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What I Didn't Say

by Keary Taylor (Goodreads Author)

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 2,535 ratings · 540 reviews

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...more

Paperback, 336 pages

Published April 30th 2012 by CreateSpace

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Apr 24, 2013 Leslie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, young-adult, favorites

If you know me on GR, you know I usually don't read YA books. Not because they're necessarily unenjoyable or not well written, simply because I can't always relate to the high school drama and immaturity. That being said, this story received great reviews and ratings so I decided, (in my constant search for something "different"), to take the plunge. I am very grateful I did.

Jake Hayes and his large family live on a small island off the coast of Washington state. The community is tight-knit and...more If you know me on GR, you know I usually don't read YA books. Not because they're necessarily unenjoyable or not well written, simply because I can't always relate to the high school drama and immaturity. That being said, this story received great reviews and ratings so I decided, (in my constant search for something "different"), to take the plunge. I am very grateful I did.

Jake Hayes and his large family live on a small island off the coast of Washington state. The community is tight-knit and no one does anything without EVERYONE knowing. Samantha, "Sam" is the new girl at school and catches Jake's eye right off the bat. She's smart, she's beautiful and Jake doesn't know how and is too scared to tell her about the deep feelings he's beginning to develop for her. One night, after a party involving alcohol, Jake makes a horribile decision and gets into a truck driven by an equally drunk driver. That choice changes his life forever as the accident drives a t-post into his neck, ripping out his vocal chords. Weeks later and lucky to be alive, Jake reluctantly returns to school; without his voice and with the horrific scars on his neck, as a constant reminder. Jake thinks his life is over. His love for flying, playing sports and even going into the Airforce has been permanently ripped away. However, his love for Samantha remains, and to his surprise, he finds she can offer a talent he didn't know she possessed to help his disability.

Sam's living situation, however, is a different story. Her life has been going steadily downhill since her mother's illness. The weight on her shoulders and her commitment to keep her grades up, leaves devastating affects on her physical appearance. Soon everyone notices and unfortunately for Sam, things are going to get a whole lot worse. Suddenly, for Jake, his life changing accident dosen't seem so tragic.

This book seriously surprised me. I wasn't expecting so much poignancy and depth. My GR friend, Karla, said it perfectly when she responded to one of my status updates while reading this story by saying, "It kind of punches you in the gut, dosen't it?" Wow, does it ever. I'm actually thinking this book should be required reading for all high school students. It's witty, it's tragic, it's heart wrenching, and it's a.b.s.o.l.u.t.e.l.y. lovely!(less)

28 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2012 Karla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: angst-filled, bargain-book, clean-romance, emotional, intense, spunky-girl, sweet-boy, sweet-romance, tear-jerker, teenage-drama, thought-provoking, tragic, wonderful-secondary-characters, youthful-angst

4 ½ Stars! Tragic, yet wonderful!

I read this last week, and can’t stop thinking about it. I needed a few days to get my thoughts together. Some of these YA books have such an emotional impact, and in this case it has to do with the fact that it’s told from Jake’s point-of-view. So, as he’s experiencing these life changing events, you feel them right along with him. You are not an outsider looking in, you become Jake! It was downright overwhelming, bowled me over.

Jake has liked Samantha since hi...more
4 ½ Stars! Tragic, yet wonderful!

I read this last week, and can’t stop thinking about it. I needed a few days to get my thoughts together. Some of these YA books have such an emotional impact, and in this case it has to do with the fact that it’s told from Jake’s point-of-view. So, as he’s experiencing these life changing events, you feel them right along with him. You are not an outsider looking in, you become Jake! It was downright overwhelming, bowled me over.

Jake has liked Samantha since his freshman year, but the two of them have only flirted and skirted around their attraction for one another, but never acted upon it. However, he notices at the start of their senior year that she has become somewhat distant. So, on the urging of his friends, Carter and Rain, he decides to declare his love to Sam, before he loses her forever. Problem is, they’ve been partying and shouldn’t be driving, but they do, and it becomes the biggest regret of Jake’s life.

