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Hush
They were taken.
Off the street. From parking lots. Malls. Playgrounds.
Snatched from life and thrust into hell.
They took Orion Darby on a perfect summer day, while she could still taste her first kiss on her lips.
She joined the others with chains on their ankles and scars on their souls.
They turned into nothing more than statistics. Cold cases. Lost girls.
Years passed and the world forgot.
Until the day they escaped.
This is not about their captivity.
This is about their struggle to return to a life that's passed them by.
This was the real world.
But for Orion, this was hell.
You see... freedom isn't enough.
She needs blood.
Off the street. From parking lots. Malls. Playgrounds.
Snatched from life and thrust into hell.
They took Orion Darby on a perfect summer day, while she could still taste her first kiss on her lips.
She joined the others with chains on their ankles and scars on their souls.
They turned into nothing more than statistics. Cold cases. Lost girls.
Years passed and the world forgot.
Until the day they escaped.
This is not about their captivity.
This is about their struggle to return to a life that's passed them by.
This was the real world.
But for Orion, this was hell.
You see... freedom isn't enough.
She needs blood.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2020
95 people are currently reading
992 people want to read
About the author
B.T. Urruela
20 books1,790 followersBT Urruela was an infantryman in the US Army from August 2004 until February 2011. At the end of a year long tour to Baghdad, Iraq, his vehicle was hit by two roadside bombs, which took his right leg below the knee and the life of his commander. He was awarded a Purple Heart for his wounds, an Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. He medically retired from the Army in 2011 and moved to Tampa, FL where he currently works as a Director and Brand Ambassador for VETSports, a veteran community sports nonprofit he co-founded in 2012. He also conducts motivational speeches, works as a cover and fitness model and he's a personal performance trainer.
He's a co-author of the military romance novel A Lover's Lament and the upcoming romantic thriller and his debut solo novel, Into the Nothing.
He's a co-author of the military romance novel A Lover's Lament and the upcoming romantic thriller and his debut solo novel, Into the Nothing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
November 27, 2021
Craziest Surprise Ending Ever!
This was an odd duck! I thought for certain it was going to be one type of book and at the last minute it threw me for a loop. I really liked the storyline about this girl, Orion Darby, who was abducted while riding her bike home from her friends house one evening when she was fourteen. Orion had her head in the clouds after being kissed for the first time by her best friends brother. So she didn’t notice the van following her until it was too late.
Orion was raped and put in a basement with two other girls and she didn’t escape until ten years later. She lived through ten years of torture, rape and beatings and came out a different person. The story is about Orion’s struggle to have some sort of existence after living through hell on earth. The police detective that helps her after the ordeal is none other than the boy with whom she had her first kiss before being abducted.
I have read books like this before. One of them tells of the struggle to go on after sex trafficking, where the girl even started to have a semblance of a normal life after a lot of therapy and time had passed. I thought this one would be much the same despite the blurb with Orion talking about taking revenge on the men that hurt and used her.
However, this book was a lot different than I expected and takes a much darker turn instead of going for the inspirational ending where everything is just fine. I don’t want to give anything away, but to say that I will give this book 4 stars because though I do like it when a story strays from the predictable, this ending seemed a bit too rushed for me.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
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This was an odd duck! I thought for certain it was going to be one type of book and at the last minute it threw me for a loop. I really liked the storyline about this girl, Orion Darby, who was abducted while riding her bike home from her friends house one evening when she was fourteen. Orion had her head in the clouds after being kissed for the first time by her best friends brother. So she didn’t notice the van following her until it was too late.
Orion was raped and put in a basement with two other girls and she didn’t escape until ten years later. She lived through ten years of torture, rape and beatings and came out a different person. The story is about Orion’s struggle to have some sort of existence after living through hell on earth. The police detective that helps her after the ordeal is none other than the boy with whom she had her first kiss before being abducted.
I have read books like this before. One of them tells of the struggle to go on after sex trafficking, where the girl even started to have a semblance of a normal life after a lot of therapy and time had passed. I thought this one would be much the same despite the blurb with Orion talking about taking revenge on the men that hurt and used her.
However, this book was a lot different than I expected and takes a much darker turn instead of going for the inspirational ending where everything is just fine. I don’t want to give anything away, but to say that I will give this book 4 stars because though I do like it when a story strays from the predictable, this ending seemed a bit too rushed for me.
I voluntarily read & reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub
August 1, 2020
HUSH: Is a full length coming of age book by authors Anne Malcom & B.T. Urruela. Spoken in third person POV's. This is Orion and Maddox' story.
This was such a deliciously decadent, unique read that had me devouring this at record speeds! Expect the unexpected, twists and turns that had me glued to my iPad as the world outside ceased to exist! I couldn’t and didn’t want to put it down, read from front to back in one unputdownable sitting!
The writing flowed flawlessly, this was one outstanding collaboration, you never knew when one author stopped and the other started, the characters were easy to relate to, and the storyline packed one hell of a punch leaving me floundering in its wake.
Hush now girl. You belong to us now!?! Hope for the stolen girls, survival of the strongest, this was an emotional journey that shattered me on so many levels. They were taken, some from privileged lives, others not so much, but they all landed in one place they wished they hadn't. A dark cell, chained, on soiled mattresses. Scared. Beaten. Raped. With no escape in sight.
Orion Darby captured my heart so easily, I wanted justice for her and I was along for the ride with the sexy she devil wearing designer heels, as she eradicated some monsters off the face of the earth. Even though this wasn't a romance per-see we did get a few moments that could be only described as love of the most purest kind. My heart broke for the injustice of these girls and all they had lost.
You need to go into this one blind, be aware though that this book may cause triggers.
* Teaser used is off the authors facebook page *
August 3, 2020
I feel like I need to say a prayer after reading this book. The heartbreak, the emotion, the anger and the injustice, along with a long healing process that was painful at times to witness because you know that it was a coping mechanism that was self destructive in many ways. This book was a hard read at times but it was truthful page turner and for that, I loved it in many ways.
Orion never had a perfect childhood but she had a best friend who loved her unconditionally and a boy that made her beat faster with just one glance. She was happy with the way things were going and she was looking forward to more free nights with her bestie and her brother. But one moment, one single moment, changed the entire course of her life and gave her scars that she will never be able to heal from.
I’ve read a lot of romance and thriller books in my time and we always see the chase, the capture and the falling in love part. What we never really see is how the survivors cope and try to move on in the real world. We don’t witness their struggles, their little victories, or what really happens to them after and this book did that. We saw so many ups and downs from these characters and we were right there in the middle of them trying to grab onto a piece of happiness that they fully and rightfully deserved.
Written in the 3rd person pov which I’m going to admit is not my favorite at all, Hush will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you rooting for these characters because you have nothing but hope and you want to see them get as much sunshine and love as possible because they were in the dark for far too long.
If you’re looking for a romance book that is going to give you warm and happy feels, this book is not for you. This is a story about survival and overcoming the worst imaginable obstacle in life, and becoming stronger. This is a story about the what ifs, second chances, and facing monsters in our world. This is a simply a story you have to read.
August 11, 2020
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.While reading Hush B.T Urruela and Anne Malcolm, I felt the need for a strong drink and that is saying a lot as I am not a drinker. This story is definitely not for the faint of heart, its dark, twisted, intense, disturbing and gut wrenching.
