Seeing my ex-husband four years after the ink dried on our divorce papers was not part of my plan. Returning to the small town where we’d grown up and fallen in love to rebuild my life at the exact time he’d chosen to do the same thing wasn’t part of my plan either. It was, however, the reality. Back in the place where it all began so many years ago, memories of our past, both good and bad, consumed me. I’d never stopped loving him, needing him, wanting him. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, seeing him. Stolen moments told me he felt the same way. But could he ever forgive me? Could I ever forgive myself? Infertility had torn our marriage apart, bit by excruciating bit. Was our love strong enough to put it back together?
Jennifer was born and raised on Long Island, in New York. She relocated to South Carolina in 2002, where she met the love of her life. They got married in 2008, and live their happily ever after just outside of Charleston with their fur-kid. When she’s not reading or writing, she works as a behavioral therapist for children with autism. She is also a graduate student, pursuing a graduate degree and certification as a behavior analyst. She enjoys amateur photography, traveling, and music…it’s a bonus when she can combine all three. Jennifer is also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in 2017 and declared cancer-free in 2018. She independently published her debut novel, Our Moon (JACT 1), in June 2015.
I am going to admit this. It was a tough read at times. And if you follow my reviews you know I mean this as the writer delivered an emotional punch to the sternum. Not that everyone has lived this - but Jessie's story is one that you can imagine living in. However, fate had other plans for Jessie and Danny's story.
Just because the ink has dried on the paper, doesn't mean the feelings quit. We get to see the journey to where it all went terribly wrong to present day - where both characters are now facing the things unsaid. But from pain comes healing. I had to put a pause in reading and let their journey wash over me. It also incorporates that small town meddlesome factor that I adore as a secondary character.
Everything about the story was a deep look at the issue of infertility and pressures of society on our gender worth. Dear followers, this isn't my typical hearts and flowers fuffy bunny read. But if you are in the mood for something more real and raw, I'd recommend you spend a few hours devouring the story.
As of this review - also on Kindle Unlimited so definitely borrow if not buy.
This is a love story of infertility, divorce and second chances. I really liked the story and I hope there are more about Melissa, Mikey, Darcy and Dean. I love small town stories and this one doesn't disappoint. I had some issues with the heroine. She took responsibility for her behavior which was good, but she was so full of self pity. I have never had that issue my daughter had so maybe it's the way people deal with it. They don't ever talk about the two or three years they were apart or if they had other relationships but I am not sure they would. They loved each other very much. Hope there are stories about all the siblings too. I would love to know what happened to Mikey's Kara. That intrigued me. Love small town stories and this one delivers.
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen is the kind of book that hits you in the feels. It touches on emotions and feelings you weren't prepared for. It was eye opening regarding a subject I may not have personal knowledge about, but the way this book was written, you can certainly emphasize.
I really enjoyed how everything flowed and was tied together. The way the problems and struggles of a couple can also effect their loved ones, even when they don't realize it or didn't intend for it to happen. I liked how there were actual conversations that needed to be had to work things out the way real relationships should work.
Danny and Jessica were such strong, likable, amazingly well written characters. I liked them and felt for them and rooted for them the whole way. And the way this story was written really allowed me to get a feel for their whole relationship.
This book was good from beginning to end. It's one I would highly recommend to contemporary romance fans who like lots of depth and emotions in their stories.
This is such an emotional story. Danny and Jess. They are divorced, they were childhood sweethearts, got married, moved away from town had issues with fertility then got divorced. They both move back to their home town separately. The story is about Jess fixing her relationship with her family and her ex husband, Danny. No cheating. Separation but celibate. Danny says he views himself still married. No intimate scenes at all. HEA.
Danny & Jess broke my heart! Their struggle is one I’m thankful to have never experienced, but it’s so common and I’m sure every person handles it differently. Infertility.
