What I Didn't Say

By: Keary Taylor

Narrated by: Matthew Dunehoo

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's 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.

©2012- Keary Taylor (P)2013 Keary Taylor

This is nice for high school readers,

but it didn’t do much for me.

It’s about teenagers. Someone loves someone else who doesn’t know it.

There were two incidents that caused “huge” problems which were not interesting for me - but the kind of things teens get all angsty about. For example Girl A and Boy have a fight. Girl B puts her arms around Boy and plans to kiss him just as Girl A walks in the room. Boy never got kissed but feels awful and is now all angsty and needs to make a big apology to Girl A.

Aside from that, the story was pleasant and sensitive about a boy who lost his vocal cords and a girl with a terrible problem at her home. The reader hurts for her.

The narrator Matthew Dunehoo was very good.

Genre: young adult contemporary romance

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

predictable story and inexperienced narrator

This probably a great book for young girls, but not 40 yr old women. I guess I'm just too seasoned to appreciate the G rating and moral lessons.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved

A friend of mine suggested this book. He told me that it was one of his favorites and that he's read it several times. So I went ahead and downloaded it and I'm so grateful that I did, it is now one of my favorites.
The story of loss and change and coming of age is so poignant and powerful I found myself laughing and crying all of the same time. Even though our main characters are in high school I can relate to everything they went through.
I highly recommend this book.

could have been better

I liked the story don't get me wrong but at the same time I think it was somewhat unbelievable.

Wonderful!

An amazing coming of age story about tragedy, heartbreak and love. Beautifully written and heart rendering. Amazingly sweet and clean. I recommend for this for all ages.

Good story

Good story.
Like the island setting.
Important message too.
Amazing challenges teenagers have to deal with.

Beautiful YA loves story

Any additional comments?

I have had this book in my KINDLE forever, but Audibles had a sale on it and I decided to listen to it instead.
What a great book, great story, and a beautiful, sweet love story.
When my daughter is around 15-16 years old, I will want her to read it. I hope my daughter falls in love with a boy like Jake. Loved Jake and I loved Samantha too.

One thing I did not understand is why Carter was not punished at all!! I mean where I live drinking and driving means you get a a suspended license.

Number two, I wish there was a prologue just a few pages to let me know how Jake and Samantha are doing. Something 15 years later. Not picky. I will take anything.

Matthew Dunehoo did an amazing job as the narrator. I will be listening to more books by him.

And Keary Taylor, I will definitely be reading "listening" more by you. I loved your note at the end with your own voice telling your readers about what you went through.

A Touching Story

Where does What I Didn't Say rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was the first audiobook I listened to here on Audible and is still my favourite. The story is beautiful and believible.

What other book might you compare What I Didn't Say to, and why?

What I Didn't Say is a YA fiction, being 15 myself, I really enjoyed it but I wouldn't say that it is purely for young adults, Anyone with an imagination could enjoy this book.

Have you listened to any of Matthew Dunehoo’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to anything else of Matthew Dunehoo's work but i certainly would if an opertunity were to present its self. He has a, i almost want to say generic voice. I do not mean this in anegative way whatsoever. I often find that some voices overpower the role or are difficult to listen to, Matthew Dunehoo is definitely none of these. He fits the role perfectly and it very easy and pleasent to listen to.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

There is very little i can criticize about the book or the narrator. The only thing i can say is the narrator pauses at strange points in a sentence. This is definitely not something i would refuse to listen for, simply an observation.

Any additional comments?

Overall a very pleasing listen, if you're stuck with what to purchase, definitely give this one a go!