Everything Left Unsaid

Feb 19, 2013 Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary-romance, made-me-emotional

This isn't real This isn't real This isn't real

Those were Juliet's words. Here are mine.

Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute.
Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. Sweet.
Nerve-wracking. Nerve-wracking. Nerve-wracking.
Adorable. Adorable. Adorable. Adorable. Adorable. Adorable.
Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary. Scary.
Emotional. Emotional. Emotional. Emotional. Emotional.
Gut-wrenching. Gut-wrenching. Gut-wrenching. Gut-wrenchi...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Wendy Darling rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussies, 2012-publication, young-adult, realistic-fiction, read-2012, made-my-heart-hurt, male-pov

Well, I don't know what to say. Despite weepy reactions from a few friends, I didn't cry at all as I was reading this book, although I certainly felt a great deal of sympathy for the two young lovers who have to deal with one of them becoming terminally ill.

But 15 minutes after I finished the novel, I suddenly found myself bawling over something totally unrelated for no good reason at all. Bawling, as in I couldn't stop for a long time, despite my best efforts to control myself. Even though I'm...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Mandee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, aussie, contemporary-fiction, for-review, i-have-a-copy, pan-macmillan, realistic-fiction, ya-lit, august2012release, aussieya2012, aww2012, grab-a-box-of-tissues, favourite-authors, favourites, cancer, high-school

Juliet and Tai are sixteen years old and in their final year of high school at Eden Grammar. They live in Brookston, a fictional suburb set in Australia. They've been best friends their entire lives, and while they each like the other as more than a friend, neither have admitted it, until now. They finally get together only to find out that Tai is sick, really sick and probably only has a year to live.

I was so happy when I received a copy of Everything Left Unsaid by Jessica Davidson. When I rea...more Juliet and Tai are sixteen years old and in their final year of high school at Eden Grammar. They live in Brookston, a fictional suburb set in Australia. They've been best friends their entire lives, and while they each like the other as more than a friend, neither have admitted it, until now. They finally get together only to find out that Tai is sick, really sick and probably only has a year to live.

I was so happy when I received a copy of Everything Left Unsaid by Jessica Davidson. When I read Australian contemporary YA fiction, everything feels right in the world and reading this book reminded me a lot of my time in high school (minus the friend getting terminally ill).

The story is split between Juliet and Tai's perspectives and I loved being able to get to know both of them. Juliet has finally found the courage to tell Tai how she feels, even though he's dating someone else, but lucky for her, Tai feels the same way. They were too afraid to admit their feelings which is understandable, who would want to ruin such a strong and long-standing friendship? But then Tai is taken to the doctor after suffering from chronic headaches and he's diagnosed with cancer. I debated whether or not I would reveal that but I think anyone reading the blurb will have already figured it out, as I did. He's given a year to live and put on medication to try and help but the doctors have told him there's not a lot they can do.

I really felt for Tai, he's been looking forward to graduating from high school, he's finally dating Juliet, he's planning for Schoolies, uni and then to study abroad and now all his plans have been ruined. To top it off he feels guilty because he really doesn't see the point in treatment when it's going to make him sicker and there is no chance for a prolonged life. But he endures the treatment, including minor surgery and chemo because he doesn't want to let his parents and younger brothers down. His doctor recommends he see a psychologist and he's able to get these feelings off his chest because he doesn't feel like anyone else is really listening to him. He's overwhelmed by the decisions he has to make, should he stay in school, should he have surgery, should he be buried or cremated? His psych suggests he make a list of things he'd like to do before he dies and his top priority is to go on a holiday without his family.

Juliet is so happy to finally be dating Tai and she notices that since they've started dating, she's finding it harder and harder to concentrate on anything else, even her final year at school. This feeling is heightened once she finds out he has cancer. She wants to spend as much time with him as possible and can't understand why her mum is still forcing her to go to school and pick out universities when all she can think about is that she will be losing her best friend and boy friend in twelve months time. Like Tai, she has some close friends who are there for her but slowly she finds herself drifting away from them but they are good friends and are still there for her when she needs them.

