Review Detail

EVERYTHING WE NEVER SAID is a twisty, dark, and compelling young adult novel that I could not put down. With complex characters and a chilling mystery, this is a book I was immediately drawn into.

When Ella's best friend, Haley, is presumed dead after a horrific car crash in which Ella was driving, Ella is racked with guilt and grief. Feeling more hopeless and alone than ever, she finds solace in venting to Haley's former boyfriend, Sawyer, and for the first time since the accident, begins to feel hopeful again. But what started as therapeutic for Ella begins to take a turn when she finds herself in love with Sawyer. She shamefully turns to Haley's private diary for reassurance, but what she reads leaves her with more questions than answers.

The book opens on the first day back to school, and we follow Ella throughout the day as she struggles to confront the very people and places that remind her the most of Haley. Despite some obvious faults, Ella is a good person, and deep down, she only wants one thing: for her best friend to be alive. Watching her struggle with her complex feelings and begin her journey to healing, I felt so connected to her character, and I wanted her to be happy.

Though this book is technically a young adult, it is reminiscent of Colleen Hoover's romantic thrillers, so I would recommend it to a more mature audience. We see themes of both domestic and dating violence, as well as substance abuse and teen pregnancy. These do certainly play an important role in the story, though, and shed light on crucial topics that we often see shied away from.

I did feel that there was a bit of excessive promiscuity, especially in a high school setting, but if you can look past all of that and appreciate the plot and characters, you should enjoy this book.

Overall, this is a novel I won't forget and a story that has just the right mixture of mystery, suspense, romance, and humor. The author did a masterful job of keeping you on the edge of your seat until the last page, and I never saw the plot twist coming. I can't recommend this book enough to fans of dark romance and emotional YA stories.