Scan barcode
jessicaswan's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I adored the first half of this book. But the second half felt so generic and rushed. I knew the twists coming before they were even on the page.
Was this a bad book? No. But not a favorite of mine.
I adored the first half of this book. But the second half felt so generic and rushed. I knew the twists coming before they were even on the page.
Was this a bad book? No. But not a favorite of mine.
messing_with_book's review
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I waited a little over a year to read Don't Speak and I couldn't be happier with the story: [a:Dyan Layne|19833457|Dyan Layne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1576805623p2/19833457.jpg] worked its magic on my heart once again with amazing characters and her sweetest story so far, but also that sweetness is perfectly balanced with the sensuality that I'm already used to in her books, with a forbidden, beautiful and VERY moving story.
One of the things I loved most about Molly & Aidan's story was that Dyan decided to tell us about their love throughout the years: from the moment where they become step-siblings, when they start to discover their feelings for each other and when they finally decide to act on it. It was very nice to read the special bond they share from the first time Molly gets close to Aidan, all the things they do for each other and the evolution of their love from the most innocent feeling to the desire to fight against everything to be together. And I can't help but mention Brian & Michele, Aidan's dad and Molly's mom: these two characters were adorable, so loving, respectful parents who made me fall in love with them too, as well as being very happy that Aidan & Molly had such nice people in their lives, as well as Grandma Gigi, and Crystal, Mac & Scooter later in the story.
Aidan is a child/guy/man who experienced a traumatic situation at a very young age and due to this he is unable to express himself with words, since kid he's a loner and whom some treat as a freak, until Molly comes into his life and everything changes for both of them, Aidan is an artist, a kind boy, who just wants his dad, Michele & Molly to be happy and in his attempt to protect the girl he is in love with he makes some bad decisions that made me suffer a lot with Molly, but that I understand and think are common for a teenager like him (at that time). His personal story was painful to read, but I loved that despite everything Aidan was able to find his place in the world when he met the guys from the tattoo studio, I fell in love with all of them, with the acceptance and unconditional support that they always gave Aidan and it's no wonder Dyan always has the best supporting characters.
For her part, Molly has also faced loss since she was very young, but in a less traumatic way, she is a charming, kind, determined and very strong girl who does not hesitate for a moment to offer his friendship, heart and love to Aidan, she has a beautiful relationship with her grandmother Gigi and I loved that she always turned to her in the crucial moments of her life, I also have to say that I fell much more in love with her character when she decides to show Aidan how much his decisions have affected her, because although her behavior comes from a place of pain, it is also part of her desire to protect & value herself and be brave in the face of the situation.
Obviously Aidan & Molly don't have an easy road: he doesn't want Molly to have to face people's prejudices for being in love with him, and both are afraid of their parents' reaction towards the love they both share, their story was painful at times, but very tender and beautiful too, and I loved the book as it followed Gigi's vision of acting on their feelings when they were both ready to face the consequences! I think it couldn't have been better otherwise, and the twists and turns that the plot took in the last chapters were shocking, sad and made me fear at times, but even so I really enjoyed this story, and I confirmed that Dyan Layne is one of my favorite authors ever!
I waited a little over a year to read Don't Speak and I couldn't be happier with the story: [a:Dyan Layne|19833457|Dyan Layne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1576805623p2/19833457.jpg] worked its magic on my heart once again with amazing characters and her sweetest story so far, but also that sweetness is perfectly balanced with the sensuality that I'm already used to in her books, with a forbidden, beautiful and VERY moving story.
One of the things I loved most about Molly & Aidan's story was that Dyan decided to tell us about their love throughout the years: from the moment where they become step-siblings, when they start to discover their feelings for each other and when they finally decide to act on it. It was very nice to read the special bond they share from the first time Molly gets close to Aidan, all the things they do for each other and the evolution of their love from the most innocent feeling to the desire to fight against everything to be together. And I can't help but mention Brian & Michele, Aidan's dad and Molly's mom: these two characters were adorable, so loving, respectful parents who made me fall in love with them too, as well as being very happy that Aidan & Molly had such nice people in their lives, as well as Grandma Gigi, and Crystal, Mac & Scooter later in the story.
Aidan is a child/guy/man who experienced a traumatic situation at a very young age and due to this he is unable to express himself with words, since kid he's a loner and whom some treat as a freak, until Molly comes into his life and everything changes for both of them, Aidan is an artist, a kind boy, who just wants his dad, Michele & Molly to be happy and in his attempt to protect the girl he is in love with he makes some bad decisions that made me suffer a lot with Molly, but that I understand and think are common for a teenager like him (at that time). His personal story was painful to read, but I loved that despite everything Aidan was able to find his place in the world when he met the guys from the tattoo studio, I fell in love with all of them, with the acceptance and unconditional support that they always gave Aidan and it's no wonder Dyan always has the best supporting characters.
