What We Didn't Say

by Rory Dunlop

A darkly funny story of a marriage in crisis, perfect for readers who loved Us by David Nicholls and The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett

'A touching, even-handed and thoroughly engaging tale of love, jealousy and fatherhood'
Jim Crace, multi-award-winning author of Harvest


Jack and Laura have separated. Jack thinks it's all Laura's fault.

Laura disagrees.

Jack writes to Laura, desperate to put across his side of the story.

Laura interrupts.

Wryly sarcastic and intensely well-observed, What We Didn't Say is about that gap between words and feelings where relationships live - and die.

Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

Published October 6, 2016

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What We Didn't Say tells the story of Jack and Laura's marriage mostly through the medium of his diary account of a difficult time in their relationship. In the book, the diary is being shared with their son, Mike, and has many 'corrections' from Laura telling her side of the story. Jack and Laura's relationship hasn't been easy. He was older than her, her lecturer at Uni actually, and I think he always has that fear that he is too old. This leads to a lot of jealousy on his part.

I felt quite annoyed with Laura at times as you come to realise through her edits that if they had just spoken frankly and actually listened to each other, there would have been fewer arguments and frustrations between them. But then I also felt annoyed with Jack as he always seemed to believe the worst of Laura. So in a way they were as bad as each other.

Through this book, the reader is shown the importance of expressing yourself and communicating with your partner. It shows that love however strong can be worn away through misunderstandings. But it also shows that if it is strong enough, love can overcome so much. I think there is much in this poignant read which readers will be able to relate to. A book that shows the importance of honesty and communication.

[Nick Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had an interesting and clever premise - not one I'd never seen before, but unusual enough to elevate it above the median - in that it was told mainly in the format of a man's diaries, with annotations from his wife, some time after their break-up. Though at times this did slightly jar, in the main it worked as a format.

It's a fairly typical contemporary romantic fiction plot - that of break-ups and regret and not communicating - and it did in fact frequently make me quite unhappy at stages. Overall however there was plenty to admire, plenty of wit and insight, plenty that worked well. With a critical eye you could criticise the plot for being so reliant on a series of misunderstandings and miscommunications that it stretched credibility, and I found the ending pretty 'standard rom-com' too - reminded me of films like 'Sliding Doors'.. but I liked that film and I liked this novel too.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What We Didn’t Say is a poignant anatomy of the breakdown of a marriage told by both the husband and the wife.

I adored the unique way Jack and Laura’s story is told; through Jack’s diary with edits from Laura where she has put her point of view. I got really immersed in their lives and felt I got to know the characters personally. Dunlop has effectively got their unique personalities across with all of their emotions, thoughts and sense of humour. I empathised with both Jack and Laura and understood their feelings and how they reacted despite not always agreeing with their actions. This book is all about the characters within and how they respond to the emotions and thoughts that are raised through their relationship with each other.

Dunlop provides an acute and accurate portrayal of how the destructive forces of insecurity and jealousy slowly erode a relationship and how we get caught up in the height of the emotions we are feeling. How it causes misinterpretation of everything - what is said, body language and an over analysis of the innocent remark or comment - and how difficult it is for the person on the receiving end of these negative emotions to change their partners thought processes. For Jack, who is the insecure and jealous partner, the negative emotions and arguments that ensue become so all-encompassing it’s almost addictive;

‘Every word she said was painful but I wanted more of them.’

At the same time Dunlop also writes with tenderness and beauty about love;

‘I meant that being with you was not like being with other people because you weren’t other people. You were a part of me.’

And he has encapsulated the wry humour that often appears in these otherwise difficult and painful situations. I think that anyone reading this novel will be able to relate to parts of it and the emotions, thoughts and reactions that are described.

I love a book that evokes a strong emotional reaction in me and makes you think about the nuances of human behaviour and What We Didn’t Say certainly did this for me. A wonderful debut novel by Rory Dunlop. This is a moving portrayal of how mistrust, misunderstanding and misinformation can impact on a relationship. A book I highly recommend.

Thank you to Rory Dunlop, Bonnier - Twenty7 and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

See all my reviews at www.bloominbrilliantbooks.com

[Monika Havlasová · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dostala jsem jako dárek. Humorný příběh jsem nečekala, tak jsem zklamaná nebyla. Jack mi přišel dobře napsaný, Laura mi moc nesedla :) Konec mi přišel takový na sílu, celkově neurazí ani nenadchne.

