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Should Have Told You Sooner: A Novel
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.
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.
352 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 12, 2026
If you’re a mum—or honestly just a human with emotions—this seven-part novel is going to rip your heart out and then carefully piece it back together… though not tooooo quickly, because as readers we secretly love that little slice of agony along the way.
I really don’t want to give anything away about the story itself, because this is absolutely one of those books where the emotional journey is best experienced without spoilers. What I can say is that Ward does an incredible job weaving together the lives, choices, and consequences of her characters in a way that feels both devastating and deeply human.
Confession time: I usually loathe dual timelines. It’s rarely my favorite storytelling device. And yet somehow, this book completely won me over. Each section reveals just enough to keep you turning pages, slowly building toward moments that feel both heartbreaking and inevitable. (i.e... I sobbed a lil.. a few times...)
I genuinely cannot wait to see what Jane Ward writes next!
**Thank you to BookSparks for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
I really don’t want to give anything away about the story itself, because this is absolutely one of those books where the emotional journey is best experienced without spoilers. What I can say is that Ward does an incredible job weaving together the lives, choices, and consequences of her characters in a way that feels both devastating and deeply human.
Confession time: I usually loathe dual timelines. It’s rarely my favorite storytelling device. And yet somehow, this book completely won me over. Each section reveals just enough to keep you turning pages, slowly building toward moments that feel both heartbreaking and inevitable. (i.e... I sobbed a lil.. a few times...)
I genuinely cannot wait to see what Jane Ward writes next!
**Thank you to BookSparks for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🖤
February 23, 2026
Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward
I love how this story touches on topics of adoption, difficult life choices, opportunity to learn from your mistakes and kinda fix them, and second chances at love and friendship.
The main character Noel has the difficult decision to chase her dream job which requires her to work in another country for a while and the timing could not be worse. It is in the middle of a messy divorce with a custody battle. Noel is a flawed character and the decisions she makes in life can be difficult. We get to read about her past decisions and how it affected her. I think Noel made the best decision for herself at that time.
Noel gets the opportunity to work in London to advance to her dream career. This is an opportunity that she wants but of course the timing is terrible and puts her in a difficult position. She is in the middle of a messy divorce, fighting for custody of her step daughter, and risk straining her relationship with her step daughter by taking it.
Noel's past decisions and secret comes to life and how it affected her life now. You get to read about how she finds the courage to talk about a secret she’s held onto for over 30 years to her best friend from university and how she reconnected with Bryn, a past lover that is closely related to her secret.
I would recommend this book to people who loves stories about the ability to overcome difficult decisions in life, found family, second chances at love and friendship, and a story that shows the difficult decisions you may make in life and how you carry it. I was up until 2 am to finish reading it and I was tearing up so much near the end.
Thank you so much BookSparks & Jane Ward for the gifted copy!
I love how this story touches on topics of adoption, difficult life choices, opportunity to learn from your mistakes and kinda fix them, and second chances at love and friendship.
The main character Noel has the difficult decision to chase her dream job which requires her to work in another country for a while and the timing could not be worse. It is in the middle of a messy divorce with a custody battle. Noel is a flawed character and the decisions she makes in life can be difficult. We get to read about her past decisions and how it affected her. I think Noel made the best decision for herself at that time.
Noel gets the opportunity to work in London to advance to her dream career. This is an opportunity that she wants but of course the timing is terrible and puts her in a difficult position. She is in the middle of a messy divorce, fighting for custody of her step daughter, and risk straining her relationship with her step daughter by taking it.
Noel's past decisions and secret comes to life and how it affected her life now. You get to read about how she finds the courage to talk about a secret she’s held onto for over 30 years to her best friend from university and how she reconnected with Bryn, a past lover that is closely related to her secret.
I would recommend this book to people who loves stories about the ability to overcome difficult decisions in life, found family, second chances at love and friendship, and a story that shows the difficult decisions you may make in life and how you carry it. I was up until 2 am to finish reading it and I was tearing up so much near the end.
Thank you so much BookSparks & Jane Ward for the gifted copy!
August 5, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
October 29, 2025
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.
February 10, 2026
First off, I have to say this novel pulled me in from the first page. The writing is brilliant, and the story is compelling. It spans from the 1990s to the present, exploring themes of adoption, regret, love, and second chances. The main character, Noel, is ambitious, flawed, and at times frustrating. The author did a fabulous job with character development. Even though I questioned the main character’s choices at times, I found myself rooting for her. I also enjoyed the London art scene as the backdrop. If you enjoy character-driven novels about emotional journeys, second chances, and the lasting impact of our choices, I highly recommend picking this one up.
July 14, 2026
I don’t know how I feel about this book. I did not like the first half at all, but ended up getting pulled in anyway. I loved the last hundred or so pages, despite never being won over by the main character. I did like the characters Bryn, Cal, and Henry, so I guess that’s why I kept reading!
March 30, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
Noel fell in love at university, as only one can as a young adult - fully, unapologetically, without holding back.
Bryn is as smitten with her, having sought her out to be the subject in his latest painting.
Sitting for the work leads to so much more, but at a crucial moment in their relationship, Bryn chooses to study in Italy over the winter. Noel promises to wait for him.
Fast forward thirty years and Noel is at the tail end of an ugly divorce and Bryn is living in his cottage by the sea. Neither is happy.