He wakes up in the hospital and when he does, I felt like choking...I knew what was coming, but it was still like a punch in the gut and I could barely breathe!!

“I’m afraid we weren’t able to save your vocal chords.”
“You’re not going to be able to talk again.”

And so, Jake’s journey into his voiceless world begins. One of his first thoughts upon hearing this devastating news is that he never told Samantha that he loved her. I know you’re probably thinking, why would that be what matter to him the most?! BUT when you’re seventeen, or for that matter anyone who’s suffered a trauma, you think about the strangest things. He’s young and in love, so I got it. Of course he has other thoughts going through his mind and I felt all his pain and confusion as he struggled to move ahead without a voice.

I loved how Jake’s family and friends rallied around him, and in due time he realizes that they are struggling right along with him. He is encouraged to learn sign-language, but primarily uses note books to communicate…his “paper voice”. He has moments of self-pity, understandably so. Samantha becomes one of his biggest supporters and when she reveals to him the events that have changed her life, it becomes his mission to save and protect her. It’s also his “light bulb” moment…he might have lost his ability to speak, but he is more than his voice! He has loving family, great friends and a community that care about him.

The story is told as a timeline, with Jake counting down the days to specific events. As your reading, check out the chapter headings and see how they change throughout the book, they 'speak' volumes. This is my first read from this author, but I will definitely look into her other books, I loved her writing style.

** An afterthought**
I don’t know if you ever take time to read the author’s notes, but I find myself doing this more and more. Sometimes it will give you a warning about the book’s content, the inspiration for writing the book, or possibly events in the author’s own life that motivated them to put pen to paper. Such is the case with Keary Taylor. So, if you read the book, take a moment to read her story and you will see how her own experience allowed her to express Jake’s feelings so poignantly.
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May 13, 2012 ♥Rachel♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley-e-book

This was such a touching and heartwarming story. I loved it!

After getting drunk at a party one night, high-school student, Jake, gets in to a truck with his two friends. This is completely out of character for Jake, he's always listened to his parents when it came to drinking, but after the excitement of winning a game, he ignores their advice and has a few beers too many. Jake has had a long-time crush on Sam, the school braniac, and he's never told her. Being egged on by his buddies, Jake is c...more
This was such a touching and heartwarming story. I loved it!

After getting drunk at a party one night, high-school student, Jake, gets in to a truck with his two friends. This is completely out of character for Jake, he's always listened to his parents when it came to drinking, but after the excitement of winning a game, he ignores their advice and has a few beers too many. Jake has had a long-time crush on Sam, the school braniac, and he's never told her. Being egged on by his buddies, Jake is convinced to go to Sam's house to declare his undying love. Liquid courage makes this seem like a good idea, and they all pile in a truck and head over there. They end up in an accident leaving Jake with his vocal cords ripped out and him being permanently mute. Jakes whole life is turned upside down. His plans for after high school are ruined. When Jake returns to school he finds it a surprise that, Sam of all people, has been working closely with the principal to reconfigure his classes to best suit his current needs. Sam and Jake begin to get close, and he starts to see that Sam has secrets and sadness of her own. Jake finds out that his life might be bad, but others may have it worse.

This had me crying in parts, yet this wasn't a depressing story. Jake struggles with his situation. Here's what he has to say:

"There's a lot of times when I almost feel like I'm trapped inside of myself. Like if I don't talk or yell or scream, or laugh I'm going to explode. A lot of the time it almost feels like I'm suffocating."

I can't even imagine! Jake could easily drown in despair but I love how his family and friends rally around him, and show him love and normalcy. This story was sooo sweet and it had so many important lessons. It underscored the need to be grateful for what we have. Also, I loved how it showed how much helping someone else, can pick you up. Being needed by someone you love, and being able to help them is a satisfying feeling. This is where Jake and Sam bring out the best in each other! There is no frustrating love triangle, yes! The romance is a build-up and oh, so, sweet! Jake is head over heels for this girl:

"I'd developed crushes on other girls, sure, over the last three years. But it always came back to Samantha Shay. Always."

