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Nina on aina tiennyt, kuka hänen pitäisi olla. Mutta kuka hän todella on? Sydämeenkäyvä romanttinen romaani surusta, rakkaudesta ja itsensä löytämisestä.
Nina on kunnon tytär ja hyvä tyttöystävä. Hänen isänsä on opettanut, että perhe, maine ja perintö ovat tärkeintä elämässä. Samoin ajattelee myös Ninan ihana, huomaavainen ja rehellinen poikaystävä Tim. Kun Ninan isä kuolee, hän jättää jälkeensä salaisuuden.
Kun Ninan koko todellisuus näyttää romahtavan, hän alkaa nähdä elämänsä miehet - isän, poikaystävän ja komean pomonsa Rafaelin - uudessa valossa. Pian hän löytää itsensä tienristeyksestä: yhdessä suunnassa on tuttu maailma, jota hän rakastaa, toisessa intohimo, joka voi kääntää hänen koko elämänsä nurin.
Nina on kunnon tytär ja hyvä tyttöystävä. Hänen isänsä on opettanut, että perhe, maine ja perintö ovat tärkeintä elämässä. Samoin ajattelee myös Ninan ihana, huomaavainen ja rehellinen poikaystävä Tim. Kun Ninan isä kuolee, hän jättää jälkeensä salaisuuden.
Kun Ninan koko todellisuus näyttää romahtavan, hän alkaa nähdä elämänsä miehet - isän, poikaystävän ja komean pomonsa Rafaelin - uudessa valossa. Pian hän löytää itsensä tienristeyksestä: yhdessä suunnassa on tuttu maailma, jota hän rakastaa, toisessa intohimo, joka voi kääntää hänen koko elämänsä nurin.
366 pages, Hardcover
First published February 5, 2019
1758 people are currently reading
30863 people want to read
About the author
Jill Santopolo
34 books3,470 followersJill Santopolo is the author of the The Light We Lost, the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. She holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a certificate in Intellectual Property Law from NYU. Jill is also the Editorial Director of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. When she’s not writing or editing, Jill is a thesis advisor at The New School in their MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and is on the faculty of the Columbia Publishing Course. Jill has traveled all over the U.S.—and to Canada and Europe—to speak about writing and storytelling. She lives in New York City.
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Twitter: @jillsantopolo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,831 reviews
January 31, 2019
Angsty. Relatable. Redemptive. Heartfelt. Sweet.
To say that I was eager to get my hands on Jill Santopolo’s latest release is quite the understatement. And now, on the other side—with those mighty expectations I’d built up during the wait having been met—my heart is content.
Likely, readers will find that More Than Words is just that, a novel that’s more than words simply typed on a page with a pretty face to boot. Nina’s story is a heartbreakingly beautiful reminder to live your truth and to not apologize for it.
Back in 2017, after strolling through one of my favorite book aisles (love you Target *wink*), a copy of The Light We Lost found a new home. Upon cracking the cover, I was instantly swept up in Lucy and Gabe, who gave me no choice but to binge their story. Now, even after all this time, I still reflect back on that experience. For me, The Light We Lost is one of those rare books—few and far between—that I’ll carry around with me always. A reminder of just how kismet it is for a book to find its way into my hands and evoke an emotional response so strong it manages to leave a lasting mark on my heart.
So, it was with equal measures of excitement, trepidation, and bated breath that my eyes found the opening line of More Than Words. What if I struggled to connect with Jill Santopolo’s writing this time—would it somehow mar my previous experience with her work? Silly, silly me. Within a few pages, the natural flow of Santopolo’s words found me under her literary spell. Holding my heart captive and quelling my anxiety. Well, most of it anyway; but more on that later.
More Than Words brings readers into Nina Gregory’s life at one of her most pivotal points. Bracing herself for what’s to come—the loss of her beloved father, and only remaining parent, to terminal cancer. Standing at the crossroads of two very different realities, she has to choose. Continue living the life she’s been expected to or instead, forging her own path.
This is where things get a bit tricky, reigniting that anxiety I mentioned earlier. My heart—right along with Nina’s—torn completely in two. Divided between steadiness and spontaneity; otherwise known as Tim and Rafael.
Matters of the heart are often irrational, so prepare yourself. There's no getting around the love triangle here. I have to hand it to Santopolo, she succeeds in delivering two very easy to adore men. I truly felt for Nina—how could she choose knowing heartbreak was inevitable in any scenario? My hope, Tim or Rafael would do something, anything really, to change my opinion, making the right choice evident. And, while I can’t say that happened per se, ultimately, I think Nina ended up where she was meant to. The ending is best described as predictable or cookie-cutter, but sweet nonetheless. Who knows, maybe Santopolo wanted to save her readers from all of the ugly crying this time around. Either way, in my mind, the story demanded a conclusion with a tad more bite.
Nina's closet full of Monolos and socialite privilege aside, Jill Santopolo tackles quite a few issues here—grief, loss, self-discovery, and familial secrets—and in what I would consider a relatable way. Reading in her Acknowledgments that she’d lost her own father a few years earlier, added another layer of credibility to Nina’s journey. Santopolo also mentions, it took her nearly two years and several re-writes to get this book to where it is today. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait that long for her next installment.
And, if I may, a word of advice for fans of The Light We Lost, go in with an open mind. Nina’s might be a completely different journey from Lucy and Gabe’s, but it’s stunning in its own right.
*A HUGE thank you to Putnam for sending my treasured copy.
To say that I was eager to get my hands on Jill Santopolo’s latest release is quite the understatement. And now, on the other side—with those mighty expectations I’d built up during the wait having been met—my heart is content.
Likely, readers will find that More Than Words is just that, a novel that’s more than words simply typed on a page with a pretty face to boot. Nina’s story is a heartbreakingly beautiful reminder to live your truth and to not apologize for it.
Back in 2017, after strolling through one of my favorite book aisles (love you Target *wink*), a copy of The Light We Lost found a new home. Upon cracking the cover, I was instantly swept up in Lucy and Gabe, who gave me no choice but to binge their story. Now, even after all this time, I still reflect back on that experience. For me, The Light We Lost is one of those rare books—few and far between—that I’ll carry around with me always. A reminder of just how kismet it is for a book to find its way into my hands and evoke an emotional response so strong it manages to leave a lasting mark on my heart.
So, it was with equal measures of excitement, trepidation, and bated breath that my eyes found the opening line of More Than Words. What if I struggled to connect with Jill Santopolo’s writing this time—would it somehow mar my previous experience with her work? Silly, silly me. Within a few pages, the natural flow of Santopolo’s words found me under her literary spell. Holding my heart captive and quelling my anxiety. Well, most of it anyway; but more on that later.
More Than Words brings readers into Nina Gregory’s life at one of her most pivotal points. Bracing herself for what’s to come—the loss of her beloved father, and only remaining parent, to terminal cancer. Standing at the crossroads of two very different realities, she has to choose. Continue living the life she’s been expected to or instead, forging her own path.
This is where things get a bit tricky, reigniting that anxiety I mentioned earlier. My heart—right along with Nina’s—torn completely in two. Divided between steadiness and spontaneity; otherwise known as Tim and Rafael.
Matters of the heart are often irrational, so prepare yourself. There's no getting around the love triangle here. I have to hand it to Santopolo, she succeeds in delivering two very easy to adore men. I truly felt for Nina—how could she choose knowing heartbreak was inevitable in any scenario? My hope, Tim or Rafael would do something, anything really, to change my opinion, making the right choice evident. And, while I can’t say that happened per se, ultimately, I think Nina ended up where she was meant to. The ending is best described as predictable or cookie-cutter, but sweet nonetheless. Who knows, maybe Santopolo wanted to save her readers from all of the ugly crying this time around. Either way, in my mind, the story demanded a conclusion with a tad more bite.
Nina's closet full of Monolos and socialite privilege aside, Jill Santopolo tackles quite a few issues here—grief, loss, self-discovery, and familial secrets—and in what I would consider a relatable way. Reading in her Acknowledgments that she’d lost her own father a few years earlier, added another layer of credibility to Nina’s journey. Santopolo also mentions, it took her nearly two years and several re-writes to get this book to where it is today. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait that long for her next installment.
And, if I may, a word of advice for fans of The Light We Lost, go in with an open mind. Nina’s might be a completely different journey from Lucy and Gabe’s, but it’s stunning in its own right.
*A HUGE thank you to Putnam for sending my treasured copy.
January 16, 2019
3 Stars.
A novel that was well told, but unfortunately, not felt with my heart.
What do you do when your life’s actions and decisions are made for you? For Nina, you follow them.
Nina is a woman whose life has always come naturally, her relationship with her father, college, work and Tim, her best friend since childhood and now, her boyfriend. Working as a speechwriter for a Mayoral Candidate, she loves her job. Someday soon however, she’ll be running the family company - sooner than she thinks as it turns out when tragedy befalls her dad, leaving her life in a spiral.
