More Than We Can Tell

Rev Fletcher struggles with trauma from his past while navigating his senior year of high school. His adoptive parents provide stability, but memories of his biological father continue to surface and affect his daily life. Emma Blue finds refuge in coding and developing video games, using them as an escape from tensions at home. When she begins receiving harassing messages through her game, she keeps it secret from her family and tries to handle it alone. Rev and Emma meet by chance and form a connection based on their shared experiences of keeping painful secrets. Their friendship grows as they help each other face their respective challenges and learn to trust others with their burdens. Through Rev and Emma's parallel journeys, the story explores themes of trauma, healing, and the courage required to let others past carefully constructed walls. The narrative examines how technology can both connect and isolate, while highlighting the importance of human connection in overcoming past wounds.

Readers call this a moving contemporary YA novel that tackles serious themes like online harassment, domestic abuse, and family trauma. Many note that it works as a standalone, though it connects to "Letters to the Lost." Readers appreciate: - Complex parent-child relationships - Authentic portrayal of teen communication struggles - Rev and Emma's slow-building romance - Treatment of faith without being preachy Common criticisms: - Slower pacing in the middle sections - Some plot points feel unresolved - Less emotional depth compared to "Letters to the Lost" Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) BookishFirst: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) "The online harassment subplot hits close to home," writes one Goodreads reviewer. Another notes: "Rev's story grabbed me more than Emma's - his background and struggles felt more developed."

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley Two teens process grief and healing through their work at a secondhand bookstore where customers leave letters between pages.

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer Two strangers connect through letters left at a cemetery while dealing with loss and family expectations.

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum A grieving teen receives anonymous emails from a classmate who helps her navigate life at a new school while processing her mother's death.

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi Two isolated young people form a deep connection through text messages while confronting their past traumas.

You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao A girl receives phone calls from her deceased boyfriend, allowing her to work through grief and unfinished conversations.

🔹 The main character, Rev Fletcher, wears long sleeves to cover scars from his abusive past - a detail that connects to author Brigid Kemmerer's broader exploration of trauma and healing in young adult literature. 🔹 This book is a companion novel to "Letters to the Lost," featuring Rev as a supporting character who now gets his own story and deeper character development. 🔹 The story tackles modern issues like online gaming harassment and cyberstalking, reflecting real concerns in today's digital age where 60% of young gamers have experienced harassment. 🔹 Kemmerer wrote this book while working as a full-time financial analyst, often writing during her lunch breaks and early mornings before work. 🔹 The book's themes of faith and religious questioning were partially inspired by conversations Kemmerer had with teenagers about their own spiritual journeys and struggles.