The story began on a cheerful note with the heroine, Orion, experiencing her first kiss from the boy she had been crushing on since second grade. However, the story took a dark turn shortly after, when on her way home she was abducted and held at the mercy of sexual deviants for ten years. For ten years her home was a dark cell, chained by her ankles to a wall, sleeping on a soiled mattress and her companions, other girls who were taken before and after her. Some were taken from a life of luxury and some not so luxurious. They were scared, beaten, raped and tortured with no hope of escape.
I believe one should go into this story as blindly as possible, therefore I will not go into much details for fear of giving away too much. What I will say though is that this was a superbly written story. It held me captive from start to finish. Two authors wrote this book and I found it to be a great colloboration as the story flowed seamlessly.
Spending time with the characters proved bittersweet. My heart broke for the situation they found themselves in. Despite escaping their physical prison, the memories of their torturous past held them captive. It was these memories that aided in determining path they would take. In Orion’s case, it took her on the path of revenge.
A relationship developed between Orion and her childhood crush, but it was not roses and sunshine. Their journey towards becoming a couple encountered a myriad of obstacles, which was understandable given what Orion had endured. So, if you were expecting a sweet and rosy romance, then you should avoid this book and besides their relationship was quite unconventional.
It was my first time reading a story of this nature, and it left an indelible mark. I know for a fact I will not be forgetting it soon.
Hush is a story of survival, its abut facing one’s demons, healing, overcoming the terrors of the past and finding strength in the face of adversity. It shows that even though persons may have the same traumatic experience, the psychological effects for each will differ.
Overall, a great story and one I would definitely recommend to fans of psychological thrillers.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
The story began on a cheerful note with the heroine, Orion, experiencing her first kiss from the boy she had been crushing on since second grade. However, the story took a dark turn shortly after, when on her way home she was abducted and held at the mercy of sexual deviants for ten years. For ten years her home was a dark cell, chained by her ankles to a wall, sleeping on a soiled mattress and her companions, other girls who were taken before and after her. Some were taken from a life of luxury and some not so luxurious. They were scared, beaten, raped and tortured with no hope of escape.
I believe one should go into this story as blindly as possible, therefore I will not go into much details for fear of giving away too much. What I will say though is that this was a superbly written story. It held me captive from start to finish. Two authors wrote this book and I found it to be a great colloboration as the story flowed seamlessly.
Spending time with the characters proved bittersweet. My heart broke for the situation they found themselves in. Despite escaping their physical prison, the memories of their torturous past held them captive. It was these memories that aided in determining path they would take. In Orion’s case, it took her on the path of revenge.
A relationship developed between Orion and her childhood crush, but it was not roses and sunshine. Their journey towards becoming a couple encountered a myriad of obstacles, which was understandable given what Orion had endured. So, if you were expecting a sweet and rosy romance, then you should avoid this book and besides their relationship was quite unconventional.
It was my first time reading a story of this nature, and it left an indelible mark. I know for a fact I will not be forgetting it soon.
Hush is a story of survival, its abut facing one’s demons, healing, overcoming the terrors of the past and finding strength in the face of adversity. It shows that even though persons may have the same traumatic experience, the psychological effects for each will differ.
Overall, a great story and one I would definitely recommend to fans of psychological thrillers.
This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
June 29, 2020
This one is brutal. It’s dark and it’s raw and it’s definitely outside my usual comfort zone.
There are multiple triggers in this one so be aware of that going in. I will say though that I think these stories are needed. These things happen and society needs to not only acknowledge them but do better.
The heroine is fierce as they come. Her strength of character and drive for revenge were evident on every single page.
It’s not what most people would call a love story by any stretch of the imagination but for me there were moments that could only be described as love. In its rawest and most fundamental form.
Beta read
There are multiple triggers in this one so be aware of that going in. I will say though that I think these stories are needed. These things happen and society needs to not only acknowledge them but do better.
The heroine is fierce as they come. Her strength of character and drive for revenge were evident on every single page.
It’s not what most people would call a love story by any stretch of the imagination but for me there were moments that could only be described as love. In its rawest and most fundamental form.
Beta read
Read
June 15, 2020August 11th.
I cannot wait to share this book with you.
I cannot wait to share this book with you.
August 16, 2020
Where all the high reviews coming from? Oh that’s right.... Arcs.
If you’re looking for a dark romance, well I’ll say just keep looking. This book doesn’t have any romance and the dark part is debatable.
I didn’t like the heroine or the monster as she like to call herself. 🙄 while I felt sorry for this woman and every girl that was held captive and brutally raped for 10 years this woman was very hard to feel any type of sympathy. Honestly this in my opinion was a very cheap copy of Lana’s book. Some might say it’s not ok to mention or even compared to 2 different books but was this the authors intentions? Let’s write another vigilante heroine who was brutally raped and escaped? Lana wasn’t a bitch to everyone. She didn’t push her friends away. This heroine blamed the hero for being kidnapped, held captive and for being raped all those years. I honestly don’t know why hero kept trying with her. The things she said to him were very mean. She did not care for him at all. Bitch is a nice word compared with what she was.
I didn’t expect her to fall head over heels in love with him when she saw him again but she was so mean. She hated everything and everyone. Yes I know all the trauma that she suffered. And now I sound mean and bitchy. 🤣🙄
The only character that I liked was Jaclyn and I teared up when she committed suicide.
2 stars for her revenge, 3 stars for the hero.
And that end? I’m pretty sure the authors will write another book. I don’t even care. I barely finish this one.
Safety: No OW drama. They have known each other since they were 16 and 14. He was her first kiss. No mention if he was with others unless I missed it. She goes to a bar to get laid but couldn’t go through, it’s not even worth mentioning. He pined for her and used alcohol to cope with her being gone.
Spoiler alert>>>>>>
If you’re looking for a dark romance, well I’ll say just keep looking. This book doesn’t have any romance and the dark part is debatable.
I didn’t like the heroine or the monster as she like to call herself. 🙄 while I felt sorry for this woman and every girl that was held captive and brutally raped for 10 years this woman was very hard to feel any type of sympathy. Honestly this in my opinion was a very cheap copy of Lana’s book. Some might say it’s not ok to mention or even compared to 2 different books but was this the authors intentions? Let’s write another vigilante heroine who was brutally raped and escaped? Lana wasn’t a bitch to everyone. She didn’t push her friends away. This heroine blamed the hero for being kidnapped, held captive and for being raped all those years. I honestly don’t know why hero kept trying with her. The things she said to him were very mean. She did not care for him at all. Bitch is a nice word compared with what she was.
I didn’t expect her to fall head over heels in love with him when she saw him again but she was so mean. She hated everything and everyone. Yes I know all the trauma that she suffered. And now I sound mean and bitchy. 🤣🙄
The only character that I liked was Jaclyn and I teared up when she committed suicide.
2 stars for her revenge, 3 stars for the hero.
And that end? I’m pretty sure the authors will write another book. I don’t even care. I barely finish this one.
Safety: No OW drama. They have known each other since they were 16 and 14. He was her first kiss. No mention if he was with others unless I missed it. She goes to a bar to get laid but couldn’t go through, it’s not even worth mentioning. He pined for her and used alcohol to cope with her being gone.
Spoiler alert>>>>>>
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2020
This story... this story was beautifully written and very dark. However, this is one of those stories that can’t be anything but. This is a story that needs to be out there in the world. This is a story that NEEDS to be read.