They loved each other for as long as they could remember. 15, 16 years old. Something like that. High school sweethearts, college lovers, married as young adults. All they needed to complete their family unit was a baby. But having a child wasn’t part of God’s plan for them. And with that realization came tough, troubled times. Something that they just couldn’t pull out of.
Well, at least Jess couldn’t. Her depression kept her away from everyone. Husband included. Which led to their divorce.
Heartbreaking, I know. How could two people who obviously still love each other stay away? Pride? Probably. Guilt? Most definitely.
A baby may not have been in God’s plan but having them both return home at the same time surely was.
Will they fight to get back what they both long for?
I LOVED THIS STORY! So, so much! Beautiful, real life issue that happens so often. So elegantly written. I adored this happily ever after.
This is the first book I have read from this author and she has a new fan. I absolutely love second chance romance but this talented author exceeded all my expectations. This story is a stand alone that will make you want more. I was hooked on this storyline right from the beginning. It only took me a few hours to devour this incredible book.
Jessie and Danny were high school sweetheart and then they got married. They thought they had their happy ever after. They had some very hard times and they got a divorced. Now Jessie is back where it all began. She is now living in her hometown to start her new life. Jessie is shocked to find out that Danny is also living there as well. She doesn’t know what to do. All she knows is that she still needs him. Can Jessie and Danny find love again or will it be shattered once and for all?
I absolutely loved this book. The storyline has it all romance, devastation, healing, and forgiveness. You will fall in love with these characters right from the beginning. Jessie is a strong woman that had some dark times in her life. She is trying to heal so she can move on. Danny is very charming and he knows what he wants. He wants the love of his life back. The way he treats Jessie will make your heart melt. This author will have you at the edge of your seat until the end. I can’t wait to see what she will write next.
There are times when a book comes along that will re-awaken thoughts and feelings that you have dealt with in your past and/or present.
Say Something did that for me. This story hit home on so many levels! I knew I would have a difficult time getting pregnant after being diagnosed with endometriosis in 1998 and losing an ovary. I had no clue what my struggles would entail. From 2002-2005, I was at doctor's appointments and in and out of the hospital with surgeries, so many that I lost count; until the final one that took infertility to a permanent status: hysterectomy. Everything emotion that Jessica felt in Say Something, is accurate: I am nothing, I am not a woman.
Danny reminded me so much of my husband: he felt lost and not in control. As women we tend to push those that care and love us the most away and suffer in silence. I did it as did Jessica; but our men are persistent and won't and didn't give up.
Ms. Allen has brought forth a story that so many women/couples have been through and/or continue to experience. Say Something was a beautiful story of a man and woman who have been dealt with the hardest thing to have to endure as a couple and how they deal and grow from it.
This book was an emotional one for me. I never experienced the infertility that tore Jessica and Danny apart, but I did suffer a miscarriage with my first pregnancy, so I felt and understood every emotion she went through in feeling broken and like a failure.
It’s four years after their divorce when Jessica and Danny both end up being back in their small hometown. At first, the run-ins with Danny destroy her, but Jessica eventually gets to a place where they can discuss their past and the issues that tore them apart. And that is the crux of their problem. Jessica just pushed and shut Danny out, and It wasn’t until she began to communicate that they were able to move on. Neither had stopped loving the other, and that was apparent in every interaction.
This couple was magnificent, their story was heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. And their HEA proves that families come in all different ways.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.
Say Something is a romance written by Jennifer L. Allen. This is a moving and emotional tale of love, life and all the hardships and trial of modern life. The writing flowed and the personalities of each character was interwoven seamlessly. The author had the incredible ability of snatching my attention from beginning to end. The author wrote about real life issues and how they dealt with them, both individually and together. A well balanced romance is not unique, but one that has a reader unaware of life going by because their devotion is to this story, now that is hard to find. An amazing journey and incredibly touching. 5 stars.
