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Hush #6
Let Her Be
A writer’s misguided suspicions ruined his life once before. This time he plans to prove he’s right in a New York Times bestselling author’s haunting short story of what happens when seeing is not believing.
Will, an aspiring novelist, can’t stop parsing his ex-girlfriend’s popular social media accounts for clues that her ideal new rural life with the perfect man has a dark side. After all, nobody he knows has actually seen the blissful blogger in the flesh for nearly a year. When Will draws a wary friend into his “investigation,” the real question becomes who’s truly in danger.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
Will, an aspiring novelist, can’t stop parsing his ex-girlfriend’s popular social media accounts for clues that her ideal new rural life with the perfect man has a dark side. After all, nobody he knows has actually seen the blissful blogger in the flesh for nearly a year. When Will draws a wary friend into his “investigation,” the real question becomes who’s truly in danger.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
3 pages, Audiobook
First published July 30, 2020
1792 people are currently reading
3732 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Unger
51 books10.9k followersLisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty-three novels, including her upcoming release SERVED HIM RIGHT (March, 2026). With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times, and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations in the same year, an honor held by only a few authors including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 679 reviews
May 6, 2023
A year ago, Will, an aspiring novelist, attempted suicide, saved before it was too late, by his ex-girlfriend. After in-hospital therapy and continuing outpatient therapy, he's trying to move on from those dark days when he didn't want to live. His paranoia, distrust, and jealousy was what broke the couple up before and now, even though his girlfriend has a life as a reclusive blogger, sharing her happy new relationship online, Will thinks she must not really be happy. No one has seen his ex, in person, in a year, so he's determined to find out if she is really as happy as her social media indicates. We already know that Will has had a problem with seeing reality clearly, in the past. Is he doing it again, seeing something that is not really there?
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of 6 stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death.
Pub July 30th 2020
This is a Kindle Unlimited selection.
Lisa Unger’s Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of 6 stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death.
Pub July 30th 2020
This is a Kindle Unlimited selection.
October 23, 2021
Oh sweet hell! So far this is my favorite batshit crazy, dark, obsessive, twisty story of Hush series.
When I read Will’s parts of the story, Penn Badgley’s face appeared on my mind (Well, dear hottie Penn, every time I read about a stalker, passionate, obsessive possessive boyfriend story, your face always captures my mind!)
Will is aspiring novelist, suffering from traumatic past, her sister has drawn in the lake when he was a young boy and a few years later he started to date with Anisa who has a huge resemblance with her sister! Their intimate relationship turned into something messy, threatening, and his paranoid and suspicious manners, mental and physical emotional abusive attitudes destroyed everything they had.
Of course Will didn’t handle the breakup well and after Anisa gets restraining order, he gets more agitated. His frustration results in suicide attempt.
Now as he tries to move on his life by focusing to become a successful author with help of Emily who is common friend of him and his ex , he shares his opinions about Anisa and new boyfriend ’ fake Instagram popularism. Anisa left her job at finance, living secluded, ultra healthy life style, giving tips and sharing her experiences about getting rid of toxic relationship.
Will thinks she doesn’t act like she is. And for a long time nobody in their close friends circle talk face to face with her.
Emily also finds her friend’s sudden manners and she decides to help Will to find the truth.
But the ugly truth they get to learn may push them cross a very dangerous line!
Yes, final twist was smart, well played, surprisingly entertaining !
I’m giving 4.5 stars! ( of course it rounded up to 5)I have to read two more books from Hush series but this one is a real winner! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
When I read Will’s parts of the story, Penn Badgley’s face appeared on my mind (Well, dear hottie Penn, every time I read about a stalker, passionate, obsessive possessive boyfriend story, your face always captures my mind!)
Will is aspiring novelist, suffering from traumatic past, her sister has drawn in the lake when he was a young boy and a few years later he started to date with Anisa who has a huge resemblance with her sister! Their intimate relationship turned into something messy, threatening, and his paranoid and suspicious manners, mental and physical emotional abusive attitudes destroyed everything they had.
Of course Will didn’t handle the breakup well and after Anisa gets restraining order, he gets more agitated. His frustration results in suicide attempt.
Now as he tries to move on his life by focusing to become a successful author with help of Emily who is common friend of him and his ex , he shares his opinions about Anisa and new boyfriend ’ fake Instagram popularism. Anisa left her job at finance, living secluded, ultra healthy life style, giving tips and sharing her experiences about getting rid of toxic relationship.
Will thinks she doesn’t act like she is. And for a long time nobody in their close friends circle talk face to face with her.
Emily also finds her friend’s sudden manners and she decides to help Will to find the truth.
But the ugly truth they get to learn may push them cross a very dangerous line!
Yes, final twist was smart, well played, surprisingly entertaining !
I’m giving 4.5 stars! ( of course it rounded up to 5)I have to read two more books from Hush series but this one is a real winner! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
December 6, 2023
“They say the brother did it. There was always something off about that boy.”
We’re in New York City for this one.
Will tried to commit suicide about a year ago, and since then he’s been trying to get his life back together.
