SOMETIMES SECRETS ARE TOO BIG TO IGNORE.
After a lifetime of lacking confidence at work and in life, Rebecca has finally found her voice. Her blog for women is gaining traction, even getting noticed by the world’s top fashion magazine. When they request an article, Rebecca is beyond thrilled. So why is her boyfriend Kyle so concerned?
Kyle has a blank spot in his past he won’t share—not even with Rebecca. But his secret is blown when a powerful woman from Kyle’s fashion past, becomes desperate to get his attention. It’s attention he never wanted and has been trying to forget for eleven years.
As Kyle takes steps to heal, Rebecca’s article becomes a global sensation. Events force Kyle’s past and present to converge, putting Rebecca’s future at serious risk.
Kyle and Rebecca must now act to reclaim their lives before it’s too late.
With this bold novel, Paulette Stout delivers a deeply personal story that proves the power we hold to reclaim our own lives. What We Never Say is yet another bingeable read from a rising Women’s Fiction author.
This book includes delicate subject matter.
My thoughts: this book certainly packs a punch, covering some big issues; abuse of power, sexual assault in men, women’s sexual issues, relationships, work, ethics (stealing someone else’s work product is not ok) and weddings.
But it’s done really well and at no point does it feel like you’re being hit over the head with a book labelled “issues”. Instead through Rebecca and Kyle you come to see and understand the things that they’re struggling with, past and present, the impact it has on them individually and as a couple and how they deal with it.
The heaviness of some of the sybject matter is dealt with a lightness of touch. And while nothing is shied away from, you don’t end up feeling uncomfortable. Rebecca and Kyle are likeable people, they feel like the sort of people you might know – outwardly successful and happy, but with hidden depths and troubles.
I enjoyed this book and felt it brought things to the surface empathetically and realistically. These things can and do happen – and there is little understanding or support for men who are sexually manipulated and abused, and very rarely repercussions (much as with women who are victims of similar behaviour by men). The power imbalance is often too great.
The other issues are equally well handled and while some characters come out of this well, others do not (deservedly so). A clever and clearly well researched and developed set of characters and plots. Very interesting and thought provoking.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 