Amber Scott thought her screaming nightmares would end now that her stalker is locked up and awaiting trial. But they return when her slam-dunk case starts to fall apart. Explicit letters she allegedly wrote surface, suggesting she was the mastermind behind her assault, a willing victim.
Amber only feels safe in the arms of her boyfriend Marcus, the one person she can lean on. Until damning evidence from Marcus's past collides with the case and the media circus drags them both down. To protect Amber's reputation, Marcus has only one end their relationship. He won't risk further damage to her case, even if it means breaking her heart.
Amber has to find the strength to step into the spotlight and bring awareness to victims' rights before she's convicted in the court of public opinion. And she's really not sure what's worse—that her kidnapper could walk free, or that the seemingly endless attention and speculation will drive Marcus away permanently…
See how it all began for Amber and Marcus in Tell Me When.
Born in Brighton England, USA Today bestselling author Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries, including England, the US, Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences. In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and three kids.
The thrilling Lost in You New Adult Duet has been re-released after the rights have been reverted back to me. The books were originally published by a traditional publisher.
The ebooks are available through your favorite ebook vendor. The books are now available for the first time in print!!!! You can get them through Amazon.
Let Me Know is the second book in the duet. The books need to be read in order.
This is a brilliant conclusion to Amber and Marcus' story.Lindenblatt made a slam dunk with Let Me Know.This story is a lot heavier than the first one.
This is also so much more than an NA romance.It touches a lot of issues which are sensitive but are very important topics that everyone needs to be aware of.The social message that the story puts out is what I would like to emphasize on.
The story picks up from where it left off in Tell Me When. Amber is trying to move on from her past with Marcus' support and therapy while waiting for the trial of her abuser who had not only brutally and sexually abused her, but had also murdered her brother and boyfriend. Marcus is recovering from the gunshot wound on his shoulder given to him by his abusive stepfather Frank,when he tried to save another one of Frank's victims who was a minor friend of his.The guilt over not taking action against Frank sooner is eating him up resulting in him having nightmares.
These two broken people who after suffering so much is trying to lead a normal life.But when false evidences appear in the wake of the trial which are damning to both Amber and Marcus,whatever normality they had managed to gain,start to fall apart.They become the target of the media circus and their lives are again disrupted.
Though society is an integral part of the human civilization, sometimes society can be cruel and do more harm than good.The constant need of people to be entertained even at the expense of others leads to all kinds of outrageous behavior by the media.Here we see how the press constantly harass not only an innocent,vulnerable girl but also the people near to her,in order to gather sensational news to increase their ratings and circulation.They are so vicious they don't even spare a moment on the repercussions of their actions.This is so true today with the advent of numerous 24 hour TV and online news channels,and with their constant need to best one another,more often than not they go to extreme lengths.The fourth estate which is looked up on by all should be more conscientious and humane in their reporting.They should handle sensitive news with care and should remember that the subjects they are reporting on are members of the society who have a life to live after that particular news becomes stale.Props to the author for handling this issue so realistically.
Along with the media,the people are at fault.They give the media ammunition to be reckless and unethical,because everybody today is hungry for sensational news or 'masala news' as known in India.When false news break out that makes Amber more to be the perpetrator than the victim in her plight,people suddenly take an unhealthy interest in her and as an extension in Marcus' life.The questions that Amber asked the readers throughout the book about why no one cared about her when she was just a teen kidnapped and tortured by a psycho,but why she became a hot issue rivaling celebrity gossip when the media made her to be a sexual deviant,are truly eye opening.We as people are so quick to find fault in others.It is sick that the amount of pleasure we take from such news reports at the expense of others.This book has made me realise to be more conscientious and empathetic.
Amber and Marcus are two very brave and extraordinary people.They not only took steps to heal themselves but also voiced their sufferings and became advocates for others who had suffered like them. Particularly,I was proud of Marcus when he overcame his fear and told his story of physical and sexual abuse that he and his late brother had suffered in the hands of their stepfather to the world.It took real courage to do that and it put voice to the plight of many other silent victims.
Despite addressing such heavy subjects, the story was no less entertaining.The love between Amber and Marcus was so pure and it was worth rejoicing the courage they took from each other to face their problems.This story nicely wraps up all the loose ends from the first book.It was especially satisfying to see Amber make peace with her dad and thus open herself to freely love Marcus and truly move towards the future.Also,the suspense throughout the story kept me on the edge of my seat.
I liked the way the author portrayed all the characters both big and small with dignity.No one was purely evil except maybe the reporter whose callous actions were the reason for all the drama.Everyone had a reason for why they acted in a particular way,it shows that even the most wicked ones are only human.
