Whisper

by R&C Christiansen

Mʏ ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ I ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴋɪᴅɴᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴇɪɢʜᴛ & sɪxͯ ʏᴇᴀʀs ᴏʟᴅ.

KEN:

Fᴏʀ ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇɴ ʏᴇᴀʀs, ᴡᴇ’ᴅ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʟᴏᴄᴋᴇᴅ ᴀᴡᴀʏ. Fᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴅᴜʀᴇ ᴀʙᴜsᴇ, ᴍᴏʟᴇsᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴛᴏʀᴍᴇɴᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴀᴅᴇ ᴜs ᴡɪsʜ ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʙᴏʀɴ. Pᴀx ᴀɴᴅ Vᴇʀɴᴀ, ᴛᴡᴏ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴠɪᴄᴛɪᴍs, sᴜғғᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ғᴀᴛᴇ. Iᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴍᴏʟᴇsᴛᴇᴅ ᴍʏsᴇʟғ. Iᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ sᴇᴇɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴇɴᴄᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇ ᴀʙʟᴇ ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴛʜᴇᴍ.

Wʜᴇɴ ᴡᴇ ғɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴇsᴄᴀᴘᴇᴅ, I ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇʟʟ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴀɪɴ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴏᴠᴇʀ. I ᴡᴀs ᴡʀᴏɴɢ. Tʜᴇ ʏᴇᴀʀs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴅɪᴅ ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʙᴜᴛ ғᴇᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴀɴɢᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴏғ ᴍʏ ғᴀᴍɪʟʏ, Vᴇʀɴᴀ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴏғ ᴍʏ ʟɪғᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴍʏ sᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇsᴛ ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ʟɪᴠᴇ. I’ᴅ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴘᴏssᴇssɪᴠᴇ ᴏғ ʜᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ᴀɴʏᴏɴᴇ ʜᴜʀᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ. Tʜᴇʏ’ᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪʟʟ ᴍᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʙᴇ ᴇᴀsʏ. Nᴏᴛ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴘᴀʀᴛs ᴏғ ᴍᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ʙʀᴇᴀᴛʜ I ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴀs sᴏʟᴇʟʏ ғᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ.

VERNA:

Eᴠᴇʀ sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴋɪᴅs, Kᴇɴ ʜᴀᴅ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴀ ʟᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴏᴜʀ ᴏғ ᴜs ᴛʀᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ɪɴ ᴀ ʜᴏᴜsᴇ ᴏғ ʜᴏʀʀᴏʀs. Aғᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴇ’ᴅ ᴇsᴄᴀᴘᴇᴅ ᴏᴜʀ ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴏʀs, ᴡᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅɴ’ᴛ ʟᴏᴄᴀᴛᴇ ᴏᴜʀ ᴘᴀʀᴇɴᴛs ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ʀᴇᴊᴇᴄᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴇᴇᴍᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ғᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ᴜs. Wᴇ ᴡᴀɴᴅᴇʀᴇᴅ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ, ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ғɪɴᴅ ᴀ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ғɪᴛ ɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ғᴏʀ ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ.
Wʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴅ ʙᴇᴄᴏᴍᴇ.

Nᴏᴡ ᴡᴇ’ʀᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ɪɴ Cʟᴀɴᴄʏ, Mᴏɴᴛᴀɴᴀ, ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ɪᴛ ᴀʟʟ ʙᴇɢᴀɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ᴍᴀᴅʟʏ ɪɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ, ᴏʀ ɪs ɪᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴍᴀᴅ ʟᴏᴠᴇ? Nᴏɴᴇ ᴏғ ᴜs ʜᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇsɪʀᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅʀᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀsᴛ, ʙᴜᴛ sᴏᴍᴇʜᴏᴡ, ᴡᴇ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴅʀᴀᴡɴ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ ᴛʜɪs ɴɪɢʜᴛᴍᴀʀᴇ ʙᴇɢᴀɴ. Wʜᴇɴ Dᴇᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ Bᴇɴsᴏɴ ʀᴇᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ǫᴜᴇsᴛɪᴏɴs ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ᴍʏ ᴘᴀsᴛ, ɪᴛ ᴡᴀs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ I ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇᴀʀ. Hᴇ ʜᴀᴅɴ’ᴛ ʜᴇʟᴘᴇᴅ ᴜs ᴛᴇɴ ʏᴇᴀʀs ᴀɢᴏ ᴡʜᴇɴ I ᴛʀɪᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴘᴏʀᴛ ɪᴛ, ᴀɴᴅ ɴᴏᴡ I ᴅɪᴅɴ’ᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ʜɪs ʜᴇʟᴘ. I ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ᴏɴ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀɪɴ.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains strong subject matter not suitable for some readers. The topics described include child abduction, sexual abuse, prostitution, alcoholism, tobacco use, profanity, and both violent and sexual situations. 18+

Genres: Dark

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2021

Reviews

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just finished whisper by RC Christansen and my emotions are all over.
to truly enjoy and get this prequel you have to read the Tainted Love trilogy.
whisper is based on ken, Verna and cliffy.

