Don't Whisper in My Ear

by Sandy Dal Santo

Based on a true story, this is a beautiful Young Adult-coming of age story of a 17 year old girl struggling to find love and a place to belong. Overcoming neglect and searching for a true and lasting kind of love. As humans, we want to be loved and we want to be respected and that message is so powerful in this story. One highlight of the novel is the fresh and authentic dialogue, which makes the characters come alive. Throughout the story you find yourself becoming her secret cheerleader.

Seventeen-year-old Sandy Kelly doesn’t understand why her mother doesn’t love her or why she keeps leaving, and It’s no surprise when her mother tells her she is moving to Breckenridge, Colorado, with or without her. Sandy hesitantly goes with her mother hoping somewhere in the Rocky Mountains her mother will finally love her, discover the meaning of love, acceptance and eventually find herself. But along the way, trying to resolve her family issues, Sandy meets JD McCarron, the high school quarterback who is willing to teach her everything she needs to know about love. As her heart starts to open up, so does her eyes, and she discovers everyone has struggles of their own, and everyone has secrets.

Genres: Young Adult

223 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2023

Reviews

[Bri369 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has all the emotions one may deal with in life. It is a story about how a girl overcomes everything. I recommend reading this book and hope you can feel the emotions the author writes really well.

[Lily Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, we follow the life of a young girl named Sandy. Dealing with an abusive and unloving mother, she is passed from pillar to post - constantly having her life uprooted with no regard for Sandy’s feelings. When she moved to Breckenridge, Colorado from Chicago - she finds love, but will everything stay like this?

I am so grateful that I got to read Don’t Whisper in my Ear. Sandy’s story struck a chord with me, and I would do anything to give that 17 year old girl a hug. My heart broke for her when nothing turned out the way she wanted, and soared with pride when she put herself first. Sandy’s story truly is amazing, and the writing is flawless. Every character came alive immediately, and the descriptions are first class.

At 223 pages, I read this book in just over 2 hours. It is a very easy and quick read, but thought provoking. I ordered the sequel ‘Cactus Girls’ immediately after finishing and I can’t wait to read it!

I received a free copy of this book, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

9/10

[Graham Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written coming of age story

Don’t Whisper in My Ear is a coming of age story written for young adults, about a seventeen year-old girl with a difficult mother and an uncertain future. The message of the book is one of hope and it’s ultimately a powerful story of resilience and strength as Sandy turns eighteen and learns how to overcome some of the uncertainties of her life and her transition to adulthood.

The book is well-written and the story enticing. Each chapter has an epigraph related to the girl’s star sign (Capricorn) and she identifies very much with what Capricorns are supposed to be, and it seems at the beginning of the book that she is going to use this almost as a manual for what she must be and how she should act.

One highlight of the novel is the fresh and authentic dialogue, which makes the characters come alive. You’ll both recognise the story’s themes and struggles the main character wrestles with (family, friendship, love, heartbreak), but also be thrilled and surprised, moved and entertained. A recommended read.

[Jessie griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful!!! It took me awhile to read because well life but I am so glad I did!! This book made me experience so many emotions, I really felt like this book spoke to me..

This book is about a 17yo girl with not the nicest of parents. This poor girl has to go through so much in her life. Her mom just up and moves her from Chicago to Breckenridge. CO right at the beginning of Sandy’s senior year. Sandy goes through all her struggles and learns what it is like to become her own person and not to rely on others.


I would highly recommend this book even though not everyone experiences a life like Sandy’s basically any female can relate to something in this book. Now excuse me while I go order the sequel and follow the rest of Sandy’s life!!!!

[Zoë Covert · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Don’t Whisper in My Ear” was the beginning to a beautiful coming of age story about our main character, Sandy. In the late 1970’s, we follow her to Breckinridge, Colorado, where her mom drags her from Chicago in her senior year of high school. She has to navigate being uprooted, the emotional trauma her mother has and continues to put her through, making new friends, and new relationships. She begins to try to find herself, and will leave you wanting to hear more of her story and follow her journey. I recommend picking up the sequel “Cactus Girls,” which I am currently reading and already love.

[Jocelyn | jocey_reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pick for my traveling bookclub. Unfortunately, it was not a hit for me.

I can appreciate the intent behind this book. I’m assuming this is based on some of the author’s own real life experiences. For that I am sorry if she went through even half of what the character struggled with. I hope writing this was healing for the author.