I don't know if I've been able to relay all my thoughts regarding the book or explain the true worth of the story.But I would like to mention again that this story is so much more than a love story between two tortured souls.I hope people don't pass it off as fluff because of the NA romance genre but stop to take a chance to know Amber and Marcus' story.Their story and the underlying message is so relevant today that I wish every girl and also every boy will learn something and every victim will find comfort and take courage from them.
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I liked the first book. However, it was quite an adventure to finish it. I don't think at the moment I'm ready for another crazy, angst twist...so one of these days, perhaps I might pick this book.
Let Me Know is a FIVE star read. Packed with tons of emotion, I was on the edge of my seat with every word and every page. Never was there I moment I wanted to put the book down. Stina Lindenblatt did an amazing job creating characters who were emotionally broken from tragic events in their life. Amber and Marcus' story is NOT your typical romance, where one of the partners are timid because they're ex cheated on them; their story is so much more.
Amber was once kidnapped by a friend tortured and rape. While waiting months for the trial for the man convictions, Amber's name is leaked and everyone on campus knows her story. Amber has to face lies that the media release, and fight off the nightmares that still occur.
Marcus was sexually assaulted when he was a young teen, along with his brother who raped, by a family member. Marcus realizes that there are other young boys that are going through the same thing him and his brother went through by the same person. He tries to convince one of them, the boy he knows for sure that is being assaulted, to open up about what happened to the police so the man can be put away.
Let Me Know is a great book, and a great ending to the series! Of course I want more, but it ended on a great note. There were many things in the story that I felt like I could relate to emotionally, along with everyday people. Whether its being stalked, raped, betrayed by a family member (or anyone) who is suppose to love and protect you, or loosing people closest to them, the list goes on and on. I will definitely reread this series.
Thank you Stina Lindenblatt for writing this realistic, beautiful story, and for allowing me to read this for an HONEST review.
(Disclaimer -- I've stopped doing star reviews b/c they make me stressy. Then I stress about not doing star reviews, but it's all about the book. That's the important thing here, right?)
I read this book earlier this week and can't stop thinking about it!! It was so good...and the growth that Amber and Marcus go through is so realistic. I loved the fact that both of them grow and change by addressing their respective difficult pasts -- without unnecessary drama. Not to say there isn't drama, b/c there is and rightly so. But there aren't silly misunderstandings and miscommunication that drive an unnecessary wedge between them. One of the strengths of the story is their belief in each other and their love for each other which, aside from a moment or two, never wavers.
I feel like the author did an amazing job of addressing serious issues without being preachy -- and more specifically the difficulty of speaking up and not be ashamed of something that was done TO the characters without their consent. The situation of both Amber and Marcus tugged hard at my heartstrings and their struggles to both resolve their issues and to take a public stand felt very very real to me. I'd love to see this book (and its predecessor, TELL ME WHEN) in the hands of high school seniors everywhere. It communicates an important message in the best possible way -- within a sexy, well-written story so it doesn't feel like a message at all.
Rich, complex, and so flipping HOT, LET ME KNOW will keep you glued to the pages! Lindenblatt does it again, creating a story that is every bit as riveting as it is endearing. And Marcus? *fans self* He is the ultimate book boyfriend!
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review*
Let Me Know picks up where Tell Me When ends and follows the ongoing journey of Marcus and Amber as they navigate their newfound relationship and also the very real threat of the time before they got together. Their pasts.
Much like the previous novel, this one is not a bright and easy read. The very real issues that both of these characters struggled with in the first outing are present here and might even be heavier because we’re living with a constant aftermath feeling.
What this book has in spades is the romance. The moments where Marcus and Amber are alone, I can feel the love so strongly it’s almost as if it’s rising off the pages. The way they love each other despite the past and everything they’ve been through, their broken bits, is just amazingly beautiful. I didn’t feel as though I was being walked through their romance or force fed it. I felt like at times I was experiencing it like Amber or Marcus were.
But even in the most beautiful love story there has to be drama or in a sense darkness and there is that in spades here. My heart bled for Amber so much I had to walk away at times because I needed a break. Marcus too. Flashbacks, the two of them remembering on their own the horrors of what they’ve been through, it was heartbreaking, yet uplifting at the same time. A beautiful combination.
I’ve made no secret of the way I felt about Marcus Reid in my previous review and if it’s possible, the way I felt about him in this story might have even been stronger. This is a guy whose life was not pretty. He made no excuses for it either. He owned it all. He couldn’t erase his past, but he was determined to rewrite the ending and have Amber be a part of it. He is definite book boyfriend material and is almost at the very top of my list of them. Marcus might own my heart as much as he owns Ambers.
