What’s Not Said: Book Review and Giveaway

Review at a Glance

• Title: What’s Not Said
• My Rating: 3.75
• Genre: Romance
• Format: Paperback*
• Publication Date: November 12, 2019
• Author: Valerie Taylor

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What’s Not Said Book Blurb

Kassie O’Callaghan’s meticulous plans to divorce her emotionally abusive husband, Mike, and move in with Chris, a younger man she met five years ago on a solo vacation in Venice, are disrupted when she finds out Mike has chronic kidney disease—something he’s concealed from her for years. Once again, she postpones her path to freedom—at least, until she pokes around his pajama drawer and discovers his illness is the least of his deceits.

But Kassie is no angel, either. As she struggles to justify her own indiscretions, the secret lives she and Mike have led collide head-on, revealing a tangled web of sex, lies, and DNA. Still, mindful of her vows, Kassie commits to helping her husband find an organ donor. In the process, she uncovers a life-changing secret. Problem is, if she reveals it, her own immorality will be exposed, which means she has an impossible decision to make: Whose life will she save—her husband’s or her own?

Giveaway

What’s Not Said REVIEW

As a quick reminder, here is my rating structure:

• 1 star: Did not finish
• 2 Stars: Finished but I do not recommend
• 3 Stars: Liked but could use some improvements
• 4 Stars: Loved this book!
• 5 Stars: Rare. The unput-down-able, binge read obsession.

My star ratings are also based also genre based. I compare all books with books of the same genre. While I would love to believe that my love of books in general transcends all bias, there are genres I prefer over others.

I’m human.

Example: If I read a mystery novel and think it deserves a 5-star rating, then I have compared it to other mystery books, and determined it to be one of my absolute favorites. The unputdownable mystery.

This will hopefully keep me from comparing Outlander, a personal obsession of mine, with the experience of reading The Hate You Give. Both 5 star books for me, but completely and totally different. I couldn’t even try to rate them against each other, so I don’t. Makes my life easier. 🙂

My Thoughts About What’s Not Said

Can we stop for just a minute and appreciate a book that talks about love after the not so happily-ever-after?

There are tons of books focused one 20-30 years olds going through love and heartbreak to find THE ONE, then end with him putting a ring on it. But then what?

What’s Not Said comes well after that. After the vows, and the first year hardships, and the daily life up and downs, to a point where two people have (through both small and large choices) started leading separate lives. They have this history, this relationship, but do they still love each other.

Just in case you are worried, this is not what I would call an emotionally driven story about two people finding their way back to each other. Because, oh man, the drama. Soooo much happens in this twisted tale that it’s almost hard to keep up. Almost like a soap opera, but oh so yummy.

Kassie is fun because she’s a planner and things have not gone to plan in her life, but that doesn’t stop her from trying to find happiness. Kassie’s journey towards happiness is not smooth but it’s definitely a fun ride.

not a fan of…

I try to at l east talk a little about why I didn’t give a book the full 5 stars. For me, this one is about the characters. They were both so flawed, and both cheaters, so it was hard for me to get invested in their relationships. I needed more to root for to keep me going.

Recommended For…

Any romance readers, especially someone looking for romance at later stage in life than 20-something.

Thanks so much to Valerie Taylor and iRead Book Tours for my copy of What’s Not Said in exchange for an honest review.