Jake and Sam have a bumpy road to recovery and love, but watching them take the journey was so enjoyable.

I couldn't write this review without mentioning the note the author leaves us with at the end. She shares something very personal, and I just want to say I'm so glad she did. It makes this book even more special knowing her experience.

Thank you to Keary Taylor and Netgalley for allowing me to read this story!
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Jan 20, 2013 Sheri rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, reviewed, buddy-reads, netgalley-read

What I Didn't Say is a captivating, emotional story. We follow the story through Jake's point of view as he comes to term with the consequences of his actions. After getting drunk with some friends one night and getting into a car accident, Jake's life is changed forever. No longer able to speak, he must learn how to come to terms with his disability and communicate again, not only with his family but with the rest of the world as well.

Through the story we watch Jake grow, although he does have...more

9 likes · like · see review

May 05, 2012 Katy rated it 5 of 5 stars

What an amazing story about how making a wrong choice can end in truly devastating lifelong consequences, overcoming the tough challenges life throws at you and fully appreciating what you have because it can always be worse.

This book was sweet - both heartbreaking AND heartwarming.

I love the characters in this book. I like how Jake and Sam felt real. I admit, Taylor may have a gone a little overboard making the situation for both Jake and Sam just downright terrible - how can it get any worse?...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 20, 2012 Tanja (Tanychy) St. Delphi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galleys, romance

Here I'm again, with my all time I'll try not to give 5 stars to every book that make me cry "problem". At the end I always manage not to listen to myself. I know that a lot of you won't agree with me about this book and yes true, maybe it doesn't deserve 5 stars and maybe the writing could've been better and so on. But I enjoyed in this book and that's the only thing that matters.

It's hard to say anything about the story as too much is said in the summary. If you, like me, don't read blurbs th...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 18, 2012 Honour rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesome-ya-reads, reviewed-by-moi, male-first-person-pov, re-readable-books

What I expected on first picking up this book --

A boy losing his voice in an accident and a love story where he wins his girl despite new obstacles originating from his own insecurities and social scrutiny. Basically a story about a boy learning not only to accept his disability but to triumph inspite of it. Heart warming stuff. I want to read!

What I got halfway through the book --

Everything I expected above PLUS a parallel emerging storyline about Sam - this girl he's trying to win. He's won he...more

5 likes · like · see review

Aug 14, 2012 rameau rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley, ya, vapid-insipid-divas-and-ingenues, twilight-esque, theory-good-practice-not

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I’m done. I’m just so done.

Lately, apparently, I’ve been drawn to books where the main character has some kind of disability. There was Seraphina where the main character was half human, half dragon and disfigured with scales, and then there was Sight Unseen, a promising m/m romance that ended up just being just an offending mess to all blind people (at least in the opinion of this sighted person).

So, naturally, when I saw this book about a boy who loses his ability to speak, I was intrigued. Re...more

2 likes · like · see review

May 23, 2012 Eunice rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-netgalley-edelweiss, contemporary, death-tragedy-suicide, male-pov, out-2012, realistic-fiction, tear-jerking, taught-me-lessons, young-adult, ya-romance

3.5 stars

After reading the blurb I thought it was a heavy read. Because, you see, it involves some devastating and depressing incidents. But surprisingly it was not, in fact it was actually a pretty light read but with great in depth lessons. I was touched and moved by this story and although I think I get a bit teary-eyed on some parts it wasn't really a depressing story.

Jake's story was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. And I couldn't help but be impressed by this boy and by th...more

6 likes · like · see review

Nov 20, 2012 Lex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, chick-lit, stand-alone, netgalley

Wow. Just. Wow. I'm speechless. Again. I don't read the summary, so I don't know what this one is all about when I started reading it. But there's something that captured my interest in the beginning of the book. I can't quite name it but I know that I should read it all.

