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Hush
They had a picture-perfect life. But when lawyer Ben Grable opens a legal document that has been sealed over twenty years ago, Ann and Ben's happily-ever-after comes crashing down.
Ben and Ann face each other on opposite sides of the courtroom while the explosive Grable trial not only catches the attention of those who stand behind a cause, but a CEO who will stop at nothing to end the trial that could cost his pharmaceutical company billions.
Attorney Michael J. McConaughey (Mac) knows this case could have far-reaching, judicial effects--the trial he's been waiting for.
The founder of Ben's law firm knows this kind of a high-profile case comes but once in a lifetime. Winning would put his company on the map.
From the judge, to jury, as well as the thousands of protesters outside courthouses nationwide participating in the silent protest HUSH that has gone viral, no one involved in the Grable case is safe - especially Ann and Ben.
Praise for HUSH:
"... an amazing piece of literature." Lisa
.
"Kimberly Shursen definitely has a way with the written word, explaining legal terms and processes so the reader is not left behind." D-DRE
"A tense, exciting story." Briony L.
Ben and Ann face each other on opposite sides of the courtroom while the explosive Grable trial not only catches the attention of those who stand behind a cause, but a CEO who will stop at nothing to end the trial that could cost his pharmaceutical company billions.
Attorney Michael J. McConaughey (Mac) knows this case could have far-reaching, judicial effects--the trial he's been waiting for.
The founder of Ben's law firm knows this kind of a high-profile case comes but once in a lifetime. Winning would put his company on the map.
From the judge, to jury, as well as the thousands of protesters outside courthouses nationwide participating in the silent protest HUSH that has gone viral, no one involved in the Grable case is safe - especially Ann and Ben.
Praise for HUSH:
"... an amazing piece of literature." Lisa
.
"Kimberly Shursen definitely has a way with the written word, explaining legal terms and processes so the reader is not left behind." D-DRE
"A tense, exciting story." Briony L.
342 pages, Paperback
First published January 3, 2014
17 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
About the author
Kimberly Shursen
14 books46 followersKimberly Shursen has a BA in education lives in the mid-west with her two dogs George and Gracie Burns and adopted grandson Lukas.
Shursen has written two full-blown musical plays that were produced by independent investors. Her desire, however, has always been to write bold edgy novels with a plot centering around social justice or injustice.
Shursen left her position as director of marketing for long-term, post-acute centers in 2013 and started a full time writing career.
I've met some gained valuable friendships in my journey as an author. One of the best perks of this career is meeting new people.
Meet up with Kimberly on
Facebook @ kimberly Shursen author
Twitter @kimberly shursen
Linked in @kimberly Shursen
Shursen has written two full-blown musical plays that were produced by independent investors. Her desire, however, has always been to write bold edgy novels with a plot centering around social justice or injustice.
Shursen left her position as director of marketing for long-term, post-acute centers in 2013 and started a full time writing career.
I've met some gained valuable friendships in my journey as an author. One of the best perks of this career is meeting new people.
Meet up with Kimberly on
Facebook @ kimberly Shursen author
Twitter @kimberly shursen
Linked in @kimberly Shursen
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 7, 2023
If I could give this book 0 stars, I would because it does not deserve a single star.
Beyond the fact that the author completely butchered Ben's character and made him into a cutout MRA stereotype, the author completely demonized anyone who was pro-choice while missing the entire point of what it means to be pro-choice. The ridiculous amount of ableism, classism, and casual racism absolutely ruined any chance of this book being decent. Overall, it felt like a bad Christian movie where the characters are in the US and put in a situation that would NEVER occur in the US and told "this is our everyday battle" in some cursive font that would go on a sign right above the bible verse decor. And before anyone decides to jump to conclusions on that comment, I grew up within the church and though I no longer follow it, I still respect others beliefs. This book reeked of the desire to be oppressed.
The plot follows twins who find out that they are twins after having gotten married and after Ann has found out that she is pregnant. The debate and main plot begins: should the baby be aborted?
