Things Left Unsaid

by Elexis Bell

Ariella needs this weekend away to reconnect with old friends, hunt ghosts, and have fun. But her possessive boyfriend, Kurt, tags along, unwilling to let her out of his sight, especially with other men around. Rather than ditch him, she tells him it's his last chance to make this work.
Hoping to celebrate his culinary school graduation and forget about his dad's disapproval, Ian needs the getaway too. But it means spending time with Ariella, the woman he's loved for years, the woman he accidentally scared off. And of course, the man she replaced him with.
But Kurt brings baggage they never expected. When the chemistry between Ariella and Ian reignites, his fragile ego snaps, and he lashes out. Can they survive the monster in their midst? Or will the haunted farmhouse fill with fresh blood?

Genres: Thriller

164 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2021

About the author

Elexis Bell writes literary fantasy and science fiction with a bit of romance and a lot of grit. She focuses on character development and the impact of trauma and mental health.

Amazon: http://author.to/ElexisBell
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elexis_bell
Facebook: https://fb.me/elexis.bell.author
Newsletter (free short story at sign-up): http://eepurl.com/gnTZwf

Reviews

[Devanshu Singhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Repost @bookovert.reads
• • • • • •
Thriller

QOTD: How many Thrillers have you read till now ?

Name- Things left unsaid
Author- @elexis_bell
Genre- Thriller/ Fiction
No. of Pages- 81
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

.......................................................
🩸The story is about Ariella, who is currently in relationship with Kurt, who is an over possessive boyfriend because of certain events that happened in his life.

🩸When Ariella is sick of handling his tantrums she plans a ghost hunting trip with her college friends, including her then crush Ian.

🩸But the over possessive boyfriend he is, Kurt tags along with them, much to his displeasure. But things take a horrible turn because of one misunderstanding…..

🩸Intrigued aren’t you? Even I was after reading the blurb. The story is so amazing. And the writing style is just so awesome.

🩸I was glued to this 81 page book because of both the plot and the writing style. The story gave me chills at certain points.

🩸A perfect short thriller I must say and hence, a highly recommended book for all.

😊Please do share your thoughts after you read it.

🤩Thank you @bookscenestours for giving me the opportunity to read this book

🌻Happy Reading🌻

[Samiksha A · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅What I liked about the book :

It's surprisingly a very short read. And even though it is a short read, you will get to know the whole picture about every character in the book and the plot.

The title might give make it seem that this book is a romance. But you are indefinitely for a surprise when you will give this book a read ❤️

The book is written from three people's perspectives. Ian, Arielle, and Kurt. So it feels like watching a movie as you get to know what's going on everywhere.

Love the cute friendship that Ian and Arielle have with each other. The unrequited feelings that they had for each other are written so well that you will feel like you are the one feeling those. 🥺❤️

Did not like Kurt at all. And not just because of the ending but also because he gave out such bad vibes. He didn't deserve Arielle at all.

The book is written so well and in such a great way that it helps you in imagining what's happening in the book like it's happening in front of you right now.

❎ What I didn't like about the book :

One of the only things that I didn't like about the book is the end felt very abrupt and incomplete.

There was a hint of paranormal (them going to a haunted house) that should have been explored. And the paranormal element is what I expected to happen in the end.

All in all this book is a must-read. So if you are in a reading slump, then this short read might entertain you.

Final Thoughts 💭 :

Book Rating: 4.9/5 (definitely a must-read)

Cover Rating: 5/5 (such a beautiful yet fitting cover )

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! That's the word that describes this book for me. I knew I was in for a ride from the prologue itself and I wasn't disappointed. Every character is well developed and the multiple POVs helped me get into their brains to know what they thought and felt. The story is fast paced, smooth flowing and very well written. I hated Kurt from the very beginning; Kurt wasn't "court"eous at all. Halfway through the novella, I thought I knew what the ending was. But, was I proven wrong? This is surely one of those novellas that I would like to see evolved into a full fledged novel and, if possible, a short film.

I am holding on to the alternate ending - the one I thought was what it would turn out to be 😉 and would love this novella to have both the endings, mine being less grimmer.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid is the first book I’ve read from the author, Elexis Bell.

