I Don't Want to Talk About It (Choc Lit)

I have read every Jane Lovering book and even interviewed her for my blog. Her books are consistently good, light hearted and very, very funny. So I started I Don't Want to Talk About It as soon as I got it, anticipating the same fun read.

It is a funny book at times, but it is so much more than that. It is darker than Jane's previous books and when I finished it, I felt as if I had been through all Winter's emotions with her. It is so sympathetically and empathetically written, that I was there in Yorkshire with her and Alex and Dan.

I did guess about Daisy, but that in no way detracted from my enjoyment. It actually enhanced it as I watched Winter start to crumble. My heart was in my mouth when she started running from the school to the field.

The ending was great - a lot of thought went into the entire book - thank you Jane.

Winter and her twin sister Daisy definitely have the twin connection when Winter moves to a remote Yorkshire village to escape her ex boyfriend Dan Daisy is her confidant.

Winter soon becomes part of the village and meets the gorgeous Alex, but Dan is on her tail and determined to drive the sisters apart....what is it he knows about Daisy

A great read - definitely a cut above your normal chick lit and one not to be missed

What can I say in this review? I mean, I know that the Choc Lit authors are the best when it comes to romance. I’ve loved every single one I’ve read, by each author. The stories are always so well written and are satisfying in a way that I always feel makes them more powerful than some other books in the genre. But wow, Jane Lovering has just made the standard EVEN HIGHER with ‘I Don’t Want to Talk About It.’ Forget 5 star ratings, where’s the 6 stars??

Winter’s story is really one that you will have to experience for yourself, as to give anything away in this review would really spoil what was an amazing reading experience for me and will hopefully be to other readers. It doesn’t follow the typical pattern or girl meets boy, love, drama, make-up and happily ever after, but draws in so many other extras and details that make this story feel so real. Despite Winter being our main narrator, she is just one of four characters who I would label ‘protagonists’. Alex, a young man, suffering from a stammer after the death of his sister, Scarlet his niece who he has taken into his care, and Daniel, Winter’s dog-with-a-bone ex-boyfriend, who just keeps popping up to make her life difficult.

You think you know where this story is going? You really don’t. I changed directions so many times, felt as confused as Winter as she tries to move on with her life, and formed and broke alliances with each character as new information came to light. All I knew is that it was wrong to try to keep Winter away from her twin sister Daisy. Or was it?

There are some amazing twists and turns in this story, that you make pick up on earlier than the reveal like I did, but in doing so I didn’t feel any less shocked by the story that unfolded. You will laugh, cry and then cry a bit more. Have a box of tissues handy, because this really is a sucker-punch of a story that is still on my mind long after I turned the last page! This is a book that I will definitely be buying for my paperback collection!

4.5 Stars

I sort of wish I had started to write this review before I had finished this book, purely because after something has been revealed towards the end, it is making me not be sure of the exact words or what to say about things leading up to that point. I had a weird suspicion about something throughout the book, and I was in this instance correct about it, but even if you do make a similar prediction, I don't think it will detract from your enjoyment of this book.

This is another incredibly well thought out and written book by Jane Lovering, who has a tendency to focus on tricky emotional issues, in this case grief and also Alex suffers from a stammer. These issues are dealt, with in just the right way. You are aware of them and they seem very realistic, but not over exaggerated as can happen in books.

Winter has moved to a small Yorkshire village, to continue writing her new book about graveyards the the people that are buried in them, and their stories. She soon meets Scarlet, a horse mad eight year old, who along with her uncle Alex and his mother, seem to be getting under Winter's skin, despite her obviously preferring to be left alone to write.

Winter has also recently broken up with her boyfriend Dan, who also happens to be her editor. Through a series of Facebook messages, tweets and emails, you get to see Dan's thoughts about Winter, as well his correspondence to other people, mainly on the subject of Winter.

Winter has a very close relationship with her twin sister Daisy as you may expect. Despite Daisy working in Australia, she and Winter speak very regularly, with Daisy offering various pieces of advice to Winter.

I found this book to be a sweet romance, as well as it having some lovely friendships. I thought I Don't Want to Talk About It was an interesting and tender piece of writing, that was enjoyable to read.

Thank you so much to Choc Lit and Netgalley for this review copy. This was my honest opinion.

Jane Lovering's How I Wonder What You Are was one of the first books I reviewed on my blog. I really enjoyed her writing style with a believable mix of characters, romance and a hint of magic. So I was really pleased to have a chance to read Jane's new book ahead of publication. And this novel is something rather special.