Amber was a strong character for me in the last story but no more so than in this one. WOW. I don’t want to go into detail about what happens here but trust me, if you’ve read the first story, you’re going to see a strength to Amber that you will be in awe of. What she endures and comes out rising above, it really is proof of the human condition. Amber is raw, Marcus is raw, but they are both so very real that at times, I wondered if I was reading reality instead of fiction.
I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world getting the chance to see this book before it’s released. Getting to connect with these characters again was such a treat and I’m glad I took the chance when Tell Me When came out to read and review because if I hadn’t, I might never have known these truly amazing characters.
Thank you Stina for writing such a gripping, heart wrenching yet beautifully romantic book and for letting me get the chance to be a part of reading it. I loved every minute of it.
Let Me Know is a definite must read, but if you haven’t started the journey yet, go back and start. You won’t be disappointed. This is a book designed to make you feel. You might even fall in love too. I know I did.
This story is a continuation from Tell Me When, which you must read before reading Let Me Know. I seriously fell in LOVE with Amber and Marcus right off the bat in Tell Me When so when I finished, I went right on to the next book and I give them both 4.5 Stars!!! This book will break your heart, make you cry, put you back together again with all the crazy glue going on in this series.
The first story was a roller coaster. Amber and Marcus both have had horrible things happen in their lives in the past. Amber had something horrific happen to her which haunts her every day. Looking over your shoulder isn’t fun, worrying about everyone around you is draining. She is a beautiful girl with a good heart, just trying to overcome her past. But her past seems to continue to haunt her, in one way or another.
Then we have Marcus. One look at Marcus spells trouble to those that don’t know him. He has rules, never wants a girlfriend and normally doesn’t sleep with the same girl more than once. But for those that do (like myself now) know that he is one hot, sexy, smart, loving ball of yumminess. He too has had a life that, well no one wants to live like that. He came from an abusive home and lost his brother in the process. When you hear his story your heart will break for him. He is selfless in trying to protect others, as he really has no family so he tries to make sure those he cares about stay intact.
Throughout both books Amber and Marcus love grows. They certainly need each other’s shoulders to lean on and overcome so many obstacles that are continually shoved in their faces. They come to realize that they are one another’s strength, they are helping one another heal and watching their love for each other grow is utterly amazing.
“Amber slips her arms around my neck and kisses me. It’s neither a quick kiss nor one filled with hunger and want. This kiss is slow and pure, and the tough of a million unspoken promises.”
Can Amber hold on and not let her past determine her future? Can Marcus finally stand up for what he knows is right to finally start living again and will they do it together?
The storyline is fantastic, the writing is wonderful and I absolutely love dual POV written books. You hear both their thoughts as situations happen and I just love it! The other characters, mainly Chase and Jordan, I can’t wait to see if anything happens with them (crossing my fingers we will see them again).
This book was an amazing journey about healing. It’s about finding support in the people around you and accepting the help they offer when you don’t think you need it. It’s about confronting your fears, letting go and moving on.
Thank you Stina for Amber and Marcus. I recommend these books to anyone; I was pleasantly surprised and can’t wait to read more!! Book provided by author for honest review.
This installment picks up right off where Tell Me When ended. Amber continues to try to move on with her life with Marcus' support. Marcus too is dealing with his issues, especially those that came after the events that took place previously. Together they try to lead a normal life, but their efforts are tested every step of the way.
Once again, Stina Lindenblatt delivers an intense, emotional story. I love Amber and Marcus together--they truly do bring out the best in each other. And to see them struggling once again, just about broke my heart.
There are a lot of issues dealt in this book, which I think it's what made it so wonderful for me. A lot of the loose ends from Tell Me When were addressed and put to rest while new questions and conflicts arose. Although both Marcus and Amber have made great strides in their healing, in this installment we see Marcus struggling with nightmares and Amber dealing with the emotions the trial brought about. That plus the media circus they found themselves in made it that much harder for them to move on.
Let Me Know wasn't merely a romance, it was much more. I appreciated the fact that the author didn't hold any punches in delivering the details in both Marcus and Amber's abuse, their struggle to heal and the way their situation affected them. It gave light to all they had suffered , which made them stronger individuals in my eyes.
All in all, a fantastic end to Marcus and Amber's journey to a peaceful, normal life. It was a story about strength, healing and love despite the chaos surrounding them both.
*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of Let Me Know from Carina Press for the Blog Tour
How on earth did this series slip past me?
I have not read book one but this book handles the recap so well I didn't need to have read to get it. Although I do plan to read book one ASAP!
I loved this book. There is no doubt about my rating and I usually decide that at the end of writing my review! I read over the review and see how much I liked it and rate accordingly. In this case I knew as soon as I read the last word in the book that this was indeed a five star read!
