Should Have Told You Sooner: A Novel

by Jane Ward

When Noel Enfield is offered a secondment at a museum in London, it’s a chance for her career aspirations to finally come to fruition—but also leads to the opening of some old wounds—in this story of art, love lost, and second chances, perfect for fans of David Nicholls and Claire Lombardo.

While studying art history at a London university, Noel Enfield falls passionately in love with aspiring artist and art school student Bryn Jones. Shortly after Bryn leaves for a five-month painting trip through Italy, Noel discovers she is pregnant. She is ecstatic and believes Bryn will be too—they have plans to marry, after all. But mishaps part the two lovers, and a desperate Noel makes a split-second choice to move forward in a way that will change not only her life but also the lives of everyone she loves. 

Three decades later, when she is offered a six-month secondment to a London museum, Noel decides it’s time to prove she really has moved on from that difficult period by returning to the city where she met and lost Bryn. But rather than proving she has persevered, the move lands Noel in the thick of London’s insular art world, with only one or two degrees of separation from her past and the people she once loved. After she reconnects with an old, dear friend and learns finally what kept Bryn from returning to her all those years ago, the very underpinnings of her life are rocked to their core. Some decisions made in the past can never be put behind her, she realizes, and armed with this new understanding, she sets out on a journey to reclaim what—and who—she left behind.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 10, 2026

Reviews

[Kelly Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should Have Told You Sooner is an emotionally layered story of lost chances, found courage, and the complicated path between the two. Jane Ward gives us Noel, a woman whose past mistakes aren’t just baggage—they’re buried truths, the kind that shape your whole life if left unspoken.
Noel isn’t a heroine who gets everything right, and that’s exactly what makes her unforgettable. As she navigates the slow unraveling of secrets and the tentative pull of a long-lost love, her work in the art museum world becomes the perfect metaphor: recapturing what’s been forgotten, holding on to what’s still worth saving.
The narrative moves effortlessly between past and present in a way that feels both grounded and immediate. It’s a portrait of a woman learning that the stories we tell (and the ones we don’t) can shape not just who we were, but who we still might become. Quietly powerful and beautifully told.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

In 2022 Noel Enfield is working as the Director of Collections of the Fields-Lyon Museum in Massachusetts. She has worked hard in her chosen field and is well respected by her peers- so much so that she has been offered a new secondment position with a prestigious gallery in London. It's an amazing opportunity that could lead to promotion on her return.

It is everything she wanted but her personal life could not make it more difficult to accept. A messy divorce and a battle to remain in her step-daughter's life puts the move in jeopardy but there are also memories of her first time in London to contend with - a time that saw her run back to her grandmother in the States with her life in tatters. Can Noel put it all aside and grasp the opportunity of a lifetime or will the memories and people she left behind derail her for a second time?

This started out as an interesting premise but as the story unfolded, the events became more implausibly coincidental. I also found Noel becoming more unlikeable as time went on. She was very self-pitying and spent a lot of time contemplating hypothetical scenarios - what would have happened if..., what would she do if ..., what if she hadn't...? It became somewhat wearisome in parts.

There are some interesting themes in the book - relationships following divorce, unplanned pregnancy, adoption, forgiveness and personal responsibility. The writing was good and there were several likeable characters - best friend, Cal, being my favourite and even Noel was okay when she wasnt second guessing herself.

If you enjoy a story that explores difficult personal relationships then you will enjoy this. It is certainly a story I've not come across before.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Sheila's Writes Press for the advance review copy.

[Ellen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The timeline jumps in this book made it so easy to learn the background and learn more about Noel. Loved the plot and the themes of art, love lost, and trying again. There are so many relatable moments throughout this story. I was rooting for Noel and found her to be an endearing main character. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should Have Told You Sooner is a layered story about family secrets, fractured love, and the tug-of-war between past choices and present consequences. At its heart is Noel, a museum professional navigating divorce, motherhood, and a career-defining opportunity abroad. Interwoven with her journey are letters from a boy in Leeds who slowly learns the truth about his adoption. The alternating voices expose the pain of what is spoken too late and what is left unsaid altogether. It’s a book that ties personal identity to memory, regret, and the relentless need for truth, while reminding us that silence in families can echo across decades.