Ken the leader - a badass, dark gorgeous man who fiercely protective of his 'family' Verna and cliffy, the love and protection he gives them is heart-wrenching.

Verna - kens wife, a beautiful, sweet woman who sees the good in everything, her love of ken is beautiful, the way they are together is beautiful.
Then cliffy - who doesn't talk as he's mute but his actions say everything.
trying to live their life after a tragic and gut-wrenching childhood. The flashbacks of the book killed me.

I've been eagerly waiting for Whisper for ages and RC did not disappoint, it had me feeling everything, the topics she touched so well written and she did them so much justice.

RC warns you at the beginning this is not a HEA but it's understandable why.
Read it, read them be happy, be sad, be everything they deserve living their best life.
I'm a need a minute now to think about it... totally blown away.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah. My heart is broken & somehow mended all at the same time. This is the prequel to the Tainted Love Trilogy & tells the story of Ken, Verna & Cliffy. These characters & this story will make its way into your heart & never let go. Ken the protector, carries the literal weight of the world on his shoulders. Verna the sweet girl who longs to fit in & sees the best in everyone. Cliffy the strong, silent one who has so much to say & is so very brave. This isn’t your typical romance with a HEA, but it’s an incredible story about an amazing family who genuinely loves each other in the good, bad & ugly. A family who would lay down their lives for one another. It’s a beautiful, tragic story that needed to be told. This family/series has a special place in my heart & I encourage you to a chance on this series.

  “Close your eyes— close them tight— and think of me. Only ever of me.”

I received an ARC of this book & this is my honest opinion

[Bruce Spydar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, heart-breaking, unforgettable.
Having met the main characters, Ken, Verna and Cliff in the Tainted Love trilogy, I had been eagerly awaiting this one. I was under no illusion that this would be anything other than tragic, raw, heart-breaking, and captivating ... and it was.
Tainted Love and Whisper give different perspectives of four individuals trying to move on with life following childhoods lost to kidnap and abuse. Whisper is Ken and Verna’s tale, a beautifully written story about how love can conquer the deepest of pains, but cannot always escape the shadow of the past, nor the unintended consequences of the actions of other people.
The main characters are so perfectly captured, and the addition of Detective Benson’s POV and sub-plot to the main thread of Ken and Verna was inspired. Overall, it’s a raw, heart-breaking and unforgettable read.

[Nicci Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐴𝑖𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒, 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒’𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑑𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑑𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛."

I feel like this line from Whisper, really sums up this entire novel.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥, 𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥.

It is not my style to write long reviews. I just never do, but this one deserves a bit more thought and time.

I'm coming down off this ride now and it's pretty ducking bumpy.

I knew it was coming. I knew it would hurt. But saying I bawled, just feels like a weak statement for what I did. Bawled is an inadequate word. At two points in this novel, I cuddled my pillow and cried loudly for like ten whole minutes. Had anyone been home with me at this point, they might have thought I was mourning the loss of a family member.

So, if you are looking for a dark romance story that hurts like someone is slowing wringing your heart of its blood, then this might be for you.

"𝐼𝑓 𝐼 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑠, 𝑚𝑎𝑦𝑏𝑒 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟."

But let's be honest, I doubt you really know what you're getting into here. This book is tragic. Beautifully tragic. With a love that seems so tangible that even in print, it hurts the reader in a physical way.

KEN:
"𝑀𝑦 𝐾𝑒𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑦𝑠."

What a dynamic and bitterly real character. A grumpy A-hole. Rude. Moody. What's to like? Well, just about everything including those things too. These not exactly 'redeeming' qualities only give his pain and character such vividness. Such rawness.

He was my favourite in Tainted Love and he's only dug himself further into my heart in Whisper.

VERNA:
"𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑡; 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡."

She is my favourite kind of heroine. Sweet but in no way a pushover. She is like a little bird stuck perpetually learning to fly, never quite getting it right, her wings too broken to hold her up. But she keeps trying. And she smiles while she does. She likes everyone even when she shouldn't. She is optimistic and kind and her heart makes mine sore.

THE LOVE:
“𝑌𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑓𝑒?”
“𝑁𝑜, 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑦, 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒."