Oh my...this book. This book had all the feels and so, so much more. This book hit very close to home for me. My husband and I have struggled for years to have children, only to give up entirely to save our marriage. This book was very, very personal and at times, my heart broke all over again. Jess and Danny's story was much like ours. I think each couple handles this differently, but for me, I saw much of my husband and I in this couple.
One thing became very obvious throughout this book, these two still loved each other, very, very much. I loved watching that love grow all over again. I loved watching these two work through their struggles to be what the other needs. I loved watching Jess let her walls down and loving again.
Thank you to Jennifer Allen for writing such an amazing book. I truly loved this story from start to finish.
this is a sweet second chance romance. All the angst occured off page so I was not as invested as to the reason H/h divorced. H/h both childhood friends to lovers, got married young, never had any issues until h could not get pregnant, H's swimmers very strong but she felt defected, took it very very hard, asked H for divorce - 3 yrs later they both ended up back in little town amongst loving family and friends (both families are still close/lifelong friends). H/h showed little bitterness to each other, pretty much almost immediately got back together, the end (epilogue shows they are now blessed with adopting siblings). I kept waiting for the angst but nothing happened, not a bad book by any means but just bland, no heat, nothing much happened because all the angst and bad times occurred prior to start of the book so could not "feel" the angst or pain. I wont remember this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
And the award for THE STUPIDEST, most contrived bullshit last-minute drama goes to...THIS BOOK, at 90%. For crying out loud. Do not insult my intelligence.
Look, I get the sensitivity and seriousness of the issue here. But this heroine was off the chain and her behaviour is not excused, nor is all the collateral damage she caused. She was selfish and immature and loved wallowing in her misery.
So, listen to me, Hero Danny. Run. Run like hell. B*tch be cray.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen a four-star read that will wrench your heart. This was a really emotional read and one that will wring out your emotions as you read, it’s a great story that should have been a five-star read but it lacked something I couldn’t put my finger on. Jessica and Danny have a heart-breaking story that will suck you in. Jessie is a great character and one that you will follow, she made the story for me.
I don’t know that I have the words to explain how wonderful this book is but I’ll try my best. Wonderfully written and beautiful. It touches on a very sensitive subject and I felt that it couldn’t of been done any better.
Jessica is broken woman who I loved reading about and then you have Danny is probably the best man possible. This was such a wonderful love story.
There are times when a book comes along that will re-awaken thoughts and feelings that you have dealt with in your past and/or present.
Say Something did that for me. This story hit home on so many levels! I knew I would have a difficult time getting pregnant after being diagnosed with endometriosis in 1998 and losing an ovary. I had no clue what my struggles would entail. From 2002-2005, I was at doctor's appointments and in and out of the hospital with surgeries, so many that I lost count; until the final one that took infertility to a permanent status: hysterectomy. Everything emotion that Jessica felt in Say Something, is accurate: I am nothing, I am not a woman.
Danny reminded me so much of my husband: he felt lost and not in control. As women we tend to push those that care and love us the most away and suffer in silence. I did it as did Jessica; but our men are persistent and won't and didn't give up.
Ms. Allen has brought forth a story that so many women/couples have been through and/or continue to experience. Say Something was a beautiful story of a man and woman who have been dealt with the hardest thing to have to endure as a couple and how they deal and grow from it." Dana
Say Something is definitely a book that will draw the emotions out of the reader. Jessica and Danny's story is one of love, misfortune, and mixed emotion. Jessica and Danny's marriage falls apart because of circumstances unseen and Jessica not being able to deal with them and her emotions. When they both wind up back in their hometown, will the ghosts of the past be too much or will the strength of their love be enough to bring them together??? Helen
I enjoyed this book, I did. The storyline had really good promise and overall this was a well written story. I absolutely LOVE books with a plotline that isn’t all fairytales and unicorns. The centre of this book is a couple struggling with infertility, which isn’t necessarily the front-runner for a romance novel either. I was so excited to dive into something different, something guaranteed to give all the feels. Unfortunately, for me, while the storyline could have taken me there, I just couldn’t quite connect with the characters and what they were trying to express.
