The storyline starts in 2005 at Victoria's (Vic) mother's house in Windsor, after finding her mother once again the worse for drinking she returns home feeling emotionally drained and totally fed up.
A while later she attends her friends hen party and ends up staying the night with a complete stranger.
At the wedding she can't get it out of her head what she has done wrong and when she feels ill and goes to the doctors she is absolutely horrified at what the results are. At first she can't talk to anyone else and bottled it all up but gradually she finds herself opening up to her group of friends and also some unexpected new friends. One of whom is Joti, a nurse who lives next door to her mum, they didn't get off to a good start arguing over her mum's dog going to the toilet on her grass, but eventually they become good friends and Vic realises that other people also have secrets that they don't want to talk about.
Things don't always go as planned and this is no exception, soon there are friends who care, friends who don't know. Relationships are hard for Vic, who can she trust? Who will trust her? Family are just as complicated, Vic just doesn't know where to start, who will understand? Work is no different, she can tell some people but not all! This is a new take on the subject of being ill, and who you can rely on and yet it's also got a romantic side to the story.

I have read and enjoyed most of Nicola May's captivating books and this is no exception. I really enjoyed it and I think I learnt a lot from it too.
A five-star read from me.

#HowDoITellYou
#Stormpublishing
#Netgalley

This was an amazing book. I loved every moment of it. It tackles a subject that I have never experienced in a novel and it was very sensitively done. I loved all the characters, especially Vic and Jerico. It was a real emotional rollercoaster.

A fun, quick read!

I really liked the side characters and even the MMC! They were a whole lot of fun, and I found myself drawn to them from beginning to end. The humor was also pretty good, and I laughed quite a bit!

However, I didn’t like our FMC, Victoria, most of the time. I was constantly frustrated with her, her actions, and her unaccountability to them. The hypocrisy was actually maddening.

I very much dislike books that promote cheating, and unfortunately this was one of those—whether I liked the main couple or not is irrelevant when their relationship started out the way it did. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and it really bugged me how Victoria couldn’t muster up the courage to tell Nate (her longtime boyfriend before the MMC) even when he told her about his own infidelity.

Had the main couple's relationship started out on better ground, I would’ve rated this higher because I did really love the two together, but my morals have me giving this book a lower rating.

The writing was kind of iffy at times, but regardless, I liked this enough. It had mostly likable characters, and I loved the journey it took me on, even if it was annoying at times. This was fun overall, and I did like the main couple a lot; I just hated that it had to start out the way it did.

3.5 ★

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾!

In How Do I Tell You, Victoria Sharpe is a 35 year old woman, with a career as an illustrator, a boyfriend, and lots of friends. However, even with all of this, she grapples with an underlying sense of dissatisfaction with her life. One night, she makes a decision that will affect all facets of her life.
What an interesting book, a look into how HIV is affecting people today and the misconceptions that still abound about it.
This is the first book I've read by Nicola May, and I'll definitely look up more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

This book took a few pages to get into it but once I did I couldn’t stop! I was not expecting what happened to the main character Vic. Her emotions and turmoil was written so well I actually was getting angry/sad/annoyed on her behalf.

I don’t want to give any spoilers but I personally thought this book did a lot to educate without it feeling forced but also break down stigmas. It’s a hard read at times but so worth it

In How Do I Tell You, Victoria Sharpe is a 35 year old woman, with a career as an illustrator, a boyfriend, and lots of friends. However, even with all of this, she grapples with an underlying sense of dissatisfaction with her life. One night, she makes a decision that will affect all facets of her life. She is plunged into despair and has to recognize who she can rely on to help her in her journey forward. In the face of despair, Victoria discovers comfort through the unwavering support of her loved ones and a burgeoning romantic connection, ultimately revealing that hope and light can emerge even in the bleakest of circumstances.