The author, rather than keeping as neutral of a stance possible in order to make sympathizing with either party possible, completely projects her own beliefs onto Ann and demonizes Ben. What I find so upsetting about this is that Ben was probably one of the only reasonable characters in the entire book. He spent his career working on dismantling the issues of the system which has placed children with their mom over the dad even when the dad is the more suitable choice. Ben is in fact told that despite spending his career helping children, despite handling everything to give them the best life possible, despite devoting himself to their well-being, that he is less pro-life than Ann because he doesn't "care" about an incest baby. He is seen as less pro-life than her despite having grown up seeing the effects of these situations children and knowing that child would not live the best possible life if it made it past the miscarriage period at all. It wasn't that he didn't care but that he knew that this situation would only further traumatize Ann who was already suffering greatly physically and mentally from finding out that she was carrying the child of her twin brother.
Ben is painted as wanting to "murder a child" and it is so painfully obvious where the author stands on this, ignoring the trauma that abortion already causes and just how many complications can occur for both the mother and child in some cases, especially those of incest. It was already hinted at that Ann's body was expected to miscarriage and so this entire situation really ignores those complications and paints it as if this is a matter of a baby's life when it is in fact a matter of Ann and Ben's lives and the way this impacts them greatly.
The book paints everyone who is pro-choice as pro-abortion when that is NOT what the pro-choice movement is about. This whole idea of a "silent protest" for the life of a child was crap and executed so poorly, I thought I became a millionaire in its presence. The reality is that the pro-choice is about the decision for the individual to decide what is best for them. If Ann realized that and decided to keep the child regardless on her OWN accord, I would have no qualms. But the fact that every pro-choice character seemed to push her to abort goes against what it means to be pro-choice is about as accurate as people who write all Christians to be hateful bigots, an image I know that the author would reject in a heartbeat despite the hypocritical way she paints pro-choice people.
The fact that she bears TWINS who seem completely healthy is also complete bull. The lack of care and research put into this and the fact that the children seem to only be of value to anyone and support the book's point because they are perfectly healthy just reeks of ableism. What was so wrong about having the children be disabled and still loved by the mother if that was the entire argument that they dragged to court?
And speaking of the court. What the HELL was that? Big pharma was after her because her case threatened stem cell research? Stem cell research isn't going to tell you to get an abortion because they want to put people through that traumatizing experience. It's quite ridiculous to paint it as such. How is one woman's personal decision, one that will not change the minds of women who are alive because they got an abortion, going to threaten big pharma?
Also, Ben's death? What was that? It came out of nowhere and was so crappily presented that it needed a plumber. Ben absolutely deserved better because he was the only character I genuinely liked due to his depth. He was pro-life but saw the situation and based his opinion on it only to get demonized for it.
Overall, this book sucked. There was little keeping it standing and I could barely stand to read it after page 90. It's no wonder I found it in the thrift store instead of a bathroom because even in the desperation to find toilet paper with COVID-19 struggles, I wouldn't wipe myself with this book.
This book nearly drove me mad and I would never recommend it to anyone. It was weak, disrespectful, and the poorest excuse at a legal drama that I have ever seen. I'll stick to the Spanish soap operas my grandma made me watch. At least those messy plots and crappy editing skills were believable.
Beyond the fact that the author completely butchered Ben's character and made him into a cutout MRA stereotype, the author completely demonized anyone who was pro-choice while missing the entire point of what it means to be pro-choice. The ridiculous amount of ableism, classism, and casual racism absolutely ruined any chance of this book being decent. Overall, it felt like a bad Christian movie where the characters are in the US and put in a situation that would NEVER occur in the US and told "this is our everyday battle" in some cursive font that would go on a sign right above the bible verse decor. And before anyone decides to jump to conclusions on that comment, I grew up within the church and though I no longer follow it, I still respect others beliefs. This book reeked of the desire to be oppressed.
The plot follows twins who find out that they are twins after having gotten married and after Ann has found out that she is pregnant. The debate and main plot begins: should the baby be aborted?
