When I say that this story devastated me, I am not exaggerating – but in the best possible way. "What the Silent Say" is a beautiful novel that explores deep and painful themes, and which is soul-stirring to read. There were times when I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, and other times when I cried helplessly, fighting back tears. The ending was so powerful that I couldn't even fall asleep – it kept racing through my head. And the fact that the story was based on real events made the experience even more shattering. This novel not only rips your heart out, it gives and teaches you a lot. Rarely does a book affect me so strongly, but when a story touches me so deeply, I know it was worth reading and has a place among my favourites.

After their father abandoned them, Raymond Sellers always took care of the people around him, especially his mother and younger brother Jimmie. Raymond tried everything he could to protect Jimmie because he wanted to be different from his father. His dream was a simple, peaceful life: he wanted to be a husband and father. This dream seems to be fulfilled when he falls in love with Evelyn, who is initially distrustful of soldiers because her own father has been changed by the war. However, in 1944, Lieutenant Raymond is forced to leave his pregnant wife behind to go to war. Later, he is faced with a painful decision: whether to stay with his fellow soldiers, whom he has sworn to fight and protect or to return to his wife and his little girl, whom he had never even met, as he had already been fighting in the war when he was born.

Raymond is a fascinating character: kind, reliable, loyal and witty. Jimmie was everything you'd expect from a little brother, and their brotherly bond was incredibly touching. Evelyn's personality and dilemmas resonated deeply with me. The way their faith and trust bonded them with Raymond was simply wonderful. I also enjoyed reading about the brotherhood between the soldiers – the humour with which they try to come to terms with the cruel reality and their loyalty to each other is unforgettable.

Of course I couldn't put the book down, so I finished it in the middle of the night. I can't put into words how hard I tried to hold back tears so as not to wake my family when I read the ending. Emerson Ford is an incredible writer – one of those who can write in a way that makes you feel the story with all your heart.

The novel shows the war in all its brutality: not only the sacrifice of the soldiers who died on the battlefield, but also of those who stayed at home, waiting hopefully for news. The book does not try to idealise the war – it shows the pain of the soldiers and the families left behind, the difficult decisions they had to make and the emotional burden they had to live with.

The story stands out with captivating descriptions, vivid dialogue and excellent writing. I was deeply moved and I am glad to have had the opportunity to read such a powerful, heartbreaking novel. It highlights how many unknown heroes and stories lurk in the past - not just from the Second World War, but from all wars. May their sacrifice never be in vain. Let us also show gratitude for those who returned home, but were changed forever – physically, mentally or emotionally. And let us always remember why and for whom they fought.

This was a very emotional story, with a great cast of characters. The peril and strife of war and how it affects the participants and those left behind.
Lovely conclusion.

In this unique and fascinating multiple perspective World War II historical fiction novel, readers follow Evelyn and her husband Lieutenant Raymond Sellers as their relationship grows in 1944 South Carolina only for them to be separated by his deployment to the Pacific theater. Forced to choose between his family back home and his brothers in arms in the Pacific, Raymond and his brother Jimmie fight two very different battles while Evelyn deals with her own battles with pregnancy and new motherhood on her own back in South Carolina. Bringing two very different environments and a wide cast of characters to life, this novel is complex, emotional, and remarkably cinematic in its detail and scope. The characters and their relationships with each other are the real stars of the novel, while the historical detail and setting really bring the story, characters, and conflicts to life. Intense and emotional, Ford has done a fantastic job humanizing the characters and making readers emphasize with them and their struggles, all of which makes this a fantastic, detailed, and immersive read. Well-written and full of brilliant historical details, this atmospheric and powerful new World War II historical fiction novel is a must-read for fans of the genre.

Historical fiction is hands down my favorite genre, and I was really drawn to this book since it’s inspired by a true story.

The storyline is solid and definitely moving—full of love, loss, and the kind of sacrifice that makes you think. But honestly, it just felt really slow for me. I did eventually finish it, and I’m glad I did because the story itself is powerful—it just took a while to get there.

My thanks for NetGalley and publisher for this advance copy ebook!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
This was a great tale of love that lasted through multiple paths. I enjoyed the storytelling. The vantage points of each character worked out great.
I would have loved to have seen chapters from Sarah's perspective and had her part of the storytelling.