The themes of HIV, family unrest, and an overwhelming feeling of dysthemia are presented in this narrative. Nicola May's prose deftly captures the intricacies of Victoria's experiences, rendering her character both relatable and compelling. The richness of the supporting cast, including eccentric friends and family members, enhances the narrative and adds depth to Victoria's journey as she learns to accept love and support. It is an uplifting narrative that weaves together the elements of romance, healing, and family drama while addressing serious issues with grace and humor. I was deeply engaged in Victoria’s journey as she begins to embrace her new reality, ultimately she does discover love.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

What an interesting book, a look into how HIV is affecting people today and the misconceptions that still abound about it, alienating its victims almost as much as it ever did. Vic felt as most of us would, frightened and grieving the loss of the life she had and the future she thought she would have, but her story opened up her eyes and the eyes of the reader as she made her way through the channels of hope and help with the virus and along the way exploring the story of her family and friends. Attitudes change to the highlighted issues in this story, but they change slowly for many this author will have done a lot to help others understand how HIV can spread and affect everyone, not just gay men as we were told originally, and it isn't the death sentence it was or the dreadful advertisements lead us to believe. Vic's story is full of lovely characters, each with their own story to tell, and keeps moving at a good pace, leading to 'just one more page' rather than turning out the light and going to sleep. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this and look forward to more from this author.

This is the first book I've read by Nicola May, and I'll definitely look up more.

There are some important messages in this story and I really felt for the characters as they each dealt with their own struggles. I read the book in 2 sittings and find myself still thinking about it a few days later. A great story about surrounding yourself with the right people - friends and family who will support you and accept you for who you are and not accepting anything less.

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

A truly uplifting and heartwarming novel that packs
A real emotional punch. Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure it’s one of her best. A difficult subject tackled sensitively the writing is as always brilliant drawing you in and transporting you to the heart of the book. Cannot recommend enough, perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Emily Cousens, Rosie Walsh.

Thoroughly enjoyable read! A novel that tackles a really taboo subject - even now - in a favourable light. It's a slow burner and at first, I didn't warm to the main protagonist, I found her cold and pretty rude! However as the story developed and the sub characters started intertwining with Vic, it showed her in a better light. The author has clearly done a huge amount of research into the topic and cleverly details the ignorance of people who haven't maybe experienced anything like this first hand. A great story for raising awareness. Thanks to Net galley for the advanced copy

In this unique and incredibly emotional new romance novel, Nicola May brings Victoria Sharpe’s story to life with fantastically written emotions and details. An illustrator with a perfectly good relationship and great friends, Victoria can’t seem to figure out what she is missing until one reckless decision completely changes her life and her future. With the support of her friends and family and a new chance at happiness despite this massive change, readers and Victoria must discover whether this change will derail her life or put her on the path she is meant to be on. Deeply emotional and surprising, this romance novel has a unique plot and a fascinating cast of characters that readers will grow to love and respect. The characters and their relationships with each other are the stars of this novel, and readers will love seeing how Victoria grows and changes over the events of this new title. The plot of this novel is expertly handled and deeply respectful of the subject matter, and readers will be immersed in May’s writing style and in the locations (that complement the characters and their relationships perfectly) she brings to life in this new release perfect for readers looking for something new yet familiar.

This is one of those stories that is hard to review without spoiling anything 😅 Victoria Sharpe felt like more needed to be achieved in her life. A life-altering occurrence had her questioning everything even more and wondering whether to venture into the unknown or settle for what she already had.

I loved how supportive everyone around her was. She also needed to love and accept herself with all her flaws which she eventually did. Secrets popping up almost floored her but she moved with resilience. I also loved the romantic side of it and how it unfolded.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. It's out now!

Rating: 4⭐
Steam level: 2🌶️ Fade to black

Having read Nicola May's Cockleberry Bay books I was quite suprised to start reading this and find out it was about a much more serious subject. When Vic becomes infected with HIV after a one night stand how does she tell her boyfriend? In fact, how does she tell anyone? This book was written very sensitively about how a woman might react to this awful virus and how life changing it can be. But it is also a book about hope and how it is never to late to live the life you truly want to live. I love the way that May always brings out the best in human nature in her story telling.
This book starts off quite depressing but also shows a beautiful light at the end of a very dark tunnel. Well don Nicola!

Nicola May’s writing shines in her tender, touching and uplifting new novel, How Do I Tell You?