I’ve followed her on Instagram thanks to a fantasy book challenge a little while back now. The snippets she posts and her brand promise to deliver dark, gritty stories with big emotions.

Her Things Left Unsaid blurb features ghost hunting and relationship red flags all packed into a thriller. So, naturally, I was intrigued.

I should note, the author has cast profiles available on her Instagram handle. I took a screenshot and had them side by side as I read - which I felt added to the story.

Things Left Unsaid has a rough start. The opening prologue was great. Kurt, the antagonist, is laying down the ground rules for what’s going to go down. It sets up the relationship between him and his girlfriend, Ariella (aka Ari), and her best friend, Ian.

Kurt is great at noticing the little things, which was the perfect way of introducing up to the story without info dumping. Afterwards, it I felt the world/character building strength from the prologue sort of drops off.

I honestly haven’t read any romance novels before, so I was a little taken about by how much the beginning of the story focused on the romance aspect. The chapters jump from the limited POVs of Kurt, Ariella/Ari, and Ian. So Bell weaves the romance aspect through the POV chapters.

I found the triangle between the two to be a little jarring at first, but by the second act, I was hoping all the tension Bell was building would lead to somewhere positive between the two best friends.

There this great cooking scene where Bell highlights growing tension between the antagonist and our heros. Ian and Ari totally into their own worlds, and Kurt just hopping on the train to crazy town.

After what I felt was a slow 1st act, the third act really kicks into gear. There’s the haunted house and the mention of its previous victims (which I would have loved to have seen weaved in more throughly through the book) blended with the horror the characters are facing in real time.

By the time the third act is revving, the action is non-stop. You follow Ari, Ian, and Kurt as they navigate through past relationship traumas and a very real ticking clock/time is ending climax.

Overall, I think I would have preferred more scenes with the thriller aspect since they were a lot of fun. I also would have liked to have seen some actual ghost hunting plus

Things Left Unsaid is a quick, easy, fun read that will appeal to dark romance and thriller fans.

[Sarah Neofield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my great loves in life are books, and exploration - including exploring abandoned houses.
So I was extremely excited to discover that one of my favourite authors, Elexis Bell (whose books Annabelle, Soul Bearer, and World for the Broken I have also loved) had written a new book about a group of friends who go away for the weekend to explore a haunted farmhouse.

Like all of Bell's works, Things Left Unsaid is more than just a story. This isn't just a ghostly tale. It's an exploration of relationships - friends, family, and of course, romantic and abusive relationships. It's a testament to the fact that our own demons, and the "monsters" we encounter in the real world are often more frightening than those we imagine in the dark.

Things Left Unsaid is deserving of two readings. The first time, I couldn't help but tear through the pages. The suspense is intense, the action is fast-paced. At 164 pages, Things Left Unsaid is a relatively short read to begin with, but the expert way Bell handles the tension in the plot will have you reading even faster than usual. The second time, I read more carefully, pondering the the book's title, and those faint, haunting words on the cover: "Things Left Unsaid (may haunt you)".

As is consistently the case when I read Bell's novels, Things Left Unsaid left me questioning the actions and inactions of myself and others. It left me thinking about personal responsibility and self-respect, about how we treat others, and about the way in which family wounds and psychological scars can last for generations - if we leave things unsaid.

My only wish would be that Things Left Unsaid were a little longer - although, I think that's the mark of a truly great novel. One you wish wouldn't end. What Things Left Unsaid lacks in length, it more than makes up for in depth. Bell wields her characters' multiple points-of-view masterfully, allowing the reader to experience conversations and events in completely new ways that challenge our initial perceptions. This is a novel which challenges us to take care of ourselves and others, to not ignore red flags when we see them. By showing us the world through not only the eyes of a survivor, but a violent partner, we can see the truth: that human relationships are complex, that we all come with baggage, and that when someone allows the sins of the past - and sins of others - to colour how they see the world, no amount of pandering to their whims will make things right. Highly recommended.