What The Silent Say is an amazing look into the relationships of Raymond, Jimmie, and Evelyn and the impact of war on their lives. We follow them from pre-war times, to war training and on to the Pacific theater. To read each character’s struggles, triumphs and everything in between in such a wonderful gift. This book had my emotions on an amazing roller coaster. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of this beautiful family.

This story was a roller coaster of emotions. Just when things are going great something comes to ruin the happiness. It’s a story of true friendship. All Evelyn wanted was a man who would not be like her father was after the war. Her mother wanted the same for her which is why she wouldn’t give Raymond the time of day when she found out he was going off to war. Raymond gave up his dream of happiness to protect his brother from their father. Raymond’s brother Jimmy couldn’t do life at home while his brother was out fighting. I loved how the tables turned during the war and it was Jimmy's turn to look after Raymond when he went down with Malaria. It got me thinking how many men during the war wrote letters to their loved ones without knowing if they would survive. Letters that could be read by their children when they were no longer around to help raise them. I love how this book incorporates the history of war. It’s definitely worth reading.

Emerson Ford’s What The Silent Say is a poignant and evocative exploration of unspoken truths, buried emotions, and the power of silence. With lyrical prose and deeply immersive storytelling, Ford crafts a novel that resonates long after the final page.

At its core, What The Silent Say delves into the complexities of human connection, trauma, and resilience. Through a cast of intricately developed characters, Ford paints a narrative rich with introspection and emotional depth. The novel’s protagonist navigates a world where words often fail, yet silence speaks volumes—revealing hidden fears, unacknowledged grief, and unexpressed love.

Ford’s writing is both poetic and precise, weaving together moments of quiet revelation with powerful, cathartic crescendos. Themes of loss, redemption, and the weight of the unsaid are masterfully intertwined, creating an emotionally gripping experience for readers.

What The Silent Say is a thought-provoking and beautifully rendered novel, perfect for fans of literary fiction that lingers in the mind. Emerson Ford delivers a stunning meditation on the ways silence can both imprison and liberate, making this book a compelling and unforgettable read.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Emerson Ford for this copy!!

Starting this off by saying I am not a historical reader but the few I have read were Kristin Hannah, so big shoes to live up to from the start. It took me a while to get into it since it’s not my normal genre. It was heavy on front line across from both brothers sides, I wish there had been a bit more Evelyn side and her struggling being in the home front and more on her life after. Also I didn’t realize until the end that the whole book was his daughter reading through the letters when she grew up, I wish it was more understandable from the beginning or maybe more hints of it being read back? Overall it was a gripping historical book and I definitely recommend to my friends that I know love this genre. Wanted to personally thank the author for allowing military spouses to come along side and support her and the book! Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the advance read in turn for my honest opinion.

What The Silent Say is a deeply moving and beautifully written novel that swept me away from the very first page. The story, set against the backdrop of World War II, explores the unbreakable bonds of family, sacrifice, and courage in such a powerful way that I couldn’t stop reading.

I was completely captivated by Raymond and Jimmie Sellers, two brothers whose love for each other is tested by the horrors of war. The way the author captured their contrasting personalities—Raymond as the steady protector and Jimmie as the wild dreamer—felt so real and raw. And Evelyn, Raymond’s wife, adds an emotional layer as she navigates motherhood while her world is torn apart by the war.

The novel moves back and forth in time, and the discovery of letters years later adds an unexpected, poignant twist that tied everything together beautifully. The fact that it’s based on a true story made the emotional weight of the narrative even more powerful. I couldn’t help but feel connected to the characters and their struggles, and the bonds they share stayed with me long after I finished reading.

This book is a must-read for anyone who loves stories of love, family, and the resilience of the human spirit. It’s one of those novels that will stay with you, haunting your thoughts and reminding you of the sacrifices made in the name of duty and love. It’s definitely a 5-star read for me!

4.5 stars rounded up

I can't believe this is a debut novel! I was hooked from the very first page and had many a late night because I couldn't put it down.
I loved everything about this book - the characters, the history woven into the story, which is based on actual events, the emotions, and 'realness'. The author pulled me into the story and I saw it playing out like a movie in my mind. A very insightful, thought-provoking and emotional book that will be loved by many. Highly recommended!