Anisa has a new boyfriend, Parker, and they’ve moved upstate and become “simple life” enthusiasts—and influencers.
Will meets Emily, one of his and Anisa’s close friends. They discuss their own literary works (his, novel; hers, poetry). But it really turns into an Anisa fishing expedition.
The books starts out in almost boring fashion, yet becomes engrossing by the time Will has left the coffee shop.
Could use improvement when writing with a male narrative voice. While Will is a writer, he’s also violent and has ASPD. The prose of his inner thought process is often at war with these factors.
As Emily and Will compare notes, they realize that no one’s actually *spoken* to Anisa in over a year—since Will’s suicide attempt. And they’re concerned.
Fascinating to see the author peel back the layers of this onion.
Wild ending.
Well, we’re all unreliable narrators of our own lives, aren’t we?
We’re in New York City for this one.
Will tried to commit suicide about a year ago, and since then he’s been trying to get his life back together.
Anisa has a new boyfriend, Parker, and they’ve moved upstate and become “simple life” enthusiasts—and influencers.
Will meets Emily, one of his and Anisa’s close friends. They discuss their own literary works (his, novel; hers, poetry). But it really turns into an Anisa fishing expedition.
The books starts out in almost boring fashion, yet becomes engrossing by the time Will has left the coffee shop.
Could use improvement when writing with a male narrative voice. While Will is a writer, he’s also violent and has ASPD. The prose of his inner thought process is often at war with these factors.
As Emily and Will compare notes, they realize that no one’s actually *spoken* to Anisa in over a year—since Will’s suicide attempt. And they’re concerned.
Fascinating to see the author peel back the layers of this onion.
Wild ending.
Well, we’re all unreliable narrators of our own lives, aren’t we?
August 5, 2020
Yessss! This is how you write a short story! Holy hell- when a writer can get you fully invested in a book that takes under an hour to read- that is talent my friends. I have gone from not have read a single Lisa Unger book to reading two in a week. I read Confessions on the 7:45 earlier this week and LOVED IT.
Will has loved, lost, stalked, got a restraining order named in his honor. Yes he has done quite a bit. He has also struggled with guilt, regret and with the fact that he tried to attempt suicide. Will has been through a lot. He regrets driving his true love away. Anisa is always on his mind.
This book managed to put me on edge immediately, I felt uneasy and I wondered what had happened to Anisa. Was she really off living the good life or had she met a darker fate? This book had me flipping the pages as quick as I could. The ending was simply fantastic!
I highly suggest you grab this from Amazon as it is part of the new Hush series...it takes less than an hour and it is so worth it.
Will has loved, lost, stalked, got a restraining order named in his honor. Yes he has done quite a bit. He has also struggled with guilt, regret and with the fact that he tried to attempt suicide. Will has been through a lot. He regrets driving his true love away. Anisa is always on his mind.
This book managed to put me on edge immediately, I felt uneasy and I wondered what had happened to Anisa. Was she really off living the good life or had she met a darker fate? This book had me flipping the pages as quick as I could. The ending was simply fantastic!
I highly suggest you grab this from Amazon as it is part of the new Hush series...it takes less than an hour and it is so worth it.
January 10, 2021
Short story about a girl (Anisa) gone missing for a year, none of her friends and family have seen her, except for her blog posts. Her ex-boyfriend (Will) is obsessed with Anisa, and is trying to figure out where she’s gone. (He was stalking her in the past and Anisa had to put a restraining order out against him.) After a friend of Anisa’s and Will’s (Emily) starts to get curious about her too, they both go looking for Anisa.
This book was okay at best. The conclusion is a bit confusing, but I think I got it. But I really got tired of the weak male lead character (Will) moping over Anisa, and his endless whining inner thoughts.
This book was okay at best. The conclusion is a bit confusing, but I think I got it. But I really got tired of the weak male lead character (Will) moping over Anisa, and his endless whining inner thoughts.
September 15, 2020
What a well written and engaging short story!
Combine crazy with social media.... We all know how that turns out 😏
Combine crazy with social media.... We all know how that turns out 😏
August 19, 2020
Really enjoyed this short story by Lisa Unger. Let Her Be is part of Hush, a collection of six stories, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one sitting.
I am normally not a fan of short stories but in the current climate I think these work really well. I can’t turn the radio on in my car anymore or watch TV as I feel I am being bombarded with way too much information and for short car journeys or just a kindle one sitting read the Hush Collection is just perfect.
Let Her Be is a suspenseful and entertaining psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing with its twists and turns. At just over 2 hours listening time its easily a one sitting read or listen.
There are six short stories in the collection, and I have downloaded Buried by Jeffery Deaver for my next listen.
I am normally not a fan of short stories but in the current climate I think these work really well. I can’t turn the radio on in my car anymore or watch TV as I feel I am being bombarded with way too much information and for short car journeys or just a kindle one sitting read the Hush Collection is just perfect.
Let Her Be is a suspenseful and entertaining psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing with its twists and turns. At just over 2 hours listening time its easily a one sitting read or listen.