But what tore them apart might now bring them back together as Noel realizes that it might not be too late to say what she never said.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
This was my Booked Up Teachers book club pick for March, and we all enjoyed it!
The relationship between Noel and art student Henry is particularly revealing and emotional.
Dual timeline is necessary here - the college years set in the 90s and the current day brings them back together.
It’s a book that I think will be especially enjoyed by mothers who will feel the heartbreak and emotion that is the besting center of the book.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
If you’re a fan of character driven LitFic and enjoy the mess of relationships and poor choices, this is one you’ll enjoy.
There’s a line at the end that is perfect.
3.5⭐️ rounded up
Noel fell in love at university, as only one can as a young adult - fully, unapologetically, without holding back.
Bryn is as smitten with her, having sought her out to be the subject in his latest painting.
Sitting for the work leads to so much more, but at a crucial moment in their relationship, Bryn chooses to study in Italy over the winter. Noel promises to wait for him.
Fast forward thirty years and Noel is at the tail end of an ugly divorce and Bryn is living in his cottage by the sea. Neither is happy.
But what tore them apart might now bring them back together as Noel realizes that it might not be too late to say what she never said.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
This was my Booked Up Teachers book club pick for March, and we all enjoyed it!
The relationship between Noel and art student Henry is particularly revealing and emotional.
Dual timeline is necessary here - the college years set in the 90s and the current day brings them back together.
It’s a book that I think will be especially enjoyed by mothers who will feel the heartbreak and emotion that is the besting center of the book.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
If you’re a fan of character driven LitFic and enjoy the mess of relationships and poor choices, this is one you’ll enjoy.
There’s a line at the end that is perfect.
3.5⭐️ rounded up
May 17, 2026
I'm that reader that will read a book but skip ahead to make sure the ending will be want I anticipate. I did this with this book, but still was driven to read how they got to the happy ending that I wanted. It was a very good read, and would recommend.
May 13, 2026
The main character here is Noel Enfield, a woman with secrets. She was named for her grandfather, by the way. She is working at a museum in Massachusetts and has the career opportunity of a lifetime at a gallery in London. Here is the complication (one of many) - she is going through divorce from Andy and she has a young stepdaughter Alice. Noel wants to retain the relationship with Alice but the acrimonious nature of this divorce has Alice picking sides and it's not Noel's.
This one statement from her husband Andy made her decide to end her marriage. "For someone who's never been pregnant you sure know a lot." That was in reference to a woman feeling ill at their party. Because this is the big secret she kept from Andy; she had a baby and gave it up for adoption.
Noel couldn't continue to live a lie. After 7 years of marriage it's a bit late to explain you had a baby and gave it away. She never did tell Andy so I imagine he was blindsided by the divorce with zero explanation. Starting a marriage with such a big secret was definitely a bad idea.
Back story: Bryn was Noel's partner when she lived in London, also the father of the adopted out baby, and she never stopped caring for him. Before you cast hate at Bryn, know that he was never aware of the pregnancy. That is another story woven in explaining the situation. Their relationship started and ended in London and here she is, about to immerse herself on a path that crosses her past and future.
Near the end of the book I liked the what if thoughts Noel had. A mental checklist of things that may have turned out differently. Who among us hasn't had those thoughts? "What if I had stayed in my old life, what if I left Andy but stayed closer, what if I stayed in London, or come back to London sooner...so many different life scenarios.
The book touches on Covid, loss, grief, love and forgiveness. It's a book about second chances.
I received this complimentary copy from LibraryThing, all opinions are my own. Thank you LT as book mail is always welcome!Rounded to 4 stars
March 31, 2026
“Should Have Told You Sooner,” by Jane Ward
Does anyone ever stop questioning the biggest decisions they ever made? Are we destined to second guess the choices that were fraught with angst and that determined the course of our lives? Jane Ward had me asking these questions as I was drawn into the life story of her protagonist, Noel Enfield, in the novel “I Should Have Told You Sooner.”
Timelines and locations are woven seamlessly together by Ward, interspersing Noel’s college days in London in the early 1990s with her present-day life as a wife and mother working at a museum in New England. Noel’s story begins at an English University where she pursues her love of art history and experiences the exhilaration of young love with Bryn Jones—a striking and talented artist. When their ill-fated relationship falls apart due to a series of mishaps, they move on without each other for thirty years, never knowing how much they each fought to be together. Noel gives up the child that Bryn never knew she was carrying and moves back to Massachusetts in a state of desperation. After establishing a successful career, she marries a single father and tries to have the family life that had eluded her since she left London.
Noel keeps her past life a secret from everyone, never telling her husband about her love for Bryn and the loss of her child. Eventually, her emotional anguish bubbles up and drives her away from her family, leaving anger and damage in her wake. When Noel gets a chance to advance her career in a six-month position at a museum in London, she takes it with very mixed emotions. Will returning to the place that broke her heart allow her to heal or will it break her further?
The shifting timelines and locations of Noel’s story are enhanced by elements that transport the reader into the world of art and create atmosphere through the mysteries of Welsh folklore and the descriptions of London streets. Noel takes on complex dimensions as she merges her present with her past. The connections and coincidences that bring characters together seem fantastical, yet Ward renders each one plausible and very satisfying. The “Law of Truly Large Numbers” is a concept mentioned more than once that gave me a reason to believe that every incredible encounter can be explained by the laws of the universe. As Noel and Bryn finally find one another after thirty years and Noel decides she wants to search for their son, I believed that everything that happened to these characters was possible in real life.