I found myself swept up in Noel’s storyline most of all. She is flawed and frustrating, yet deeply human. Her desire to claim her career while holding onto her stepdaughter felt messy and real. The scenes with Alice carried such emotional weight that I felt the sting of rejection right alongside Noel. At the same time, I felt anger at her evasiveness. The title fits perfectly, so much of the pain in the book comes from words that were never said out loud until far too late. Ward’s writing style is sharp but also tender, with a knack for making small domestic details shimmer with meaning. Sometimes the prose slowed down with repetition, yet I rarely minded because it mirrored the weight of memory and hesitation.

What lingered with me most, though, was the emotional thread of the boy’s letters. His innocent hope and later confusion as he uncovered his past had a rawness that pulled at me. Those chapters broke up Noel’s present-day turmoil in a way that heightened both storylines. I found myself wanting to protect him, while also feeling frustrated at the adults around him who thought hiding the truth would shield him from pain. That mix of sadness and frustration stayed with me even after I finished the book.

Should Have Told You Sooner is a moving exploration of the cost of silence and the bravery it takes to speak truths we’ve buried. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary fiction about family, adoption, and second chances. It will especially resonate with anyone who has felt the weight of secrets in their own family or who has struggled to balance personal ambition with love and responsibility.

[Karen Axnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was underwhelmed by the contrast between the book and the promotional summary. The character of Noel and her troubled life did not pull me into the first half of the book. In fact, the pace was so slow and the prose so bland that I could only read a few pages before setting it aside; when I returned hours later, I had to concentrate to remember what had preceded. Fortunately, the second half was far more interesting in its exploration of the art world, artists’ lives, resolving old wounds, and pursuing multiple second chances.

There are major emotionally charged issues addressed including abandonment, divorce, unwed pregnancy, adoption, alcoholism, and childhood trauma. Some are more developed than others, leaving holes in the backstories of several characters. For example, despite Noel’s professed love for her stepdaughter and her desperate desire to maintain a connection, she leaves for a five-month overseas opportunity and then decides to stay with little consideration for the child.

I enjoyed the relationship between Noel and Bryn as they rekindled their love thirty years after they lost touch through both miscommunication and immature choices. This coupled with the secret Noel harbored and decides to reveal lent more nuance which provided much-needed structure and depth. The conclusion felt rushed but did provide the opportunity to imagine how the future could unfold.

Overall, despite an interesting premise, I can only give this novel a lukewarm recommendation. I appreciated the author’s intent with the storyline, but the delivery was only mildly engaging for most of the book.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Everyone who loves a book about second chances will love Should Have Told You Sooner.

A woman in her fifties has initiated a divorce. Her soon to be ex is poisoning his daughter against her. Noel loves Alice and wants to stay in her life. But when Noel has a chance to work abroad and advance her career she must make a painful choice: stay where she is, and fight to stay in Alice’s life, or accept the six months job in London and take her career off the hold she had elected so she could be a mom.

Noel had lived in London as a student and loved it. She made close friends and met the love of her life there, Bryn, a talented artist. When he had a chance to study in Italy, they had to part for six months. Soon after, Noel realized she was pregnant. She desperately tried to contact Bryn. She dropped out of her classes, ill and embarrassed, and called her grandmother for help. After delivery of a son, Noel still had not heard from Bryn and gave the baby up for adoption and returned to America.

Now back in London, she tries to avoid painful memories, throwing herself into her work. Reconnecting to the man who had been her best friend, she reveals her secret and discovers Bryn never meant to abandon her. A a series of serendipitous events brings Bryn back into her life.

I enjoyed the book, an easy read. But after finishing, I realized I never understood why Noel was leaving her husband and the happy ending seemed too idealized and easy.

But wish fulfillment stories are always satisfying emotionally.

Thanks to Sparkpoint Studio and the publisher for a free book.