I was devastated when the accident happened to Jake. And because of that accident, he could no longer talk since his vocal chords was removed because it was severely damaged and irreparable. That is really hard. Not being able t...more

1 like · like · see review

Jul 11, 2012 Purcheria rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-on-my-e-reader, contemporary, romance, emotional-baggage

Can't say this was a favorite, but it was enjoyable enough. The story was okay and the message in this book is a message that I think a lot of kids in high school should know. It is hard to have to deal with a disability, even harder if you're in high school dealing with it. Because the truth of the matter is that kids can be harsh, they can be mean and at times downright nasty.
However I think that the reason I did not fully enjoy this book was because the story was told a bit "softly", for lac...more

1 like · like · see review

May 28, 2013 Nicole Naranjo rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a great story and one I think a lot of teens and young adults should read. I was able to relate to some of the tragedy in the book, only instead of not being able to talk I lost friends(4 to be exact while I was in high school). This just goes to show that we need to tell the people in our lives how we feel about them each and every day because you never know what tomorrow holds. Ok on to the story. I loved the going back and forth at the beginning of the book, giving us a lil backgroun...more

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May 15, 2013 Melody McBride rated it 5 of 5 stars

Holy cheese balls, this was a great book. I got this for free on my Kindle, and from the synopsis, I thought it would be a lighter read, even if there was a huge accident that changed the main character's whole life. I wasn't expecting what I got at all. And let me tell you, I LOVED what I got!

I don't want to say too much, but I might burst! Jake had a full life ahead of him and life was great - until he got in a car accident that ripped his vocal cords out. He will always have a nasty scar on h...more

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May 04, 2013 Heidi R. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Outstanding, well written story.

Goodreads Synopsis (because I cannot find adequate words to write for this review):

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 ta...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I unabashedly loved "What I Didn't Say" and highly recommend it to everyone. It has well rounded characters, a charming romance, and a great moral.

"What I Didn't Say" is the story of Jake, a high school senior with good reputation in a small town. Jake's been in love with Samantha, or "Sam" for ages but was always to scared to tell her. One night Jake makes a decision that alters the course of his life forever, full of liquid courage Jake hops in a car with his drunk friends to go see Sam and f...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Anna Marie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Jake is a popular kid who gets drunk, decides to go with his drunk football buddies to declare his love to the smartest girl in school (Samantha), and doesn't make it there. Instead, a T-post ends up thru his vocal cords... which renders him mute. Two weeks (yes TWO WEEKS) later, he's out of the hospital - no indication that he was ever on a trach tube, a barely cursory mention of a feeding tube (with no details as to how that went or for how long), no mention of catheter (although he's unconsci...more Jake is a popular kid who gets drunk, decides to go with his drunk football buddies to declare his love to the smartest girl in school (Samantha), and doesn't make it there. Instead, a T-post ends up thru his vocal cords... which renders him mute. Two weeks (yes TWO WEEKS) later, he's out of the hospital - no indication that he was ever on a trach tube, a barely cursory mention of a feeding tube (with no details as to how that went or for how long), no mention of catheter (although he's unconscious four days in the hospital)... it was BADLY done, from a medical standpoint. He just wakes, pops up like a daisy, and goes back to his life. It was extremely hard to believe, considering that the throat is such a vital part of the body (for speech, eating... BREATHING, etc.)

Samantha knows ASL because for a month (?!) a 'relative' couldn't hear (I think... it was a very vague explanation, involving brain cancer, r'something.), and she's proficient from that month. *Right*. So she's super-signer extraordinaire, and is going to teach him (out of a BOOK, for pity's sake) how to sign. (The quicker, better, easier crash-course to learn would be 'Signing Time' videos, which our libraries all carry.) No wonder he doesn't catch on! And yet she's uber-genius, who is taking all (((five))) AP classes and going for a full-ride scholarship while holding no school officer positions, participating in no sports, and doing no community service acts. Yeah. Okay... that would NEVER happen.