Things happen on this world that we don’t see and we can’t imagine... this book is a glimpse of that other side, and it’s handled with a realness that is needed. This isn’t a romance novel... there are elements of deep love and elements romance in it, the kind you only find once in your life... it’s a story of not giving up and not giving in.
I mentioned the writing and I’m mentioning it again. It’s some of the strongest I’ve seen from these authors.
There are definitely triggers in this one. Please ensure you read the warning given by the authors before diving in.
I absolutely recommend this story.
Things happen on this world that we don’t see and we can’t imagine... this book is a glimpse of that other side, and it’s handled with a realness that is needed. This isn’t a romance novel... there are elements of deep love and elements romance in it, the kind you only find once in your life... it’s a story of not giving up and not giving in.
I mentioned the writing and I’m mentioning it again. It’s some of the strongest I’ve seen from these authors.
There are definitely triggers in this one. Please ensure you read the warning given by the authors before diving in.
I absolutely recommend this story.
August 14, 2020
Hush has all the ingredients that make Anne Malcom a great and unique author. It was dark, gripping and so, so twisted.
The book is the first to be co-authored by BT Urruela and Anne Malcom and while I adore Anne's writing, I'm a total stranger to Urruela's to comment too much. The story follows Orion Darby, a young woman held in captivity for ten years and her transition into the outside world. To go into anymore detail would give away waaaaay too much.
I adored the dark places this story went to, but I have a lot of frustration around the last 30% of the book, it was such a slow burn and then everything seemed to happen at once and, dare I say it, too easily?
I hesitate to really focus on the romance of this book because it's not the priority in the story (and thank Heavens, it's so much stronger for it) but I felt the characters and their relationships were done superbly and there really were moments were I felt completely punched in the feels.
I would feel more inclined to call this a character study as opposed to a horror or romance, but do not let that deter you, this one is worth the read.
The book is the first to be co-authored by BT Urruela and Anne Malcom and while I adore Anne's writing, I'm a total stranger to Urruela's to comment too much. The story follows Orion Darby, a young woman held in captivity for ten years and her transition into the outside world. To go into anymore detail would give away waaaaay too much.
I adored the dark places this story went to, but I have a lot of frustration around the last 30% of the book, it was such a slow burn and then everything seemed to happen at once and, dare I say it, too easily?
I hesitate to really focus on the romance of this book because it's not the priority in the story (and thank Heavens, it's so much stronger for it) but I felt the characters and their relationships were done superbly and there really were moments were I felt completely punched in the feels.
I would feel more inclined to call this a character study as opposed to a horror or romance, but do not let that deter you, this one is worth the read.
September 8, 2020
I haven’t felt this kind of loss for a while, this was brutal, a punch to the gut like no other, total loss and despair and the absolute perfection I crave and I need. From the first line to the very last one I absolutely ravished this awesome story. I’m thankful to these two amazing authors for writing it. I’m sure it wasn’t easy the same way as this is not an easy reading but one I absolutely recommend nonetheless.
This story is told by two authors, they blend so well together you don’t know where one finishes and the other picks up. It’s a masterpiece of narration. Told in third person, the narrator holds the hand of the reader like Virgilio to Dante acting as a guide through this Hell on earth.
I went through multiple a motions while reading Hush
First I went through darkness. This story isn’t just dark it’s pitch black dark, and it’s so painful you’ll have to take your time, you’ll need to stop and breathe and look around you to make sure what you’re reading is actually fiction, because trust me, you’ll doubt it!
Then I went through despair and anger and they were so blunt and hard I felt sick. I wanted those monsters to pay their dues, they didn’t deserve to roam free and indulge in their sick perversions.
Lastly I went through thirst for justice, revenge and ultimately blood. I wanted the blood to flow so strongly I don’t remember when I have felt so raw.
And peace you may ask? Nope, I didn’t get to that, the reason being that I’m still famished, I still want blood and I want people to pay for their crimes and yes! Them choosing death on their term it’s not enough, I stand with Orion they have no right to choose their death...
This story is told by two authors, they blend so well together you don’t know where one finishes and the other picks up. It’s a masterpiece of narration. Told in third person, the narrator holds the hand of the reader like Virgilio to Dante acting as a guide through this Hell on earth.
I went through multiple a motions while reading Hush
First I went through darkness. This story isn’t just dark it’s pitch black dark, and it’s so painful you’ll have to take your time, you’ll need to stop and breathe and look around you to make sure what you’re reading is actually fiction, because trust me, you’ll doubt it!
Then I went through despair and anger and they were so blunt and hard I felt sick. I wanted those monsters to pay their dues, they didn’t deserve to roam free and indulge in their sick perversions.
Lastly I went through thirst for justice, revenge and ultimately blood. I wanted the blood to flow so strongly I don’t remember when I have felt so raw.
And peace you may ask? Nope, I didn’t get to that, the reason being that I’m still famished, I still want blood and I want people to pay for their crimes and yes! Them choosing death on their term it’s not enough, I stand with Orion they have no right to choose their death...
August 11, 2020
A very unique story from Anne & BT. Beware- it is dark, with sooo many triggers. But the writing is great, the characters have depth, the story keeps interest right to the last page. Orion wins the strongest heroine award! Dexter would be proud.
August 6, 2020
Dark, depraved, and desperate in placess, I would listen to those around you that say pay heed to the trigger warnings. Not really a romantic suspense in my eyes, but too soft to be relegated solely to the criminal suspense genre. It is perfectly written as it is, and I really enjoyed watching BT Urruela's words dancing, and sometimes fighting together on the page with Anne's.
My heart broke, and bled, and cried for those girls. Not just for them though, I cried for the friends they touched, the parents who missed them and wouldn't say goodbye. We all so badly want to take books like this, real life situations like this, and run an eraser over it as if it were a white board and we were fully capable of offering a clean slate an no nightmares.
Unfortunately as far as we've come in society, some simply don't have to pay any price for the evil $hit they do, and so then it may behoove you to question why the woman in the corner of the bar with the dead eyes is so beautiful it is almost physically painful to look at all her angles and sharp edges.
Why does she make you so uncomfortable with her mere presence? Are you wondering what she's thinking? Maybe next time you should.
There's more than one generation of damaged and stolen women passing you calmly, while their souls scream violently at each brush of air on their skin, on the sidewalk each day. 5 brilliant stars for Anne Malcom and BT Urruela's Hush, I hope they collaborate again soon.
My heart broke, and bled, and cried for those girls. Not just for them though, I cried for the friends they touched, the parents who missed them and wouldn't say goodbye. We all so badly want to take books like this, real life situations like this, and run an eraser over it as if it were a white board and we were fully capable of offering a clean slate an no nightmares.
Unfortunately as far as we've come in society, some simply don't have to pay any price for the evil $hit they do, and so then it may behoove you to question why the woman in the corner of the bar with the dead eyes is so beautiful it is almost physically painful to look at all her angles and sharp edges.
Why does she make you so uncomfortable with her mere presence? Are you wondering what she's thinking? Maybe next time you should.
There's more than one generation of damaged and stolen women passing you calmly, while their souls scream violently at each brush of air on their skin, on the sidewalk each day. 5 brilliant stars for Anne Malcom and BT Urruela's Hush, I hope they collaborate again soon.
September 1, 2020
When I received my copy of this book, I put off reading it for a little while because I wanted to be in the right headspace. I knew this book was going to demand so much from me and I was glad I waited because I knew I wouldn't have been able to give it the attention it demanded. After finishing, it took me a while to gather my thoughts. My head was all over the place and I couldn't think straight. I just know I loved this book so much.
