Besides the great secondary cast and the sweet “first-love” romance, I also appreciated all the representation explored in this book. From the way Sky’s non-verbalism was depicted, to how his gender non-conformity was explored, to the way friend Imani’s pansexuality and wiccan beliefs were portrayed… I appreciated it all, and more.

Love at 1st sight is bad enough as it is (I despise it!!!). But this book was worse, because not only did they immediately start liking each other, but also, as the story progressed, there were no other reasons for them to be together! I read the whole book and the only reason I can find for them to “like” each other is: they find the other hot. Jacob’s character development focuses on his overcoming his biases and becoming an advocate (sometimes awkwardly). In the beginning, Jacob sees a separation between Skylar and the British-accented voice on his phone: “I find myself wishing I could hear his voice, like his actual voice, not his phone. As cute as he is, I bet it would be amazing.” We see the change slowly in Jacob as he realizes that Skylar’s AAC isn’t a burden or separate from him, the same way many abled people will say “I’m sorry” when someone uses a wheelchair, but other disabled people will see it as the freedom to move around painlessly. Most importantly, when Jacob and Skylar’s relationship experiences some turbulence, Jacob never stops advocating for Skylar’s causes and continues working with the local Pride Center to challenge the dress code that prevents Skylar from wearing skirts and dresses when he feels like it. Even Jacob’s friends at first are surprised to find out that he’s still making calls and participating when the issue doesn’t affect him directly, but then join him when they see it’s a cause he cares about. Imani standing by Skylar, supporting him and reassuring him, but also calling him on his shit. (For me she was a little bit too involved in his love life and asking him rather inappropriate questions after just knowing him a few days, but maybe it’s just me.) This poetry collection is all about learning to love and forgive yourself before doing anything else in your life. I adored Sky's adopted parents! An example of parenting at it's finest! The massive focus on friendship was also really uplifting. The way the main characters and side characters supported each other was so heartwarming.Jacob: Living in a homophobic household is hard and having the courage to come out. Like Sky, there’s a lot Jacob struggled with. He knew that his actions would have consequences. Not only at school, but especially at home with his dad. Regardless of it all, he pushed forward and took a stand for what he felt was right. Now, it’s been said the stories in the Noahverse can be read as standalones, and they most certainly can because I just proved it, but I also feel like I would have greatly benefited from having read at least book one ( A Mark on My Soul), because, although the themes and outcome of that book scare me, I feel it would have added a better layer of understanding and appreciation towards what these kids were experiencing in this deeply religious community. I have no doubt, having now briefly met some of the previous MCs, that I will be taking the time to course-correct my series reading here in the near future. Sometimes those stories are happy. Sometimes angry. Sometimes sad. And sometimes, those poems are stories we wish we didn't have to tell. Him wearing a skirt to school and angering not only his schoolmates and teachers, but the school board and a lot of people in town was nothing he needed on top of that.

Feel free to invite some friends to join our Round Table community!http://www.goodreads.com/group/invite_members/26989-goodreads-authors-readersSkylar makes friends at school, but honestly there’s barely any development there. They’re just nice enough to sit with Skylar at lunch, and then they’re somehow super close. They were sweet and supportive, but honestly I didn’t care about either of them, and I also didn’t care when they got together at the end (was there even foreshadowing??? Afffff, whatever). Jacob’s friends were even less developed than Skylar’s, so, once again, I didn’t care at all. Jacob Walters′s dad has worked to make his son′s life a living hell. But when the cute new transfer student suffers his father′s wrath, Jacob must make the hardest decisions of his life. Ahhh I absolutely loved the characters in this. Skylar is an unforgettable main character who instantly steals your heart. With his love of reading (he has great book taste) and dinosaurs (who doesn't love dinos?) . He comes across to everyone as confident and brave for wearing his skirts and painting his nails, but the boy is swimming in insecurities because of his upbringing, and it breaks your heart. He believes it's too good to be true that he's surrounded by supportive adoptive parents and friends. The way he handles the 'conflict' with Jacob is realistic for his situation and while he's definitely stubborn, the whole situation seemed right for their ages without being annoyingly immature. Every Word You Never Said" is a gay YA contemporary romance following the dual POV of Skylar and Jacob. Skylar is a gay adopted nonverbal 16 year old who just started a new school. Jacob takes up the task to show Skylar around the school on his first day.

Why the focus on sex??? Like, these people have known each other for 2 weeks and are already trying to guess who’s a “top” and a “bottom”????? 🥴 Idk, maybe I’m just wired differently, but that whole thing was weird lmao Hey , look at me . Sky," I beg him, and raise our entwined fingers for him to see." I'm not letting go."Jacob and Skylar were loveable characters, both dealing with feeling like outcasts for different reasons. Watching their relationship slowly develop with lots of sweet and awkward moments was a joy. Towards the end I was a little frustrated with their separation but, it did make sense because of the characters' individual insecurities. Their happy ending was super cheesy, fun and satisfying. Indeed, even after giving this five stars, I feel like that's not quite what I meant. Reviewing poetry also feels equally as such, but this moved me in a way I felt compelled to share. Every Word You Never Said is a Queer YA romance between two boys navigating high school, their feelings and first relationship while dealing with negativity from small-minded people. Filled with loving parents, supportive friends, bookshop hangouts, corn maze kisses and figuring out life one step at a time. When I was 16, I went to Kuala Lumpur for the second time in my entire life and I bought a poetry book called I Wrote This For You: Just the Words