Reviews

What We Never Say: Bold Journeys Book One by Paulette Stout

aldarakamey's review

3.0

This book touches a sensitive topic, as is sexual assault but this is a male victim. I feel that the author touched it well, but it happens too late in the book, like if it's mentioned on the synopsis why would it take so much into the story to be mentioned if it wasn't going to be a plot twist. Other than that it could've been better.

sturgesschildren3's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Loving the cover art ! However , don’t let it me do lead you there’s something very different in between those pages and having read the first book in the series “ Love, only better” I was more than eager to get started on this read 🥰📚


Usually it’s woman who suffer at the hands of others wether it be at the hand of their loved one or employer and while it does happen to men it’s not something often women of so this was a big attraction for me ….not because I’m a sick puppy but because I appreciate that a taboo subject is being broached ….. 


We met Rebecca and Kyle in the first boom and Kyle was Rebecca’s saving grace and this time tomes are reversed 😉look I know he knew she’d support him but I also felt his anxiety and fear to share his experience….


So Kyles past meets up with his present unbeknown to them and when the dots are connected boy do we get fireworks and I typical fashion the aggressor looks for a scapegoat and tries to target Rebecca and name get out to be the bad guy but she who I shall not mention picked the wrong girl to pick a fight with ! 

I loved how supportive these 2 were of each other , i loved how a taboo subject was approached without emasculating Kyle but making him and his emotions and experience a very real thing and this is really a read I’d love to share with men and women alike 🥰📚

shannlynn's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

I was absolutely captivated by this story from the very first page. I did enjoy the first book in this series, Love, Only Better, and I feel it gives more depth to the story. I highly recommend picking the first book up before diving into this one. That being said, the author does try to bridge the gap a little so that you won’t get lost without the first in the series. The story wastes no time with preambles as we plunge into the first chapter where we learn of Kyle’s haunting past. He can no longer run from it, and though his girlfriend is shocked, she wants to help him. Can she aid Kyle with healing his past, or is it too daunting a task for either of them to take on? I believe the author did an amazing job covering a tough subject that isn’t much talked about. I cannot wait to see what is in store for us in the next book!

kasnunez's review

challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was an overall good book, was kind of harder to get into from the first, but I was glad to be able to see things from a different side. As life tries to go on, sometimes the past will come up to haunt you. I applaud Paulette for writing such a book that deals with sensitive topics that the everyday person just struggles to talk about.

tytanmom23's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

What We Never Say (Bold Journeys Book 2) by Paulette Stout. I really enjoyed this book. It's a deep book about a very sad situation. There is sexual abuse talked about in this book so be aware. It's the story of Rebecca who is a writer and has started a blog that is getting a lot of attention, in fact a major women's magazine is picking it up. Everyone is so excited for her except for her boyfriend Kyle. He seemed really reserved about it. Kyle has things in his past that he's not proud of and doesn't want to talk about. When a person from his past brings out his secret he is deeply hurt. Rebecca had no idea that Kyle used to be a model and she is as shocked as everyone else. Will they be able to work out these issues from Kyle's past and not let it interfere with Rebecca's writing and their relationship? This series is a very good series and this book in particular deals with a very taboo subject. I love how this author handled it. I would recommend reading the first book beforehand so that you can get a better understanding of the characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment

tarajohnson's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

What We Never Say is the second book in the Bold Journeys series. This book picks up where book one left off so if you have not read the first book, I highly recommend that you do, or you may not understand the characters and their backstory. This story centers around Rebecca and Kyle who have now moved in together. Rebecca has a blog that is gaining in popularity and is asked by a major magazine to write a story. When Kyle finds out he is rightfully upset because he used to model for the magazine and was sexually assaulted by the magazine editor. It is a dark part of his past that was so traumatic for him that he tried to bury it and forget it. However, he is now forced to confront his past and come forward with what happened. When he tells Rebecca she is less than understanding and chooses to go forward with writing the article because it will be good for her career. Will Rebecca and Kyle be able to overcome this part of his past and move forward? 

The author did a realistic job of approaching the difficult and sensitive topic of sexual assault on men. This is a topic that garners a lot of attention and support for women who have been sexually assaulted but there is little to no discussion about sexual assault on men. Due to embarrassment men keep this to themselves and do not seek help for fear of not being believed or being ridiculed. Rebecca’s reaction and lack of support towards Kyle’s dark past is one of the reasons men do not come forward. After reading the first book I knew that Rebecca was coming from a place of low self-esteem and was just discovering herself. She was coming into her own, trying to find her place in the world, and take control of her own life. At the same time Rebecca’s lack of empathy and support towards Kyle’s painful past should have been a deal breaker for their relationship. Kyle should have walked away but it was easy to see that he, too, had self esteem issues. It was a very complicated situation for both Rebecca and Kyle as they tried to navigate through Kyle’s traumatic experience. This book had love, hope, angst, despair, secrets, lies, betrayal, and sensitive subject matter. 

aranza_yarie's review

4.5

Contemporary Women's Fiction By Paulette Stout

4 out of 5 stars

I gravitated towards this story since the moment I read the blurb.  I enjoyed reading and it and was pleased with the way it ended.  I believe that the seriousness of the subject was well delivered.  The characters are develop in a good way and the author did a good job not falling too hard in to cliches.  Overall a good book to read

duckygal's review

5.0

 

This is the second book in the Bold Journeys series continuing Rebecca and Kyle’s story. This again covers a topic which should be more openly spoken about, though different from the first – male survivors of abuse. As with the last topic the author covered it sensitively and respectfully. 

I enjoyed continuing with Rebecca and Kyle from the last book (I would heartily recommend reading that one too) and seeing their relationship progress and how they tackle the difficulties before them. I really felt for Kyle in this one, having to face his past, particularly given what he went through is difficult, but he’s a strong survivor and remains open to love. His struggle feels very real, as does his course of action/reaction. 
 I loved getting to know more about Kyle in this one as it was what I had hoped for in reading the last book. 

The characters are unique and well-constructed, each having their own characteristics and I could picture them vividly thanks to the author. The writing flowed nicely making for easy reading and I couldn’t put the book down. 

I can’t wait to see which couple and which topics are encountered in the next novel! 

shellyk51's review

challenging emotional

4.0

 

 Well, this is a book that has a controversial topic in it. You'll have to read it because I'm not touching much on that. The writing in the story was okay. It is a little dry in spots but the story flows well throughout. The characters are pretty relatable. Overall, it's done from the guy's POV of being a sexual assault victim. It's worth giving it a shot. 

 

hardlycharlie's review

i just could not care about a straight couple during pride month and i wasnt interested enough from the start to make it worth it and i really just dont want to read about sexual assault in any capacity at best its annoying and at worst its triggering