WHAT THE SILENT SAY by EMERSON FORD is a WW11 story with a dfference. The author has done a great deal of research into the history of the 77th Division’s exploits in the Philippines and their incredible bravery especially at Okinawa. It is based on a true story with some fictional additions which keep the narratve flowing. I could not put the book down and highly recommend this inspirational read. The characters and their emotions are brought to life as we see them responding, not only to the horrors of war, but also to the fear and loneliness of those who are left behind to cope with life.
Raymond’s selflessness really struck me, together with his strong faith in God. It is good to see a man who lives his Christianity. His love for his younger brother Jimmie, his mother, his wife Evelyn and baby daughter, comes through strongly as does his commitment to his men. I like the way he takes the tough boy from the Bronx, Mitt, under his wing and makes a soldier out of him……..
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling this lovely read for you.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Storm Publishing. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing, Emerson Ford, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Fragile hope and self sacrifice mark the themes of this heartbreakingly beautiful book. The bittersweet tears that I bawled during the last part of this book were no joke.

Right from the beginning we are introduced to the brothers’ relationship and Raymond’s character that set the emotional foundation for the rest of the book. Raymond and Evelyn’s courtship was one of the sweetest, moving, and wholesome one that I have ever read.

I went in thinking this was a war story about brotherly love but it was so very much more. It is one of my favorite reads of 2025 so far!

This tugs at the heartstrings. Based on a true story, ‘What the silent say’ is a wartime novel focusing on the fate of two brothers who were in the pacific conflict. The older, protective brother has excellent personal qualities and falls in love with a girl while training as a cadet. For a long time, she refused him on the grounds that warfare would affect him so severely that their relationship would suffer. However his love is so constant she takes a chance on him and they marry and have a child. 18 years later, his daughter finds out fully about her father and wha5 happened to him. She has reason to be proud of his self effacing, sacrificial nature.

I never thought that historical fiction would be a genre that I would enjoy, but after reading this book, I think my mind has definitely been changed. I love that this book is inspired by a true story and touches on the many challenges the men at war faced as well as the challenges faced by their wives and families back home. As a military spouse, I loved that this story highlighted the pain and terror spouses and families face when their loved ones are at war. The lack of communication and the constant fear when a telegram is delivered or someone unexpectedly knocks on the door. This book had the perfect mix of bringing the war to life for the reader as well as exploring what life at home was like before, during, and after the war. And as someone who typically reads romances, I loved that this book explored some relationships and their complications without making it the main focus of the book. Would definitely recommend reading!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Exceptional historical fiction, made all the more remarkable by being based on fact. This is a memorable story which will, I’m sure, linger in my heart long after reading. I adored the main characters and rooted for them all the way. The author created them with great depth and humanity, making it easy to understand their choices and actions. Each was strong in their own way, and each fighting an inner battle as well as the war that plunged them into situations no one should have to face. We need more Raymonds in this world.
I will look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

What an amazing and powerful story!

I prefer going into a book blind, so I didn’t read any blurbs or reviews. I happened across an instagram post singing this book’s praise. Of course I had to immediately find it on NetGalley to sate my curiosity.

Emerson takes the reader on a journey of love and loss, sacrifice and selflessness. Where strangers become brothers, foreign lands become final resting places, and promises and prayers are the only comforts afforded.

As with any WW2 novel, there are accounts of battles and strategies. Death is a constant companion and home is dream just out of reach. Boys become men on distant shores. But what makes this story stand apart is the author’s connection to the inspiration for the book. Her resolve to give this story life, to preserve the tale of heroism and courage, while sharing it with the world.

This story will live on now although the characters are long gone. A testament to their resilience and dogged determination to make the world a safer place, knowing that theirs may be the ultimate sacrifice.

Bravo, Emerson! I was caught in the snare of this story from the beginning and found myself unable to savor the last quarter because of the intense desire to quickly discover the fate of our beloved characters. This book should be sold with a box of tissues attached.

