How Do I Tell You? Is a surprising read that starts out as just another story about a woman looking for more from life and suddenly becomes heart-wrenching, heart-warming and almost impossible to put down.

Victoria has a family she loves even though they’re difficult, a job she enjoys but is not the job of her dreams, and a relationship that is good enough but doesn’t feel like true forever love. She just feels there’s something missing. Shouldn’t there be more? Isn’t at least one part of your life supposed to feel over-the-top wonderful?

The official description of the book is vague and I’m not going to introduce any spoilers in this review; let me just say that the one night Victoria decides to throw caution to the wind, to let loose and have a good time is a night that brings devastating consequences. Friends and family support her, but Victoria realizes that if she is ever going to be open to what if’s and new experiences, fate has made this that time.

I enjoyed Victoria’s journey through this beyond difficult time. At the beginning of the story she was curt, sharp, borderline rude and seemed on the verge of despair. Watching her rise to the occasion of her altered life and future with grace, strength and hope was uplifting. Thanks to Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy of How Do I Tell You? I enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

Even though the cover says this book is “uplifting,” don’t be fooled—you’ll 100% need tissues! Vic’s story is full of emotion, and there were parts so heartbreaking I almost had to stop reading. But Nicola May’s writing has this way of pulling you in, making even the heaviest moments feel meaningful. When Vic’s friends and family rally around her and she starts finding her own strength, the whole vibe of the story shifts. By the end, I was crying happy tears and feeling so moved by how everything turned out.

I’ve read other books by Nicola May, and they’re so different from this one! I wasn’t expecting a story like this from her—but honestly, it was such a nice surprise. It’s amazing how she stepped away from her usual style to tackle something this tough, and she totally nailed it.

What really stuck with me was how brave Nicola May was in writing about such a difficult topic. She handles it with so much honesty and care. The author’s note at the end, where she explains why she wrote this story, made it even more special.

Vic is such an inspiring character. Between her alcoholic mom, her brother with a gambling problem, and a boyfriend she’s not even sure she wants to be with, her life is already a lot. Then, on top of all that, she gets devastating news. Somehow, though, she finds a way to handle it with so much heart and determination. You can’t help but root for her. Watching her grow and embrace life, even with all the challenges she faces, was such a highlight for me.

If you’re into emotional, character-driven stories, you’ve got to check this one out. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

ARC of this book provided by NetGalley and Storm Publishing for review purposes

"reckless decision" - she cheats on a six-year relationship
"she gets devasting news" - contracted HIV as a result
"unexpected new romance" - happens fast and feels forced.

(be warned of heavy normalization on infidelity, not just with the MC but three others as well)
This one was a tough read. Perhaps if I knew what I was getting into it would have been easier to consume this book. The synopsis is off and too generalized for what this book is about. This is not a romance even though it is advertised as such. It's more of a dramatic fiction. We deal with the MC, Victoria, getting diagnosed with HIV after a scandalized night. Her whole world gets upturned to push herself to live the way she's always dreamed of. Kind of a cute ending, though it does come off as sudden and underwhelming.

Victoria is unlikeable. She cheats on her partner of six years and gets mad when he cheats on her. She constantly cries about everything and anything. Struggles to make up her mind about who she wants to be with. Never wants to communicate until the problem escalates. Oh yeah, she's 35.

Rather than sugarcoating and downplaying the true elements of the plot, it should have been mentioned in the synopsis. As straightforward as possible. The more the story progressed the more I disliked each additional plot point.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5(4.5/5)
Review:
This was not what I was expecting. Based on the synopsis, I thought this was going to be more of a light-hearted read with a main female character closer to my age. Maybe be more relatable than what I usually read. This was more of a heavy, emotional, & serious plot. Which isn't a bad thing if that is what you're looking for.

The first couple of chapters felt choppy and didn't flow well, but by chapter three, the flow improved. It's such a beautiful story. I'm so glad I read this. The ending was so sweet.

SPOILER ALERT:
The plot revolves around HIV. If that's a triggering topic for you, this book isn't for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, & the author for this eARC.

*All thoughts & opinions are my own.*

This story took me a little while to get into, which made me struggle with how to rate it. However, I really enjoyed the ending and felt like it made up for how long it took me to get invested in the story. I have not read a story from the perspective of the MC dealing with this type of virus, so I became very intrigued by how family and friends reacted to her diagnosis. I also felt so proud of Vic’s growth by the end of the story, and this made me really think about how much society can cause fear over something that is not as scary as it used to be. I think a lot of us are not well educated on this virus and how it can be contracted, so I feel like after reading this I would be more open minded and able to talk/listen to someone dealing with this. I know that is vague, but I’m trying not to spoil anything here.

How Do I Tell You? is an emotional and heartwarming read that is real and resonates. Victoria has a successful job and a steady relationship, but her family life is problematic, and she wonders if she is living her life to its full potential. An out-of-character adventure leads to a life-changing experience that challenges her faith in herself and others and shows humanity at its best and worst. The characters are relatable and human; they immerse you in their lives, and it's difficult to leave them. The themes explored in this story are challenging, but the author treats them with empathy and delivers a thought-provoking story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Victoria Sharpe is coasting through life, vaguely dissatisfied with her work and her relationship but without any real impetus to change. After a one-night stand, she contracts HIV, which turns her world upside-down, forcing her to confront her fears and finally chase her dream.

Although there is a romantic subplot, this is not a romance novel, and certainly not a romantic comedy. The focus is on Victoria's emotional journey as she comes to terms with her diagnosis and begins to take control of her life, and although this is handled with the required delicacy it makes for some depressing reading, particularly in the first half of the book. The story picks up (in both speed and emotional tenor) as the subplots involving Victoria's mother and brother take shape in the second half. Everything comes together for a memorable, sweet ending.

Trigger warnings: Infidelity, alcohol abuse, parental abandonment and paternity surprises, more infidelity, HIV diagnosis.

The book is about the story of a woman who gets ill after one night of sex with an unknown man. They became friends. After some months of suffering, she got herself engaged to a man that she knew from her work. They got themselves sorted out and had a happy life ahead of them. But avoiding trouble after drinking a lot is difficult.

How Do I Tell You? by Nicola May

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

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?

My Opinion

I have read quite a few books by Nicola May so I thought I knew what I was getting with this book – whilst I got an enjoyable read this was nothing like what I was expecting. Nicola has written an emotional book that really packs a punch. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I would highly recommend reading this book with an open mind.

This is going to make for a great book club read, it has many talking points.

Rating 4/5

Interesting story and a little heartbreaking. The characters were throughout enough to give a general emotion however I just didn’t connect well with the story as a whole. I appreciate the opportunity to read this but it just wasn’t the type of story that I normally enjoy.

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.