Written in the third person, this isn't my usual read. I tend to avoid all third POV books like the plague, because I never found a book I liked that did it properly and because I love reading first POV. The writing flowed so beautifully, it was hard not to get lost in the words and forget all my doubts. It's been a while since I've read a good dark thriller. Filled with so many different aspects, a touch of romance, a whole bunch of suspense, and a lot of emotion. It poured out of the pages.
This book is dark, extremely violent, definitely uncomfortable and triggering in the best and worst ways. And that is why it works so well because as soon as I finished the second chapter, my mind had been made up. I fell in love with the writing, the storyline, the characters, and all the darkness this book encompasses. I had so many emotions reading this book but my most prominent one was rage, vindication, and the violent need for justice. I reveled in the darkness, I fed off Orion's monsters and her need for revenge, and she did it looking flawless in designer shoes. I wanted all these things while wanting to reach in through my Kindle and hug the shit out of the girls. Orion had my heart. Reading about her innocence broke my heart. Her insecurities, dreams, and fantasies. The pain she went through. The girls around her and their strength. Bonded by trauma, linked by blood. It’s a beautiful thing. As beautiful as tragedy and trauma can get.
This is my first book by BT, but I loved that I could distinctly tell the different writing styles between the authors. However, because I am so familiar with Anne's writing style, it was easy to pick them out. Two different writing styles, blended together to create dark magic. It's so enchanting. This might not be your usual read but it's a unique book and something that will rip emotion out of you whether you want it to or not.
Pick it up, get your wine or tissues, and be your own vigilante.
Coming August 11th!
*ARC READ*
Written in the third person, this isn't my usual read. I tend to avoid all third POV books like the plague, because I never found a book I liked that did it properly and because I love reading first POV. The writing flowed so beautifully, it was hard not to get lost in the words and forget all my doubts. It's been a while since I've read a good dark thriller. Filled with so many different aspects, a touch of romance, a whole bunch of suspense, and a lot of emotion. It poured out of the pages.
This book is dark, extremely violent, definitely uncomfortable and triggering in the best and worst ways. And that is why it works so well because as soon as I finished the second chapter, my mind had been made up. I fell in love with the writing, the storyline, the characters, and all the darkness this book encompasses. I had so many emotions reading this book but my most prominent one was rage, vindication, and the violent need for justice. I reveled in the darkness, I fed off Orion's monsters and her need for revenge, and she did it looking flawless in designer shoes. I wanted all these things while wanting to reach in through my Kindle and hug the shit out of the girls. Orion had my heart. Reading about her innocence broke my heart. Her insecurities, dreams, and fantasies. The pain she went through. The girls around her and their strength. Bonded by trauma, linked by blood. It’s a beautiful thing. As beautiful as tragedy and trauma can get.
This is my first book by BT, but I loved that I could distinctly tell the different writing styles between the authors. However, because I am so familiar with Anne's writing style, it was easy to pick them out. Two different writing styles, blended together to create dark magic. It's so enchanting. This might not be your usual read but it's a unique book and something that will rip emotion out of you whether you want it to or not.
Pick it up, get your wine or tissues, and be your own vigilante.
Coming August 11th!
*ARC READ*
August 6, 2020
***5 Stars***
This book dug its claws into me from the first page and didn’t let go until the very end...and that ending?!?!?! *Gives the evil eye to the authors, even as I applaud them for it*
But this book is one hell of a ride. It’s gritty, gut churning, fascinating, brutal and I got lost in the journey of the Stolen Girls and how what they’d been put through affected not only them, all those around them.
As Orion is something of the main focus, yes there are others and I want to do a total verbal vomit brain drain about everyone we meet in this book, I’ll stick with Orion so as not to get all spoilery. Orion Darby is a survivor. She amazed me with her strength and resolve to find her place in a world that she didn’t understand, but also didn’t understand her. Every reaction, choice and simple thought she had pulled me in deeper and I found that I didn’t want to say good-bye to her because her story was truly just begging.
This is a vague as all get out review because you have experience this book on your own terms. It is obviously dark and filled with all kinds of triggers, but it’s also about hope and how you have the ability to make your life your own.
As for the writing. I’m a fan girl of one of the authors and have not yet read the other, but the writing was seamlessly done. Pacing was very good and the multiple POV’s totally worked for me. So, if they ever choose to do another project together, I will be definitely be making grabby hands at it!
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
This book dug its claws into me from the first page and didn’t let go until the very end...and that ending?!?!?! *Gives the evil eye to the authors, even as I applaud them for it*
But this book is one hell of a ride. It’s gritty, gut churning, fascinating, brutal and I got lost in the journey of the Stolen Girls and how what they’d been put through affected not only them, all those around them.
As Orion is something of the main focus, yes there are others and I want to do a total verbal vomit brain drain about everyone we meet in this book, I’ll stick with Orion so as not to get all spoilery. Orion Darby is a survivor. She amazed me with her strength and resolve to find her place in a world that she didn’t understand, but also didn’t understand her. Every reaction, choice and simple thought she had pulled me in deeper and I found that I didn’t want to say good-bye to her because her story was truly just begging.
This is a vague as all get out review because you have experience this book on your own terms. It is obviously dark and filled with all kinds of triggers, but it’s also about hope and how you have the ability to make your life your own.
As for the writing. I’m a fan girl of one of the authors and have not yet read the other, but the writing was seamlessly done. Pacing was very good and the multiple POV’s totally worked for me. So, if they ever choose to do another project together, I will be definitely be making grabby hands at it!
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
August 14, 2020
5 DARK, RAW AND TOUGH STARS!! This is a dark, raw and very tough story, but so worth the read. It was beautifully told by these two amazing authors. My poor heart felt every feel this book had....there were times I thought my heart stopped beating, but it always came back. This book will stick with me forever....I felt like I was watching a movie all the way through.
August 29, 2020
This book is meh..
I thought I would be reading something along the lines of Mindfuck Series by CM Owens BUT it was the fuck not. I was so blinded by Anne Malcom’s name on the cover that I dived in immediately without knowing the potential triggers (because I’m a huge fan of her), then again expectation is a real bitch sometimes.
First annoying thing about the story- The revenge took place on the last remaining chapters of the book which really disappointed me and it was not even that spectacular. It was sloppy and messy. I was expecting (expecting being the operative word) the heroine to develop into a badass vigilante but all I ever witnessed was her downward spiral which I was so not interested.
Second- I also hated the hero for not fighting more for the heroine. He is weak, he lets other people push him around. The heroine talks shit to him, insults him and the hero would just clamp up. Ugh. I’ve never encountered a hero as doormat as this one. I want my mans an alpha who bulldozes everything on his path to get to the heroine, so sad this hero is not even an inch of it.
Lastly and what really threw me off, enough to spike my blood pressure, was the detailed rape scene and it happened for 10 years. Good God! I was so devastated for the heroine and I’m not prepared for the emotional tailspin this book had put me through. I can read almost everything in my books, I’m not picky for as long as the gruesome details were not highlighted. But Oh Lord the author didn’t mince words in the rape scene. It’s the sickest thing I’ve read in my whole life I almost puked at my ereader. And the author let the heroine suffer for 10 years, that is just cruel! And reality check, there’s no bouncing back from that ordeal no matter how the author romanticize it for the readers. He should have made it shorter. 1 month or so but 10 years!? Gaaah I cannot! This will be my last read from this author. I am so done with him. I was traumatized.
