Everything I Didn't Know

By: Nicky James

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

It was supposed to be an escape. A new life living off the land. It was supposed to be a peaceful community. A family. But it was a lie.

Six months after he arrived, Bowie learned the hard truth about Oasis. There are rules, and they are made to be followed. The consequence of disobedience is deadly.

Once you’re in Oasis, you’re never getting out. And its cultish founder has eyes everywhere.

One year into his survival, with a plan to escape slowly simmering to life, Bowie is faced with a problem. New members have joined the community, among them a man who catches Bowie’s eye. Foster is attractive, older, and as far as Bowie is concerned, completely unavailable. This doesn’t stop Foster from flirting or poking his nose where it doesn’t belong. His reckless behavior will get him in trouble, but Foster doesn’t seem to realize he’s playing with fire.

One wrong step and history will repeat itself.

Bowie can’t allow that to happen, and telling Foster the truth about Oasis comes with risks. A fragile alliance forms. A budding romance develops. And more secrets are unveiled.

When their plans fall apart, Bowie and Foster find themselves in a tangled race to escape Oasis and expose the commune before it’s too late.

©2023 Nicky James (P)2023 Nicky James

I Didn't Want To Stop Listening

From the opening scene, this story captured my attention and I was fully absorbed in the plot and the characters. I found the cult setting fascinating and a well-built insular universe. This romantic suspense story had ample twists and turns to amp up the tension. I was kept guessing on the trustworthiness of some of the characters but as always, there is strong character development so that you care about what's happening to Bowie and Foster. Nick J Russo provides an excellent performance and elevates the listener experience. He and Nicky James make great narrator/author pairing. Fantastic!

LOVED IT!

Nick J. Russo does an outstanding job of bringing this story to life.
I know I should expect nothing less than a great read when I start a new book by Nicky James but Everything I Didn't Know still amazed me. The story was fascinating, learning all about life at the Oasis compound as we try to figure out what's true and what's a lie.

Full of surprises and intrigue Foster and Bowie are in for the fight of their lives. Amidst the danger these two manage to find each other and fall for each other. They are in the race of their lives to escape this seemingly perfect Oasis.

This is a wonderful mystery suspense book, with a great slow burn romance, excellent side characters, and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat to a fantastic conclusion!

Really Loved It

I’ve listened to many Nicky James books and this one was remarkable. I got lost in the story. Well done!

great listen

I loved this audio! The story was so engaging and the narrator did an amazing job!

Thrilling Story, Enjoyed it a Lot

Loved It. This was a very captivating story full of suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I liked both Foster and Bowie and really enjoyed their dynamic, it was interesting and unusual for stories with age gap couples to have younger MC be the mature and wise one in the relationship. Narrator did a great job, his voice and talent made this book a perfect listening experience.

So good!!!

Nicky James has done it again. I have always been fascinated by cults, so when I realized what the premise of this book was, I couldn’t wait to start it. Welp I probably shouldn’t have started it before bedtime on a work night! Stayed up super late because I just could not stop Listening. Everything I Didn’t Know is the perfect blend of romance and suspense.
Narration by Nick J Russo was great!

Immediately fascinating, unique, eerie… brilliant!

Just when I think Nicky James can’t surprise me with a different subject, she does it again! In this book she leads us into a fascinating, albeit chilling world, brought to life through masterful, descriptive writing.

Bowie joined Oasis to get away from his old life and start a better, new one. What he found unfortunately was much worse, and this time there was no leaving… alive. Not unless he escaped. But after a year of planning his dangerous getaway, Bowie has to reconsider everything when eye-catching Foster joins the commune. Foster makes Bowie feel he has an ally, and maybe more. Can Bowie break out now and leave him behind? Can he tell Foster the truth? Because Oasis is not just a community devoted to loving Mother Earth, and the members all have you wondering who you can trust.

An intelligent suspense-filled plot, with unexpected twists and well developed characters, is always a joy to read or hear. Everything I Didn’t Know is all that and more. Bowie and Foster’s slow burn story had me eager to go into each new chapter and find out how escaping the scary hell they found in Oasis could be possible. Their story made me care about and root for them, and I loved being that invested.

Nick J. Russo’s narration made this story breathe and live with an extra layer of brilliance. He brought distinct voices for each character. I felt the positively creepy, controlling nature of Father Wilder, the gentle almost innocent spirit of Bowie, and the rebellious, headstrong nature of Foster. Even side characters had strong presence with Russo’s convincing and top-notch narrating.

Everything I Didn't Know is a memorable experience. Nicky James has blown me away again with a unique storyline, and Nick J. Russo delivered a truly compelling performance. Bottom line : this audiobook should not be missed!

compelling standalone romantic suspense

THE WRITING:
It's been a while, but Nicky James has given us another compelling standalone romantic suspense.

Bowie has been at Oasis for eighteen months. In those eighteen months, he has realised that Oasis is not what he first thought it would be. What Bowie was looking for, was an escape. What he found instead was a cult. Slowly, secretly, he is planning an escape.
In enters Foster. Foster is a distraction. Foster is a mistake. Foster could be his way out.

Everything I Didn't Know is a slow burn romance, however the storyline had me intrigued.
What Nicky takes us on, is a rollercoaster ride. The twists and turns in this story had me engaged from the start.

This book is a must read if you enjoy a good romantic suspense!

THE NARRATION:
Nick J. Russo has done it again.
The emotions that the vocalised brought another great book to life for me. 

Everything I Didn't know is another great collaboration between author and narrator. 

When all is not as it seems

I always start my Nicky James reviews by saying how much I love Nicky James books. Well, this review won’t be any different. Nicky has an ability to write a fantastic novel on a completely different topic each time she sets out. She does series really well, but her stand-alone books are often outstanding. Everything I Didn’t Know is one of those books.

From the prologue, I was pulled in and mesmerized by the story. My heart went out to Bowie as he was obviously in way over his head. He’d thought he was joining a commune of sorts. Where people lived off the land and didn’t have a carbon footprint. Where their dedication to Mother Earth was the most important thing. He quickly learned the first lesson of Oasis – no one ever leaves alive. Now he’s been biding his time, working his way up, trying to find a way to escape.

Enter Foster and Paxton. From the outside, they look like most wide-eyed newcomers to Oasis – a little overwhelmed. A little lost. Bowie’s job is to help them settle but, soon, he realizes not is as it seems. Now, I had an inkling of this plot twist so wasn’t totally surprised but the rest of the book had me guessing. How exactly were Bowie and Foster going to escape? Was that even possible? And what about the sinister elements within the commune? What was their fate?

Another edge-of-my-seat suspense novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. With a satisfying and appropriate outcome that just worked.

Finally, tip of the hat to Nick J. Russo. He and Nicky make a great team and I always love his narrations. Can’t wait for the next listen to see where Nicky’s going to take me next.

Amazing read!

Absolutely loved this book start to finish.
I'm so happy that Nicky is embracing this genre because she's doing amazingly.

Loved the characters, the plot, and the romance. The setting gave more depth to the plot as well and the *cult* dynamic was fascinating.

As for the audiobook: Nick Russo owned the narration as usual he breathed life into these characters and made it that much more enjoyable.