[Agi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me tell you right at the beginning that I found the concept of the book really fascinating - it is about Laura and Jack, separated for two years, and we are in fact reading Jack's diary that he's been writing, explaining what has happened and what led to this separation. Moreover, she lets Laura read this diary, and her comments, often so sarcastic and clear - headed, added so much to this whole story and let us also see two points of view as - let's be honest - there are always two sides to every story. I think it is a brilliant idea, I actually felt like the proverbial fly on the wall, having access to all the most intimate and hidden feelings and thoughts. And I was incredibly curious what happened!

This is mostly a comedy (or sometimes also a tragedy) of errors. It shows how much two people can lose if they are not able to communicate, when - because of being stubborn, or just because, to spite - they stop talking, their life if full of misunderstanding and understatements. I just couldn't stop thinking, why the hell won't they talk to each other?

I'd personally go crazy with such a partner like Jack was and I wanted to applaud Laura of her never ending patience to him. He was so unsecure, so unsure of this relationship in my opinion, and he was so, so controlling, he wanted to know everything about Laura, her whereabouts, people she spent time with, and I really was like hellooo? Really? I really, truly wasn't sure what Laura saw in Jack, but oh well, love is blind, right? And I don't mean the age difference, I just think they were not made for each other. But it doesn't mean that I didn't like Jack - because I liked him and I was thinking that in other circumstances, in different background he could be a great character. He was pessimistic, his glass was always half empty and he drove me crazy but somehow, believe it or not, I DID care for him.

The story dragged a bit too much for my liking and there were moments that felt like we were staying in the same place or running in circles, especially the second part of it, it lost the impact, felt much slower and was not as funny as the first part. It was also really frustrating to see that there were so many chances and that Laura and Jack could spare themselves all this pain and troubles only speaking and listening each other! I couldn't help it but I was angry with both of them - although, to be totally honest, I was much more angry with Jack.

Thanks to Laura's remark we also get a chance to get to know her point of view on the whole situation, and it DID shed new light at the whole situation. The way it is written made me feel really involved and immersed in their lives and I had a feeling I know the ins and outs of them both. The author has brilliantly captured their personalities, their sense of humour, their feelings and emotions. It's a very character - driven book, as next to Laura and Jack there is a whole bunch of background characters, very significant to the whole story. He also provided a very realistic and accurate picture of how jealousy and insecurity can destroy a relationship, in a very detailed and very realistic way. It was really deep and insightful story about love, family dynamics, relationships, a story that we can relate to, I think. The way it was narrated made it easy to read, simple, straight to the point and very clear. It was bitter - sweet and under the humour lies sadness and resentment and maybe it was a little too overwhelming for me.

Altogether I found "What We Didn't Say" an interesting, sharp and thought - provoking story with a very suitable title - it was really about things that the characters didn't say to each other. It was a deep read, and it gave a great insight into the soul of a marriage that want to survive but is also not sure if it's the best idea. Real, sharp and honest, showing how it really is and that relationships aren't so easy and showing the importance of communication.

Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply moving, insightful, and captivating.

This is a poignant novel that reminds us that life is short and precious, and that fundamentally we all need to love and be loved.

It touches on familial dynamics, marriage, secrets, jealousy, love, trust, and the importance of communication.

The story is written using a two-person narration, in a creative and unique style, which allows readers to flow both effortlessly between past and present, as well as hear both perspectives seamlessly.

It is well written. The prose is simple, precise, and darkly witty. And the characters are complex and real.

This is engaging story with a powerful impact, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially Bonnier Publishing, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This review can also be found at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com

[Gigli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Na obálce píšou, že pokud máte rádi romány Davida Nichollse, nade všechnu pochybnost si zamilujete i tuhle knihu.
Dámy a pánové, tohle je teda hroznej PODVOD! Davida Nichollse miluju. Jeho Otázka za deset má snad tu nejlepší a nejvtipnější pointu na světě. Jeden den je zase úžasně dojemnej, vtipnej a prostě tak nějak hezkej. Jeho postavy prostě milujete.
Tak jsem se na tu knížku těšila a nic z toho tu neni. Postavy mi byly jedno, místy byly i protivný a těch náhod tam bylo až moc. Jako nebylo to úplně debilní, takže spíš tak za dva a půl hvězdičky, ale prostě...