Sometimes a book resonate and just effect your being. This book did that for me. The love and intensity combined with tenderness and just the overall suspenseful nature of will have you reeling. I was floored and so freaking emotional at points in this amazingly great and very unpredictable read.
I love and I mean love with a capital L the characters in this book. Amber was a fantastic MC, and Marcus, um wow, yeah I am so #TeamMarcus right now! LOL!
The storyline was gripping and gritty. I laughed and I cried and my heart was heavy for awhile but it only made me read faster LOL!
All in all this was a fantastic New Adult read and I look forward to reading book 1!!
I liked this book so much. If it hadn't been my school books keeping me busy, I would have immediately finished this book! It was faster paced than the first book and left me entertained. I enjoyed Marcus' character more in this story because he was more supportive of Amber. Amber is a better heroine in this story. We watch the media turn the tables on her in this story and we go through the ordeal of her kidnapping and torture.
I appreciated having almost all of my questions from the first book answered. The last book ended in a cliffhanger and in this book we finally found out what happens to Amber's attacker Paul. We also see a more positive side of Amber's mother that was nice to see. Amber and Marcus have a healthier relationship in this book.I also thought the book handled dark and tough subjects very well. This is a entertaining New Adult read and I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one. Maybe more! :)
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Wow don't really know what to say. Let me Know was such an emotional read, I loved it once again like Tell me When, I could not put down. In Tell me When you learn about Amber and Marcus devastating pasts and it breaks your heart. In Let me Know they bring out even more in depth stuff regarding their pasts. Stina really brings the issues of kidnapping, rape, physical and sexual abuse front and centre. This book is so much more then just a love storey. It brings awareness of very serious issues front and centre.
Amber and Marcus do a good job in Tell me When with moving forward to heal from what has happened to them by finding each other and healing together, but in Let me Know they finally find the meaning of really healing by finally speaking out and forgiving the past. Both characters are amazing, they are so strong and were just an amazing couple together.
I highly recommend both of these books and I really look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.
Given by author in exchange for a honest review.....
If I didn't have to share my Kindle with my 5 year old I think I would have finished the book in 1 day!
This was truly a wonderful ending to this very emotional series. I could say I didn't want it to end, but I don't know how much more my emotions could take. I would like to see Chase's story though.
This was once again beautifully written, I could easily feel all the characters emotions. I have to say I didn't expect a certain father to end up in the picture, but it was perfectly included with a bit of touching ( not literally) and sadness.
I loved that there are quite a few strong characters, yet they are not all jumbled up, each has their place. The amount of support, kindness, and even friendship was the highlight part for me of the sad storyline, PERFECT!
Overall, I have found a new author I would love to read more from. This series definitely deserves all five stars!!
I believe this is even better than Tell Me When. It starts up that ended. Amber and Marcus are preparing for her trial when it seems like everything starts falling apart. There is evidence appearing that makes Amber out to be lying and then Marcus gets dragged into the media frenzy. But not being able to speak to the media Amber can't defend herself and it starts making her life on campus hell. Her mother then decides to butt in and just makes it worse. On top of that it seems as if nothing will become of the charges against Marcus's stepfather. It had an unexpected twist at the end. I loved that this is more than a romance. It shows that people are strong enough to overcome and that no matter what there will be support. And good things can come from pain. My only complaint was we never found what Melissa would've said on the stand and why. Then if anything ever happened between Chase and Jordan.
I was given an eArc by the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review*
Let Me Know is such a great book! I literally could not put it down. It starts right from the first book, Tell Me When... Amber and Marcus are dealing with the media of her court case. Amber is struggling to move past the horrific abuse she has suffered. Marcus also has issues he's trying to move past. Together they find a way to get better.
This is a great story of strength, love and survival. You couldn't ask for a better man in your life than Marcus. Amber isn't that needy woman that seems typical of many New Adult books lately. She's strong and has determination. Both characters are written beautifully! The Lost In You books are Stina Lindenblatt's first two books. I truly can't wait to read whatever she writes in the future!
I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I did a read a read and review for book one a little over a month ago and really liked it. As soon as I seen that she had the follow up novel to read and review I jumped at the chance.
This was a great book. I think I liked it even more than I did the first one. This book was however a lot to handle. It was a rough ride and I felt for Amber big time. I don't think I could have ever gone through what she goes through in this book without a full on meltdown. Her and Marcus are faced with a lot in this story but in the end I like where the story went. Like I said it was a rough ride getting there but in the end it all works out like it should. This book held me at rapt attention. I will be looking for more from this author in the future.