It's hard to talk about loving a book that is so bittersweet but I really did love this story. No, it's not anything new, this is the third book I've read in less than a year, about a teen diagnosed with cancer and I knew we had three possible endings (death, remission, open-ended) and I think Jessica's ending felt very realistic. The high school setting reminded me of being a teen, the stress of final year, being forced to wear our uniform correctly (this included hats on in public, ag!) and boys taking my mind of studying.

Everything Left Unsaid is a bittersweet story of best friends, first loves and a young man's battle with a terminal illness. It has a classic Australian feel to it and I know it will please fans of contemporary YA fiction.

Thank you to the wonderful people at Pan Macmillan for my review copy. Everything Left Unsaid will be published in August this year and will be available in local book shops and online stores.(less)

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Jul 27, 2012 Good Golly Miss Holly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: keepers

There isn't much you need to know about this book before I recommend you go out and buy a copy. Everything Left Unsaid is such an addictive and refreshingly realistic novel that I feel it could be enjoyed by almost anyone.

Tai and Juliet have been best friends since kindy but only just discover a romantic fondness for each-other in their final year of school when graduation and uni are on the cards and a semi-adult life is about to begin. All of this comes to a sudden halt when Tai finally goes...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall, Jessica Davidson's novel EVERYTHING LEFT UNSAID is something of a bittersweet read and many readers will connect with it one way or another! With a story all about first loves, bestfriends, friendships and a one person's battle of terminal illness that will change everything around them, I would highly recommend this book to everyone because it was a brilliant read and made me want to cry in the best possible way!

Full review: http://talesoftheinnerbookfanatic.blo...

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Jan 26, 2013 Stacie ~ paid the price for badassery rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: heart-wrenching, loss, romance, traveling-book, ya

This book reminded me a lot of The Fault in Our Stars. Cancer separating two young lovebirds. The difference was the point of view and language. The Fault in Our Stars was all from Hazel's point of view where this was from both Juliet and Tai's view. The Fault in Our Stars had amazing language and a distinct voice. Hazel and Gus were truly kids growing up with cancer. Everything Left Unsaid had typical teenage language. It was realistic towards the drinking, partying, and school life of the aver...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Steph Bowe rated it 5 of 5 stars

I can't read novels about dying teenagers anymore. I just can't. I've reached my limit. (I think writing a novel about a dying teenager didn't really help.) That said, Everything Left Unsaid is beautifully written and sweet and thoughtful. As well as being, naturally, incredibly depressing. This is a good book to read if you want to have a good cry, but then afterwards you should probably read something light and uplifting and not-at-all serious.

One of the more remarkable things about this novel...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Miffy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: australian, grief, romance, relationships, ya

Everything Left Unsaid is based around a year in the lives of Juliet and Tai. Juliet and Tai have been best friends since pre-school. They've scraped their knees together, gotten into trouble together, gone to school together, and now, in their last year of school, they are falling in love together.
Part of life is death and, this year, Juliet and Tai are going to find out all about how fragile life really is and what really matters.
Jessica Davidson's second novel is competently and compellingly...more Everything Left Unsaid is based around a year in the lives of Juliet and Tai. Juliet and Tai have been best friends since pre-school. They've scraped their knees together, gotten into trouble together, gone to school together, and now, in their last year of school, they are falling in love together.
Part of life is death and, this year, Juliet and Tai are going to find out all about how fragile life really is and what really matters.
Jessica Davidson's second novel is competently and compellingly written - I stayed awake until 1am reading and crying right to the end. That said, the way that the teachers and the school react to Tai diagnosis, and subsequently Juliet's needs, didn't feel quite right to me (I work in a school and think that the school would have been much more involved than was represented here), and the tone of the book is unremittingly dark and despairing. From the opening page:

"Tai's laughing...He's standing so close to me i can see the scar on his eyebrow from the time we jumped off the roof of his house, holding umbrellas in an attempt to fly. Hi grins, before slowly, purposefully, breathing on me, on tat tender spot where collarbone and neck meet. Once he's done with the germ-sharing he pulls back, flicking his hair out of his eyes, preening. It took him three weeks to convince his mum to let him get that haircut, the kind with the slanty fringe that hangs into his eyes on one side. She's till not convinced, but he loves it, and has started using my sunnies as a mirror to make sure it looks okay."

