Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say by Lauryn Norwood is a heartfelt and poignant romance that explores themes of communication, vulnerability, and the complexities of love. The story follows two characters who, despite their deep feelings for each other, struggle to express themselves fully and confront their pasts. Norwood’s writing is tender and emotionally rich, capturing the internal and external conflicts the characters face as they navigate their relationship. With its focus on personal growth, emotional connection, and the importance of honest conversations, Everything I’ve Ever Wanted to Say is a beautifully written exploration of love's transformative power. It’s an ideal read for fans of slow-burn romance with depth and heart.

3,5🌟 This book was a little tough for me to get through. A lot because I’m in a reading slump so I soft dnf’ed for about a day but I didn’t want to fully give up on it so I pulled myself back into the world. I liked the story; the history and the chemistry between Coco and Shane but I also just got frustrated because it felt like every time a step was taken forward, two steps were taken back and so by half way through the book where there was no really progress with Coco and Ian’s relationship (I understand leaving can be hard in reality), it just felt a little like pulling teeth and the HEA came late that I feel like I did get to properly enjoy them. Also a lot was put into Ian’s fears of her cheating and his reaction to Shane that I wish we got to see. A little if the moment of her actually ending it with him and how that conversation finally happened after all the back tracks. I did love the moments of vulnerability thought there were few.

"Everything I've Ever Wanted to Say" had a premise I was excited about—second chances, a shared past, and the promise of an emotional journey. However, the execution didn't quite deliver for me. While the early 2000s setting added a touch of nostalgia, it wasn't enough to compensate for underdeveloped characters and a romance that lacked the depth I was hoping for.
Shane's journey as a former musician haunted by his past had potential, but his character felt stagnant for most of the story. Coco, while likable, didn't have much opportunity to grow beyond her connection to Shane. Their shared history and lingering feelings should have been the book's heart, but it often got overshadowed by repetitive inner monologues and pacing that dragged in places.
There were moments of tenderness and passion, but they were few and far between, making it hard for me to invest in their love story fully. The emotional stakes that should have kept me turning the pages felt muted, and by the end, I found myself wanting more—more from the characters, more from their relationship, and more resolution to their struggles.
While I appreciated the effort to explore love, regret, and healing themes, the story didn't leave a lasting impression. It was a promising concept that could have been better delivered.

I have to say, this book really didn’t work for me. The story between the two main characters, Coco and Shane, lacked any real romantic development. In fact, 90% of the book seems to focus on other things, with very few moments that deepen their connection.

Coco, in particular, was an incredibly frustrating character. And Shane didn’t do much to improve the story either—he felt stagnant throughout the book. To make matters worse, their time as an actual couple was so short that it was hard to get emotionally invested in their relationship.

Overall, the book failed to meet my expectations. If you’re looking for a well-developed romance, I wouldn’t recommend Everything I've Ever Wanted to Say.

Coco really worked my nerves in this book. I just wanted her to get a backbone and stand up for herself. Her relationship with Ian should've been over, but she stuck with it because it was comfortable. Her relationship was the definition of women care too early, and men care too late. When she was willing to walk away, this fool gave this grand gesture that she fell for.

Shane was dealing with his grief of losing his wife the only way he knew how by drinking. A few times I was mad at him as well. Why wouldn't you want to be in your kids life when they are an extension of you and the woman you are in love with? He was definitely frustrating.

Once CoCo and Shane reconnected, I enjoyed their friendship that slowly morphed into more. Of course, CoCo fought it hard. She was determined to stand by Ian. I'm glad they finally got it right, though. I was skeptical that they would, but it worked out. This was a really good book that I was happy to read.

Overall I thought this was a really nice friends to lovers romance. I do have to admit Coco and her people pleasing ways had me yelling at her a bit, but everything work out in the end.

My only critique is that I wanted more of their relationship as a couple. For lot of this book they have other things going on and we really only see them together in the epilogue.