Themes of human complexity, interwoven lives, decisions made for the benefit of others, and the complicated grief of missing those we let go (but never let go), are explored through the eyes of Ward’s characters who each suffer from the question of what might have been. I very much wanted this story to arc in a healing direction and for the push and pull of yearning and loss that palpates the pages to be settled for everyone. I was invested in the fates of Noel, Bryn, Henry, and even Cal, and rooted for them with every turn of the page. I also found myself drinking lots and lots of tea!
Does anyone ever stop questioning the biggest decisions they ever made? Are we destined to second guess the choices that were fraught with angst and that determined the course of our lives? Jane Ward had me asking these questions as I was drawn into the life story of her protagonist, Noel Enfield, in the novel “I Should Have Told You Sooner.”
Timelines and locations are woven seamlessly together by Ward, interspersing Noel’s college days in London in the early 1990s with her present-day life as a wife and mother working at a museum in New England. Noel’s story begins at an English University where she pursues her love of art history and experiences the exhilaration of young love with Bryn Jones—a striking and talented artist. When their ill-fated relationship falls apart due to a series of mishaps, they move on without each other for thirty years, never knowing how much they each fought to be together. Noel gives up the child that Bryn never knew she was carrying and moves back to Massachusetts in a state of desperation. After establishing a successful career, she marries a single father and tries to have the family life that had eluded her since she left London.
Noel keeps her past life a secret from everyone, never telling her husband about her love for Bryn and the loss of her child. Eventually, her emotional anguish bubbles up and drives her away from her family, leaving anger and damage in her wake. When Noel gets a chance to advance her career in a six-month position at a museum in London, she takes it with very mixed emotions. Will returning to the place that broke her heart allow her to heal or will it break her further?
The shifting timelines and locations of Noel’s story are enhanced by elements that transport the reader into the world of art and create atmosphere through the mysteries of Welsh folklore and the descriptions of London streets. Noel takes on complex dimensions as she merges her present with her past. The connections and coincidences that bring characters together seem fantastical, yet Ward renders each one plausible and very satisfying. The “Law of Truly Large Numbers” is a concept mentioned more than once that gave me a reason to believe that every incredible encounter can be explained by the laws of the universe. As Noel and Bryn finally find one another after thirty years and Noel decides she wants to search for their son, I believed that everything that happened to these characters was possible in real life.
Themes of human complexity, interwoven lives, decisions made for the benefit of others, and the complicated grief of missing those we let go (but never let go), are explored through the eyes of Ward’s characters who each suffer from the question of what might have been. I very much wanted this story to arc in a healing direction and for the push and pull of yearning and loss that palpates the pages to be settled for everyone. I was invested in the fates of Noel, Bryn, Henry, and even Cal, and rooted for them with every turn of the page. I also found myself drinking lots and lots of tea!
July 27, 2026
In the press package for this novel, I immediately noticed that one of the settings for this story was Wales. It’s rare to see books set in Wales, and I’m always looking for them since that is my heritage.
This is a story of choices and consequences, regrets and serendipitous chances. It’s a love story and a heartbreak story. The novel begins with a letter from a ten-year-old to his mum, and in it you get the feel that this boy doesn’t know his mum. We then meet Noel in 2022, recently separated from her husband and trying to stay connected to his daughter, her step-daughter whom she helped raise for the last six years. Noel works in Art History and has been offered a 6-month job in London, which seems like perfect timing given her recent split, but she hasn’t been back to London in nearly 30 years.
“Mastering the water doesn’t always mean pushing through it. Sometimes a swimmer has to conserve energy; sometimes it is enough to stay afloat.”
The novel is broken up into 7 parts with chapters defined by the location, such as Noel’s Airbnb in 2022 or flashing back to Noel’s life in London during her college days in the early 1990s, where she meets Bryn, an artist who changes her life forever. Among the chapters, we also read letters written by the same boy, at various stages in his life, to his mum. We soon realize this boy was given up for adoption, but it isn’t clear who the mum is quite yet, even though you have some guesses.
“But I don’t much like that all the different parts of my life have fences around them, maintaining borders between each other.”
This story is heavy on emotion and character building, but I was also taken in by the settings and descriptions of art, both painted by Bryn in the 1990s, and by a new artist in 2022 that Noel meets. As someone who isn’t very knowledgeable in art or art techniques, I was able to imagine the various paintings described in my mind. I wanted to be at Bryn’s home in the middle of the woods in Wales. I could imagine his studio, the disheveled state, with canvases, easels, and paints lying around.
“We tend to think of life as a straight line until we’re reminded it’s lines that sometimes fold back on themselves or go in circles and figure eights.”
When Noel learns that what she knew of her past may not be exactly how she understood it, she is sent on a path of forgiveness, reconnection, and hope that maybe there is a different future for her. Even though the characters were flawed, they had characteristics and values that the reader could connect with. There are a lot of emotions in this story, and even though the reader might not agree with the characters’ choices, you’ll still feel their heartbreak. If you’ve ever wondered, “What if?” related to the choices you made in your past, this might be the book for you. In the final chapter, I found my heart begging for the ending I’d been hoping for and was thrilled with the last line of the novel.
