I really liked this book. Without giving spoilers, I kept changing my mind about “S”. Ella loses her memory of the day she was in an accident and her best friend died. She finds Hayley’s diary and realizes that she didn’t know everything about her best friend. This story had my attention and it’s a great read.

Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕪𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕎𝕖 ℕ𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕊𝕒𝕚𝕕
𝗦𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘄
Teen & YA
320 pages
Pub Day: May 28, 2024

Sʜᴏᴿᴛ Sʏɴᴏᴘsɪs
After a car accident that left Ella’s best friend Hayley dead, Ella finds solace with Sawyer, Hayley’s boyfriend, but the guilt is tremendous.

Then she reads Hayley’s diary, bit by bit. That diary tells her things about Sawyer that scare her. What happens will knock your socks off. Things aren’t always as they seem.

Mʸ Tᴴᴼᵁᴳᴴᵀs
I love a good YA book & this is definitely a good one!

It shows the innocence of the teenage mind when it comes to relationships. It also includes physical abuse, so if that is a trigger for you, take that into consideration.

The teenage characters act like typical teens but also have a maturity about them. They navigate difficult situations without adult help.

The ending is my favorite part. Though some may figure it out, I didn’t. It was the perfect way to put this story to bed!

💕Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing this ebook for me to read and review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

Addictive story from the very beginning. I highly recommend this thriller for both YA and adults alike, as a 40 year old I have recommended this book to my friends

This is a dark romance book that has many trigger topics. There is abuse, sexual predator, and others that would give away too much of the book to mention. If you are sensitive to many topics, I would double check the triggers for this book before you read it

Everything We Never Said is an amazing young adult thriller. The main characters are high school students and they are true to the high school world. They have boyfriend/girlfriends, they go to parties, they gossip, and they have secrets. The secrets are the best part of this book. Hayley’s death is just the start of the story. As the book goes on there is so much more that is revealed. I looked forward to each new reveal, hoping that it would give away the rest of the story.

I was kept guessing, turning pages, and wanting to read just a few more pages every time that I needed to set the book down. This book is the perfect read for any thriller, dark romance, mystery reader. I will recommend it to many of my fellow book lovers.

This book was toxic in the best way! It had friendship, betrayal, secrets, and twists I didn’t see coming. EVERYTHING WE NEVER SAID had the fast-pace I love in YA novels and the writing of a well-seasoned author! This was an amazing debut! Read this if you love mysteries and YA books!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The big twists in this book have been done before, and if you read (or watch) a lot of thrillers you probably have a good idea of what is going to happen. Although there are a couple of red herrings that keep things from being totally predictable when the truth is revealed it doesn't feel like anything that's never been done before.

The book does have a lot of great characters and relationships, however. Ella and Sawyer seem very cute together but to say more about their relationship would reveal too much about the plot. There are a lot of great family connections as well. There is Ella's relationship with her parents and even more so her relationship with her younger sister as well as Sawyer's relationship with his mom and his younger brother. There is also a nice friendship between Ella and her extremely supportive pal, Seema. It is hard to believe that Seema would be so willing to overlook their past history and be such a supportive friend, however. All in all, this book is a decent read though it would have been better if the big twists were more unique and surprising.

Everything We Never Said was my first YA dark romantic thriller, so I wasn’t totally sure what to expect, but YA thrillers are my favorite jam so I gave it a chance. I definitely enjoyed it, and can see why it was marketed as similar to Colleen Hoover. While I was able to predict the “who” easily enough, it was still interesting to read as all the clues came together as to the “why”. The characters were a little flat and one-dimensional, but I still found the pace and plotting to be good. The diary entries were a nice touch to add detail. While not on par with something like the Good Girls Guide, it was still a worthwhile read. The murder mystery twist at the end was worth it.

Ella is your typical teen, trying to engage and do well in school, balancing family and friends with extracurricular activities. She’s a responsible girl who is known for making good choices. One night she’s driving her best friend home and loses control of the wheel, resulting in a crash that kills her best friend, Hayley.

Having been friends since basically forever, Ella and Hayley knew everything about each other. Missing her friend and desperate to feel close to her again, Ella begins to talk to and spend time with Sawyer, the boy Hayley was dating before she died. Both of them are deeply grieving the loss of their relationship with Hayley, and they eventually start to see each other as more than just friends with a mutual loss–Ella and Sawyer are falling for each other.

Despite the circumstances, Ella seems like she has everything under control and is working through her grief in a healthy way, even helping to clean out her dead best friend’s room so Hayley’s mom doesn’t have to do it. Which is how she comes into possession of Hayley’s diary, one of the few keepsakes she ends up taking with her as a memento of their close friendship. She doesn’t necessarily intend to actually read what is written inside, but she just can’t bear to throw it away.