I thought I would be reading something along the lines of Mindfuck Series by CM Owens BUT it was the fuck not. I was so blinded by Anne Malcom’s name on the cover that I dived in immediately without knowing the potential triggers (because I’m a huge fan of her), then again expectation is a real bitch sometimes.
First annoying thing about the story- The revenge took place on the last remaining chapters of the book which really disappointed me and it was not even that spectacular. It was sloppy and messy. I was expecting (expecting being the operative word) the heroine to develop into a badass vigilante but all I ever witnessed was her downward spiral which I was so not interested.
Second- I also hated the hero for not fighting more for the heroine. He is weak, he lets other people push him around. The heroine talks shit to him, insults him and the hero would just clamp up. Ugh. I’ve never encountered a hero as doormat as this one. I want my mans an alpha who bulldozes everything on his path to get to the heroine, so sad this hero is not even an inch of it.
Lastly and what really threw me off, enough to spike my blood pressure, was the detailed rape scene and it happened for 10 years. Good God! I was so devastated for the heroine and I’m not prepared for the emotional tailspin this book had put me through. I can read almost everything in my books, I’m not picky for as long as the gruesome details were not highlighted. But Oh Lord the author didn’t mince words in the rape scene. It’s the sickest thing I’ve read in my whole life I almost puked at my ereader. And the author let the heroine suffer for 10 years, that is just cruel! And reality check, there’s no bouncing back from that ordeal no matter how the author romanticize it for the readers. He should have made it shorter. 1 month or so but 10 years!? Gaaah I cannot! This will be my last read from this author. I am so done with him. I was traumatized.
August 10, 2020
This was my first read by both of these authors, I expected it to be dark and violent, which it was, but I also expected it to be like other books about surviving being abducted and rebuilding your life, but this one has a different take on things, which was good!
The story is based on Orion, a fourteen year old girl who was biking home from spending the day with her best friend and her having her first kiss given to her by her best friend's brother. She was in a world of her own with her head in the clouds and didn't see the van until it was too late and she was abducted.
She is raped and thrown into a basement that houses some other girls. She spends the next 10 years of her life in this basement, being raped, abused and tortured, plotting ways to escape. She does eventually get out and the detective working the case is none other than the boy who gave her her first kiss. For years he has searched and wondered what had become of Orion, now he has to help her rebuild her life.
The story then focuses on Orion and the girls who she escaped with and how they go about rebuilding their lives after living through everything that they have and readjusting to 'normality'.
It if a dark and violent read, beware there may be triggers, but it is also emotional and I was rooting for the girls to get their freedom and for their attackers to be caught. But the outcomes for each of the girls is very different, a stark reality to how we all adjust and cope with what life throws at us.
The ending is not what I expected at all, I saw it playing out differently, so that was a big surprise, but it did feel a little rushed at the end.
The story is based on Orion, a fourteen year old girl who was biking home from spending the day with her best friend and her having her first kiss given to her by her best friend's brother. She was in a world of her own with her head in the clouds and didn't see the van until it was too late and she was abducted.
She is raped and thrown into a basement that houses some other girls. She spends the next 10 years of her life in this basement, being raped, abused and tortured, plotting ways to escape. She does eventually get out and the detective working the case is none other than the boy who gave her her first kiss. For years he has searched and wondered what had become of Orion, now he has to help her rebuild her life.
The story then focuses on Orion and the girls who she escaped with and how they go about rebuilding their lives after living through everything that they have and readjusting to 'normality'.
It if a dark and violent read, beware there may be triggers, but it is also emotional and I was rooting for the girls to get their freedom and for their attackers to be caught. But the outcomes for each of the girls is very different, a stark reality to how we all adjust and cope with what life throws at us.
The ending is not what I expected at all, I saw it playing out differently, so that was a big surprise, but it did feel a little rushed at the end.
August 5, 2020
Intense with psychological undertones, this is a powerful story about kidnap, torture and abuse. There is some violence which is graphic, but most of the other stuff is more in the way of discussions than graphic scenes. It is well written by both authors and has a steady to fast pace. How I felt reading this?
Sad! These girls had their lives stolen forever, they were never going to be the same again, they suffered in so many ways and I could understand how the varied coping mechanisms helped in some way or meant escape. It is gripping but tense and emotional, not a story for the faint hearted because it does play on your mind long after it ends. This wasn't just about those taken it had a far wider affect than that, families, friends. I found it to be deep and dark, disturbing in many ways and I certainly didn't see how it would end. Quite a different read to some of the books I've read by these authors but well worth reading, thankfully I used to read some far darker books in my past. So good, held my attention throughout and I really didn't want to put it down. Engrossing plot with twists.
Sad! These girls had their lives stolen forever, they were never going to be the same again, they suffered in so many ways and I could understand how the varied coping mechanisms helped in some way or meant escape. It is gripping but tense and emotional, not a story for the faint hearted because it does play on your mind long after it ends. This wasn't just about those taken it had a far wider affect than that, families, friends. I found it to be deep and dark, disturbing in many ways and I certainly didn't see how it would end. Quite a different read to some of the books I've read by these authors but well worth reading, thankfully I used to read some far darker books in my past. So good, held my attention throughout and I really didn't want to put it down. Engrossing plot with twists.
August 1, 2022
*falls in love with every heroine Anne writes*
Also I need more books from this married duo please and thank you.
Also I need more books from this married duo please and thank you.
July 15, 2020
This is not a book for the faint of heart but amazing if you can handle some darker content. I have read 100 books this year and this one was hands down the best one I have read year to date. The way that Orion was written was so beautifully dark that you could not help but fall in love with her strength as well as her vulnerability. I felt all of her emotions the entire book. Anne Malcom and BT Urruela knocked
it out of the park with this book!!
it out of the park with this book!!
July 23, 2020
This book!
This book is utter perfection for me. It combines my favourite genres to read and I was just in heaven.
Dark, twisted and stormy romantic suspense.
You have to read it or we’re no longer friends honestly.
It crosses some lines for people with triggers but it’s so raw and honestly and real that it pushes the limits to an extent where there’s no turning back and I loved it. No spoilers from me but that ending is what I’m looking for every single day and only a few authors can manage to deliver it for me.
Just give it a try!
This book is utter perfection for me. It combines my favourite genres to read and I was just in heaven.
Dark, twisted and stormy romantic suspense.
You have to read it or we’re no longer friends honestly.
It crosses some lines for people with triggers but it’s so raw and honestly and real that it pushes the limits to an extent where there’s no turning back and I loved it. No spoilers from me but that ending is what I’m looking for every single day and only a few authors can manage to deliver it for me.
Just give it a try!
August 13, 2020
Holy crap! Talk about a wild and twisted ride!! As soon as I heard about this book I knew I just had to read it and I was right! It was even better than I initially imagined. It was dark, twisted, tragic and heartbreaking.....I loved every messed up second of it.