Sam's personal life also has issues. Most of which are not addressed very well. ((SPOILERS BEGIN)) Her mother died six months ago, and somehow child services had a 'mix up' (?!) and she wasn't taken to her grandparents OR her dad... she's living in a travel trailer off the electricity from cabins empty for the winter. Except that people turn OFF the power when they leave, hello. LOTS of loopholes on that angle, and people only notice something's wrong because she's looking 'shabby'. I have shirts that are 25 years old... you don't look 'shabby' after six months. It was just... a lot of nonsensical things that weren't explained and some that were skipped entirely. Like where she was getting her food from for six MONTHS. Or how Jake is able to work eight side jobs for his ex-boss in something like three weeks in order to buy Sam a whole new wardrobe. *gag*

I was hesitant to shred this author's attempt, because she has experience with a disability that caused communication losses. On the other hand, that doesn't mean the story was good, or that she's able to write a plausible (or passable) novel... and doesn't equal opportunity mean across-the-board honesty, regardless of ability/race/creed? The story was 'meh' at best... regardless of Ms. Taylor's personal experiences. There was definitely a reason this one was free on Amazon. The only reason I gave it two stars was because there wasn't a lot of pity or teen angst. Otherwise it would've been a solid, single star.(less)

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Apr 23, 2013 Lauren Rodrigues rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh my God!
This book has overwhelmed my feelings. I absolutely fell in love with Jake from the very first line and through the book and I fell harder and deeper. It was REFRESHING to see a YA with make point of view, and I felt the way he was describing his feelings matched perfectly a seventeen-year-old boy whose life was marked by a terrible accident in which he felt conflicted on blaming himself, his best friends, alcohol, and even the girl he loved for three years.
I loved how he could express...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Carie rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 for this one. I really liked the book, but I thought it was a bit long-winded and slow-moving at times. It also had a number of editing issues--misspelled, extra, or missing words--which were distracting. But, the book did really hold my interest and I cared about the characters. I was a little disappointed that, as the book progressed, it became more about Sam’s issues than Jake’s, as I was really interested in his struggles, how things changed for him, and how he would adjust his future pl...more 3.5 for this one. I really liked the book, but I thought it was a bit long-winded and slow-moving at times. It also had a number of editing issues--misspelled, extra, or missing words--which were distracting. But, the book did really hold my interest and I cared about the characters. I was a little disappointed that, as the book progressed, it became more about Sam’s issues than Jake’s, as I was really interested in his struggles, how things changed for him, and how he would adjust his future plans, etc. I cared about Sam, too, but I was disappointed that there was so much focus on her that Jake’s problems were kind of glossed over and forgotten a bit as the story went along. This may have been intentional in the story, too, since the author made some wonderful points about looking outside of one’s own problems and appreciating what you have, but I wish we’d had more focus on Jake anyway ((view spoiler) I wanted more about how his dreams and plans for the future were modified to fit his new situation). But, I did really like Jake and Sam and Jake’s awesome family (particularly his mother and sister, Jordan). I loved what good, decent people Jake and his family were!! I also liked the details and depth given to many of the other characters and the fascinating setting on an island in Washington State.

This book is pretty clean, too. I don’t remember any swearing and, though there’s some drinking and partying, the story is very cautionary and shows the affects and results this behavior can have if you’re not careful. There were a few steamy moments with the couple, but nothing is graphic or goes very far. Overall, this is a good, sweet romance with a wonderful message. The author’s notes at the end added more meaning to the story, too, and really made me think and appreciate what I have.
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Mar 12, 2013 Jenn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: y-a

There is quite a bit to like in this story but then there's quite a bit to not.

First - the typos. It was hard to get past the typos. Really hard especially when Principal kept switching back and forth with principle like it was a tennis match on which word would be the chosen one. Plurals had apostrophes. And the villainess' black heals clicked on a floor. All I could think was - get an editor.

Then...get another.

I'm not sure if it's entirely possible for someone to have their vocal chords skewer...more There is quite a bit to like in this story but then there's quite a bit to not.

