one of the best I have read in a long time, and I may have let out a big squeal as I read it!..." Read more

"...Pops comes to the rescue and how he does it is what this beautiful story is all about. This is a journey of mind, body and soul...." Read more

"...Very moving without being overly sweet or preachy, Carmel Harrington beautifully captures the tribulations of family life and gently reminds us not..." Read more

"...Loved this story which gives us all hope that we can change whatever we want until we are living our best life...." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Character development’23 positive0 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book, noting the authentic dialogue throughout and the author's magical writing style.

"...Carmel is very talented at writing a great novel, with multi-faceted characters who, in my mind, are very real, and just like you and I. They face..." Read more

"...ideals, all nicely bundled together with fantastic imagery and great characters. I really enjoyed this book...." Read more

"...you in from her opening lines with raw emotion and characters who demand your full attention bringing you on your own journey through tears to..." Read more

"...Thank you for a great fourth book Carmel and for being the great writer that you are. Looking forward to book 5!" Read more

13 customers mention ‘Value for money’10 positive3 negative

Customers find the book worth the money, with one mentioning it had them hooked from the very start, while another describes it as an exquisite gem.

"...This is a journey of mind, body and soul...." Read more

"...😂 The book was a real page turner, poignant, tender, heartwarming, funny, sad and uplifting...." Read more

"...How often we forget that well done Carmel on yet another exquisite gem" Read more

"...three stars as I did finish it and found it an OK read, it just lacked a bit of umph." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Feel’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book feels good, with one describing it as tender.

"...😂 The book was a real page turner, poignant, tender, heartwarming, funny, sad and uplifting...." Read more

"...I wanted them to achieve their dreams. Find a comfy sofa, get a glass of two of wine, or hot chocolate, snuggle in and enjoy." Read more

"...Loved the way it was beautifully written with humor and feeling." Read more

"A feel good, emotional roller coaster of a book! I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to your next book already!" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Warmth’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book wonderfully warm.

"...It is a book full of warmth, family and hope, a book that is full of messages and ideals, all nicely bundled together with fantastic imagery and..." Read more

"A wonderfully warm and uplifting book detailing the trials of the Guinness family as they attempt to repair their broken relationships and bring the..." Read more

"What a lovely read, warm, beautifully written, and the perfect holiday companion...." Read more

"...This book will leave you with the warmest of feelings and the hope to make good changes in the world, however small. 💟..." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • jill loves to read
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful, moving book of love, family, and being happy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Welcome to one of the best times of the year – publication day of Carmel Harrington’s newest book baby, and boy The Things I Should Have Told You is a beautifully, perfectly formed book. Infact it has become part of my book family, never to be disowned!

    Do you ever read a book that seems to be perfectly written to match a stage you are at in your own life? You devour every part, and come away wondering if someone was sending you a message by placing the book in your hands to be read? That is what this book has done for me.

    Carmel is very talented at writing a great novel, with multi-faceted characters who, in my mind, are very real, and just like you and I. They face tough times, and as with her earlier works, Carmel never shies away from tackling serious subjects such as grief, illness, bullying, and unhappiness. But she never writes characters that are like ‘oh, woe me’, or who give up. Infact I often find her work inspirational and with very strong messages of love and family running through them.

    The Things I Should Have Told You reminds us of the importance of never leaving things left unsaid. Live, laugh, love, and appreciate the world around you, and those in it. The book actually ends with some house rules, some of which I have written down to peak at when things are getting me down. They are simple, beautiful, and truly inspirational.

    I loved meeting and spending time with the Guinness family. Olly, Mae, Pops, Evie and Jamie. They are by no means perfect, and just like most families’ things are up and down, with rows, discontent and, well, life in general. Pops is the go-to guy, who is loved by all, and holds the family together. But Pops is ill, infact he is dying, and I guess he can see that all is not well. So as a final gift to them he leaves a bunch of letters, and a camper van. Each letter holds a set of instructions to follow, and will see them leave home and travel together for eight weeks. But can being cooped up together in a confined space for any length of time, away from friends and everyday life really help? I can’t imagine being stuck in that scenario with my family!!

    And so the adventure begins…. each chapter telling the story from multiple points of view, which is always a winner in my book as it allows me to get to know them each as individuals, and what makes them tick, as well as how they get on as a family, rather than just one narrators voice.

    I particularly loved Olly and Mae’s daughter Evie. Yes, it’s been a long time since I was a teenager, but I remember those years so well. Wanting to fit in with the crowd, to be liked, to be noticed, and all the angst that goes with it. Evie is a great reminder than whilst teens seem shallow they are actually very deep, and at times troubled young people who really do need to be nurtured.

    I would love to sit here and chat about all the different parts of the book that resonated with me, made me chuckle, made me sad, or inspired me. But I loved this book so much I just want to leave it as a lovely surprise for you. I will say though that the epilogue is one of the best I have read in a long time, and I may have let out a big squeal as I read it! Oh, and I nearly broke my neck jumping out the bath to rush and rave about the book to my poor Mum!!!

    If you haven’t read Carmel before – where have you been? You need to rectify that! And if you have, and liked her work, then this is another beauty to indulge in.

    Thank you Carmel for being so talented in putting feelings and emotion on to paper (ok, Kindle), and for reminding me how important family, love and life are. Never waste time on those that don’t support you and have your best interests at heart. I will smile whenever I think of the Guinness family, and will keep the house rules with me from now on.

