Exclusive cover reveal and excerpt: ‘More Than Words’ by Jill Santopolo - his and hers electric toothbrush

HEA published the cover and shared an excerpt from the female novel that Jill santobello arrived on February. 5, 2019.
About this book: Nina has always known who she should be.
But is that who she is?
Nina Gregory has always been a good daughter.
Nina was raised by her father, the owner of the charming Gregory Hotel in New York City, who was taught that family, reputation and heritage are the most important. And Tim—
Her loyal boyfriend and best friend-feels the same.
But when Nina's father died, he left a secret that shocked Nina.
When her world breaks down, Nina starts to see the man in her life
Her father, her boyfriend, unexpectedly, Rafael, her boss. in a new light.
Soon, Nina finds herself in between the world she loves and the passion that can subvert everything.
From the New York Times best-selling book The light we lost, this is a heartbreaking romantic novel about sadness, loss, love and selfdiscovery.
Not just language, but a gentle respect for how we choose the life we should live.
The squeeze in her chest stung her eyes. Damn. .
Nina won't let herself cry anymore.
Not in front of anyone. Not even Tim.
In order to control her emotions, she considered something without feelings. Forks. Light bulbs. Pebbles.
But despite her struggle with them, she can't stop tears this time.
She looked around the car.
There is no way to escape.
There is no separate place.
Nina sniffed quietly, hoping Rafael would not notice that a tear had flowed down her cheeks.
He looked up from his cell phone.
Nina turned her head and hid her face.
Mom, she thought, send a message to the atmosphere. please help me here.
Please keep me strong and focused.
Fuerte y centrado. Fuertrado.
Since she was eight years old, she has been talking to her mother in her mind, when she was really overwhelmed.
Usually it helps.
"What is it, Nina?
Raphael asked in a soft voice she had never heard. “Are you okay?
"She closed her eyes and tilted her head back as if gravity could stop her tears.
But they oozed from under her closed eyelids. “Hey,” he said.
"Can I help?
Nina took a deep breath.
She tried it again. Paper napkins. Plastic spoons.
Wooden toothpicks.
She is very clear-headed.
She opened her eyes and blo tears with her fingertips.
"I'm sorry," she said, turning to face him. “It’s my dad.
Rafael did not speak for a while.
He just put his hand gently on her, as if to say: I am here. I understand.
This is not what she expected.
The cocoon skin on his fingertips is not, as tough as a guitarist.
They know too much about each other.
Still, the warmth of his fingers makes things better.
She gave him a short smile.
"I'm really sorry about that," she said . " She fumbled in her purse for a tissue.
"My father just texted me to give him a speech because he wasn't sure if he could.
It caught me off guard. guard.
"I was a mess when my father was sick," Rafael said . ".
"How good have you put it together in the past few months, I was impressed.
Nina knew his father died of heart failure five years ago.
She knows all his biographies.
But she had imagined that he would deal with that heartbreaking thing with the same pragmatism as when he was divorced.
For months when she knew him, Rafael was always the truth.
He is passionate about how to make the city better. But emotions—
Those that are locked up are confidential.
Or just keep it for people outside the office.
"I hate a mess," she told him . ".
He nodded in sympathy.
"Things like this," he said slowly, "it allows you to see the world from different angles.
I think it's hard not to crash when your perception of life changes.
She looked at him in surprise.
He expressed in words what she had been trying to explain to Tim for weeks.
"It's part of every decision I make now.
I tried to forget it but it was there to make me more focused and narrow down my options.
She finally found a paper towel and tapped it on her eye makeup.
Then realized they had a box sitting in the door all the time.
"My sister was pregnant when my father died," Raphael told her . ".
"She told me that every decision she made about my niece --
From her name to what her nursery looks like
The idea that my father might not be around to greet her was filtered.
That's why my niece's name is Emilia.
"Your father is Emilio," Nina said . "Rafael nodded.
"My sister has always liked the name Tiffany.
If my father is not ill, I am sure my niece will be named Tiffany.
This is just a small example,-
Rafael shrugged.
"I'm sorry you had to go through this," he said . ".
He took her hand again, squeezed, and the pressure said: I understand. I’ve felt it.
That's what his eyes say.
"I'm sorry you had to go through it twice," she said when she thought of his predecessor. wife.
"My mother is still there," replied Rafael . ". Nina smiled.
"I know," she told him.
"I mean with Sonia.
The rest of your life is gone, who you lost.
Rafael took a look at her as if she were weighing her words, as if she were weighing her words.
He said, "I never thought about getting a divorce before . "
"But you're right.
Sadness, shock, emotional release.
Not all of them are the same, but many of them are the same . . . . . . You're right.
"I think our view of life is changing now.
"I think so," said Rafael . " He shook her hand again.
* When Mia meets Nina and Raphael in front of the Norwood club, the warmth of the flow between them has cooled.
But things have changed.
When they got off, Raphael waited for Nina and they walked up the stairs side by side.
She doesn't feel like his staff, more like-
Well, she's not sure-
Like a colleague or even a friend.
A little blonde with a glass of champagne grabbed Nina's arm as she walked through the oak door. “Pris!
Nina said with a smile.
"It's great to see you.
"Is everything okay?
Puris whispered in her ear.
"I heard your dad was out of the office this week.
"Everything is fine," Nina lied . " She brought her friend back.