Jessica and Danny were small town high school sweethearts – the homecoming queen and the football player, just meant to be, and they were…until the family they thought they would have didn’t come, and never would. It was enough to tear their marriage apart. I did like how their history was told, this story is set in current time but the author had a great way of allowing the characters to reminisce, which gave us the backstory to connect with, both from their sweet innocent young love to their trials and struggles to have a family. However, I felt I couldn’t really immerse myself with Jessica's emotions because just as I would start to feel like I was connecting, the story would flip from those memories back to the present day, and I found it hard to focus on trying to connect with the emotions from the past, or trying to connect with those they were currently fighting.
Overall, this is a good story. It was an easy read, no big holes or gaps to be found in the plotline. The small town feel is always a plus in my book, and I think these two characters had something worth sharing.
Falling in love, marriage, heartbreak, and redemption are the themes in Jennifer L. Allen's Say Something. The themes are standard in many romance novels, but Say Something is written as more of a women's fiction story. This makes it work and work well.
Jennifer L. Allen deals with the issues of infertility and it's impact on marriage and relationships with an understanding that is rare in romance writing. Her own experiences with the pitfalls of infertility treatments, the long waits to discover you've failed to conceive, and the blame you place on yourself because you believe you've failed as a woman, are front and center in the work. Just the fact that an author has literally placed herself in her main character's shoes is enough to get me to read the book.
But it's more. It's lasting love between two people who slowly discover they might not have been ready for the deep relationship they were cultivating. While their failure to become parents splits them, their lasting love brings them back together, right where they should be.
It's an emotional read with an eye opening story that I highly recommend. Well done.
Rating: 5 stars
***Tangled Hearts Book Reviews received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review. All rights are reserved and this review cannot be used by anyone other than the author, publisher, or website where the review is published without written permission.
Im left with wanting so much more from this story, not because it was lacking in anything but because I just loved reading it. It's the kind of book you want to just curl up with no distractions and lose yourself in. I read it in one sitting and just had a warm comforting feeling in how it was written. I felt like I was there and knew these people.
I love second chance stories, especially ones that start as high school sweethearts as I married mine, and this one was a bit different in the way that the HEA had basically already happened and fell apart and both Jessica and Danny had thought they moved on with their lives until circumstances bring them both back to where it all began.
This story dealt with something that is more reality then a lot of people are even aware of. I have two close friend couples that deal with these issues and these struggles are completely real and can be even more devastating. The way this author told this story was spot on and absolutely beautiful. The flashbacks were perfect and always happened at the perfect times.
I totally and 100% loved this book, this was my first read by this author and I can not wait to read more. I am after only one book a fan of this author's writing and can not recommend it enough.
The first thing I’ll say about Say Something by Jennifer L Allen is please make sure you have plenty of tissues with you when you read this. I don’t know if I was overly emotional at the time of reading but I cried so much at many points throughout this book. This is a beautiful second chance romance story that shows that true love never dies. Danny and Jess were school sweethearts who got married once they had graduated from college. They had the perfect life together until they tried to start a family. Jess was devastated when they realised that she couldn’t have children and she closed down and pushed Danny away, asking for a divorce. 4 years later and by some twist of fate both have moved back home to their original hometown beside their parents at the same time. It’s obvious that both are still deeply in love with one another. This is a wonderful story of they try to overcome all this issues that ended their marriage. Jess still feels that she has failed as a woman and has never come to terms with her infertility. This story will pull at your heartstrings so much. It is so well written and deals with a difficult storyline in a sensitive manner. I had never read anything by this author before this and if this book is anything to go by then I’ll definitely be reading more.