For her part, Molly has also faced loss since she was very young, but in a less traumatic way, she is a charming, kind, determined and very strong girl who does not hesitate for a moment to offer his friendship, heart and love to Aidan, she has a beautiful relationship with her grandmother Gigi and I loved that she always turned to her in the crucial moments of her life, I also have to say that I fell much more in love with her character when she decides to show Aidan how much his decisions have affected her, because although her behavior comes from a place of pain, it is also part of her desire to protect & value herself and be brave in the face of the situation.
Obviously Aidan & Molly don't have an easy road: he doesn't want Molly to have to face people's prejudices for being in love with him, and both are afraid of their parents' reaction towards the love they both share, their story was painful at times, but very tender and beautiful too, and I loved the book as it followed Gigi's vision of acting on their feelings when they were both ready to face the consequences! I think it couldn't have been better otherwise, and the twists and turns that the plot took in the last chapters were shocking, sad and made me fear at times, but even so I really enjoyed this story, and I confirmed that Dyan Layne is one of my favorite authors ever!
1bookobsessionconfessions's review
5.0
4.5 STARS
I suggest going in fairly blind with this story and experience it all for yourself.
I loved that it followed Aidan and Molly from childhood to adulthood (young adults.)
I adored their interactions from the very beginning and throughout the story.
It gave me the warm fuzzies and melted my heart so many times.
It gave me the butterflies of firsts and forbidden.
There’s all the longing and angst that comes with taboo attraction and love.
I love how the title ties in with a very pivotal scene and aspect of the story.
It made my heart flutter AND was absolutely heart wrenching.
There’s a lot of emotions in this story and some are painful, it’s not too heavy or overwhelming in my opinion.
This story was much actually sweeter than I expected, it has some gritty aspects certainly, I’m not downplaying that, but overall it’s a warm story considering.
Aidan and Molly are unique characters and I loved their connection, I loved the way they communicated and understood each other so well.
I was absolutely enamored with them and rooting for them.
They both are very kind and open minded people which made them so lovable for me. These aspects play a big part in what I loved about the story.
Aidan is really swoony, he has so many things going for him to be dream book boyfriend material.
The story went in ways I wasn’t expecting and I love unexpected twists.
There’s a doozy of a twist that surprised me, I had forgotten that part of the story so it gave me the proper affect of being blindsided.
The secondary characters, the adults and Aidan’s friends were refreshing in their kindness, open minded nature’s and the love/care they showed.
The sexual parts of the book were very hot and had a bit of edge I wasn’t expecting because of the emotional, sweet nature of the story overall.
I like it naughty so that’s no problem for me.
The end was perfectly wrapped with a big bow.
I’ll admit it was a bit fast and easy at the end for me personally. I think I’ll be the minority on this, though.
A lot of big things happen towards the end, and to me they are the heaviest emotionally, so I just wanted a bit more time for them all to play out.
It’s a unique forbidden romance with other interesting elements/plot points that make it stand out and I really enjoyed the characters journey’s.
#BirthdayBalloons
I suggest going in fairly blind with this story and experience it all for yourself.
I loved that it followed Aidan and Molly from childhood to adulthood (young adults.)
I adored their interactions from the very beginning and throughout the story.
It gave me the warm fuzzies and melted my heart so many times.
It gave me the butterflies of firsts and forbidden.
There’s all the longing and angst that comes with taboo attraction and love.
I love how the title ties in with a very pivotal scene and aspect of the story.
It made my heart flutter AND was absolutely heart wrenching.
There’s a lot of emotions in this story and some are painful, it’s not too heavy or overwhelming in my opinion.
This story was much actually sweeter than I expected, it has some gritty aspects certainly, I’m not downplaying that, but overall it’s a warm story considering.
Aidan and Molly are unique characters and I loved their connection, I loved the way they communicated and understood each other so well.
I was absolutely enamored with them and rooting for them.
They both are very kind and open minded people which made them so lovable for me. These aspects play a big part in what I loved about the story.
Aidan is really swoony, he has so many things going for him to be dream book boyfriend material.
The story went in ways I wasn’t expecting and I love unexpected twists.
There’s a doozy of a twist that surprised me, I had forgotten that part of the story so it gave me the proper affect of being blindsided.
The secondary characters, the adults and Aidan’s friends were refreshing in their kindness, open minded nature’s and the love/care they showed.
The sexual parts of the book were very hot and had a bit of edge I wasn’t expecting because of the emotional, sweet nature of the story overall.
I like it naughty so that’s no problem for me.
The end was perfectly wrapped with a big bow.
I’ll admit it was a bit fast and easy at the end for me personally. I think I’ll be the minority on this, though.
A lot of big things happen towards the end, and to me they are the heaviest emotionally, so I just wanted a bit more time for them all to play out.
It’s a unique forbidden romance with other interesting elements/plot points that make it stand out and I really enjoyed the characters journey’s.