First - the typos. It was hard to get past the typos. Really hard especially when Principal kept switching back and forth with principle like it was a tennis match on which word would be the chosen one. Plurals had apostrophes. And the villainess' black heals clicked on a floor. All I could think was - get an editor.

Then...get another.

I'm not sure if it's entirely possible for someone to have their vocal chords skewered. I don't know if they can be surgically removed but I did have to wonder how he didn't bleed out after getting t-post embedded in his throat. First I had to look up what a t-post was because I'm not entirely sure what it is. Upon visiting wikipedia I now know which kinda made the accident not make a lot of sense. But back to him not bleeding out. He doesn't live on the mainland and there's no hospital on the island. It took his mom three hours to take him to the hospital when he had a fever so I'm assuming it took that long though there would be no ambulance. Unless one was sent for then we're looking at 6 hours. Unless he was flown in on a medical chopper. But...how did he not bleed out? Because yeah...that seems pretty possible. Then I got curious as to exactly where the vocal chords are in the body and let's just say that made me see a lot of horrible images on Google (don't do it!). Did you know that they look an awful lot like a vagina? Just saying...

So all my technical issues aside...what did I think of the story? It was cute if not a little...lecturey. Even the back blurb felt a little lecturey to me with the first line Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea Well I don't know about never. There are dumber ideas. Like him getting drunk on 3 bears but hey I get loopy on a couple of vodka cokes so who am I to judge? Then there was the entire football season being canceled because teens go drunk...doing what they apparently have been doing on Orcas for decades. Then there was the we pledge to not drink this year. Then there was her drunken father. By the end of the book I needed a glass of wine just to remind myself that alcohol wasn't the tool of the devil. (tasty)

I liked Jake. Watching him adapt and change was rather impressive. Though I really wish I knew what his new dream had been - aside from Sam - when he couldn't fly anymore. I liked Samantha and wished I could've actually seen more of her through her own eyes, because that girl was going through some major stuff. I just don't know if I liked them together. It never quite seemed to gel for me. Like they were these two characters, having a hellish year, and so naturally they had to be paired up.

The notes though. I loved those moments where they shared with each other because they were actually communicating, showing very real pieces of themselves.

There were some great moments in this book but they just felt buried beneath the issues that plagued me as I read it.(less)

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Mar 11, 2013 Connie Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book! Definitly a 5 barbell rating. I especially appreciated this book because it was set in the Pacific Northwest, where I was raised and on Orcas Island, where my husband and I spent our first year Anniversary. Yeah! This book grabs you from the get go. Although the chapter time line was a bit confusing in the beginning but I got the hang of it. Jake is the main character and after a horrific accident he loses his vocal cords. The story takes you through his trials trying to communi...more

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Jan 18, 2013 Samantha rated it 5 of 5 stars

The first thoughts are OH MY GOODNESS!!! When I found this book on Goodreads, I knew I had to read it. One I had a very good friend of mine that came very close to losing her life due to drunk driving while we were in High School, and almost ten years later she's almost back to her old self. When reading this books I know they are going to be emotionally up and down, if the author does it correctly the reader will be pulled and made to experience every heart melting/breaking, gut wrenching momen...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Lea rated it 4 of 5 stars

**Includes spoilers***

I liked it, but I didn't love it! It's a great young adult contemporary, but it's not the best I've read, yet, it's very interesting, cause' it focuses on a romance involving the disability of being mute, which truly captured me.

I read this book in seven hours or so - it's really easy to read! Definitely worth reading, but it wasn't an earth-shattering, heartbreaking book that broke my heart and picked up the pieces again.

My main issue, according to me, was, that it was a...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Kindaslick added it

Shelves: abandoned, ugh

Ok. Good idea. Intriguing but there be problems here.

First, if the boy's vocal cords are ripped out of his body.. i.e. GONE. Boy can not groan in pain. Go ahead. Try and groan without using your vocal cords. I'll wait.