There are six short stories in the collection, and I have downloaded Buried by Jeffery Deaver for my next listen.
August 1, 2020
I loved this one! ❤️ (But not the narrator-read it!)
So many passages resonated with me!
After nearly committing Suicide, Will has done the work with his therapist.
So why can’t he believe that the life his Ex girlfriend, Anisa, is posting on Social Media is genuine?
Is it because she hasn’t ACTUALLY spoken to friends or family for over a year?
Even her mother doesn’t know where she is living..
“She lives online like all of you kids.” was her response..”You think that’s the real World. but it isn’t.”
Is Anisa in trouble?
Or is this the excuse Will needs to reconnect?
This is a short story from the HUSH collection-6 Stories-6 Deceptions!
About 82 minutes to read this one..
This was MY personal favorite out of the six.
Amazon Original short stories, written by some of our favorite authors including Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Alison Gaylin, Jeffrey Denver, Laura Lippmann and Oyinkan Braithwaite.
Or a great way to sample an author’s work if he or she is new to you!
So many passages resonated with me!
After nearly committing Suicide, Will has done the work with his therapist.
So why can’t he believe that the life his Ex girlfriend, Anisa, is posting on Social Media is genuine?
Is it because she hasn’t ACTUALLY spoken to friends or family for over a year?
Even her mother doesn’t know where she is living..
“She lives online like all of you kids.” was her response..”You think that’s the real World. but it isn’t.”
Is Anisa in trouble?
Or is this the excuse Will needs to reconnect?
This is a short story from the HUSH collection-6 Stories-6 Deceptions!
About 82 minutes to read this one..
This was MY personal favorite out of the six.
Amazon Original short stories, written by some of our favorite authors including Lisa Unger, Ruth Ware, Alison Gaylin, Jeffrey Denver, Laura Lippmann and Oyinkan Braithwaite.
Or a great way to sample an author’s work if he or she is new to you!
August 12, 2020
Leave it to Lisa Unger to be able to ratchet up the tension even in a short story of only 60 pages. Wil is an aspiring author who has finally recovered physically from a suicide attempt.
His girlfriend Anisa wants nothing to do with him and has a restraining order against him.
He can’t emotionally let go of Anisa, who now has a new life. According to her very popular blog, she is living a happy, healthy, minimalist life with a new boyfriend. Will recruits an old friend of hers, Emily, who hasn’t seen her in over a year, to investigate where she is currently living and if she really is o.k. Actually not even her mother has seen her in all this time.
They decide together to go to his parent’s lake side home to work on their writing and continue to try to find out where Anisa is living.
To tell any more is to ruin this short story. I can tell you that the cottage, lake, woods, etc lend a spooky, atmospheric element to the story. As we all know there are often many sides to someone’s inner self and both Will and Emily have secrets.
I loved this short story and if you do also I would highly recommend her newest novel “Confessions on the 7:45” which will be released in October, 2020. It is one of the top thrillers I have read this year.
My review if you are interested : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This short story is part of the HUSH collection of six stories available on Amazon now.
His girlfriend Anisa wants nothing to do with him and has a restraining order against him.
He can’t emotionally let go of Anisa, who now has a new life. According to her very popular blog, she is living a happy, healthy, minimalist life with a new boyfriend. Will recruits an old friend of hers, Emily, who hasn’t seen her in over a year, to investigate where she is currently living and if she really is o.k. Actually not even her mother has seen her in all this time.
They decide together to go to his parent’s lake side home to work on their writing and continue to try to find out where Anisa is living.
To tell any more is to ruin this short story. I can tell you that the cottage, lake, woods, etc lend a spooky, atmospheric element to the story. As we all know there are often many sides to someone’s inner self and both Will and Emily have secrets.
I loved this short story and if you do also I would highly recommend her newest novel “Confessions on the 7:45” which will be released in October, 2020. It is one of the top thrillers I have read this year.
My review if you are interested : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This short story is part of the HUSH collection of six stories available on Amazon now.
October 2, 2020
Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
In a story that takes the reader on an emotional exploration of a broken man, Lisa Unger offers a roadmap that is anything but linear. A great short story that delivers an impactful punch but remains placid throughout. Perfect for a warm and cozy getaway from the busyness life offers up!
Will is an author who’s looking for his first book deal, though this seems to be the least of his worries. His life has been without a clear purpose since his suicide attempt and he still marvels that the woman he pushed away so violently was the one who saved him. Anisa’s long gone, but her spirit still populates his every thought.
While meeting with a mutual friend, Emily, Will seeks to determine if any recent news of Anisa exists. Of course, there is the strong social media presence that she has left—a digital breadcrumb trail—but it is not enough for Will. While his psychologist wants him to push out the emotions and start fresh, Will cannot help but pick at this one scab. Emily has nothing concrete to offer, as though Anisa has built a wall and left everyone on the outside.
In an attempt at some closure or to pique his curiosity, Will and Emily embark on an adventure of their own to find Anisa. Their travels help Will come to terms with other issues from his past, though emotions still circle the drain and he is none the wiser to what happens. Yet, Emily has her own emotions that she is trying to decipher, as well as a secret that might help Will let Anisa be, once and for all!