Then of course, there’s Tim.. who keeps putting the pressure on. The problem of course, is that she’s just not feeling like her old self and then there’s the fact that she’s been feeling an intense attraction to her former boss, Rafael, that she just can’t shake. If only she felt comfortable doing what she wanted v. what others wanted for her.
“More Than Words” is Jill Santopolo’s follow up to “The Light We Lost.” which was one of my favorite reads of 2017. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me. All of the feelings that “Light” evoked, this one lacked. There was no “heart” to this story and no characters whose lives I ached for, or with for that matter. In “The Light We Lost” the storyline involving the characters of Lucy and Gabe ripped out my darn heart, crying commenced, my eyes were red and puffy and my body was wracked with sobs. In “More Than Words,” there were times where I laughed and appreciated the quirkiness of the main character Nina, her relationship with a few characters (her dad, and her mentor/friend Caro) as well as the attraction she has with Rafael (who admittedly is quite dreamy) but those intense feelings? For me, they just aren’t there. All that aside, this is an enjoyable, easy, well written read - I read it in a matter of mere hours and it gets the job done. Simply put however, it’s just not what I was hoping for. That said, don’t go by my review, there are a lot of other reviewers out there that really liked this one. I just had higher hopes.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Penguin Publishing Group - G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Jill Santopolo for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Edelweiss and Goodreads on 1.16.19.
A novel that was well told, but unfortunately, not felt with my heart.
What do you do when your life’s actions and decisions are made for you? For Nina, you follow them.
Nina is a woman whose life has always come naturally, her relationship with her father, college, work and Tim, her best friend since childhood and now, her boyfriend. Working as a speechwriter for a Mayoral Candidate, she loves her job. Someday soon however, she’ll be running the family company - sooner than she thinks as it turns out when tragedy befalls her dad, leaving her life in a spiral.
Then of course, there’s Tim.. who keeps putting the pressure on. The problem of course, is that she’s just not feeling like her old self and then there’s the fact that she’s been feeling an intense attraction to her former boss, Rafael, that she just can’t shake. If only she felt comfortable doing what she wanted v. what others wanted for her.
“More Than Words” is Jill Santopolo’s follow up to “The Light We Lost.” which was one of my favorite reads of 2017. Sadly, this one missed the mark for me. All of the feelings that “Light” evoked, this one lacked. There was no “heart” to this story and no characters whose lives I ached for, or with for that matter. In “The Light We Lost” the storyline involving the characters of Lucy and Gabe ripped out my darn heart, crying commenced, my eyes were red and puffy and my body was wracked with sobs. In “More Than Words,” there were times where I laughed and appreciated the quirkiness of the main character Nina, her relationship with a few characters (her dad, and her mentor/friend Caro) as well as the attraction she has with Rafael (who admittedly is quite dreamy) but those intense feelings? For me, they just aren’t there. All that aside, this is an enjoyable, easy, well written read - I read it in a matter of mere hours and it gets the job done. Simply put however, it’s just not what I was hoping for. That said, don’t go by my review, there are a lot of other reviewers out there that really liked this one. I just had higher hopes.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Penguin Publishing Group - G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Jill Santopolo for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Published on Edelweiss and Goodreads on 1.16.19.
March 17, 2020
What happens when you start to discover the person you most admired, the truths you most believed in, aren’t what you thought? In Jill Santopolo's
More Than Words
that question is examined in great detail.
Nina Gregory is the third-generation of the famed Gregory family, owners of two of New York City’s most celebrated hotels. Her father—and her mother, when she was alive—were treated like royalty in the city, and Nina has been raised in that life, to know she’ll take over the company someday. She was always expected to behave the proper way, as if the spotlight was always on her.
Someday may be coming sooner than later, as her father's cancer has returned. She’s worshipped him all her life, and lived her entire life the way he has wanted her to. She's studied what he wanted her to, dressed the way he thinks she should, even dated (or not dated) the men he deemed appropriate. Now she’s in love with her childhood best friend, Tim, whom her father loves as if he was his own son, and whose family is closely intertwined with theirs and the hotels.
But why is it that Nina seems to feel more excitement for her current job as a political speechwriter? And why does any attention from the mayoral candidate for whom she works send her heart racing when she simply feels safe with Tim?
When her father dies, it feels as her world has been torn out from under her, so it makes sense she should lean on Tim and be with him, just as her father always wanted. And she loves Tim, so it makes sense, right?
But as she finds out things in her father’s life and business weren’t what she believed, it leads her to question everything, especially the person she’s become and the love she deserves. She's no longer interested in automatically doing everything she's always done, and that threatens some in her life, especially Tim.
Jill Santopolo sure knows how to tug at the heartstrings, much as she did in her last book, The Light We Lost . This is a well-written book with some serious steam, and it’s pretty compelling. It’s also poignant and emotional and a little predictable, too. Definitely had me hooked though!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Nina Gregory is the third-generation of the famed Gregory family, owners of two of New York City’s most celebrated hotels. Her father—and her mother, when she was alive—were treated like royalty in the city, and Nina has been raised in that life, to know she’ll take over the company someday. She was always expected to behave the proper way, as if the spotlight was always on her.
Someday may be coming sooner than later, as her father's cancer has returned. She’s worshipped him all her life, and lived her entire life the way he has wanted her to. She's studied what he wanted her to, dressed the way he thinks she should, even dated (or not dated) the men he deemed appropriate. Now she’s in love with her childhood best friend, Tim, whom her father loves as if he was his own son, and whose family is closely intertwined with theirs and the hotels.
But why is it that Nina seems to feel more excitement for her current job as a political speechwriter? And why does any attention from the mayoral candidate for whom she works send her heart racing when she simply feels safe with Tim?
When her father dies, it feels as her world has been torn out from under her, so it makes sense she should lean on Tim and be with him, just as her father always wanted. And she loves Tim, so it makes sense, right?
But as she finds out things in her father’s life and business weren’t what she believed, it leads her to question everything, especially the person she’s become and the love she deserves. She's no longer interested in automatically doing everything she's always done, and that threatens some in her life, especially Tim.
Jill Santopolo sure knows how to tug at the heartstrings, much as she did in her last book, The Light We Lost . This is a well-written book with some serious steam, and it’s pretty compelling. It’s also poignant and emotional and a little predictable, too. Definitely had me hooked though!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
January 18, 2019
Nina, Nina, Nina. You just didn't really work for me therefore this was just an okay read. I didn't dislike you or anything but given the tough stuff you were dealing with in the book, I wish I would have felt more of a connection to you.
This is a story of a woman who has the type of wealth and privilege most of us can only dream of and yet Nina Gregory doesn't feel completely satisfied with her life. When her world falls apart, she really starts to question if she is on the right path to happiness or if she needs to go in a different direction.
It is essential when I read these type of fiction stories with elements of romance that I feel something for the character or otherwise it will never be more than just an average read. With other genres like mysteries or thrillers, I can find the main character completely unlikable and still have a fun time reading the book. The problem with this one is Nina. I don't know how to describe her other than she's just blah. The author gave her a fairly interesting backstory but the way her character was written didn't do much for me. There were only a couple moments with her father and with Caro that made me feel anything at all. I needed more heart to fully enjoy the book and unfortunately it was pretty much lacking in that department.
Botttom line, this was a fairly quick read and it certainly wasn't horrible but yeah, I wish I would have liked this one better.
I won a free advance copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
This is a story of a woman who has the type of wealth and privilege most of us can only dream of and yet Nina Gregory doesn't feel completely satisfied with her life. When her world falls apart, she really starts to question if she is on the right path to happiness or if she needs to go in a different direction.
It is essential when I read these type of fiction stories with elements of romance that I feel something for the character or otherwise it will never be more than just an average read. With other genres like mysteries or thrillers, I can find the main character completely unlikable and still have a fun time reading the book. The problem with this one is Nina. I don't know how to describe her other than she's just blah. The author gave her a fairly interesting backstory but the way her character was written didn't do much for me. There were only a couple moments with her father and with Caro that made me feel anything at all. I needed more heart to fully enjoy the book and unfortunately it was pretty much lacking in that department.
Botttom line, this was a fairly quick read and it certainly wasn't horrible but yeah, I wish I would have liked this one better.
I won a free advance copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
April 3, 2020
In More Than Words Nina Gregory is thrown for a loop following the death of her father, the owner of Gregory Hotels. In the aftermath of this devastating loss, Nina discovers a family secret, causing her to question who she is and what she really wants.
Does Nina follow the carefully outlined life her family has worked hard to create, with her boyfriend Tim and his parents, who are practically second parents to Nina? Or can she entertain thoughts of a future with Rafael, who is running for Mayor of New York City?
More Than Words is a classic “all that glitters isn’t gold” story. Though it wasn’t quite as amazing as The Light We Lost, and does include predictable elements, I really liked this book — A great reminder of what we owe ourselves.
Does Nina follow the carefully outlined life her family has worked hard to create, with her boyfriend Tim and his parents, who are practically second parents to Nina? Or can she entertain thoughts of a future with Rafael, who is running for Mayor of New York City?
