4.5 stars - I devoured this book!

Ella’s best friend, Hayley was killed in a car crash months ago while Ella was driving, and life hasn’t ever been the same. After going back to school Ella finds solace in Hayley’s ex boyfriend, Sawyer. One night Hayley’s mom asks Ella to clean up her daughter’s room and in doing so, Ella finds Hayley’s diary, which ends up proving to once again, shake up her life:

So here’s the thing :: this book would have gotten 5 stars expect that there were things here and there that kind of irked me, but not enough to take away from the story. This is YA, and set in high school, so that I is something to keep in mind. It didn’t take away from the story for me.

There was lots of romance and suspense, and it really ramped up in the last third of the book. I ended up being able to figure out one of the twists, but the other was a fun surprise. Overall, totally enjoyable book and I would recommend it to someone looking for a good, suspenseful page turner!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC! So grateful!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

4.5 stars, but rounded up for this being the author’s debut novel. Sloan Harlow has a bright future in the YAL world! Like others, read this in one sitting. Perfect pacing. I liked Ella from the jump but was worried about Sawyer’s authenticity at first. However, that melted away as their relationship caught fire — literally. Those physical scenes between them were spicy. Sawyer grew on me. I could definitely see this one being turned into film. Parts were melodramatic & the ending was somewhat predictable, though there were enough sprinkles of misdirection (and S characters) to keep you guessing. Impressed for it being a debut, and look forward to reading more from Sloan Harlow in the future.

Grateful to NetGalley & Penguin Teen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

AHHH ok. this was such a fast read (short chapters thank you Sloan) that it almost felt like a wattpad story? It was a bit predictable but I still found myself screaming at my screen at certain points. I think it was only predictable because i’ve read so many thrillers but for people that haven’t- they’re in for a ride. Overall a good YA thriller!
PLEASE MAKE A SEQUEL

Everything we never said
Author: Sloan Harlow
This is her Debut novel 😍

Genre: Young-Adult Romance / Thriller

My rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️

Thank you to NetGallery & the publisher for this ARC!

This book gets released on MAY 28TH and I HIGHLY recommend! I was honestly shocked by how much I enjoyed reading this one. The beginning of the book is a little slow (in my opinion) but It is 100% worth it. It has some crazy plot twists and surprises 🤯

If you like Colleen Hoover books definitely give this one a shot! 🖤

Wow!! What a plot twist and one I was not expecting! I read this book super fast as it really did hold my attention and made me want to know more! I would definitely recommend this book to older young adults as there are some really heavy topics. I also think that it could be a good book club book with the proper facilitator. Definitely a quick, great read that had me turning pages as fast as I could.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

*Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

In this suspenseful and hair-raising YA debut, a young Ella Graham learns to cope with the death of her best friend, Hayley. Ella struggles to get back to her normal life, especially when everything is a reminder of the duo’s unbreakable bond. Sawyer, Hayley’s boyfriend, offers a shoulder to lean on, but her grief just becomes too emotionally painful to share with anyone else. As the weight of Hayley’s death becomes heavier, Ella and Hayley’s group of friends are advised to attend therapy sessions with the school psychologist. With Sawyer also being part of that group, Ella begins to develop feelings for Sawyer (as forbidden as that is between best friends) and vice-versa.

When Hayley’s mother, Phoebe, asks Ella to clean out Hayley’s room, Ella eventually stumbles upon a black secret diary, containing the dark and menacing side of Sawyer. Is the Sawyer that Ella knows and is falling for really a monster who killed her best friend? Or, is there something bigger (and uglier) happening here?
I don’t often read Thrillers or Urban Fiction books, but I thought this was enjoyable!

What I liked:
- The Filipino Representation. I have found it quite hard to find novels (especially in the YA category) that are representative of my culture’s values and understandings. This was a big for me when I found out Ella was Filipino-American as well as the dynamics she has with her family.
- The Plot: Mystery plots can be fun to read about! It keeps the engagement high and made the reading experience more immersive.

What I didn’t like:
- Pacing. It felt quite slow and had me wanting to skim for about 2/3rds of the book. However, I stuck with it and saw it to the end.
- Sawyer and some of the side Characters: Sawyer’s backstory came off a bit stale to me. I wanted a more in-depth look into how his Father treated him. This I think would’ve added more depth and interest into his character. Scott (one of the guy friends in Hayley and Ella’s friend group) I felt also needed more backstory for me to understand him. It just felt like he was more there with a bad attitude and that was about it.

If you’re looking for a YA Thriller with diversity and a POC author, check this out!