#BirthdayBalloons
kelly_reads_books's review
5.0
My heart is full and erratically beating after reading this story. Aidan has been through a very traumatic and emotionally devastating loss after the death of his mom but when Molly enters his life as his new stepsister he loves her and vows to protect her from the moment they meet.
Molly and Aidan’s journey is filled with so much love and a sense of family and belonging to something remarkable. But their relationship is frowned upon and is perceived as wrong.
And I loved the appearance of Bo!!
Dyan Layne has given us another amazing story of love, hope, and togetherness.
Molly and Aidan’s journey is filled with so much love and a sense of family and belonging to something remarkable. But their relationship is frowned upon and is perceived as wrong.
And I loved the appearance of Bo!!
Dyan Layne has given us another amazing story of love, hope, and togetherness.
bellebookblog's review
5.0
Aidan and his mommy are startled by a man banging on the door Aidan’s mom was scared so she hid Aidan in a cabinet with some toys…. Years pass by when Molly and her mom move in with Aidan and his dad. Molly’s mom and Aidan’s dad were soon to be married Aidan, a fifth grader hasn’t spoken a word since he was 5 years old and his mom was hurt
Aidan and Molly have become very close friends since their parents got married They watch out and care for each other all the time. Even though they are technically stepbrother and stepsister, they have started to become attracted to each other. Molly will always tell Aidan, I love you the mostest. Even though Aidan can’t speak, he has a very dirty mind.
Absolutely loved this book… Loved Molly & Aidan
Aidan and Molly have become very close friends since their parents got married They watch out and care for each other all the time. Even though they are technically stepbrother and stepsister, they have started to become attracted to each other. Molly will always tell Aidan, I love you the mostest. Even though Aidan can’t speak, he has a very dirty mind.
Absolutely loved this book… Loved Molly & Aidan
martie1985's review
2.0
Maybe it was too transparant - there were moments that shone with something that bordered on good and other's that made me cringe. The main male character I found a little irritating or maybe it's just the trope of the guy thinking he is not good enough for the girl, but still sleeps with her multiple times and she falls in love with him even thoughts he treats her badly. I guess I am just over the trope.
Maybe other readers will love this book, but it was not for me.
QUOTES
“I don’t think I ever want to kiss a boy like that, but if I change my mind one day it’s going to be with you, Aidan.”
Maybe other readers will love this book, but it was not for me.
QUOTES
“I don’t think I ever want to kiss a boy like that, but if I change my mind one day it’s going to be with you, Aidan.”
ofbooksandromance's review
4.0
RTC but if you’re looking for me I will be in a corner crying my eyes out because this book totally broke me and put me together at the same time. I don’t think I have been alright since I read this one, this book was such an experience and I juat haven’t fully processed it yet, I jist know I really enjoyed it and that it impacted me a lot.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.**
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.**
jessa_sage1996's review
3.0
A “step-siblings to lovers” story.
Aidan is a mute by trauma. Watching his mother be brutally murdered caused him to lose his words. Despite that, Molly loves him. She understands him without needing him to say anything at all. Too bad their parents married one another. He knows he shouldn’t love her. He thinks he’s a freak for even thinking of loving her that way. But she loves him too. He might be a freak, but she is too. Growing up, they were best friends who grew into… something more. Too bad, like Michael Myers, boogeymen tend to not stay gone forever.
This book read very quickly to me which means the pacing of the storyline was fast. That said, I never felt jarred by the timeline or like the plot was rushed. Because one of the main characters didn’t/couldn’t speak, there were a lot of observations and descriptions of things but I never felt the author - Dyan Layne - was unnecessarily describing things. The dialogue that was included felt like it added to characterization and plot. The book, overall, felt like the details were purposeful.
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it. I really felt like I was able to see who Aidan and Molly were and I feel their story was successfully told. I did get some weird vibes in regards to the possessiveness of characters.
Aidan is a mute by trauma. Watching his mother be brutally murdered caused him to lose his words. Despite that, Molly loves him. She understands him without needing him to say anything at all. Too bad their parents married one another. He knows he shouldn’t love her. He thinks he’s a freak for even thinking of loving her that way. But she loves him too. He might be a freak, but she is too. Growing up, they were best friends who grew into… something more. Too bad, like Michael Myers, boogeymen tend to not stay gone forever.
This book read very quickly to me which means the pacing of the storyline was fast. That said, I never felt jarred by the timeline or like the plot was rushed. Because one of the main characters didn’t/couldn’t speak, there were a lot of observations and descriptions of things but I never felt the author - Dyan Layne - was unnecessarily describing things. The dialogue that was included felt like it added to characterization and plot. The book, overall, felt like the details were purposeful.
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it. I really felt like I was able to see who Aidan and Molly were and I feel their story was successfully told. I did get some weird vibes in regards to the possessiveness of characters.