As with all the other HUSH collection I have read to date, Lisa Unger’s writing is entirely new to me. I came upon this book and thought it was best to start with something a little quicker before committing to a full-length novel. Now that I had the chance with this story, I am eager to see what else there is to discover.
Unger creates her Will character as someone who is full of complexity and yet proves to be quite simple. He is still emotionally vulnerable from the loss of Anisa and stunted from the attempt to end his life. Trying to make a name for himself, Will relies on others to keep him stable, from parents who protect him to Emily, who seeks to help him fill in all the blanks. There are glimpses of backstory here, though much is lived in the present. As with many short stories, Unger has little room to develop her character, forcing the reader to love or hate him from the get-go.
The story itself clipped along fairly well. It was more an emotional onion peeling than one of action and adventure. Unger uses the slow reveal of Will and his sentiments to fuel the larger Anisa mystery. The plot does evolve and the reader can see a few twists in the road, though much happens below the surface and it is the shifting of emotional headspace that proves to be the most significant ‘aha’ moment in the piece.
While the story is a single entry, there are a few section breaks that help provide a rest stop for the reader. Will seems to need this as much as the reader to gather thoughts and process what’s come to light, though Unger does well without the need for chapters. The narrative worked well and the dialogue pulled out the needed sentiments to keep the story from becoming a sob story for a lost love and a man mourning his mistakes. Not my usual fare, but I want to see what else Lisa Unger has to say, perhaps in something a little longer and full of action.
Kudos, Madam Unger, for this piece. I will be back to see if you’re one to add to my list of authors to follow!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/re...
In a story that takes the reader on an emotional exploration of a broken man, Lisa Unger offers a roadmap that is anything but linear. A great short story that delivers an impactful punch but remains placid throughout. Perfect for a warm and cozy getaway from the busyness life offers up!
Will is an author who’s looking for his first book deal, though this seems to be the least of his worries. His life has been without a clear purpose since his suicide attempt and he still marvels that the woman he pushed away so violently was the one who saved him. Anisa’s long gone, but her spirit still populates his every thought.
While meeting with a mutual friend, Emily, Will seeks to determine if any recent news of Anisa exists. Of course, there is the strong social media presence that she has left—a digital breadcrumb trail—but it is not enough for Will. While his psychologist wants him to push out the emotions and start fresh, Will cannot help but pick at this one scab. Emily has nothing concrete to offer, as though Anisa has built a wall and left everyone on the outside.
In an attempt at some closure or to pique his curiosity, Will and Emily embark on an adventure of their own to find Anisa. Their travels help Will come to terms with other issues from his past, though emotions still circle the drain and he is none the wiser to what happens. Yet, Emily has her own emotions that she is trying to decipher, as well as a secret that might help Will let Anisa be, once and for all!
As with all the other HUSH collection I have read to date, Lisa Unger’s writing is entirely new to me. I came upon this book and thought it was best to start with something a little quicker before committing to a full-length novel. Now that I had the chance with this story, I am eager to see what else there is to discover.
Unger creates her Will character as someone who is full of complexity and yet proves to be quite simple. He is still emotionally vulnerable from the loss of Anisa and stunted from the attempt to end his life. Trying to make a name for himself, Will relies on others to keep him stable, from parents who protect him to Emily, who seeks to help him fill in all the blanks. There are glimpses of backstory here, though much is lived in the present. As with many short stories, Unger has little room to develop her character, forcing the reader to love or hate him from the get-go.
The story itself clipped along fairly well. It was more an emotional onion peeling than one of action and adventure. Unger uses the slow reveal of Will and his sentiments to fuel the larger Anisa mystery. The plot does evolve and the reader can see a few twists in the road, though much happens below the surface and it is the shifting of emotional headspace that proves to be the most significant ‘aha’ moment in the piece.
While the story is a single entry, there are a few section breaks that help provide a rest stop for the reader. Will seems to need this as much as the reader to gather thoughts and process what’s come to light, though Unger does well without the need for chapters. The narrative worked well and the dialogue pulled out the needed sentiments to keep the story from becoming a sob story for a lost love and a man mourning his mistakes. Not my usual fare, but I want to see what else Lisa Unger has to say, perhaps in something a little longer and full of action.
Kudos, Madam Unger, for this piece. I will be back to see if you’re one to add to my list of authors to follow!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
September 10, 2020
A dark and twisty short story about obsession, which made me feel uneasy, and which left me with more questions than answers
Will, a writer can't stop thinking about his ex girlfriend, Anisa. To say that their relationship ended badly, is an understatement, and now he cannot stop looking at her social media pages. He can't believe that no one has seen Anisa in almost a year! Is she in trouble?
What the heck did I just read?! I have so many questions, and I'm not 100% sure I understand what was true and what wasn't?! What actually happened?! I think I was thoroughly misled by Lisa Unger, and I keep changing my mind, to what occurred!