“So, ask yourself, how did I get to this place where things are so good? I’m sure you’ll see there’s only one answer: you got right here, right now by living your life, your most unexpected life, with its every up and every down.”
This is a story of choices and consequences, regrets and serendipitous chances. It’s a love story and a heartbreak story. The novel begins with a letter from a ten-year-old to his mum, and in it you get the feel that this boy doesn’t know his mum. We then meet Noel in 2022, recently separated from her husband and trying to stay connected to his daughter, her step-daughter whom she helped raise for the last six years. Noel works in Art History and has been offered a 6-month job in London, which seems like perfect timing given her recent split, but she hasn’t been back to London in nearly 30 years.
“Mastering the water doesn’t always mean pushing through it. Sometimes a swimmer has to conserve energy; sometimes it is enough to stay afloat.”
The novel is broken up into 7 parts with chapters defined by the location, such as Noel’s Airbnb in 2022 or flashing back to Noel’s life in London during her college days in the early 1990s, where she meets Bryn, an artist who changes her life forever. Among the chapters, we also read letters written by the same boy, at various stages in his life, to his mum. We soon realize this boy was given up for adoption, but it isn’t clear who the mum is quite yet, even though you have some guesses.
“But I don’t much like that all the different parts of my life have fences around them, maintaining borders between each other.”
This story is heavy on emotion and character building, but I was also taken in by the settings and descriptions of art, both painted by Bryn in the 1990s, and by a new artist in 2022 that Noel meets. As someone who isn’t very knowledgeable in art or art techniques, I was able to imagine the various paintings described in my mind. I wanted to be at Bryn’s home in the middle of the woods in Wales. I could imagine his studio, the disheveled state, with canvases, easels, and paints lying around.
“We tend to think of life as a straight line until we’re reminded it’s lines that sometimes fold back on themselves or go in circles and figure eights.”
When Noel learns that what she knew of her past may not be exactly how she understood it, she is sent on a path of forgiveness, reconnection, and hope that maybe there is a different future for her. Even though the characters were flawed, they had characteristics and values that the reader could connect with. There are a lot of emotions in this story, and even though the reader might not agree with the characters’ choices, you’ll still feel their heartbreak. If you’ve ever wondered, “What if?” related to the choices you made in your past, this might be the book for you. In the final chapter, I found my heart begging for the ending I’d been hoping for and was thrilled with the last line of the novel.
“So, ask yourself, how did I get to this place where things are so good? I’m sure you’ll see there’s only one answer: you got right here, right now by living your life, your most unexpected life, with its every up and every down.”
February 13, 2026
Book review: 3.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: romance
Themes: chance, abandonment, redemption, mature relationships
I usually don’t enjoy tropes of miscommunication in romances, but this is about so much more. The heartache and tragedy of an all consuming youthful love and the way the past informs decisions and the need for self-preservation. It is a layered story of loss, parenthood, the cost of artistry and second-chances.
Noel Enfield falls irrevocably and passionately in love with artist Bryan Jones while she is studying art history in London. When life suddenly falls apart and the two split, Noel is left with a difficult decision. Choosing a future and a return to the US, Noel leaves her baby in the UK and returns to hopes of a happily ever after with the past remaining in the past. Fast forward thirty years and Noel is divorcing a manipulative man and loosing the daughter he came with. When a work opportunity takes Noel back to London she will meet old friends and get the chance to heal old wounds and spark new flames.
Noel is so desperate for the love that she lost after the death of her mother that she pushes friends and family members away when she doesn’t like what they have to say. She becomes a sort of doormat willing to put up with red flags and bad behaviour from men all in the name of a contrived love. It can make Noel a frustrating character, but she is also beautifully complex and hurting, achingly seeking something just out of reach. She can be relatable and messy though I found her inner dialogue and outward projection to be at odds. I suppose this is true of most humans so this contrast in another deeply humane characteristic.
The story unfolds with Noel, Bryn and the lost child all given a voice. It explores chance and coincidence and the cost of carelessness. I do wish there was a little more to the original love story than being treated like an object for a painting and some cheese. It came across more as youthful infatuation than endearing love, but the repercussions were explored in much more depth and with the wisdom of age and perspective. It was a story full of regrets and insecurities, of realizing all the mistakes and heartache in life make one the person that they are now, and of finally having autonomy over your own choices and to love come what may.
Thank you to Book Sparks and Jane Ward for gifting this book as part of the winter pop up book tour.
Genre: romance
Themes: chance, abandonment, redemption, mature relationships
I usually don’t enjoy tropes of miscommunication in romances, but this is about so much more. The heartache and tragedy of an all consuming youthful love and the way the past informs decisions and the need for self-preservation. It is a layered story of loss, parenthood, the cost of artistry and second-chances.
Noel Enfield falls irrevocably and passionately in love with artist Bryan Jones while she is studying art history in London. When life suddenly falls apart and the two split, Noel is left with a difficult decision. Choosing a future and a return to the US, Noel leaves her baby in the UK and returns to hopes of a happily ever after with the past remaining in the past. Fast forward thirty years and Noel is divorcing a manipulative man and loosing the daughter he came with. When a work opportunity takes Noel back to London she will meet old friends and get the chance to heal old wounds and spark new flames.
