What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor
So... First of all, I don't usually read Teen & YA books, but I read the description and found the premise interesting, so I said "Why the heck not?" and gave it a try. Secondly, I don't usually purposely set myself up for the tearfest that comes from reading potential obviously emotional books (we can think Mr. Nicholas Sparks for this one), but, again, interesting premise.
OK, let me get what I didn't like out of the way. My first and foremost peeve; Principal, not Principle. I hate reading grammatical errors like that in novels - really hate it . Secondly, I couldn't quite appreciate Sam (heroine) taking sudden interest in Jake (hero) after his accident; it was explained later, but it still seemed too convenient and I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending.
Departing from that, all the characters were really well written, maintaining personalities rather than losing them as the book progressed; Jake was an excellent hero, and it's not unknown that I'm not fond of first-persons. I didn't quite expect the book to be funny, but it was - without losing the solemnity that comes with such a serious event in a person's life. I loved the plot, it all made sense and seemed so real despite the rarity of all those incidents grouped. Even with the shaky beginning that I wasn't quite fond of, I loved watching their relationship grow from friends to more(Robyn Carr could have taken tips for Sunrise Point); truly beautiful. The ingenuity of the story touched me, especially after reading Keary Taylor's author's note (which I usually avoid, really).
The true beauty of What I Didn't Say, though, is that - days after - I'm still thinking about the book almost regularly, wondering how I'd respond if my life were to change so suddenly; something vital taken from me so quickly. I'm still pondering definiteness of life, which is rare in books other than that by Nicholas Sparks or the occasional Sydney Sheldon. I loved the book - the message being the shining aspect.
OK, let me get what I didn't like out of the way. My first and foremost peeve; Principal, not Principle. I hate reading grammatical errors like that in novels - really hate it . Secondly, I couldn't quite appreciate Sam (heroine) taking sudden interest in Jake (hero) after his accident; it was explained later, but it still seemed too convenient and I wasn't quite satisfied with the ending.
Departing from that, all the characters were really well written, maintaining personalities rather than losing them as the book progressed; Jake was an excellent hero, and it's not unknown that I'm not fond of first-persons. I didn't quite expect the book to be funny, but it was - without losing the solemnity that comes with such a serious event in a person's life. I loved the plot, it all made sense and seemed so real despite the rarity of all those incidents grouped. Even with the shaky beginning that I wasn't quite fond of, I loved watching their relationship grow from friends to more(Robyn Carr could have taken tips for Sunrise Point); truly beautiful. The ingenuity of the story touched me, especially after reading Keary Taylor's author's note (which I usually avoid, really).
The true beauty of What I Didn't Say, though, is that - days after - I'm still thinking about the book almost regularly, wondering how I'd respond if my life were to change so suddenly; something vital taken from me so quickly. I'm still pondering definiteness of life, which is rare in books other than that by Nicholas Sparks or the occasional Sydney Sheldon. I loved the book - the message being the shining aspect.
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.
CreateSpace (an Amazon Company)
ISBN 1475156456
(ISBN13: 9781475156454)
Publication Date: April 30, 2012
Goodreads Page
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.
CreateSpace (an Amazon Company)
ISBN 1475156456
(ISBN13: 9781475156454)
Publication Date: April 30, 2012
Goodreads Page