After reading The Sleep Tight Motel, and enjoying it, I added this immediately to my KU shelf! It was fast paced, creepy, unsettling and unreliable, and I felt compelled to find out what had happened to Anisa! I greedily turned the pages, getting really sucked into the story, which at just 60 pages, is some feat! Great writing!
Will reminded me of Joe from You! He was certainly very troubled, with anger issues, but was that all that he was struggling with? I found myself puzzled and confused as I finished this book, not knowing what was real, and what was in Will's mind? After thinking about this book today, I'm pretty sure I do know what happened, but it was clever of the author to leave it a bit ambiguous I think!
'Let Her Be is part of the Amazon Hush collection, six short stories where deception can be a matter of life and death.'
Will, a writer can't stop thinking about his ex girlfriend, Anisa. To say that their relationship ended badly, is an understatement, and now he cannot stop looking at her social media pages. He can't believe that no one has seen Anisa in almost a year! Is she in trouble?
What the heck did I just read?! I have so many questions, and I'm not 100% sure I understand what was true and what wasn't?! What actually happened?! I think I was thoroughly misled by Lisa Unger, and I keep changing my mind, to what occurred!
After reading The Sleep Tight Motel, and enjoying it, I added this immediately to my KU shelf! It was fast paced, creepy, unsettling and unreliable, and I felt compelled to find out what had happened to Anisa! I greedily turned the pages, getting really sucked into the story, which at just 60 pages, is some feat! Great writing!
Will reminded me of Joe from You! He was certainly very troubled, with anger issues, but was that all that he was struggling with? I found myself puzzled and confused as I finished this book, not knowing what was real, and what was in Will's mind? After thinking about this book today, I'm pretty sure I do know what happened, but it was clever of the author to leave it a bit ambiguous I think!
'Let Her Be is part of the Amazon Hush collection, six short stories where deception can be a matter of life and death.'
August 1, 2020
This short story from the Amazon Hush Collection is so good! Will is recovering after a suicide attempt following the complete breakdown of his relationship with Anisa. She has now moved on with her life and is building up a lifestyle following on social media. However, no one from her old life in New York has actually seen her for a while..... With the help of Anisa’s friend Emily, will tries to uncover the truth. What unfolds is twisty and uncovers a painful past. Gripping and enjoyable- onto the next one!
April 29, 2022
A good short read by an author I really like!
This story is about Will. A man who attempted suicide a year ago. After extensive therapy and a stay at a hospital, he has to learn to move on from his past. I enjoyed this short story and the few twists that kept the story going.
This story is about Will. A man who attempted suicide a year ago. After extensive therapy and a stay at a hospital, he has to learn to move on from his past. I enjoyed this short story and the few twists that kept the story going.
August 2, 2020
After attempting suicide when his girlfriend breaks up with him, Will, an aspiring novelist, is trying to pick up the pieces of his life a year later. The thing is, he’s not quite over his ex. He follows her and her current boyfriend on social media and can’t help thinking about how his relationship with her went so wrong. When Will finds out that none of her friends or family have actually seen her in a year, he enlists an unlikely sidekick to figure out what’s going on.
This was good. Even great. I was on edge throughout the story...all the way to the very last page. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what I just read.
This is part of Amazon’s new Hush Collection, 6 stories each written by a different author.
This was good. Even great. I was on edge throughout the story...all the way to the very last page. I’m still trying to wrap my head around what I just read.
This is part of Amazon’s new Hush Collection, 6 stories each written by a different author.
September 27, 2020
To Be or not…
Our main character has survived a recent suicide attempt and is still recovering emotionally.
Is he conquering his obsession with his ex or is he stuck in limbo? Will he finally finish his book or get a paying job in the meantime? Described by his parents as “failure to launch” he’s back at home and going through the motions.
A few twists that could have gone either way, this was an engrossing short story rating high on creepiness from the start.
At less than 60 pages, this packs a punch!
Our main character has survived a recent suicide attempt and is still recovering emotionally.
Is he conquering his obsession with his ex or is he stuck in limbo? Will he finally finish his book or get a paying job in the meantime? Described by his parents as “failure to launch” he’s back at home and going through the motions.
A few twists that could have gone either way, this was an engrossing short story rating high on creepiness from the start.
At less than 60 pages, this packs a punch!
August 1, 2020
This is the final one of the six novellas offered by Amazon as part of the Hush Collection that I have read. It is my favourite.
Will, an aspiring novelist, is in a desperate state of mind. He is seeing a psychiatrist after a suicide attempt but is still unstable. He is living with his parents who are urging him to get a job or to work on his novel.
His attempted suicide was after his girlfriend left him He was obsessively stalking her, His paranoid beliefs cast suspicion on her when they were apart. His anger and jealousy frightened her and ended their romance. None of her friends or her mother claim to have spoken to her for more than a year or know where she has gone.
Anisa has an online blog where she writes about self-help, overcoming unhappiness, and yoga. She left New York City and all her friends without saying goodbye. She is believed to be living contentedly somewhere in the countryside with a new boyfriend who writes a popular blog on how to live cheaply. She claims the new man in her life gives her much-needed space to be herself after her traumatic experience with Will.