This Tai sounds fun; he sounds like he loves life, and will risk life and limb to be fun and daring, and has the persistence to spend three weeks convincing his mum to let him get his hair cut. From the moment Tai receives the news of his illness from his doctor he becomes morose and basically gives up, which is not how I thought that the character introduced at the start of the book would have reacted.
Juliet's passive acceptance of the new Tai was frustrating. Although she is reacting to his behaviour I felt that she, too, would have fought harder for her boyfriend - she's only just found him, for goodness sake!
Overall, though, this was an entertaining read, with believable dialogue, and entertaining supporting characters, particularly Tai's mum, Mai, who is beautifully realistic - alternatively hopeful and despairing over the health of her son. And Tai and Juliet feel like real teenagers on the cusp of adulthood and struggling with the most difficult emotion of all to deal with - grief.
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Oct 23, 2012 Kirsti rated it 5 of 5 stars

Just by reading the back of this book you know how it will end. You know as soon as Tai gets the news that there will be no miracle, no 'Oops, we were wrong' and that he and Juliet will get their happily ever after. Knowing this, why did I still cry at the end? I knew there was no happiness as I turned the pages, but the last twenty or so pages are now wet with tears.

It's no secret that I love YA stories, both the realistic and fantasy kinds. This was a great realistic story, full of cut off dre...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Melissa (Book Nerd Reviews) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-ya

Oh wow... I sobbed throughout the last 20 pages of this book, which I honestly didn't expect to do. Jessica Davidson tells the powerful story of a young teenage couple based in Australia (which I appreciated). She tells the story of Tai and Juliet. They have been best friends since kindergarden and realise now at 17 that they feel more for each other and they become each others first love. And then Tai gets sick... cancer sick. And it's inoperable. The remainder of the story goes into detail abo...more Oh wow... I sobbed throughout the last 20 pages of this book, which I honestly didn't expect to do. Jessica Davidson tells the powerful story of a young teenage couple based in Australia (which I appreciated). She tells the story of Tai and Juliet. They have been best friends since kindergarden and realise now at 17 that they feel more for each other and they become each others first love. And then Tai gets sick... cancer sick. And it's inoperable. The remainder of the story goes into detail about not only what Tai has to go through, but also what his family is experiencing as well as Juliet.

The thing I liked about this story was that the chapters alternated between Tai's perogative and Juliet's perogative. We get into both of their minds and understand what it is they are each feeling. I didn't feel that the story itself focused strongly enough on their relationship to start with as by page 35 we understand Tai is sick, and then it's all about the fallout and the sickness from there and not so much on the relationship side of things. That being said, towards the end of the book I looked at it differently and felt like I'd been on a journey with Tai's sickness myself and I got quite emotional. So I feel as though this book is written intentionally this way.

It's an extremely detailed and poignant look at cancer and how it affects people.. not only the person who is suffering from it, but everyone around the person suffering as well. Jessica writes with brutal honesty, and we see Tai as his most vulnerable. She goes into detail about his hair falling out, his paper thin skin opening up and bleeding when his brother flicks him as a joke, him falling over and passing out and almost breaking his wrist playing with this brothers, and towards the end, Tai having to pee into a cup in an undignified way because he has no strength to stand up and go himself.

It's also the story of having to say goodbye, and letting go - even if it's the one person you never want to have to say goodbye to. Honestly it broke my heart, and I sat there crying for some time after.

