vwannamaker's review
5.0
From the start, this book was very attention-grabbing. This author knows how to reel you in with a good story from the start. From drama, you see in everyday family dynamics to trauma brought on by bad situations. I will recommend this book on my Instagram as of November 2nd. This book will have people losing their minds over the ending and have some rethinking their lives. This was a new author for me and I will continue to look for future books. The writing style is fun and fast paced. You are never left hanging.
swingfield201's review
I really wanted to like this book. Some of the characters are likeable the writing is good but the story felt forced and not enjoyable.
ashleyyjo12's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
andersonh92's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really liked this one! What a different perspective with the high-powered, successful villain. Sexual harassment and assault can also happen to men. Loved this perspective!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
ayearinbookswithzoe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
patmcbau's review
3.0
Arc Book Review
What We Never Say
A Novel Written By Paulette Stout
Fiction - Drama
Published 2022
343 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book deals with a very serious issue- sexual abuse/assault.
Rebecca Sloane and Kyle Dillon are the two main characters. One of them is a victim of sexual assault which has been kept a secret. Despite living together and being in a relationship, the victim has not revealed the secret to the other. There is a focus on the shame and guilt victims of sexual assault/abuse face. The victim finally receives therapy after being honest about the assault. The abuser is in a high profile powerful position. This makes revealing the abuser difficult. To complicate matters, the other partner in this relationship starts to work for the abuser.
The author should be applauded for taking on a difficult subject matter in this book. There were a few subplot lines occurring in this book - family wedding, cranky bride to be. I’m not sure all were necessary.
“…some secrets are poison. Best to lance and flush out, so healing can begin.”
“Evil needs only for good men to do nothing.”
What We Never Say
A Novel Written By Paulette Stout
Fiction - Drama
Published 2022
343 Pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book deals with a very serious issue- sexual abuse/assault.
Rebecca Sloane and Kyle Dillon are the two main characters. One of them is a victim of sexual assault which has been kept a secret. Despite living together and being in a relationship, the victim has not revealed the secret to the other. There is a focus on the shame and guilt victims of sexual assault/abuse face. The victim finally receives therapy after being honest about the assault. The abuser is in a high profile powerful position. This makes revealing the abuser difficult. To complicate matters, the other partner in this relationship starts to work for the abuser.
The author should be applauded for taking on a difficult subject matter in this book. There were a few subplot lines occurring in this book - family wedding, cranky bride to be. I’m not sure all were necessary.
“…some secrets are poison. Best to lance and flush out, so healing can begin.”
“Evil needs only for good men to do nothing.”
meganashlee27's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What We Never Say is a complicated tale of ambition and the challenges faced along the way. Rebecca is the author of an anonymous blog, until she gets noticed by a major fashion magazine that would like to feature her work. The only problem is that her boyfriend Kyle has a complicated history with the editor in chief. Now Kyle has to make a decision about his past, while trying to protect Rebecca from scrutiny as well.
For me, this book happened in phases. The first half of this book I was a little bored. The story didn’t seem to flow, and it just didn’t engage me. The second half is when it started to redeem itself for me. I felt happy about the way that Rebecca and Kyle were able to support each other through the challenges they faced. But there were some tough themes here, including sexual assault, seeking therapy and help to recover from trauma, and blackmail and manipulation. If you’re ok with reading those topics, I’d recommend checking this one out. Overall I’d give it 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
For me, this book happened in phases. The first half of this book I was a little bored. The story didn’t seem to flow, and it just didn’t engage me. The second half is when it started to redeem itself for me. I felt happy about the way that Rebecca and Kyle were able to support each other through the challenges they faced. But there were some tough themes here, including sexual assault, seeking therapy and help to recover from trauma, and blackmail and manipulation. If you’re ok with reading those topics, I’d recommend checking this one out. Overall I’d give it 3.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
rachelkay1821's review
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley, author Paulette Stout, and Smith Publicity for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
What We Never Say said about 100000 too many things, making this a hard read. Told from 3 different perspectives, it felt oftentimes like I was reading that many or more different books. I appreciated the story line regarding male sexual assault survivors, as that is not something that is talked about enough. However, the chemistry between the two main characters felt non-existent most of the time, and I didn't like having a perspective from the abuser, as it added nothing significant to the story. The weird side plot of a family wedding was distracting, as were so many other descriptions of events throughout. The writing was amateur, and the book felt way too long, making this ultimately a miss. Great concept but poor execution.