*I received an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know what to say about this book. Lol. I don't want to give anything away. I loved amber and Marcus' story. I like that it's not a cliché love story. Both characters have such a deep and troubling past that they are trying to overcome. So you see the story of them trying to deal with this both on their own and together. They help each other heal and grow stronger. I absolutely loved Marcus! So protective <3 The side characters add an awesome bonus to this story chase, Jordan, Emma etc.
Dual POV is a major bonus for me, add in the drama, the protective HOT boyfriend, angst, and great characters and you got yourself a good book! I look forward to more from this author!
This book picks up right where Tell Me When left off and I enjoyed this book just as much! Let me just say that I could not put this book down and it had me feeling so many emotions! I was so happy to read more about Marcus and Amber, however, I soon realized that they both still have demons to face. Both Amber and Marcus find themselves battling with themselves and outside forces to finally be happy. There were times while reading that I was getting so mad and even probably muttered a few choice words....this book will take you on a ride that you will be a willing passenger until the very last page.
I loved the ending of this duet. Secrets were shared, justice was served, confidence was gained, and happiness was achieved. I appreciate how the author emphasized how important counseling is on the road to healing.
Please read trigger warnings before reading this duet.
Let Me Know is the second book in the Lost in You series by Stina Lindenblatt. This book picks up where Tell Me When ended, and should be read after the first book. I would not recommend this book unless you have read the previous story as it is not a standalone and would be hard to understand without having seen what had previously happened with these characters. When I first found out that there was going to be a sequel, I was really excited to read it. I really enjoyed the first book and felt like pretty much everything had been wrapped up in that book with one large exception. So I was really looking forward to seeing what happened next for Amber and Marcus. But after reading this book, I was left with a lot of mixed feelings and I didn't end up enjoying this story as much as I had hoped to.
Amber and Marcus have both been through so much, and have finally found some happiness together. As Amber's case against Paul continues to get closer, things start to fall apart. What was once clearly Amber the victim of kidnapping and rape, now appears to be consensual after someone starts to set Amber up with fake evidence and letters. Amber needs Marcus more than ever, but Marcus also ends up under attack when damaging information from his past surfaces and threatens not only Amber's case but also their relationship. When Marcus is forced to make a choice between staying with Amber and ending their relationship in order to help her out, he believes that breaking her heart will help insure her future. Amber must find her strength and determination to get through everything that is being thrown her way, while she also sets out to raise awareness for other victims like herself and Marcus. Can they find a way to get through things together despite all the obstacles in their way, or will there be too many things trying to keep them apart?
I had really loved Amber and Marcus in the first book. I liked how well they were able to bond through the pain that they had both suffered and turned it into a positive way for them to understand one another. I felt like they really were some of the only people who could truly understand one another because of everything that they had been through. It was nice to see that they were still on the same page in this book, and that their feelings and connection were as strong as ever. I really felt like they loved one another and that they belonged together. They were supportive and encouraging of one another, and would do anything to protect the other. I really hated it when Marcus allowed Amber's mother to interfere in their relationship, and I wish that he would have done things differently. I do understand what he was trying to do, but I felt like he should have made a better decision and at the very least talked to Amber about everything before he made any decisions. I felt like Amber was too forgiving about how everything happened, and I didn't understand why she just seemed to be okay with everything because she knew his motivation. I wouldn't have been able to move past everything so easily or quickly if I had been in her shoes.
I will also say that for me this one was slow moving for the majority of the story, and I kept losing interest. I would want to set the book down and walk away, and didn't have the desire to pick it back up quickly. This one just didn't affect me the way that the first book did, and I think a lot of this story was drawn out for effect. It seemed like a lot of drama had been created in order to stir the pot and keep things happening as Amber's case continued. I really felt like it got to be a bit much when it was one thing after another. I couldn't believe how much could happen to these two people who had already been subjected to so many awful things. It just felt like it was forced and that a lot of it was not believable at all. I also felt like although there was too much going on at times, that this one lacked resolution. While many things were brought up, the twists were left without much conclusion. I wanted to know what happened with Melissa's involvement with everything, and what happened with Marcus's stepfather and mother, also what happened with everything that had been done to set up both Marcus and Amber. While I was happy to get more of these characters as well as see some of the secondary characters again, I really felt like this story is being drug out at this point and I am starting to lose interest in the outcome. I am not sure if there is going to be another book after this one, but it really feels like there will be after finishing this one and seeing how the author left things. I honestly would not reread this story and I probably wouldn't continue this series if there were more books at this point. While I really enjoyed the first book, this second one fell flat for me and I would only recommend it to those that had read the first book and enjoyed it.
A simply beautiful conclusion to Marcus & Amber's harrowing story
REVIEW: The story: Let Me Know is a continuation of Amber & Marcus's story, which began in book #1: Tell Me When.