As things between Ella and Sawyer begin to heat up, something seems a bit off with their relationship. Taking action on a thought that had been percolating for some time, Ella begins to read the diary she found in Hayley’s things, hoping to gain some insight into Sawyer and his behavior. That decision just seems to complicate matters more, to the point that Ella doesn’t know who she can turn to.

I’m always on the lookout for great new YA books, and if the cover and title catches my eye I’m usually game. Seeing this book being compared to a Colleen Hoover novel did make me hesitate a bit to even give Everything We Never Said a try, as I’ve read several of Hoover’s books and only been impressed with one, but I decided that I’d give it a go and see. Whether you came for the mystery and stayed for the romance or vice versa, at its core, this book has a pervading theme of hurt people just trying to heal.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy from Penguin Young Readers Group

Reviewer’s Note: While this is technically a YA novel, it does have quite a few themes and scenes that I personally deem more adult matter (see Content Analysis for more information). Growing up as the oldest of four girls, I was often the one seeking out new books to read and then passing them down to my younger sisters, as long as they passed the test of not having too much inappropriate content. It was frustrating, to say the least, as my parents were pretty strict with what content they would allow, and I can remember beginning a book and liking it only to have the letdown of having to discontinue reading. (I’ll admit that sometimes I’d continue reading the book because it was just too good not to finish.) Everything We Never Said would be a book that would not have been shared with my sisters at that time. Thankfully, this website exists and readers can easily browse reviews and content to assist in evaluating if a book will meet their preferences for content before they invest reading time.

I’ll bet you never had a senior year like this one. I was traveling along with the story, and I thought I completely knew the way things were going, then BAM! Harlow took a sharp turn, flipped everything on its side, and I realized that although I had the map the whole time, I was looking at it the wrong way. Bravo, Sloan Harlow, it’s been awhile since a story took me on a ride like that & had me stopped in my tracks saying OMG! Death, grief, friendships, relationships of many kinds, guilt, domestic violence, secrets, revelations and all the feels abound in this one. Harlow’s voice is fresh and her little points of wisdom noteworthy. Buckle up my friends, this is going to take you on one hell of a ride.

This romantic thriller did not disappoint! I was hooked from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced read.

It’s amazing to know that this is Sloan Harlow’s debut book. In addition to the overall story, she navigates difficult topics well and gives a voice to an age that’s too often overlooked when it comes to grief, toxic (abusive) relationships, etc.

That said… As an adult reading this, I would say some of the content is pretty mature for young adults the same age as the characters. However, I can also remember things I read at that age… but something to consider! It’d also be appropriate to check on triggers before proceeding (no matter your age).

I’m really looking forward to reading more from Sloan! Definitely give this one a read if you enjoy romantic thrillers, mystery, and uncovered secrets.

A sincere thanks to Sloan and Penguin Teen for the advance copy.

With its mix of friendship, love, loss, and dark secrets, Everything We Never Said gradually builds into a tense romantic teen thriller. Though the execution isn’t flawless, it’s still an edgy and entertaining read that comes to a conclusion that readers may not expect.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

Title: Everything We Never Said
Author: Sloan Harlow
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (3.75/5)

“Everything We Never Said” by Sloan Harlow is a poignant exploration of unspoken words and the emotional landscapes they shape. Harlow’s storytelling delves into the complexities of relationships and the often painful silences that define them.

🌟 Highlights:

• Character Depth: The characters are richly developed, with backstories that reveal their intricate motivations and emotional struggles.
• Emotional Resonance: Harlow’s writing captures the rawness of human emotion, making you feel every joy, sorrow, and regret.
• Narrative Style: The prose is both lyrical and accessible, making for a compelling read that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

📚 Thoughts: While the novel shines in its character development and emotional depth, it occasionally lingers too long on certain plot points, which can slow the pacing. However, the authenticity of the characters’ voices and the relatability of their experiences more than make up for this.

If you’re a fan of emotionally charged, character-driven stories, “Everything We Never Said” is a must-read. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of words—both spoken and unspoken.

Everything We Never Said by Sloan Harlow was such a great story. I was intrigued and thought the writing was amazing.
This young adult romance/mystery kept my attention from the very beginning.
The author's writing style is descriptive and immersive.
This had an interesting, gripping plot that kept my attention and left me satisfied.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

While Ella grieves the loss of her best friend Hayley, senior year is the last thing she wants to think about. The halls are full of pitying looks, judgemental stares and memories. The only bright light is her good friend Sawyer who is there to support her in more ways than one.