The title of this book is very apt although seems at first a contradiction. Rather that not talking, many different forms of communication are used to tell the story. We hear the characters' stories through conversations, emails, Facebook posts, blog posts and tweets. Winter is writing a book about what we can learn from what is said (and not said) on gravestone memorials. She has shut herself off from her London life and moved to a quiet Yorkshire village. We know she has broken up with her boyfriend Dan, who is also her editor. We don't know what has happened but he has said awful things about her twin Daisy and made her choose between them. Winter feels that Daisy is the other half of herself and they communicate constantly. Handsome Alex has a trauma induced stutter and finds face-to-face communication hard, though expresses himself well in his emails. His niece Scarlet chatters constantly and seems wise for her years, though still a vulnerable girl in other ways. Then of course there is what isn't said - just as important as what is. Why does Dan seem to have a different view to Winter's of why they broke up and just what did he say about Daisy?

Well, by the time I had finished this book I felt like I had gone through all the emotions along with the characters. It is not at all a predictable read and has many twists. In fact, there was one point where I actually put my Kindle down in tears as I was taken by surprise by a very emotional moment and it's not often that a book will move me to actual tears. As well as a romance, which you would expect to find in a ChocLit novel, there are some big issues explored in this book which are tackled very movingly. A beautifully told story, I couldn't put it down.

Wow!! This is a book and a half and I dont really know where to begin with the review as I may still be a little bit emotional after just finishing reading it! This is the first time I've read a book by Jane Lovering and it has been an extremely welcome introduction to her wonderful style of writing and storytelling - I'll definitely be reading the rest of her releases!

The book starts in a graveyard where Winter is taking photos of gravestones for her new book and this is where she is introduced to the wonderful character who is Scarlet. 8 years old and full of spirit as only children can be she doesnt take long to worm her way into Scarlet's affection. Winter is a twin, and is always in touch with her sister Daisy whenever there is a crisis in her life and this is what leads to the painful split with her boyfriend Dan, who also happens to be her editor so she's hoping time in Yorkshire researching her new book will help solve a few emotional cracks in her life. We soon find out there is a lot more to this story than meets the eye and it is all revealed at such a wonderful pace that you can't help read this in one sitting as you are just transported along with all the wonderful characters introduced along the way. Looking after Scarlet is her grandmother and her Uncle, Alex, who suffers with a stammer after losing his sister in a tragic accident 3 years ago so once again we have more vulnerabilities shown by another character and it works so well. Love the way the story flicks between storytelling, series of emails between various characters and also twitter and facebook inserts which give it that modern feeling.

It isn't all sadness as there are some funny, light hearted moments especially when Winter is trying to second guess what Alex will say next in her head - did find myself giggling on a number of occasions. And I defy anyone not to fall in love with Scarlet and the wonderful Light Bulb, the hobby horse! You soon understand why this 'horse' becomes such a big part of the young girls life.

This book is a beautiful way to show the impact that grief can impact on everyone both young and old and how that the act of moving on and not forgetting can cloud anyones judgement.

highly recommend to anyone as this is more than your normal chick lit book!!

Have you ever read a story that simply destroyed you? Ever found yourself crying, almost uncontrollably yet impatiently brushed aside the tears that were blinding you so that you could continue reading? When was the last time you finished a story, closed a book and just sat still letting it flow over you as you came back to this real world of ours?

I’m not attempting to sound melodramatic – I am attempting to return from Winter’s world back into mine where words are necessary yet impossible to find to explain a story that could move me on so many levels so very much.

And strangely, I’m discovering that I do not want to tell you anything beyond the book’s description about I Don’t Want To Talk About It and that you can read at the beginning of this post or at any retailers who will be selling this novel on July 31, 2015 (tomorrow, as I write this). I don’t want to tease you by divulging some little tidbit to capture your attention. I don’t want to inadvertently give you a clue that might spoil the absolute joy of reading this story totally by yourself. Because this isn’t a story that you will read and then go on your merry way… this is an experience that will linger long after you close the pages.

What I am will to say is that you will feel. God, how you will feel. You will smile, you will nod understandingly. You will wrap your arms around yourself convinced that you are able to actually feel physical pain from the words you are reading. You will know what devastation is. And you will come away with a different understanding of what love is.

Take what the cover description tells you about I Don’t Want To Talk About It and allow that to touch your imagination enough to pick this one up. Anything beyond that – you should be reading, feeling and experiencing. I highly recommend this story for everyone, no matter your preferred genre.

*I received an e-ARC of I Don’t Want To Talk About It from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Jane Lovering has done it again. ' I don't want to talk about it ', her latest novel for Choc slips easily between the covers of a woman's a Literary fiction tome - If you like SJWatson you'll like this!