More Than Words is a classic “all that glitters isn’t gold” story. Though it wasn’t quite as amazing as The Light We Lost, and does include predictable elements, I really liked this book — A great reminder of what we owe ourselves.
January 28, 2019
More Than Words is barely a story. Hotel heiress Nina Gregory's father is dying. Her mother died when she was eight. (Oh, various parental mysteries!) Her boyfriend, childhood friend Tim, wants to get married. Nina is attracted to Rafael, mayoral candidate for New York City whose campaign she's part of. You can guess the whole thing from this. Which is about as long as most of the chapters are.
Too boring and cliched to even resemble a real story. Also, possibly the least interesting love scenes I've read in ages.
Too boring and cliched to even resemble a real story. Also, possibly the least interesting love scenes I've read in ages.
December 15, 2018
I loved "The Light We Lost"(5 stars for me) so when I saw that Jill Santopolo had another novel being released, I had to request a copy!!
In that book, Lucy struggled to resolve her feelings for 'the one who got away" with “the one who took his place”.
In this book, you'll meet Nina, heiress to the Gregory Hotels of New York City, a woman also struggling to make sense of her feelings for two men.
She has known her boyfriend Tim, since childhood, though they have only been "dating for eight months". It "makes sense" that they end up together...but is that enough?
If so, then why is she drawn to her charismatic boss, Rafael?
Nina is extremely close to her father who is dying and she knows that soon she will be expected to leave her job and take over the family business.
But when that day arrives, she realizes that she has been living her life to please her father instead of to please herself, and she learns a few things that may free her from taking the path her father has chosen for her.
As always, there is some lovely, thought provoking writing. I especially enjoyed a chapter where Nina is visiting her father for their weekly " Jeapordy! and dinner" date...
As she is picking up Chinese food, she muses " New York City really was made up of hundreds of different worlds, each right next to one another. She wouldn't go to a pharmacy five blocks away any more than she would go to one in New Jersey."
They answer the questions and barter with candy, avoiding the fact that these weekly get togethers are quickly drawing to a close. A very moving chapter..
But, I think that with any book such as this, your personal experiences will dictate how much you connect ( or don't connect ) emotionally with a book.
If you have lost a parent you were very close to, or found yourself tempted by someone you work for, YOU may connect with this book more than her first, or more than I did.
For me, this one falls between the 3 and 4 star range. (rounded down to 3, which is “Like” by Goodreads rating system)
I felt Nina's angst as she is losing her father but her other decisions were met by little resistance, with the other characters being much more agreeable than I think they would be, in these situations, losing a bit of authenticity to me.
Overall though, I could still recommend this for readers who enjoy love triangles and blush worthy bedroom scenes!
Thank You to Edelweiss. the Publisher and Jill Santopolo for the ARC I received in exchange for a candid review. This title will be available Feb. 5, 2019!
In that book, Lucy struggled to resolve her feelings for 'the one who got away" with “the one who took his place”.
In this book, you'll meet Nina, heiress to the Gregory Hotels of New York City, a woman also struggling to make sense of her feelings for two men.
She has known her boyfriend Tim, since childhood, though they have only been "dating for eight months". It "makes sense" that they end up together...but is that enough?
If so, then why is she drawn to her charismatic boss, Rafael?
Nina is extremely close to her father who is dying and she knows that soon she will be expected to leave her job and take over the family business.
But when that day arrives, she realizes that she has been living her life to please her father instead of to please herself, and she learns a few things that may free her from taking the path her father has chosen for her.
As always, there is some lovely, thought provoking writing. I especially enjoyed a chapter where Nina is visiting her father for their weekly " Jeapordy! and dinner" date...
As she is picking up Chinese food, she muses " New York City really was made up of hundreds of different worlds, each right next to one another. She wouldn't go to a pharmacy five blocks away any more than she would go to one in New Jersey."
They answer the questions and barter with candy, avoiding the fact that these weekly get togethers are quickly drawing to a close. A very moving chapter..
But, I think that with any book such as this, your personal experiences will dictate how much you connect ( or don't connect ) emotionally with a book.
If you have lost a parent you were very close to, or found yourself tempted by someone you work for, YOU may connect with this book more than her first, or more than I did.
For me, this one falls between the 3 and 4 star range. (rounded down to 3, which is “Like” by Goodreads rating system)
I felt Nina's angst as she is losing her father but her other decisions were met by little resistance, with the other characters being much more agreeable than I think they would be, in these situations, losing a bit of authenticity to me.
Overall though, I could still recommend this for readers who enjoy love triangles and blush worthy bedroom scenes!
Thank You to Edelweiss. the Publisher and Jill Santopolo for the ARC I received in exchange for a candid review. This title will be available Feb. 5, 2019!
February 5, 2019
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo didn't really work for me, but I wanted to give the author another try because although I didn't love that particular story, I did love Santopolo's magical and eloquent writing style. I'm so glad I decided to read her newest novel! More Than Words was a captivating story filled with lots of drama and romance, but more than that it is a story about one woman's journey through heartbreak, loss, and grief to find out who she really wants to be.
Nina Gregory has everything. She's a Manhattan heiress who grew up knowing that one day she'd be running the luxurious Gregory hotels that have been in her family for generations. She's had the perfect upbringing--the best of everything and has been taught by her father that their legacy and the reputation they present to the world as a Gregory is what matters most. Even now, although she's working as a speechwriter for the very handsome mayoral candidate Rafael O’Connor-Ruiz until she takes over the Gregory Corporation, the rest of her life seems to be going just the way her dad has it mapped: she's dating Tim, her childhood best friend, and son of her father’s best friend and the company's CEO, and Tim (and everyone else) knows they'll get married and have kids one day who will carry on the Gregory legacy while he takes over his dad's position in the company. Everything seems just perfect.
Taking over as head of the Gregory Corporation comes much sooner than Nina is ready when her father dies, and she's left feeling lost in her grief and wholly unready for something she's known she'd have to take on her entire life. Yet, speechwriting and politics make her feel a passion that she doesn't feel in her new role, especially once she learns things about the dad she held so highly on a pedestal that quickly shatters those illusions of both the man and the job...
Nina's also intensely drawn to Rafael in a way that's different than she feels for Tim, so her romantic life begins to complicate things. She starts to wonder if she has to be who and what she's always been told she must be--is following the life her dad mapped for her the only way? Or can Nina go her own way, follow her own passions, and be the person she wants to be even if that goes against everything she was ever taught?
I really enjoyed the character of Nina and was highly sympathetic to everything she went through. Her grief at losing her dad was intensely painful, and I cried with her. I think it hit close to me since my dad almost passed away a few months ago after having a heart attack, so those emotions were still raw and scary when I read this book. Anyone who has lost a parent, I think, would easily sympathize with Nina's loss. I thought that Santopolo did a wonderful job showing how Nina grew as a character from the beginning to the end of the novel, and I loved seeing the choices that she made on her journey of self-discovery.
More Than Words is a love story too and I highly enjoyed the romance in the book. I felt it was perfect for Nina's story and both of the men in this love triangle were very easy to love, which only made it that much more bittersweet since you knew that no matter who she chose or what happened that someone would get hurt.
The novel was a quick read for me and although it had its moments that made me cry, I can say that when I finished it, I was smiling because I was happy with how everything worked out even if it did have some predictable moments, but that's okay too. Again, I love how magical Santopolo's writing style is and am so glad that I gave her another try and will be keeping my eye out for her next book! She definitely weaves a beautiful and touching story with her newest novel, and I recommend you read it!
**Thank you, Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
Nina Gregory has everything. She's a Manhattan heiress who grew up knowing that one day she'd be running the luxurious Gregory hotels that have been in her family for generations. She's had the perfect upbringing--the best of everything and has been taught by her father that their legacy and the reputation they present to the world as a Gregory is what matters most. Even now, although she's working as a speechwriter for the very handsome mayoral candidate Rafael O’Connor-Ruiz until she takes over the Gregory Corporation, the rest of her life seems to be going just the way her dad has it mapped: she's dating Tim, her childhood best friend, and son of her father’s best friend and the company's CEO, and Tim (and everyone else) knows they'll get married and have kids one day who will carry on the Gregory legacy while he takes over his dad's position in the company. Everything seems just perfect.
Taking over as head of the Gregory Corporation comes much sooner than Nina is ready when her father dies, and she's left feeling lost in her grief and wholly unready for something she's known she'd have to take on her entire life. Yet, speechwriting and politics make her feel a passion that she doesn't feel in her new role, especially once she learns things about the dad she held so highly on a pedestal that quickly shatters those illusions of both the man and the job...
Nina's also intensely drawn to Rafael in a way that's different than she feels for Tim, so her romantic life begins to complicate things. She starts to wonder if she has to be who and what she's always been told she must be--is following the life her dad mapped for her the only way? Or can Nina go her own way, follow her own passions, and be the person she wants to be even if that goes against everything she was ever taught?
I really enjoyed the character of Nina and was highly sympathetic to everything she went through. Her grief at losing her dad was intensely painful, and I cried with her. I think it hit close to me since my dad almost passed away a few months ago after having a heart attack, so those emotions were still raw and scary when I read this book. Anyone who has lost a parent, I think, would easily sympathize with Nina's loss. I thought that Santopolo did a wonderful job showing how Nina grew as a character from the beginning to the end of the novel, and I loved seeing the choices that she made on her journey of self-discovery.
More Than Words is a love story too and I highly enjoyed the romance in the book. I felt it was perfect for Nina's story and both of the men in this love triangle were very easy to love, which only made it that much more bittersweet since you knew that no matter who she chose or what happened that someone would get hurt.
The novel was a quick read for me and although it had its moments that made me cry, I can say that when I finished it, I was smiling because I was happy with how everything worked out even if it did have some predictable moments, but that's okay too. Again, I love how magical Santopolo's writing style is and am so glad that I gave her another try and will be keeping my eye out for her next book! She definitely weaves a beautiful and touching story with her newest novel, and I recommend you read it!
**Thank you, Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**
January 30, 2019
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 stars
I decided to read this book because I had read this author Jill Santopolo’s earlier novel The Light We Lost back in 2017 and liked the story well enough, even though with that book, the characters didn’t work for me and the emotional aspect was lacking – however even with a few issues, there had been a twist to that story and the dialogue was meaningful enough that it almost made up for some of its flaws. In other words, I was still able to enjoy that book to some extent, even though it wasn’t a genre that I’m particularly keen on (contemporary romance). Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about Santopolo’s second book More Than Words , which publishes next month (on February 5th). While I would say that, just like her debut, this book was also well-written and definitely readable, one huge difference was that this time around, the story itself lacked depth – the impression I got after finishing this book was that the story was too superficial and clichéd, the plot so predictable and formulaic that about halfway through, I felt like I didn’t have to finish the book and I would still know exactly how the second half would play out (I finished the book anyway and yes, the rest of the story matched almost exactly with what I had predicted). In addition, many of the same issues that I felt had plagued the first book (and therefore made it an average read for me) also existed in this one as well – namely, the lack of emotional depth, especially as it relates to the main characters. In this case, the main character is Nina Gregory, the young heiress to a hotel chain who finds herself at a crossroads when her beloved father dies and she not only has to deal with her grief while preparing to take over the family business, she also has to struggle with the realization that the life she had been living was perhaps not the one she was meant to live. Since this is a romance novel after all, Nina’s “struggle” also involves having to choose between two men she truly loves.
I honestly was not able to connect with Nina at all for some reason – with all the “struggles” she goes through, I know I’m supposed to sympathize with her or whatnot but I actually didn’t feel anything, even during the supposed “emotional” scenes where I’m expected to feel for her. Perhaps it’s the way the character was written, but she just felt very one-dimensional to me, almost like her character was merely “going through the motions” with everything instead of being a character that comes alive with heart and soul.
The writing as it pertained to bringing the story together as a whole also left much to be desired. With Santopolo’s previous novel, even though it had also lacked emotional depth, at least the story was written in a way that some of the dialogue gave me food for thought and made me ponder a few things (albeit not too deeply)….with this one on the other hand, I felt nothing at all. Even right after finishing the book, I had difficulty recalling much about the story or the characters, which is not a good sign, as it usually means the book is forgettable.
In a way, I do feel that part of the problem is with me in that, as I mentioned earlier, contemporary romance is not a genre that I prefer and though I hate to say it, there is a certain amount of preconceived bias on my part that these types of books usually lack depth, so in a way, the author (through the book) has to work harder to convince me otherwise. Unfortunately, this book didn’t succeed in swaying me. With that said, there were many who liked this book quite a bit so I would suggest checking out those reviews. One thing I do feel I should mention though, in case this matters to those deciding whether to give this book a try – there were a handful of mildly graphic sex scenes in the book that I personally felt were unnecessary in terms of the amount of detail used to depict the physical interactions between the characters…for me, it wasn’t too big of a deal but others may be bothered by it.
Overall, this was an okay read – quick and easy to get through but if I had to choose, I would prefer this author’s previous novel slightly more.
Received ARC from G.P. Putnam’s Sons via Edelweiss
I decided to read this book because I had read this author Jill Santopolo’s earlier novel The Light We Lost back in 2017 and liked the story well enough, even though with that book, the characters didn’t work for me and the emotional aspect was lacking – however even with a few issues, there had been a twist to that story and the dialogue was meaningful enough that it almost made up for some of its flaws. In other words, I was still able to enjoy that book to some extent, even though it wasn’t a genre that I’m particularly keen on (contemporary romance). Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about Santopolo’s second book More Than Words , which publishes next month (on February 5th). While I would say that, just like her debut, this book was also well-written and definitely readable, one huge difference was that this time around, the story itself lacked depth – the impression I got after finishing this book was that the story was too superficial and clichéd, the plot so predictable and formulaic that about halfway through, I felt like I didn’t have to finish the book and I would still know exactly how the second half would play out (I finished the book anyway and yes, the rest of the story matched almost exactly with what I had predicted). In addition, many of the same issues that I felt had plagued the first book (and therefore made it an average read for me) also existed in this one as well – namely, the lack of emotional depth, especially as it relates to the main characters. In this case, the main character is Nina Gregory, the young heiress to a hotel chain who finds herself at a crossroads when her beloved father dies and she not only has to deal with her grief while preparing to take over the family business, she also has to struggle with the realization that the life she had been living was perhaps not the one she was meant to live. Since this is a romance novel after all, Nina’s “struggle” also involves having to choose between two men she truly loves.
I honestly was not able to connect with Nina at all for some reason – with all the “struggles” she goes through, I know I’m supposed to sympathize with her or whatnot but I actually didn’t feel anything, even during the supposed “emotional” scenes where I’m expected to feel for her. Perhaps it’s the way the character was written, but she just felt very one-dimensional to me, almost like her character was merely “going through the motions” with everything instead of being a character that comes alive with heart and soul.
The writing as it pertained to bringing the story together as a whole also left much to be desired. With Santopolo’s previous novel, even though it had also lacked emotional depth, at least the story was written in a way that some of the dialogue gave me food for thought and made me ponder a few things (albeit not too deeply)….with this one on the other hand, I felt nothing at all. Even right after finishing the book, I had difficulty recalling much about the story or the characters, which is not a good sign, as it usually means the book is forgettable.
In a way, I do feel that part of the problem is with me in that, as I mentioned earlier, contemporary romance is not a genre that I prefer and though I hate to say it, there is a certain amount of preconceived bias on my part that these types of books usually lack depth, so in a way, the author (through the book) has to work harder to convince me otherwise. Unfortunately, this book didn’t succeed in swaying me. With that said, there were many who liked this book quite a bit so I would suggest checking out those reviews. One thing I do feel I should mention though, in case this matters to those deciding whether to give this book a try – there were a handful of mildly graphic sex scenes in the book that I personally felt were unnecessary in terms of the amount of detail used to depict the physical interactions between the characters…for me, it wasn’t too big of a deal but others may be bothered by it.
Overall, this was an okay read – quick and easy to get through but if I had to choose, I would prefer this author’s previous novel slightly more.
Received ARC from G.P. Putnam’s Sons via Edelweiss
January 9, 2020
Nina Gregory has lived her life dutifully. As the heiress to the luxury line of Gregory Hotels, she has known how her life would turn out from an early age. She would live a life as the head of a wealthy New York City corporation where her image and reputation are of the utmost importance. Luckily, Nina has Tim - her childhood best friend and boyfriend - who has envisioned the exact same life beside her.
However, the death of Nina’s only surviving parent, her father, leads to shocking discoveries about her family, her business, and herself. The secrets kept from her for most of her life upend the role she expected to play and her relationships. Nina is caught between the familiar and comforting and the new and exciting. As her world falls apart, Nina begins to question if the world she has known fits the person she is becoming.
Jill Santopolo is the author of the bestselling novel The Light We Lost and brings a new story to life full of heartbreak and romance. More Than Words explores grief, growth, and soul-searching and how it takes courage to discover oneself and live a life true to that knowledge.
However, the death of Nina’s only surviving parent, her father, leads to shocking discoveries about her family, her business, and herself. The secrets kept from her for most of her life upend the role she expected to play and her relationships. Nina is caught between the familiar and comforting and the new and exciting. As her world falls apart, Nina begins to question if the world she has known fits the person she is becoming.
Jill Santopolo is the author of the bestselling novel The Light We Lost and brings a new story to life full of heartbreak and romance. More Than Words explores grief, growth, and soul-searching and how it takes courage to discover oneself and live a life true to that knowledge.
February 11, 2024
I absolutely loved her book, The Light We Lost, Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
So...
To say that I was eager to get my hands on her latest novel is quite the understatement.
And...
Within a few pages, the natural flow of the author’s words found me under her literary spell. Matters of the heart are often irrational, so prepare yourself. There's no getting around the love triangle here.
Also...
The author tackles quite a few issues here—grief, loss, self-discovery, and familial secrets—and in what I would consider a relatable way. Reading in her Acknowledgments that she’d lost her own father a few years earlier, added another layer of credibility to her main character, Nina’s journey.
And...
If I may, a word of advice for fans of The Light We Lost… go in with an open mind. Nina’s might be a completely different journey from Lucy and Gabe’s, but it’s stunning in its own right.
So...
To say that I was eager to get my hands on her latest novel is quite the understatement.
And...
Within a few pages, the natural flow of the author’s words found me under her literary spell. Matters of the heart are often irrational, so prepare yourself. There's no getting around the love triangle here.
Also...
The author tackles quite a few issues here—grief, loss, self-discovery, and familial secrets—and in what I would consider a relatable way. Reading in her Acknowledgments that she’d lost her own father a few years earlier, added another layer of credibility to her main character, Nina’s journey.
And...
If I may, a word of advice for fans of The Light We Lost… go in with an open mind. Nina’s might be a completely different journey from Lucy and Gabe’s, but it’s stunning in its own right.
August 20, 2022
This was a nice and comfortable read.
Nina grew up rich and groomed to take over the family’s highly successful chain of hotels in New York. She’s lived in the spotlight all her life, checked all the expectation boxes her dad set for her, even the one about who she should marry. When her dad died of cancer, and some family secrets spilled out, she decided to come into her true self instead of trying hard to be someone everyone expects her to be. That meant finding love, and defining success on her own terms.
It was an okay read. The writing was good and it was well paced, not bad overall. 3 stars!
Nina grew up rich and groomed to take over the family’s highly successful chain of hotels in New York. She’s lived in the spotlight all her life, checked all the expectation boxes her dad set for her, even the one about who she should marry. When her dad died of cancer, and some family secrets spilled out, she decided to come into her true self instead of trying hard to be someone everyone expects her to be. That meant finding love, and defining success on her own terms.
It was an okay read. The writing was good and it was well paced, not bad overall. 3 stars!
January 17, 2019
I’m... not sure what the point of this book was.
April 19, 2021
This is the thirteenth book in my #atozchallenge! I'm challenging myself to read a book from my shelves that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Let's clear those shelves and delve into that backlist!
Nina Gregory has always been a loyal daughter. After her mother's death, she was raised by her father, the owner of the Gregory Hotels, a renowned chain in New York City. She knows she will take over the family business someday. And her father has always taught her that family (and reputation) come before everything. But when Nina's father dies, she finds herself adrift. Not even her boyfriend, Tim, whom she's been raised with since childhood (his parents work with her father) can provide comfort. When Nina finds out something about her father that causes her to question everything, she finds herself turning to her boss, mayoral candidate Rafael. Nina's always been cautious and proper. But now, she's not so sure what to believe.
"Not only was she going to lose her father, she was going to lose the life she'd imagined for herself. The future she'd expected would be hers."
This was a good read about love, loss, and politics. I think parts of it might have annoyed me more, but I read it at a good time. Nina honestly came across as self-centered at moments, but she was certainly going through a lot, trying to find herself in the wake of her father's death. With her family legacy, she was under a lot of pressure. The book did a good job of capturing grief and loss. I also really liked Rafael--he was a character I could root for. The story seemed to meander a little and could be heartbreaking, but it was a book centered around death, after all.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It's sad, but hopeful too. A good read if you go in with the right mindset. 3.5 stars.
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Nina Gregory has always been a loyal daughter. After her mother's death, she was raised by her father, the owner of the Gregory Hotels, a renowned chain in New York City. She knows she will take over the family business someday. And her father has always taught her that family (and reputation) come before everything. But when Nina's father dies, she finds herself adrift. Not even her boyfriend, Tim, whom she's been raised with since childhood (his parents work with her father) can provide comfort. When Nina finds out something about her father that causes her to question everything, she finds herself turning to her boss, mayoral candidate Rafael. Nina's always been cautious and proper. But now, she's not so sure what to believe.
"Not only was she going to lose her father, she was going to lose the life she'd imagined for herself. The future she'd expected would be hers."
This was a good read about love, loss, and politics. I think parts of it might have annoyed me more, but I read it at a good time. Nina honestly came across as self-centered at moments, but she was certainly going through a lot, trying to find herself in the wake of her father's death. With her family legacy, she was under a lot of pressure. The book did a good job of capturing grief and loss. I also really liked Rafael--he was a character I could root for. The story seemed to meander a little and could be heartbreaking, but it was a book centered around death, after all.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It's sad, but hopeful too. A good read if you go in with the right mindset. 3.5 stars.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
February 22, 2019
I wanted to try this author after her last novel was highlighted by Reese Witherspoon. It's solidly in women's fiction bordering on romance.
Nina works in politics but is destined to take over the family business, a lucrative hospitality corporation in NYC. As her father approaches the end of his life, she is confronted with the truth of what happened in her childhood and has to decide who she wants to be. I liked the quick chapters, female crisis of identity, and the attraction to one character. I would have liked the characters more if they hadn't been the 1%, but that's a personal preference. I suppose for me, it's harder to take a crisis seriously if a character has money to fix it.
This came out February 5 and I had a copy from the publisher through netgalley.
Nina works in politics but is destined to take over the family business, a lucrative hospitality corporation in NYC. As her father approaches the end of his life, she is confronted with the truth of what happened in her childhood and has to decide who she wants to be. I liked the quick chapters, female crisis of identity, and the attraction to one character. I would have liked the characters more if they hadn't been the 1%, but that's a personal preference. I suppose for me, it's harder to take a crisis seriously if a character has money to fix it.
This came out February 5 and I had a copy from the publisher through netgalley.
August 13, 2018
When I read Jill Santopolo's The Light We Lost last year, I was blown away, the love story and the context of the relationship felt so real to me and the book made my top 10 of 2017 list.
Fast forward to now, I see than Santopolo has a new book coming out - lo and behold, I'm lucky enough to score an ARC. Said ARC is not out for months, but my eager heart couldn't wait even find minutes before I started.
More Than Words is a totally different book from Light, but equally amazing. Words focuses on Nina Gregory, a financially privileged woman who has had too much loss in her life, and is coping with the impending loss of her father to cancer. Nina is dating her oldest friend, Tim, who's father is business partners with Nina's father and the families are over the moon about the relationship. However, with this tragic loss nearing and secrets coming to light (and let's not forget the sexy boss who is stirring up all sorts of emotions in Nina), Nina is left to face whether she's living the life she wants or the life she thinks is expected of her.
I loved the character of Nina and enjoyed watching her growth and development as I progressed in the book. She was smart, but cautious and I truly felt for her in all of her struggles. I can honestly say Santopolo is now officially a must read author for me (okay, she already was after Light) but I'm thrilled to share that her sophomore effort was just as much of a hit for me.
Thank you immensely to G.P. Putnam Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Fast forward to now, I see than Santopolo has a new book coming out - lo and behold, I'm lucky enough to score an ARC. Said ARC is not out for months, but my eager heart couldn't wait even find minutes before I started.
More Than Words is a totally different book from Light, but equally amazing. Words focuses on Nina Gregory, a financially privileged woman who has had too much loss in her life, and is coping with the impending loss of her father to cancer. Nina is dating her oldest friend, Tim, who's father is business partners with Nina's father and the families are over the moon about the relationship. However, with this tragic loss nearing and secrets coming to light (and let's not forget the sexy boss who is stirring up all sorts of emotions in Nina), Nina is left to face whether she's living the life she wants or the life she thinks is expected of her.
I loved the character of Nina and enjoyed watching her growth and development as I progressed in the book. She was smart, but cautious and I truly felt for her in all of her struggles. I can honestly say Santopolo is now officially a must read author for me (okay, she already was after Light) but I'm thrilled to share that her sophomore effort was just as much of a hit for me.
Thank you immensely to G.P. Putnam Books for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
February 26, 2019
After loving The Light We Lost, maybe I held this book to too high an expectation but it was just a solid meh from me. Not that it wasn't enjoyable, but it wasn't believable, the characters weren't likeable, and above everything there wasn't anything pivotal that happened that made me feel like I couldn't put the book down.
Is it worth reading? Sure.
But did I love it? Not really.
Is it worth reading? Sure.
But did I love it? Not really.
February 18, 2019
3.5 Stars
April 9, 2019
Nina Gregory lost her mother to a tragic accident when she was a girl, and is now dealing with her father's terminal cancer. Her father owns the renowned Gregory Hotels, catering to the rich and powerful. He carefully crafted a persona and taught Nina that reputation and public perception were the key to success. Her life was laid out before her, take over the Gregory Hotels, marry Tim, the boy she has known since birth, and continue the legacy.
Nina had taken a job as a speech writer for Rafael, a handsome, young up and coming politician running for Mayor of NYC. She finds herself drawn to his magnetism and kindness, but is torn by her loyalty to Tim.
