How do you review something which needs to be felt so as to be truly appreciated? I’m not sure you can, but I’ll try.
I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing for Sara Scott since her debut novel released in 2022 – The Touch of Her Voice (also the first book in the Jensy Willett trilogy) . She was kind enough to divulge that she’d had my review typed up and framed, and that it now hung on her wall; I know that many folks feel that reviews are for readers and not authors – and on the whole I agree. But, writing is hard, probably more so than I’ll ever know given I don’t write(!), and I’ve always believed that receiving well deserved praise for a job well done, doesn’t hurt. As with everything in life we’re often a society who are quick to point out the negatives, but not so much the positives, and thus it’s always a pleasure when authors do choose to read their reviews; I hope in some small part it keeps them writing – otherwise books like this one – The Taste of Her Silence – may never see the light of day.
First off, I cried when reading the culmination of Jensy Willett’s story – and that never ever happens. The Taste of Her Silence is the third book in the series, and whilst it is technically possible to read as a standalone because the author does a good job of using the first few chapters to remind readers of key plot points from the first two books, I highly recommend that you don’t. If you want to experience Jensy Willett’s story as it was meant to be read, you need to commit to it and start from the beginning!
The book picks up eight years after the ending of the second story – by which point Sophie and Jensy have been together for twenty two years. All three books are a journey in time through the whole of Sophie and Jensy’s relationship, from the first time they meet, through to the good, the bad, and the ugly. The trilogy is a homage to a life well lived; not always easy, not always pretty, but real and true. Taken together the stories are a blueprint for authentic romance in fiction and in real life; through Jensy’s eyes we are able to see lust and love, hurt and sorrow play out, and in this third act: tragedy, trauma, resilience and recovery.
“How do you move forward? Are you going to let your mind keep spinning in the darkness? Are you going to let that darkness eat you alive?” Her lips touched my ear, and she whispered, “Or do you open yourself to the beautiful and search to find the goodness?”
Sara Scott, The Taste of Her Silence
I won’t go into the synoptics of The Taste of Her Silence as to do so, would in my eyes be a disservice to the journey that the author wishes readers to experience firsthand. However, I will say that this is one of the best books I have read this year and certainly it is in my top five Sapphic series’ of all time. This story will leave you emotionally flayed, raw from the tragedy that unfolds and simultaneously hopeful in the restorative qualities of friendship, family and love.
With main characters who are now in their mid-forties, Jensy and Sophie’s love story has transcended both age and the passing of time. It is a poignant reminder of the power of love, the resilience love enables in each of us, and the reviving hope that can be found in a second chance at love if one is willing to be open to the possibility of the future.
“You know,” she said slowly, “at our age we all come with so much baggage. We let all the negatives we’ve been so busy storing inside define us instead of finding the positives that really define who we are.”
Sara Scott, The Taste of Her Silence
The Taste of Her Silence is an exquisite, beautifully devastating story; a reminder to each and everyone of us that love in every iteration is the glue that completes each and everyone of us. Despite the tragedy that is the core of this final installment of Jensy’s journey, I came away with imparted strength from her moving story – a personal recollection that loss and grief are not invulnerable to resilience, courage and love.
‘Everything has changed…I lived in the eye of an emotional tornado that made thinking about the future seem almost like an exercise in futility.
Sara Scott, The Taste of Her Silence
So, in that moment, I made a very conscious and firm decision. For now, I would clear my mind, and simply enjoy the ride.’
I have loved Sara’s writing from the beginning, and no more so than in this book – the text is an elegant and simple prose which conveys every heart-warming and heart-wrenching moment with equal vigor. Her ability to instill readers with such a range and depth of emotions is nothing short of outstanding; it is hard at times to remember that Sophie, Jensy, and all the other characters are fictional, so tangible is the emotional rollercoaster of their lives together.
The epilogue is a gorgeous end to Jensy’s story and a reminder that memories are what remain long after we are gone, they are immersive and made to be shared both with others and indeed to our own mind’s eye. In closing the series, the author’s afterword is the perfect summation of the rationale and context behind Jensy Willett’s narrative, ending with a touching reminder for us all.
This is a story that will stay with me for the rest of my life; I’m not sure I can give higher praise than that. Thank you Sara for sharing a story which few in the Sapphic romance genre would have dared to bring to the page.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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