I struggled with the writing and some of the inaccuracies (historical and otherwise). While they didn’t necessarily hurt anything, they distracted me from the overall story. I wish less narrative space was given to random factoids that didn’t support the development of the story and more space given to backstory of the characters and their relationships.

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The ending of this book.. come on! I just didn´t expect it! Can´t wait for read other book from this great writer! Amazing job! definitely a must read!. 5/5 A fantastic story that has it all! The author gave you the sense of adventure, heartbreak, and love. She gives you a story line that I am sure some people can relate too.

[Myla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book. The whole world around me melted away instantly! This book was heart-wrenching but beautiful & so honest. I loved seeing the character development in Sandy. I don’t want to spoil anything for the future readers but I will say it is an amazing read, probably one of my favorite reads this year!

[Leilani Noack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was amazing. Reading someone’s actually story makes you appreciate things more. It’s a beautiful story about being accepted and doing what’s best for you. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Beautiful story makes you feel many emotions.

[Casey Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written, coming of age story of a young girl dealing with the emotions of being a teenager with the uncertainty of what her future may look like. While a quick read you still get a ton of info that builds the main character. The supporting characters help shape the story and the emotions/lessons within pull together a well set book.

[Jessica DeBerardinis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me down memory lane. It reminded me of my own journey through life with my mother. This book shows the ups and downs of any special relationship and the sacrifices that go along with it. This book had me questioning every chapter and I couldn't stop reading till I had the answers I was looking for. I would definitely recommend this book to any of my friends.

[Nicole Vanover-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

As some one who has a very broken relationship with her mother. I could relate with a lot of the feelings Sandy was going through! I love that Sandy though her mom wasn't there was still able to stand on her own two feet and succeed.

[Cailey Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age story that was easy to read and easy to relate too. Kept me engaged and was easy to keep up with, would highly recommend. The writing was well done.

[Courtney Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was BEAUTIFUL. It was beautifully written, strong, inspiring. Such a good coming of age story. Loved it

[Christina Mages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by this author. It was amazing. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but I love it. I definitely recommend this book.

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a girl struggling to find love and a place to belong. Overcoming neglect and searching for a true and lasting kind of love. Touching and a wonderful read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely not my go-to genre, I don't read many young adult novels, and when I do, it's typically horror. But what drew me to this story in particular was it being based around a true story. There is something very poignant about a coming of age tale that is steeped in reality.

This story was hard to read. Not because of the writing, it's actually quite short and could be read quickly. However, because of the story, I found myself stopping and reflecting often. This young woman and her relationship with her mother ( who barely deserves that title) is absolutely abhorrent. As a mother, my heart broke for this young woman in the story.

There were times when Sandy's character came off sort of annoying or snooty, but what teenage girl isn't at some point? I found the characters overall to be well written and fairly easy to relate to. It wasn't hard to become immersed into the story.

This is a story that will break your heart as you watch a young, unloved woman grow and seek love and validation from those around her and eventually find it within herself.

[Sophie Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t Whisper in My Ear” takes you on a captivating journey through someone else’s life. The narrative effortlessly connects you with the characters in the book and has you smiling along to the similarities we all have in life. As humans, we want to be loved and we want to be respected and that message is so powerful in this story. A fabulous read with enticing descriptives.

[Renee Mylander · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book of a young girl finding herself and growing up. I love how it shows that family secrets can hurt, even if they come out years later. I can really relate to this book especially because of the unspoken skeletons in the closets otherwise known as family secrets. Great book, I highly recommend it to young adults and some of us older readers who can relate to this book and story. Can hardly wait to read her next book.

[Regina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was impressed with how beautifully written this story was. It goes in depth about the life of a teenager with her struggles with relationships, which includes her mother, friends, and love interests. As I read the book, I felt as though I were going back to high school, experiencing everything that the main character was experiencing. You really want things to work out for Sandy and feel like being her secret cheerleader. The book has several surprises with the behaviors of some of the characters, but that just add more interests. I hope to read more from this author and stay in touch with Sandy as I read more about her life in future stories.