In Sloan Harlow's "Everything We Never Said," Ella is grappling with the guilt and grief of her best friend Hayley's untimely death. Returning to school, she finds herself haunted by reminders of Hayley, including her boyfriend Sawyer. As they grow closer, Ella realizes she's falling in love with him, a realization that racks her with guilt. Seeking solace, Ella delves into Hayley's journal, hoping to find comfort in her friend's words. Instead, she stumbles upon Sawyer's hidden secrets and discovers that their relationship wasn't as idyllic as it appeared. The revelation throws Ella into turmoil as she struggles to reconcile her feelings for Sawyer with the complexities of his past. Ella is irresistibly drawn to Sawyer, despite the fear and uncertainty that shroud their connection. She yearns to understand the enigma that is Sawyer, haunted by the suspicion that there's more to his grief and desires than meets the eye. The lingering question of whether Hayley knew something sinister about Sawyer casts a shadow over their relationship, threatening to consume Ella in a spiral of doubt and despair. With its poignant exploration of grief, guilt, and the complexities of first love, "Everything We Never Said" is a captivating story that delves into the hidden depths of human emotion. Sloan Harlow masterfully weaves a tale that keeps readers enthralled until the very last page.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

This book was a great read...very relatable to today's youth...the twists and turns were well done and the book kept me turning pages for more!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers GROUP / GP Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for this book.

I have recently started enjoying mystery books and this one has both mystery and romance so I was overjoyed.

I really enjoyed this book. The mystery was not to complex for me and the romance was sweet and did not go overboard.

Perfect for me! I enjoyed everything about the book. I think the author did angreat job.

Recommend.

Ella was a shy, normal 17 year old until an event cha her the rest of her life. While driving her best friend home from a party, Ella crashes her car, killing her best friend and losing all memory of that night. What follows is Ella and Hayley’s boyfriend’s (Sawyer) attempt to process their loss and their ever growing feelings for each other. But things go sideways when Ella finds Hayley’s diary and learns she didn’t quite know her friend as well as she thought she did. As Ella tries to recover her memories from that night, more information comes to light showing that the car accident, may not have been an accident after all.

Trigger warning: domestic violence, sexual abuse, abortion

The author did a great job of showing the different faucets of domestic violence and how most relationships don’t start out as abusive but overtime escalate. It also did a good job of showing how difficult it is for victims to leave domestic violence relationships, especially when compounded with generational trauma, power dynamics, and poverty.

I didn’t feel that the ending was very realistic. However, while I was able to guess where the story was headed early on, i enjoyed the twist at the end. The twist elevated my rating of the book to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 instead of ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

3.5 stars

Everything We Never Said was a very fast-paced, quick read! I thought the author did a great job approaching tough topics like domestic violence, child abuse, anger issues, pregnancy, and more in a manner appropriate for the intended audience. These were very heavy topics and they were written sensitively while also conveying warning signs and avenues for help. While I predicted the twists and found several plot points to be similar to other recent reads, the story was overall enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group/G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Such a quick read, with all the YA romance and thriller elements we know and love. I definitely would recommend this to all the colleen hoover lovers but also anyone that loves a darker exploration of YA topics. It was enjoyable but i do think I am maybe growing out of this genre personally, I do hope this author writes more in the future!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an e-arc.

Read this in a single sitting and loved it! A little predictable, but I still enjoyed the ride anyway.

I really enjoyed this book and was rooting for the main characters. Ella and Sawyer were flawed but very likeable. I do think that the person who attempted to kill Hayley was pretty obvious because he was acting in a way that no teacher or counselor would act. I also think that the treatment of Sawyer at the end was pretty heavy handed. He wasn't perfect, but to expect someone to never yell again is a bit much. Also, Ella not being honest with Sawyer was problematic but not dealt with.

Everything we never said
ARC publication date - May 28, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Everything we never said is a YA thriller. Ella is navigating the tremendous loss of her best friend Hayley, when she finds herself falling in love with Hayley’s boyfriend, Sawyer. This book grapples with issues of overwhelming guilt, domestic violence, abuse, friendship, love and grief. It was a page turner for me - I read it in two days, and has some epic twists. One of the twists at the end, things started to slowly piece together, but the other came out of left field and kept me guessing until the end. It is filled with mystery and those intense emotions experienced when you’re 17 - only heightened. It goes into true scary-thriller territory at the end. I also think the story wrapped up nicely and satisfyingly with a bow at the end. Which I love.

Such a good quick read.

YA mystery/romance

It was a little predictable for me personally. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.

Haley is dead and everyone believes Ella was responsible because Ella was driving. Haley's boyfriend, Sawyer, is the only one at school who supports Haley. And there is the counselor. No spoiler alerts about the story, but the characters were stereotypical. Sawyer all of the sudden gets abusive and there was too much sex for a high school audience. Skip it. Too many other good books. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc and no pressure for a positive review.

Everything We Never Said
by Sloan Harlow
4 stars
320 pages
Jan 26th to Jan 29th

This book is such a twist and turn of events, it takes a while to get into it all, but it picks up. Once it starts to pick up it gets you hooked.
I enjoyed the whole Who dun it but the romance was just not it for me. Between the Oh no he's my best friend's ex and Why did I do this and the friendships and how annoying some teens can be.
Ill keep my eye on Sloan for more books.
Thank You, Net Galley and Penguin Group for this eARC for an honest review