November 11, 2020
Meh 😒
I became quite bored of Orion & her downward spiral to be honest. It just droned on for too long. Half way through I started skimming full paragraphs because they went on & on & on 🤦🏼♀️ I’m thankful that there wasn’t too much detail on the abuse but raging that when she went all vigilante it was crammed into the final chapters of the book. So basically the 1st couple of chapters are of Orion when she’s younger, kidnapped & then escaping. then we have the whole middle section of the book dedicated to her self destructive, nasty behaviour. Finally the last couple of chapters are good & she becomes a total badass but then it ends. I felt like everything was crammed into the last two chapters, everything was skimmed over & rushed. For example, the second last chapter dedicated about 4 pages to her murders... like wtf??? I would’ve gladly read a full chapter on each of those murders instead of constantly reading about Orions self loathing, I don’t belong here, I don’t need anyone, everyone should stay away from me, I’m broken blah, blah, blah. Oh and Maddox annoyed me as well!! He was a bit of a pansy. He could’ve tried harder to win her over instead of sitting back for weeks & months at a time. So yeah... a bit meh 😒 in my opinion. 2.5 stars rounded up.
I became quite bored of Orion & her downward spiral to be honest. It just droned on for too long. Half way through I started skimming full paragraphs because they went on & on & on 🤦🏼♀️ I’m thankful that there wasn’t too much detail on the abuse but raging that when she went all vigilante it was crammed into the final chapters of the book. So basically the 1st couple of chapters are of Orion when she’s younger, kidnapped & then escaping. then we have the whole middle section of the book dedicated to her self destructive, nasty behaviour. Finally the last couple of chapters are good & she becomes a total badass but then it ends. I felt like everything was crammed into the last two chapters, everything was skimmed over & rushed. For example, the second last chapter dedicated about 4 pages to her murders... like wtf??? I would’ve gladly read a full chapter on each of those murders instead of constantly reading about Orions self loathing, I don’t belong here, I don’t need anyone, everyone should stay away from me, I’m broken blah, blah, blah. Oh and Maddox annoyed me as well!! He was a bit of a pansy. He could’ve tried harder to win her over instead of sitting back for weeks & months at a time. So yeah... a bit meh 😒 in my opinion. 2.5 stars rounded up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2020
This book has given me heartburn. That ending fucked me up.
Holy shite. I really didn't have a clue what to expect when I went into this story. Honestly I could never have anticipated it. Now I will say this in my opinion isn't romance or dark romance. It does have some romanticised elements within the story but please do not think going in to this that you're just reading a really dark romance book because this isn't that. This story definitely has huge triggers so here is your warning... this book contains abuse in all forms and kidnapping. If you are someone who is affected by this then this may not be for you. Please bare in mind that this is a dark book with horrific Shit that will fuck the most well adjusted humans up. It's a hard read period. You've been warned.
Now on to my feelings...
I have never had the pleasure of reading B.T Urruela So as far as his writting style goes I had no clue what to expect. However... Anne Malcom has been a forever favourite of mine for years so I knew that despite the unknown aspect from her other half she was a sure bet and I was probably going to love it. God these two are fucking magic. Honestly there is not a point in this book that I can pinpoint who wrote what or where one ended and the other began. That is what makes this book so fucking brilliant. I'm going to assume their writing styles are different so the fact that they've managed to merge together so seamlessly without effecting the integrity of the story is nothing short of brilliance.
This story, it's a all consuming darkness that eats away at every bit of rationality you possess. From the minute I opened this book I was thrust into the abyss. Into this dark and deeply deprived all consuming world filled with heart wrenchingly brutal and raw realities that are hard to comprehend. It's not even a little bit sweet and swoony. This is your darkness nightmares turned into someone's reality and it's not easy to read. Don't look for someone to be the hero, it doesn't happen in the ways you'd think.
"I want you to be the heroine of your own story," Maddox said, voice low.
I'm not the heroine, Maddox," she said stepping back. "I'm the villain, you just don't see it yet."
Orion is not like any heroine you've ever met. Her choices were taken away in the most brutal and disturbing ways leaving a hard mask in the place of what used to be a fiesty 14 year old girl with dreams of running away and making a better life for herself. Orion broke my soul into so many parts I felt like it was impossible to fix. She's broken in a way that can't be fixed or made better so she did the next best thing, she adjusted to her new normal. A normal where her demons lay just under the surface forever haunting her. Jaded, self loathing and malice are just a few of the emotions she ran with. She hurt to read because her reality is something so painful it shouldn't be real. As a character she's phenomenally written. I was so invested in her journey, in who she was and where she would take herself, I honestly could of cried when it was over.
The characters in this story play huge parts in Orion's journey because they are from different times in her life. It was fascinating to see how both authors seamlessly brought all the characters together without turning it into something this story was never meant to be. They are so multidimensional and add so much grit and emotion to an already powerful story, honestly it was overwhelming.
I loved Maddox's patience. I lived for Aprils determination. I was so damn proud of Jaclyn's fight and I appreciated Shelby's strength to move forward. My damn soul broke for sweet Mary Lou, truly that gutted me, I wasn't ready for that. There are more... honestly every character ingrained themselves to me in some way. It's hard to relate to the unimaginable but I can say for sure that they whole heartedly consumed me and evoked emotions that seriously fucked me up.
It's gutting in a way you don't see coming but this story is supposed to hurt. This isn't a fairytale or sweet romancing. I appreciate the willingness to delve into topics that are not easy to read or write. I love that these two captured the dark and didn't alter it or try to make it seem less than exactly what it was. Not every story can have a HEA in way you'd think. Sometimes it has to be the kind that leaves room for growth, to be able to live even if it's not pretty but it's true to them. That's exactly what they did. Orion's story isn't pretty but it's hers. Every painfully raw and honest thought, feeling and action.
I felt rage that was gut burning. I shouted, ranted and spewed profanity at this kindle. I cried in shock, in sadness and in despair. I cheered at her vengeful need to fix what's broken and I broke in the rare moments of raw vulnerability she allowed herself. Your going to want more. You'll feel all these emotions and wish for her happiness. But in the end you'll understand and accept her reality for what it is and what she becomes because of it. She's strong despite it all and I so fucking appreciate her strength, her character. She's a badass.
This book is a absolute rollercoaster of emotions that completely consume you. The book hangover isn't even funny and I'm honestly still not over everything that happened. This is a phenomenal book and unlike anything I've ever read before. I'm a romance girl all the way in all the great varieties it comes but this, it's different in a way that I won't forget. I finished it and went to work only to be plagued with thoughts of this book and everything that happened.
I need more. I want more. Damn it, this book is going to haunt me.
Holy shite. I really didn't have a clue what to expect when I went into this story. Honestly I could never have anticipated it. Now I will say this in my opinion isn't romance or dark romance. It does have some romanticised elements within the story but please do not think going in to this that you're just reading a really dark romance book because this isn't that. This story definitely has huge triggers so here is your warning... this book contains abuse in all forms and kidnapping. If you are someone who is affected by this then this may not be for you. Please bare in mind that this is a dark book with horrific Shit that will fuck the most well adjusted humans up. It's a hard read period. You've been warned.
Now on to my feelings...
I have never had the pleasure of reading B.T Urruela So as far as his writting style goes I had no clue what to expect. However... Anne Malcom has been a forever favourite of mine for years so I knew that despite the unknown aspect from her other half she was a sure bet and I was probably going to love it. God these two are fucking magic. Honestly there is not a point in this book that I can pinpoint who wrote what or where one ended and the other began. That is what makes this book so fucking brilliant. I'm going to assume their writing styles are different so the fact that they've managed to merge together so seamlessly without effecting the integrity of the story is nothing short of brilliance.