Nemáte tip na nějakou takovou feel good knížku? Nic hlubokýho, ale prostě něco příjemnýho, trochu vtipnýho, ne moc blbýho? Já už hrozně dlouho na nic takovýho nenarazila a chtěla bych.

[MartinaMartinkova · Rating 1 out of 5]

Obálka slibovala "temně humorný" příběh a já tam bohužel nic humorného nenašla... Četlo se těžce a už dlouho mi nebylo po přečtení knihy tak smutno..

[Koki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kniha Co jme si neřekli je jednou z mála kníh, ktorú keď som chytila do rúk, už som ju nepustila. Až kým som neotočila poslednú stránku. Aj keď som potom premýšľala, čím ma upútala, čím si získala moju plnú pozornosť, vedela som, že v prvom rade to bol štýl, akým bola napísaná, akým mi ju autor podal.

Priznávam, Rory zvolil príťažlivú formu podania, s ktorou som sa doposiaľ nestretla. Úplne si ma podmanila. Jack svojej manželke posiela denník, ktorý si písal, aby mohla vidieť, kde všade urobila chybu, prečo sa ich vzťah tak naštrbil, čo to spôsobilo a čo bolo podľa neho hlavnou príčinou. A y sme tí, ktorí si ho môžu tiež prečítať.

Laura, jeho manželka, veľmi krásnym spôsobom dopĺňa jeho denník vlastnými poznámkami, ktoré sú často ironické, až sarkastické, i keď možno by nemali byť, no chtiac či nechtiac tak vyznievajú (čo je len dobre, pretože to pridáva na šťavnatosti textu). Svojimi postrehmi a postojmi podáva manželovi svoj pohľad na danú situáciu, ktorú opísal či spomenul.

Vďaka tomu má čitateľ možnosť byť v celom procese diania objektívnym pozorovateľom, možno i vyhodnocovateľom. Úprimne, raz som fandila Jackovi, inokedy Laure. A Laure, samozrejme, viac. Hold. Žena. Zvyšok recenzie nájdete tu: http://kokina1.blogspot.sk/2017/05/co...

[Katherine Sunderland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of college sweethearts Jack and Laura. It is the story of a marriage in crisis; a reflection on relationships, love, hope, misunderstanding and trust. We meet Jack after the couple have been separated for a while and the story is narrated largely from his point of view. What makes this story unique and one to stand out from any others written about these themes, is the way in which it is told. Jack emails Laura his diary entries and she then adds her comments to his account, giving us her opinion or interpretation of specific events and conversations. For example:

"'Oh Jack won't have any,' Laura said, in the dismissive way a child might speak of their younger brother. [That was the opposite of what I meant. I was proud that you never took drugs. You weren't judgemental or prudish or close-minded, like some of my friends. You just had the strength of character to decide drugs weren't for you. I respected that.] "

As this is an unbiased review, I do feel I need to be honest and admit that sadly I did struggle a little with the format of the narrative. I totally understand what the author was attempting to do and it is a clever way to show how two conversations can be interpreted in such different ways; how one character was really feeling, or what they meant to convey through their words and how they didn't mean to be hurtful or judgemental, but for some reason it didn't quite work for me and it irked me a little. However, I seem to be a minority judging from the rave reviews on Goodreads!!

The relationship between Jack and Laura is a little unbalanced. To me it felt as if Jack is far more in love with Laura than she in him - there is an age difference between them and as time goes on it's clear that Laura began to feel a little constrained by Jack's reluctance towards some ideas and that there was a shift in their relationship. Jack speaks so beautifully about her and his comments reflect a deep understanding of her personality. The metaphors and comparisons show Dunlop's skill as a writer and his ability to capture moments and characters with assured deftness.

"For Laura's spirits were a kite to which I held the string - most of the time she flew above me, lifting me with her, but every now and then she'd drop to the floor and then I'd rush to detangle any crossed strings, and run and drag and jump until she was up in the air again."

Dunlop's writing is quite mesmerising and insightful. I liked the way he wrote about mental and emotional anguish and thought he captured the complexity of Jack's feelings very convincingly. For example:

"emotions and memories are dangerous when they're not articulated- they rattle around the mind, smashing up things. the logic of language puts everything in its proper place........I was using words to put my shame and anger in proportion"

"of course it was a bad idea but bad ideas often look like good ideas in the dark of a sleepless night"

I think ultimately, I found the novel very sad. Perhaps Dunlop is too acute in his ability to capture the bitterness and resentment that can build up in a relationship -particularly when it's not checked and the characters retreat further into misunderstanding. Perhaps his writing is so well observed that it is unsettling and the underlying tragedy too well perceived.