Well, there is nothing corny about their feelings for each other. Nothing to mock. Nothing rushed or eye-roll worthy. Just pure, epic, intense, horrifically raw emotions. This story has so much love in it. Which of course makes the pain all the more cutting.

* WHISPER ʙʏ RC Cʜʀɪsᴛɪᴀɴsᴇɴ ᴍᴀʏ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡᴏʀsᴛ ʙᴏᴏᴋ I ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅ. Wᴇʟʟ ᴅᴏɴᴇ, ᴍʏ ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ. I ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ɪᴍᴀɢɪɴᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏʟʟᴇʀ-ᴄᴏᴀsᴛᴇʀ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇɴᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪs ᴏɴᴇ. Bᴜᴛ I ᴀᴍ sᴏ ɢʟᴀᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅɪᴅ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴘʀᴏᴜᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜɪs ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴘɪᴇᴄᴇ.

[Sarah Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, what a heartbreaking ride author Christiansen takes us on in this prequel to the Tainted Love series! As much as I enjoyed the Tainted Love series, I can say with no pause that this book was even better! I am a reader who wants to feel and I felt so much reading this book.
I love that it is about the side characters in the authors TL series and that we get a small week into who they are and what made them the adults they became. My favorite character is Verna. This girl has been through unthinkable things, as have the other three members of the Forgotten Four, but unlike them she rises far above her circumstances and sees the beauty in life and what happiness she knows is still possible for them all. Verna's light is one that takes strength to have, though many would count her as weak, to me she is the strongest of every character in this world.
My heart tore in half seeing so many look down on her and her family and judge them without knowing who they were and what they have been through. Stories like these need to be heard if nothing else as a reminder that we DO NOT know what horrors others have triumphed through to get to where they are today. We may see an unkept person wearing used or worn clothing whose manners seem to be lacking and no education, which in my opinion doesn't give us a right to judge in any circumstance, but to add in what they may have clawed their way out of... this world is cruel and it can certainly be unfair to people who have suffered nightmarish things. Christiansen puts a glaringly uncomfortable spotlight on child abuse of all kinds and I applaud her because it needs to be discussed and people need to be more aware. It angers me that so many evil, heartless people are out there putting children through hell and taking away their childhood. It isn't fair. This book will make you stop and think about placing judgment on people simply due to they way they loo, dress or speak. Think, put yourself in their shoes and practice kindness.
Thank you Christiansen for such an amazing book and for reminding us that just because we haven't experienced the unthinkable horrors of the world, doesn't mean they don't exist.

[Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated it. No, I hate-loved it. No, I love-hated it. Okay, okay, I loved this prequel to Tainted Love (reviewed here.) As much as you can love a story dealing with the kind of issues involved, anyway. Having read Tainted Love, I knew what was coming. I follow the authors on Instagram and they are all about the trigger warnings and managing expectations so no one can pick this book up and give it a 1* for not having an HEA. It’s there in black and white. You KNOW what you’re going to get.

And if you haven’t read Tainted Love, then a) why the hell not? and b) don’t say the author didn’t warn you. Okay, back to this.

This novel is the literary equivalent of death metal. If it were a flower it would be deadly nightshade. The writing is off the scale. I knew this already because of TL, but it really is. This book is Ken, Verna and Cliff’s story, told from Verna and Ken’s perspective. This ain’t no fairytale. This is a character study, where we get to know these three people far more intricately than we did in Tainted Love. That was Pax and Vixen’s story to tell.

This story is told in the first person, each chapter clearly marked so the reader knows who is talking. Verna is heartbreakingly childlike even in her adult years. With all her childhood spent in captivity, with only Ken to protect her, and subjected to hideous abuse, she only wants to see the good in people. The way her character finds out what freedom means, and the incredibly sad trajectory of her life as she shoots for the stars and finds out people on the outside can be just as cruel as her captors were, is nothing short of tragic. She clings to Ken and his mute brother Cliffy, the only family she has ever known, as Ken tries to protect them all from harm in the outside world.

We don’t find out a lot about Cliffy, other than he is obsessed with sex, drinks too much and forms unhealthy fixations on every woman he meets, believing he is totally in love. He is the unintentional catalyst for the book’s fiery climax, a man without a voice who just wants to love and be loved in return.

And Ken. Wow. What an incredible character. Intense, bitter, and venomously protective of the two people he thinks of as family, Ken will stop at nothing to make sure they are safe. The way the authors have created him is jaw-dropping. This surely is a character who will stay with the reader for a long time. Flawed, yes, but also the kind of man you want in your corner. The love he has for Verna is as bright as a nuclear blast. Hell, it almost burns your retinas out just reading it. For some, his controlling behaviour might be construed as border-line abusive, but no. This is a man who really cares about Cliffy and Verna, has a strange way of voicing it, but considering what they’ve been through, is the guiding light for all of them.

