Everything I Left Unsaid

When I read something I think is a romance, I expect the HEA, the happily ever after (in one form or another). So while this story is, and I'm going to yell it, ready? COMPELLING!!!, you want to buy The Truth About Him at the same time, because this damn thing ends with you NEEDING the next book.

Not joking. And It's five stars, too. I consider these one book, and I resent whoever decided they had to be separate.

Some characters stay with you.

Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe is a 2015 Random House publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes it simply comes down to this: READ THIS BOOK! I promise you will find it absorbing, scorching hot, relentless, and suspenseful, and will leave you gasping, breathlessly wanting more.

Annie is one of those truly inspiring characters, a woman who has never been off the family farm in Oklahoma, knows very little about the world at large, but she has a survivor's instinct that screams into her ears, telling her to get the H out Dodge before it's too late… so she leaves her abusive husband, still bearing the marks of his hands around her bruised neck. She show more winds up in a trailer park filled with other kindred spirits who have graduated from the same school of hard knocks as Annie.

Once she steps inside her trailer, the oddest thing happens… a cell phone stuffed between some cushions starts to ring... Should she answer it?

A phone call will change Annie's life, and open up a whole new world of sensations, giving her a taste of real pleasure, and a renewed outlook on life. From the first moment she hears his voice, she leaves behind “Annie's” bleak surroundings, transforms into her new alter ego- “Layla”, and steps into Dylan's exotic, titillating, and exciting world.

Dylan has been paying people to watch over an elderly resident of the trailer park, but apparently, his last employee has left without notice, leaving his cell phone behind. When Layla answers the phone, something about her voice, her bad jokes, and tone of innocence, intrigues Dylan, and the two strike up a most unusual relationship, one that builds a odd sort of trust, a sense of safety, and sends “Layla” on an amazing journey of sexual and self- discovery.

Told from Annie's first person perspective, her vulnerability and innocence jump off the pages, making me worry about her constantly. She has been sheltered, raised by an unstable mother, going straight into an abusive marriage. She has never been on her own before, and is now surrounded by some characters that made me a little nervous, unsure of whom to trust.

Dylan gives us a third person perspective, and while he is also struggling with some major emotional issues from his past, he exudes a powerful presence, one that made me feel like Annie/Layla would be safe with him. But, there are some boulder size obstacles the couple will face. Still, despite all that, Annie's journey is incredible, and I was so proud of her and the courage she shows by taking charge of her life.

This is a spell bounding story, very unique, with some big and interesting curves thrown in that kept me sitting on the edge of my seat.

The one huge bummer is that there is a cliffhanger and it's a whale of one. UGH!! BUT… the author was quite upfront with that and assures us the wait will not be long for the next chapter of the story. So, in the meantime, I'll be sitting on pins and needles, impatiently counting the days until I can hear Dylan's voice again. *Sigh* show less

4.5 stars

Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe is a scorching hot journey of healing and sexual awakening for lead protagonist Annie McKay. This first book in a two part series is a poignant and heartwarming romance that is quite captivating and will leave readers impatiently awaiting the release of the final book in the series.

Fearing for her safety, Annie flees from her Oklahoma farm and makes a new life for herself in a rundown trailer park in North Carolina. Almost immediately upon her arrival, she answers a cell phone left by the previous occupant and she is instantly enthralled by the voice on the other end. Their flirtatious conversations quickly turn erotic and with Dylan's encouragement, Annie begins to explore her newly show more awakened sexuality.

Annie's sheltered upbringing left her vulnerable and lacking confidence. She made a decision she soon came to regret but seeing no way out, she slowly but surely gave up pieces of herself in order to keep the peace. When things finally come to a head and she truly believes her life is in imminent danger, Annie works up the courage to leave. With no real plan in mind for her future, she is content to remain at the trailer park where she not only feels safe, but tentatively forms the first friendships of her life with her neighbors.

Dylan is quite enigmatic and his life remains shrouded in mystery. He enters Annie's life at a time when she is ripe for change and although some of his requests are clearly out of her comfort zone, she refuses to let her unease stop her from acquiescing to his demands. Annie's explorations of her sexuality are the impetus for changes in all areas of her life while the growth of Dylan's character remains rather limited due to the narrow scope of their relationship.