"He has been working from home all the time.
"Oh, great," said pries.
"I will tell my dad.
He has an empty spot at the charity poker tournament on Wednesday and hopefully your dad will join.
Nina nodded and turned to Rafael, who had been quietly watching the two women.
"Pries," she said.
"I'm Rafael O'Connor. Ruiz.
Priscilla winter Raphael
Then she remembered Jane's rules.
"Priscilla and Brent will travel to Cannes to attend the film festival.
Rafael reached out.
"Thank you very much for hosting this fund --
His face lit up, he said, and the megawatt smile was in place.
Priscilla laughed too.
"Oh, our pleasure! ” she said.
"We listen when Nina tells us that a candidate is worthy of support. ”Nina cringed.
She was masked.
Rafael took a look at her, raised her eyebrows, and then turned back to Pries.
"Tell me about this trip to Cannes.
Brent joined Priscilla, the two chatted with Raphael, Nina dropped the waitress and ordered herself a cup of white and Raphael vodka Blanc and Raphael vodka,
She went to some of the other women there who she met from the board of directors of the New York City Ballet, and both she and Pris served them.
"When are you going to see balanchin?
Asked Maggie Lanser after hugging Nina.
"I heard it was great.
"Tim and I have tickets next month," Nina said . ".
"But I heard Romeo and Juliet will be better this summer.
Romeo dancing.
"Zachary is amazing," Maggie said . "
Then on Nina's shoulder she saw a couple walk into the room.
"Oh, here Haley!
I have to talk to her about our dinner plan for next weekend.
As Maggie walked away, Nina looked at Rafael.
A small group of people gathered around him, all laughing at what he said.
There is no denying his existence, his ability to attract people to come to him.
But at the same time, in Nina's view, her friends regard him as an entertainment show that night.
It made her a little uncomfortable.
She was about to go to him when she felt her arms wrapped around her with lips on her head.
Nina took a deep breath. Redken shampoo.
Avocado soap
Sandalwood cream.
Since he started shaving, Tim smells exactly the same, a mixture of these three scents.
This is one of Tim's most gratifying things;
He is a man of habit.
Nina can predict what she will find in his fridge any day.
Brooks Brothers slim. -she can even buy his clothes.
Indigo denim, striped button jeans-downs, V-
He stuck his Langham gum to the neck sweater and Navy Trail Blazers there.
Always a solar eclipse, where you pop a white square through a thin silver foil.
Tim has never had any surprises, and this is where she likes him.
Nina turned into Tim's hug and perfectly integrated under his chin.
"I'm sorry, I'm late," he said to her hair . ".
She tilted her head and tipto gave him a kiss from the tip of her foot.
"Almost no late," she said . ".
"Don't worry. ”“Thanks.
He held her shoulder in one hand and waved to the waiter with the other hand.
"Only wine tonight? ” he asked her. Nina shrugged.
"Strictly speaking, I'm working," she said . ".
"Would you like to meet my boss?
"Of course," he replied.
"I have heard enough about him.
"Once Tim placed the order and greeted several of their friends, she took him to Raphael, who is now talking to a working friend of Priscilla and Brent. “Tim!
As they approached, pries exclaimed.
She gave him a hug and kissed him on the cheek.
"Raphael," Nina said.
"This is my boyfriend, Tim Calder.
Tim, my boss, Rafael O'Connor. Ruiz.
The two shook hands.
Priss smiled at Nina standing next to Tim.
"I predicted this," she told Rafael . ".
"When I got back to high school, I knew they were going to end up together.
It's like they were born a couple. ”“Oh? ” Rafael asked.
Nina explained: "Our father was a college roommate and we grew up together, as Tim said.
"Tim's dad is the CEO of Nina's dad," Priscilla added . ".
"So they're basically like family.
Rafael smiled at them, but it was not his daily news smile.
"It must be good to be with someone who knows everything about you.
Nina looks up at Tim.
He might know everything about her.
Or at least one person knows about another person.
She wanted to know if Rafael's smile was dim because he didn't feel that way about his predecessor. wife.
"Have you seen the cavalry?
Nina asked him.
"They were big donors during the presidential election.
"Show me their way," he said . " This time, his smile was uploaded from his face, although Nina began to realize that there was a difference --
Smile is small but can be perceived: sometimes smile is sincere, sometimes just to show off.
As Nina guided Rafael in the direction of Lancaster, he quickly glanced at Tim.
"Your boyfriend looks good," he said to Nina.
"Thank you," she said. “He is.
Later that evening, when Nina brushed her teeth with the electric toothbrush he bought for her, she thought of the word: "Good.
"This is the perfect way to describe someone --
Free Company
But tepid. Flat.
That's what Rafael sees Tim.
She was surprised by the trouble it caused her.
Excerpts from Putnam's books. Jill Santopolo (
Photo: Charles Grantham)
With regard to JillJill santo, he received a bachelor's degree in English literature from Columbia University and a master's degree in writing from Vermont Academy of Fine Arts.
She is the author of three successful children and young adults series and a co-publisher of Penguin's young reader Group imprint Philomel Books.
As a part-time professor of the new school MFA program, Santopolo travels the world and talks about writing and storytelling.
She is the author of "The light we lost", a national and international bestseller translated into more than 30 languages.
Her second adult novel, "more than words. "
She lives in New York City.
Learn more on www. jillsantopolo. com.