[Melissa Pellerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't whisper in my ear is a coming of age, figuring life out book. From the first page to the last I was hooked. I strongly encourage people to read this book even if you don't feel you can relate to it, I know that it's inspired me to think about life a little differently.
Sandy is a 17 year old senior who come home from school one day to be told by her mom that's she's leaving for Breckenridge, Colorado with or without her. Not understanding why her mom doesn't love her or ever include her she decides to go, in hope that her mom will change and things will be different.
This is an inspiring story of how sandy comes to realize that she doesn't need her moms love to be loved or even to be worthy of it. In Breckenridge she finds people who love her for her and help her navigate life even as it it throws obstacles in her way all the time. She learns that even people who look like their lives are perfect aren't, and that not everything is worth fighting for in the end sometimes that's just the way things are.
So join sandy in this fast paced read as she learns about love, sex, family friendships and who she's meant to be all the while trying to save a relationships that was her alive to start.
"Yesterday was bad. Today, I'm going to fix it."

Quotes
"I guess when you find yourself destroyed, you need to clear the wreckage and rebuild."
" I want what you have--Someone to love me," she finally said.
" Never be afraid to make mistakes, for this is how we learn. Never be afraid to change."
" Ha... Well, remember, girlfriend, if the glass slipper breaks, you're going to get cut. so carry Band-aids."
All quotes from the book and written by Sandy Dal Santo

[Dymon Knapps · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW ✨
Don’t Whisper in My Ear
Author: Sandy Dal Santo
Rating: 2.75/5

I was given the opportunity to review this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book follows 17-year-old Sandy as she is uprooted from Chicago by her mother and forced to move to Breckenridge leaving her loved ones behind. This book highlights the struggles of high school friends, relationships, family, and self-discovery.

I enjoyed reading about Sandy's journey. I loved how she didn’t care what others thought of her and always stayed true to herself. Because of her lack of guidance from both parents, Sandy often relied on the advice of her friends. What I believe Sandy craved was structure in her life and it seemed at one point in her life she had that. It seemed that what Sandy and her mom both wanted was love.

From the book, I needed more detail in regard to her relationship with her mother and father. There was little to no background about why her mother treated her this way. I wanted to know about her sister and their relationship. I wanted more of a timeline between JD returning from spring break and Graduation. Towards the end of the book, it felt rushed. While I’m glad she found some comfort in living with Karen and Dan. There was no mention of how it helped heal her trauma.

I think this book would be perfect for someone who’s becoming a young adult and is dealing with the pressure of the high school culture. I’d highly recommend for coming

[Mary Strawbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story we follow Sandy and her struggle to find love, healing and her place in this world amidst being constantly uprooted with an emotionally abusive mother who is struggling herself. Her difficult life story gets worse when her father remarries and has no room for her in his home. The characters and plot were very well developed. The reader is taken through the plots twists and turns you're kept on the edge of your seat to the last page. The author paces the plot perfectly to keep the reader engaged.
As Sandy navigates her last year of high school she's faced with an insurmountable amount of life's challenges. But with the help of her coach, a caring guidance counselor and her best friend Holly, Sandy faces that darkness and overcomes. The author draws the reader in so well all I wanted to do was hug Sandy and tell her it would all be okay. Despite the heavy themes there's a freshness that brings the characters alive and engaging. The struggles Sandy faces can be relatable, unfortunately, by many people today. But I admire her resilience in surviving and thriving. I could hardly put it down. I read it as well as my teenage daughters who could admire Sandy and enjoyed the storyline. Although it didn't have the fairy tale ending I was hoping for for Sandy, that's life.

[Kayla Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Book Review 📚

📖 Book Title: Don’t Whisper in my Ear

✍️ Author: Sandy Dal Santo

📝 Review

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS*

THIS REVIEW

This book reminds me of a younger me. Now to be fair I didn’t have a mother who didn’t care about me, or anything like that. As a matter of fact my mom loves us unconditionally. But there were parts, like when she was contemplating going back to JD that I caught myself SCREAMING inside at her. Yelling, girl why!?? Don’t you dare go back to that assshat.”

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Sandy, I wanted to jump through my book and help her. I didn’t realize how much my motherly instinct would kick in reading this book. I had to set it down a few times and just go to my boys and hug them. I couldn’t imagine ever putting my boys through what Sandy had to go through, and I just wanted nothing more than to help her!

You truly don’t know what anyone is going through, and this book REALLY shows that. Sandy tried EVERYTHING to be something she wasn’t just so that she felt LOVED by her mom. It wasn’t until something drastic happened that she finally realized she was searching for something her mom would never give her.