Will is now pursuing her on social media, looking for clues in photos in her blog suggesting she is unhappy in her new life. His disturbed thoughts lead him to believe that there are secret messages in the photos proving she is thinking of him, and that her writings about newfound happiness are false. Some of her most recent photos appear to be photoshopped from the time they were together.
While they were dating, Anisa's friend Emily often accompanied them. Emily was saddened when Anisa left in a hurry without notifying any of her friends or landlord. Will shares some of his concerns and her current suspicious photos with their friend Emily. He convinces Emily that Anisa is living in a miserable situation, or maybe she has been harmed. Has someone been posting under her name? They drive out into a small country town where they suspect she may be hiding. When shown Anisa's photos no one will admit to seeing her.
They give up their search, and Will decides it is time to get over her and move on with his life. Emily confesses to Will that she has always loved him. Is he stable enough to accept her love and begin his life with her? Will he begin to get over his despair and finish his novel? The answers are tied up nicely in this short novel.
Will, an aspiring novelist, is in a desperate state of mind. He is seeing a psychiatrist after a suicide attempt but is still unstable. He is living with his parents who are urging him to get a job or to work on his novel.
His attempted suicide was after his girlfriend left him He was obsessively stalking her, His paranoid beliefs cast suspicion on her when they were apart. His anger and jealousy frightened her and ended their romance. None of her friends or her mother claim to have spoken to her for more than a year or know where she has gone.
Anisa has an online blog where she writes about self-help, overcoming unhappiness, and yoga. She left New York City and all her friends without saying goodbye. She is believed to be living contentedly somewhere in the countryside with a new boyfriend who writes a popular blog on how to live cheaply. She claims the new man in her life gives her much-needed space to be herself after her traumatic experience with Will.
Will is now pursuing her on social media, looking for clues in photos in her blog suggesting she is unhappy in her new life. His disturbed thoughts lead him to believe that there are secret messages in the photos proving she is thinking of him, and that her writings about newfound happiness are false. Some of her most recent photos appear to be photoshopped from the time they were together.
While they were dating, Anisa's friend Emily often accompanied them. Emily was saddened when Anisa left in a hurry without notifying any of her friends or landlord. Will shares some of his concerns and her current suspicious photos with their friend Emily. He convinces Emily that Anisa is living in a miserable situation, or maybe she has been harmed. Has someone been posting under her name? They drive out into a small country town where they suspect she may be hiding. When shown Anisa's photos no one will admit to seeing her.
They give up their search, and Will decides it is time to get over her and move on with his life. Emily confesses to Will that she has always loved him. Is he stable enough to accept her love and begin his life with her? Will he begin to get over his despair and finish his novel? The answers are tied up nicely in this short novel.
August 5, 2020
I read two Lisa Unger shorts last night--this and The Sleep Tight Motel. I loved them both.
Let Her Be was edge of your seat suspense, beautifully paced, and thrilling to the very end. Unger just gets better and better.
This is one of six stories which is part of the Hush collection on Amazon.
UPDATE
Now that I've completed the series, here is my ranking of the six stories:
1. Buried
2/3. Let Her Be & Slow Burner tied for second place
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
Let Her Be was edge of your seat suspense, beautifully paced, and thrilling to the very end. Unger just gets better and better.
This is one of six stories which is part of the Hush collection on Amazon.
UPDATE
Now that I've completed the series, here is my ranking of the six stories:
1. Buried
2/3. Let Her Be & Slow Burner tied for second place
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
April 16, 2024
Will knows he must let his ex-girlfriend be, but he cannot stop stalking her on social media. He is recovering from an attempted suicide after he attacked her and lost her. A friend decides to help him investigate where the ex-girlfriend lives and if she is as good as her Instagram shows.
This is a short story with an unexpected end and is easy to read and enjoy.
This is a short story with an unexpected end and is easy to read and enjoy.
August 1, 2020
What the heck did I just read? Is this crazy? I loved this story/novella by Lisa Unger, but I am totally confused – I’m not sure what was real and what wasn’t. Unger’s, Let Her Be of the Amazon Hush series is completely outrageous. Will, tells the reader (and tells the reader, and tells the reader…) that, for the last year, he has been recuperating from a failed suicide attempt because his girlfriend Anisa has left him. She has disappeared with her new boyfriend and cut herself off from her family and friends. He has “moved on”, but that doesn’t stop him from stalking her social networking – he’s been ghosted but still believes that her social postings are messages for him. This guy is delusional, completely full of himself, and totally unreliable “When you stalk a young woman and then try to kill yourself you lose all your credibility…”. By the end of the book I did not know what to believe. Was there a murder/s? Was Anisa real? She looked like his sister. Was she ever really his girlfriend? Did he even truly try to commit suicide (having made sure to let someone know before it was too late)? What happened to Emily? What really happened to his sister. If someone doesn’t put me out of my misery, I’m just going to Let Her Be and move on (like the lunatic hero of the novella claimed to do). LHB is chock full of surprises. To say that Will is a real nut case is an understatement. Can you be nuttier than nutty? I love being thrown off-balance. All the stars for this crazy, brilliant story.
