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Say Something
Unrequited love is incurable and no one is immune. How can any relationship live up the ‘great love’ that never was? Della is an Ivy League educated, successful career woman, who hobnobs with the rich and famous in New York City. She has everything she ever wanted, except the man she loves. For over a decade, Della’s been hopelessly in love with her best friend. Loving Jake is an exquisite form of torture, but walking away from him is unimaginable. When his marriage suddenly crumbles, the future looks bright for Della and Jake...but can the reality of life with the man she loves live up to the fantasy she’s created in her mind? There’s only one way to find out...
370 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2017
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Conway
4 books26 followersJayne Conway is the author of four books: What if I Fly?, As it Seems, Say Something and A Good Wife. A graduate of SUNY: FIT in New York City with a BS in Marketing, she earned a master's degree in Urban Education from Providence College and teaches high school history on Block Island (the polar opposite of an urban environment).
On the little island she calls home, Jayne enjoys photography, reading, baking, hiking, dinner with friends, watching romcoms and musicals with her teenage daughters, listening to history, true crime and political podcasts and hunting for sea glass.
One day in the not too distant future, Jayne hopes to retire in the magical land of her ancestors; Italy. Her three children approve and intend to visit often. Only time will tell.
On the little island she calls home, Jayne enjoys photography, reading, baking, hiking, dinner with friends, watching romcoms and musicals with her teenage daughters, listening to history, true crime and political podcasts and hunting for sea glass.
One day in the not too distant future, Jayne hopes to retire in the magical land of her ancestors; Italy. Her three children approve and intend to visit often. Only time will tell.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 23, 2017
I generously received an ARC of this through NetGalley for my honest review.
Ahhhh, the pain of unrequited love, a third chance romance, a hero with his head up his arse, and a case of "be careful what you wish for".
Our hero and heroine have been friends since high school, and she has loved him, but for whatever reason, though we later learn he always loved her too, he never acted on it. So she was relegated to the friend zone, and she was there for him in every aspect of his life for years. She helped him keep his life (and his marriage) together, and he selfishly took that from her. He needed her and she willing gave whatever she could to continue to be in his life.
His marriage falls apart, he gets his head out of his ass, and they start a life together. But, he is a rising music star, and fame comes his way. She doesn't want to stand in the way of his dreams, he goes down the rabbit hole or stardom, and suddenly she is forced into a life she never wanted for either of them. And they drift apart, headed for disaster.
The storyline here was awesome. It had everything I like in my books. The style of writing, however, threw me off, and it would jarringly hit my in the face every now and then. This writer writes in present tense, but kind of seems to mix past tense and present tense. I won't pretend to be an English major and know the difference between all the different styles...I just know it seemed awkward to me...but don't let that stop you from reading this great story!!!
Ahhhh, the pain of unrequited love, a third chance romance, a hero with his head up his arse, and a case of "be careful what you wish for".
Our hero and heroine have been friends since high school, and she has loved him, but for whatever reason, though we later learn he always loved her too, he never acted on it. So she was relegated to the friend zone, and she was there for him in every aspect of his life for years. She helped him keep his life (and his marriage) together, and he selfishly took that from her. He needed her and she willing gave whatever she could to continue to be in his life.
His marriage falls apart, he gets his head out of his ass, and they start a life together. But, he is a rising music star, and fame comes his way. She doesn't want to stand in the way of his dreams, he goes down the rabbit hole or stardom, and suddenly she is forced into a life she never wanted for either of them. And they drift apart, headed for disaster.
The storyline here was awesome. It had everything I like in my books. The style of writing, however, threw me off, and it would jarringly hit my in the face every now and then. This writer writes in present tense, but kind of seems to mix past tense and present tense. I won't pretend to be an English major and know the difference between all the different styles...I just know it seemed awkward to me...but don't let that stop you from reading this great story!!!
May 8, 2017
This was a good book although I struggled with it at the beginning. It's the story of Jake and Della and their friendship and then marriage which all takes place over twenty years. In the beginning of the book I found it frustrating that Della had spent so much of her life basically catering to Jake and making his life great with his first marriage. Then Jake gets divorced, marries Della and becomes a rock star. I alternated between being annoyed with decisions they both make but still hoping for the best for them. The book kept you interested and wanting to read more. Overall I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
April 5, 2017
The book seems like it's trying too hard. For lack of a better phrase, it was too much of a girl. If the author wanted to get Dellas thoughts across then write in first person. The third person narrative with deep dives into the characters conscious with minute analysis was too much. Women do tend to over analyze situations and this book was that one friend who kept repeating her analysis on that one boyfriend over and over again.