I had a collection of half true one-sentence criticisms of Laura, built up over twenty years, which I kept, like business cards, in the back of my mind for when I'm angry with her. As I stared at the taxi door, I flipped through them: she's selfish; she's thoughtless; she's a flirt. [Which halves are supposed to be true? Being friendly doesn't make me a flirt and I'm no more selfish or thoughtless than you are.]

It is quite hard to read the breakdown between the couple and at times a little frustrating as so much pain could have been avoided if the conversations that happen in the email could have happened at the time. But Dunlop's writing is unfaltering throughout the whole story; his description and style fluent, imaginative and always authentic. When he moves in with a friend, Jack writes that "we pulled each other through the day, from game show to microwave meal to sitcom, like two old drunks on a pub crawl" which I thought was very visual and very well captured.

There is some humour and sarcasm within the prose but for me, I think I found it too overwhelmingly dark and sad. It is a poignant novel and it is definitely one with a message for all in relationships but even though there is some hope of overcoming the worst and rekindling love and friendship, the ending remains heartbreaking.

I think it is well written, original and would make an interesting tv adaptation. Readers who enjoy Nick Hornby and David Nicholls will probably enjoy this novel. It reminded me a little of the film "The Break Up" which also charts the ups and downs of a couple.

"What we didn't say" was published by Bonnier Zaffre on 30th June 2016.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing for a copy of the book in return for a fair and honest review.

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘I’m living, for now, in Strasbourg – a city of kitsch, cloying beauty; of Hansel & Gretel houses; of souvenir clutter and rusted postcard carousels; of sluggish canals and idle swans’

What We Didn’t Say is the debut novel from Rory Dunlop. It is published by Twenty7, an imprint of Bonnier Zaffre, and will be released as an ebook on 30th June 2016. I received my copy from NetGalley & Bonnier Zaffre in exchange for my honest review.

‘Jack and Laura have separated. Jack thinks it’s all Laura’s fault.

Laura disagrees.

Jack writes to Laura, desperate to put across his side of the story.

Laura interrupts.

Wryly sarcastic and intensely well-observed, What We Didn’t Say is about that gap between words and feelings where relationships live – and die.’

What We Didn’t Say is a beautiful novel about writer and psychologist, Jack Randall and his wife Laura Ferguson. The book is narrated through a series of emails, letters and a diary that have passed hands between Laura and Jack.

Jack and Laura are college sweethearts. They met when Jack was tutoring Laura. They married and had what they both thought was a very happy, though dull, marriage. Jack was older than Laura. He preferred a night at the weekly table quiz in the local pub. Laura wanted more out of life. For her, the glamour of a party with arty types was more appealing.

Up to a point in their marriage, both were happy to accommodate the other but as time passed the routine of life set in for Laura and she wanted to mix things up a bit.

Laura met Jack when in her twenties, so she never attended the wild student parties. She never took a gap year and traveled. All holidays were in the UK, even though Laura wanted to travel, see the world.

Laura needed confirmation of their relationship and their love. Jack was not one to express his emotions until it was too late.

‘I know she wanted me to be more expressive but my love for her was too obvious to need voicing, let alone repetition. It’s like walking up a mountain. The view is less enjoyable if you have to stop every few minutes to talk about it.’

Communication between them seemed to have stayed.

Throughout the diary that Jack has written, we get a poignant insight into a marriage, where both are seeing things in a completely different way. Laura makes her own additions to the diary to clarify situations as she sees it, but the story is mainly Jack’s.

‘For Laura’s spirits were a kite to which I held the string – most of the time she flew above me, lifting me with her, but every now & then she’d drop to the floor and then I’d rush to detangle any crossed strings, and run and grab and jump until she was up in the air again.’

As their marriage comes under strain and the cracks become more visible, the emotion in Jack’s words jump off the page. He becomes increasingly paranoid of Laura’s behaviour, creating doubt where there was none needed, driving Laura further away.

