"More Than Words" is the story of Nina, an heiress to a hotel company. She has always made choices based on what her father would think and what her father wants her to do. When her father dies, and she learns her parents' marriage wasn't perfect, Nina learns to decide what she wants for herself.

I've not read anything else by Jill Santopolo yet, but I enjoyed this novel. While the book deals with heavy topics, including death and betrayals, it was an easy read. I liked Nina's character and the descriptions Santopolo used to paint scenes in the book; I felt at times like I was right there alongside Nina throughout her day. I especially enjoyed watching her take control of her life and make decisions for herself for what's likely the first time in her life.

Thanks to Net Galley and Jill Santopolo for allowing me to review an ARC of this book.

I was the biggest fan of Santopolo’s The Light We Lost, it was a story which had me thinking about it for days after and Santopolo’s world building was majestically done. So, when I first heard about More than Words, I dived right in, going into books with the least amount of impressions works wonders for me, as I like being surprised by the different elements a book may bring. And whilst I loved Santopolo’s writing once again with this story; it really was beautifully done, I felt that More than Words wasn’t able to leave a big of an impact as The Light we Lost did. Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy this book, I liked following Nina on her journey of who she was, with the way her life had been going, things were already expected of her; to take over her father’s firm and she was in a secure relationship with her boyfriend Tim. But then with her father passing away and revelations coming from all over the place, things really weren’t as they seemed, what did Nina really want to do with her life? I liked how Santopolo allowed Nina to really explore her options, yes at times there were difficult decisions to make, but if Nina really wasn’t happy with something then she really shouldn’t have to settle. Despite there being several bumps along the way, I was happy with the character that emerged in Nina at the end of this story.

More than Words, gave us in my eyes a truly different story from Santopolo; but one I really appreciated, she once again gave us a gorgeously written story, and although it was tinged with loss and sorrow, it was still a story I devoured in such a short period of time.

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “More Than Words” by Jill Santopolo, G.P.Putnam’s Sons, February 5. 2019

Jill Santopolo, Author of “More Than Words” has written an intense, emotional , captivating, intriguing, romantic, heartbreaking, entertaining and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this story are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Romance. The timeline for this story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex and complicated

Nina Gregory has been brought but up by her wealthy Dad, who owns several fancy hotels. Nina has tried to meet her dad’s expectations of her, and has a great work ethic. One of the things that Nina is doing is writing speeches for a charismatic candidate for mayor. Mr. Gregory has been a single father, since a tragedy where Nina’s mother had been killed. Nina is lucky to have some special friends for emotional support.

Circumstances change when Nina’s father is fighting the final stages of Cancer. Her boyfriend Tim, and his family have known Nina and her family for years. When Mr. Gregory does pass away, Nina finds certain information about her father that comes crashing around her, and confuses and challenges her courage and faith. Is it possible to live with someone, and not really know them? Suddenly nothing makes sense, and Nina is questioning herself. Nina is able to discuss these things with her boss, who is running for Mayor, and finds a certain attraction to him.

I appreciate that the author has written such a compassionate and heart breaking novel. The author discusses the importance of family, friendship, honesty, communication, forgiveness, love and hope. I would highly recommend this amazing novel for those readers who enjoy a thought-provoking story. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it did not quite live up to my expectations. The first part of the book dragged on seemingly forever. Thankfully, after Nina's father died, the pacing picked up and the story became more engaging. However, I think the main issue I had with this book was Nina. I think the reader really has to connect with the characters for character-driven stories to work. I couldn't really relate to Nina, and she felt closed off to me as the reader. Really the most interesting character to me was Rafael, and he was missing from a large portion of the novel.

Overall, I did like the story, but I did think it was really generic romance. It was perfectly fine, but I was hoping for something more.

I enjoy Jill Santopolo's voice - very much. I have been hoping for another novel from her, and this one did not disappoint.