Thank you Emerson Ford, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Leaving home and go to war, not knowing what you can expect. The people you leave behind who are unsure if the ever see their loved ones. This was an emotional and interesting read following all the characters during this very difficult time. It was heartbreaking but at the end, love wins.

Parts of this book were interesting and others weren’t.
I think I’ve just read too many of this type of book and they all start to feel the same. I’m certain historical fiction fans will enjoy it

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I absolutely loved this book, it was a complete departure from the books I usually read and I am so glad I was able to read it. I will be recommending it to everyone I know.

I wanna start off by saying I'm grateful to have had the chance to read this historical masterpiece. This read will stay with me forever, I've read several war related stories but this one hit different, books like this remind me why I love the historical non fiction and women's fiction genre so much and the fact that it's inspired by/ based on a true story I knew I'd fall in love with this read. Raymond, Evelyn and Jimmie's story will live in my mind rent free literally -- I knew this from the first few pages -- this is the type of book that will hit right in the heart. Selflessness, struggle, courage, sacrifice, heartbreak -- four things that when put together create a LEGACY -- especially when read from Mary's perspective (the letters broke my heart especially the last one ) I loved absolutely everything about this book. Readers who love Kristin Hannah's books will definitely fall in love with this one

This was a great story, and true too! I loved the characters, and I loved the love story, the war not so much, but in all a great tear-jerker of a story.
Highly recommend and keep the tissues close by!

Emerson Ford’s What the Silent Say is based on a true story about Raymond, Jimmie (Jim), and Evelyn during World War II. Raymond meets and is taken by a shy, bespectacled Evelyn when she is a mere 14 at a dance held near the Clemson campus where the local young girls can practice their dancing skills and manners. Evelyn is scarred by her father abruptly abandoning her mother and self, so she is hesitant years later to commit to a relationship with the military bound Raymond. Meanwhile, Raymond is also trying to be a father to his younger brother, Jimmie, after their father left their mother for another woman. The story follows the brothers as they train and eventually end up on the frontlines of the Pacific Theater of the war.

Positives: The development of the character of Mitt is phenomenal. This rough around the edges (and let’s admit it, deep beneath the surface too) makes you see the light that Raymond noticed in the early part of their time together as the story develops. Raymond is a diamond of a man. Always putting others ahead of himself and not willing to give up on his men or family, he’s the type of person you want more of in the world. The descriptions of training and battles puts you in the thick of it.

Struggles: For someone whose intelligence was an early beacon, Evelyn’s lack of confidence in becoming a teacher and taking her exams was frustrating as it kept coming up. So many around her saw the raw potential in her and her strength of passing her knowledge on to others. She redeems herself and is in no way an unlikeable character.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book will be published on January 28, 2025. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #stormpublishing #WhattheSilentSay #EmersonFord

This is an amazing, immersive book based on real people during World War II. The author did a fabulous job bringing it all to life based on the actual letters she discovered, interviews and visits to the National Archives. I applaud her efforts which resulted in this very moving book. I'm really glad I read it, but I don't think I ever want to read a book like this again. The courage of all those soldiers and the terrible situations they were in protecting our freedoms was gut-wrenching. I think I'll stick to cozy mysteries.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who is interested in a true story of love and sacrifice during the war.

this was a strong historical romance novel, it had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed the overall time-period used, I thought the characters had that feel that I was looking for and thought it used the true story overall. Emerson Ford has a strong writing style and enjoyed the way this was written.

I loved that this story was based on a real person and real events. Although a story about war, it is really more a story about love, duty, courage, and friendship. The character of Raymond shines through as he makes his way through life and makes difficult decisions. I enjoyed Evelyn's story as it was not easy for those left at home either. This is a profoundly moving book that will stay with you, and is a testament to the power of the written word. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to read and review this book.