...

...

See? Not possible. All your doing is pushing air silently back and forth through your windpipe.

Second, this whole shtick on the alcohol was annoying. I was getting the impression that I was being lectured. I'll spin this story back to you. Guy who has had a total of 3 beers i...more

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Dec 27, 2012 Alicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: boy, romance, dysfunctional

This book is so quietly endearing that I almost want to give it five stars. While there is a level of cliche, the story unfolds rather uneventfully and focuses almost equally on Samantha and Jake's issues that it reinforces a few of life's lessons: there are always people in worse situations, so be grateful for what you have, help others as it not only helps them but makes you feel better, and love does conquer all.

Jake loses his vocal chords (I wonder, is this a truthful representation?) and h...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Brandee Price rated it 4 of 5 stars

I ended up liking this book more than I thought I would at page 50. I had very high expectations for this book. The storyline was very intriguing and I thought it would be a very compelling and emotionally draining read. It’s about a boy who, after a tragic accident, loses his ability to speak. And he has major regrets about not having said some things. He also has to learn to deal with new insecurities and figuring out a new path for his life since his injury prevents him from following the one...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Peg rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: disabilities, realistic, sj, survival, young-adult

I found this a mixed bag. It certainly was an intriguing story; Jake had real issues to face after his accident and Sam's life was collapsing around her. Their relationship was genuine, as was Jake's with his family. But it is hard to believe that Jake never had words with Carter and that the two friends didn't show more remorse over the accident.
I also found it hard to believe that no one knew what was going on with Sam in such a small town. Where were the teachers in all this? It sounds like s...more

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Sep 18, 2012 BookHookup rated it 4 of 5 stars

All. The. Emotions. I felt them all! This book takes you from the highest highs to the lowest lows and never…I repeat, never…gives you any warning about how you’ll feel next. These characters experience so much and, even though there are many times where they can rightfully wallow in their sorrow, they’re too strong for that. So, the reader (read: me) cries with them and laughs with them but also prepares to move on, somehow gaining strength from their tenacity and their relationships.

I have to...more All. The. Emotions. I felt them all! This book takes you from the highest highs to the lowest lows and never…I repeat, never…gives you any warning about how you’ll feel next. These characters experience so much and, even though there are many times where they can rightfully wallow in their sorrow, they’re too strong for that. So, the reader (read: me) cries with them and laughs with them but also prepares to move on, somehow gaining strength from their tenacity and their relationships.

I have to admit that I expected this entire story to be about Jake. After all, that’s what the synopsis seems to imply. Jake gets into a car accident and, due to his injuries, is left mute. The obstacles he has to face after that are easily a story unto themselves. How will he go on living his life? How will he fit in with his family and friends? How will this affect his future? As readers, we’re ready to see how he gets through it. But, as he begins to tell us his story, we discover that he’s got something else on his mind…Samantha. Although never speaking again is unthinkable, never telling her he loves her is unbearable. He’s loved her forever and she doesn’t know it. And that’s not how he wants it to end. So, we have a second storyline to focus on…the relationship. Because of Jake’s reluctance to live his life without her, we meet Samantha. She’s a very smart girl with big dreams for her future and secrets of her very own. Secrets? Yes! So, we fall in love with her and then, well, we have three stories in one.

The author did an absolutely great job of intertwining these characters, their stories and their friends and families. The secondary characters provide us with the humor we need at times in the story and make our hearts swell as they provide Jake and Sam with the support and love they need. Everyone in this story has a reason to be there and adds something to the plot or storyline. That is very refreshing. And speaking of out-of-the-ordinary plot elements, Jake and Sam are independent, strong and intelligent in their own right. Their relationship does not make them who they are but actually enhances their individuality.