At thirty-five years of age, Victoria Sharpe has no reason to complain. She has a good job as an illustrator, a decent relationship, great friends and a busy social life. Yet, she cannot shake off this feeling that there’s something missing in her life. Going out with her friends on a night out, Victoria is looking forward to letting her hair down – until one reckless decision forces her to reassess her life and to make some much-needed changes. But just when the satisfaction and fulfillment which she has craved for so long is finally within her reach, the rug is well and truly pulled out from under her feet and everything she has always wanted is cruelly snatched away from her.

Just when she thinks that all is lost and that the only thing she has to look forward to in her life is disappointment and regret, her family and friends begin to rally round her. Victoria soon begins to find her way out of the dark tunnel she had been trapped in and as she begins to put her life back together, she begins to feel hopeful about the future – and about the possibility of falling in love again.

Will Victoria grasp this second chance at happiness with both hands? Or will she let it slip through her fingers?

Nicola May effortlessly juggles humour and drama with style and aplomb in How Do I Tell You?, a poignant, feel-good and inspirational tale about never giving up, forgiveness, belonging and the power of love that brings a tear to the eye and tickles the funny bone.

Warm, witty and wise, How Do I Tell You? by Nicola May is a terrific read perfect for Dani Atkins and Beth Moran fans.

We always like to see our favourite authors grow as writers and here, Nicola displays that she's not afraid to use subjects many would shy away from. I won't go into detail here, but I consider this to be so much more than a romance, this is a book about...life. I can't say anymore than that as I refuse to spoil anything else about this book for others. Suffice to say, at times this is a hard book to read, but it is so, so worth while. Go on, try it, I don't think you'll be disappointed, only go in with your eyes wide open. My thanks to Storm publishing and Netgalley for the reading copy.

This book was intense and really started off with one of my least favorite tropes of all - cheating/infidelity. It says a lot about the author's writing style as to why I continued to read as usually that is a non-negotiable DNF for me. However the writing kept me coming back - the dry humor of the writing, and just the twists and turns and British nonsense kept me reading and I ended up loving this one more than I thought I ever would given the trope.

Victoria is going through it - her long term boyfriends infidelity, her own infidelity... a sickness.... a journey to the health center and then finally a true life altering diagnosis. I've read a few books with HIV characters - but it's usually much later after diagnosis, and really there isn't enough representation, but in general, this is the first I've ever read at the beginning. Victoria goes through the motions, and all of the emotion felt real and appropriate. The haze, the fog, the questioning, the fear... it all was vivid and so well written. I especially truly love when she called the hotline and spoke with Brian - I LOVED seeing that included in a book, and just the in general representation of going through a crisis and actually calling someone for help - so well done and I feel like either the author has personal experience, or her research was just phenomenal. I also truly loved how the stigma of HIV was really touched on and discussed as I feel like I've never read one that so honestly discussed this fact.

I also loved just watching Viv continue to live her life - she has set backs and struggles, but she still thrives. The ups and downs never deter her. There's family drama, and just a lot of other things that come into play which really makes the story even more poignant and rich. The conclusion of this one is so special and I just adored it all so much.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publisher for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'How Do I Tell You?' by Nicola May.

'How Do I Tell You?' discusses some topics that may upset some readers or may not be suitable for others. I like to point this out ahead of time in my reviews so you can judge if this book is for you or not. In this book Nicola discusses/includes HIV, alcohol addiction and AIDS. All these topics are covered as sensitively as possible.

What an absolutely beautiful, heart warming, educational, eye opening and stunning must read!!! Absolutely love, love, loved it!!! This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.

The storyline itself was absolutely unputdownable so make sure you clear your schedules before starting to read it!!