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

*5 Stars*

Copy kindly received via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a very interesting read, especially with what the armed forces would have gone through in the wars. Raymond had some hard decisions to make as a husband, father and lieutenant. Evelyn was lucky to have Sarah to help her with Mary while Raymond was away. There were alot great characters in this book and I enjoyed it. I would like to read more from this world. Would recommend.

I read the book about the lives of Raymond, Jimmie, Sarah, Evelyn, Mary, Mit and other persons who gravitated around them all. It is a true history and a sad one. I loved the book, but I needed to get myself some rest before taking my time to write these few words. I hope my sadness is not a result of the fear of World War III. Nevertheless, I am very, very afraid of it. Can't our politicians see how unfair it is to have people fighting with each other for what? Please read the book; it is informative and beautifully written.

I love WWII fiction books, but I did not love this one.

I was confused about the title, specifically: who are they silent in this story? What are they saying?

It was a good attempt at a sweeping saga, but fell flat on execution. At times it was a jumbled mess. And I was not a fan of the ending.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I was moved. Even when I tell myself I am going to take a break from books based around war, somehow I don't. Every once in a while you come across one that is a little bit different, and this is a great example.

What The Silent Say is a story of relationships. Relationships between friends, parents, siblings, children and comrades specifically during the build up to war, during war and after war. Emerson Ford tells this story from different perspectives, which made this compelling, heartfelt and unique. You get a real sense of the anxiety, fear and love from those deployed and those left behind at home anxiously awaiting their return. These perspectives were enhanced through the author's own family history, and I urge you to read the author's note. This is an emotional read that will pull at your heartstrings. It reminds us to thank those individuals who are putting themselves in harms way to protect each and every one of us.

Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for this readers' copy in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are entirely my own.

Wow! This is one of the best WWII books I have read in a long time. It is almost like reading a journal or a memoir disguised as historical fiction.

This book will make you laugh, make you cry, and take you to an era where the fate of the world was in the hands of the many soldiers who died to defend freedom from tyranny, dictators, and those who had little regard for human life.

It is an unforgettable, unputdownable, angst-ridden tale of two brothers who leave behind their mother. The elder brother also leaves behind his pregnant wife. Facing impossible decisions, the army deployed both brothers to the South Pacific to confront a ruthless enemy that the world must stop. The younger brother helps the older brother recover from malaria, only to have the unimaginable happen when the elder brother thinks he is well enough to rejoin his unit, making the difficult decision to never leave his men behind at the expense of his obligations to his wife and the little girl he has never met.

The writing is so real - filled with almost crippling emotion. Have the tissues ready and put on a kettle or two. With vivid depictions of what life was like during the battles in the South Pacific, the author made me feel like I was in the setting alongside the characters. The individuals who fought this bloody war nearly jumped off the pages and into my reading nook.

This book is based on a true story, pulling on all the horrors, sacrifices, and heroism of the men and women who fought in one of the worst world wars to date and the women who loved and lost, staying behind to keep the home fires burning.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading WWII historical fiction. Realism, impossible decisions, and the agonies of war fill this beautifully written and emotional story.

I stayed up all night to finish this five-star book. I want to thank Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for the opportunity to read it as a free ARC. This review is mine and mine alone.

I just could not get into this book. I am sure it would suit those who have an American background as the situation and culture would be familiar. For me as a Scot, it just did not engage me.

A young woman finds some old letters which first dates before her birth. The letters send readers back in time just before, during and after WWII. I now have found another genre that I like to read about and it’s about romance, relationships, friendships and war. I rather enjoyed reading the old letters which described the family, relationships and life in general. I’m amazed on how the author Emerson Ford had brought the characters to life and each character was able to tell their story through the letters and characters around them. Some sections are very emotional with happiness, anger and sadness. I love the book and recommend to others to read but could be triggering to those who might have experienced similar in life.

While "What the Silent Say" is a powerful, loving, heartbreaking account of war, it is also based on a true story that the author uncovered as a teenager. She learned about her father, his actions in WWII, about the men with whom he served, and the story of those who stayed behind, the wives and families of the men.

Using this foundation, Ford created a story that rings true and honest. It's about what you plan to do with your life, and how you deal with what life gives you. It's about the horrors of war, the absolute bond formed by those men who have served, and how you don't always fight for the larger purpose - you fight for the men who serve by your side.

I cannot recommend this book enough. 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was inspired by a true story and I loved it. It was heartbreaking. I did read this book in one day. I would definitely recommend this book.