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If You Must Know: A Novel (Potomac Point) Paperback – June 1, 2020

by Jamie Beck (Author)

14,021 ratings

Book 1 of 3: Potomac Point

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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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Named a “Best Beach Read of 2020” by Parade Magazine

Named a “Most Anticipated Book of Summer” by Frolic

Named a “Most Anticipated Book of Summer” by SheReads

“Beck expertly captures the bickering between sisters, the pain of regret, and the thorny path to forgiveness. With well-realized secondary characters…and believable surprises peppered throughout, Beck’s emotional tale rings true.” ―Publishers Weekly

“[Beck’s] heartwarming novel explores the sisterly bond with a touch of romance and mystery.” ―Booklist

“This is a masterclass from Beck on how to write about family life and she captures the bickering and the love between family members―sisters specifically―so effortlessly.” ―Yahoo! Life

“In perfect prose, Jamie Beck weaves a story of two sisters at odds, relationships in peril, and lives turned upside down. A testament to the strength of family―and the beauty of forgiveness―If You Must Know is a summer read with staying power and a poignant reminder that what we need most will always find its way back to us.” ―Kristy Woodson Harvey, bestselling author of Slightly South of Simple

About the Author

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 hitting the slopes in Vermont and Utah and dancing around the kitchen while cooking. Above all, she is a grateful wife and mother to a very patient, supportive family. Fans can get exclusive excerpts, inside scoops, and be eligible for birthday gift drawings by subscribing to her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/b7k7G5. She also loves interacting with everyone on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JamieBeckBooks.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Montlake Romance
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 1, 2020
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 365 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1542008719
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1542008716
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Potomac Point

Best Sellers Rank: #1,666,677 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #772 in Sisters Fiction
- #841 in Mothers & Children Fiction
- #1,766 in Women's Domestic Life Fiction

Customer Reviews:
14,021 ratings

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Jamie Beck

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Welcome! Please hit "FOLLOW" if you'd like to be notified of my new releases.

Jamie Beck is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of 18 novels, many of which have been translated into multiple languages and have collectively sold more than three million copies worldwide. Critics at Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist have respectively called her work “smart,” “uplifting,” and “entertaining.” She is also a two-time Booksellers’ Best Award finalist, a National Readers' Choice Award winner, and STAR award finalist. 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.

For monthly tips, birthday sweepstakes and other exclusive content, join my newsletter at https://bit.ly/JBeckNewsletter. NO SPAM--EVER.

For book recommendations and reviews, follow me on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JBeckGoodreads.

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14,021 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this novel engaging with a compelling storyline about family conflicts and love, featuring relatable characters that grow throughout the book. The writing is easy to read, and customers describe it as a heartwarming story with the right amount of romance. The book captures readers' attention from start to finish, with one customer noting it serves as an entertaining escape from current events. While the emotional content receives positive feedback for being poignant and heartwarming, some customers find the family interactions too predictable.

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Storyline Readability Character development Writing quality Interest Romance Emotional content Family stability

224 customers mention "Storyline"195 positive29 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of family conflicts and love, describing it as an enjoyable read about family dynamics involving three children.

"Great story about how siblings can improve their relationship after adulthood and how much relationships are based on perceptions more than facts" Read more

"Good story that anyone with sisters can relate to...." Read more

"...Heartbreak, growing, learning about yourself, self worth, family. So many emotions in this book...." Read more

"...It’s the story of family. What we are born into and who we surround ourselves with in our daily lives...." Read more

184 customers mention "Readability"173 positive11 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and worth their time, describing it as a light summer read.

"...Great read!" Read more

"Good read. Reminded me of a hallmark movie. Cute, quaint story. Easy to read and interesting story line with a twist" Read more

"...But it felt totally predictable by the end. But still a good read." Read more

"...Great book when you need to read something to renew your faith in (at least the majority) of mankind." Read more

120 customers mention "Character development"100 positive20 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them relatable and beautifully written, with one customer noting how the female characters have believable complex relationships.

"...But I enjoyed the characters and overall storyline even if it was predictable. It might not sound like it lol but I recommend it!" Read more

"...It was light, with good plot and character development" Read more

"Great storyline and characters, and emotions you could almost feel. It was a little disappointing that he didn’t get more time...." Read more

"...Worth the read and loved the characters." Read more

108 customers mention "Writing quality"92 positive16 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as well-crafted with easy-to-read prose and great narration, making it a quick and enjoyable read.

"Easy read. Not a literary work of art." Read more

"...Overall it was an easy read with strong characters that go through heartbreak and relationship adjustments just like everyone else...." Read more

"It was a goof, quick read. I enjoyed the family dynamics and its impact on the characters...." Read more

"...Well written and engaging." Read more

87 customers mention "Interest"73 positive14 negative

Customers find the book engaging, with several noting it captured their attention throughout, and one mentioning it serves as a nice distraction during turbulent times.