[Barbara Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this despite not believing that they couldn’t communicate for five months while Bryn was in Italy. I am old enough to have traveled around Europe in the 1970s ans still found plenty of ways to communicate with my family back home in Australia. Plus they had just decided to get married! Who isn’t going to communicate with their partner under those conditions ? Yes the mail was really slow, about 3 weeks for a letter from Italy to reach Australia back then. And I am supposed to believe not one missive in five months? Yes, she wrote twice and her letters were returned - that part I could understand if Bryn was moving around. But nothing from him in 5 months when he was supposed to be madly in love? Anyway I got over that detail and found the rest very engaging. Personally I think a bit more editing could have freed up space to explore why Henry/Samuel suddenly put a year’s veto on being contacted by his biological parents. That didn’t sit well with me having been an adoptee who also found her biological parents in my thirties. Nevertheless I was very absorbed by the story, more than the actual characters and liked the way the author touched on the complexities of relationships.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything can happen in three decades. That's exactly what Noel is going through. Her life, shaped by decisions made long ago, keeps her at a constant crossroads: finally choosing the path she has always wanted or continuing to follow in the footsteps of others—first her grandmother, now her ex-husband Andy.

The novel immerses us in the lives of its main characters, always with a special focus on Noel. The flashbacks, which function as necessary little stitches, provide context without slowing down the pace and allow us to fully understand the emotional weight that the protagonist carries. They are windows into the past that enrich the personal journey in which she is immersed.

It is a deeply emotional story, guided above all by the regret that accompanies Noel throughout these decades: leaving everything behind... and leaving herself behind. Abandonment takes on multiple nuances and, through different perspectives, the author constructs a story in which each character carries their own burden and in which everyone, in some way, deserves forgiveness.

Thank you, Netgalley, She Writes Press and Jane Ward for this ARC read in exchange for an honest review.

[Kaelee Dewit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirty years have passed since Noel last spent much time in London, and she decides it’s finally time to face the ghosts in her closet. After being offered a temporary job overseas, she chooses to take the position. Fresh out of a divorce and struggling to gain visitation rights with her stepdaughter, Noel decides the timing is finally right. Once in London, she reconnects with an old friend and an old lover. Noel must decide whether she can let go of the past and if she’s ready to move forward and reclaim her life.

I found the beginning of this book fairly slow, but I much preferred the second half, which had far more depth. Once I reached that point, I flew through the rest. I only wish the beginning had been developed as fully as the latter half. I also felt there was a lack of development and resolution in the storyline involving her stepdaughter, so that thread ultimately felt more like a distraction than a meaningful part of the plot.

It’s a quick and easy read—perfect if you enjoy art and stories set in England.

Minimal 🌶️/ LGBTQ side character that was fairly prominent.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should Have Told You Sooner is a tender and evocative novel about love lost, choices that shape our lives, and the courage to revisit the past. Jane Ward skillfully navigates three decades of Noel Enfield’s life, blending the art world of London with intimate, emotional storytelling that resonates deeply with readers.

The story’s strength lies in its rich character development. Noel’s early heartbreak, her split-second decisions, and the lingering questions about Bryn’s absence are portrayed with authenticity and nuance. Ward captures the complexity of rekindling past relationships while confronting the consequences of our choices, showing how personal growth and self-discovery unfold over time.

With a lyrical yet grounded prose style, Ward immerses readers in both the art world and Noel’s emotional landscape. The novel is compelling for anyone drawn to reflective narratives about love, life’s “what-ifs,” and the journey toward reconciliation and understanding. Should Have Told You Sooner is a beautifully crafted story about the enduring power of connection, art, and second chances.

[Heather W]

Should Have Told You Sooner is a deeply moving and elegantly written novel about love, loss, and the long shadow of choices made in youth. Jane Ward crafts Noel Enfield as a nuanced and emotionally complex protagonist, capturing both the idealism of her early years and the quiet reckoning that comes decades later. The dual timelines are handled with care, allowing the reader to feel the intensity of first love while gradually uncovering the consequences that reverberate through Noel’s life.

The novel’s exploration of art, memory, and second chances is particularly compelling. London’s art world serves as more than a backdrop it becomes a living, breathing space where past and present collide. Ward’s prose is thoughtful and restrained, trusting the emotional weight of the story rather than overstating it. Should Have Told You Sooner is a poignant, reflective novel that will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate character driven stories about love that never fully fades and truths revealed too late.