This story, it's a all consuming darkness that eats away at every bit of rationality you possess. From the minute I opened this book I was thrust into the abyss. Into this dark and deeply deprived all consuming world filled with heart wrenchingly brutal and raw realities that are hard to comprehend. It's not even a little bit sweet and swoony. This is your darkness nightmares turned into someone's reality and it's not easy to read. Don't look for someone to be the hero, it doesn't happen in the ways you'd think.
"I want you to be the heroine of your own story," Maddox said, voice low.
I'm not the heroine, Maddox," she said stepping back. "I'm the villain, you just don't see it yet."
Orion is not like any heroine you've ever met. Her choices were taken away in the most brutal and disturbing ways leaving a hard mask in the place of what used to be a fiesty 14 year old girl with dreams of running away and making a better life for herself. Orion broke my soul into so many parts I felt like it was impossible to fix. She's broken in a way that can't be fixed or made better so she did the next best thing, she adjusted to her new normal. A normal where her demons lay just under the surface forever haunting her. Jaded, self loathing and malice are just a few of the emotions she ran with. She hurt to read because her reality is something so painful it shouldn't be real. As a character she's phenomenally written. I was so invested in her journey, in who she was and where she would take herself, I honestly could of cried when it was over.
The characters in this story play huge parts in Orion's journey because they are from different times in her life. It was fascinating to see how both authors seamlessly brought all the characters together without turning it into something this story was never meant to be. They are so multidimensional and add so much grit and emotion to an already powerful story, honestly it was overwhelming.
I loved Maddox's patience. I lived for Aprils determination. I was so damn proud of Jaclyn's fight and I appreciated Shelby's strength to move forward. My damn soul broke for sweet Mary Lou, truly that gutted me, I wasn't ready for that. There are more... honestly every character ingrained themselves to me in some way. It's hard to relate to the unimaginable but I can say for sure that they whole heartedly consumed me and evoked emotions that seriously fucked me up.
It's gutting in a way you don't see coming but this story is supposed to hurt. This isn't a fairytale or sweet romancing. I appreciate the willingness to delve into topics that are not easy to read or write. I love that these two captured the dark and didn't alter it or try to make it seem less than exactly what it was. Not every story can have a HEA in way you'd think. Sometimes it has to be the kind that leaves room for growth, to be able to live even if it's not pretty but it's true to them. That's exactly what they did. Orion's story isn't pretty but it's hers. Every painfully raw and honest thought, feeling and action.
I felt rage that was gut burning. I shouted, ranted and spewed profanity at this kindle. I cried in shock, in sadness and in despair. I cheered at her vengeful need to fix what's broken and I broke in the rare moments of raw vulnerability she allowed herself. Your going to want more. You'll feel all these emotions and wish for her happiness. But in the end you'll understand and accept her reality for what it is and what she becomes because of it. She's strong despite it all and I so fucking appreciate her strength, her character. She's a badass.
This book is a absolute rollercoaster of emotions that completely consume you. The book hangover isn't even funny and I'm honestly still not over everything that happened. This is a phenomenal book and unlike anything I've ever read before. I'm a romance girl all the way in all the great varieties it comes but this, it's different in a way that I won't forget. I finished it and went to work only to be plagued with thoughts of this book and everything that happened.
I need more. I want more. Damn it, this book is going to haunt me.
August 1, 2020
Hush by BT Urruela and Anne Malcom is a brand new thriller stand-alone.
With only reading the blurb, I went into this book blind. I just knew from this blurb that this book was going to shatter my mind, heart and soul.
I am just going to say one thing, trust these authors. Go into this book blind, take a risk, venture into the unknown without reading those reviews.
This book does tackle some triggers that may trigger with your own, so please when picking up this book be known of that.
This is a book that I feel people should read and it is what is needed. The world is filled with so many fucked up things and one of those things are kidnapping and abduction.
Ever wondered about what happens to those girls and boys who get taken from the street. This is the story of how we find out what life is like for those lost girls when they are set free.
I’ve watched a million shows and read so many books about how, why and what happens but never about the aftermath.
Especially the aftermath, learning how they adapt to life itself and learn the new norm.
After learning Orion’s Story, I fed off her anger, her pain was living for her thirst of seeking blood, justice and vengeance for those who wronged her.
That was what she craved.
They took the wrong girl.
Besides all that happened to Orion, I loved her fierceness and how strong she was throughout this book. Her strength and determination was shown in every aspect in this book.
It’s not the darkness in this book that got to me, it was what is to happen to this girl that cut me real deep in the feels.
One thing that I loved was that the romance side of this book wasn’t the whole focus point but there is that touch that I think was needed as it gives hope and light to this already dark story.
I’ve never read anything by BT but Anne I have, it was easy to see where one would start and one would pick up but the whole story flowed as one and blended together perfectly.
Definitely pick up this story as I feel it is one that needs to be read. This is a story that will stick with me forever as it’s something that I have never seen written before, especially in the way that we see a heroines life after her life had been stolen from her.
September 13, 2020
Reading a piece of co-written work is always a sweet deal. As a reader, you get a taste of each author. If you have previously read the authors individually, then as you read the co-written piece, you can easily point out which author wrote “which” words or “which character”. I could not for the life of me figure out which of these two crafty individuals wrote what part as I read because it was effortlessly and beautifully written that came from a raw place. The fluidity of the story was seamless, considering there were a few perspectives being spoken in this novel.
It took me some time to read through this book, where as, many times I devour a book in one day. This book had to be read in small doses for me because of the reality of the situation that took place in this story. We live in a world that is filled with both hatred and love equally, yet the hate is always on the surface, while love is harder to see and find. As humans, we can choose to just survive, we can choose to just cope, we can choose to give up, or we can choose to cope and survive in order to gain control again.
HUSH was an incredible story of all four mechanisms above. We are never told what life has in store for us. We are never told the secrets to always winning the cards handed to us. There’s always blame floating around because of what we have endured in our lives. What so many don’t realize is that we the victims, have so much more power. We just have to choose. We have to learn how to play those cards handed to us where in the end, you play/choose to cope and survive. That is what Ri, Shelby, Jaclyn, Maddox, and April all had to do in this story.
What an amazing story of the trials and tribulations one endures in life. A story with the sadness of the loss of love, freedom, of all the simple things we take for granted. A beautiful story of finding a way to cope and survive while finding your way back to what was lost with a side of broken.
Definitely a great story co written by two fabulous authors who have an incredible gift with creating and delivering great stories for avid readers like myself. If this book hits hard for you emotionally like it did for me, know you are not alone. When an author can reach into your heart and soul, with their words, then that my dear reader friends, is 5 plus star rating.
Happy reading to all!
It took me some time to read through this book, where as, many times I devour a book in one day. This book had to be read in small doses for me because of the reality of the situation that took place in this story. We live in a world that is filled with both hatred and love equally, yet the hate is always on the surface, while love is harder to see and find. As humans, we can choose to just survive, we can choose to just cope, we can choose to give up, or we can choose to cope and survive in order to gain control again.
HUSH was an incredible story of all four mechanisms above. We are never told what life has in store for us. We are never told the secrets to always winning the cards handed to us. There’s always blame floating around because of what we have endured in our lives. What so many don’t realize is that we the victims, have so much more power. We just have to choose. We have to learn how to play those cards handed to us where in the end, you play/choose to cope and survive. That is what Ri, Shelby, Jaclyn, Maddox, and April all had to do in this story.
What an amazing story of the trials and tribulations one endures in life. A story with the sadness of the loss of love, freedom, of all the simple things we take for granted. A beautiful story of finding a way to cope and survive while finding your way back to what was lost with a side of broken.