Dylan and Annie's relationship is very unusual and for much of the novel, it remains rather superficial since neither of them is willing to reveal their secrets to one another. There is no denying the sexual chemistry between them and the sex scenes are blistering hot. However, their relationship lacks an emotional depth since neither Dylan nor Annie reveals anything of importance until nearly the end of the novel.

Everything I Left Unsaid by M. O'Keefe is a sexually charged novel of self-discovery and it is quite fascinating watching Annie gain confidence and become more comfortable in her own skin. The overall storyline is refreshingly unique and the characters are multi-dimensional and quite appealing. The novel comes to a rather dramatic conclusion that will leave readers anxiously awaiting The Truth about Him, the final installment of the two book series. show less

Title: Everything I Left Unsaid
Author: M. O'Keefe
Publisher Bantam
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:

"Everything I Left Unsaid" by M.O'Keefe

What I liked about this novel...

The author gives the reader a very intensed read with showing us what it was to be with and having to run from a horrible abusive husband....cutting and coloring her hair, throwing away her cell and to even camping out in tuck stop to finally making it to a safe place... a trailer park. Only it was in the trailer park Annie hears a phone ringing...and to my surprise..she answers it...and it was someone named Dylan on the line. As this story will continue the reader will get an very good a romantic suspenseful story that is full of action that will keep you show more turning the pages as find Annie on the run. The author did a wonderful job bring out how complexed, tough and a survivor that Annie was as she gets to know a little about Dylan. One thing for sure as you read "Everything I Left Unsaid" that Dylan was definitely like Annie...mysterious with some dark secrets and twists. What will happen as the phone calls become frequent for these two and becomes a steamy? Will this be a 'sexual awakening for Annie who was very inexperienced with the phone calls from Dylan? Will there be some kind of connection that will be hard for either of these two to understand? You will find some very interesting mysterious characters ... as neighbors will be connected in some way or another in this story that I will only say you will have to pick up the interesting read to see how well it all will comes out. Only when you get to that ending for some important answers ....you will be stop because there will be a cliffhanger part 2 that the reader will have to wait to get the rest of the amazing story!

I received a copy through NOR in exchange for an honest review. show less

This was my first book by this author and I must say she has a new fan in me. In the beginning I wasn't sure if the whole "stranger on the phone" thing would be worthwhile or not. I imagined it could go wrong very easily and turn out to be a cheesy phone sex thing. But that was not the case at all. The story was interesting and deep, yet at the same time it was sexy and exciting. I think the author is a very talented storyteller, and the writing was flawless as well. Every single character had a purpose and the way they all tied together in the end surprised me.

The story between Annie and Dylan was one surrounded by pain and darkness. They both had secrets and felt the need to protect each other -Annie by lying and pretending to be show more someone else, and Dylan by not revealing anything and following his own set of rules. Because of this, it took them a long time to overcome their fears. I understand that their whole story could not be wrapped up in just one book and I'm looking forward to reading the rest. With that being said, the ending of this book left a bad taste in my mouth. Towards the end, I saw it coming but that didn't make it any easier. I am not a fan of cliffhangers and for that matter, I don't know anyone who is. I think the first book in a series can end on a satisfactory note and readers who liked it will still want to continue. Anyway, like I said I am looking forward to the next book but not because we were left hanging at the worst possible moment but because overall it was a fantastic book.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review* show less

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
Everything I Left Unsaid is the first book in the "Everything I Left Unsaid" series and this is the first of two show more books which involved our couple and this is also my first book from this author and I absolutely adored the writing style. For fans of edgier contemporary or dark romance, I can't recommend this one enough. I was so hooked into this story and the narration was so brilliant, I just didn't want to put it down. The romance that develops was so UNIQUE and I loved the development that grows between our couple here.

First Line
Escape smelled like a thick layer of Febreeze over stale cigarette smoke.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Dylan
Works in the background
Ex Racer and Gambler
Alphamellow + Bad Boy

The Heroine: Annie
On the run from her abusive husband
Reserved and Shy

Summary
Annie realizing that her husband wouldn't be keeping her alive for much longer, abandons her life and goes on the run. She knows that he needs her to sell her farm, but she refuses to sell it. Annie goes on the run and settles into one of the smallest communities she could find and starts living in a trailer park, working as a landscaper in North Carolina. When she finds a phone and starts talking to a stranger, they start exchanging texts and phone calls that with each call starts to really build the tension and connection between them. Both Dylan and Annie have secrets and its obvious that there is more happening in Annie's trailer park than meets the eye but their fates are intertwined if they only trust in the love that is growing between them.

