4.5 stars rounded up

I can't believe this is a debut novel! I was hooked from the very first page and had many a late night because I couldn't put it down.
I loved everything about this book - the characters, the history woven into the story, which is based on actual events, the emotions, and 'realness'. The author pulled me into the story and I saw it playing out like a movie in my mind. A very insightful, thought-provoking and emotional book that will be loved by many. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for an e-ARC for review. All opinions are my own and my review is left voluntarily.

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a very interesting read, especially with what the armed forces would have gone through in the wars. Raymond had some hard decisions to make as a husband, father and lieutenant. Evelyn was lucky to have Sarah to help her with Mary while Raymond was away. There were alot great characters in this book and I enjoyed it. I would like to read more from this world. Would recommend.

I read the book about the lives of Raymond, Jimmie, Sarah, Evelyn, Mary, Mit and other persons who gravitated around them all. It is a true history and a sad one. I loved the book, but I needed to get myself some rest before taking my time to write these few words. I hope my sadness is not a result of the fear of World War III. Nevertheless, I am very, very afraid of it. Can't our politicians see how unfair it is to have people fighting with each other for what? Please read the book; it is informative and beautifully written.

I love WWII fiction books, but I did not love this one.

I was confused about the title, specifically: who are they silent in this story? What are they saying?

It was a good attempt at a sweeping saga, but fell flat on execution. At times it was a jumbled mess. And I was not a fan of the ending.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I was moved. Even when I tell myself I am going to take a break from books based around war, somehow I don't. Every once in a while you come across one that is a little bit different, and this is a great example.

What The Silent Say is a story of relationships. Relationships between friends, parents, siblings, children and comrades specifically during the build up to war, during war and after war. Emerson Ford tells this story from different perspectives, which made this compelling, heartfelt and unique. You get a real sense of the anxiety, fear and love from those deployed and those left behind at home anxiously awaiting their return. These perspectives were enhanced through the author's own family history, and I urge you to read the author's note. This is an emotional read that will pull at your heartstrings. It reminds us to thank those individuals who are putting themselves in harms way to protect each and every one of us.

Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for this readers' copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are entirely my own.

Wow! This is one of the best WWII books I have read in a long time. It is almost like reading a journal or a memoir disguised as historical fiction.

This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and take you to an era where the fate of the world was in the hands of the many soldiers who died to defend freedom from tyranny, dictators, and those who had little regard for human life.

It is an unforgettable, unputdownable, angst-ridden tale of two brothers who leave behind their mother. The elder brother also leaves behind his pregnant wife. Facing impossible decisions, the army deployed both brothers to the South Pacific to confront a ruthless enemy that the world must stop. The younger brother helps the older brother recover from malaria, only to have the unimaginable happen when the elder brother thinks he is well enough to rejoin his unit, making the difficult decision to never leave his men behind at the expense of his obligations to his wife and the little girl he has never met.

The writing is so real - filled with almost crippling emotion. Have the tissues ready and put on a kettle or two. With vivid depictions of what life was like during the battles in the South Pacific, the author made me feel like I was in the setting alongside the characters. The individuals who fought this bloody war nearly jumped off the pages and into my reading nook.

This book is based on a true story, pulling on all the horrors, sacrifices, and heroism of the men and women who fought in one of the worst world wars to date and the women who loved and lost, staying behind to keep the home fires burning.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading WWII historical fiction. Realism, impossible decisions, and the agonies of war fill this beautifully written and emotional story.

I stayed up all night to finish this five-star book. I want to thank Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for the opportunity to read it as a free ARC. This review is mine and mine alone.

I just could not get into this book. I am sure it would suit those who have an American background as the situation and culture would be familiar. For me as a Scot, it just did not engage me.

A young woman finds some old letters which first dates before her birth. The letters send readers back in time just before, during and after WWII. I now have found another genre that I like to read about and it’s about romance, relationships, friendships and war. I rather enjoyed reading the old letters which described the family, relationships and life in general. I’m amazed on how the author Emerson Ford had brought the characters to life and each character was able to tell their story through the letters and characters around them. Some sections are very emotional with happiness, anger and sadness. I love the book and recommend to others to read but could be triggering to those who might have experienced similar in life.

While "What the Silent Say" is a powerful, loving, heartbreaking account of war, it is also based on a true story that the author uncovered as a teenager. She learned about her father, his actions in WWII, about the men with whom he served, and the story of those who stayed behind, the wives and families of the men.

Using this foundation, Ford created a story that rings true and honest. It's about what you plan to do with your life, and how you deal with what life gives you. It's about the horrors of war, the absolute bond formed by those men who have served, and how you don't always fight for the larger purpose - you fight for the men who serve by your side.

I cannot recommend this book enough. 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was inspired by a true story and I loved it. It was heartbreaking. I did read this book in one day. I would definitely recommend this book.

Beautiful and poignant story!