    So people, this is definitely on my ‘must read’ list, and if you hadn’t guessed by now I would recommend you rush out, buy a copy, and accompany the Guinness family on their travels.

    P.S. Isn't the cover just stunning!?!
    7 people found this helpful
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  • B.R. Maycock
    4.0 out of 5 stars A gorgeous, warm, wholesome read, perfect for devouring at this time of the year
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 November 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have to start by reminding you of ‘Every time a bell rings’ which I reviewed last year (see review here) and re-iterating what a powerhouse author Carmel Harrington is. I’m lucky enough to know Carmel, through the Imagine, Write, Inspire writing group I belong to, and she is seriously one of the most vibrant, helpful, amazing people I’ve ever met. There’s a reason I’m telling you this, and that is that this book very much matches her personality. It is a book full of warmth, family and hope, a book that is full of messages and ideals, all nicely bundled together with fantastic imagery and great characters. I really enjoyed this book. I read it over three nights, and each day thought about it and looked forward to sitting down with it. As you can see from the blurb it involves a family that is falling apart heading off on a camper van journey. The journey itself is long, and puts us in different locations with so much description, that I found myself actually thinking of the day when I might bring my children on a similar one, to experience the culture and history and beauty that was ever present here. There were so many moments of faraway enchanting symbolism that were excellant.

    There were arguments and tension that are all too real in family life, and a number of chords were struck. That being said I suppose I found at times it was a little too innocent especially in terms of the children, and they seemed old beyond their years at times but I don’t have girls so I just may not know what I’m talking about here!

    I have to say that over that last year my taste in books has changed a lot, which I suppose it should. I used to struggle with books such as this, that were very homely, and Irish, with warm, wholesome romance but now I must say this is very much up my street. A special mention to Pops, I worried about him through out the book and was afraid to reach the end (not a spoiler!) Very much recommended and actually one I’ll be shouting about in the shorter evenings, where books such as this serve as a treat to be consumed in front of a fire, or at least in a warm room with the rain beating down outside.
    Rating: 4.5/5
    3 people found this helpful
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  • adomack1965
    5.0 out of 5 stars What Pops does for his Family is what we all need to do.....give each other the space to heal.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Carmel Harrington has done it again, she has allowed us to look into a families life story exposing the realities of falling in and out of love, the beauty of intergenerational relationships and the ability of love to conquer all. Pops looms large over all that is good about this family, his heart was broken once upon a time and therefore he understands what his beloved son Olly needs in order to reconnect with his heart. Mae is the love of Ollys life and when the family begin to struggle financially she picks up the cudgel and runs with it. There are of course unintended consequences.....Olly questions his manhood, Mae is confused about her relationship and they both take their eye off the family. Evie their lovely teenage daughter has a blip and Jamie the youngest is starving all the time. Thankfullly from his hospital bed Pops comes to the rescue and how he does it is what this beautiful story is all about. This is a journey of mind, body and soul. It will expose your innermost emotions and fire you from delirious happiness to abject sorrow and back again. I couldn't put this down, this book could easily be used in the study of human relationships so strong is this tale. Give yourself a couple of days off and join Pops, Olly, Mae, Evie and Jamie as the try to rediscover what they haven't even realised they've lost.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Markus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Comparing life in different places in Europe
    Reviewed in Germany on 11 February 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Pops helps his family to find new ways in learning about others in Europe. They learn how to share their lives again. The end is rather unexpected for me, but, hey, why not?
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  • JustOneMoreChapter
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful read that will be an excellent fit for many different types of readers.
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 September 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a wonderful, honest portrayal of family life in all its raw truth, while on a European tour. I learned as much about the human condition as I did about the many places I now want to visit. Wonderfully developed characters that really felt as real as if you knew them and captivating descriptions of places I had never thought of marking on a map. A wonderful read that will be an excellent fit for many different types of readers. I can even see a niche market for a specialized tour!
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  • Mrs Sharyn Millsom
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Things I Should Have Told You
    Reviewed in Australia on 1 May 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This was an emotional rollercoaster! But such a cathartic read! How wonderful to see a family so dysfunctional & torn apart become close & have their happy ending! Would recommend this book 100%
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good and sweet
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 October 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a novel about a fractured family coming together on a trip designed by the grandfather who has just died. It sounds sad but it builds joyfully.
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  • A. Holland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Warmth and Hope
    Reviewed in the United States on 23 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Allow me to tell you a story. Once upon a time, Carmel Harrington decided to write a book about family. About the real things that make up a family. About the events that families endure, and the ensuing scars. About the people within the family who keep it all together, even unwittingly. About the generation links and gaps which run concurrently and along blurred lines. About home and school and work, challenges, bullying, temptation, and support from unlikely places. About holding it all together for the ones you love. About love - above all, about love, in all its many guises.
    In writing her story, Carmel shows us what it's all really about, in the nicest possible way. We are rooting for Olly, Mae, Evie and Jamie, and especially Pops, as if they were our own flesh and blood. We are feeling what they're feeling. We want to champion their causes and whack them with a feather duster when they do things we know are going to turn out badly. And there are bad turns, because that's what happens to real families. We want everything to turn out ok for them but we know life doesn't always work out like that. So we hope and we wish and we turn the pages of their lives and we appreciate. And we hope again and we open our hearts to things we haven't thought of because Carmel's Guinness family have brought these things to us.
    For all of these reasons, you should read this book. You'll laugh, cry, cringe and shake your head. But I defy you not to love, just a little bit more, by the time you are finished reading Carmel's story.
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