I highly recommend this book. It’s the perfect contemporary YA book.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming-of-age story about a girl trying to find herself through the eyes of the people she wants to be loved by. Author Sandy Dal Santo has written an amazing story about self-discovery, and what really matters in life, as her protagonist, a high school senior named Sandy Kelly, enters adulthood. The story is told in first person, so Dal Santo gives the reader a glimpse of what Sandy Kelly is thinking as she deals with being alone and searching for connections of friendship and love.
The product of a broken family, her first discovery is that the love she craves will not come from her family who only care about themselves. She is a troubled girl who, despite coming from an unloving environment, has a strong will and a morale compass that has kept her out of trouble. This is what keeps Sandy Kelly grounded through the turmoil of first loves lost. She finds herself alone and realizes that she can depend on herself.
It is a good story, that keeps you engaged. As a reader, I wanted to see her through to that day where she is happy.

[Amanda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one felt super personal. Almost like I was reading someone's diary. I could feel the struggle of young Sandy as she was repeatedly abandoned...trying to find her way around unfamiliar people and places.

I wish the characters had been fleshed out a little more but being a short novel, I can see why that may have been avoided.

Sandy longs to be loved. She longs for the people in her life to stay. Mom doesn't care. Dad has moved on...sister can't be bothered.

I would have liked more of an explanation on where her strength came from. She mentions God twice, maybe three times. I feel that could have developed Sandy more.

I really enjoyed the late 70s, early 80s references to pop culture. I'm a 90s baby, but I still appreciate what I know of 80s American culture and music. The Hunger Games reference felt a lil misplaced tho if I'm being honest.

Overall, an easy read. I really wanted to hear Sandy's story and how it all panned out. Def themes of found family, mental health, girl power, friendship, young love, and teenage drama.

3.75 ⭐️

[Jill Bridgeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This coming of age story based on a true story was different than what I was expecting to read. Sandy's life is uprooted when her mom decided they're moving, and she has less than 24hrs to either stay or go. Sandy decides to go with her mom and leave her family and friends behind. She isn't sure where her life is headed and she doesn't understand her mom's actions, but this has been her mom her whole life. Never sticking around long enough to be her mom and always being rude to Sandy when she asks questions. Sandy tries her best to fit in at her new school. Making new friends, including a boyfriend and even some enemies along the way. She falls hard for JD, who in turn breaks Sandy's heart (typical player move). Her mom leaves her again a few months before she graduates, but Sandy stays. She stays for herself this time rather than her mom. She finishes school and goes on to graduate even with all the adversity thrown her way.

[Mrs Lopez Overbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t whisper in my ear is a riveting story about a young girl coming to of age. She faces a lot of trauma in her life and shows how she overcomes. She lives with her mother who doesn’t spend any time with her and is hardly home. Her father in this story becomes remarried and has no room for her where he lives and it feels like no room in his life for her as well. Sandy the character must learn to overcome life’s challenges as she has to move away with her mother and has to attend a brand new high school. She wanted to stay behind where she was familiar with life. With the help of her best friend and a guidance counselor and coach to cheer her on, sandy the main character in Don’t whisper in my ear learns lessons and starts to figure out who she is. A must read especially for someone trying to find themselves and their way!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Sandy is up and moved from her life in Chicago to Colorado at the start of her senior year. She has a very difficult mother who she can’t really depend on. The book itself was well written and took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I love when an author can bring me to actually feel something and engage me in the life of the characters. I felt so sorry for Sandy and then felt hopeful for her and her future as she learned to rely on herself and come into her own as she enters adulthood. It’s a very moving story and I am excited to continue to book 2. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who likes a heartwarming, coming of age story! It was a refreshing read and once I was able to put life things aside and focus, reading it did not take very long at all.

[Rinny Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story peaked my interest and I felt invested in Sandy’s story. I liked it for the most part but just kind of struggled through it and I’m not sure why. I struggled to understand why she felt her mother didn’t like her. And I felt like that story line needed a little more depth and insight. And why did all the guys have J names? . The story had some potential but I think it needed a little more editing as there were some timeline inconsistencies and typos and misused words. For example she said she had a month left in her apartment and she was going to talk to her counselor on Monday and then she only had a week to find a place to live when she spoke with the counselor. Her friend “excepted her” instead of accepted. And similar things through out. I also flipped back to see if I missed something or had miss read.