Most definitely worth the read, I strongly recommend this story - especially for Australians.. the language is very relatable and I smiled at some of the terms that Jessica used throughout the book as they hit close to home. That being said, this story would be enjoyed worldwide as it's a universal story for so many. This book will be in stores on August 1st!(less)

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Jan 30, 2013 Marisabel Bonet-Cruz rated it 5 of 5 stars

I bought this book on a visit to New Zealand, looking for different literature to take home. I do not read many books about this type of topic, death and cancer. However, when I discovered that it was the story of how this disease affects young people, I couldn't resist. I read it quickly, wishing to know what would happen. Sadly, from day one we knew the story wouldn't have a happy ending.

Yet, this book's value doesn't lie in the plot. It lies in the sweetness and the emotion hidden in the stor...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Shirley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-releases, arcs, own, favourites, read-in-2012, for-review

Everything Left Unsaid is a beautifully crafted story of young love, choices and what it means to lose someone you love. I’ve had my fair share of books with characters dying of diseases, and I’m happy to say Everything Left Unsaid did not disappoint! It’s sweet, it’s sad, and it will certainly leave you with an ache in your heart, but Everything Left Unsaid is definitely worth your time!

I absolutely loved Tai and Juliet’s relationship! You could tell they really loved each other, and it was im...more Everything Left Unsaid is a beautifully crafted story of young love, choices and what it means to lose someone you love. I’ve had my fair share of books with characters dying of diseases, and I’m happy to say Everything Left Unsaid did not disappoint! It’s sweet, it’s sad, and it will certainly leave you with an ache in your heart, but Everything Left Unsaid is definitely worth your time!

I absolutely loved Tai and Juliet’s relationship! You could tell they really loved each other, and it was impossible not to feel their pain; having to battle through the last year of high school, (ONE year before freedom), only to be confronted with the one unthinkable obstacle – Tai being diagnosed with a brain tumour. *sobs* Their relationship felt realistic to me, and while both sides made some mistakes that irked me a little now and then, I was able to easily forgive them. (Given their situation, those feelings and actions were well…unavoidable). Tai and Juliet’s perseverance throughout this difficult time was certainly admirable- *sigh* Why does fate have to be so cruel? Tai and Juliet totally deserved a happily ever after!!

I’m still debating whether I made the right decision in reading this before my HSC …or perhaps I should’ve waited until after my HSC? On one hand, I certainly found it easy to relate to the characters and what they’re experiencing- the stress of being in Year 12, cramming for exams (Gosh, that’s a NIGHTMARE), the fear of not doing well enough to be accepted into Uni and of course, in between studying and attending school, the partying and girls night out! I honestly cannot imagine how Juliet managed to survive her final year- studying for finals AND on top of that, having to deal with the heartbreak of losing her best friend/boyfriend. However, I must admit, after reading this book, I’m left in fear of what’s to become of my future. I’m reading about everyone being accepted into their first/second preferences, and feeling extremely happy for them but part of me is thinking “What is I don’t get accepted”? (Okay, I’m trying REALLY hard not to think about that!)

Overall, Everything Left Unsaid is definitely a book you should look out for! While I wasn’t too pleased with the beginning (everything happened too fast) but it’s impossible not to be consumed by the power of the story as I read on! By the end, I was completely in love with everything about the book<3 Oh, and be sure to have a box of tissues next to you when you start reading! I guarantee you’ll be bawling your eyes out by the end!
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Jun 12, 2012 Darkfallen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, read-n-reviewed

This book is nothing short of amazing. It truly deserves way more than 5 stars. In fact I just might venture to say that it's the best book I've read...ever.

Juliet and Tai have been best friends since they met in kindergarten. They even jumped off the roof with umbrellas together trying to fly like Mary Poppins. (of course that didn't end well for either of them.) But now they are both getting ready to graduate from high school and they realize that they want more from each other. Unfortunately...more This book is nothing short of amazing. It truly deserves way more than 5 stars. In fact I just might venture to say that it's the best book I've read...ever.

