Hi everyone! I am super excited to be on the blog tour for Estelle Maskame’s newest novel, Just Don’t Mention It, book 4 in the Did I Mention I Love You? series.
Blurb
Tyler Bruce – hell raiser and bad boy – tells his story in his own words.
Alternating between past and present, Just Don’t Mention It is narrated from Tyler’s perspective. We see his life as a twelve-year-old boy suffering physical abuse at the hands of his dad. We see him as the daredevil seventeen-year-old we first met in Did I Mention I Love You?, the stepbrother who falls head over heels for Eden.
In these parallel timelines we finally understand the enigmatic Tyler’s complex story and his innermost thoughts – on his dad, his mom, on Tiffani and Eden – all the things Eden wasn’t witness to. And, crucially, the reader gains heart-breaking insight into why Tyler becomes the self-obsessed, angry and unhappy guy we encounter in DIMILY.
This utterly addictive rollercoaster of a novel gives voice to one of the most adored characters in Estelle Maskame’s extraordinary international bestseller, Did I Mention I Love You?
Official blurb for Just Don’t Mention It
Photo courtesy of Black and White Publishing
Review
Let me tell you, it has been a long while since I delved into a YA novel and immediately got swept up in the plot! This is the first book I have read in the DIMILY series, and although it’s the fourth book, I really believe that it works as a stand-alone novel. I can’t believe I haven’t read more of Estelle Maskame’s books before, but not to worry! All of the DIMLY series books are on my TBR list and I shall be ploughing through them quickly!
I have to say, I feel very privileged to read the DIMLY series in a slightly different order. From what I have read, the first books in the series are from Eden’s point of view, however Just Don’t Mention It is written from Tyler’s perspective. I have read very few YA books where the protagonist is male and the genre is predominantly romantic, and I was really impressed! I enjoyed reading the plot from Tyler’s point of view; I feel as if I connected with him more quickly because the narrative is in first person. I believe it is important for a reader to establish a connection with a character early on in a book, especially when deeper plot lines are revealed that require the reader to construct an affiliation with a character on a personal level.
Tyler isn’t just your average bad boy- everyone has a past. Having the narrative switch time frames from five years in the past to the present was an effective way of progressing with Tyler’s character, as well as Eden. Tyler then reveals some shocking information about his past that you can’t help but feel sympathetic towards him, although you’re still routing for him to leave his past behind. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover, and don’t judge Tyler by his bad-boy status. He’s vulnerable, tortured by his past, and goes through an identity crisis like no other! All will be revealed once you read the book.
I really enjoyed this story; Eden and Tyler’s relationship didn’t feel forced or cheesy like something you’d see in a rom-com. It was real- I was convinced by them and I can’t wait to read Eden’s POV in the first three books in the DIMLY series!
Recommendation
I would recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of romantic YA, but also those who don’t just want your average lovey-dovey read. There is so much depth to this book I think anyone would find it hard to put down! To sum up, I would say Just Don’t Mention It is a chic YA novel of vulnerability, hidden love, and shocking revelations.
How to get your hands on a copy:
Follow the author: @estellemaskame
I would like to say a HUGE thank you to Lina Langlee from Black and White publishing for my awesome slot on the blog tour and my copy!
And THANK YOU ESTELLE! I ADORE my signed copy! I feel incredibly honoured!!!
Check out the other stops on the blog tour below!
Happy reading! Lx
booksbeyondthestory 