A great read about second chances. Four years ago, Jess and Danny got a divorce after their struggles to have a baby led to disaster. Returning to where it all happened for a new job, she tries to concentrate on the future instead of the past. But life makes things difficult when she discovers that he has returned. She is even more surprised to bump into him and all the feelings rear their heads. Can they resolve the issues of the past for a chance at a happy future together? A great read. Well developed plot. Well developed characters like Jess struggling with her feelings but still standing up for herself or Danny trying his best Great cast of supporting characters like the fun sister Melissa or Mom supportive and kind. I loved the visual detail throughout the novel like with the sense of nature with Oak River and its tall trees and green spaces as fresh and tranquillity. Or the flowers in the memories with their fresh scents and bold and beautiful colours so vivid its as if you're actually there. The flashbacks into the past worked well to display what happened and didn't disrupt from te narrative of the present with the italics used to differentiate the memories from the present day. Overall, a great read and I would give it four stars.
How many characters or even people in real life actually say:
“I never thought I would return to the town I grew up in”
“I wanted to leave there so fast after graduation”
“I always imagined bigger and better things for myself.”
It seems like many second chance romance stories start with this same ideal. The main character is coming home after trying to live life somewhere else, usually a big city. Say Something starts out that way but quickly turns into something more! Not just one main character is returning to the small hometown they grew up in, but both of them are! Danny and Jess are high school sweethearts who grew up together, got married, moved away, divorced, and returned home to the small town that brought them together. Where family means everything. Where love always win.
“Nothing in love is unforgivable”
I love these characters so much. Their heartaches, their frustration, their growing up moments.
“If there was one thing I had learned over the years, it was that one of the most crucial parts of adulthood was recognizing and then admitting when you needed help.”
This author and book is new to me so I cannot wait to read more from this author. I highly recommend this story.
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen is a second chance contemporary romance. This book elicits so many emotions I’m not even sure I could capture them all. My emotions were all over the place in the best of ways.
Jessica and Danny were high school sweethearts. As life does, it changed and threw some difficult times their way and unfortunately, they couldn’t make it through together. Now, it’s been four years and they both ended up back in their hometown. Jessica never stopped loving Danny and running into him all over town isn’t easy but slowly but surely she begins to think he may feel the same. Do they have what it takes to work through their past issues? Can Danny forgive Jessica?
I loved reading about these characters and getting to know them. Jessica was handed some bad cards but eventually she rebuilt herself. She is strong, smart and funny! Danny is a sweetheart and at first I didn’t think I would like him but as I kept reading I got more of the background and it made sense. This book and these characters are great!! Read this book!
I absolutely loved this one. First one I have read by this author and it was amazing from beginning to end. Very heart wrenching emotional and page turning. Jessica and Danny dealt with something no couple should have to deal with. While dealing with this their relationship fell apart. Jessica locked herself away because she felt alone and guilty. Years have pasted and she is back in her home town where Danny also is. She runs into him and realizes that she still has the same feelings for him that so had so long ago. But will they be able to rekindle what they had? Heart wrenching so very well written amazing story line. I absolutely loved this book. I loved Jessica. She was so well written with how she dealt with all the things that she was going through. Danny was amazing and so lovable. Just an amazing story that I highly recommend. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone that needs to just sit down and have a good cry. Jennifer gained a fan with this one.
This book takes you an emotional rollercoaster ride. This is a second chance romance book in the end. This book deals with infertility issues. This is something I have experience with myself. Not in the same way as Jess and Danny though. This book is so real. Infertility of any kind is hard to imagine unless you have dealt with it yourself. When your own body turns on you and the one thing that should come easy doesn’t it does all kinds of things to you mentally. This book is fantastic and so are the characters. I was pulled in and felt for them so much. Sometimes what you really need to do is take a step back. Jess and Danny needed that step back. Will they be able to find each other again now that they have had some time apart and time to help and deal. Jess needs to find a way to cope with her infertility and find a way to go forward with her life. With or without Danny. If you are an easy crier you will probably need tissues.