Wow. This book is just wow! I cried more during this story than I ever have while reading any other story. Yes, it’s full of sad and tense moments that wrecked me emotionally, but it also has plenty of joyful moments that had me cheering for the characters. Knowing this historical fiction tale is inspired by the author’s own family hit me differently. Real life may not have unfolded exactly as it does on these pages, but the core of the story rings true, and that knowledge stole my breath at moments.

The narrative alternates between war-torn battlefields and life "back home" in South Carolina. Readers are drawn deeply into the lives of the main characters, experiencing their emotions, hopes, and dreams firsthand. Be sure to have tissues close by, this story will move you.

Emerson Ford’s storytelling is pure magic. What the Silent Say is an outstanding debut, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

I received an e-ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. These thoughts are my own.

Content Warnings
Moderate: War

Minor: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

There are a lot of descriptions of the battles the main characters face during WW2, however, there is not a lot of gruesome detail. The author writes beautifully where you realize the tragedy, but do not experience the trauma.

When you have family stories passed through generations, thoroughly researched facts gathered from the Library of Congress to military unit histories, and individual personalities of a WWII unit bound together, you have a beautiful not-to-be missed novel.
A story of love, fear, patriotism, resilience, heartbreak and loss. I laughed, cried, felt joy, pride and heartbreak. Knowing it’s based on a true story makes it important to know What the Silent Say.
I will read more from Ford.

I loved this book, What the Silent Say, by Emerson Ford. This is a moving historical fiction book based on an amazing true story set during World War II. You will need the tissue for this story.

It all began in Florence, SC when Raymond Sellers and Evelyn (Evie) fall in love and marry. Raymond decides to join the military and Evie is hesitant to marry Raymond because her own father deserted her family as a child because he was so affected by his time at war. Evie's mother warns her that she will get hurt if she marries him. Raymond is not like that. In 1944, the time has come for Lieutenant Raymond Sellers to say goodbye to his pregnant wife and his brother, Jimmie. Evie moves in with Raymond's mother, Sarah, while Raymond is gone to war. He is sent to the Pacific Theater to lead a charge of men.

I was drawn in to the lives of Raymond, Evie, Jimmie, and some of the men that Raymond led in combat. The combat scenes were so real, raw, and emotional. We are told the story from the point of view of Evie and Raymond. Evie shares her fears, sacrifices, and love for her soldier as she awaits for any news of the war. She delivers her baby, Mary, while Raymond is gone. Raymond leads his men well in ground combat in the trenches in Okinawa while Jimmie is a gunner fighting in the skies. During his time, he contracts a severe case of malaria and pneumonia. He is taken to a field hospital to recover. Not yet well enough to return to combat, he is assigned a desk job. Raymond feels like he has abandoned his men yet he desires to return home safely to his wife and daughter. He has to make a haunting decision that will affect the lives of those he loves.

Towards the end of the book, Mary, Raymond's daughter, finds a stack of letters in her father's desk drawer which help connect the past to the present.

What an incredible story of love and sacrifice, family bonds, determination, loss, and raw emotion! I can see this story made into a movie. So captivating and I highly recommend this read! The author wrote an incredible story.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Emerson Ford's What the Silent Say is a beautifully crafted story. Inspired by a true story, this novel weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and resilience, offering an intimate look at the enduring strength of family bonds. This story will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the courage found in even the most ordinary lives.

3/5 stars - I volunteered to read this ARC because the synopsis sounded like something I'd find interesting. Three stars for me still means I enjoyed the book and that I would likely recommend it to someone who I felt would be interested in the topic(s). The main characters, including the majority of the other soldiers, are all very likable and you can't help but hope they all make it out alive. The book was more battle-heavy than I usually care to read about the Pacific theater in WWII and I thought it would be more spouse-focused as that was how I perceived the synopsis. While it does flit between Evelyn, the spouse, and Raymond, the husband, amongst other characters - I feel like her side wasn't told as heavily as I thought it would be, especially once she became a Gold Star Spouse. It took me until the very end of the book to catch on that the bulk of the book itself was Mary reading the letters she found in a drawer.