What I Didn't Say

Author: Keary Taylor

Author Website/Blog: http://kearytaylor.blogspot.com

Publication Date: April 30, 2012

Summary: Getting drunk homecoming night your senior year is never a good idea, but Jake Hayes never expected it all to end with a car crash and a t-post embedded in his throat. His biggest regret about it all? What he never said to Samantha Shay. He's been in love with her for years and never had the guts to tell her. Now it's too late. Because after that night, Jake will never be able to talk again. When Jake returns to his small island home, population 5,000, he'll have to learn how to deal with being mute. He also finds that his family isn't limited to his six brothers and sisters, that sometimes an entire island is watching out for you. And when he gets the chance to spend more time with Samantha, she'll help him learn that not being able to talk isn't the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Maybe, if she'll let him, Jake will finally tell her what he didn't say before, even if he can't actually say it. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review: I enjoyed this book and think that its intended audience will truly love it.
The book is told through Jake’s perspective, but this book is not just about Jake, it’s also about Sam and it’s also about love and overcoming seemingly impossible challenges.  It was captivating, it was emotional,  it was hopeful, and it was heartwarming. All around, a good story. 

The book is told through Jake’s perspective, but this book is not just about Jake, it’s also about Sam and it’s also about love and overcoming seemingly impossible challenges.  It was captivating, it was emotional,  it was hopeful, and it was heartwarming. All around, a good story. 

I liked Jake, and enjoyed reading from his perspective. I also liked Sam, and enjoyed how her character developed through the book. Despite their situations, Jake and Sam have a pretty “normal” teen relationship, they have fights/disagreements, they misunderstand each other, and they are stubborn. I was happy to see these elements in their relationship, because I think it’s important for teens to see and learn that no relationship is perfect. 

I highly recommend that you read the author’s note at the end. 

All that being said there were a few things along the way that irked me, without spoiling anything, there were a few inconsistencies and a few too perfect resolutions to problems. I was also a bit confused with how the book’s summary makes it sound like it’s Jake’s story, and the book is told from Jake’s perspective, but Sam’s story kind of took the lead for a while. The thing that has really gotten under my skin is the intended lesson about drinking/drugs and driving; I’m just not sure it was fully developed, and as a teacher, I don’t think a school would actually handle the way Jake’s school did.
Dates Read: January 12 - 13, 2014