Everything We Never Said by Jenna Miller: A Chaotic Dance of Grief and Desire
From the moment I picked up Everything We Never Said by Jenna Miller, I was pulled in by the weighty themes of loss and the tumultuous emotions that come with it. Grief is a profound experience that many of us navigate through life, and to explore it within the pages of a YA thriller felt both captivating and essential. However, while I anticipated a deep exploration of this subject, my experience turned out to be more complicated than I had hoped.
At the heart of this dark romantic thriller lies Ella, a seventeen-year-old who is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic car accident that took the life of her best friend, Hayley. What struck me most was the raw grief Ella initially experiences, a feeling that resonated with anyone who has faced a deep loss. Yet, my frustration began when Ella’s sorrow quickly morphed into a fixation on Hayley’s boyfriend, Sawyer. Was this a natural progression of adolescent confusion, or an unsettling portrayal of betrayal?
Miller does delve into Ella’s emotional turmoil, and while her reactions do provide insight into the complexities of grief, I found Ella’s decisions baffling at times. One moment, she’s paralyzed by her sorrow; the next, she’s entwined in a love story that felt more like a plot device than a genuine exploration of her emotional state. The transformation felt abrupt, making it hard to invest in her character. Her decision to read Hayley’s diary for romantic advice rather than as a means of closure struck me as a betrayal to both her friend and the gravity of the situation.
As for Sawyer, the inconsistency in his character was particularly irksome. He oscillates between being a perfect boyfriend to portraying alarming traits that seem almost forced for the sake of plot twists. The portrayal of his struggles stemming from childhood trauma is commendable and realistic, yet it felt mismanaged, lacking the earlier hints that could have made the plot twist more palatable.
Themes of trauma permeate the narrative, and while I appreciated the discussion around them, the intensity felt a touch too overwhelming for a young adult book. For a reader like myself, who has navigated similar waters, it’s imperative to approach such topics thoughtfully. Miller certainly understands these ideas, but the execution felt uneven. Some moments sparked genuine empathy and understanding, while others left me questioning character motivations and choices with a furrowed brow.
Speaking of plot twists, I found myself predicting the majority of them—not surprising for a seasoned thriller reader, but I wonder how younger audiences might engage with the narrative. The only curveball was Ella’s unexpected pregnancy, which did catch me off guard, but the overall predictability was a touch disappointing.
Overall, I settled on 2.5 stars for Everything We Never Said. This story definitely has merit, especially for readers looking to engage with YA novels that explore darker themes of trauma and love. My take? It’s a rollercoaster of emotions—it often left me wishing for a deeper connection to Ella and a more consistent narrative.
If you appreciate stories that navigate the murky waters of grief and young love, you might find something valuable in this read. However, tread carefully if you’re sensitive to those intense themes. I’ll always cherish the opportunity to explore stories that reflect our struggles, yet I find myself longing for a more carefully woven tapestry of character and narrative.
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