Noel is so desperate for the love that she lost after the death of her mother that she pushes friends and family members away when she doesn’t like what they have to say. She becomes a sort of doormat willing to put up with red flags and bad behaviour from men all in the name of a contrived love. It can make Noel a frustrating character, but she is also beautifully complex and hurting, achingly seeking something just out of reach. She can be relatable and messy though I found her inner dialogue and outward projection to be at odds. I suppose this is true of most humans so this contrast in another deeply humane characteristic.
The story unfolds with Noel, Bryn and the lost child all given a voice. It explores chance and coincidence and the cost of carelessness. I do wish there was a little more to the original love story than being treated like an object for a painting and some cheese. It came across more as youthful infatuation than endearing love, but the repercussions were explored in much more depth and with the wisdom of age and perspective. It was a story full of regrets and insecurities, of realizing all the mistakes and heartache in life make one the person that they are now, and of finally having autonomy over your own choices and to love come what may.
Thank you to Book Sparks and Jane Ward for gifting this book as part of the winter pop up book tour.
October 5, 2025
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.
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.
February 10, 2026
Beautifully Written and Emotionally Resonant, Though the Protagonist Didn’t Fully Work for Me
Should Have Told You Sooner is a thoughtful, emotional novel, and Jane Ward’s writing is undeniably strong. For me, this was a 3.5‑star read rounded up to four, because while the craft is beautiful, my connection to the protagonist was complicated.
Noel is realistic and deeply human, but I often found her difficult to sit with. Much of her narrative voice moves between self‑pity and self‑examination. While this is believable for someone in her situation, it sometimes made me feel more like an agony aunt absorbing her emotional processing than a reader following a story. That’s a matter of personal taste, not a flaw in Ward’s skill.
What did hook me immediately — and powerfully — was the opening letter from “Your Son.” By page two, I was choking up. His birthday wishes (“a grown‑up bike like my friend has” and art supplies) and especially the line:
“I carry so many pictures in my head and they are noisy until I let them out.”
— absolutely gutted me. And when he ends with:
“I will keep writing to you with stories and with questions, and I will hold these letters under the mattress until I know where to send them.”
I was fully invested. That emotional truth is what kept me reading.
As the novel unfolds, I needed to understand how this boy’s voice connects to Noel’s life in the art world, to Bryn, and to the history that kept them apart. Ward handles these threads with nuance and heartbreak, weaving a story shaped by timing, fate, and the long shadows of past choices. At times, though, the plot leaned a bit too heavily on fate’s hand - something I also struggle with in Nicholas Sparks's novels. Readers who enjoy that style of emotional, fate‑touched storytelling will likely find it deeply satisfying and utterly enthralling.
In short:
Exquisite writing, a powerful emotional hook, and a compelling mystery of connection - paired with a protagonist whose inner monologue didn’t always work for me. If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks or character‑driven stories about love, loss, and reconnection, this novel will be right in your lane.
Should Have Told You Sooner is a thoughtful, emotional novel, and Jane Ward’s writing is undeniably strong. For me, this was a 3.5‑star read rounded up to four, because while the craft is beautiful, my connection to the protagonist was complicated.
Noel is realistic and deeply human, but I often found her difficult to sit with. Much of her narrative voice moves between self‑pity and self‑examination. While this is believable for someone in her situation, it sometimes made me feel more like an agony aunt absorbing her emotional processing than a reader following a story. That’s a matter of personal taste, not a flaw in Ward’s skill.
What did hook me immediately — and powerfully — was the opening letter from “Your Son.” By page two, I was choking up. His birthday wishes (“a grown‑up bike like my friend has” and art supplies) and especially the line:
“I carry so many pictures in my head and they are noisy until I let them out.”
— absolutely gutted me. And when he ends with:
“I will keep writing to you with stories and with questions, and I will hold these letters under the mattress until I know where to send them.”
I was fully invested. That emotional truth is what kept me reading.
As the novel unfolds, I needed to understand how this boy’s voice connects to Noel’s life in the art world, to Bryn, and to the history that kept them apart. Ward handles these threads with nuance and heartbreak, weaving a story shaped by timing, fate, and the long shadows of past choices. At times, though, the plot leaned a bit too heavily on fate’s hand - something I also struggle with in Nicholas Sparks's novels. Readers who enjoy that style of emotional, fate‑touched storytelling will likely find it deeply satisfying and utterly enthralling.
In short:
Exquisite writing, a powerful emotional hook, and a compelling mystery of connection - paired with a protagonist whose inner monologue didn’t always work for me. If you enjoy Nicholas Sparks or character‑driven stories about love, loss, and reconnection, this novel will be right in your lane.
November 10, 2025
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.
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.
July 2, 2026
Should Have Told You Sooner is an emotionally rich novel that lingers long after the final page, not because of dramatic plot twists, but because of its thoughtful exploration of love, timing, and the choices that quietly shape our lives. Jane Ward reminds us that sometimes the greatest turning points aren't the decisions we make, but the conversations that never happen.
What stayed with me most was Noel's journey. Returning to London under the guise of a career opportunity becomes something far more personal as she is forced to revisit a past she believed she had left behind. Watching decades-old assumptions unravel, and seeing how one misunderstanding altered the course of so many lives, gives the novel a depth that feels both heartbreaking and hopeful.
