Victoria's life is thrown into turmoil by a shock medical diagnosis at the same time as her long-term relationship ends, her mother is a barely functioning alcoholic and her mother's new neighbour appears to be an interfering nuisance. Throw in some startling family revelations, uncertain best friends and a possible new romance and it all feels a bit too much for one medium-length novel It did keep me reading though, and I thought the plot was actually it's strength. I didn't really empathise with any of the characters and felt that their lives all ended up being too good to be true.

Nicola May brings in How Do I Tell You? an interesting topic: how to deal with an HIV diagnosis.

Set in the early 2000’s, as you can clearly pick up by the characters throwing their cigarette butts into the Brighton sea (my heart dies a little each time an author writes this not-so-far-along reality). The book follows Victoria’s journey as she experiences her mid-thirties crisis, which means asking yourself how you ended up in this rut and what you are going to change to be happy for the next 30 years of your life. Vic’s situation is not easy as her family can be described as dysfunctional: her mum is an alcoholic, her dad can’t keep it in his pants, and her little brother loves gambling more than he should. Add to that a relationship with a Peter Pan-like man.
In this turbulent period, when she has to decide where she wants to go with her life, our FMC receives life-changing news. And here the plot begins: how to deal, as a woman, with an HIV diagnosis and how to rebuild your life.
I really enjoyed how the bomb was dropped and how she deals with it, but there were a few too many things in the plot.
 The new father discovery, the revelation of a new sister, and the auntie twist felt a bit unnecessary. Even if Nicola May had been dropping hints through the chapters, it distracts from what I believe she was originally trying to achieve.
I also must mention when Jerico entered that room in Slough, disappointment rushed to me in the form of a lost opportunity. Nicola May had been building up Victoria’s journey since the beginning, setting the stress of an alcoholic mother, an unreliable brother, and an absent father against the routine and mundanity that traps most relationships. The decision to leave her partner was well placed and balanced with Vic’s current situation; the mature way they both said their goodbyes reflected that in some relationships, even under the biggest struggles, you can leave your old love with respect and appreciation for the tenderness once shared. Her handling of the diagnosis, all the self-redefinition, and the questions and fears of starting a new relationship deserved a good conversation with Jerico. However, making him a therapist seems implausible in the real world. I would have loved to see how she delivered this without taking the easy way out. A conversation that never occurred and that I had been waiting for throughout half the book.
Broaching this topic was an interesting turn in a romantic book, but it fell flat at the end.
Nonetheless, it was an agreeable read that made me think outside my comfort zone.

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of How Do I Tell You?

Victoria is an artist who is dealing with an alcoholic mother, a brother with a gambling addiction, and a long term boyfriend who has no direction and drive. Her best friend is getting married and it makes her question if she is where she wants to be in life. But one night and once choice will change her life forever.

I did not enjoy the first half of this book. I could not connect with the characters or the storyline. But the second half really dives into serious topics that should be discussed.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC from Storm Publishing.
This was a five star read for me !
I’ve read a lot of romance books about illness about cancer or dementia, but as of HIV subject, this was my first time. That was also the reason why at the beginning, I did not expect that I l would love this book so much !
Firstly, thanks to Nicola May for spreading great knowledge about HIV through the story. I think everybody knows about this virus without really knowing it, if you get what I mean. This delicate subject was mentioned nicely and cleverly throughout the book without making me feel heavy or uncomfortable.
I like how all characters in the book were not perfect. They made mistakes, but they learned from it and the characters’ development were heartwarming. Love was about a lot of things amongst which patience and understanding played important roles.

This book is amazing. It is a story of heartbreak and hope and a romantic relationship that beats the odds.. Victoria is complicated and feeling lost when we meet her but she grows as a person and in her career and relationships as the book progresses. I don't want to give much away but I will say the ending was very satisfying and I couldn't stop smiling for Victoria and the way things turned out. Thank you to author Nicola May, Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read it early.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Did not like the start, at first I didn’t like Vic either. I also felt the dialogues were a bit forced or not very natural. But it did get better, and the fact that it revolved around HIV was important, the message was really strong, and the book made me emotional a few times.
The side characters were lovely as well, Kath, Jake and Jerico.
The ending was really nice too.

