Review: Things He Hadn't Told Her by Vicky Whedbee

Things He Hadn't Told Her

by Vicky Whedbee

Chad Edwards & Cole Rivers have been best friends since grade school. "Blood brothers forever" they declared, after Chad saved Cole's life. Years later in college at the University of Tennessee, Chad is a student of Sports Medicine, and Cole is the Vol's star quarterback. That's where they meet Maggie Thompson. Ask either one of them and they would tell you, "Maggie is perfect". So, it's no surprise they both fall in love with her. As fate would have it, Maggie falls in love too, but only one of them is the recipient of her affections. It's what happens next that will surprise you.
They made a pact as boys. Can they keep that pact as men?

My Take:

Chad Edwards saved Cole Rivers' life one day when he pulled him from a flood-swollen and dangerous river. Since that time, Chad has been looking out for Cole, making sure he doesn't flunk his classes and get tossed off the football team. Quietly making sure his reputation isn't ruined. Cole is destined for greatness, a star quarterback in High School who goes on to QB the Tennessee Vols in college. Chad, who wants to go into sports medicine, follows him there, and continues to keep Cole out of trouble. It seems that nothing could come between these two friends.

Except, perhaps, Maggie.

Beautiful, talented, compassionate, and full of life, Maggie is perfect. And Chad quickly falls for her. But Maggie falls for Cole. Devastated, Chad has to decide whether to keep his true feelings secret, hurt the two people he loves best, or quietly fade away.

Content:

Drug Content:

G - There is a little casual drinking in a few places.

Violence:

PG - Tragic accidents leave people somewhat mangled. There is no intentional harm done here. No graphic descriptions either.

Language:

PG - There are a few scattered mild expletives.

Adult Content:

G - There is romance and some kissing. 

Christian content:

The characters in this book struggle with where God is in their suffering, but remain steadfast in their faith. Church attendance is encouraged, and nightly prayers with the family are present occasionally. Prayer for healing and safety are not uncommon. Discussion is made about people being in heaven when they die. The raw conflict, self-sacrifice, and ensuing depth of character in the protagonist is stunning. 

Final analysis:

Things He Hadn't Told Her by Vicky Whedbee is a heartwarming tale of unrequited love. The characters have tragic real-life struggles and deal with them in a faith-filled and realistic way. The settings are immersive, and the dialogue engaging. The author has a talent for drawing on common emotional situations, and depicting them well enough to bring even an old granddad like me to tears.  This book covered multiple years of interaction in the main characters. During the first half of the novel, the level of detail in the interactions and experiences of the characters was a bit overwhelming, but it set a gorgeous backdrop for the back half of the story, when things really took off. I was well satisfied with the end, and thought Vicky Whedbee did an excellent job carrying the reader through. Good plot, excellent characters, raw emotions and a heartwarming conclusion. Five Stars!

About the Author:

Vicky Whedbee was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she resided until her 40's when she relocated to San Mateo, Florida, where she currently resides with her husband. An avid reader, she wrote her first novel over a period of years as a labor of love and fulfillment of a life long dream that began with the encouragement of her Engish teacher in high school.
With a diagnosis of cancer for her dad, she decided to become an independent author and published her novel on her own in order to present a finished product to her father before his demise. She was in the process of reading said novel, "Things He Hadn't Told Her", to him at the time of his passing.
She wrote her second novel "Sarah's Song", which was a collaboration with her father set in the time of his childhood in the rural Appalachian mountains, with notes taken prior to his demise. Both books have been met with stellar 5-STAR reviews on Amazon & Goodreads, as well as awarded the 5-star review seal from Reader's Favorite.
After numerous requests, she wrote a sequel to Sarah's Song, titled Sarah's Home, which could also be read as a stand-alone. It, too, is being received with love and 5-STAR reviews.
She is currently working on her next novel.
Visit & contact her through her website https://crwvao.wixsite.com/vickywhedbee