I haen't read her first book but I really enjoyed this one. I liked the character, although I do agree that she made a lot of life changes so recently after the death of her father. I did really like how the author made us feel for both men in her life so it wasn't an obvious choice on who she should be with. Both men loved her and she loved both men. So often in romance one man does something so heinous that you have an obvious super hero complex for one or the other but not in this one. It was a nicely thought out romance narrative.

After reading and being taken with Jill Santopolo's The Light We Lost I was delighted to read her next contemporary novel. More Than Words comes as very different yet no less monopolizing tale than the former. It's a beautifully written, exquisitely emotional story of a woman unraveling. In a time of great grief, to better understand who she is and her view of the world in which she resides, Nina Gregory explores what she always knew through this new, heart wrenching perspective that changes her entire life.

As her life begins to change amidst her grief, she uncovers truths about herself. Caught between loyalty and self-preservation, Nina comes to a cross roads in her life. The family she's grown up with, her best friend since birth, a dear friend who's her rock, and new friends set apart from the life she was supposed to lead all help Nina channel herself to be the person she's meant to be. A clash of new versus old ensues as we journey with her to absolution and truths.

Defining happiness is different for every person. Chasing the hearts desires over living in the utmost loyalty is a choice when sometimes familial obligations lead to the submission of one's own truths. As Nina takes us readers on her enlightening path of self discovery, through Jill Santopolo's honest, reverent story telling, we understand how time, circumstance, and great pain evolve us as human beings who are complex and ever-changing. Being one's complete, true self is the hardest part of life as it opens you up to great vulnerability, the way this author brings that to light through her main character was awesome. Santopolo weaves her stories together brilliantly; my heart raced during Nina's journey. I read this in one sitting from beginning to end, swept away to New York City, and emotionally invested in the story telling.

This is a terrific book cover to cover. The young woman portrayed is well written and thought out as she tries to navigate the murky waters of her life when her father dies and leaves her in charge of the family hotel business. It is not where she predicted she would be until much later as she has found her personal footing as a political speech writer for an aspiring mayor. She finds herself drawn to the candidate which presents a whole different number of problems. How she finds a way to survive all the changes is what makes the story great. I particularly loved the tension filled pages describing Nina’s milieu of struggle to make sense of what is happening to her heart and to her life.

I expected this novel to be formulaic, with a typical "woman stuck between two men" conflict, but this was just straight up bland and boring, with characters that seem to just drift through situations. Even the romantic "drama" is quickly disposed of in a matter.of pages. I didn't find myself caring about Nina or anyone else.

I adored this title. As a fan of Santopolo's other work, I wasn't sure if I would be able to read without making comparisons. Turns out, I could! I love Nina. I most enjoy, that no matter what she may have thought or even been taught, she took a stand for herself. It's something many women, especially young women don't always do. The pressure to keep up the status quo is almost unbearable, but Nina stood for herself and it was empowering!

Nina is the perfect daughter. She’s smart, beautiful and understands the responsibility of her family’s legacy. Her fiancé is her best friend and they’ve grown up together.

She feels pressure after her father dies to do everything he expected - marry the guy, run the company and continue his legacy.

This story is about love and loss. Learning that people don’t always deserve to be put on a pedestal. That it’s okay to be brave and honest. That sometimes you should make changes in your life if they are needed.

This was a very good read and I felt connected to the characters and their struggles.

I loved “The Light We Lost” so when I saw this new book by this author I was excited to be ale to download her latest. I found the first half of the book to drag along and the story finally started to pick up about half way through. I felt that there were many trivial details that didn’t add to the story as well as a lot of graphic sex. It was just a typical love story with two guys in love with the same woman and the usual dilemma about which one she will choose. #netgalley

I had a difficult time finishing this book, the main character was boring, her fiancée: boring, Rafael was too perfect, not one character had a flaw, none, just Nina’s father. What’s the point?
Thanks for sending me the arc for this book.

Santopolo gives her reader a glimpse into a wealthy lifestyle that isn't picture perfect. Perfect novel for those who enjoy reading of family dramas that include romance. For readers of contemporary fiction and chick lit.