I wanted to like this book because I am Della. I have the best friend from college that I've been in love with for years. I'm 34, good career, well educated, tight circle of friends but I couldn't love Della even though we're the same in so many ways. The back and forth in time jumps of memories and present day convoluted the plot and made it confusing to keep up with. For the first 30% of the book, I thought I was reading to the past but confusing with the present, only to realize it's the past again. Maybe make the prolog and actual prolog of that first night together from his view instead of some mundane met gala event that made no sense and made the reader think of Della as a bipolar psychotic.
The characterization of the minor characters was also overly cartoonish. The mob member with the fergetabtit accent and the overly flamboyant gays, and psychotic real housewives princess with powerful daddy complexes were over the top. Yes those people exist in real life but for all of them to converge around this one person is unbelievable.
Plot could be great but it became a convoluted mess that tries too hard for the reader to like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2017
Every time I open a new book, I feel like I am opening a wrapped gift. This was my experience reading Ms. Conway's third and newest novel, "Say Something". The author thoroughly explores the business of love as the reader is expertly drawn into a long and intricate relationship of love in all of its shapes and forms....passionate, sensual, comfortable, painful, unrequited, selfish and forgiving. Beautifully written. Difficult to put down!
April 22, 2017
Good story, but I hated Jake lol.
May 20, 2017
Anyone who has experience unrequited love knows how difficult it is to move on.
That's an underlying premise in this story.
Della has been in love with Jake for decades. She has a lifestyle many might envy. And, while she knows she and Jake can only be friends as he's married, it is a 'sacrifice' she's willing to make so that he can be in her life.
Then everything shifts when Jake and his wife split. Suddenly, there is an opportunity and Della decides to take action.
Their love is one of sparks and intense need for the other. But, then Jake's life continues to change and he is catapulted into stardom.
What ensues is their journey to see if their relationship can be sustained or if they have made it into a fantasy that is doomed.
While this book was entertaining, I also appreciated the deeper level of examining relationships and how choices we make can have devastating effects.
That's an underlying premise in this story.
Della has been in love with Jake for decades. She has a lifestyle many might envy. And, while she knows she and Jake can only be friends as he's married, it is a 'sacrifice' she's willing to make so that he can be in her life.
Then everything shifts when Jake and his wife split. Suddenly, there is an opportunity and Della decides to take action.
Their love is one of sparks and intense need for the other. But, then Jake's life continues to change and he is catapulted into stardom.
What ensues is their journey to see if their relationship can be sustained or if they have made it into a fantasy that is doomed.
While this book was entertaining, I also appreciated the deeper level of examining relationships and how choices we make can have devastating effects.
March 5, 2017
3.5/5. This book leaves me feeling rather ambivalent. On the one hand, the writing is very good, drawing me in and making me feel the joy and pain and the full roller-coaster ride that the characters experienced. But ah, the frustrations I had towards Jake, who just constantly leeched off Della emotionally and gave her very little in return. He was self-absorbed throughout the book, never really developed much personal growth along the way, except we are supposed to believe, right towards the end, after 2 damn years of estrangement from Della and his daughter Skye. And Della, she just got sucked right back in each time, and once again towards the end, when she finally had a chance of happiness with the very loving Owen, she chose the wrong path when two roads diverged. Della put it best, when she said:
If mind-fuckery were a sport, Jacob Wheeler was a gold-medal champion.
He needed her to constantly rescue and boost him up, regardless that by doing so, he was trampling on and climbing all over her to get his air. And when she finally needed rescuing, he ran away to be rich and famous, justifying that she was in the hands of good friends and loved ones. And the old excuse of being lonely, to justify his betrayal(?s) of her!
Talking about betrayal, there was a lot of infidelities in this book, which left me feeling a bit icky. Yes, they have this grand love and all, but their first time together was while he was married , and they proceeded to lie to Melanie about it afterwards. And then there's poor Owen, who got screwed over a few times by their screwing.
Her friends were great, especially Oskar, the exuberant and dramatic finger-clicking OTT bestie, who was always there to pick up the pieces of her heart and glue them back together like a mosaic. But Della, Della could be less of a doormat, and I cannot help but feel that she wasted the best years and the remaining years of her life for a very undeserving guy, who just did not grovel enough. In fact, I'm not sure any amount of grovelling will make up for his emotionally neglectful and oblivious treatment of her throughout the years.
The plot did hop around a fair bit, rather abrupt at times, taking me a few sentences to realise where along the timeline we have moved to. But, I shed tears. Yes, the author managed to move me despite me not caring about one half of the protagonists. So, I still am struggling to come up with a suitable rating to reflect my mixed feelings. 3.5/5 it is.
If mind-fuckery were a sport, Jacob Wheeler was a gold-medal champion.