‘I wanted to be right, even if it would crush me. Neurosis, Freud said, is an inability to tolerate ambiguity. I wanted to be free to release the anger and the sadness that had pent up in my head’

What We Didn’t Say is a novel that evokes all kinds of emotions. One minute I felt anger toward Jack and Laura, next minute I was sad. It’s a novel that perfectly describes how things can go so wrong in a marriage when neither side is completely honest with the other. The unspoken is the detriment of many a marriage and Jack and Laura are no different. Throughout the diary, each gets a much better understanding of the other’s emotions and feelings, emotions that were never properly expressed throughout their marriage.

‘My mind was clouded with a sick feeling of regret, a hangover of the soul’

Rory Dunlop has a beautiful way with words. His style of writing is quite poetic and visual. Through his words I could really feel Jack’s pain flowing through his many descriptions.

What We Didn’t Say is a touching, emotive, sweet novel about marriage and regret. It is a story of a couple who tried, failed and tried again to succeed in a marriage that struggled to survive.

It is a book that anyone in or out of a relationship needs to read to learn, if nothing else the importance of communication.

I hope you like it and I would love to hear what you think.

Meet Rory Dunlop:

Rory Dunlop studied Classics and Philosophy at Oxford and worked as a teacher and journalist before being called to the Bar.

He spent a year in Strasbourg, writing judgments for the European Court of Human Rights, failing to learn French and falling in love with Lika.

They now have two daughters and live in London.

He’s written a text book on immigration law and several book reviews for the Spectator and, very occasionally, people read his tweets. @roryjamesdunlop

[For The Novel Lovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review

Title: What We Didn’t Say by Rory Dunlop

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Drama

Rating: 5 Stars

The opening of What We Didn’t Say was interesting, we are introduced to a married couple Jack and Laura who have been separated for two years. Obviously something happened between them but we don’t know what yet only that two people Zac Ford and his girlfriend, Claudia are involved. Jack and Laura met at university where he was a lecturer and she was a student, there isn’t a huge age gap between them only eight years but it was interesting to see. Two years after they separated Jack returned to London but the meeting with Laura didn’t go well so they begin emailing each other. Jack sends Laura his diary to read about the time they were together and apart but she remembers things a little differently so she makes corrections and comments on the diary. We also know this is all in the past since Laura wrote a letter to their son, Michael telling him the emails and diary would explain her relationship with his father.

As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel, Jack and Laura end up going to one of Zac Ford’s parties which Jack isn’t happy about. With the back and forth information of the diary and Laura’s corrections we learn that Laura only wanted her freedom and was being friendly which Jack saw as flirting. After catching Laura and Zac doing cocaine in his room Jack assumes the worst of his wife and when they return he tried to talk to her about it but they only argue further until Laura goes to sleep. Not wanting to go to bed angry Jack sends Laura and email explaining his feelings about the night but in the present Laura explains that she didn’t read the email in full and if she did them her response would have been very different to what she actually sent. While he is in France Jack comes to realise that the French are most much open about things of a sexual nature even though it still embarrasses him even though he is older than Laura. At this moment I was very interested but wanted to see what broke the relationship and how they will go about repairing it or not since it is clear that Laura had a son but whether Jack is the father hasn’t been made ultimately clear.

As we cross the ¼ mark in the novel, more of Jack and Laura’s marriage falling away as he genuinely believes that Laura is having a full blown affair with Zac which she explains from her perspective in the corrections and they are nothing like what Jack imagined. Their sex life also suffers and Jack thinks this is because of the affair and he turns to pornography. Laura explains that for her it was because she could feel his anger towards her and didn’t want their sex life to be meaningless and turned him away because of that. In his diary Jack goes on to point out the behaviours that made him worry about Laura and she counters them in a kind way. He also talks about getting back in touch with Claudia who he used to treat as a patient but she stopped coming to therapy after a misunderstanding about another patient but Jack is pleased she is doing well and see no harm in talking to her and digging deeper to see if there is anything going on between Zac and Laura.

As we approach the halfway mark in the novel, things begin to fall apart for the couple as Jack’s suspicions about Laura cheating on him reach new levels and he asks Claudia for help. Jack realises that he’s made a mistake soon after when Claudia wants to spy on Zac even though Laura was there for an innocent reason. Driving back Claudia gets them into a minor car accident so Jack stays with her as she is in shock but when she makes a move on him he realises he shouldn’t be there in the first place as she was his patient. Over the next few weeks Claudia harasses Jack and stalks him and this causes more paranoia and destroys the relationship between Jack and Laura even more. Eventually Claudia end up going to papers and claiming she was abused by Jack and that he abandoned her when she was pregnant. At this point he had no choice but to tell Laura and it doesn’t go well despite his pleading of his innocence Laura is furious because the backlash could end both of their careers and they try to do some damage control but it seems like the relationship is closer to ending.

