How do you rebuild your life when it changes forever in an instant?
Thirty-five-year-old Victoria Sharpe has a decent job as an illustrator, a perfectly good if predictable relationship, and great friends. So why can’t she shake the feeling that something is missing?
Keen to let off steam, she sets off on a night out with her best friends. Next morning – one reckless decision later – she resolves to make some seriously overdue changes to achieve the fulfilment she craves.
Then she gets devastating news that shatters everything she ever wanted for her future.
Or so she thinks. Because as friends and family rally around to support her, and an unexpected new romance causes her heart to skip a beat, Victoria discovers that sometimes in the deepest darkness the brightest light can shine through. But, after all she’s been through, can she let it in?
About The Author
My Review
The novel centres on Victoria Sharpe, a woman in her 30s feeling stuck—in her job, in her relationship, and in life more broadly. With an alcoholic mother and a sense of something missing, Victoria’s world feels stagnant—until a major revelation turns everything upside down. I won’t spoil it (and deliberately went in blind myself), but when the twist hit, I genuinely gasped. It’s one of those rare plot turns that feels both unexpected and deeply human.
Victoria’s journey of self-reflection and transformation is deeply moving. Her friendship circle is a particular highlight—full of warmth, support, and authenticity. The way her friends rallied around her felt incredibly real, and the emotional reactions throughout were handled with nuance and honesty. The subject matter—while I won’t name it to preserve the impact—was something I haven’t come across in fiction before, and May addresses it with impressive sensitivity.
More than just a romance, How Do I Tell You? delves into complex themes of identity, family, and personal truth. It’s a powerful, empathetic story with heart and depth—and one I highly recommend.
My Rating
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