Juliet and Tai have been best friends since they met in kindergarten. They even jumped off the roof with umbrellas together trying to fly like Mary Poppins. (of course that didn't end well for either of them.) But now they are both getting ready to graduate from high school and they realize that they want more from each other. Unfortunately as their relationship grows and they plan for their future in college together fate steps in and has a mind of it's own. The reality is you can't always get what you want, and life is beyond cruel...

Yes this book is sad and tragic in the worst of ways. But you know by the title and the synopsis that you aren't going to get a Happily Ever After. Then again I think that is some of the beauty in this book. It's real life on paper. There are no white horse knights to save the day or music in the backround every time they kiss. There's pain, and love, and the reality that you don't always get what you deserve. That life can be cruel for no reason at all.

Put it to you this way...I was sucked into the story from the first page. I fell in love with both of the main characters, Juliet & Tai, from the beginning. And I loved, LOVED that this is told from both of their POV's. It made it so much easier to feel everything that was going on. So much so that I was crying my eyes out in the first 60 pages, and the tears just kept on coming. I cried so hard, on more than one occasion, I had to put the book down and catch my breath. A steady stream of tears rolled down my face and dripped from my chin until the last page. And even though it hurt, even though something inside me started to unravel and eventually broke, I couldn't put this book down. I couldn't look away. I needed every word like I need air to breathe. And now that it's over I still want more. I want to know what happens now, and when I close my eyes to sleep at night this story haunts my dreams. I simply can't get it out of my head.

Overall I know that I could never find the words to do this book justice so you just need to pick it up for yourself. It's a tragic story of love, loss, and a grief so deep you'll feel your inside rip apart as you turn the pages.

Buy it, borrow it, rent it, steal it if you have to, but you simply have got to READ this book!(less)

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Sep 01, 2012 Georgia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, beautiful-cover, cannot-wait-to-read, contemp, death, hype, sad, ya-or-na-romance, ya-or-na, amazing, beautiful-story, i-own

Everything Left Unsaid was a beautiful, heart-warming book. I completely fell in love with everything about it. The story was amazing, heart-warming, but heart-breaking. I was laughing and crying. This book was an emotional rollercoaster. It was so unbelievably sad, and I loved every minute.

Juliet and Tai have been best friends for years. Their friendship and love for each other has always been strong. With their mutual love of music, beach-walks and energy drinks, they complete each other. When...more

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Sep 01, 2012 Brandi Kosiner rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love the set up of the book, the dual perspective gives such an insight into the characters and both sides of the story.
This is such a heavy story, and the grief comes off the page and grabs me and didn't let go until the last page. I nearly cried every other page and felt such hope, pain and love while reading. It is the ultimate story of loss from both ends.
I loved the relationship between Juliet and Tai, it felt so authentic and sweet. They'd been friends forever and boyfriend and girlf...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Angie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, 2013-tbr

This probably makes me a horrible person, but in general, cancer books just don’t make me cry. I consider myself super emotional, but these stories just don’t hit me for whatever reason. Everything Left Unsaid is without a doubt a great book, and very very depressing, but I just didn’t get the emotional kick I was hoping for. It follows Juliet and Tai, life-long best friends who have finally admitted to their feelings for each other. Nearly as soon as their relationship begins, Tai learns that h...more This probably makes me a horrible person, but in general, cancer books just don’t make me cry. I consider myself super emotional, but these stories just don’t hit me for whatever reason. Everything Left Unsaid is without a doubt a great book, and very very depressing, but I just didn’t get the emotional kick I was hoping for. It follows Juliet and Tai, life-long best friends who have finally admitted to their feelings for each other. Nearly as soon as their relationship begins, Tai learns that he has less than a year to live. What follows is a super sad story that doesn’t really spare any of the details of Tai’s illness. It’s like a really bad thunder storm, but there’s no rainbow the next day.

