What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor Published by Self Published on April 30th 2012
Pages: 363
Source: Via Netgalley
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My Rating:
Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat.
His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again.
When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn’t the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it.
What I Didn’t Say is about a high school senior, Jake who decided to drive drunk with his friends on Homecoming night. He was on his way to tell Samantha, that he loves her but they got into an accident and Jake got severely injured, losing his ability to speak. When Jake gets released from the hospital, he faces a lot of struggles but Samantha is there to help him.
I really loved almost every character. Jake was awesome. His struggle with trying to “voice” his feelings and thoughts was very interesting. He went through a pretty big growing curve with trying to find other ways to communicate. And I loveeeed Samantha. I loved her story, I loved the way she was with Jake, I just loved her. Jake’s family was also amazing, they were such a loving family and took in anyone without a second thought.
When I started to read this one I thought for sure it would be a tear-jerker and I would come out of it with sore eyes and a headache. It wasn’t like that at all… it was such a happy story. There were really sad parts of course but the entire story ended up with a happy ending and I really enjoyed that. There is a bit of a twist with Samantha in the story so I won’t reveal much of the details, if you haven’t read it I don’t want to spoil it as it plays a major part in the plot but lets just say that Jake isn’t the only one who has struggles.
I loved this book. It was so much more than I expected it to be. Keary Taylor wrote a wonderful story and you just feel good after reading it. I love happy endings <3
I would highly suggest reading this if you like Young Adult Contemporary, it’s such an easy read and so, so worth it!
I really enjoyed this one too! not as much as you though. great post 🙂
Thanks Natalie! Honestly, I only expected to just think it was ok, and then when I was finished I was in love, lol. I never used to read contemporary and now it seems I’m in love with it!
I love the sound of this! x’ And I love how it was more of a happy story than a sad one.
Great review 🙂
Thanks Addie! I’m a little tired of crying my way through contemporary so I was so relieved it was a happy ending, lol.
Samantha made this story complete for me 🙂 She was the balance in the story and she totally rocked. I felt sad for Jake, but I was glad that this book had this feeling of ‘hope’ in it.
Hi Mel!
Exactly.. I loved Samantha. It was such a hopeful book…not saddening at all 🙂
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