The author, rather than keeping as neutral of a stance possible in order to make sympathizing with either party possible, completely projects her own beliefs onto Ann and demonizes Ben. What I find so upsetting about this is that Ben was probably one of the only reasonable characters in the entire book. He spent his career working on dismantling the issues of the system which has placed children with their mom over the dad even when the dad is the more suitable choice. Ben is in fact told that despite spending his career helping children, despite handling everything to give them the best life possible, despite devoting himself to their well-being, that he is less pro-life than Ann because he doesn't "care" about an incest baby. He is seen as less pro-life than her despite having grown up seeing the effects of these situations children and knowing that child would not live the best possible life if it made it past the miscarriage period at all. It wasn't that he didn't care but that he knew that this situation would only further traumatize Ann who was already suffering greatly physically and mentally from finding out that she was carrying the child of her twin brother.
Ben is painted as wanting to "murder a child" and it is so painfully obvious where the author stands on this, ignoring the trauma that abortion already causes and just how many complications can occur for both the mother and child in some cases, especially those of incest. It was already hinted at that Ann's body was expected to miscarriage and so this entire situation really ignores those complications and paints it as if this is a matter of a baby's life when it is in fact a matter of Ann and Ben's lives and the way this impacts them greatly.
The book paints everyone who is pro-choice as pro-abortion when that is NOT what the pro-choice movement is about. This whole idea of a "silent protest" for the life of a child was crap and executed so poorly, I thought I became a millionaire in its presence. The reality is that the pro-choice is about the decision for the individual to decide what is best for them. If Ann realized that and decided to keep the child regardless on her OWN accord, I would have no qualms. But the fact that every pro-choice character seemed to push her to abort goes against what it means to be pro-choice is about as accurate as people who write all Christians to be hateful bigots, an image I know that the author would reject in a heartbeat despite the hypocritical way she paints pro-choice people.
The fact that she bears TWINS who seem completely healthy is also complete bull. The lack of care and research put into this and the fact that the children seem to only be of value to anyone and support the book's point because they are perfectly healthy just reeks of ableism. What was so wrong about having the children be disabled and still loved by the mother if that was the entire argument that they dragged to court?
And speaking of the court. What the HELL was that? Big pharma was after her because her case threatened stem cell research? Stem cell research isn't going to tell you to get an abortion because they want to put people through that traumatizing experience. It's quite ridiculous to paint it as such. How is one woman's personal decision, one that will not change the minds of women who are alive because they got an abortion, going to threaten big pharma?
Also, Ben's death? What was that? It came out of nowhere and was so crappily presented that it needed a plumber. Ben absolutely deserved better because he was the only character I genuinely liked due to his depth. He was pro-life but saw the situation and based his opinion on it only to get demonized for it.
Overall, this book sucked. There was little keeping it standing and I could barely stand to read it after page 90. It's no wonder I found it in the thrift store instead of a bathroom because even in the desperation to find toilet paper with COVID-19 struggles, I wouldn't wipe myself with this book.
This book nearly drove me mad and I would never recommend it to anyone. It was weak, disrespectful, and the poorest excuse at a legal drama that I have ever seen. I'll stick to the Spanish soap operas my grandma made me watch. At least those messy plots and crappy editing skills were believable.
August 10, 2014
I wanted to like this book, I kept waiting for it to get to the point where it showed that Ann WAS using her "choice" and that this wasn't truly a debate between pro life and pro choice at all but instead it went under a pretty biased assumption that pro-choice means pro abortion and that those who support choice would fight to force a woman to abort....which is the exact opposite of what choice is all about. Forcing a woman to abort a child she wants does the same thing as forcing a woman who can't sustain the pregnancy to proceed...it removes the ability of the woman to do what is best for her body. This book had real potential but fell short because those on Ben's pro-choice side were caricatures while the pro-life side were much more rich and diverse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2014
At first I wasn't sure about HUSH, it seemed so contrived. However, the more I read the more compelled I felt to keep reading. Kimberly Shursen has written a book that tackles the taboo subject of abortion. No matter what side of the fence you sit on, Shursen raises valid questions on the subject, and makes you consider both sides. Her characters are convincing and fully developed. Even the minor characters have an inner life. The plot keeps you on your toes. I actually read this book in one day, which is in itself a testimonial. I don't want to write about the story, because spoiling it would ruin the surprises twists that make this book a worthy read.
