Release Date: Out now!Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Pages: 288pgs
The Story
"I wait for him, the cold seeping through my clothes, until it finally dawns on me that he's not coming back. And I wonder why he chose her instead of me? Why he went looking for her when I was right there."
Tai and Juliet have been best friends forever - since they met at kindy and decided to get married in the first grade.
They understand each other in the wya that only best friends can.
They love music, beach walks, energy drinks and, they are slowly discovering, each other.
As they dream of adventures beyond the HSC - a future free of homework, curfews and parents, a life together - their plans are suddenly and dramatically derailed.
For Tai is sick.
And not everything you wish for can come true.
The Review
A big thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia for sending me a review copy of this book!
Two sixteen-year-old teenagers, Juliet and Tai, have been best friends for their entire lives (ever since kindergarten where they shared first kisses at and even got married in the first grade), and they've always had feelings for one another. Only . . . they didn't do anything about it until now. But with them being in their final year of high school at Eden Grammar and when Tai gets really sick, everything is about to change for these two teenagers - especially when it comes to their futures and their newfound relationship.
Here's the thing: I don't do sad books but I still read them anyway. There's just something so realistic about sad contemporary YA books with real life-like characters that always hits home for me since they usually deal with difficult human issues. Still, that doesn't go to say that books like these ones make me want to dance on rainbows and sunshine. Because . . . they don't. Now I was very happy when I was sent this book by the publisher because it sounded like such a great read and on the bonus side it's also written by a fellow Queenslander writer, so I was all for it because you gotta love more Australian writers! Not only was this book an amazing read, had a great dual perspective between the two main characters and dealt with so many issues that I could personally relate to, but it was also an incredibly, incredibly sad read. So sad in fact that it reminded me of the likes of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and you and I both know how sad that book made me feel. So be prepared my dear blog readers - this book will make you go on the verge of tears and leave you going, "Why, why, why?!."
For our two main characters, Juliet and Tai, they were equally fantastic! They weren't perfect characters - that's for sure - but again who isn't in day-to-day life? When it comes to Juliet, I loved reading about how happy she was to be finally dating her best friend, Tai, and it did bring a smile onto my face at times. But when Tai is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, that's when we get to see how strong Juliet's character really is and what depths she will go to in supporting her best and boyfriend Tai. I mean most people would be running away from this very hard issue and find themselves not knowing what to do but . . . Juliet was just always there for Tai no matter what happened - both as a girlfriend and as a best friend too, which I loved most about her character on a whole.
As for Tai's character, you couldn't help but feel so heartbroken over this poor guy. He too is finally dating his best friend, Juliet, and it's everything he hoped for and more in a relationship. It's almost like a fresh start for him. But that's the thing . . . it is a new start for Tai and he's just starting his young life with hopes of graduating high school, going to schoolies, going to uni and making plans with Juliet like most young people should do at their age. But with his illness clouding his future plans and with only one year to live, Tai had to endure so much more than your average, older teenager and I admire him for this courage and his strength to keep pushing forward with his life, even at its grim circumstances. But boy oh boy, when he and Juliet are together . . . it's just meant to be and I loved them as main characters so, so much! Oh the joy and tears!
Overall, Jessica Davidson's novel EVERYTHING LEFT UNSAID is something of a bittersweet read and many readers will connect with it one way or another! With a story all about first loves, bestfriends, friendships and a one person's battle of terminal illness that will change everything around them, I would highly recommend this book to everyone because it was a brilliant read and made me want to cry in the best possible way!
The Rating
4/5 stars