He needed her to constantly rescue and boost him up, regardless that by doing so, he was trampling on and climbing all over her to get his air. And when she finally needed rescuing, he ran away to be rich and famous, justifying that she was in the hands of good friends and loved ones. And the old excuse of being lonely, to justify his betrayal(?s) of her!
Talking about betrayal, there was a lot of infidelities in this book, which left me feeling a bit icky. Yes, they have this grand love and all, but their first time together was while he was married , and they proceeded to lie to Melanie about it afterwards. And then there's poor Owen, who got screwed over a few times by their screwing.
Her friends were great, especially Oskar, the exuberant and dramatic finger-clicking OTT bestie, who was always there to pick up the pieces of her heart and glue them back together like a mosaic. But Della, Della could be less of a doormat, and I cannot help but feel that she wasted the best years and the remaining years of her life for a very undeserving guy, who just did not grovel enough. In fact, I'm not sure any amount of grovelling will make up for his emotionally neglectful and oblivious treatment of her throughout the years.
The plot did hop around a fair bit, rather abrupt at times, taking me a few sentences to realise where along the timeline we have moved to. But, I shed tears. Yes, the author managed to move me despite me not caring about one half of the protagonists. So, I still am struggling to come up with a suitable rating to reflect my mixed feelings. 3.5/5 it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2017
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley.
I loved this book! Did not think I was going to like it as much as I did.
I keep stumbling with books set in New England for some reason, which I am loving, especially this one that is set in RI. I loved Della and Jake's story, I did want to shake Della sometimes, because I felt that she was being selfish, but as the story developed I could see her point.
I loved the way that the author presented each point of view. I will definitely read this author again.
I loved this book! Did not think I was going to like it as much as I did.
I keep stumbling with books set in New England for some reason, which I am loving, especially this one that is set in RI. I loved Della and Jake's story, I did want to shake Della sometimes, because I felt that she was being selfish, but as the story developed I could see her point.
I loved the way that the author presented each point of view. I will definitely read this author again.
May 8, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in return for my honest opinion of the book. I liked it very much, and thought it was good overall. The issue I did have however was in regards to editing, it was way to long and needed to be reduced by half, it just felt like I actually went through all those years and watched Della reach her 40th dirty Day with her. Too long.
June 4, 2017
Shallow Romance
In my opinion this book was a waste of time. I read it for a book club and probably would have quit if not f that reason. I found this to be an unrealistic romance that incorporated every possible trick to make it seem like the woman ,who was as selfish and self centered as the male character, was making decisions based on reason. I don't recommend this book.
In my opinion this book was a waste of time. I read it for a book club and probably would have quit if not f that reason. I found this to be an unrealistic romance that incorporated every possible trick to make it seem like the woman ,who was as selfish and self centered as the male character, was making decisions based on reason. I don't recommend this book.
November 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this one too! Seems each of Jayne's books get even better! Good, strong characters in Della & Jake (even if is does go off the deep end at times) & of course the mentioning of Bristol & RI is also fun to make the connections... very well written. I hope there will be a fourth book in the future!
August 4, 2019
I alway enjoy reading books about places I’m familiar with, and this was no exception. Part of it takes place in my home town and I smile every time I read about the places I’ve been. The story is well written and the characters were interesting, although there were times I wanted to smack Della up side the head. This story just proves that you can’t help who you love.
August 9, 2017
This is one book that you have to read. Jayne keeps you wondering what is going to happen next or when it's going to happen. I read it in one sitting. Her writing talents are amazing. Get this book you won't be sorry.
September 3, 2017
A modern, fiction story. The book centres around the 15 year relationship between Della and Jake. Sometimes as friends, lovers, husband and wife and apart. What drove me on to finish the book, was to find out how the relationship would end, as quickly as possible! Not in a good way!
November 10, 2025
Amazing!
Della and Jake are two people who love but lose their way to each other. Reunited later has a sweet beginning but along the way fame finds Jake and while famous he loses himself and the family he has. Amazing story!
Della and Jake are two people who love but lose their way to each other. Reunited later has a sweet beginning but along the way fame finds Jake and while famous he loses himself and the family he has. Amazing story!
October 29, 2022
Oof. If you look beyond the heavy use of cliches, persistent typos, and the predictable ending….I was entertained.
March 21, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Jayne takes the reader on a romance adventure that spans several years with the two main characters. The ending is fairly predictable but the way the book weaves to get there is unique and refreshing. One suggestion would be to add months or years -- sometimes the time shifts could get confusing. Otherwise, nice job!
*NetGalley gave in exchange for an honest review.
*NetGalley gave in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2017
Very well written, funny and difficult to put it down. I didn't like Jake, such a difficult and selfish character. I was mad at him most of the time, the way he was so cold to Della, the infidelities made me feel like sad and at the same time pretty mad at Della. I couldn't understand why she was still in love with him.