[Rani V S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing the title I thought that it was a love story. But it is a story discuss various human relationships like love, family and friendship with a paranormal twist. A short read with well developed characters and plot. The story goes through the relatinship between Kurt and his girlfriend Ariella and her best friend Ian. Sometimes a romantic relatonship turns into possessive and abusive ones. Sometimes it make our life difficult. Ariella goes through such a phase. I didn't even like Kurt . May be because of his character. The weekend getaway ignites the old forgotten relationship between Ian and Ariella. I felt that the story ended abruptly.
.
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[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride this story takes us on! Right from the get go we’re introduced to Ariella and her boyfriend Kurt and it doesn’t take long to realize Kurt isn’t going to be one of the “nice guys.” I didn’t expect the thrills and suspense of this story to actually unfold as quickly as it did so I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what fates were in store for these characters. I will say there were times that the physical violence was so intensely written that I felt myself tensing up and cringing, and actually feeling anxious, so if you’re triggered by violence, be forewarned. I enjoyed every last part of this story and finished it so quickly due to it being such a page turner!!

[Jey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ariella Crystal along with her boyfriend Kurt joins Ariella’s friends for a fun weekend hunting ghosts in a haunted house, where a murder took place hundred years ago. Ariella is weary of her possessive boyfriend Kurt and intends to give him one last chance. But after meeting Ian, with whom she shared one kiss and has a serious crush on, Ariella regrets not breaking up with Kurt before the trip. Kurt becomes more erratic and moodier on the trip to the haunted house.

Ian also has a crush on Ariella and regrets not doing something about it earlier. Kurt suspects Ariella of cheating on him with Ian. Events take a dark turn when they reach the house and the rest of the book is about what happens at the haunted house over the weekend.

This is a short book that focuses on the characters’ lives over a weekend. The story is told from multiple POV’s of Kurt, Ian and Ariella. There is a repetition of statements since each character describes the scene from their perspective while simultaneously taking forward the story. This is a short, dark and gritty novel. The writing is crisp and clear. The author describes the haunted house and the attraction between Ian and Ariella in pithy statements. The story is very atmospheric. I felt the book rushed. I found the repetition of certain statements tiresome. The author has done a good job of giving us a glimpse of Kurt’s past and the reason behind the nature of his character.

I recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick and fast paced crime thriller.

Thank you @thebookscenestours and @elexis_bell for having me as part of the book tour and for the gifted e-book in exchange for an honest review.

[The Old Book Barn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things left unsaid - Elexis Bell

Are you looking for a easy and fast paced book which is gripping and also delves into relationships on a deep level? With the right mix of spookiness and drama, Things left unsaid by Elexis Bell is one such book which hooks you into the story, which is short and crisp and interesting. The book is around 80 pages, which can be finished in one go.

Arielle takes her friends on a ghost hunting trip, to a haunted farm-house. Since Arielle is accompanied by Ian, her old crush, Kurt (her boyfriend) is feeling insecure and he tags them on the trip.

The trip turns out to be a horrible experience for the group. Whether it's because of a real ghost or because of the relationship issues between Kurt and Arielle or is there a major plot twist which kills all of them??? I'm not spilling a lot of beans here, because I want you to read this and experience the author's exquisite writing style. The story has multiple POVs and the characters were well developed.

The title didn't give me the faintest idea of what is inside the book. I recommend this especially to those who love fast paced writing and especially to people in a reading slump.

It took me back to my school days, when I used to read stories of children on vacation investigating the mystery of the haunted house nearby.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who needs a good, quick, spooky thriller for October? I got you one right here!

Oh this one was the perfect quick and short read to get me in the mood for spooky season!

What could go wrong when you finally get to go ghost hunting again with your long time secret crush/best friend and your jealous boyfriend who you also secretly want to kick to the curb?

Ariella and Ian have been in love with each other for years but never knew how the other one felt. When a weekend trip comes up to ghost hunt and celebrate together after Ian graduates culinary school, Ariella couldn’t wait. But her current boyfriend Kurt unfortunately tags along, which is especially problematic as sparks start to fly between Ian and Ariella. What ensues takes a dark and dramatic twist! Hang on for this fast paced ride!