June 17, 2018
I got this as a e book for my tablet for subscribing to this authors website. I enjoyed reading it. It had a good story to it. It is my first book by this author. I hope to read more books by this author. It was a good drama book. It would make a good pay tv movie.
August 4, 2014
I started reading this last night and woke up early this morning and didn't move till I had finished it! Excellent book - wonderfully written. Hush is the story of two people who fall in love and marry. Only after discovering that they are expecting a baby, do they find out they are twins - both adopted out to different families when they were born. Suddenly their whole world falls apart and the once friends and lovers, are now brother and sister, fighting in court of the lives of their unborn babies. Hush explores so many issues - adoption, abortion, corruption, relationships...just to name a few.
Hush is the kind of book that makes you sit back and think, what you would if you were in that situation? Could you knowingly carry your brothers babies? Could you raise those babies? Would you instead opt for an abortion? Even those who are concrete in their beliefs, will walk away thinking...you may not change your stance, but it will at least leave you questioning what you know...and anytime a book can have you do that, I think it's a good thing!!!
Hush is the kind of book that makes you sit back and think, what you would if you were in that situation? Could you knowingly carry your brothers babies? Could you raise those babies? Would you instead opt for an abortion? Even those who are concrete in their beliefs, will walk away thinking...you may not change your stance, but it will at least leave you questioning what you know...and anytime a book can have you do that, I think it's a good thing!!!
August 18, 2014
With this novel Kimberly Shursen once again proves herself a fantastic writer. Hush is courtroom drama centering on the polarizing subject of abortion. While Hush doesn’t have an overt political or religious theme, and isn’t the least bit preachy. It does, however, fearlessly explore questions surrounding this lightning rod topic. The author takes a delicate subject, treats it fairly, and wields it to propel realistic characters into cringe-worthy situations.
I came into the novel thinking it would strictly be a courtroom drama. It mostly was, but the courtroom scenes weren’t the only, or best, part. Shursen wove in elements of a thriller, too, which took me by surprise and proved to be my favorite part. This novel would make a killer tele- or screenplay.
All around, Hush proves an excellent read. I have very little to criticize regarding this well written and edited book.
I came into the novel thinking it would strictly be a courtroom drama. It mostly was, but the courtroom scenes weren’t the only, or best, part. Shursen wove in elements of a thriller, too, which took me by surprise and proved to be my favorite part. This novel would make a killer tele- or screenplay.
All around, Hush proves an excellent read. I have very little to criticize regarding this well written and edited book.
August 12, 2016
Immediately when you read that a book revolves around the abortion issue, most people have very strong feelings one way or the other. Author Kimberly Shursen does a wonderful job in "Hush" of not making the issue a black or white issue. This novel is based entirely in the grey area. Reading through the novel my heart broke for Ann and Ben. To have their happily ever after shattered in such an awful, and later public way, would be just too much for most people to handle. All of the characters had something about them that just touched you, and I wanted to keep reading about them. What a great novel.
February 5, 2017
Powerful, engaging and thought provoking, this novel is the perfect storm for binge reading. The characters are well thought out and the plot is riveting. I fell in love with the entire book and couldn't put it down, eager to find out what would happen next.
July 28, 2019
Worth the read, But
Thought provoking but leans firmly on the pro-life end. I believe to be a truly good book it should’ve been completely neutral. Some lip service is given to to the pro-choice end but not much and not in a positive light. The book also punks out on the ending so no one really has to live with the consequences. Glad it wasn’t a long book or I’d probably stopped as I could see the actual ending well before I got there.