Thank you so much for the arc
Thank you so much for the arc
March 14, 2017
***I received an ARC for an honest review***
4.5 stars!!
review to come
4.5 stars!!
review to come
March 7, 2017
This author keeps on getting better and better. I loved the story and Della was such a strong character.
March 29, 2017
I am so torn about this book. The present tense perspective and jumps from the present to the past without giving the reader the context of time were really irritating. Like it lost a star because of that irritating. I don't understand why authors choose to write in present tense, it is grammatically unpleasant. Della and Jacob were both kind of assholes too. I didn't really like Jacob that much as a romantic interest, his selfishness was extremely off-putting.
That being said, the story itself was very engrossing. I literally couldn't put it down. I'm not sure I actually enjoyed it but it was very entertaining. So mad props for the story telling but seriously present tense massively sucks.
That being said, the story itself was very engrossing. I literally couldn't put it down. I'm not sure I actually enjoyed it but it was very entertaining. So mad props for the story telling but seriously present tense massively sucks.
March 30, 2017
Was completely enthralled by this book the minute I started it. Loved loved loved it.
The only flaw I think the book has was there were some transition issues in the beginning which made the past/present line a little confusing.
The only flaw I think the book has was there were some transition issues in the beginning which made the past/present line a little confusing.
April 14, 2017
The book was good but the jumps in time were hard to follow sometimes. First I was on Della's side in the story but halfway through, she turned into a cold hearted and selfish person, and I felt little sympathy for her. However, the book was easy to get absorbed in and a quick read.
April 17, 2017
Like some other viewers, I found the present tense writing jarring. I still hadn't adjusted to it by the time I'd reached the end of the book.
This story was at times difficult to read, because it is so heartbreaking. But it is engaging and relatable enough that you want to persevere to find out how it will end. I think it was supposed to have a happy ending, but I was just left with a melancholy sense of a life wasted. The period of time that the book spans draws out the saga to the point where I can't feel happy at the end.
I have given the book 4 stars because of the detail and characterisation that Jayne Conway has invested into her story. Without it, it could have been a shallow and anti-feminist romance novel. The level of detail justifies the decisions that the main characters make, providing important shades of grey in a too-often black-and-white genre.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
This story was at times difficult to read, because it is so heartbreaking. But it is engaging and relatable enough that you want to persevere to find out how it will end. I think it was supposed to have a happy ending, but I was just left with a melancholy sense of a life wasted. The period of time that the book spans draws out the saga to the point where I can't feel happy at the end.
I have given the book 4 stars because of the detail and characterisation that Jayne Conway has invested into her story. Without it, it could have been a shallow and anti-feminist romance novel. The level of detail justifies the decisions that the main characters make, providing important shades of grey in a too-often black-and-white genre.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
April 17, 2017
What a lovely well written novel by Jayne Conway. A sweet retreat into the small town life in Bristol mixed with the excitement of NYC. Keep writing!
April 22, 2017
Meh.
That's the only way to describe this. For some reason, I was under the impression that this was going to be some great literary fiction, but instead was stuck in an insipid plot with confusing tense usage and two a-holes as the 'lead' characters.
There was many ways that this story could have been written but divorce, baby, cancer, marriage, fame, infidelity, etc etc etc etc all in 300 pages is a BIT much.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for this review.
That's the only way to describe this. For some reason, I was under the impression that this was going to be some great literary fiction, but instead was stuck in an insipid plot with confusing tense usage and two a-holes as the 'lead' characters.
There was many ways that this story could have been written but divorce, baby, cancer, marriage, fame, infidelity, etc etc etc etc all in 300 pages is a BIT much.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the book in exchange for this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2017
This is a love story that will not go away once you read it. There are so many missed chances and mistakes that will make you hope the next chapter will make them be fixed. I loved the relationship between Della and Jake, flawed that it is by both of their mismatched desires and slap on the forehead revelations. You hope for them to find a way together, never knowing if it will really happen.
May 2, 2017
Advanced reader copy - ARC - provided by Netgalley
Wow...simply the best book i've read in a long while.
There's so much passion, and so much humanity and flaws...I've loved it
Wow...simply the best book i've read in a long while.
There's so much passion, and so much humanity and flaws...I've loved it
May 2, 2017
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. The overall flow of this book was nice, and I enjoyed how the characters were not completely what one expected. The beginning was slightly choppy for me because the prologue felt disjointed with being so far in the future before going so far to the past. I didn't entirely like Della in large portions of the book and I really prefer to connect and root for the protagonist, but I appreciated the author making her flawed. In the end, a solid read but made me a bit hesitant to look for other works by Jayne Conway.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews