Large number of readers enjoy the books that talk about two young people who fall in love, going through ups and downs during their realization time, and end up cherishing their love forever and live happily ever after.Old-time and modern fairy tales. But is happily ever after always possible? If you want to read a book that talks about the problems that may arise after the marriage vows are said, for a slightly different story, then you should definitely read ‘What's Not Said’ by Valerie Taylor.

Kassie O’Callaghan and her husband Mike, a married couple, had had the opportunity to enjoy their love and marital happiness, but somehow got lost halfway. And now the divorce is knocking on their door. Cassie is burdened by her daily life, as well as the emotional abuse of her husband. But aren’t two needed for a tango?Well, the same applies to marriage. If we put her lover, Chris and some other details in the picture, it is clear that she is far from an victim. After 30 long years, she decides that it is time to seek happiness. But do our plans and wishes always come true? Or can throw a curved ball when we least expect it?

I have to agree that parts of the book seemed a bit contradictory to me, but I have to mention that some parts are really thought-provoking and inspiring. The subtle message of open communication and conversation as an essential part of the success of a marriage is so skillfully woven throughout the story. The plot is excellent and well-presented, just enough to hold the reader's attention without bothering him.

The style of the writer is very solid, it can be said that it is excellent for a debut work. It must be noted that her skill to lead through the story, allowing the reader to understand the past as well is absolutely masterful. The perspectives through which the story is told allow the reader to have an insight into the characters, and the opportunity to look at the story from different angles and to understand it.

Yes, we definitely sometimes need to look outside of the box, outside of our favorite genre so that we can find a book that deserves to be read. A work whose hidden message requires us to scratch a little deeper under the surface so that we can see its beauty.Definitely, this one deserves attention.

This is an Amazing book! Kassie and Chris have secrets and previous traumas. This book is about love, trust, and how to get your life back on track.

I loved these characters and felt part of their story <3
This novel was an incredible experience!

I am sorry to say I only got a few chapters in to this book and I had to set it down. Maybe I was just not in the mood for this genre right now. Maybe another time.

# What’s Not Said # Netgalley
This is. Not my normal genre, I am having a crossover from crime to general fiction. I have read quite a few good books In general fiction however I can not say this was one of them. Kassie and Mike been married over 30 yrs during that time Mike as been a emmotionly abusive man. Eventually it’s taken her 30 yrs to suddenly decide to leave Mike snd for the past 5 years Kassie as been having a affair with someone she met on a trip when Mike didn’t want to go Chris. Suddenly she finds out Mike is very ill and actually needs a new kidney if he’s to live. Kassie decides to stop with Mike and help him. It wasn’t a gripping book but it was one I had to see to the end because I wanted to know what happens. It had a good ending.
What I actually personally thought was wrong was it was actually a little hard to believe. If your a strong person like Kassie is portrayed why did she wait 30 yrs to suddenly want a divorce she’s living a love less marriage so why didn’t she get out a lot soon. For both of them to have had so many secrets for almost 30ys says it all to me neither one are that into each other. Why didn’t mike get a divorce. Sorry I just find it unbelievable for 2 people to have had secrets for all that time. Without one of them finding something out. Most of all as I have already stated it’s just not actually a believable overall. Not slated this book just saying what I think. Would I recommend this book. It’s hard to say because although it wasn’t a gripping book I did want to see how it ended. A difficult one to answer. I suppose I would if you just wanted a fictional light read.

I have no idea why some books I read on my phone and I pad will not always sync with each other maybe because sometimes I am reading different books on different devices. My problem with this is I noticed on my kindle it looks as if I have not read some books when I have and I am finding this frustrating. I don’t just mean books from Netgalley I also mean many book on my kindle account. So damnd annoying.

Kassie wants a divorce from her husband, Mike. Mike is emotionally abusive to Kassie. I did not like Mike AT ALL! They both have their secrets. Kassie is in her 50's. It was refreshing to read a book with characters that are not in their 20's! This was an excellent debut novel.

I wish to thank Net Galley and the publishers, She Writes Press and Independent Book Publishers Association for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book

When I first starting reading this book I didn't think I would like it or finish it. I got proved wrong! I really liked the book, the characters and the story line. I honestly don't understand how two married people could keep such secrets from each other. I guess maybe they had a sham of a marriage or just like the title says "What's Not Said"! Even Kassie's mom was deceitful. Her friend Annie was great and who wouldn't want a bestie like her! I have to say this was a page turner for me and would definitely recommend.

Thanks to #shewritespress and #netgalley for allowing me the ARC of this book

Kassie is a marketing executive. She's in her fifties, childless and ready to begin a new stage of her life. She'd been married to Mike for three decades and after being having an affair for the last five, she's ready to ask for a divorce. But just hours before her husband would be served, something happens and her world is turned upside down and she finds herself in front of a dilemma.
I was eager to read this book since I read the premise. The plot is good and even if I found some of Kassie's behavior a bit contradictory, it's a well developed character.
My congratulations to the author for this first book.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent debut novel! Kassie O’Callaghan is a marketing executive who works in a larger firm. Her husband, Mike, is also in marketing at his own smaller company. They met in college, him a professor and she was his student and they’ve been married over twenty years. Marriage was difficult once the honeymoon period was over and Kassie came to terms with Mike’s controlling and emotionally abusive ways. She’s been conditioned to cater to Mike’s every whim and to his every need. He constantly made digs at Kassie and has her do everything for him. However, Kassie has wanted to divorce Mike a little over four years. As the novel said she spent the first half of her marriage trying to save her marriage and the other half trying to escape it. Every time Kassie thought about divorcing previously, something else would come up that would prevent her from following through. It’s very relatable to those in a marriage that they want to escape, but something that others might not understand holds them back.
During a solo trip to Venice, as Mike didn’t want to go, she meets Chris who is Mike’s current opposite. Where Mike doesn’t seem to care about Kassie, Chris makes sure Kassie’s needs are acknowledged. She soon starts a long distance affair with Chris as he lives in San Francisco and she lives in Boston.
At the beginning of our story, Kassie has finally decided to move forward with divorcing Mike and moving in with Chris as he relocates to Boston. The best laid plans though do not always come to fruition as the night Kassie is about to tell him about the divorce, Mike ends up in the ER with a medical condition. The title of the story What’s Not Said says it all about what comes next as secrets are revealed. There are twists and turns throughout the story that helped drive the story. One twist was very easy to guess early on, but it might not be as obvious to every reader. It does start out slower as the first two thirds of the novel take place in less than two weeks with many flashbacks to help the reader understand the past. These are necessary though in order to show the different sides of our three main characters are some chapters are told through Chris and Mike’s perspectives.
The overall theme shows the need for open communication in any relationship, whether it be family, friends, or romantic. Without this, there are lies and secrets that can be formed and trust that can be broken. It’s a very relatable story and makes you think about which path Kassie should take. Should she be with Chris and go along the path she planned or should she keep her marriage vow to stay with Mike in for better or worse and sickness and health?
I sympathized with Kassie about her dilemma, but it was difficult to fully comprehend that she seemed to only come up with two main choices to either choose Mike or Chris. She doesn’t fully put the option of choosing neither and trying to live on her own on the table, which is not a decision that everyone wants to even consider. Although Kassie wasn’t my favorite character (I didn’t fully like any of the characters), but I loved the way that you, as a reader, can still sympathize with her and just want everything to work out for her.
Again, I will repeat that this is a fantastic debut novel! It truly was hard to believe that this wasn’t one of many that the author has written. I believe there is a sequel in the works and I will definitely add it to my reading list!

**Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

This book was very focused on the main character and her intimate relationships. Only a handful of supporting characters in the book. I found it quite an easy read. It wasn't a gripping read but it's not that kind of book. If you're fancying a read that's good but not too demanding and you like stories about the relationship between a couple, then this is the book for you.

I wish to thank Net Galley and the publishers, She Writes Press and Independent Book Publishers Association for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow, what a story this one is! Kassie is a very successful, middle aged woman, struggling to correct a marriage that has been over for many years. She and her husband Mike are strangers living in a house together. She takes a solo trip to Italy because Mike will not go with her. Her life changes with a chance encounter. This story contains strong women, straying marriage partners, a cat that is adorable, and so much more. I feel both sorrow and anger for Mike but root for Kassie and Chris. I wonder about Kassie’s Mom who knew the truth but did not get involved in the solution. The secrets people keep can haunt them for lifetimes.
Every time I put the book down I was anxious to get back to it. Don’t you love a book like that? I highly recommend this book as a fun read.

There are steamy parts, funny parts and keep you guessing parts. I loved the way Valarie ended the book but wished for more. I will be looking for more books by her in the future. Thank you for a nice escape into my favorite world of fiction.

Secrets, secrets and more secrets! Kassie wants a divorce from her emotional abusive husband Mike, and wants to continue her romance with Chris who she met in Venice. Infidelity, marriage, organ donations are all a part of this well written story. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Kassie is going to divorce her husband Mike but nothing is straight forward. The book tells of lies being told & how everthing unfolds. The writing was so good, that I disliked Mike & wanted Kassie to be happy. I was suprised to read that this was a debut novel by this author, she writes as though she's been churning out novels for years. Looking forward to the next book, as I really enjoyed this story.

What's Not Said by Valerie Taylor was honest, raw, and powerful. I truly believe Valerie did an amazing job in portraying the hardships of marriage, infidelity, pregnancy, and family.

Kassie is reminiscent of so many women out there who put the needs of their significant other before themselves and end up feeling unhappy and stifled. Being conditioned by a selfish man to cater to his every need, she craves the freedom to love and be loved.

What's Not Said will force you to face harsh realities about yourself and those around you. For me, it was a moral dilemma that had me quite conflicted. While I do not condone adultery, I could not help but feel mental anguish for Kassie and her situation. Being subservient to your significant other can mentally damage an individual and Valerie Taylor highlighted some truly taboo issues within this novel.

While I sympathized with Kassie, I am also a firm believer in an individual being the "keeper of their happiness." True happiness can only come from within and trying to make others happy with the intent of them making you happy in return is certainly a recipe for disaster.

What's not said showed us that sometimes we must look past the hurt and anger we may feel towards situations in order to find inner peace to be able to move on.

Thank you to Valerie Taylor, She Writes Press, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this amazing book. All views and opinions expressed above are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. This was an excellent story, one that flowed right along, but I think the, what's not said is why I didn't see what was going to happen. This has a lot of surprises and the ending was so well written.
Valerie Taylor takes us to Boston and Venice and it was amazing how the people in the story all fit together. Secrets, yes there were lots of secrets. and there was lots of planning, and sometimes the most thought out plans don't come anywhere near what your plans are.
I really enjoyed this book, the first in a series and when book 2 comes out I will be reading it.

Kassie likes Everything to be perfect. Kassie has to make a trip to the E.R. and is planni g how to tell her husband she wants a divorce. I sympathized with Kassie dealing with her bossy husband but I couldn't get interested. Very slow paced.

Kassie O’Callaghan wants to get on with life, move on. She wants to divorce her emotionally abusive husband, Mike, and start a life with Chris, who she met while in Venice. Chris has a secret and when it is revealed their worlds will collide. Chris does not want Kassie hurt but Kassie must help him get an organ donor......

Fast paced, well structured with a plot that makes you think and feel, What's Not Said is a novel I am glad I was approved for.

What's Not Said is about relationships, secrets lies and learning to trust again.

Thanks to Valerie Taylor and She Writes Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

5 stars