One issue that I had with Everything Left Unsaid was Juliet and her mother. I couldn’t believe some of things that they said as Tai’s illness progresses. Juliet’s mom actually tries to ground her! Why in the world would she want to keep her daughter away from her best friend and boyfriend when he only has limited time left?! I do understand that she wanted her daughter to keep up with her studies, but university will still be there in a year, while Tai won’t. She’s also worried about them having sex, but seriously, they’re 17, in love and don’t have much time together. Get over it! Then at the end Juliet herself began to frustrate me. She complains that Tai doesn’t text her all day long anymore and denies her invites to hang out. Um, he’s too sick to even sit up in bed most days! How do you expect him to do everything he was able to before?! She even says things like the following:

“He’s sick. Every time I see him he’s sicker, and his parents have taken him and his brothers away for Christmas. It’s like what I want doesn’t even matter. It’s just happening to me and I can’t do anything about it.“

Excuse me? God forbid his parents want to have one last family holiday with their dying son! Juliet, this is not about you! You are not the only one about to lose him! Selfish!

Anyway, other than the above, I did enjoy Everything Left Unsaid. I felt awful for Tai as he struggles to come to terms with his death. He has major decisions to make but doesn’t really have the physical or emotional strength to make them. His relationship with Juliet was very sweet in the beginning and they have some seriously mushy scenes together, even as his illness gets worse. However, in the end, it was just another cancer book that failed to make the world’s biggest crybaby shed even a single tear. I do think it’s worth reading though if you have access to it.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.(less)

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Jul 25, 2012 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow. This story absolutely broke my heart. I cried like a little girl. It was so fantastic and so moving.

Juliet and Tai have been best friends since kindy. They both love the same music, share Red Bull and generally understand each other. They are in their final year of high school and exams, schoolies and university is looming. It has taken this long, but Juliet has finally realised just how much Tai really means to her, in more ways than a friend. Tai has known for awhile and now they are fin...more Wow. This story absolutely broke my heart. I cried like a little girl. It was so fantastic and so moving.

Juliet and Tai have been best friends since kindy. They both love the same music, share Red Bull and generally understand each other. They are in their final year of high school and exams, schoolies and university is looming. It has taken this long, but Juliet has finally realised just how much Tai really means to her, in more ways than a friend. Tai has known for awhile and now they are finally getting a chance to be together, to explore the boundaries that their friendship restricted. But things are never easy, and now Tai has found out that he is sick. Will their love and friendship survive?

Juliet and Tai. Tai and Juliet. Best friends since forever, Tai is finally out of the dreaded "friend zone". Their friendship and blossoming romance is so gorgeous, I just hated knowing that something bad was going to happen. But that's what this story is. It is a window into a world where things seems perfect, but hidden underneath the surface is a devastating life change, just waiting to happen.

Juliet is such a strong character. Yes, she cries a lot. I mean, who wouldn't in her situation. She watches her best friend and love of her life change, his health deteriorating, making him a shadow of his former self. Not only is she strong, for standing by, but she is strong, for never giving up. Yes, she has moment's of doubt, of hurt, but overall, she handles the situation really well, considering.

Tai is such a gorgeous character. He just wants to get his licence, graduate, move out with Juliet and live on two-minute noodles. But the world has other plans. From the moment you meet him, you want to be his friend. You want to have that kind of friendship with him and it breaks your heart to watch him disappear, becoming someone else. At least it did for me, perhaps I am just a sap.

We watch them build this romance, and watch it slowly crumble. We see what happens when life throws you a curve ball. We watch them be strong, until they can't be strong anymore. This story is achingly beautiful and will stay with you for a long long time.(less)

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Jul 13, 2012 Celine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arcs, for-review

Review originally posted in: http://forget8me8not.blogspot.com.au/...

Cover:
It's interesting how the title font's colour is white and how some of the letters are traced since the background is white too. There is that feeling that something is hanging between the girl and the guy in the cover. I think it suits the story quite well!

Story:

What happens when everything in your life changes the moment you find out your love is sick?