I also loved how naturally the art world is woven into the story. Museums, paintings, and artists aren't simply settings—they reinforce the novel's themes of memory, preservation, and the stories we carry with us. The creative backdrop adds another layer of beauty without ever overshadowing the emotional heart of the novel.
Perhaps what makes the book so memorable is its compassion. Rather than assigning blame, it asks readers to consider how easily life can be redirected by circumstance, silence, and imperfect timing. It's ultimately a story about forgiveness, understanding, and the possibility that healing can still begin even after decades have passed.
Should Have Told You Sooner is a beautifully written contemporary novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate emotionally intelligent fiction, nuanced relationships, and stories that continue unfolding in the reader's mind long after they've finished reading.
What stayed with me most was Noel's journey. Returning to London under the guise of a career opportunity becomes something far more personal as she is forced to revisit a past she believed she had left behind. Watching decades-old assumptions unravel, and seeing how one misunderstanding altered the course of so many lives, gives the novel a depth that feels both heartbreaking and hopeful.
I also loved how naturally the art world is woven into the story. Museums, paintings, and artists aren't simply settings—they reinforce the novel's themes of memory, preservation, and the stories we carry with us. The creative backdrop adds another layer of beauty without ever overshadowing the emotional heart of the novel.
Perhaps what makes the book so memorable is its compassion. Rather than assigning blame, it asks readers to consider how easily life can be redirected by circumstance, silence, and imperfect timing. It's ultimately a story about forgiveness, understanding, and the possibility that healing can still begin even after decades have passed.
Should Have Told You Sooner is a beautifully written contemporary novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate emotionally intelligent fiction, nuanced relationships, and stories that continue unfolding in the reader's mind long after they've finished reading.
Review of advance copy
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.
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.
May 3, 2026
BOOK REVIEW:
Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis: The FMC Noel finds herself at a crossroads in her marriage. Noel works in the art world and is offered a secondment to work at a prestigious London art museum/gallery. Returning to London would mean returning to the place she abandoned many years ago and drumming up memories of love lost that she has been keeping buried. The story is told through alternating timelines, past and present. Interwoven throughout are letters written by someone else that is unknown to the reader, but is expressing a sense of loss, sadness, wonder, and loneliness by putting pen to paper.
My Thoughts: Jane Ward has crafted a beautifully written and poignant story. I was immediately immersed in Noel’s life - past and present. The lush, descriptive prose transported me right to London”s city life and to the bleak, yet cozy, seaside of South Wales where MMC Bryn’s cottage is located. I found myself feeling so many different emotions towards Noel and Bryn throughout the story as the characters’ choices and actions have such life changing effects on themselves and others in their lives: anger, sadness, joy, and hope. Even the lesser characters were well developed to the point that I developed strong feelings for and opinions about them. I enjoyed Ward’s use of the past and present timelines to let the full story slowly evolve. I also enjoyed all the details describing the art and the creative process. It added to the readers’ understanding of the importance of this medium to the characters. Interspersing the anonymous letters between chapters created a sense of foreboding mystery and kept me turning the pages. Ultimately, this is a story about love, loss, and what-ifs. It is a story that has the characters questioning their impulsivity, selfishness, and their understanding of the consequences of their actions. At times this story is absolutely heartbreaking and gutwrenching, and at other times it fills the reader with love and joy. I could not put this book down and was so pleased with how Jane Ward brings it to a satisfying close. I highly recommend reading Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward.
I voluntarily reviewed this novel that I was gifted by The Book Club Cook Book and author Jane Ward.
Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Synopsis: The FMC Noel finds herself at a crossroads in her marriage. Noel works in the art world and is offered a secondment to work at a prestigious London art museum/gallery. Returning to London would mean returning to the place she abandoned many years ago and drumming up memories of love lost that she has been keeping buried. The story is told through alternating timelines, past and present. Interwoven throughout are letters written by someone else that is unknown to the reader, but is expressing a sense of loss, sadness, wonder, and loneliness by putting pen to paper.
My Thoughts: Jane Ward has crafted a beautifully written and poignant story. I was immediately immersed in Noel’s life - past and present. The lush, descriptive prose transported me right to London”s city life and to the bleak, yet cozy, seaside of South Wales where MMC Bryn’s cottage is located. I found myself feeling so many different emotions towards Noel and Bryn throughout the story as the characters’ choices and actions have such life changing effects on themselves and others in their lives: anger, sadness, joy, and hope. Even the lesser characters were well developed to the point that I developed strong feelings for and opinions about them. I enjoyed Ward’s use of the past and present timelines to let the full story slowly evolve. I also enjoyed all the details describing the art and the creative process. It added to the readers’ understanding of the importance of this medium to the characters. Interspersing the anonymous letters between chapters created a sense of foreboding mystery and kept me turning the pages. Ultimately, this is a story about love, loss, and what-ifs. It is a story that has the characters questioning their impulsivity, selfishness, and their understanding of the consequences of their actions. At times this story is absolutely heartbreaking and gutwrenching, and at other times it fills the reader with love and joy. I could not put this book down and was so pleased with how Jane Ward brings it to a satisfying close. I highly recommend reading Should Have Told You Sooner by Jane Ward.