Thought provoking but leans firmly on the pro-life end. I believe to be a truly good book it should’ve been completely neutral. Some lip service is given to to the pro-choice end but not much and not in a positive light. The book also punks out on the ending so no one really has to live with the consequences. Glad it wasn’t a long book or I’d probably stopped as I could see the actual ending well before I got there.
January 15, 2014
In Hush, Kimberly Shursen follows her thriller, Itsy Bitsy Spider, in which political corruption covers up serial child abuse, with a venture into the legal arena that also takes on serious social issues. Hush addresses the taboo of incest and the medical implications for children of such a union, set in the context of the pro-life, pro-choice conflict and the issue of paternal rights. Shursen’s signature style is her fast paced, streamlined prose that is down-to-earth and uncluttered either by excessive descriptive narration or action sequences of dubious relevance to the plot. What elevates her novels, however, is her ability to address repressed social issues in a non-didactic manner, despite her protagonists’ strong views. You can read her stories rapidly for the suspense alone, or take time to contemplate the underlying conflicts. She carries this off well in Hush.
Early in the novel (so no spoilers here), a young couple fall in love, marry, and the wife becomes pregnant, only to immediately discover that they were siblings separated at birth. The woman, despite her devastation that her offspring would be born of incest, intends to give birth. The father, a child advocate lawyer exposed to many severely disabled children, is terrified by the potential medical consequences and wants the pregnancy terminated. When his wife/sister refuses, he decides to take the matter to court, in effect asking the court to mandate that she end the pregnancy. She, in turn, hires a no-exceptions pro-life lawyer to argue her case—he initially motivated, in part, by the prospect that the unusual case could be appealed to the Supreme Court, offering an opportunity to overturn Roe vs Wade. But that does not dominate the story.
Shursen’s set-up for the ensuing drama is fresh and inventive in that the assertion of a father’s rights, typically surfaced by pro-life advocates to oppose the woman’s intent to have an abortion is here put forward to demand one. As the pro-life lawyer expects, this argument likely would be summarily dismissed, but a judge personally affected by severe child disabilities allows the case to go forward. The case, therefore, is not pro-life versus pro-choice, since both parties would support the woman’s right to carry the pregnancy to term. It is really whether the religious and social stigma of incest, combined with increased risk of genetic disabilities and residual male claims to dominant authority could overcome maternal rights.
But Hush is not about the odds of a particular legal outcome, but rather about the emotional toll of such an unimaginable situation and about the strength of the protagonists in striving to overcome shame, guilt and public humiliation that culture and society impose on them. As a thriller, it is also a tale of unethical parties exploiting the dire situation for personal gain and corporate greed, not stopping even at murder. The story will also not disappoint on that level. Shursen’s mastery of her craft is more evident with each novel.
Early in the novel (so no spoilers here), a young couple fall in love, marry, and the wife becomes pregnant, only to immediately discover that they were siblings separated at birth. The woman, despite her devastation that her offspring would be born of incest, intends to give birth. The father, a child advocate lawyer exposed to many severely disabled children, is terrified by the potential medical consequences and wants the pregnancy terminated. When his wife/sister refuses, he decides to take the matter to court, in effect asking the court to mandate that she end the pregnancy. She, in turn, hires a no-exceptions pro-life lawyer to argue her case—he initially motivated, in part, by the prospect that the unusual case could be appealed to the Supreme Court, offering an opportunity to overturn Roe vs Wade. But that does not dominate the story.
Shursen’s set-up for the ensuing drama is fresh and inventive in that the assertion of a father’s rights, typically surfaced by pro-life advocates to oppose the woman’s intent to have an abortion is here put forward to demand one. As the pro-life lawyer expects, this argument likely would be summarily dismissed, but a judge personally affected by severe child disabilities allows the case to go forward. The case, therefore, is not pro-life versus pro-choice, since both parties would support the woman’s right to carry the pregnancy to term. It is really whether the religious and social stigma of incest, combined with increased risk of genetic disabilities and residual male claims to dominant authority could overcome maternal rights.