I really enjoyed this short little read. It was quick and to the point but definitely pulled me in. (I finished it in two car rider pick up lines for those other #carriderreaders 🤣). I really enjoyed the author's writing style. There were multiple POVs and it was done in such a unique way that I really, really enjoyed. It really helped you get into the head of the different characters. Also, hold on for that ending because it was one I didn’t see coming! This was the perfect book to get me in the spooky spirit!

[haraka (tinybooknest) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Final rating 3.5

Just based on the blurb, I thought it's some kind of paranormal mixed with romance. But it turned out into something else. The element of suspense was something that I honestly didn't see coming.

This book is quite short, but it has its intensity. The tension already builds since the first chapter follow by some thrilling action toward the end. Especially with one of the characters who has a complex personal train due to trauma from their past.

We got 3 POV's which is allowed us to see the full picture of the story. However, in the earlier part, things getting repetitive between each of the characters which was unnecessary.

[Tehmeena Salam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things Left Unsaid by @elexis_bell is a psychological Romance Thriller. Ariella plans a trip to a haunted house with her friends. Her boyfriend, Kurt, out of insecurity tags along with her. She has been ignoring all his red flags, but the horror that awaits all of them is mind blowing.

I loved the writing style. It was easy and crisp. The psychotic twists were amazing. It is a short novel but it has an equally gripping narration. I completed this book in two sittings.

The book is well edited. Every character narrates it's POV is consecutive chapters. The only drawback for me was that at times I felt it was becoming repetitive. But nonetheless, the author did not fail to grip my attention with every chapter.

Overall I would recommend this book. Also beware of its trigger warnings. The TWs are murder, assault, death etc.

[Shraddha (BooksandStrokes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doubt is a nasty thing. It creeps up on us, takes root in our selves and destroys our being from the inside out. Combine doubt with possessiveness, and it's a definite recipe for disaster

Ariella's boyfriend Kurt decides to tag along on her weekend ghost hunting trip with her friends, because he's suspicious of her friendship with Ian. She reluctantly lets him, in order to give their crumbling relationship ship one last chance. But when his doubts get the best of him, Kurt becomes someone neither Ariella not Ian could imagine, putting all of their lives in danger

Things Left Unsaid is a very well written albeit short psychological thriller about one man's fragile ego wrecking havoc on many lives. I enjoyed reading the PoV of all the three people involved at various points, something which provided insight into how seemingly harmless actions might snowball into an avalanche.

Although, I would have loved to get some more into the background of the characters (as I didn't have much of a chance to understand form an attachment to any of them), I did feel myself rooting for them to pull through the mayhem. Despite its crisp writing, the story ended very abruptly, and I would have liked just a few more lines to round it out.

[Fantom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story revolves around 3 people named Ariella, Kurt and Ian. Ariella is in relationship with Kurt, but her over possessive boyfriend has made her life hell by constantly suspecting that she isn’t cheating on him. Ian on the other hand is the sweet crush she had in her university. Things take unexpected turn when one day Ariella plans a ghost hunting trip with her college friends (including Ian), much to the disappointment of Kurt, and so he tags along with them. But who knew that this trip will turn out to be the most horrible experience of their lives!
I have mixed opinions about this book so I’m gonna list them down below-
- The plot is fabulous and the story is nice.
- It unfolds in a nice gripping manner and kept me hooked till the last page, the suspense is just so damn exciting.
- The writing style is way too good.
- The only drawback in this story for me was that it was too short and due to its short length it just didn’t give me that feel. Everything happened so fast. But, this is my opinion because I haven’t read many short thriller stories so it may not feel the same way to you.
- All in all, a highly recommended book to each and every one of you. It can be read be read in just one second.

[P.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



✨ Thriller
✨ Possesive relationship
✨ Fast paced / short story


✨ I was in shock reading this book from this author. It was well written. It hooks me so much after few chapter as it was very intriguing what happen next.
✨the story about Ariella having a hard time with her possessive bf. Up until a misunderstanding with a confusion of what happen next. I felt like this book was not standalone and needed a series😆
It felt like a cliffhanger ending.

✨ but well written. Well done Elexis🫶🏼


🫶🏼shaye.reads