After finally starting to heal from the trauma of her kidnapping and torture, Amber is starting to find something close normality. She's found friends she feels safe with and boyfriend she loves and trusts. But just as she starts to move forward with her life, everything starts to unravel before her eyes. Her rock solid case against her kidnapper/stalker starts to fall apart due to some new 'evidence', that conveniently suggests Amber is lying. Amber's entire life, including her relationship with Marcus's is thrown in the media spotlight and the press hound Amber with the lies and controversy surrounding her.
Marcus is also facing new challenges of his own, with his stepfather on trial, Marcus must decide if he's ready to reveal the truth behind his childhood abuse, or remain silent, and let his abuser continue hurting other boys.
Both Marcus and Amber's courage is put to the test as they battle their own demons, but is their relationship strong enough to survive?
The characters: Amber has come a long way since we first met her. She's stronger and more determined than ever to put her past behind her. But she still has a lot of issues to work through. It was great to see her reconnect with her old friend and also get back to playing basketball. It showed that she was trying to get back to being to person she want to be. She didn't trust rely on Marcus to 'save' her, she works hard to find peace.
Marcus is such an amazing guy, who would do absolutely anything for Amber. But when it comes to himself, he still believes he's not good enough. It takes a lot of courage to come forward and confront the pain of his childhood, but once he does you could actually feel the weight lifted of his shoulder; almost like he could finally breathe again. It was simply beautiful to see him become overcome his inner demons and transform into a man.
All of the secondary characters are also really well fleshed out. Amber's mother made me so angry sometimes, but despite her mistakes, it was clear she loved Amber dearly. And we get to see more of Amber & Marcus' best friends Chase & Jordan - oh boy is there a story to tell with those two!
The romance: Amber & Marcus have their fair share of challenges thrown at them in this book. Their trust in each other is tested on numerous occasions, and at times it felt like everyone was out to tear them apart. But to see them come through it all, made them a stronger couple and it only made their love more powerful. The great thing about them, was that they supported one another through their dramas, there was no dominant character, leaning more heavily on the other; it was just mutual support.
The Writing: I love Stina's writing style. It's very emotive, and flows beautifully. I felt contacted to the characters from very early on and cried several times at the pain these characters go through. There are lots of complex emotions, from anger, pain, love and passion, and you feel everything along with the characters
FINAL WORD: Let Me Know is a simply beautiful conclusion to Marcus & Amber's harrowing story. I have my fingers crossed for Chase & Jordan's story next, I'm just not ready to leave this world of character yet!
CONTENT: Sexuality: medium / some sex scenes Violence: medium-strong / several reference & descriptions of sexual assault & torture Language: medium / several f words Drugs & alcohol: medium
* If you haven’t read the first book then you really need to first. My review will contain spoilers so I’d recommend you stop now and go read it before you read this. I’d hate for the story to be ruined.*
This was an amazing read, I could not out this down. The author really wrote this one so beautifully. Let me say that the author’s writing bought out so many emotions from me, I just loved it. This story is about unconditional love, survival, moving on and not becoming a victim. With all that said, this review will be different from other reviews I normally write, because the story deserves so much more.
Amber and Marcus are enjoying their relationship and life in college. Amber no longer has nightmares about her kidnapping, the murder of her boyfriend and her rape. She is enjoying her freedom. Marcus is in love for the first time, Amber is his life, his player days are over and he is enjoying the time they have together. All is good until they both have to deal with their traumatic experiences. Marcus’ father is now out on bail and denying the charges against Marcus and his brother Ryan.
The prosecutor in Amber’s case thought everything was ok until letters to the media surfaced indicating Amber was no victim to her abduction. The author shows readers how these allegations have shocked, embarrassed and once again made Amber a victim again. Let me tell you I was a mess. I cried for and with Amber and I was so angry that she had to endure public ridicule. Marcus, (god I love him) although he was going through a difficult situation there was nothing he wouldn’t do for Amber. He never once waivered in her innocence.
Marcus’ past comes back with a vengeance and that also leads to more speculation for Amber’s case. He loves Amber so much and has changed his ways, but when his player days damage Amber’s case, Marcus believes the only way to help her is to walk away. Amber is devastated my Marcus breaking up with her, she knew he had a past and it didn’t matter to her; she starts to believe that the accusations against her is what caused Marcus to leave.
Amber has a choice either she stays being a victim or she stands up and fights. The author shows us a side of Amber that is fierce, strong and willing to do anything to prove her story was true. Although she is still devastated by her break up with Marcus, she is determined to move on and deal with the case. When Amber has to recount want she went through in court, the author made it feel so real. I cried so hard. The author wrote that scene in a way that was gritty, moving, touching and it seriously ripped me to pieces. Amber was so strong and she survived. I really felt like I was there.