As we cross into the second half of the novel, the relationship breaks down completely because they aren’t communicating. Laura was trying to get hold of Jack when he is with a lawyer and assumes he doesn’t want to talk to her and when Laura is fired and agrees to go to New York with Julian, Jack is angry with her. This miscommunication end to leading to a fight where Laura leaves for New York with Julian who tricked her with the information since there’s no job interview there and even when she returns Jack is staying with Adam. Jack goes to collect his stuff from the flat and wrote Laura a letter explaining everything but doesn’t leave it when he finds Julian’s cardigan under the bed which is another reason their relationship and marriage had gone down the drain because they trust each other. As stated in the terms of their divorce they are going to separate for two years and then the divorce will be finalised but I have a feeling they might get back together in the end.

As we approach the ¾ mark in the novel, Jack decides to get himself back together and ends up moving to France where he begins writing the diary. There he finds things that he had been missing like friendship and even sexual companionship with a woman there who knows about Jack’s situation and doesn’t pressure him. Laura also has a little fling with Zac Ford’s in this year of separation but Laura is beginning to get worried since Jack mentions things in the diary that make Laura think he is ill again. She does email him several times but she hasn’t gotten a response, however in the diary he receives a phone call from Laura during their separation and I am eager to see what this conversation is about and whether or not they will get back together since they both express feelings of remorse and lounging for the other.

As we cross into the final section of the novel, everything comes together as Jack and Laura get back in touch and realise they still love each other but when Jack returns to the UK only to learn that Laura is pregnant with Ford’s child. Laura explains that they never had any luck and when she found out she was pregnant with Zac’s baby she decided to keep it because it was her last chance at having a child despite the being nothing between her and Zac. Jack is angry for a little while but they agree to be friends and Jack agrees to be Laura’s birthing partner and witness the birth of Michael. At the birth Jack realises he can love a child that isn’t his and this begins four years of rebuilding their life. However, Jack’s cancer returns and he finally die after for years of fighting and these emails, the diary, Jack’s letter to Michael are all he and Laura have now. They also decide never to tell Michael that Jack wasn’t his real father until he was old enough to understand everything that led to his birth. Overall, What We Didn’t Say was heart-breaking in soon many different ways but I ended up absolutely living it and I would highly recommend it.

[Jane Rain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Těšila jsem se, že kniha půjde do hloubky, jmenuje se přece Co jsme si neřekli. Valná většina děje naprosto zbytečná, nedivím se, že si to neřekli. Ten zbytek si říct asi měli, ale byli zabednění a přestože se strááášně milovali zjevně se vůbec pořádně neznali a měli velké komunikační problémy. Četla jsem se sebezapřením a těšila se na konec, který bohužel dlouho nepřicházel. Podle anotace "temně humorný příběh" - humor jsem tam nenašla, temné to také nebylo pod tím slovem si představuji spíš nějaký thriller. Za mě zbytečná kniha, jakých jsou mraky.

[Lau OcRe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Empacé este libro sin conocer al autor ni tener grandes expectativas, y me sorprendió muchísimo lo adictivo que resultó. El estilo es muy ágil y el formato en cartas y mensajes hace que lo leas casi sin darte cuenta, de hecho, estuve a punto de terminarlo en un solo día porque me tuvo completamente enganchada. Sin embargo, la parte final no terminó de encajarme con el tono que venía construyendo la historia y me dejó una sensación un poco agridulce. Aun así, es una lectura muy entretenida, fácil de seguir y perfecta si buscas algo rápido y absorbente.

Le doy tres estrellas por lo mucho que me entretuvo, aunque el final no fuera lo que esperaba.

[Václav Sobotka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vymyká se žánru, který běžně čtu. Nakonec jsem ale rád, že jsem si ji nechal doporučit a sáhl po ní. Četla se skvěle.

Z toho co jsem o ní slyšel, jsem si udělal dost dobrý obrázek o tom, co v knize najdu. Co jsem ale nečekal byla Jackova osobnost. Kdyby autor chtěl, nedokázal by vyobrazit Jacka tak, že jsem jej nedokázal od sebe odlišit. Bylo to jako číst příběh o sobě z jiného života.

Nejvíc jsem si však užil části ve kterých byla Jackova práce. To, čím se Jack živil, mě vždy hluboce fascinovalo.

[Book Grocer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Purchase What We Didn't Say here for just $8!

A modern story about the breakup of a relationship which uses the diary of one of them to tell the narrative. Rory Dunlop has written a realistic and immersive book, full of humour and emotion.

Elisa - The Book Grocer

[Molly Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting premise and I liked the format of the diary and Laura’s comments. The characters were likeable despite all of the miscommunication going on. Basically the whole book was one big miscommunication! The ending was a bit underwhelming and I still don’t really understand where the characters finished off in this whole accusation of Laura supposedly cheating on Jack. Did it happen? Idk, it was good but not my favourite.

[Rebecca Emin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, reading the points of view of both parties was really interesting and at times I felt furious at their stubbornness and inability to talk things through properly, but it makes for a real page-turner as you hope everything will work itself out over time.

Really well written with great characters. I hope to read more by this author.

[clare louise westlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written story with an ending i wasn't prepared for. I love the way its in diary form, with Laura adding her opinion throughout. It certainly makes you think about how people in relationships take each other for granted and assume a lot. I really enjoyed this story, it made me both laugh and cry. I couldn't put it down and i feel a bit lost nows its over

[Leanne Rathbone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, even though I went into it thinking it was going to be your typical romance that would leave me all warm and fuzzy and it wasn’t quite what I expected.

Thoroughly enjoyable, though it did make me very emotional and I did shed some tears.

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book I loved the way Laura added her thoughts to his writing and it was interesting to see the different sides to the same story.

The ending was so sad and shocking and I did not expect it

[Abbi Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the format it was written in, which kept me reading. The story had a good base, but I found some of the settings and parts of the story a little boring. I found the character of Laura unlikeable. It was OK overall. The ending was good.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was well laid out and interesting. There was a bit of an unexpected twist near the end. I enjoyed the way it was written as well, it was a different style that made it interesting.

[Hannah Gauld · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a little slow and I didn't know how it would end. Suprised at the ending to be fair!

[Alyce Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. I loved this so much more than I expected to, and only knocked off half a star because the ending is a bit too abrupt to feel the maximum emotional impact.

[Lindsey Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book and the way it was written. Something different.

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept and format - personally I wouldn’t tolerate a relationship with Jack haha

[Diana de Cabarrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and original

This is one to save for when you can settle in for a few hours as you won’t want to put it down. Engrossing and engaging and moving.

[Naomi Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully emotive. So incredibly written.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to start by saying my favourite type of books to read are books that aren't written in the usual book format. I love nothing more in a book if it has diary entries, emails, letters ect in it. So the writing style of this book is right up my street.

The story is a tale about Jack and Laura. It is written in the format of Jack's diary and has Hand written notes from Laura telling her point of view as well. It is a tale of the break down of a marriage. Because of the way it is written you get to see both persons point of view perfectly.

The story allows you to get involved in the characters lives in a way I always feel with this style of writing that is easier then a normal book format because it is written matter of factly. I feel that this story has a lot of emotion in it. It is thoughtful and humorous. It makes you think especially if you are in a relationship about how your partner may interpret the way that you act and the things that you say.

I felt myself draw to both Jack and Lucy and I felt that I could empathise with both of them. Even if at times I didn't agree with the way that they acted towards certain things.

This story tells you what happens in a relationship when you let insecurities and jealousies win and there is a break down in communication. And how if we just spoke to each other about what we are thinking and feeling then perhaps the relationship might have been a little better.

The line in this book that I think is one of my favourites is when Jack writes.

'I meant that being with you was not like being with other people. Because you are not other people you are a part of me'

Such beautiful words. I found myself relating to this book the thought and feeling of the characters. We have all been there when all you can think about is the way you are feeling. It is in these times that it is so important that we talk to our partners and we explain things and we talk things through Although saying it and doing it are two different things because at the time they are the last person you want to speak too. We have all been there and I feel that everyone can relate to this book in one way or another.

I love books that have an emotional connection with me and I love books that make you think about the way we act and think, the things we say and the things we don't say.

I highly recommend this book and I thank NetGalley, Rory Dunlop and Bonnier Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Happy reading everyone