Juliet and Tai are best friends since they were both young. As they gr...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Sarah (Head Stuck In A Book) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, review-copy, arc, owned-and-read, contemporary

Where have you been hiding Jessica Davidson? This is such an emotionally draining book, after finishing it I couldn't stop thinking about it, I suggest a box full of tissues and a place where you can bawl your eyes out alone!
Which to me is the sign of a fantastic storyteller.
This is the most depressingly, wonderful book I've ever read, it sent me on a roller-coaster of emotions, it was heartbreaking and sent me barreling towards the inevitable ending that you knew would happen but at the same ti...more Where have you been hiding Jessica Davidson? This is such an emotionally draining book, after finishing it I couldn't stop thinking about it, I suggest a box full of tissues and a place where you can bawl your eyes out alone!
Which to me is the sign of a fantastic storyteller.
This is the most depressingly, wonderful book I've ever read, it sent me on a roller-coaster of emotions, it was heartbreaking and sent me barreling towards the inevitable ending that you knew would happen but at the same time hoped it wouldn't.
The last half of this book had me in tears and I had to escape to the solitude of my room, because this book is so overwhelming, I just wanted to sit and reflect on the brilliance of this novel, I felt like I'd lost a friend once it was over.
Juliet and Tai have been best friends since the first day of Kindergarten, now that they are both in Year Twelve they have finally admitted their feelings for each other, and after finally becoming a couple Tai finds out that he is dying from a brain tumor with only a year left to live.
Told in alternating perspectives we get both sides, Tai having to deal with the fact that he won't get to do all of the things that he dreamed of doing after high school and Juliet who's faced with reality that she will lose her boyfriend and best friend.
And with Tai faced with the decisions on whether he wants to die at home or a hospital, or if he wants to be buried or cremated just made this so hard to get through without a steady stream of tears running down my face, and having him sit by and watch everybody else's lives carrying on around him knowing he won't get to do any of those things is heartbreaking.
Amidst all the tragedy is a fantastic book which everybody needs to read, this is real life, it's not going to end with a couple looking forward to their future together, but instead how a girl is having to carry on without the person she expected to spend her life with.
One of my favourite contemporary's of all time, I'm so glad I read this book.
I give this 5/5.
A Big Thanks To Pan Macmillan Australia.(less)

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Jul 16, 2012 Braiden rated it 4 of 5 stars

Everything Left Unsaid by Australian author Jessica Davidson was a poignant read that will teach you a thing or two about life, the power of choice, and the effect those choices can have on the people you may leave behind. Going into this book I knew what it would involve and ultimately how it will end. Everything Left Unsaid has characters that you can’t help but to immediately want to read about and as the book goes on you fall in love with them too no matter what their situation is by the end...more Everything Left Unsaid by Australian author Jessica Davidson was a poignant read that will teach you a thing or two about life, the power of choice, and the effect those choices can have on the people you may leave behind. Going into this book I knew what it would involve and ultimately how it will end. Everything Left Unsaid has characters that you can’t help but to immediately want to read about and as the book goes on you fall in love with them too no matter what their situation is by the end of the book. This book is one for contemporary-romance lovers.

Although they have been friends since they were young and did everything two young best friends would do, it was guaranteed that Juliet and Tai would begin to like the other as more than a friend. But after they confess their liking for each other and everything seems perfect in those moments together amid Year 12, exams, planning for Schoolies, their career, and their future, Tai is delivered devastating news that not only interferes with his future and his family, but also rocks his relationship with Juliet. Both Juliet and Tai have to make choices—and what good are choices when in some instances either one will lead to the same outcome. This story is about acceptance, choice, love, and most importantly life.

Juliet and Tai’s relationship was built upon childhood memories so it was truly believable from the moment Juliet tells Tai that she likes him. There is complete respect and understanding between the two; it is something that many romance-driven stories fail to achieve. Although their relationship sails through rocky times when Tai is diagnosed and becomes reclusive and hopeless, distancing himself from Juliet to not hurt her anymore, Juliet continues to support him. It got frustrating at times because Juliet would not know what Tai’s intentions were and vice versa, but we as the reader did since this story is told through both perspectives. You just want to shake Tai out of his gloom. But it is this gloom and yearning that makes this story and these characters so real and relatable. I personally haven’t had anyone I know go through cancer—or at least someone so close to me—but I understand that those periods of reclusion and uselessness are both key to bringing about self-acceptance. And it’s not just Juliet and Tai but also their families that pulled my heart; I found myself really gutted over Tai’s younger brothers as they were left in the dark for most of the time as to what was happening.

