Broken by Silence

by N.E. Stevenson

I faked my death to escape the pain—the lies, the abuse, and the ones who made it their mission to break me.
I didn't stay dead.
And now he knows.

They wanted answers.
I wanted revenge.
And somewhere in between, I found out the men who helped silence me are just as broken as I am.
One of them took a bullet for me.

Now everything is unraveling—obsession, love... revenge.
I'm done hiding.
-
"She's mine to protect. I'll tear apart anyone who thinks they can hurt her again—even if I have to burn the world to do it."

This is book two in the duet.
This is Why Choose Contemporary enemies-to-lovers Lovers Romance.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2025

Reviews

[St.Peaches · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨
🌟: 4,5/5
🌶️: 2.5/5
RELEASE DATE: 23/11/25

When 2 people decide to fight, break and heal generational trauma they raise a one hell of a blueprint gentleman AND take in broken people left and right like stray pets 🥲🤣 I LOVE WILL AND CLAIRE FOR THIS!!! ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

*BRING SOME TISSUES BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO NEED IT!! TRUST AND BELIEVE*

MY GIRL GOT HER HAPPY ENDING!!! 😭😭🥲🥲
SHE FOUGHT
SHE FELL
SHE FOUGHT HARDER
AND NOW SHE IS FREE 🥲🥲
I AM SO HAPPY 🥲🥲
I love her little revenge plot for the boys, But it's such a sweet moment for the broken boys to show the other side of who they are 🥲

Crew is just CREW THE LOVE PUP WE CAN NEVER SAY NO 🥲😍
Elijah... BBOOIII Elijah is .. UNHINGED... 💀😍 (I LOVE EVERY SINGLE PART OF HIM 💦)
Roman, beneath that tough guy revenge spiteful guy HE IS SUCH A SENTIMENTAL GUY 🥲😭 OOHH MY HEART BREAKS FOR HIM 😭😭🥲🥲

AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH ARCHER AND OSCAR!! AAKKHH 🤌🤌

I've noticed that there are a few repetitives happening throughout the book so if that something that might be a problem just something i wanna point out. But tbf the book over all is just a great read for me!!

Book Contain:
- Why Choose (FMMMMM)
- Disability Rep
- FMC Mute
- Spitting
- Forced Marriage
- Revenge
- Found Family
- Healing
- Rape (Mentioned Heavily)
- Suicide (Mentioned Heavily)
- Gore & Violence
- Drug Use
- Abuse
- Parental Neglect (Mentioned)

🍑 HAPPY READING YALL!!!! 🍑

[M Janee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lottie was such a strong character through both books of this duology. She went through an upbringing no one should ever have to. One parent used her as a meal ticket, inflicting unimaginable pain while the other...well, by the time he finally chose her over dr*gs...it was too late.

There is a lot of emotion in both of these duets. Hurt from past trauma. Anger from the injustice of it all. Rage for the fact that those responsible not only got away with it, but believed (and still do) that her pain was their right. Retribution.

"I'm not here to appease your guilt."

I loved that she got payback against the guys, in her own little ways. Ways she was comfortable with, that were harmless and fun in the grand scheme of things. She didn't just forgive and forget. They worked for it. Maybe not in the traditional sense of the term but, in growth.

The story keeps you interested from page one of book one, right through to the ending of book two. I can't wait to see what's next.

Also, side note: I know I said Oscar was my favourite in book one and this may be my age showing a little but...Will. I know, he was a second dad but apparently I’m at a point where the dad is more appealing haha he was dangerously hot

[Bent Letters · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

[Chele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My Gosh! Lottie, Archer, Oscar, Crew, Roman, and Elijah you ran me through ALL the emotions in this book. Crew, Roman, and Elijah - friends to enemies to lovers. Archer and Oscar being those fabulous people they were from the very beginning. The found family, the work to move through the trauma and to become people who no longer hurt each other. The revelations, the heartbreak, the trauma from people who we are told should love and care for us. All five of these fabulous MCs became stronger emotionally and physically. They faced their demons and inner torment and came out as a stronger group helping each other fill in their broken pieces.