This is a romance and comes with the usual backdrop of boy meets girl, both with history lurking in their backgrounds all leading to the inevitable Happy Ever After. But that's where similarities end. This is also a dark, often disturbing emotional piece about how two peoples' lives become entangled by their past. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll probably guess but in the end you'll be surprised.

Jane Lovering channeled M Night Shyamalan for the BIGGEST plot twist I’ve seen in ages!

With just five chapters left, I had to put this book DOWN for 12 full hours, because I was outright scared for Winter. It was at that moment that the full weight of THE MOST spellbinding plot twist I’ve seen in forever landed on me, and it hit hard. I was sobbing uncontrollably.

I don’t want to say much more than that, because I refuse to spoil this delicious book for anyone. It absolutely must be read. Must. It’s funny. It’s romantic. It’s SO, SO sad. It’s charming. It will SCRATCH at your emotions. My name is Amy, and I’m addicted to contemporary British literature, especially the constant supply I’m getting from Choc Lit.

So, grab a whoopie cushion and a box of tissues. You’ll need both of them to survive this rollercoaster. Maybe read with a friend and hold hands. I wish I had…

I received a copy of this book from Choc Lit through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Jane Lovering, for this re-readable, amazing book!

I really enjoyed this - and it brought a tear to my eye on several occasions. Win's story is gripping and interesting and I liked the social media posts and emails that were interspersed into it. I had a few reservations about the ending, but I can't really explain what they are - partly because I haven't worked out fully why I have them - but mostly because it would give far too much away.

This is the second of Jane Lovering's books that I have read - and this one is slightly darker than Please Don't Stop the Music, but I like her narrative voice and style - and having lived in York when I was a student, I love seeing my old home and the area around it pop up in books.

Definitely worth a read.

There is so much I love about this book I'm not quite sure where to start...and that's a GOOD thing!

Winter Gregory has landed in a small Yorkshire Village to write her tricky second book. With her ex (and Editor) breathing down her neck and a difficult break-up still fresh in her mind, will she find the inspiration she needs? Will her sexy neighbour and his adorable little niece help Winter face up to her past & square up to the future?

There are some really beautiful themes running through this gorgeously crafted novel - love, loss & letting go. The characters are colourfully described and I especially loved the use of email, tweets & facebook posts to enhance the narrative. A fresh, modern approach which illustrated key parts of the story really cleverly.

It's a really lovely, touching & heartwarming story with an unexpected twist - so good you'll want to cwtch up with a copy and a cuppa. Loved it - five cwtches!

This is the second of Jane's books I have read and to say I am not disappointed is an understatement. Jane takes on a whole new level of writing romantic fiction. The book is different from the first one I read, but so similar in the fact it is a story that keeps you hooked, it is a story which pulls at your heart strings without being a typical love story. In other words it is so much more than they average fiction. You get a banging story with fabulous characters as well as a nice touch of sloppyness.

Jane is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I feel so privileged to have read her work, now I think you lot should all do the same :)

I have truly enjoyed the couple of Jane Lovering books I have read. I just learned of her recently and am looking forward to going back and reading earlier books. This is the story of a young woman named Winter, with a twin sister Daisy. Winter goes to a remote Yorkshire village to work on a book about graves, giving voice and remembrance to those no longer with us. The story initially seems straightforward; you anticipate a romance between Winter and Alex, a handsome local man with a tragic recent past and a stammer that some find off putting. The story is far more complex and involves Daisy, Alex, his adorable orphaned niece (Scarlett) of whom he has custody, Winter’s ex, Daniel, and others. When Daniel keeps popping up, he seems like a difficult man and something of an annoyance who won’t disappear, but his role is critical. It is hard to write a review and not give away secrets from this lovely book. I truly enjoyed the complex, flawed characters in this story. The ending is somewhat surprising but satisfying.

I Don't Want to Talk About It by Jane Lovering is just plain old wonderful. Again she has written a complex story with character that are lovable but imperfect. Maybe it is their shortfalls and how they relate to the misfortune that life throws at them that make them so easy to decide early on that they must, must, must have a happy ending.

The plot of this story seems so simple in the beginning. The author continues to peel back layer after layer revealing events and aspects of the Willow, Alex, Dan and little Scarlet so it becomes a multifaceted gem of a story. It is a tear jerking but also a smile bringer story. This tale and the people in it are ageless but yet very up-to-date with the twitter and Facebook entries.

I am crazy about the Yorkshire setting where these stories take place. Now to visit there in on my personal bucket list, thanks to Jane Lovering. I am also crazy about this newly discovered writer, this is the second book I have read by her. This one is even better than the last leaving me thinking of the characters long after I have put the book down. A classic in the making.

This book was fantastic. What an ending I didn't see coming!