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 a heartbreaking, original and totally loveable story. Contemporary romances are not usually my cup ‘o’ joe, but this one sort of took me by surprise. I expected a cute, sappy love story about overcoming disability and finding true love. Cute? Yes. Sappy? Well, not exactly. It’s a whole lot more than that.
I absolutely adored the characters in this novel. Jake and Samantha were amazing and real and totally believable which is awesome but more incredible were the background characters…Jake’s family, friends, etc…all so real. The male POV was incredibly well done. The devotion, dedication and shear force of will of both Jake and Samantha in this gripping story made it stand out from other “overcoming” stories I’ve read.
I also loved the reality of consequences in this story. Not to be spoilery, but I really expected that somehow Jake would overcome his disability and miraculously regain his speech and I was pleasantly surprised that Keary Taylor did not stick that bandaid on this story. Instead she left the story to play out believeably and realistically. Not to say miracles don’t happen or that stories with these types of recoveries don’t have their place, but the point was Jake and Samantha learning to live and love in their circumstances. Taking those circumstances away would have cheapened all they learned.
Overall, What I Didn’t Say was raw, gripping and completely beautiful. Highly recommended. Warning: Be prepared with tissues.
Author: Keary Taylor Title: What I Didn’t Say Published: April 30th, 2012 by CreateSpace Format: 336 pages Paperback; Kindle; Nook; Kobo; Smashwords Website: www.kearytaylor.com Source: ARC provided by NetGalley My rating: 
Happy Reading!
I tend to stay away from contemporary romances also, but lately I’ve been suckered into reading a few and I have really enjoyed them. I read “Anna and the French Kiss” a few weeks ago. I went in expecting to hate it and I REALLY enjoyed it. Maybe I’m on paranormal burnout.
Glad you were able to enjoy that one. I really had issue with the ending. Loved it up until then. It’s fun to explore a new area of fiction every once in a while. Glad you’re finding some contemporaries that you’re enjoying.
PS: I picked up the Scary School books for my son for Christmas (he’s 7 and absolutely sucks down books–I have NO idea where he gets THAT from ;o)) based on your review and he has adored them. Thanks!
I love contemporaries and this one sounds great! Thanks for the recommendation.
Yay! Hope you love it!
I enjoyed this one too. Thanks for sharing your review.
Glad you loved it too! Thanks for commenting! =)
Yes! This book was amazing!! And like you, I expected for Jake to somehow regain his speech. I’m so glad KTaylor chose NOT to add that to the story. I loved it! Great Review Heather!
Neyra DrkstAddictions
Yay! So glad you felt the same way! =) Thanks so much!
You convinced me. Just added it to my tbr list. Thanks for the review!
Yay! Hope you enjoy!
This one is a favorite!! It’s raw and real but there’s so much love and hope that exists with the disability:) I’m glad she kept it in, and I like how she had personal experience with deafness and used all her own emotions in the plot and characters:))
Lovely review!!
Definitely! I read that too, about the deafness, and I thought that was just so incredible! =) Thanks for commenting!
Thanks for the review! Sounds interesting!
It was! Hope you get a chance to read it!
I have been looking forward to reading this book for a while now, but I’ve pushed it back because I found that I’ve been reading a ton of depressing YA contemporary books lately and wanted to switch to more upbeat choices instead. But I feel like I may have to make an exception for this one, because it just sounds so, so good! Thanks for the review
Awesome! Enjoy it. It’s a good one!
Great review! This books sounds great and very emotional!
It was really good, Sarah. And yes, it did have me misting up several times. =)