August 1, 2020
LET HER BE by New York Times and internationally bestselling author, Lisa Unger, is part of Hush, a collection of six short stories from Laura Lippman, Ruth Ware, Jeffery Deaver, Oyinkan Braithwaite and Alison Gaylin, ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one sitting.
Surviving a suicide attempt. Will, a frustrated young writer is going through a bad time. Going through a brutal breakup, his ex- girlfriend, Anisa had taken out a restraining order on him for stalking and assault. Their relationship had been toxic. It was over between them…and without her…there was no reason to live. He suffered a nervous breakdown and survived a suicide attempt. He had slit his wrists in the bathtub. Pools of blood. She had saved his life.
But he can’t let his ex-girlfriend go. She is a blogger and Will continues to follow her on her social media accounts. She has now moved away, living in a remote location, with the man of her life. No one she knows has spoken or seen her in a year.
Will doesn’t believe in her happiness and with the help of her best friend, Emily, they search for the truth.
An enjoyable short story.
Surviving a suicide attempt. Will, a frustrated young writer is going through a bad time. Going through a brutal breakup, his ex- girlfriend, Anisa had taken out a restraining order on him for stalking and assault. Their relationship had been toxic. It was over between them…and without her…there was no reason to live. He suffered a nervous breakdown and survived a suicide attempt. He had slit his wrists in the bathtub. Pools of blood. She had saved his life.
But he can’t let his ex-girlfriend go. She is a blogger and Will continues to follow her on her social media accounts. She has now moved away, living in a remote location, with the man of her life. No one she knows has spoken or seen her in a year.
Will doesn’t believe in her happiness and with the help of her best friend, Emily, they search for the truth.
An enjoyable short story.
August 25, 2022
This is relatively long compared to the other short stories in this collection and its probably my least favourite which is a shame as I've enjoyed other titles by this author.
I didn't like this storyline or the characters (although I do get the feeling that they were meant to be unlikeable), I didn't feel invested in this in any way.
I'm also not entirely sure I understood the ending, I'm left feeling confused but hey ho, plenty more books on the shelves.
This is part of the Hush collection, six stories ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
At the time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited.
I didn't like this storyline or the characters (although I do get the feeling that they were meant to be unlikeable), I didn't feel invested in this in any way.
I'm also not entirely sure I understood the ending, I'm left feeling confused but hey ho, plenty more books on the shelves.
This is part of the Hush collection, six stories ranging from political mysteries to psychological thrillers, in which deception can be a matter of life and death. Each piece can be read or listened to in one truly chilling sitting.
At the time of posting this collection is available on Kindle Unlimited.
August 2, 2020
This was a great little story. The narrator, Will, tried to kill himself awhile back over a girlfriend, Anisa....someone with whom he may have been a little too obsessed. He has a new woman in his life, a friend of Anisa’s. Anisa left town suddenly, but is still posting inspirational quotes and pictures from an unknown location. Or is she?
Part of the Amazon Hush collection, this story was a quick and suspenseful read, very well-written. A few threads were left loose that I would have liked to have seen more definitively tied up, but still a great read with a great ending.
Part of the Amazon Hush collection, this story was a quick and suspenseful read, very well-written. A few threads were left loose that I would have liked to have seen more definitively tied up, but still a great read with a great ending.
August 3, 2020
I am thrilled to be included in HUSH, an exciting collection of short stories featuring conspirators, psychics, deceptive lovers and desperate killers, along with some of my (and yours, I’m sure) favorite writers: Ruth Ware, Laura Lippman, Alison Gaylin, Jeffery Deaver and Oyinkan Braithwaite!
In LET HER BE, Will is a frustrated young writer going through a horrible time. He's been through a brutal break up, suffered a nervous breakdown, and survived a suicide attempt. He's on the other side and trying to find his way to a new normal. But he just can't let his ex-girlfriend Anisa go. She's an instagram influencer now, living with the man of her dreams in some remote location. No one she knows has seen her in the flesh or spoken to her in almost a year. Will becomes convinced that her social media feed is more fiction than truth, and sets out with the help of their mutual friend Emily to discover the real story behind Anisa's carefully constructed online presence.
I loved writing this story and I hope you love reading it just as much.
In LET HER BE, Will is a frustrated young writer going through a horrible time. He's been through a brutal break up, suffered a nervous breakdown, and survived a suicide attempt. He's on the other side and trying to find his way to a new normal. But he just can't let his ex-girlfriend Anisa go. She's an instagram influencer now, living with the man of her dreams in some remote location. No one she knows has seen her in the flesh or spoken to her in almost a year. Will becomes convinced that her social media feed is more fiction than truth, and sets out with the help of their mutual friend Emily to discover the real story behind Anisa's carefully constructed online presence.
I loved writing this story and I hope you love reading it just as much.