The author gives readers twists and turns that I never saw coming which added so much to the story. Will Marcus and Amber have their HEA? Will Amber’s name be cleared? Will Amber’s abductor walk free? This story is not long, and never misses a beat. You will not want to put it down. I just needed to find out what was going to happen to Amber’s case and her relationship with Marcus. This story is about love but it is also about surviving. I would highly recommend you picking up this series. A must read.
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Amber Scott thought her screaming nightmares would end now that her stalker is locked up and awaiting trial. But they return when her slam-dunk case starts to fall apart. Explicit letters she allegedly wrote surface, suggesting she was the mastermind behind her assault, a willing victim. Amber only feels safe in the arms of her boyfriend Marcus, the one person she can lean on. Until damning evidence from Marcus's past collides with the case and the media circus drags them both down. To protect Amber's reputation, Marcus has only one option: end their relationship. He won't risk further damage to her case, even if it means breaking her heart. Amber has to find the strength to step into the spotlight and bring awareness to victims' rights before she's convicted in the court of public opinion. And she's really not sure what's worse—that her kidnapper could walk free, or that the seemingly endless attention and speculation will drive Marcus away permanently…
This is the follow-up book to Tell Me When - a book that needs to be read before starting this one.
This one took me by surprise a little bit. After reading the first book (which was pretty good), I thought I would give this one a try to see if the storytelling got better...and, well, let's just say it did that and more...
The premise of this book is that, after being stalked, kidnapped and raped in the first book, Amber's attacker could be released from jail when circumstances come together during the court hearings to cloud the "facts". To add to that, Marcus (her boyfriend) has to decide whether to walk away from her as his own sordid past comes back to haunt him...thereby jeopardising Amber's case. With the media on her back, Amber's life starts to get a little rough...
The beauty of this book compared to the first, in my opinion, is the character development. Not to say that Amber and Marcus were bad in the first book but, in this story, their chemistry and individual stories are much more developed, giving them a much more rounded feel.
Also, there is a nice refreshing change in the way this story unfolds. It doesn't just follow a cookie-cutter formula for romance-suspense novels. It has, for me, a unique voice that makes it a more enjoyable read.
The romance aspect wasn't as big an element in this story - there seemed to be a real focus on suspense this time around and that made a nice change as well.
A well-rounded romance-suspense novel that is definitely worth a read (but remember to read the first book before starting this one!)
This is the second and closing part of Amber and Marcus' story, which started in "Tell me When" (At the moment these are the only ones in the series). This book CANNOT be read as a stand alone.
I gotta say, it started a bit slow and was a bit too angsty for me but as a whole I enjoyed Marcus and Amber's story, seeing them grow, heal and bring themselves a better future, for each separately and together as a couple.
The book starts with them together, we get to see how they interact with one another, their friends and Amber's family it was a way for us to see how they DO work before the mess started. For me, this part (about a third of the book) was a bit redundant. Yet when things started to fall apart I couldn't put the book down. I was hanging from the edge of my seat, can't wait for everything to unfold. I was even quite annoyed for a while, but not in a "bad" way, I just wanted to KNOW what's going on, what's going to happen and how everything would unfold.
Basically the whole mess was "new evidence" that suggest Amber wasn't a victim but the master mind behind the whole "kidnapping", taking advantage of a mentally sick guy - Paul. No matter where Amber and Marcus turn to, there are incriminating evidence against them, and no matter what they say or don't say they look bad publically. Amber is advised not to speak with the press, and so everything that is said about her and Marcus only shows her as a fraud and as their relationship deteriorates (due to unnecessary meddling..) guys start to harass her, seeing her as a "kinky gal" and not a victim. It was more than heart breaking! It was difficult to read and realize something like that could happen to a VICTIM. She went through SO MUCH and it could all be dismissed. I was nauseated by the notion.
But Amber is stronger than anyone can imagine and she shows her strength in everything she does, the things she changes about her life goals and her decisions to help and advice others. She had quite the impact on Marcus on the matter, making him FINALLY deal with what he and his brother went through (and now other teens are going through..) and together they are able to make a difference which was more than beautiful. It wasn't just about Amber getting the justice for what was done to her, it was her and Marcus helping others in any way they can even though it means showing their vulnerable side.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as was the first one (even though I DO have my misgiving about it).
So, once again I liked this book a lot. I wasn't so sure in the beginning that I was going to like it as much as the first one, but the more I read the more I was drawn in until all of a sudden two hours had passed and the book was done. I was able to breathe again and I was sad it was over.