"Interesting,the novel was very fair to the pregnant woman who was defeated by her husband. He didn't care about her or the child...." Read more

"The story was easy to read, relaxing and interesting. I gave 4 stars because it was nicely written and kept me interested." Read more

"...I especially liked the quirky and personable Erin. What a fun and loyal person." Read more

"...Predictable but with a nice little twist of suspense. Entertaining." Read more

48 customers mention "Romance"44 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the romantic elements in the book, particularly the heartwarming story of two sisters and the realistic portrayal of their relationship.

"...It had it all: love, hate, suspense, family dynamics and determination. Do yourself a favor and read this book!" Read more

"...I truly enjoyed it. It has conflicted family relationships, sisters, romance, intrigue, betrayal and growth. It is well written and flows well." Read more

"...There is romance, there’s that life experience and the brink of change. It also has literary merit that can be elusive in genre fiction...." Read more

"...This is a heartwarming story about family, relationships and new beginnings." Read more

43 customers mention "Emotional content"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the book emotionally engaging, describing it as poignant and heartwarming, with one customer noting its realistic portrayal of grief.

"Wow! Great start to this new series! A heartfelt & emotional story. It's a book about two sisters, Amanda & Erin...." Read more

"...Dysfunctional families are so much a part of our world today, it is uplifting to see the transformation in this family to a functional, caring..." Read more

"Realistic, Heartwarming and Uplifting..." Read more

"...There is romance, there’s that life experience and the brink of change. It also has literary merit that can be elusive in genre fiction...." Read more

42 customers mention "Family stability"23 positive19 negative

Customers have mixed views on the family dynamics in the book, with some finding the interactions predictable and unconvincing, while others appreciate how the characters grow and develop throughout the story.

"This novel is an enjoyable bit of fluff, predictable but quirky enough to keep me engaged to the end...." Read more

"Not a very exciting read. Would not recommend. Predictable. Dramatic. Maybe it just didn’t fill the reading hunger in me." Read more

"Interwoven family dynamics, interesting personalities and betrayal made this book a good read. I couldn’t put I down once I started." Read more

"...The tense relationships get to be a bit much, and their worry of scandal seems over the top in a larger town in current day for a not so well known..." Read more

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Sheiglagh
Should be in your TBR List. It's that good
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

Is it a romance? Women’s fiction? Or literary fiction. Jaime Beck’s latest work, “If You Must Know” can easily belong to all these categories. There is romance, there’s that life experience and the brink of change. It also has literary merit that can be elusive in genre fiction.

The story of two sisters – Amanda Foster and Erin Turner. Physically, it is easy to see that they are blood relatives. Personality-wise, they are as different as night and day.

Amanda is a rule follower, and always toes the line. Erin is a rule breaker and does not stay within the lines. Very close when they were young, their separation was slow and subtle. It was not until they realized that they were on opposite sides how far they had drifted apart.

Entering their third decade, a double whammy of family tragedy forced the sisters to unite so that they can avert anymore disasters coming their way. As they work together, they slowly rediscover each other and find the bond that sisters have.

But, trust once broken is hard to get back. And that is what Amanda and Erin must work on - for the sake of their mother, their brother, Amanda’s unborn child and Erin’s budding romance.

Jaime Beck’s novels have always been thought-provoking and always have conflict built in. “If You Must Know” belong to that same ilk, but it is also more.

There is romance, but it is not the focal point. The focus is on the relationship between the sisters, their relationship with their mother and to a certain extent, their brother.

The characters are more grown up. You can even call them more mature. And somehow, that also extended to the author. Ms. Beck had shown more depth as she tackled the family dynamics. Dysfunctional from the get-go, Ms. Beck skillfully brought the characters together.

Amanda and Erin were two dimensional in the beginning. But on each page, we saw them grow and become three-dimensional. When we reach the end, we feel full. The book was a gourmet meal.

A great read! “If You Must Know” should be on your TBR list for the summer. Rated T for Teens due to adult situations. Parental guidance strongly advised. There are no sex scenes in this book.

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Jennifer Whittington
Wonderful read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I featured this one as my Can’t Wait Wednesday pick a few weeks back and I picked it as my First Reads in Amazon when it came up to choose from. I’m happy that it turned out to be a good as I was hoping it would be.

If You Must Know is a story of a family who is still reeling from the loss of their patriarch William, Amanda and Erin’s father. Their mother’s grief is debilitating and these two very different young women are each are going through their grief and other problems as well.

I adored these two sisters and their differences. Amanda is a woman who strives for perfection. The perfect house, the perfect husband and life. While Erin is a carefree spirit who loves her life day by day. Their mother Nancy was a lot like Amanda which is probably why she and Erin had such a strained relationship. But this family come together when they need to and that I loved.