But Hush is not about the odds of a particular legal outcome, but rather about the emotional toll of such an unimaginable situation and about the strength of the protagonists in striving to overcome shame, guilt and public humiliation that culture and society impose on them. As a thriller, it is also a tale of unethical parties exploiting the dire situation for personal gain and corporate greed, not stopping even at murder. The story will also not disappoint on that level. Shursen’s mastery of her craft is more evident with each novel.
February 1, 2014
I was intrigued with Kimberly's first book, "Itsy Bitsy Spider" but her second book, "Hush" BLEW ME AWAY!!!
I am lost for words! When I first started reading this book, I was not expecting a romance from Kimberly. She is a Thriller kind of gal...lol...but as you read on, you have a little Romance with a Twist!! My jaw dropped and I was drawn in. I had to train my eyes to keep with the lines, cause my eyes literally wanted to go down the page, and jump to whatever was waiting at the end of it....
You are finding yourself in awe, gasping out loud, and saying "No freaking way!!" As I kept reading, my heart was beating a mile a minute!! I had to stop to create a note to self. So when I was done, I wouldn't forget. I now realize I did not need that note. My emotions are still with me on this journey till the end...
Kimberly honestly has one helluva story here!! The work, time and effort, that she put into this story. Only tells me one thing.....she loves what she does, and will go through all the fine lines, and legal documents. In order to bring her readers a phenomenal story!!
A story that will grab your heart and make you think....What the hell would I have done?? I honestly cannot answer that, I truly don't know.....
12 midnight, I couldn't keep my eyes open, finally making the decision to sleep, I lay there thinking about Hush, and wondered, what's next? Where is Kimberly taking us?? What's going to happen?? Sleep finally took over, but as I awake the next day, Hush was heavy on my mind. I grab my kindle to get back into the story. As I start again, I was interrupted but my 11 year old, wanting breakfast. Really?!? *Sighs* Yes, I must remember, I am a mother, and I have my duties...LOL....Do you see what is going on?? I hope so! I hope you're saying to yourself, "Damn, I must read this book!!!"
Anyway, I continue reading and Holy Sh*t!!! My emotions went crazy!!! My heart pumped, I felt dizzy, tingles, goosebumps. They were all there..........I cried.........I had to walk away for a few, to gather myself......So, I could keep going. I finally finished the story! Damn!! I ran to the computer to write my review A.S.A.P!!! I normally don't write such a long review, but this one deserved it, every freaking word, every freaking emotion....
Kimberly really really did a phenomenal job writing this, and I will continue reading every single book she comes out with. Kudos to you, my love, my favorite Thriller Author.....;) Stand up and take a bow, this was a roller coaster of a ride.....
I am lost for words! When I first started reading this book, I was not expecting a romance from Kimberly. She is a Thriller kind of gal...lol...but as you read on, you have a little Romance with a Twist!! My jaw dropped and I was drawn in. I had to train my eyes to keep with the lines, cause my eyes literally wanted to go down the page, and jump to whatever was waiting at the end of it....
You are finding yourself in awe, gasping out loud, and saying "No freaking way!!" As I kept reading, my heart was beating a mile a minute!! I had to stop to create a note to self. So when I was done, I wouldn't forget. I now realize I did not need that note. My emotions are still with me on this journey till the end...
Kimberly honestly has one helluva story here!! The work, time and effort, that she put into this story. Only tells me one thing.....she loves what she does, and will go through all the fine lines, and legal documents. In order to bring her readers a phenomenal story!!
A story that will grab your heart and make you think....What the hell would I have done?? I honestly cannot answer that, I truly don't know.....
12 midnight, I couldn't keep my eyes open, finally making the decision to sleep, I lay there thinking about Hush, and wondered, what's next? Where is Kimberly taking us?? What's going to happen?? Sleep finally took over, but as I awake the next day, Hush was heavy on my mind. I grab my kindle to get back into the story. As I start again, I was interrupted but my 11 year old, wanting breakfast. Really?!? *Sighs* Yes, I must remember, I am a mother, and I have my duties...LOL....Do you see what is going on?? I hope so! I hope you're saying to yourself, "Damn, I must read this book!!!"