January 3, 2022
Let Her Be is one of six short stories in the Amazon Hush Collection.
A story about obsession when an aspiring writer survives a suicide attempt and decides that his ex-wife's too perfect online social media life is a sham. You see, no one has actually physically seen his ex since they broke up. Joining him on this hunt is an unlikely companion, who happens to have a crush of her own.
Addictive, wild, and full of twists. If you like getting in the head of an obsessive sociopath (think You), then you'll likely enjoy this quick little story.
UPDATE: Final rankings for all Hush short stories:
1. Buried
2. Slow Burner
3. Let Her Be
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
A story about obsession when an aspiring writer survives a suicide attempt and decides that his ex-wife's too perfect online social media life is a sham. You see, no one has actually physically seen his ex since they broke up. Joining him on this hunt is an unlikely companion, who happens to have a crush of her own.
Addictive, wild, and full of twists. If you like getting in the head of an obsessive sociopath (think You), then you'll likely enjoy this quick little story.
UPDATE: Final rankings for all Hush short stories:
1. Buried
2. Slow Burner
3. Let Her Be
4. The Gift
5. Treasure
6. Snowflakes
August 23, 2020
One year after attempting suicide following the break up of his relationship with Anisa, Will is still trying to put his life back together. When he and one of Anisa’s friends realize that no one has heard from her in a year they begin to suspect that maybe the perfect life she brags about in social media is not so real, so they try to figure out what really happened to her.
Beautifully written short story with an interesting concept that kept me on the edge of my seat for a while but ended up dragging along a bit too much and leaving some loose threads at the end.
With two stories to read, I’m starting to think the Hush Collection short stories are not for me. 😅
Beautifully written short story with an interesting concept that kept me on the edge of my seat for a while but ended up dragging along a bit too much and leaving some loose threads at the end.
With two stories to read, I’m starting to think the Hush Collection short stories are not for me. 😅
August 12, 2020
Lisa Unger always knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats and this short story was no exception. Using social media, Let Her Be is a dark, obsessive tale of a man who just cannot seem to let a woman from the past live without him. But will the woman of present help him let go?
Thank you, Ms. Unger, for once again giving me nightmares!
Goodreads review published 12/0/20
Thank you, Ms. Unger, for once again giving me nightmares!
Goodreads review published 12/0/20
February 12, 2025
This Lisa Unger's short story, part of the Amazon's Hush collection, is about second chances and letting go.
Or is it really?
What's clear to me is that the story has suspense and twists, and keeps the readers speculating. A recommended quick and entertaining read.
Or is it really?
What's clear to me is that the story has suspense and twists, and keeps the readers speculating. A recommended quick and entertaining read.
August 5, 2020
I still don't know what is true or not true in this one. Like this made my head hurt (in a good way). This was really well done and I even re-read it again after I finished because I was left wondering, well what happened or did not happen?
"Let Her Be" follows Will. Will has been away dealing with the aftermath of losing his ex-girlfriend Anisa. We follow as Will recounts his relationship with her and how everything between them went bad and he couldn't get past his own jealousy and insecurity to just be happy with her. When his friend Emily gets in contact with Will, Will wonders to her where has Anisa been. It's been a year since anyone has seen or spoken to her, though she has a popular blog and Instagram account. Will starts to wonder if Anisa is as happy as she says she is and then he and Emily start to investigate.
So, don't want to spoil anything, but honestly even if I did, I don't think it would help. This one is a brain turner in the end. You start questioning everything that everyone is saying and then you are left wondering well did this happen or no? Great slow burn read.
"Let Her Be" follows Will. Will has been away dealing with the aftermath of losing his ex-girlfriend Anisa. We follow as Will recounts his relationship with her and how everything between them went bad and he couldn't get past his own jealousy and insecurity to just be happy with her. When his friend Emily gets in contact with Will, Will wonders to her where has Anisa been. It's been a year since anyone has seen or spoken to her, though she has a popular blog and Instagram account. Will starts to wonder if Anisa is as happy as she says she is and then he and Emily start to investigate.
So, don't want to spoil anything, but honestly even if I did, I don't think it would help. This one is a brain turner in the end. You start questioning everything that everyone is saying and then you are left wondering well did this happen or no? Great slow burn read.
December 3, 2023
This was a very quick read that I flew through but there was nothing that stood out for me that I haven't read before. If you're looking for a quick psychological thriller this is it, but if you typically read this genre, I don't know that it will delve into any new territory. I picked it up because I read anything Unger puts out as I know I'll enjoy it! This was more so on the bottom of the list because it was a quick short story, maybe if it was longer I would have liked it better to get into the background of the characters. If your new to this author, it may be a good one to try and see if you like her writing style.
August 5, 2020
Compared to the other stories in this collection, I wasn't feeling the lurve so much here. However, i did find myself thinking about this one way more than the others at odd times during the day.
So I am pretty sure you could call this one haunting, probably cause I could see this happening in everyday life and so I boosted it by a star.
So I am pretty sure you could call this one haunting, probably cause I could see this happening in everyday life and so I boosted it by a star.
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