If you are looking for an absolutely addictive read then this is the book for you!! Nicola's evocative writing skills sucks the reader deep into the pages bringing the absolutely beautiful storyline to life along with all the amazing characters. While reading this book you will be swept away and left feeling the emotions of Victoria, seeing everybody and everything come to life in front of you and keep you hooked!!! In this absolutely beautiful and unique storyline Nicola May transports us to Windsor and takes us back to the year 2005. It is here that we meet Victoria Sharpe who is an illustrator, has a boyfriend called Nate and is off on a hen party with her best friends Orla and Mandy. Things are not going great in her relationship with Nate and after a few drinks on Mandy's hen party she ends up having a one night stand with Danny in Brighton. When she comes down with the flu and Orla discusses getting a health check at the sexual health clinic Victoria's life completely changes when she is diagnosed with being HIV positive. Victoria has no idea who to turn to and when she does start to tell people the reactions are surprising. Will Victoria find a rainbow at the end of this storm? Will Nate or her friends stand by her and support her? Grab your copy of this absolutely gorgeous one of a kind page turner to find out more for yourselves and I promise that you will not regret it!!! this book genuinely is a must read for anyone and everybody!! Not only is it jut an absolutely stunning storyline but it is also extremely informative and eye opening giving readers an insider perspective on how it feels and what it is like to be told you have HIV. I want to congratulate and thank Nicola May on using this extremely important, yet what is still even in these days somewhat taboo, illness creating an absolutely amazing storyline and putting them together to spread much needed awareness. I have never come across a book that covers HIV in a story and considering I have read thousands of books that really does say a lot!! the fact that you creates this brilliant storyline, spread awareness and put this unique book in this world is just fantastic!!! I must admit that I had very limited knowledge of HIV and had never met anyone who actually had it until I spoke to a gentleman I knew and whilst talking he just came out with the fact that he had it in an everyday conversation. My immediate reaction was actually worry for him that he was going to die from it but he explained it wasn't like that anymore and there are medications. I had known him a while but was still so pleased that he felt he could just come out with it in conversation as it is sad that we still live in a world where people will make remarks and assumptions on a person who has it. Anyway I wont say anymore about that topic apart from another Thank You to Nicola for using the media of storytelling to spread awareness. The storyline is not just about HIV but so much more!! It is ram packed with romance, friendship, books, art, second chances, cute dogs, determination, memorable characters, secrets, surprises and everything you could ever ask for in a book and much much more!! So what are you waiting for??? Grab your copy of this beauty today!! It is a stunning and emotive escapism read and it genuinely felt like I was dropped into the middle of this storyline seeing the locations and characters come to life in front of me that I absolutely loved exploring and learning about. I was absolutely devastated when I came to the end and had to pack my mental suitcase to return to rainy Wales. I cannot wait to delve into more books from this extremely talented author!!! This book is an absolutely stunning read that is perfect to lift your spirits!! I felt like I was next to each of the characters throughout!!

The characters were all an eclectic mix and each one of them were realistic and strong. I was completely in them all and I already miss them even though I have just closed the pages. I loved meeting every single character and they all had their own individual and unique personalities, strengths, flaws, quirks and weaknesses. They truly are an absolutely amazing gang of characters who will stay with me for a long time and I would love to meet them all again. I devoured this book in a few hours as it is one of those that I just could not put down. there were so many times that I told myself that I would just finish the one chapter and then go back to it but that chapter ended in a way that I could not put it down and then the next one did and then the next and so on until I came to very last page. I would absolutely love to see this beauty turned into a movie and I will be at the front of the queue to go and see it!! Nicola's writing skills will absolutely absorb you into the book and no matter where you are in the world you will be sucked into Victoria's life in the blink of an eye.

What are you waiting for?!? Pick up one of my favourite, unique, educational must read page turners today!

Another MASSIVE WELL DONE to Nicola on yet another HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more past and future amazing books. This is the exact reason you are one of my favourite authors and I cannot wait for your next page turner. Here's to your next success 🥂!

Overall an unputdownable, unforgettable, educational and unique romance that will have you staying up late at night to finish it.

#HowDoITellYou #NicolaMay #StormPublishing #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources

@NicolaMay @StormPublishing @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources

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Don’t be fooled by the girly, romance-y cover of Nicola May’s "How Do I Tell You?" Victoria’s story is far from being all rainbows and butterflies. When we first meet her, she’s navigating a stable, if uninspiring, job, a serious boyfriend, and heading to her best friend’s hen night. Beneath the surface, however, she’s questioning everything about her life: is this what she truly wants? Is it enough? One careless decision during a night out sets off a chain of events that turns her world upside down. The life-altering news she receives forces her to confront her reality and embark on a transformative journey, supported by her close friends.