With the country plunged into the chaos of war, Lieutenant Raymond Sellers bids farewell to his pregnant wife Evelyn as he prepares to lead his men into combat. He has spent his life protecting others, first his younger brother Jimmy, then the woman he fell in love with, and now he must protect the men who trust him to lead them safely through the terror of the battlefield. But Raymond may be forced to choose who he will protect and who he will leave behind.

What you'll love about it:
based on a true story
WWII era
multiple pov
close brothers
sweet romance
suspenseful battle scenes
loyal friendship
emotional and poignant

This book!! (insert all the crying emojis here). Such a beautiful and powerful story. It was beautifully crafted and well-written but perhaps the part I love the best is the personal connection the author has to the story.

This is a story about love and loss, about dreams and destinies. About sacrifice and the kind of brotherhood that can only be forged by those who face unspeakable things together. A story of those on the front lines and those on the home front. An emotional journey of faith and love and trust.

These characters captured a piece of my heart and I am not sure I will ever get it back but I don't mind. Their story of courage and sacrifice will live on as an inspiration to those who come after. I was completely caught up in the story and could not put it down until I discovered the fate of my favorite characters.

If you gripping historical stories that will take you through all the feels, this book is for you. Grab a box of tissues. Maybe two. These stories deserve to be told, and those who lived them deserve to be remembered. This is most assuredly one story I will not soon forget.

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Emerson Ford’s What the Silent Say is a masterful blend of historical fiction and emotional drama, an evocative novel that spans generations while exploring the deep, unbreakable bonds of family. Set against the backdrop of World War II and its long-reaching consequences, this novel is as much about war as it is about the choices that define us—and the silence that lingers after those choices have been made.

At its heart is Lieutenant Raymond Sellers, a man torn between duty and devotion, between the battlefield and the family he has left behind. The novel opens in 1944, a moment of bittersweet farewell: Raymond embraces his pregnant wife, Evelyn, while parting ways with his brother, Jimmie—his closest confidant and the fiery, risk-taking counterpart to Raymond’s steady, protective nature. The war will test them both, but neither can foresee how profoundly it will shape the course of their lives.

Ford’s depiction of combat is raw, visceral, and unflinchingly honest. The brutality of war is not merely a backdrop—it is an unrelenting force that molds these characters, forcing them to confront what it means to be a soldier, a brother, a husband, and, ultimately, a survivor. While Jimmie takes to the skies as a fighter pilot, Raymond commands men on the ground, making impossible choices that will forever alter the course of his life. In one pivotal moment—one agonizing decision—Raymond is forced to choose between the brother he swore to protect and the soldiers who depend on him for survival. It is this decision that casts a long shadow over the rest of the novel, leaving questions of guilt, sacrifice, and honor lingering long after the guns fall silent.

But What the Silent Say is not just a war novel. It is also a story of legacy, of the past refusing to remain buried, of the unspoken wounds passed from one generation to the next. Eighteen years later, Raymond’s daughter stumbles upon a collection of letters hidden in her father’s desk, letters that reveal a story she never knew—a version of her father she never imagined. This discovery introduces an entirely new layer to the narrative, shifting the reader’s perspective and deepening the emotional weight of the novel.

Ford masterfully intertwines these two timelines, showing how war does not end when the last battle is fought—it reverberates across generations, shaping those who lived through it and those who inherit its silence. As Raymond’s daughter pieces together the truth, she is forced to reconcile the father she thought she knew with the man whose past is written in those letters. It is in these quiet, introspective moments—where the weight of history collides with the present—that Ford’s storytelling shines the brightest.

The prose is elegant yet deeply immersive, bringing to life both the horrors of the battlefield and the quiet struggles of those left behind. Ford’s ability to craft complex, deeply human characters makes this novel an emotional powerhouse. Raymond’s internal conflict is particularly poignant—his love for his family, his sense of duty, and the unbearable cost of war are painted with aching realism. Likewise, Evelyn is more than just the waiting wife—she is a woman forced to build a life in the absence of certainty, to raise a child while the world teeters on the edge of destruction.

By the time the novel reaches its deeply moving conclusion, the reader is left reflecting on what war takes, what it leaves behind, and the things that are never spoken but always felt. The title, What the Silent Say, could not be more fitting—this is a book about the power of what is left unsaid, about the ghosts carried in the hearts of those who survive, and about the stories hidden in the margins of history.

A beautifully written, emotionally powerful novel that explores the cost of war and the resilience of the human spirit. With richly drawn characters and a narrative that spans both devastation and hope, What the Silent Say is a must-read for fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See. A haunting and unforgettable story that lingers long after the final page.

This book is inspired by a true story, with lots of research and family references. It was very detailed and descriptive and a worthy five star read.
It tells the story of America’s involvement in the Second World War, with myself being from the UK I had no knowledge of, or very little to say the least. It was so well written that I felt I knew the characters myself.
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I look forward to reading more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

A beautifully written story about WWII and its effects not only on those who went to war but also those left behind.
The book is inspired by true events of the authors family.
We are taken on an emotional read of the Stellars family - brothers Raymond and Jimmie and their time during WWII.
It is a story of love, heartache, forgiveness and sacrifice.
A must read for historical fiction fans as it is one of those books that stay with you well after you have finished it.