Sometimes a lot of second books, where the characters have already fallen in love in the first book, are centered around how much they love each other and carry on and on and on ... it gets annoying. There was none of that in this book. Amber and Marcus's relationship grew in such a wonderful strong way that I was excited when they were together and wanted to read what came next for them rather than skip anything. There were moments that were cheesy where Amber or Marcus would act like they were desperate to see each other and be together because it had been all of ... an hour. Ahhh ... young love. But I guess that's the name of the game with new adult genre. But it didn't get in the way of the story.
I loved the way this book really took off about a third of the way in. All of a sudden Amber and Marcus are in this tornado of a situation that is just expanding out of control to a point where even I wasn't sure how they were going to make it through. God, it was good! This book had all the resolution you wanted in the end of the first one. I loved it. And I love Stina for writing a story about strong characters who are able to speak up and support and help prevent others from their tragedy. I couldn't imagine the devastation and shame, but I love it when the characters are like "I'm going to speak up so others don't have to to suffer also!!!" I love it ... just love it. They were champions for the underdog and made the best of shitty circumstances. I also enjoyed the repeated concept of things happen for a reason. Both, Marcus and Amber, were going over what if thoughts, but they always concluded that they were happy where they are at. I feel like this book touched on a lot of serious issues and dealt with them in such a good way. It was very deep for a new adult romance novel. I liked the concept.
I wished that the beginning had more of a review of the characters. It had been a few months since I had read "Tell me When" so it took me a bit to recollect who all the characters were and what role they played. But overall, I really enjoyed the book and recommend reading it. It was a good story with a lot of thought provoking concepts!!
This is book two in The Lost in You Duet and it continues Amber and Marcus story and it is definitely a must read. This book continues where book one left us with a cliff hanger ending. What do you do when the evidence is starting to stack up against you and you know that it is false and someone is setting you up but you don't know who or why that is what Amber is going through and now she has the worry of if the one person that she loves so much and can't live without believes everything that is being said about her. Marcus has gone through so much as well and when he puts all his own problems on the back burner so that he can support, love, protection and care for Amber and that melts your heart but then his past comes back threatening everything that he has and he will have to go through much more before he can start to heal at least a bit but then he will have to make a decision that will break him. Will Amber and Marcus ever get the justice that they both deserve for what they had gone through and will they get the happy ending that they both deserve only time will tell what the outcome will be. Omg I can't believe what a rollercoaster ride of emotions that this story takes you on and the connection and love that Amber and Marcus have for each other especially after what they have both been through is a beautiful thing and there support of each other made them stronger together than apart. I hope we get to read books From there friend's who were always there for them and supported them regardless of the situation. I definitely recommend you read this series but make sure you have the tissues ready because you are definitely going to need them and the depth of the writing on such a difficult subject was done with so much compassion. Stina Lindenblatt is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of their seats and I can't wait to read more of her books.
This was a really great book. This book was realistic as well which I appreciated and could see happening. Amber and Marcus faced many things in the first book but it's not over. Stress is high in this story since the trial for Paul is coming up. To make matters worse, there are love letters supposedly written by Amber to Paul making it seem that the kidnapping, rape, torture, and the murders of Michael and Trent were Amber's idea. But Marcus is also facing trying to get Alejandro to tell the police what happened to him so his stepfather can finally be put away.
People are cruel and do everything they can to make Amber feel miserable. It doesn't matter that she was the victim but media and people do everything they can to make her feel like she is guilty and poor little Paul is the real victim. This just proves that people don't care about the truth but enjoy just sensationalising things.
Amber has been through way more than most people but she just proves that she is a survivor. She is very strong and she realizes that things might be miserable but in the end the truth will come out.
Marcus is strong as well but scared that he isn't good enough for Amber. He knows now that being in love and in a relationship is way more important and gratifying.
***I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*** Let me know is a sequel to Tell Me When, I didn't realize it right away but started to recognize the characters and already felt I knew them. In Tell Me When, 17-year old Amber is kidnapped and raped by a guy she considered a friend and didn't realize was actually stalking her until it was too late. He also killed her brother and boyfriend. While the subject was difficult to read about, the writing was so good it sucked me in. Let Me Know was the same. Amber, now in college, is still in a relationship with Marcus. Both are fighting their personal demons while awaiting the trial of Amber's kidnapper. Marcus continues to deal with issues we also witnessed in Tell Me When, he step-father abused him and his brother and endd up killing his brother. The plot thickens when lies about her are being fed to the media making it appear as though she seduced her kidnapper. At the same time, Marcus' step-father is released since the police don't have enough evidence to keep him in jail. The two lean on each other and their friends to overcome what seems like endless bad things happening to them. Like the first book I felt like "how many bad things can seriously happen to these two people"...but the writing is good enough to keep you reading.