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen. This is a very heart felt, emotional read. Its the story of Jessie and Danny. They were high school sweethearts, first loves and ended up getting married. They thought they had the world in their hand until their dreams were crushed. Infertility killed their marriage. Four years after the divorce Jessie decides to move back home where she had first met Danny and their dreams were fresh. Unbeknownst to her Danny does the same. They are both just trying to get their lives back on track but miss each other terribly. Will they be able to move on together or will they both be miserable alone? This is a very emotional book about a subject I've never read about before and it happens more than people know. This book will open your eyes to a whole new problem many people face but are silent about. Be prepared to have your heart ripped out while reading this story. Its a very good book!
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen is a beautiful and yet sad story that brings about emotions and feelings that left me sobbing. It is a story about infertility and what one woman went through at some dark times in her life and how she lived through it. My heart bled for those who suffer and it hit home with memories of what my youngest and my daughter-in-law went through. Jennifer’s writing his heartfelt and the story is well written and I loved the characters and wanted to engulf them in hugs and love.
Jessica has just returned to her home town to rebuild her life. The life she has left behind is nothing but bad memories and loss. What she did not expect is the one person she would always love but she needed to learn to re-love herself.
This beautiful story should not be missed. You will definitely need tissues and a good strong drink but it is so worth it. I am hoping that we get to see the rest of the characters with their own stories.
Say Something is a story by Jennifer L. Allen that touches upon many of the topics that we as mature readers feel drawn to – second chances, infertility, divorce …. It seems to be a standalone though I hope that the writer decides to give the other sibling their stories as well, fingers crossed! Say Something is the story of Jessica and Danny, childhood sweethearts that have their marriage ripped apart due to infertility. They are both very likable. I liked how Jessica took responsibility for behaviour though at times I was a bit bothered by her self-pity … we don’t know though how we would feel in her shoes. On the journey with Jess and Danny it is so easy to see how problems a couple faces effect also their loved ones, even when they try to protect them and never ever intended it to happen. It was great how the story felt so real thanks to those uncomfortable conversations that needed to happen for those two to more forward … towards their second chance …
5 out of 5 stars Say Something written by Jennifer L. Allen is the first book that I have read by this author and it was amazing even though it was very emotional that I had to put the book down. Wow I didn’t realize what infertile woman go through how strong they are and how you have to lean on your loved ones when you are going through something like this or you will lose yourself. The characters are well written and the secondary characters are amazing I really hope I get to read a story about Mickey soon. Danny and Jess where childhood sweethearts they got married, moved away from town had issues with fertility then they got divorced even though they still loved each other. Now they’re both back home will they get a second chance? Can they forgive each other? Will they be able to work through there infertility a second time around? I highly recommend this amazing emotional read… By Tracy @tracym
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen is a phenomenal second chance romance read. This isn’t my first book by this author, but it certainly was my favourite, which is saying something since I loved her book titled Change of Heart. From the very first chapter I was hooked, the incredible detail and emotional history of the characters had me feeling so invested, and the flow of the story was seamless.
I ended up reading this book in one sitting as I couldn’t bring myself to stop reading, I just had to know how it was all going to play out. Jennifer L. Allen is an incredibly talented author whose stories always have me hoping and praying for a happy ending, and she never disappoints.
I would absolutely recommend her books to anyone looking for their next romance read!
Say Something by Jennifer L. Allen is a remarkably written romance that I loved reading. This book had my emotions all over the place. I was happy one minute and wanting to cry the next. Jessica is broken, having to return home to small town four years after her divorce. Being back in the town that throws her into her and Danny’s past is almost too much. The good and bad memories, the need to still want and need him and that even now she still loves him. She doesn’t know if he will ever forgive her or is she can even forgive herself! This BOOK, I have tried for a few days go put into words how good it was. I could NOT put it down and read it in one sitting. I really do wish that the book itself was longer as I loved Jessica and Danny. I highly recommend this book and wish I could give it MORE than FIVE stars! This is my first book by this author and it WILL NOT be my last.