[Ryan Brandenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise. Rarely do I recommend a book to be longer than it is, but in this case, I believe the story would have benefited from a bit more depth and substance.

Noel’s storyline lacked a certain level of development, especially in her relationship with her stepdaughter. The limited background and examples of Noel’s love for her made it difficult for me to fully invest in the story and empathize with her later on when things were falling apart.

Overall, the novel was unique and flowed quite well. The second half was definitely much more interesting than the first because it had more substance.

I can certainly see the comparison to Clare Lombardo, but this book fell short in terms of emotional impact and fulfilling a sprawling, intricate story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in advance of its release on February 10, 2026.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Ward has written a novel that understands something fundamental: some decisions don't have expiration dates. Noel Enfield's "split-second choice" thirty years ago continues to shape not just her life but everyone around her, and Ward doesn't shy away from exploring the full consequences. Ward navigates the art world setting with authenticity, using it to show how small the world can be when you're trying to escape your past. London's "insular art world" with its "one or two degrees of separation" means Noel can never truly hide from what she left behind. The novel's strength lies in its refusal to offer easy forgiveness. Some decisions can't be undone, some wounds don't fully heal. But Ward suggests that understanding - finally knowing the truth - might be its own form of redemption. The question becomes not whether Noel can fix the past, but whether she can face it honestly enough to move forward.

[Michael Doane]

Should Have Told You Sooner is a tender, emotionally intelligent novel that explores ambition, regret, and the quiet power of second chances. Jane Ward crafts a deeply relatable protagonist in Noel Enfield, whose professional opportunity in London becomes a catalyst for emotional reckoning. The story balances career aspiration with personal vulnerability, allowing the novel’s emotional stakes to unfold with nuance and restraint.

What makes this novel especially compelling is its reflective tone. Ward handles themes of love lost, unresolved wounds, and personal growth with sensitivity, giving the story the feel of lived experience rather than melodrama. The result is a thoughtful, character driven narrative that will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate emotionally grounded fiction in the vein of David Nicholls and Claire Lombardo.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art historian Noel jumps at the chance for a 6 month secondment at a prestigious museum in London. She leaves Boston with her marriage in tatters and her relationship with stepdaughter Alice in a precarious state.

Noel has connections with London, having studied at university in the 90s. There is unfinished business and lots of loose ends.

I found Noel a infuriating character for quite a while. Not only does she bottle everything up, she was neglectful of her own well being, forgetting to eat when under stress.

But I came to understand her state of mind and the drivers for it.

The author has a special gift for describing art and the creative process.

The ending was somewhat predictable fairly early on, but the journey was a worthwhile one.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noel meets Bryn while attending university in London. They hit is off and plan to marry. He is a talented artist and leaves for 5 months to further his painting. When he does not return or answer her letters she leaves London. This is a complicated story. After a decade she has a life back home in the United States that is deteriorating, a divorce and custody hope of visitation with her ex's daughter. When she returns to London for a 6-month period to work in an art museum, she is reunited with Bryn. I enjoyed watching her become more confident and loved the relationship she had with Bryn.

[Sheila Sesiuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story. Although it was predictable and lacked strong conflict, the plot was easy to follow and the main character, Noel, was likeable. My star rating reflects the lack of character arc (there isn't much of a change in the character) and the predictable plotline (no plot twists in this one!). Overall, it's a good book to read if you are looking for something that requires little thought and you just want to enjoy a good story.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should Have Told You Sooner is a poignant, emotional journey about love, regret, and the impact of past decisions. As Noel revisits her past decades later, the book explores the tension between moving on and confronting unresolved truths. It’s a quiet, reflective read that lingers with you, exploring the complexity of relationships and the weight of choices that shape our lives. Perfect for anyone who enjoys stories about second chances and the emotional baggage we carry.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is enjoyable to read, so well written. The characters and the plot are realistic and I just felt so connected with some moments, I kept rereading some phrases because those felt so accurate. It's a very good book, totally recommended.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic timeline jumping work about art, connection, and loss. would recommend this one a lot. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.