There is no happy ending here, but for someone looking for something a bit more emotional than your average boy-meets-girl contemporary read then this is the perfect book for you.(less)

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Dec 31, 2012 Lori Clark rated it 5 of 5 stars

My goodness this was so riveting. So very emotional. It's not like I didn't expect it to be a sad tale... but I didn't know how very deeply it would touch me. I should not have read the last 20 or so percent at work during my lunch hour -- because I cried. I would have cried a lot more, had I been at home under the covers reading alone. Forget happy ever after. Forget miracle cures. Tai has a brain tumor and he is going to die. There is no second guessing that outcome. But the way it is written...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: traveling-book

Sooooo, yeah. This is probably one of the more depressing cancer books I've read, though I'm not exactly sure what to point to and say, "This is what makes this book more depressing than the others." But the fact remains that at the end, I wasn't feeling that hopeful peaceful feeling. Maybe it's the realistic and devastatingly true way that the details and roller coaster of emotions are handled. Maybe it's the dual POVs of both the cancer patient and the person who loves the cancer patient. Mayb...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Maree ♫ Light's Shadow ♪ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Tear jerker for sure. I always have to wonder about the history of the author after reading a book like this. What makes their characters so real? What makes them know exactly what to say (and what not to say?). Perhaps it's just the forethought and time to edit instead of instantly having to know what to say. Regardless, tough book, but very sweet, and it really hits a lot of what I think is the truth of this situation.

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Nov 18, 2012 Taylor Singleton rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Everything left unsaid had me hooked from page 1. I just couldnt put the book down. Most amazing book I have EVER read. It had me cryinng 20 pages from the end. A beautiful story about Tai and Juliet's endless love. Love how the chapters were broken down to Juliets perception and Tais perception on things. Fantastic book Jessica, cant wait for your next one!

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Oct 05, 2012 Louisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am such a glutton for punishment. WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF? Why did I have to read another The Fault in Our Stars-esque book, this time coached in a lovely Aussie setting (I do so love Aussie YA)?

It wasn't flawless or worth 5 stars, since it could have used some cleaning up. But I did ugly sob over the last 20 pages and found it a beautiful portrayal of a relationship rocked by the news of sudden and impending death. Having personally gone through something like Tai, I found myself getting g...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Olivia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Such an emotional story between friends/lovers, I cried so so much reading this book. I am honestly speechless about this book, I loved it so much, and it was just super emotional. I think it's a great book about dealing with sudden illness & grief.

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Mar 11, 2013 Katy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, books-read-in-2013, realistic-fiction, tearjerkers

Traveling book at YA-MA. Thanks guys for letting me take part!

Wow. What a tear-jerker this turned out to be! A quick yet emotional read, this story follows a young couple faced with death during a time when they should be thinking about the future. Juliet and Tai were likable, though honestly Juliet kind of annoyed me at times. I wasn't even fully invested in their story until the last 50 pages or so. It basically gets to a point where the tears start and they don't stop!

I would have given thi...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Carina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: difficult-topics, heart-wrenching

So fucking depressing and sad. But so beautiful at the same time!
I haven't cried this hard in a LONG time. I'm not even sure I'll be able to write a review.
Holy crap, that was sure something =''(

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Dec 03, 2012 Stephie rated it 4 of 5 stars

saddest book i've ever read, i think. i hardly ever cry in books, but this one made me sob. i really liked it, but i am not sure what the point of the book was.

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Nov 23, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Cannot rate this book enough. It's such a well written story with so much in it that everyone can relate one way or another. So sad yet beautiful.

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