Anyway, I continue reading and Holy Sh*t!!! My emotions went crazy!!! My heart pumped, I felt dizzy, tingles, goosebumps. They were all there..........I cried.........I had to walk away for a few, to gather myself......So, I could keep going. I finally finished the story! Damn!! I ran to the computer to write my review A.S.A.P!!! I normally don't write such a long review, but this one deserved it, every freaking word, every freaking emotion....
Kimberly really really did a phenomenal job writing this, and I will continue reading every single book she comes out with. Kudos to you, my love, my favorite Thriller Author.....;) Stand up and take a bow, this was a roller coaster of a ride.....
March 28, 2014
I won this book on goodreads and that does not alter what my review is.
The book is about a young married couple finding out that they are twins that were both adopted into different families. Ben and Ann discover they are pregnant and he wants Ann to abort the pregnancy for the sake of the child, but she refuses. This leads to a court battle.
With that said I thought the book had great promise. The topic was interesting and unique. I did feel that only one side of the debate was focused on in the book. Ben's views were glanced upon, but I don't think the author fully developed his views in the book. As the reader I could clearly see that the author was focused more so on Ann's point of view. I think that is what upset me about the book. When I read something that is expressing two people's opposing views I want both their views to be delved into, but that doesn't happen here.
Also Ann's character bothered me to no end, probably for reasons no one could foresee. I hated her attitude. Ann wasn't working after she got married, but once you find out you are getting a divorce or even having children by yourself then you need to figure out a way to support yourself. She isn't worried about this. Instead she asks Ben, who she doesn't want anything to do with, that he needs to keep her on his insurance! I'm sorry what?? I was annoyed with that, but it gets better. Self righteous Ann feels that it's okay to accept thousands of dollars, a fancy car, and have her brother buy her a house for her to live in. It's disgusting. I would rather see a woman stand on her own feet instead of mooching off of someone. I found Ann disgusting and completely unlikable.
I didn't feel like the ending of the book fit at all. What happened to Ben felt wrong, not only that but for it to be caused by Ann was even worse. I feel like poor Ben got the short end of the stick throughout the entire book. I don't know, wouldn't it have been more interesting to see how Ben's life would have progressed? It almost felt like the book was projecting an anti-Ben feeling from the beginning.
The book is about a young married couple finding out that they are twins that were both adopted into different families. Ben and Ann discover they are pregnant and he wants Ann to abort the pregnancy for the sake of the child, but she refuses. This leads to a court battle.
With that said I thought the book had great promise. The topic was interesting and unique. I did feel that only one side of the debate was focused on in the book. Ben's views were glanced upon, but I don't think the author fully developed his views in the book. As the reader I could clearly see that the author was focused more so on Ann's point of view. I think that is what upset me about the book. When I read something that is expressing two people's opposing views I want both their views to be delved into, but that doesn't happen here.
Also Ann's character bothered me to no end, probably for reasons no one could foresee. I hated her attitude. Ann wasn't working after she got married, but once you find out you are getting a divorce or even having children by yourself then you need to figure out a way to support yourself. She isn't worried about this. Instead she asks Ben, who she doesn't want anything to do with, that he needs to keep her on his insurance! I'm sorry what?? I was annoyed with that, but it gets better. Self righteous Ann feels that it's okay to accept thousands of dollars, a fancy car, and have her brother buy her a house for her to live in. It's disgusting. I would rather see a woman stand on her own feet instead of mooching off of someone. I found Ann disgusting and completely unlikable.
I didn't feel like the ending of the book fit at all. What happened to Ben felt wrong, not only that but for it to be caused by Ann was even worse. I feel like poor Ben got the short end of the stick throughout the entire book. I don't know, wouldn't it have been more interesting to see how Ben's life would have progressed? It almost felt like the book was projecting an anti-Ben feeling from the beginning.
August 27, 2015
Grab some snacks, you won't be putting this one down.