In the course of a just a few days Amanda’s life is turned upside down when she learns of her husbands treacherous action, actions that affect her unborn baby and the entire family. Erins life isn’t going much better either. Her long term relationship has hit a stalemate. Their mother is so lost in her grief that she looks for any way to be close to their father again. Through it all this family comes together to fix problems that Amanda’s husband Lyle has set in motion and even mended some fences along the way.

This story touches on some pretty heavy issues like betrayals, family secrets and loss. But it also touches on forgiveness and moving forward. These beautifully written characters pull you in their world and it was so easy to root for them to find some harmony in their lives and maybe a little bit of romance along the way too.

if You MustKnow was such a wonderful read for me, yes, it has some emotional moments but the growth in this family warmed my heart. I am definitely looking forward to the next installment.

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Jeeves Reads Romance
Solid but kinda slow
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Let me start off by saying that if you're a fan of Jamie Beck's romances... this isn't that. If You Must Know is very much women's fiction with little to no romance. Her writing always has a serious tone to it, so that wasn't unexpected here, but without the added elements of romance, this just had a sort of dry, slow feel for me. It's still well done and if you're a fan of women's fiction then it may work better for you, but definitely don't expect it to be like her past work.

Essentially, the story follows two sisters, Amanda and Erin, who are at different places in their lives. Amanda is married and pregnant, but her seemingly perfect life comes crashing down around her when her husband's affair is exposed. And Erin is disheartened by her own relationship, so neither one is in the best place. As Amanda and Erin navigate the changes, they're forced to reevaluate the lives they've been leading.

There were definitely things that I enjoyed, and Beck's writing is as solid as ever. It's got some poignant moments and characters you can relate to. Family plays a pivotal role, which was heartwarming. This one was just too heavy and serious for me - I needed a little bit of lightness to peek through (and maybe just a glimmer of romance). While there are moments of lightness, I just needed more to hold my interest.

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JAJ
Very good read I didn't want it to end.
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2024
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
There was so many times I related to both sisters in this book. With Amanda I went through all the abandoned feelings of a spouse. With Erin since I am the littlest sister of my family, even at 45, I still get treated that way. I love that Jamie's characters are so real, I feel like I could go to town and hangout with them. Such a good book, I didn't want to put it down or for it to end.

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Heather B
Thoroughly Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase

I only occasionally part with money for a book by an author I haven’t read before, but getting this one as a Kindle First was certainly worth it. Jamie Beck has written a novel that contains so many different elements which she uses to focus on family dynamics. In alternating chapters from sisters Amanda and Erin’s points of view, the story grows, and we get to see the two women’s relationships with each other, their mother, and their late father change and develop. There’s also intrigue, humour, and romance, and through it all, we see the sisters learn more about themselves and become stronger, more assured women who are comfortable in their own skin and with who they are. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be looking for more novels by Jamie Beck.

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Molly
A good read
Reviewed in Australia on June 5, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This was a very enjoyable read have now read three other books by the same author and enjoyed them all very much

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K. Storch
The story of a route to healing family dynamics
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 12, 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
There was a lot going on within and on the outside , of this family, but the pace and the interest level was sufficient to keep my attention and want to know more.
The novel gave a clear glimpse into how dynamics within a family and between family members can stem back over many years right from childhood into the adult years, distorting our perceptions and views of our nearest and dearest. And because of that, I think this is a very clever novel without having set out to be that.

I enjoyed how succinctly the differences in personality were portrayed and hence understood between different parties in the story from Erin, who has an impulsive nature with very few responsibilities and a propensity for telling the truth as she sees it regardless of the clanging effect it may have on others, to Amanda, who perhaps is possibly suffering from OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder) and unfortunately has the perfectionist gene and is anxious about what others may think about her i.e she is very keen to keep her reputation within her locality - to maintain the status of the woman who has it all. Handsome, loving husband, beautiful house, pregnant with her first child etc etc and then it all begins to unravel.
This is quintessentially a tale of how a family, in the face of adversity discovers the strength of the roots which they all share and manage to find their way back into each others hearts and lives.
A good, easy, enjoyable read.

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Lorraine McAuliffe
Great Storyline
Reviewed in Australia on June 15, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
just love this book. Couldn't put it down.

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Kindle Customer
Loved the story but...
Reviewed in Australia on August 29, 2020
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
was a bit too detailed. I almost gave up on this story a couple of times had it not been for my interest in Lyle's story.
I liked how this was written in both sisters' perspective and you could see their different personalities reflected in each chapter.
The different dynamics in families was a true read.
I enjoyed this story in the end but just too detailed.

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A great heart warming story about siblings

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5.0 out of 5 stars Should be in your TBR List. It's that good

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read!

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid but kinda slow

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good read I didn't want it to end.

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of a route to healing family dynamics

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Storyline

2.0 out of 5 stars Loved the story but...

Should be in your TBR List. It's that good

Wonderful read!

Solid but kinda slow

Very good read I didn't want it to end.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

A good read

The story of a route to healing family dynamics

Great Storyline

Loved the story but...