How Do I Tell You? By @author_nicola @rachelsrandomresources and a NetGalley review. Victoria Sharpe from the outside looks like she has everything but something doesn’t feel right , something is missing. Then suddenly after an innocent night out with friends Victoria’s whole life changes.
I’m a huge fan of this author, I love her Ferry Lane Series, set in Cornwall and there is a little nod to this series within this book. I loved this book, it’s early on in the year but so far my favourite fiction book so far, it blew me away and one I will remember reading. There are so many things that I loved about this book, the authors writing is what makes this book the amazing read that it is, she is without a doubt a very talented writer and I think this particularly shines through in this book. There’s a host of characters who are loveable, sometimes eccentric, strong, and vulnerable. Victorias family is chaos, they have their own struggles but it feels real and tackles mental health and addiction. For me what happens to Victoria and that changes the course of there life (without giving anything away) is what blew me away, simply with the rawness, its honesty and in many ways with the bravery in writing about such a subject. The subject that she writes about sadly has a lot of taboo surrounding it, not so much as it did in the 80’s but has a society it’s not something that perhaps is talk about openly. Also the perspective that the author writes it from, as in Victoria is the one not effects is such a different way to see it from and its effects. The author does the subject proud and with justice. I’ve certainly never read a boo fiction or otherwise about this subject and has opened my mind. Another reason for my wow feeling regarding this book is the relationships, the strength of those relationship, whether that’s family, friendship or new love. It’s about trust, trusting your family and friends and trusting your heart but it’s also about being brave and about being your true self despite what the outside world may think. This is a heartwarming, easy read, I can’t recommend it enough, published on the 20th January, it’s an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me📚

I thought I was getting into a light-hearted romance with an older protagonist which is right up my alley. This is not that. It's pretty serious and emotional and I had a hard time getting into it (perhaps because I was in the mood for something else). Ultimately this turned out to be a not-for-me title and I gave up about 25% in. So I'm giving it three stars because the writing was good, but the content wan't for me.
But if you are looking for an emotional, more serious exploration of relationships and human nature, this may be for you.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. I like that it handles a tough topic with gentleness and respect. But I can’t say I liked Vic for the first half of the book. I almost didn’t finish it, but I was curious to see how it would all work out and to be honest, it wrapped up a little too perfectly, even for a romance!
2.5 stars, rounded up because it was well-written.

Vic is going on with life as many do. she is quite happy with it. but sometimes feels like something not quite right or something is missing?
one rash nights decision leaves all her safety crumble from around her.
what do you do if something happens to you, you didnt ask for it and you cant make it go away? how do you be bold and brave to deal with lifes tragedys that sometimes just get chucked in the ring when you least expect it nor ever should be?

i really admire the telling of this book. the things that need to be talked about are often the hardest. they are the ones we work hardest to never face and so when there is no choices it takes huge learning to both tell and then listen. and peoples reactions are often nothing to do with us and its always diffcult not to take that personaly. or react back! especially to do with our health. its the toughest subject to cover. and to those we love its gets one step harder.

The support system in place here for Vic was lovely. and the feeling described from all involved was really appreciated and often informative. and definitely makes you think.
its a book i was expecting to be a straight up romance. ha, i was a little shocked but not disappointed when it took on a very different tale for me. so im still really glad i chose to read it.

I was really hoping to like this book. When the epigraph is a quote about HIV, and the book description refers to “devastating news,” you can pretty quickly imagine what will happen. The cover and description seem to be more lighthearted, and I was not prepared for such a heavy plot. I did not find the main character to be especially likable, and the third person POV took away from the deeply feeling plot.

Nicola May’s How Do I Tell You? follows Victoria Sharpe, a mid-30s illustrator, whose HIV diagnosis forces her to confront societal stigmas, navigate personal challenges, and rediscover her worth. With humor, compassion, and insight, the novel explores resilience, self-discovery, and the healing power of love and human connections.

This book was dialogue heavy. Wouldn't say it normalised cheating, but it was mentioned as part and parcel of life, which was refreshing to read. The family dynamic was a tearjerker. It's been a while since I read a good British chick lit. This author was a good choice.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Storm Publishing to read/review.

Despite dealing with some heavy topics, this was a quick read. I appreciate the care the author took when dealing with a sensitive topic and giving us a look into the main characters life as she navigated her life altering diagnosis.

At times the book felt like it was trying to rush through too many storylines at one time so many felt very surface level.

Thank you for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this new to me author.