What We Never Say said about 100000 too many things, making this a hard read. Told from 3 different perspectives, it felt oftentimes like I was reading that many or more different books. I appreciated the story line regarding male sexual assault survivors, as that is not something that is talked about enough. However, the chemistry between the two main characters felt non-existent most of the time, and I didn't like having a perspective from the abuser, as it added nothing significant to the story. The weird side plot of a family wedding was distracting, as were so many other descriptions of events throughout. The writing was amateur, and the book felt way too long, making this ultimately a miss. Great concept but poor execution.
oracle_of_madness's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc.
I really wish I could have liked this more. Especially because it is about an intriguing topic and something that I believe needs to be talked about more. As a woman, I get to see my story told in many books concerning SA, but I know this happens to men as well and I've always wished there were more inclusion for them in this topic.
So I liked the topic in a very just "we need to talk about this," way. What I really didn't love were the characters personalities and that the story itself just didn't feel completely full to me.
I really must applaud this author for tackling this subject and I really hope there is a lot more writing on this to come!
Out November 1, 2022!
I really wish I could have liked this more. Especially because it is about an intriguing topic and something that I believe needs to be talked about more. As a woman, I get to see my story told in many books concerning SA, but I know this happens to men as well and I've always wished there were more inclusion for them in this topic.
So I liked the topic in a very just "we need to talk about this," way. What I really didn't love were the characters personalities and that the story itself just didn't feel completely full to me.
I really must applaud this author for tackling this subject and I really hope there is a lot more writing on this to come!
Out November 1, 2022!
lulimaffeo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
2.5
OMG This book was really something!
It really explored, and very well done, some incredibly interesting and complicated subjects.
To be honest, if I knew exactly what the book was about, I don't know if I would've read it, from a completely biased point, but I am SO glad I did.
I think it's fresh. It explores sexual themes and abuse from the male perspective, which I don't think its done enough, without taking away the female experience. Rebecca's experience and sexual awakening that gave her newfound confidence is a great way to parallel Jane's ""confidence"". Both women feel empowered, but only one is doing it right, this way. it shows so clearly how you can be empowered without pushing someone, instead, its by uplifting someone.
It also touches a lot on social media and how it has an effect on these types of topics and stories.
I also liked Kyle and Rebecca's relationship. Again, not a lover of having a relationship bloom out of the story and having to belive these characters are in love, I really love the buildup of it. But it works here, because the build up is shown by the transition of this couple from their honeymoon period into life partners, and its truely something more intimate and a beautiful thing to love. --> update: I didn't know this was sort of a sequel, will be checking it later!!
Surprisingly, ALL the secondary characters are really well done and have different bright personalities, each one with a tiny story. Loved Libyy, Rebecca's friends and Visaj.
Now, what I didn't like:
There are some typos or some writing mistakes, enough to make me notice. There is a scene even when the narrator's voice turns into first person instead of the usual third person.
I also didn't like having that many POVs or I would've liked less switches.
The other thing I felt weak was how easily everything was solved. It all went down terribly and suddenly, two pages after, everything was ok and fixed! Weird.
It really explored, and very well done, some incredibly interesting and complicated subjects.
To be honest, if I knew exactly what the book was about, I don't know if I would've read it, from a completely biased point, but I am SO glad I did.
I think it's fresh. It explores sexual themes and abuse from the male perspective, which I don't think its done enough, without taking away the female experience. Rebecca's experience and sexual awakening that gave her newfound confidence is a great way to parallel Jane's ""confidence"". Both women feel empowered, but only one is doing it right, this way. it shows so clearly how you can be empowered without pushing someone, instead, its by uplifting someone.
It also touches a lot on social media and how it has an effect on these types of topics and stories.
I also liked Kyle and Rebecca's relationship. Again, not a lover of having a relationship bloom out of the story and having to belive these characters are in love, I really love the buildup of it. But it works here, because the build up is shown by the transition of this couple from their honeymoon period into life partners, and its truely something more intimate and a beautiful thing to love. --> update: I didn't know this was sort of a sequel, will be checking it later!!
Surprisingly, ALL the secondary characters are really well done and have different bright personalities, each one with a tiny story. Loved Libyy, Rebecca's friends and Visaj.
Now, what I didn't like:
There are some typos or some writing mistakes, enough to make me notice. There is a scene even when the narrator's voice turns into first person instead of the usual third person.
I also didn't like having that many POVs or I would've liked less switches.
The other thing I felt weak was how easily everything was solved. It all went down terribly and suddenly, two pages after, everything was ok and fixed! Weird.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
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