This is an amazing piece of literature. When I first started reading it I was distracted with other things going on in my life at the time. Well needless to say not too many paragraphs later, I was
Completely absorbed. This book makes you think about soon many different facets of life and what that means exactly to you.The writer Kimberly Shursen is simply so creative with this story you don't know what you want to happen from page to page. I have some experience with the issues of adoption in this book. I identified with Ann's struggle so much. But I also feel strongly that there should be more information given to adoptees. There is a lot more going on in this book then I can tell you here. So if you ready for a brilliantly well written book you can't put down pick this one up.
This is an amazing piece of literature. When I first started reading it I was distracted with other things going on in my life at the time. Well needless to say not too many paragraphs later, I was
Completely absorbed. This book makes you think about soon many different facets of life and what that means exactly to you.The writer Kimberly Shursen is simply so creative with this story you don't know what you want to happen from page to page. I have some experience with the issues of adoption in this book. I identified with Ann's struggle so much. But I also feel strongly that there should be more information given to adoptees. There is a lot more going on in this book then I can tell you here. So if you ready for a brilliantly well written book you can't put down pick this one up.
September 7, 2014
TOP PICK!
When I discuss a book with my wife immediately after finishing it, it’s either a great book or a bomb. Only a few minutes after finishing Kimberly Shursen’s Hush, I was standing in the kitchen, telling my wife all about it. In a matter of only a few moments, I quickly rattled off the plot, the main characters, the climax and the ending. This was an easy task, because Hush is so well written. With this novel Kimberly Shursen once again proves herself a fantastic writer.
...read more at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)com!
When I discuss a book with my wife immediately after finishing it, it’s either a great book or a bomb. Only a few minutes after finishing Kimberly Shursen’s Hush, I was standing in the kitchen, telling my wife all about it. In a matter of only a few moments, I quickly rattled off the plot, the main characters, the climax and the ending. This was an easy task, because Hush is so well written. With this novel Kimberly Shursen once again proves herself a fantastic writer.
...read more at UndergroundBookReviews(dot)com!
January 23, 2017
The subject manners of abortion, divorce, incest, drugs are all under different views from the hoi polloi - even Ben and Ann Grable each had different views. The completely unexpected twists before and / or after the build of suspense are pretty much a trade-mark of Kimberly's. This elixir of thrills are throughout her novels. In Hush, there might not be a 'right' side to the view, except for the matter of the fact there is a right side. Read my complete review ~ http://buttonholed.blogspot.com/
July 29, 2016
Hush, by Kimberly Shursen
Once you get into this book, you will not want to put it down. Kimberly has combined mystery, romance, intrigue with an emotional twist to feelings about abortion. This novel not only keeps you weaved into the story line, but makes you think about options that could possibly change the way you feel about the issue of abortion. Read this book, you will not be sorry! Great job, Kimberly Shursen!! Can not wait for your new book, LOTTERY, to come out.
Once you get into this book, you will not want to put it down. Kimberly has combined mystery, romance, intrigue with an emotional twist to feelings about abortion. This novel not only keeps you weaved into the story line, but makes you think about options that could possibly change the way you feel about the issue of abortion. Read this book, you will not be sorry! Great job, Kimberly Shursen!! Can not wait for your new book, LOTTERY, to come out.
February 2, 2014
really liked the book. (didn't like that Ben could a girl while still married - right after court) women are always the one to suffer and have more strength than men.
February 4, 2014
Once you pick this book up you won't be able to put it down. The author, Kimberly Shursen keeps you guessing as to what could possibly happen next to the characters in this novel.
July 23, 2014
Good book. Definitely gives a different perspective on this issue. Just when you think you have it figured out the author throws in a bit of a curveball. Well done.
February 17, 2016
Very good read!
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!!! Very interesting story with great twists and turns, some I saw coming and some I didn't.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end!!! Very interesting story with great twists and turns, some I saw coming and some I didn't.
April 4, 2016
Kept my attention from the start
I really enjoyed this book. I found it hard to put down, it made me really think about my views on issues in the book.
I really enjoyed this book. I found it hard to put down, it made me really think about my views on issues in the book.
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