I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared for the direction this book took. It was a challenging read for me - one I had to put down and pick up again multiple times. Had I gone in with more awareness of the themes, I believe my experience might have been different. I initially expected an uplifting, funny rom-com, and it most certainly was not that. While the story’s depth and emotional intensity are commendable, I struggled with certain elements, particularly how cheating seemed normalised and even encouraged. While I wasn’t a fan of Victoria’s boyfriend, I found it difficult to reconcile how her friends supported her decision to cheat, and how hypocritical it felt when she later confronted her boyfriend about his infidelity. These early impressions of the characters were hard for me to shake as the story progressed, despite my efforts to remain open-minded.

That said, the book addresses heavy topics with remarkable sensitivity and beautiful writing. The portrayal of resilience, love, and friendship amidst adversity is powerful, but the weight of these themes demands mental preparation from readers. I strongly feel the book should include a trigger warning for HIV, as this could be distressing for some readers.

Don’t be fooled by the girly, romance-y cover of Nicola May’s "How Do I Tell You?" Victoria’s story is far from being all rainbows and butterflies. When we first meet her, she’s navigating a stable, if uninspiring, job, a serious boyfriend, and heading to her best friend’s hen night. Beneath the surface, however, she’s questioning everything about her life: is this what she truly wants? Is it enough? One careless decision during a night out sets off a chain of events that turns her world upside down. The life-altering news she receives forces her to confront her reality and embark on a transformative journey, supported by her close friends.

I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared for the direction this book took. It was a challenging read for me—one I had to put down and pick up again multiple times. Had I gone in with more awareness of the themes, I believe my experience might have been different. I initially expected an uplifting, funny rom-com, and it most certainly was not that. While the story’s depth and emotional intensity are commendable, I struggled with certain elements, particularly how cheating seemed normalized and even encouraged. While I wasn’t a fan of Victoria’s boyfriend, I found it difficult to reconcile how her friends supported her decision to cheat, and how hypocritical it felt when she later confronted her boyfriend about his infidelity. These early impressions of the characters were hard for me to shake as the story progressed, despite my efforts to remain open-minded.

That said, the book addresses heavy topics with remarkable sensitivity and beautiful writing. The portrayal of resilience, love, and friendship amidst adversity is powerful, but the weight of these themes demands mental preparation from readers. I strongly feel the book should include a trigger warning for HIV, as this could be distressing for some readers.

Overall, "How Do I Tell You?" is an emotional, thought-provoking read, but it’s essential to approach it with an understanding of the serious themes it tackles. If you’re looking for a lighthearted rom-com, this isn’t it. However, for those ready to explore a story of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships, it’s worth the journey.

I think I can say without a shadow of a doubt that May has written my absolute favourite book ever! A book that conjured a plethora of emotions that hit me in the feels and had me immediately invested into the wonderful characters she's created.

Life as she knows it is about to change irrevocably for our main character Vic, but with the love and support of her friends and family behind her she shows us that the impossible is possible. She was one of those characters that I immediately took to heart and wanted to protect her from any more hurt.

I devoured the book across two sittings with only sleep getting in my way.

How Do I Tell You is an uplifting and enjoyable page turner.

This was a really enjoyable read, if a little more serious at times than I was expecting! It deals with some darker subjects but the author has approached these sensitively, and with humour too at times.

Victoria is at the heart of the story and she's at the end of her tether with what life is throwing her way. She has a difficult relationship with her mother who drinks, and her brother is just around when money is needed. And she's feeling stuck so a hen weekend to Brighton comes at the right time, and leads her on a new path !

this really explores the relationships you have with family and friends, and what happens when you're not honest with yourself. Victoria finds support in unexpected places when life really turns dark and it also shows up how friends you hoped would support you don't!

The health challenges she's facing are approached sensitively and it really does show you that life can take very unexpected turns out of nowhere and it's how you face up to that and the new beginnings that make the struggles all worthwhile!! A really enjoyable read!