What I Loved
This book just left me breathless and anticipating all the delicious tension that grows between Annie and Dylan. Both characters have so many secrets and seeing them slowly dig into each other was so intriguing. I really adored the moments between this couple and seeing them find their way that was so different than I expected it to happen. Dylan was such a bad boy secretive hero and I just wanted to peel his heart like an onion and the author really reveals him so slowly that I have to admire her writing talent within this story and if her other books are ANYTHING like this one, I have to say that I will be paying close attention to her backlist.

Then we have Annie. Annie isn't quite your typical heroine on the run from an abusive husband. She keeps her secrets close, and she isn't perfect. But I really admired her strengths that we see come into this book. We can see how the abuse have treated her and damaged her strong spirit. We see slowly her rediscovering her life and realizing her own power and what she is capable of. I love how explorative she becomes and how creative Dylan becomes with her and her "bucket list". The plot was so intricately laid out within this story and leaves you with such a ending that will have you jumping right into the second one!

What I Struggled With
There wasn't anything I truly struggled with, no a fan of the cliffhanger but since I was able to jump easily into the second book, I can't complain that much when the romance was so well developed.

Narration
The narration was incredible. There was so much deep emotion but also their tones really built up the chemistry just right between the couple that you could feel the actual tension building.

Overall View
I found this gem to be an incredible find, a TBR read that I am glad I picked up. Its a story of self discovering, slow burn that is a mix of salty and sweet and a romance to curl your toes and leave you with high expectation....

Favorite Quote(s)
"No one missed me. Or worried. Or wondered. I'd vanished and the world just kept spinning."

"Carefully, as if he were a live bomb, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I was struck with the very real fear that nothing was going to be enough with him. Not ever."

He'd learned the hard way to keep his wants and desires on a short list. Wanting too much, either one thing or a million, only meant he wouldn't get it. He was clumsy with fragile things- always trying to hold onto them so hard they broke.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Erotic Romance
Character Types: Bad Boy, Alphamellow, Shy Heroine
Themes: Small Town, Danger Elements, Slow Burn, Hot Smexy Times, Voyeurism
Tropes: Friends to Lovers

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Jay Crownover
Katy Evans
Beth Kery

Song This Book Inspires
Snooze SZA-SOS

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I do recommend reading this series in order. The characters are all interconnected.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Joe Arden
Maxine Mitchell show less

4.5 "Breaking Inhibitions" Stars! Molly O'Keefe can do no wrong. Completely different from her other reads, and yet equally compelling and enjoyable, Everything I Left Unsaid is sure to take you on a roller coaster of emotions. I am hooked, Ms. O'Keefe has won a place on my "must read" authors! But be forewarned, this hearty romantic suspense filled book, which is sure to keep you guessing, ends in a huge cliffhanger, so you will need to keep guessing until you read The Truth About Him, which is releasing in November.

Annie has always been the good girl. She went straight from following her mother's draconian commands to following her husband's. Being a naive girl who grew up on a remote farm and lived a very sheltered life, she never show more could have imagined that her husband would only use and abuse her. Barely escaping with her life, she decides life on the run anywhere, has to be a better existence than the fake illusion of one that she has been barely surviving.

That is how Annie finds herself at the Flowered Manor Trailer Park, which is anything but a flowered paradise. Whatever, anything has to be better than the illusion of an oasis where she has come from. Determined to experience life for the first time, her determination is strengthened by an unlikely source: the deep masculine and erotic voice of a man at the other end of an abandoned cell phone.

The lure is instantaneous. His commands are, for the first time in her life, dominant and yet strangely empowering. Listening to this stranger, she will try things she never even imagined and feel pleasures that her body has never experienced before. But just who is this mysterious man who calls himself Dylan, and makes her feel protected, while raising her suspicions all the same?

Has she run this far just to be ensnared in the hands of another dangerous man? Moreover, Annie can't risk ever being found. Just what future can possibly await notwithstanding the enigmatic passion that Dylan has sparked in her once empty heart? Is peril inevitable or can danger sometimes lead to salvation?

Wow, simply wow! I am a total fan of unique romances. The twistier the better, and Ms. O'Keefe has definitely sparked my curiosity. Never mind that this book has some seriously scorching scenes! I can't wait to find out what path this story takes in The Truth About Him!

Source: Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review. show less