What the Silent Say is a poignant story about war, and the effects it has, not only on those called to serve in combat but those called to serve at home, to wait, to fear, to grieve, and about one family in particular that is tragically affected.

We all admire and are in awe of those brave enough to sacrifice their lives for their fellow warriors. We wonder if we would have their courage. We feel sorrow and sadness for their families but often tell them how proud they should be of their loved ones’ unselfish actions. But what about those left behind who must wonder at times why their father or brother or whoever it was who will never return wasn’t more selfish and rather than think of those with them in combat make the choice to return home, to not put themselves in the ultimate danger? Children especially must feel this way at time, robbed of a parent, few or no memories, having to rely on all they know about that person coming from others’ remembrances of them. And what about the others at home, those that couldn’t or didn’t serve but rather were left to take care of things at home? Do they feel guilty? Remorse? Wish it had been them instead?

Author Emerson Ford tells the story of the Sellers family and those close to them with great care and tenderness. Nothing about war is easy, nothing is fair. Everyone suffers and everyone loses. What the Silent Say is a book that will nearly pull your heart apart. You will be so touched and affected by the suffering everyone endures and inspired by the strength they display in moving forward. Well written and carefully plotted, the story moves smoothy through the years and from home to the battlefield. I was moved by it and won’t forget it any time soon. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of What the Silent Say. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

What The Silent Say is all inspiring story of one who was part of the time now called the Greatest Generation. Emerson Ford has brought heart and life to this story that is based on a true one. Lieutenant Raymond Sellers even at a young age put the great in “Greatest”. The entire cast of this story except for Jimmie’s and Raymond’s father were exceptional complex characters.

I enjoyed the way this story began in 1961, then told from 1937 on until it circled back to 1961. A remarkable, well done, emotionally rich World War II story of sacrifices made at home and those in service, and the courage it takes to stand through it and live with grace and substance. Highly recommend.

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of What The Silent Say.

Raymond has always looked out for his younger brother Jimmie no matter what. He follows his father’s wishes of going to school and working for him to save his brother from that fate. Raymond meets Evelyn and they eventually marry and she becomes pregnant and then he is shipped out to fight in the war. Will he be able to make it back to them?

This book was inspired by true events which makes it an even better read. I enjoyed the book, characters, and storyline. The only part I did not like was that it was really heavy on combat talk but other than that I really enjoyed it!

I don't usually gravitate towards books on war, but after reading the blurb to What The Silent Say, I figured I'd give it a shot, and I am so glad I did. This is a 5 star read! It is not solely about war and battle during WWII. It is multi-layered and gives us just enough of everything that can make a book perfect. Yes, it's a book of two brothers and their experience while at war, but it heavily focuses on love. It also focuses on the importance of finding said love, taking risks, forgiveness, the internal battle to do what is right, morality, redefining oneself, finding oneself again, dealing with heartache and grief, and more. It's such a well-developed book with well-crafted writing and a beautiful plot that only thickens and weaves together so nicely by the end. "Mip", my goodness! Absolutely loved! His development was beautiful to read. I loved Evelyn as well, and I thought her character was 100% relatable. As a mother, we've all been there. She's trying, even with her husband being at war and the distance between them. And then to have that love ripped away from her.. my heart cried for that woman. This story is full of ups and downs, with Raymond being that beacon of sunlight through it all, even after his death. Please read this book. Even if it's not your typical genre, I promise you you'll feel something by the end of it. Absolutely wonderful! 5+ stars!
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Emerson Ford for this remarkable ARC!

Raymond, Jimmy and Evelyn did not have an easy start in life. All of them were abandoned by their fathers and each one of them used that lack of parental guidance in a different way. Raymond was the good one, always following the rules, being kind and trying to do his best for all, Jimmy was the one looking for trouble, funny, full of life, and relying on Raymond for guidance, Evelyn was a shy girl who met Raymond at a dance and would never forget him. WWII is raging in Europe and in Asia and both brothers are sent to fight, only one of them will return. What the Silent Say is based on true facts, it's heartbreaking to learn the decisions that Raymond made and the impact they'll have on Evelyn's and their daughter's life and at the same time is heartwarming to learn how he tried to put their loved ones in a place of trust, friendship, and love. Beautifully written and easy to read!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

This powerful debut touches every emotion and enchants the reader. The feeling reminds me of watching the Titanic, anticipating the looming disaster yet rapt by undying hope and love. This WWII historical novel has all the ingredients that make a story great: unforgettable characters, captivating story with rising hope pitted against rising tension, and exceptional writing. I hope this book is only the beginning for Emerson Ford. I want to read more.