I voluntarily reviewed this novel that I was gifted by The Book Club Cook Book and author Jane Ward.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jane Ward’s Should Have Told You Sooner is a beautifully measured novel about the decisions we make when we’re young, and how their consequences echo across a lifetime. The story follows Noel Enfield, whose long‑ago love affair with art student Bryn Jones was cut short by a tangle of missed connections, a surprise pregnancy, and one desperate choice that reshaped her future. When Noel returns to London decades later for a museum secondment, she finds herself pulled back into the orbit of the people and places she once fled, forcing her to confront the truth of what really happened all those years ago.
Jane Ward handles this dual‑timeline emotional terrain with real sensitivity. The author capture the intensity of first love and the fragile optimism of two young people imagining a shared future. Then later in the timeline Noel in midlife, accomplished yet still carrying the weight of what she never resolved has a quiet poignancy.. The reveal of why Bryn never returned is especially affecting, not because it’s dramatic, but because it feels painfully human.
The novel’s pacing is reflective, sometimes slow, but it suits the themes: regret, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to revisit the past with open eyes. Ward’s prose is elegant without being showy, and she has a gift for the small, telling detail that reveals a character’s inner life.
This is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant read and one that lingers after the final page. A strong novel, especially for readers who enjoy character‑driven stories about love, art, and second chances.
Jane Ward handles this dual‑timeline emotional terrain with real sensitivity. The author capture the intensity of first love and the fragile optimism of two young people imagining a shared future. Then later in the timeline Noel in midlife, accomplished yet still carrying the weight of what she never resolved has a quiet poignancy.. The reveal of why Bryn never returned is especially affecting, not because it’s dramatic, but because it feels painfully human.
The novel’s pacing is reflective, sometimes slow, but it suits the themes: regret, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to revisit the past with open eyes. Ward’s prose is elegant without being showy, and she has a gift for the small, telling detail that reveals a character’s inner life.
This is a thoughtful, emotionally resonant read and one that lingers after the final page. A strong novel, especially for readers who enjoy character‑driven stories about love, art, and second chances.
February 10, 2026
Secrets. All of us have them. In “Should Have Told You Sooner” author Jane Ward writes: “The past lingers, it shapes our present and our future.” Noel Enfield, Bryn Jones, and Henry Bell all have secrets from each of their pasts that has shaped their presents and futures. Noel is the Director of Collections at the Field-Lyons Museum in Massachusetts. She is returning to London after almost 30 years to participate in a temporary staffing trade at the Addison Gallery. Once there she renews some old friendships with Calum Paterson and then with Bryn Jones. She meets a talented new artist, Henry Bell. Little does she know that the past’s she has shared with these men will affect her future so profoundly.
This book was a bit confusing at first, because the points of view and timeline bounced around. I liked how the chapter headings give both the time and place that help the reader follow the storyline easier. This book reached deep into me with an emotional connection following the story’s journey of discovery, angst, feelings of betrayal, then abandonment, and finally hope. I liked how it all came together in the end, but would have liked a bit more detail in the conclusion. Readers who want a deep meaningful romance that tugs at one’s heartstrings will like this book.
I wish to thank She Writes Press for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#ShouldHaveToldYouSooner
#SheWritesPress
#NetGalley
#Romance
This book was a bit confusing at first, because the points of view and timeline bounced around. I liked how the chapter headings give both the time and place that help the reader follow the storyline easier. This book reached deep into me with an emotional connection following the story’s journey of discovery, angst, feelings of betrayal, then abandonment, and finally hope. I liked how it all came together in the end, but would have liked a bit more detail in the conclusion. Readers who want a deep meaningful romance that tugs at one’s heartstrings will like this book.
I wish to thank She Writes Press for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#ShouldHaveToldYouSooner
#SheWritesPress
#NetGalley
#Romance
July 24, 2026
I just finished reading "Should Have Told You Sonner" by Jane Ward. Many thanks to NetGalley and Stable Book Group for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
This book is aptly named because it is all about regret and longing and missed opportunities not just from the main character Noel, but from all the other characters as well. This book teaches the reader to take risks and do the hard things before the chance slips away and changes your life in ways you may not want. The story follows Noel who is sent to England to study Art and falls in love with Bryn Jones, another artist and they plan a future together. Then Bryn is offered an opportunity to go to Italy and Noel supports his decision and off he goes....but he doesn't. Heartbroken Noel leaves and returns home but....she has a secret that she doesn't or cant tell Bryn.
Fast forward thirty years...Noel is living in America and she is given the chance to go to London for six weeks where she meets a young artist named Henry and....runs into Bryn....again.
Regrets, unspoken words....secrets are revealed at a good pace and .....what happens next is for the reader to find out.
I liked the characters (well most of them anyway...the ex-husband was a jerk), and i liked the story line. I was intrigued by some of the characters but I did figure out the secret before it was revealed.
All in all, it was a good book, filled with enough mystery, emotion and romance to keep me reading to the end. Not too long...not to short. It was just right....and the ending....very clever
This book is aptly named because it is all about regret and longing and missed opportunities not just from the main character Noel, but from all the other characters as well. This book teaches the reader to take risks and do the hard things before the chance slips away and changes your life in ways you may not want. The story follows Noel who is sent to England to study Art and falls in love with Bryn Jones, another artist and they plan a future together. Then Bryn is offered an opportunity to go to Italy and Noel supports his decision and off he goes....but he doesn't. Heartbroken Noel leaves and returns home but....she has a secret that she doesn't or cant tell Bryn.