This was such a heavy book, but done so well it didn't feel as heavy as it could. I felt like I learned a lot more about HIV. I loved all of Vic's family and friends. Vic was amazing, she's like alot of us. Living life in a cycle and comfortable. But what could happen if we truly go after our dreams? I absolutely loved the author, he was my favorite character. So unique and interesting. The twist was a lovely addition as well as the ending. All around a wonderful read! Side note and completely irrelevant: The author truly enjoys using the terms "sounds omnious", I felt like I heard it 10 times minimum, but I didn't count (looking back now, I wish I did). Lol

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Storm Publishing to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

A story of bonds being tested and strengthened while finding yourself along the way after being diagnosed unexpectedly. Thank you to NetGalley, Nicola + Storm Publishing for the eARC.

What to Expect:
⭐ Single story POV
⭐ Discussions of long term immune disease
⭐ Best Friends bonded together through life
⭐ A story of dysfunctional families, decades long secrets tied with new ones & a journey of finding yourself when given an unexpected diagnosis

My Thoughts:
WHEW.... deep. I thought I had selected a laid back easy going romance that wasn't winter based, but something comedic for a lighter start to the year. There is some of that but this is a DEEPLY emotional book. The main character is unexpectedly given a diagnosis that will change the complete trajectory of her life. From friendships, to family and even partners her life is flipped upside down.

What I love about the trajectory of her journey is that she is faced having to make some really tough decisions. Some that a lot of us would never take. That she takes the chance to jump at committing to her dreams chasing her art & allowing herself to fully become herself. More than that is the ending! I loved that it was all tied up beautifully.

The main characters are all well developed. The sub characters will have you laughing and loving them. I will say there is A LOT going on in this. So make sure you pay close attention to the story as it unfolds!

More than that make sure to read the authors notes. It will give you a lot more perspective on why Nicola decided to take the direction with this book.

Synopsis:
Thirty-five-year-old Victoria Sharpe has a decent job as an illustrator, a perfectly good if predictable relationship, and great friends. So why can’t she shake the feeling that something is missing?

Keen to let off steam, she sets off on a night out with her best friends. Next morning – one reckless decision later – she resolves to make some seriously overdue changes to achieve the fulfilment she craves.

Then she gets devastating news that shatters everything she ever wanted for her future.

Or so she thinks. Because as friends and family rally around to support her, and an unexpected new romance causes her heart to skip a beat, Victoria discovers that sometimes in the deepest darkness the brightest light can shine through. But, after all she’s been through, can she let it in?

Firstly I need to apologise to my family for being absent today. I started reading this book and literally only put it down to attend to nature. Thought-provoking? YES. Warmly written? YES. Sensitive? YES.

What an insightful read and so beautifully written!!! Your love for your friend simply shines through every page.

This romance novel tackles some hard hitting topics, but ultimately is lighthearted in tone and the perfect beach read. It was an easy read with a cast of likeable characters.

Sinopsis en español:

Victoria Sharpe, de treinta y cinco años, tiene un trabajo decente como ilustradora, una relación perfectamente buena aunque predecible, y grandes amigos. Entonces, ¿por qué no puede sacudirse la sensación de que falta algo?

Ansioso por desahogarse, se embarca en una noche con sus mejores amigos. A la mañana siguiente, una decisión imprudente después, decide hacer algunos cambios muy atrasados para lograr la satisfacción que anhela.

Luego recibe noticias devastadoras que destrozan todo lo que siempre quiso para su futuro.

O eso piensa ella. Porque a medida que los amigos y la familia se reúnen para apoyarla, y un nuevo romance inesperado hace que su corazón se salte un latido, Victoria descubre que a veces en la oscuridad más profunda la luz más brillante puede brillar a través de ella. Pero, después de todo lo que ha pasado, ¿puede dejarlo entrar?





Reseña:

Me gustó, pero me costó trabajo la primera mitad, se me hizo un poco pesado por la actitud de Victoria en esa parte. En cambio la segunda parte fluyó y se me fue rápido.

This was a heartwarming story with Vic the main character, she’s going through a rough patch, she doesn’t know if she still wants to with her boyfriend Nate. After a hen weekend in Brighton, she sleeps with another guy which will have a lasting effect. This was a well written book with a very important subject and I’m so glad the author dealt with it so well. It is something that is not talked about, but should. I really enjoy reading this authors books, they are an easy read with great subjects. A 4 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.