But when her father dies, her world is shook to the core, and for the first time questions who she is and what she wants for her future.
While I enjoyed the novel, the characters were a little flat and the story was a bit predictable, therefore the 3 stars.
Nina had taken a job as a speech writer for Rafael, a handsome, young up and coming politician running for Mayor of NYC. She finds herself drawn to his magnetism and kindness, but is torn by her loyalty to Tim.
But when her father dies, her world is shook to the core, and for the first time questions who she is and what she wants for her future.
While I enjoyed the novel, the characters were a little flat and the story was a bit predictable, therefore the 3 stars.
February 5, 2019
**More Than Words generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
5 "And then we can see..." Stars
After reading and being taken with Jill Santopolo's The Light We Lost I was delighted to read her next contemporary novel. More Than Words comes as very different yet no less monopolizing tale than the former. It's a beautifully written, exquisitely emotional story of a woman unraveling. In a time of great grief, to better understand who she is and her view of the world in which she resides, Nina Gregory explores what she always knew through this new, heart wrenching perspective that changes her entire life.
As her life begins to change amidst her grief, she uncovers truths about herself. Caught between loyalty and self-preservation, Nina comes to a cross roads in her life. The family she's grown up with, her best friend since birth, a dear friend who's her rock, and new friends set apart from the life she was supposed to lead all help Nina channel herself to be the person she's meant to be. A clash of new versus old ensues as we journey with her to absolution and truths.
Defining happiness is different for every person. Chasing the hearts desires over living in the utmost loyalty is a choice when sometimes familial obligations lead to the submission of one's own truths. As Nina takes us readers on her enlightening path of self discovery, through Jill Santopolo's honest, reverent story telling, we understand how time, circumstance, and great pain evolve us as human beings who are complex and ever-changing. Being one's complete, true self is the hardest part of life as it opens you up to great vulnerability, the way this author brings that to light through her main character was awesome. Santopolo weaves her stories together brilliantly; my heart raced during Nina's journey. I read this in one sitting from beginning to end, swept away to New York City, and emotionally invested in the story telling.
5 "And then we can see..." Stars
After reading and being taken with Jill Santopolo's The Light We Lost I was delighted to read her next contemporary novel. More Than Words comes as very different yet no less monopolizing tale than the former. It's a beautifully written, exquisitely emotional story of a woman unraveling. In a time of great grief, to better understand who she is and her view of the world in which she resides, Nina Gregory explores what she always knew through this new, heart wrenching perspective that changes her entire life.
"Something like this...it makes you see the world through a different lens."
As her life begins to change amidst her grief, she uncovers truths about herself. Caught between loyalty and self-preservation, Nina comes to a cross roads in her life. The family she's grown up with, her best friend since birth, a dear friend who's her rock, and new friends set apart from the life she was supposed to lead all help Nina channel herself to be the person she's meant to be. A clash of new versus old ensues as we journey with her to absolution and truths.
"He'd stood with her in the darkness and made it feel safe."
Defining happiness is different for every person. Chasing the hearts desires over living in the utmost loyalty is a choice when sometimes familial obligations lead to the submission of one's own truths. As Nina takes us readers on her enlightening path of self discovery, through Jill Santopolo's honest, reverent story telling, we understand how time, circumstance, and great pain evolve us as human beings who are complex and ever-changing. Being one's complete, true self is the hardest part of life as it opens you up to great vulnerability, the way this author brings that to light through her main character was awesome. Santopolo weaves her stories together brilliantly; my heart raced during Nina's journey. I read this in one sitting from beginning to end, swept away to New York City, and emotionally invested in the story telling.
September 16, 2018
I had a difficult time drumming up the slightest bit of sympathy for this novel's main character, Nina Gregory. Must be terrible having two men in love with you. My heart bleeds.
Personal envy aside, the real story didn't begin until nearly halfway through the book. It was at that point Nina's life changed, following the death of her beloved father and the discovery of information about his secretive past. Until that point I was, quite frankly, bored. As is common in many love stories, there is a sexual tension, will they, won't they dynamic. I do not care for this sort of thing. I can accurately predict the outcome so enduring the drawn out process is far from pleasurable. (I had the same issue as a child with Trix cereal commercials. Don't tease me as though there is the slightest possibility the poor rabbit is actually going to get to eat a bowl of sugary colored puffs.) I also disliked the graphic sex scenes. Whatever happened to understatement? Prudish though I may be, I could easily have done with a whole lot less detail in the bedroom department and more time spent exploring the one likable character, Rafael's background story.
However, as I do not wish to disparage literature, I will say the title is extremely clever, I'm a big fan of wit. Furthermore, I am willing to bet there are many who will enjoy this rather generic love story because I tend to march (clumsily) to the beat of my own drummer.
Personal envy aside, the real story didn't begin until nearly halfway through the book. It was at that point Nina's life changed, following the death of her beloved father and the discovery of information about his secretive past. Until that point I was, quite frankly, bored. As is common in many love stories, there is a sexual tension, will they, won't they dynamic. I do not care for this sort of thing. I can accurately predict the outcome so enduring the drawn out process is far from pleasurable. (I had the same issue as a child with Trix cereal commercials. Don't tease me as though there is the slightest possibility the poor rabbit is actually going to get to eat a bowl of sugary colored puffs.) I also disliked the graphic sex scenes. Whatever happened to understatement? Prudish though I may be, I could easily have done with a whole lot less detail in the bedroom department and more time spent exploring the one likable character, Rafael's background story.
However, as I do not wish to disparage literature, I will say the title is extremely clever, I'm a big fan of wit. Furthermore, I am willing to bet there are many who will enjoy this rather generic love story because I tend to march (clumsily) to the beat of my own drummer.
November 3, 2020
bunlar açıklayıcı oldu mu bilemedim___?
bu kitaba şöyle olsaydı tam puan verirdim:
Rafael (aslında bir avukat olabilir ama sonuç olarak şu an bir siyasetçi) seçimlere hazırlandığı için bir komploya kurban gitseydi (en basitinden .pp) Nina'yla birbirlerine olan duygularını açıklamadan önce. Nina'da bu aşk acısıyla... ne yapıyorsa yapsın.. Bu senaryo da olmadı. Kitap çok durgundu ama psikolojim durgun bir şeyler istiyordu, bunu o yüzden bitirebildim.
Mutlu son olması hiç hoş olmadı. Üstüne konuşulacak bir şey kalmadı ki her hesap kapandı. Tim'le ayrıldı, sorunsuz. Rafael'e olan duyguları karşılıksız değildi. Birbirleri için yaratılmışlar falan.... ne kaldı bize hakkında konuşacak?
April 30, 2019
Nina has always done what is expected of her. From a prominent family, she has always followed the path that was laid out for her and lived out others expectations. When her father passes away, Nina begins to branch out and examine where her heart truly lies. This is a story of grief, loss, love, and self discovery.
More Than Words is an easy read but unfortunately for me it lacked depth. This was a very surface story that didn’t engage any emotions for me. I needed more heart, more depth...just more. While it’s natural to feel off kilter after a significant loss, Nina’s path didn’t feel natural. The character development was sudden and excessive. While this was an easy read that kept me turning pages, it wasn’t a story that I connected with and ultimately left me feeling let down. For me, More Than Words was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (rounded up from 2.5).
More Than Words is an easy read but unfortunately for me it lacked depth. This was a very surface story that didn’t engage any emotions for me. I needed more heart, more depth...just more. While it’s natural to feel off kilter after a significant loss, Nina’s path didn’t feel natural. The character development was sudden and excessive. While this was an easy read that kept me turning pages, it wasn’t a story that I connected with and ultimately left me feeling let down. For me, More Than Words was ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (rounded up from 2.5).
February 14, 2019
I’ve been holding off on posting my review until today simply because I can’t think of a more fitting book to discuss on Valentine’s Day than this one! It was a great love story, but it also had plenty of depth and was about so much more than two people falling in love, it explored several other relatable topics and issues as well.
I love a book that follows a character at a defining point in their lives, it’s so interesting to me to see what choices they make and what actions take place after some sort of event shakes up their life. Nina losing her father is her defining moment, she begins to question everything she’s been sure of her entire life and she really starts to come into her own. I really enjoyed watching her grow, mature and just start to feel comfortable in her own skin, on her own terms.
Love triangles are nothing new, but this one is done well. So many times I’m clearly rooting hard for one person to “get the girl” in these types of stories, but here I genuinely liked both men in Nina’s life which made me feel for her (and them) as she struggled to chose one of them. There was quite a bit of drama here as Nina navigates life after her fathers death, which was also fun as it broke up the romancey parts.
This was my first Santopolo book and I was impressed by her writing, it’s lyrical and fluid with a bit a magic to it as well, really perfect for a romance. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about The Light We Lost and am really excited to read that one too after this gem.
More Than Words in three words: Touching, Sweet and Lyrical.