Definitely a great story co written by two fabulous authors who have an incredible gift with creating and delivering great stories for avid readers like myself. If this book hits hard for you emotionally like it did for me, know you are not alone. When an author can reach into your heart and soul, with their words, then that my dear reader friends, is 5 plus star rating.
Happy reading to all!
September 14, 2020
This book was amazing. Completely and utterly enthralled me. The story centers around Orions abduction at 14 and imprisonment for a decade in the harshest conditions. Taking a very real fear and asking what becomes of someone that has to suffer those horrors. How does it change you and can you ever really escape it. What happens when the victim becomes the monster.
After escaping her tormenters with the two other women she was held with Orion has to take that journey. Confronted with her past that she never thought she'd see again in the form of Maddox her childhood crush and best friends brother who just happens to be the detective on her case. After escaping Orion is consumed with thoughts of revenge. While this gives her the strength to confront her nightmare's, the other girls turn to different methods of coping. I loved that each of the girls dealt with the trauma in very real ways and it wasn't a cliché oh yay were free everything is sunshine and daisies. That's not how life works and the authors captured that beautifully. It addresses the fact that not only the direct victims suffer because of an event like this. The ones closest to the victims are also irrevocably changed. I loved Maddox's character and how he was always there no matter what vicious thing Orion said to him. He weathered it and stood by her asking nothing in return. We could all use a Maddox.
This is not definitely not romance centered while there is a romance plot it is much more focused on Orion and her revenge and recovery from the trauma of her ordeal. Highly recommend if you can deal with darker subject matter.
TW: kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder
After escaping her tormenters with the two other women she was held with Orion has to take that journey. Confronted with her past that she never thought she'd see again in the form of Maddox her childhood crush and best friends brother who just happens to be the detective on her case. After escaping Orion is consumed with thoughts of revenge. While this gives her the strength to confront her nightmare's, the other girls turn to different methods of coping. I loved that each of the girls dealt with the trauma in very real ways and it wasn't a cliché oh yay were free everything is sunshine and daisies. That's not how life works and the authors captured that beautifully. It addresses the fact that not only the direct victims suffer because of an event like this. The ones closest to the victims are also irrevocably changed. I loved Maddox's character and how he was always there no matter what vicious thing Orion said to him. He weathered it and stood by her asking nothing in return. We could all use a Maddox.
This is not definitely not romance centered while there is a romance plot it is much more focused on Orion and her revenge and recovery from the trauma of her ordeal. Highly recommend if you can deal with darker subject matter.
TW: kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder
August 4, 2020
From the very first page this book hooked my interest and kept it the whole way through. It is dark, it is grisly at times, but it is addictive too.
If you thought other stories had taken you on an emotional rollercoaster, then yes they probably have but this story must be the mega rollercoaster of all emotional rides ever. The depth of feeling you experience reading certain scenes is hard to explain but it almost guts you, yet it wakes you up at the same time. It makes you take a good, hard look at things in your own life.
The whole concept of this story is not new, yet the way it is delivered is, and it works. We, the reader, discover through mainly Orion, what it was like being kidnapped, tortured and abused but it isn’t as graphic as it sounds, and I applaud these authors for the manner in which they wrote it. Snippets from the other girls also provide us with different reactions and thoughts. Without giving anything away these are important to show how different people are and how different lifestyles and situations can affect outcomes.
How would you react if this happened to you? This is a question I tried to answer after I read this book, and honestly, you can’t because until you have experienced such a soul destroying thing you wouldn’t know. However, I can say I understand and empathise with the three girls who escaped. No judgements, no ifs or buts.
My heart broke for more than the three girls though, Maddox and April were two characters who suffered too. I really liked this brother and sister team, especially how different they were yet similar in their love for Ri/Orion.
And that ending? Well, I will let you decide for yourself but I am happy.
August 6, 2020
Have been DYING to read this book since this dynamic duo first announced it. The blurb, cover, teasers and early reviews just hyped up my eagerness even more. Let me say here and now, from the prologue alone, none of it was exaggerated!!!!
“Hush now, girl. You belong to us now….”
I'm sitting here slack jawed and bug eyed, and the book has barely started. That line alone has red flags and warning signs clanging in my head. Already I know this isn't a book that I'll forget for a long, long time.
Honestly I don't know how to adequately convey the heart breaking story that is between these pages. The way the authors have done it, makes you almost feel like you are one of the stolen girls. The strength and resilience they have before, during and after is awe inspiring.
This story is not pretty, not once did it pretend it was going to be something it was going to be something you could tie up with a pretty little bow, (and that was one of the many reasons why i loved it), but still I found myself trying to turn the page after the last page. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to characters and a plot that buried itself deep inside me, tearing me apart.
I cannot reccomend this book enough, and have everything crossed that this author pair write together again in the future as they are amazing writers when working solo, but together.....MIND BLOWN.
Would give more stars if I could!!!
“Hush now, girl. You belong to us now….”
I'm sitting here slack jawed and bug eyed, and the book has barely started. That line alone has red flags and warning signs clanging in my head. Already I know this isn't a book that I'll forget for a long, long time.
Honestly I don't know how to adequately convey the heart breaking story that is between these pages. The way the authors have done it, makes you almost feel like you are one of the stolen girls. The strength and resilience they have before, during and after is awe inspiring.
This story is not pretty, not once did it pretend it was going to be something it was going to be something you could tie up with a pretty little bow, (and that was one of the many reasons why i loved it), but still I found myself trying to turn the page after the last page. I wasn't ready to say goodbye to characters and a plot that buried itself deep inside me, tearing me apart.
I cannot reccomend this book enough, and have everything crossed that this author pair write together again in the future as they are amazing writers when working solo, but together.....MIND BLOWN.
Would give more stars if I could!!!
August 3, 2020
5 star review Hush by Anne Malcom & B T Urruela
Both Anne Malcom and B T Urruela are new authors to me and what an eye opening story this was. I am not sure where to start with this book, told in the third person, something I do not usually gravitate towards, this book was extremely dark. Be prepared, this is not for the faint of heart, it is violent, uncomfortable and may cause triggers for some readers, so you have been warned.
This is a well written story that certainly tested my boundaries. There was suspense and so much pain, emotion and suffering within these pages that I had a hard time putting this one down. My heart broke for Orion Darby and all that she and the others suffered through. I have no idea which author wrote what but the story flowed well .This is a raw and emotional book that had me screaming at my kindle.
Orion was a strong and courageous woman and one that I admired a great deal. I was gripped from the first to the last chapter and this one certainly left me with one heck of a book hangover. The book does not end as you would expect so again, be prepared.
Both Anne Malcom and B T Urruela are new authors to me and what an eye opening story this was. I am not sure where to start with this book, told in the third person, something I do not usually gravitate towards, this book was extremely dark. Be prepared, this is not for the faint of heart, it is violent, uncomfortable and may cause triggers for some readers, so you have been warned.
This is a well written story that certainly tested my boundaries. There was suspense and so much pain, emotion and suffering within these pages that I had a hard time putting this one down. My heart broke for Orion Darby and all that she and the others suffered through. I have no idea which author wrote what but the story flowed well .This is a raw and emotional book that had me screaming at my kindle.
Orion was a strong and courageous woman and one that I admired a great deal. I was gripped from the first to the last chapter and this one certainly left me with one heck of a book hangover. The book does not end as you would expect so again, be prepared.
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