Review: What I Didn't Say by Keary Taylor

What I Didn't Say
By: Keary Taylor
Pub. Date: April 30, 2012
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 326
Source: Netgalley

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.

While searching Netgalley I came across What I Didn't Say, read the synopsis and was instantly intrigued. I was very excited when I was approved and I read it right away. The story follows Jake Hayes. Popular, friendly and athletic, he has everything going for him, except the girl. For the past four years he hasn't been able to tell the girl he has a crush on that he likes her. After homecoming, Jake and his friends get drunk and get into a bad car accident. The accident destroys his voice box and Jake will never be able to talk again.  His life changes completely but the only thing he can think of is that he never told Samantha Shay that he loves her.

My favorite thing about this book was the relationship between Jake and Sam. Since the accident, Sam played a much bigger part in Jake's life. I enjoyed watching their friendship grow into something more. I thought Jake was suffering, but Sam's story is heartbreaking, and she was able to hold herself together in a way I wouldn't think was possible. I loved how sweet they were together and how they helped the each other in their healing process. Jake helps her with the many secrets she is hiding and Sam helps him get out of his lonely depression and accept what has happened to him.

I enjoyed Jake's family. There were so many siblings and I loved how supportive they were of Jake. I also really liked the character of Kali, the homeless kid who helps Jake learn sign language. We don't know too much about him, and I would have loved to learn more!

Overall I really enjoyed What I Didn't Say. It was a sweet story that packed in a lot of emotion. I can't wait to see what Keary Taylor has in store for us next!