OOOHHHH....this is probably a rambling review but my gosh. N.E. Stevenson always pulls all the emotions out of me. I did read this duet with my tissues next to me. Waking up with red eyes and a stuffy nose are the signs of staying up all night with a fabulous book!

Just, dive in people. Make certain to check out the triggers, because everyone should come out of this book feeling better, not worse and/or triggered.
❤️🥹🤟🏼❤️

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright. First off I absolutely HATED Roman in Bound by Silence. But my god did he redeem himself in this book. From bleeding out on the front porch to finally telling her that he loved her. Elijah, you sneaky little shit but I absolutely love you for it. And Crew. The light in all the dark, even fighting his own demons he always tries to lighten the mood. Oscar her silent but strong protector that will not hesitate when it comes to her. And Archer the overbearing caveman. But WILL AND CLAIRE! Hands down the best parents I’ve ever read. They literally went to war for Lottie and the three guys that broke her beyond repair, but she got her voice back, she fought, she got her revenge and in the end she had her 5 guys by her side through all their shared trauma, hatred, brokenness and love for each other.

[Brittany Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOOO GOOOD!!

I absolutely loved this book. The way these boys groveled!! Ughhhh. They may have truly messed up big time but I felt that they made it up to Lottie appropriately. I felt so connected to these characters and it was really hard for me to finish this book because I didn’t want it to be over. Lottie’s life took so many twists and turns but in the end she got her happy ending. N.E. Stevenson has a brilliant mind and I am so thankful to be able to read her masterpieces. If you haven’t read this duet you’re missing out and this is your sign to read it as quickly as possible 💗

[Bela]

Sooooo much description filler. Like there is a dialogue and between each actual sentence is a wall of text. Like a damn page. So many repeat thoughts.
The guys bully her, because they are scared little boys and their father beat them. She "dies". They grieve and feel remorse. They found out she is alive and those little todlers hate her for "leaving", for being alive. I skipped 50% of thaf bs and checked last chapter - they find out she was r*ped by their fathers. Gue remorse.
Book 2 they are weak little boys, it takes the whole book to take down the one remaining dad. Maybe because all the endless descriptions, inner monologue and repetitions.

[Amy Garringer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had to quit halfway

I don't know how to express the level of weakness the main character displays. Every single halfway decent human in her life BEGGED her not to forgive these vicious, vile abusers. They admit they LIKED HURTING HER, they spend the entire book whining about not deserving a second chance but demanding one anyway, being jealous and angry at people who are decent to her. There's no grovel, and absolutely none of the forced proximity makes sense. 0/10 would not recommend.

[Sissy Beer · Rating 2 out of 5]

failed redemption arc

Waited a long time for this book but it fell kind of flat and felt shallow. I wasn’t able to connect with the trio, and didn’t feel they were redeemed. Really, Archer and Oscar should have taken them all out. Also- to give the role of hubby to Elijah rather than Archer, absolutely not.

There was way too much inner monologue and a majority of the story was explained to the reader, rather than being able to experience it.

[Kattikuss · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 39%

The amount of waffle that happened in the first half of this book is incredible. So many words to repeat the same thing. We get it, Lottie is a broken survivor. We get it, every character that has anything said to them breaks on the inside. Good grief.

[Yas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing ! I was so excited for book 2 and boy did this author deliver ! Not one but two ✨amazing ✨scenes- if you know you know 💕

[Jacqui · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf @ 31%

[Sheila Ryals · Rating 5 out of 5]

😻

Welp that was a really good ending! Loved this book! Was definitely worth the wait! I cried a tad bit o er this!

[Christie Krentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️

I loved this ending. It starts with a bang and ends with one. I love how Lottie made them grovel just about till the end. They definitely deserved it. Perfect ending.

[Hannah Brooker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection!

This was a glorious read. Heartache and lots of love. Thrown it with a bit of humour and it was everything you want in a book. Loved it.

[Emma]

1⭐️ this was so disappointing. I skimmed about 50% of it and wish I had of just Dnf’d. the plot just got more ridiculous and who was leaving the notes? I was so frustrated with the whole book

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't take the bullies back!!!!!!!!!! You would have been dead because of them if Arthur hadn't saved you. Their remorse is too late.