Weaving through the story is Detective Benson, a necessary outside voice looking in at the three, who has his own reasons for helping them seek justice. He means well, but for me, he seemed to screw up again and again. Depressingly, it felt very real but I couldn’t help thinking two of them would still be alive if he hadn’t given Cliffy that gift (not saying what!)

Trust me, this novel will leave a scar across your heart which you will wear with affection. Guaranteed.

Finally, I have a tiny confession to make. Weirdly, whenever Ken spoke, especially about Verna “his little Firefly,” I could hear Nic Cage in Con Air, and that image wouldn’t go away. As I said; weird.

[Shantel Brunton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper is an emotional ride right from the beginning. This the prequel to the phenomenal Tainted Love trilogy. You’ve got to read that first before reading Whisper. This is an 18+ book with a lot of dark content. Do heed the trigger warning.

I always love seeing the first line of the book and seeing how strong of a hook it is. Whisper has a strong hook. And readers won’t be able to unhook themselves until the end.
It starts off by illustrating how death can be so much harder than life.
Get ready to get to know Ken, Verna, and Cliffy.
These characters are going to steal and break people’s hearts into a million pieces. They are described so well and are so realistic, it’s hard to believe the book is fictional.

Ken is an extremely dark character, and rightfully so given all that’s he’s been through. He can come across as cruel and nasty, but then he’s upset when he sees Verna cry and it’s so easy for the reader to see how much he loves her. I loved how he calls Verna firefly.

Verna is such a sweet soul. She’s so caring, and her love is so strong. I think it’s impossible to not love her. And it’s even more impossible not to feel for her.

And Cliffy he can’t talk, but he doesn’t need to speak to be a powerful impactful character. I will remember them all for a long time.

I said the story was emotional, but I don’t think emotional is quite the right word, it doesn’t capture the intensity and all of the feelings that are brought up reading this.
To enhance the reading experience even further listen to the songs that are listed at the beginning of each chapter. I love when authors include playlists, but the book playlist is often at the back or the beginning of the book.It’s so awesome to have the songs listed right at the beginning of the chapter.

There are many sensory details provided from sight, to sounds, and smells to really suck readers into the story.

The flashbacks add an entire level of depth to the story. As horrible as everything happened to them was, when the flashbacks would end, I’d think I need to read more. I need to learn what happened to them. And even in the hell they went through the love they had for each other was beautiful.


I’ll always love these characters and this book.

Whisper is a must read!

[Lynn Rhys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, RC Christiansen has written a beautifully emotional and dark book. First, read Tainted Love before Whisper. That is an absolute must. Second, get a big supply of tissues because you will need it. We got a glimpse of Verna, Ken and Cliffy in Tainted Love, and I am soooo glad they were given their story. It's a heartbreaking story that needed to be told. The book is so powerful, the characters so tragic. Their will to survive, to press forward together no matter what is so strong. You feel the pain, the sadness, you feel every bit of uncertainty that they live. RC wrote such an awesome book. This is not your typical happily ever after type of story, so be ready for that. But you will love this family, you will be immersed into their world, and you will cry tears of joy and sadness all at once.

-Echo-

[Torri Heat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow. Whisper was beautiful.

Absolutely beautiful. The best RC has done yet. Verna and Ken’s story was heart-wrenchingly perfect. I really don’t know what else to say other than WOW.

This tugged at all of my heartstrings and is sure to leave me with a book hangover.

Some notes: there are some hard subjects in the book, so check the trigger warnings. And don’t read this book without reading Tainted Love first!!! There’s definitely spoilers for the main series, and you’ll get more out of it reading that first.

[Sandra Fullalove · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHISPER By R&C Christiansen is book perfection.This story from Ken,Verna and cliffs point of view was heartbreakingly beautiful.The story of 4 abducted children as they try to fit into society after years of abuse.There are parts that have you crying due to the nature of the book this is no fairy tale.whisper and the very fabulous Tainted Love are amazing books that are so good everyone should read them.These are two of my favourite books ever and I feel privileged to have read them.Highly recommended.If you get the chance please read them but be prepared for a story that s hard to forget x

[Maxine Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for the weak.
If you need a trigger warning, do not read this book.
But for those of you brave warriors who look evil in the face, and love with your whole heart, this book is a journey.

I've been a fan of R.C.Christiansen for a while. I've read every book. And I always felt she held back just a little…. Until now. 