And that’s why I laughed and cried and moped and had heart palpitations. It’s why I recommend this book. It’s why I’m sad that, for the first time in a very long time, I’ve just read a book that is not part of a series. I connected with these characters and it’s unfortunate that I won’t see them again…that is, until I reread this book!!(less)

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Sep 14, 2012 Kayla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, kept-me-guessing, lovely-characters, read-in-2012, review-copy, romance, young-adult

I was really, really interested in the entire concept of this book because I've always wondered what it'd be like to take something for granted and have it abruptly taken away one day. Luckily I haven't experienced this thus far (though I think I'm getting more appreciative of little, everyday things!) but Jake does when he makes a few bad decisions and wakes up in the hospital, told that he'll never be able to speak again. And what would it really be like to have all those words to say and have...more

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Sep 04, 2012 Jaden rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: gosh... everyone!

Shelves: contemporary, romance, young-adult

How easy is it to dream? To plan out the future perfectly? To postpone things because you didn't want or didn't dare to do them right then and there? And yet, how awfully easy it is for your whole world to crumble and shatter in a single moment.

Jake Hayes attends his last year of highschool. He plans to study, play football and perhaps confess sometime to the girl who's captured his eye and heart. And after graduating, he will join the Air Force, because flying is fascinating him and the one thi...more How easy is it to dream? To plan out the future perfectly? To postpone things because you didn't want or didn't dare to do them right then and there? And yet, how awfully easy it is for your whole world to crumble and shatter in a single moment.

Jake Hayes attends his last year of highschool. He plans to study, play football and perhaps confess sometime to the girl who's captured his eye and heart. And after graduating, he will join the Air Force, because flying is fascinating him and the one thing he wants to do with all his might for the rest of his life. What he hasn't planned is getting involved in a car accident, that will rip his dreams away from him, along with his vocal chords.

Samantha Shay moved with her single mother to the island right before the first year of senior highschool started. She mostly keeps to herself, but enjoys studying all kinds of school subjects and spending time with her mother and few friends. After graduating, she will get a full scholarship and expand her education in the university of her choice. Or so she thought, until her mother died and she was about to be forced to leave behind her life at the island and her dreams of achieving her goals. Her only option: hiding.

Those two teenagers go through a dramatic change in their lives, both physically and emotionally, yet somehow they manage to pull through day by day. They help and support each other on so many levels, that their bonding and getting together isn't surprising at all.

What came as a surprise though, was that the whole book was written from Jake's point of view. Moreover, each chapter starts off with a countdown that - at least in my case - makes you nervous and anxious about what is going to happen when it reaches point zero. Sometimes the countdown switches, and you realize that the focus of the story and the priorities of the leads have shifted.

I think there was nothing about this book that I did not like. I loved the childishness and maturity of the characters. I loved the story being a non-sappy, romantic one despite the odds. I loved how such a small community contained all kinds of people - good, polite, caring, cold... wicked- and they all played a vital role. And I fell in love with everyone's thinking and reasoning, regardless their motives or whether they were right or wrong about them.

It was a simple story, about simple people going through tough times, and Keary Taylor made it all shine without being pompous or awfully dramatic. "What I Didn't Say" left me happy and emotionally drained in the best way possible. It will make you feel grateful and stronger. It will make you want to re-evaluate life, and either keep going, or start anew without being afraid and holding back.

Certainly a book with a message to convey, and one I would gladly recommend to... everyone.(less)

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Sep 02, 2012 waterbaby786 rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This is a brave story of a brave soul written by a brave author. Definitely going in my favorites for sure.
This YA tells of a young ambitious Jake who dreams of flying the skies after his graduation for his country. Only his dreams tragically come to a crash landing when he infect meets with an unfortunate accident that steal his voice along with his confidence and will to move on.
There's so much in this book for everyone. Young, old the likes. I recommend this to all and I'm sure every one wil...more

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About Keary Taylor

Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now resides on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two young children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. She is the author of THE EDEN TRILOGY, the FALL OF AN...more

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“My biggest regret is what I didn’t say… (Jake)” — 27 people liked it

“It felt like this was never going to end. The world wasn't going to stop crashing down until there was nothing left of me but dust.” — 26 people liked it

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