I love a book that follows a character at a defining point in their lives, it’s so interesting to me to see what choices they make and what actions take place after some sort of event shakes up their life. Nina losing her father is her defining moment, she begins to question everything she’s been sure of her entire life and she really starts to come into her own. I really enjoyed watching her grow, mature and just start to feel comfortable in her own skin, on her own terms.
Love triangles are nothing new, but this one is done well. So many times I’m clearly rooting hard for one person to “get the girl” in these types of stories, but here I genuinely liked both men in Nina’s life which made me feel for her (and them) as she struggled to chose one of them. There was quite a bit of drama here as Nina navigates life after her fathers death, which was also fun as it broke up the romancey parts.
This was my first Santopolo book and I was impressed by her writing, it’s lyrical and fluid with a bit a magic to it as well, really perfect for a romance. I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about The Light We Lost and am really excited to read that one too after this gem.
More Than Words in three words: Touching, Sweet and Lyrical.
January 17, 2023
This book is about discovering who you are within the traditions and expectations of your family. introduces readers to Nina Gregory's life at a crucial stage. A really well work, but sadly one that I couldn't connect to emotionally.
It lacked depth for me. This was a fairly superficial story that failed to evoke any strong feelings in me. The book's main action didn't start until about halfway through. After her loving father passed away and details about his mysterious history were revealed, Nina's life changed at that point. Even if it's normal to feel out of sorts after a severe loss, Nina's course didn't feel right.
With all the "struggles" Nina faces, she occasionally comes out as self centered. I know I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her or something, but I didn't. She seemed extremely one was to me, almost as though she was just "undergoing the process" with everything instead of an character that comes to life with soul and emotion. Maybe it was simply how the character was written.
The characters' growth occurred too quickly and abruptly. Given that the characters in the book appear to have intriguing backstories, I think it failed to highlight them, making all the relationships and blunders feel utterly boring.
Everything remains light and superficial, there are no real stakes in the plot, and I have no interest in the characters at all. Actually, I was about to DNF this while I was going too far. Fortunately, Santopolo writes engrossingly. No matter the plot, she always manages to keep me interested in the story. She just has a talent for writing readable yet compelling stories.
In the end, I thought this was a huge miss. I'll surely read another book by Santopolo. Frankly, I just wasn't cut out for this one.
It lacked depth for me. This was a fairly superficial story that failed to evoke any strong feelings in me. The book's main action didn't start until about halfway through. After her loving father passed away and details about his mysterious history were revealed, Nina's life changed at that point. Even if it's normal to feel out of sorts after a severe loss, Nina's course didn't feel right.
With all the "struggles" Nina faces, she occasionally comes out as self centered. I know I'm supposed to feel sympathy for her or something, but I didn't. She seemed extremely one was to me, almost as though she was just "undergoing the process" with everything instead of an character that comes to life with soul and emotion. Maybe it was simply how the character was written.
The characters' growth occurred too quickly and abruptly. Given that the characters in the book appear to have intriguing backstories, I think it failed to highlight them, making all the relationships and blunders feel utterly boring.
Everything remains light and superficial, there are no real stakes in the plot, and I have no interest in the characters at all. Actually, I was about to DNF this while I was going too far. Fortunately, Santopolo writes engrossingly. No matter the plot, she always manages to keep me interested in the story. She just has a talent for writing readable yet compelling stories.
In the end, I thought this was a huge miss. I'll surely read another book by Santopolo. Frankly, I just wasn't cut out for this one.
March 14, 2019
Alright after some reflection I've settled on 2.5 stars. Unfortunately this one just didn't work for me.
Synopsis
This story follows Nina, the heiress to a hotel corporation. Her world is crashing around her as her father's health declines. She is thrust into a role she wasn't ready for, she's questioning her relationship with the man she always thought she'd have a future with, and she is discovering well-hidden secrets about her family. All the while, a connection is blooming between her and her ex-boss.
Overview
My biggest issue with this book was that I felt nothing. This was a book that relied on a connection to the characters and I sadly never felt one.
This is told in 3rd person from Nina's perspective. And for some reason this kept throwing me off. Since the entire story was purely from her perspective it almost felt like it should have been 1st person. This totally may be a just-me thing though!
This book contained a few tropes/topics I didn't love - insta-love and sex-shaming. And it was kind of hard for me to move past them.
What I Liked
1. Santopolo's writing is captivating. Regardless of the story, her writing always keeps me invested. She just has a way of making her stories accessible yet gripping.
2. The chapters where Nina is grieving were really well done. I felt Nina's pain. It was really the one time in the novel where I felt the story and connection.
What I Didn't Like
1. Overall I felt no connection to these characters. And this was not a plot driven book, so connecting to the characters was vital. I don't know what stopped me from connecting, honestly. I just never felt anything. From anyone. But it made all the romances and missteps feel completely lackluster.
2. Tim. Oh man where to begin. Despite not connecting with the characters, I definitely felt strong emotions about the boyfriend in this. Unfortunately they weren't good ones. At one point, about half way through the book, he blatantly sex-shames the main character. But on top of that I don't feel like it was ever acknowledged as being wrong. It was just like 'oh yeah, that's Tim being boring'. No it's sex-shaming and I'm not here for it. And to keep piling it on, Tim's behavior felt weirdly controlling. He kept telling Nina what she should do, pointing out every little thing she changed. Literally at one point he complains because she adds fruit to a salad.
3. Nina's actions made little to no sense to me. One minute she wants nothing to do with the corporation and the next minute she's some kind of corporate wiz who exactly how to fix everything. One minute she needs time to figure herself out and 4 hours later she's in love. She was all over the place.
4. The insta-love. Oh how instant it was.
Overall this was a big miss for me. I will definitely read more of Santopolo's books in the future because I love her writing and story telling. Sadly this one just wasn't for me.
Synopsis
"I think it's hard not to fall apart when your view of life is shifting."
This story follows Nina, the heiress to a hotel corporation. Her world is crashing around her as her father's health declines. She is thrust into a role she wasn't ready for, she's questioning her relationship with the man she always thought she'd have a future with, and she is discovering well-hidden secrets about her family. All the while, a connection is blooming between her and her ex-boss.
Overview
My biggest issue with this book was that I felt nothing. This was a book that relied on a connection to the characters and I sadly never felt one.
This is told in 3rd person from Nina's perspective. And for some reason this kept throwing me off. Since the entire story was purely from her perspective it almost felt like it should have been 1st person. This totally may be a just-me thing though!
This book contained a few tropes/topics I didn't love - insta-love and sex-shaming. And it was kind of hard for me to move past them.
What I Liked
1. Santopolo's writing is captivating. Regardless of the story, her writing always keeps me invested. She just has a way of making her stories accessible yet gripping.
"Solitude is the profoundest fact of the human condition. Man is the only being who knows he is alone."
2. The chapters where Nina is grieving were really well done. I felt Nina's pain. It was really the one time in the novel where I felt the story and connection.
What I Didn't Like
1. Overall I felt no connection to these characters. And this was not a plot driven book, so connecting to the characters was vital. I don't know what stopped me from connecting, honestly. I just never felt anything. From anyone. But it made all the romances and missteps feel completely lackluster.
2. Tim. Oh man where to begin. Despite not connecting with the characters, I definitely felt strong emotions about the boyfriend in this. Unfortunately they weren't good ones. At one point, about half way through the book, he blatantly sex-shames the main character. But on top of that I don't feel like it was ever acknowledged as being wrong. It was just like 'oh yeah, that's Tim being boring'. No it's sex-shaming and I'm not here for it. And to keep piling it on, Tim's behavior felt weirdly controlling. He kept telling Nina what she should do, pointing out every little thing she changed. Literally at one point he complains because she adds fruit to a salad.
3. Nina's actions made little to no sense to me. One minute she wants nothing to do with the corporation and the next minute she's some kind of corporate wiz who exactly how to fix everything. One minute she needs time to figure herself out and 4 hours later she's in love. She was all over the place.
4. The insta-love. Oh how instant it was.
Overall this was a big miss for me. I will definitely read more of Santopolo's books in the future because I love her writing and story telling. Sadly this one just wasn't for me.
April 7, 2019
Good book, wasn’t sure at first if I was going to enjoy it but once you get past the first chapter it’s an okay book.
Three stars from me.
🌟🌟🌟
Three stars from me.