Whisper is the story I knew she could write. The dark and painful story of three forgotten souls looking for a home. You will hope for them, you will cry for them. You'll become as angry as Ken, as silent as Cliffy, and as broken as Verna. You'll hide in the basement with them and dance on the clouds. It's a story that will leave a scar. But it is the most honest and real book I've read. 

...Echo…

[N. Dune · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will need tissues, a lot of tissues! I just thought I'd put that warning in there first.
This book is everything and more. You need to have read the Tainted Love trilogy before reading this one, or you won't understand. I loved Tainted Love and couldn't wait to get my hands on this prequel.
Even though you know certain things are going to happen, the emotion this book evokes is incredible. Don't get me wrong, I've shed a tear or two while reading before, but this one had me sobbing my heart out. These characters are so well written you can't help but take them into your heart. They will remain with you long after you have turned the final page.
There aren't enough words to say how much I loved this book; you really need to read it for yourself so you can experience it first hand.

[Joanie Lunsford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epically Emotional

Speaking in a low Whisper started as a way to keep safe in the dark but ended up becoming the predominant tone. Whether the communication is verbal or non-verbal, what they both share is the desire and necessity of being heard. Acceptance should never be a condition of understanding. Survival is an accomplishment that should be met with a warm embrace, not a coldness by the ignorance of those eager to judge.

These are elements of Ken and Verna’s version that R&C Christiansen poignantly told and vividly brought to the forefront of my mind. The new character introduced was a powerful addition throughout the story and concluded it with a sweet tribute attached to a glimmer of hope for a better outcome.

[SWIT AUTHOR · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
WHISPER by @rcchristiansenauthor

Okay, where to start! So,Whisper was a dive into the deep end for me. The graphics and blurbs urged me to take a look. I am glad I did take this journey with Ken, Verna and Cliff. This book dove and drove in the intricately blended piece. I got to know the characters, each so distinctly, to their own separate, traits and characters. The guardian in Ken, the lost child in Verna and the not so spoken Cliff. I am not usually one to run out of words, but this was such a trip that stole, not only my attention and heart, but also, words sufficient enough for the masterful art this book is. Well done. ❤️❤️❤️@rcchristiansenauthor #indieauthorsupport @WHISPER

[Erin Moya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Achingly Beautiful

This book is the epitome of heartbreak. Ken and Verna are a whirlwind of emotion - the push and pull of serving as each other's safety net - home, is something that will stay with me for a long time.

You get some books that change you irrevocably. That make you stutter - take pause. This is one of them.

It is a love story of epic proportions, but because it's a prequel, you also know how it's going to end. And even so, the words wrap around you, tugging you to read more - delve deeper, no matter how difficult it is.

I am only sad that I can't experience this book again for the first time.

[Linda MARIE Pankow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, so I'm giving it a full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

But here's why...

What can I say? Once again my heart has been stomped on and crushed. I came into this knowing it would end the way it did. Yet I have no regrets for the tears I've shed reading this book... And here I am waiting to hear one last side to the story... Anxiously...

[Jennifer G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad and beautiful story ...

I didn't know what expect when i started this book. I know it's prequel whivh is why i read it first. I could not put it doen because i had to know what was coming next with these beautiful young people with tarnished souls. Its a tear jerker but an incredible love story between four damaged children.

[Court Small · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is dark but also tragically beautiful.

[Laura Lukasavage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth is, ain’t nothing fucking hard about reading, it’s living that don’t make no sense.

All I can say is wow 👏😮!!!

The author has done it again. I really enjoyed the tainted series but this book by far is My favorite. Getting to know Ken and Verna more and having the whole series tied together in the perfect way. Nothing overdone and nothing left to your imagination.

The author did an AMAZING JOB!!

Definitely a must read. Pulls at all the heart strings and leaves you on the edge wanting more. Everytime I had to put the book down was harder then the last.

Can't wait to read whatever she puts out next.

“Firefly,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “I’m coming home and I’m still only thinking of you. Only. Ever. You.”

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend reading the Tainted Love trilogy first.

I knew going in that this would be a heartbreaking story. There is no HEA for Ken & Verna. We just get their side of the story. I shed so many tears during this book. My heart breaks for everything these characters faced.

RC Christiansen wrote another beautiful story. Even though there is no happy ending, it was still amazingly written. I could feel Verna's pain. All she wanted is to be accepted and to forget her tragic past.

I cannot recommend this series enough. It is a heartbreaking journey, but so worth it.

I can't wait for Cliffy's book next month. I really need his side of the story.

Style: Dark romance
Story: 5/5
Enjoyment: 5/5
Sexual Level: 🔥🔥
Triggers: Yes
Violence: Yes
Series: Book 4
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Dual POV