Fast forward thirty years...Noel is living in America and she is given the chance to go to London for six weeks where she meets a young artist named Henry and....runs into Bryn....again.
Regrets, unspoken words....secrets are revealed at a good pace and .....what happens next is for the reader to find out.
I liked the characters (well most of them anyway...the ex-husband was a jerk), and i liked the story line. I was intrigued by some of the characters but I did figure out the secret before it was revealed.
All in all, it was a good book, filled with enough mystery, emotion and romance to keep me reading to the end. Not too long...not to short. It was just right....and the ending....very clever
February 13, 2026
“…𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘦’𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰.”
Thank you BookSparks and She Writes Press for a gifted copy and for providing an advanced readers copy via Netgalley.
I love a good literary story and this tender one swept me up from the start. It alternates with a dual timeline and intermittently there are letters from one character. It’s slower, the writing lovely, and I found it quiet but reflective, much like when looking at a piece of art in a museum; it invites you to sit, linger, see and feel and ponder.
While there is depth to Noel that allows us to understand what motivates her, her fears and desires, I felt we aren’t given that for Bryn. He comes across aloof and one-dimensional. Their romance is so sudden that we miss what made it grow, what really made Noel fall for him, so that aspect of the story felt shallow and I wasn’t convinced.
Ultimately this story is about the choices we make and the ripple effects they have on people’s lives, and how one must come to terms with things. Sometimes we get second chances, sometimes we don’t. Regret, guilt, grief, love, ambition, even contentment, all can be powerful motivators that either propel us forward or hold us back, and that’s a deeply personal journey. And every story has more than one side, just as an art piece can convey multiple messages, and this reminds us of both those things.
Thank you BookSparks and She Writes Press for a gifted copy and for providing an advanced readers copy via Netgalley.
I love a good literary story and this tender one swept me up from the start. It alternates with a dual timeline and intermittently there are letters from one character. It’s slower, the writing lovely, and I found it quiet but reflective, much like when looking at a piece of art in a museum; it invites you to sit, linger, see and feel and ponder.
While there is depth to Noel that allows us to understand what motivates her, her fears and desires, I felt we aren’t given that for Bryn. He comes across aloof and one-dimensional. Their romance is so sudden that we miss what made it grow, what really made Noel fall for him, so that aspect of the story felt shallow and I wasn’t convinced.
Ultimately this story is about the choices we make and the ripple effects they have on people’s lives, and how one must come to terms with things. Sometimes we get second chances, sometimes we don’t. Regret, guilt, grief, love, ambition, even contentment, all can be powerful motivators that either propel us forward or hold us back, and that’s a deeply personal journey. And every story has more than one side, just as an art piece can convey multiple messages, and this reminds us of both those things.
December 3, 2025
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
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.
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.
November 25, 2025
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.
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.
February 16, 2026
Thank you to @BookSparks and @AuthorJaneWard for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
After I read the first letter by Noel’s son, I knew I was done for. I was completely engrossed in Noel’s life. All her choices, bad timing, and secrets, and then a divorce along with a stepdaughter that didn’t want to have anything to do with her was a lot. But it also felt realistic. Sometimes life has a way of becoming overwhelming and one trauma builds upon another to make you feel like you are stuck in your sadness and regret.
The one thing that was a positive in Noel’s life was her career, so when her boss wanted her to go to London to work in another museum to gain experience, it was the break she needed professionally and personally.
Little did she know her past would play a huge role in her daily life while in London. It’s as if everything from her past came up to the forefront. Friends and her first love return and are exactly what she needs. They provided comfort and the ability for letting her secret be known.
Noel was such a great character. She was trying to move forward in her life, but was overwhelmed by the son she gave up for adoption, her divorce and the end of a relationship with her step daughter, secrets from her past she kept from the most important people of her past.
If you are in the mood for an emotional read that deals with difficult decisions, pain, adoption, and a second chance romance, this delivers in the best way.
#WinterPopUp #ShouldHaveToldYouSoonerTour
After I read the first letter by Noel’s son, I knew I was done for. I was completely engrossed in Noel’s life. All her choices, bad timing, and secrets, and then a divorce along with a stepdaughter that didn’t want to have anything to do with her was a lot. But it also felt realistic. Sometimes life has a way of becoming overwhelming and one trauma builds upon another to make you feel like you are stuck in your sadness and regret.
The one thing that was a positive in Noel’s life was her career, so when her boss wanted her to go to London to work in another museum to gain experience, it was the break she needed professionally and personally.
Little did she know her past would play a huge role in her daily life while in London. It’s as if everything from her past came up to the forefront. Friends and her first love return and are exactly what she needs. They provided comfort and the ability for letting her secret be known.
Noel was such a great character. She was trying to move forward in her life, but was overwhelmed by the son she gave up for adoption, her divorce and the end of a relationship with her step daughter, secrets from her past she kept from the most important people of her past.
If you are in the mood for an emotional read that deals with difficult decisions, pain, adoption, and a second chance romance, this delivers in the best way.
#WinterPopUp #ShouldHaveToldYouSoonerTour
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January 6, 2026Should 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.
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.
November 7, 2025
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.
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.
November 25, 2025
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.
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