But when Ella finds herself in possession of Hayleys diary, she finds herself questioning everything and everyone.

First and foremost, teenage me would EAT THIS UP. It has drama, angst, friendship, love, SPICE!, plus an ending that you don’t see coming. As an adult, however, I felt a liiiitle bit weird reading the spicy scenes between teenagers. But, I’m happy to see it in a YA novel because… well things are intense when you’re young and it's believable.

My only real complaint with this entire book is the opening paragraph feels a little Edgar Allen Poe-y for a teenager's inner dialogue. But it doesn’t stay that way so keep going!

The story focuses on teen Ella who survives an accident that claims the life of her best friend Hayley. As Ella is attempting to carry forward she connects with Hayley's boyfriend Sawyer in an attempt to piece together missing memories from the night of the accident. As she slowly recovers pieces of her memory she discovers that there was more to the events leading up to the accident than she thought.

This one took me by surprise, in a good way. The characters felt real and the author lead you down a path where you were guessing which of several potential outcomes would actually play out. The ending was satisfying while not entirely perfect which was fitting for this story.

Wow, this book took me by surprise! I don’t usually read YA novels, but I was gifted this ARC on @netgalley and can honestly say I was not disappointed! I even shed a few tears toward the end 🥺

Ella is starting her senior year, learning how to navigate life after losing her best friend, Hayley.
Her last memories with Hayley were leaving a party together, and Ella was driving. She blames herself.
Hayley’s body has never been found.
The only person who understands the grief she feels, is Hayley’s boyfriend, Sawyer. Perfect, sweet Sawyer.
Ella and Sawyer have always been great friends, obviously because they were always with Hayley. The 3 of them were the perfect trio.
Now, without Hayley, Ella and Sawyer start to develop feelings for each other and the guilt is too much for Ella to handle. So when Ella helps Hayley’s mom clean out Hayley’s room one day, she finds Hayley’s diary and begins to read it so she can feel close to her again.
Ella doesn’t expect to find out what she does, that Hayley has been keeping secrets from Ella, and that ‘S’ is not at all who she thought she knew.

The twists in this book literally had me saying, “oh my gosh oh my gosh” out loud.
It is written in multiple POVs, with journal entries from Hayley’s diary.
Even though this is considered YA, there are some heavy topics discussed, along with some explicit sex scenes. I would consider this YA+

TW: domestic violence, abortion

Pub date is tomorrow, 5/28!!

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinteen @penguinbooks for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I was really excited for this book but unfortunately it just did not connect with me. The characters were not developed enough and the story was a little boring.

✨𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀✨
• controlling/gaslighting
• domestic violence
• high school drama
• she loves her BFFs boyfriend

✨ 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨
Ella finds herself falling for the boy who dated her best friend who died in a car crash she herself survived, but while reading Haley’s found diary she starts to discover a hidden darkness in Haley’s relationship.

✨ 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 ✨
The twisties in this book were slightly predictable but also surprising. There were things I was suspicious of that I was right about but others that caught me by surprise.

This story focused on domestic violence in a high school dating setting. The author did a great job touching on the subject without romanticizing or triggering with too many details. There is a spicy scene between teenagers, which wasn’t something I was interested in, but it was not overly detailed.

I would recommend this to high schoolers so that they can learn to be aware of the signs of an abusive partner in their relationship.

Everything We Never Said is the debut of Sloan Harlow. The cover line says: "Love makes us do bad things", which really caught my attention. This YA thriller is said to be perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, making me even more curious. Can this book stand up against my expectations?

In the beginning of this book I was searching for the red line in the story. Ella can't remember much of the accident and therefore goes on with her life. Even though she misses Hayley, I didn't feel like she was griefing a lot. However when she gets the opportunity she finds comfort in Hayleys dairy, which soon takes a conserning twist. Was there more behind the accident? Can Ella trust her new love and Hayley's ex Sawyer?

I soon knew there was more to the accident, but couldn't figure out what it was. However I had a gut feeling about how this book would end, and I was right. Is this book predictable? I wouldn't say so, I just had a gut feeling. I feel like this book is a decent debut and see much potential in this author. Therefore I give Everything We Never Said a 3,5 star rating.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for the ARC of this book. This book kinda hit me in the feels. It explores themes of grief and learning to move on, but also has a mystery component and twists to it that I wasn't expecting. The author did a good job with helping me relate and empathize with Ella. The spice was a little more mature for a YA novel, but that it by no means a bad thing. Just something for readers to keep in mind.