🌟🌟🌟
December 11, 2019
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Dopo il successo de "Il giorno che aspettiamo", Jill Santopolo torna con una nuova emozionante storia. Cosa succede quando vi rendete conto che la vostra vita sta prendendo una strada completamente diversa da quella che avete immaginato? E se vi rendeste conto che non siete felici? La protagonista Nina è una donna intelligente che ha tutto: una vita perfetta, un lavoro che la appaga, un fidanzato e degli amici che la amano. È cresciuta sapendo che un giorno avrebbe gestito i lussuosi hotel Gregory che sono stati gestiti dalla sua famiglia di generazione in generazione ed ha avuto un’educazione perfetta – la migliore in assoluto – e suo padre le ha insegnato che la sua eredità e la reputazione sono ciò che contano di più. Anche la sua vita è troppo perfetta e sembra esattamente dirigersi dove suo padre ha deciso. Assumere il comando della Gregory Corporation arriva molto prima che Nina sia pronta, quando suo padre muore e lei si sente persa, annegare nel dolore. Comincia a chiedersi se deve essere la persona che suo padre ha confezionato per lei e se sta seguendo la vita che egli ha deciso per lei. O può seguire la sua strada, le proprie passioni ed essere così la persona che vuole, anche se ciò vuol dire andare contro ciò che le hanno insegnato? Nina è un personaggio che fin dalla prima pagina riesce ad entrare nel cuore del lettore; pagina dopo pagina la vediamo vivere una vita che non la sua, sopportare le apparenze, mascherare il dolore per la morte del padre sotto falsi sorrisi. Chiunque abbia perso un genitore o una persona cara si sente emotivamente vicino alla perdita di Nina e capisce il suo dolore e la sua solitudine. L’autrice ci regala una prosa intensa e commovente, di quelle che ti incatenano alle pagine e non ti lasciano più andare, neanche alla fine quando hai chiuso l’ultima pagina e ti senti ancora il battito accelerato per le emozioni che la storia ti ha trasmesso. È perfetta la costruzione reale del personaggio di Nina, dei problemi che affronta – e che tutti noi affrontiamo ogni giorno – e dell’evoluzione che compie, del suo cambiamento dall’inizio fino alla fine e del viaggio interiore alla scoperta di se stessa. Questa storia è bellissima in ogni pagina e l’autrice riesce a fondere perfettamente il dramma familiare, il romanticismo e il potere femminile. Affronta temi come il dolore, la perdita, i segreti familiari e la scoperta di se stessi. Un romanzo che è molto più delle parole, che ci insegna a vivere la nostra vita intensamente e a cercare la felicità che meritiamo...
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Dopo il successo de "Il giorno che aspettiamo", Jill Santopolo torna con una nuova emozionante storia. Cosa succede quando vi rendete conto che la vostra vita sta prendendo una strada completamente diversa da quella che avete immaginato? E se vi rendeste conto che non siete felici? La protagonista Nina è una donna intelligente che ha tutto: una vita perfetta, un lavoro che la appaga, un fidanzato e degli amici che la amano. È cresciuta sapendo che un giorno avrebbe gestito i lussuosi hotel Gregory che sono stati gestiti dalla sua famiglia di generazione in generazione ed ha avuto un’educazione perfetta – la migliore in assoluto – e suo padre le ha insegnato che la sua eredità e la reputazione sono ciò che contano di più. Anche la sua vita è troppo perfetta e sembra esattamente dirigersi dove suo padre ha deciso. Assumere il comando della Gregory Corporation arriva molto prima che Nina sia pronta, quando suo padre muore e lei si sente persa, annegare nel dolore. Comincia a chiedersi se deve essere la persona che suo padre ha confezionato per lei e se sta seguendo la vita che egli ha deciso per lei. O può seguire la sua strada, le proprie passioni ed essere così la persona che vuole, anche se ciò vuol dire andare contro ciò che le hanno insegnato? Nina è un personaggio che fin dalla prima pagina riesce ad entrare nel cuore del lettore; pagina dopo pagina la vediamo vivere una vita che non la sua, sopportare le apparenze, mascherare il dolore per la morte del padre sotto falsi sorrisi. Chiunque abbia perso un genitore o una persona cara si sente emotivamente vicino alla perdita di Nina e capisce il suo dolore e la sua solitudine. L’autrice ci regala una prosa intensa e commovente, di quelle che ti incatenano alle pagine e non ti lasciano più andare, neanche alla fine quando hai chiuso l’ultima pagina e ti senti ancora il battito accelerato per le emozioni che la storia ti ha trasmesso. È perfetta la costruzione reale del personaggio di Nina, dei problemi che affronta – e che tutti noi affrontiamo ogni giorno – e dell’evoluzione che compie, del suo cambiamento dall’inizio fino alla fine e del viaggio interiore alla scoperta di se stessa. Questa storia è bellissima in ogni pagina e l’autrice riesce a fondere perfettamente il dramma familiare, il romanticismo e il potere femminile. Affronta temi come il dolore, la perdita, i segreti familiari e la scoperta di se stessi. Un romanzo che è molto più delle parole, che ci insegna a vivere la nostra vita intensamente e a cercare la felicità che meritiamo...
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
February 4, 2019
'More Than Words' is a lovely story about a young woman coming into her own in New York City during a time of tremendous personal and professional upheaval. I enjoyed Nina's story and the New York setting.
Jill Santopolo is the author of one of my favorite books, 'The Light We Lost' so I was very eager to get my hands on her latest novel. At times both emotional and romantic, this book was a fast-paced story about Nina Gregory, who has been raised by her father among New York City's elite. Her family owns a famous hotel and Nina has been in the spotlight since a very young age. It seems as though her entire life has been planned out for her since birth. Her father constantly reminds her of the making the right choices but Nina decides to work as a speechwriter for Rafael, a candidate for New York City mayor, before she spends the rest of her life working in the family business.
Rafael is a charismatic and handsome character, unlike anyone in Nina's life. Hers is a life of privilege, which she does not take lightly. She is dating her best friend Tim but begins to chafe at the life planned out for her.
"She heard her father’s voice in her mind: You’re smarter than that. And she was. But sometimes it wasn’t about intelligence. Not when the heart got involved. Her father never seemed to understand that. Or maybe he did. All too well."
Nina's life has not been perfect and has been marred by several tragedies. When another sudden tragedy strikes, she forces herself to confront her life and what she wants for her future. She also uncovers certain facts that cause her to question everything she has ever held dear. Will she take the comfortable path or will she take a chance and live her life to the fullest?
“Everything I told you. It’s all true. I just … everything feels so tangled right now.”
Fans of women's fiction will love this story. It is a quieter tale than 'The Light We Lost' but the author explores deeper issues such as the impact of family, friends and truth on our lives. I loved the ending to this story and can't wait for the author's next book!
Jill Santopolo is the author of one of my favorite books, 'The Light We Lost' so I was very eager to get my hands on her latest novel. At times both emotional and romantic, this book was a fast-paced story about Nina Gregory, who has been raised by her father among New York City's elite. Her family owns a famous hotel and Nina has been in the spotlight since a very young age. It seems as though her entire life has been planned out for her since birth. Her father constantly reminds her of the making the right choices but Nina decides to work as a speechwriter for Rafael, a candidate for New York City mayor, before she spends the rest of her life working in the family business.
Rafael is a charismatic and handsome character, unlike anyone in Nina's life. Hers is a life of privilege, which she does not take lightly. She is dating her best friend Tim but begins to chafe at the life planned out for her.
"She heard her father’s voice in her mind: You’re smarter than that. And she was. But sometimes it wasn’t about intelligence. Not when the heart got involved. Her father never seemed to understand that. Or maybe he did. All too well."
Nina's life has not been perfect and has been marred by several tragedies. When another sudden tragedy strikes, she forces herself to confront her life and what she wants for her future. She also uncovers certain facts that cause her to question everything she has ever held dear. Will she take the comfortable path or will she take a chance and live her life to the fullest?
“Everything I told you. It’s all true. I just … everything feels so tangled right now.”
Fans of women's fiction will love this story. It is a quieter tale than 'The Light We Lost' but the author explores deeper issues such as the impact of family, friends and truth on our lives. I loved the ending to this story and can't wait for the author's next book!
January 24, 2019
I was the biggest fan of Santopolo’s The Light We Lost, it was a story which had me thinking about it for days after and Santopolo’s world building was majestically done. So, when I first heard about More than Words, I dived right in, going into books with the least amount of impressions works wonders for me, as I like being surprised by the different elements a book may bring. And whilst I loved Santopolo’s writing once again with this story; it really was beautifully done, I felt that More than Words wasn’t able to leave a big of an impact as The Light we Lost did. Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy this book, I liked following Nina on her journey of who she was, with the way her life had been going, things were already expected of her; to take over her father’s firm and she was in a secure relationship with her boyfriend Tim. But then with her father passing away and revelations coming from all over the place, things really weren’t as they seemed, what did Nina really want to do with her life? I liked how Santopolo allowed Nina to really explore her options, yes at times there were difficult decisions to make, but if Nina really wasn’t happy with something then she really shouldn’t have to settle. Despite there being several bumps along the way, I was happy with the character that emerged in Nina at the end of this story.
More than Words, gave us in my eyes a truly different story from Santopolo; but one I really appreciated, she once again gave us a gorgeously written story, and although it was tinged with loss and sorrow, it was still a story I devoured in such a short period of time.
More than Words, gave us in my eyes a truly different story from Santopolo; but one I really appreciated, she once again gave us a gorgeously written story, and although it was tinged with loss and sorrow, it was still a story I devoured in such a short period of time.
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