It was a desperate plan. But Mary Grace Winters knew the only way to save herself and her child from her abusive cop husband was to stage their own...
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reviews
Jul 24, 2008
Christa
rated it: 
Don't Tell was a very touching, emotional book. It was one of the better romantic suspense books that I have read lately. It was the first Karen Rose book I have experienced, but I can tell that this will be another series that will be a must read for me.
Mary Grace Winters was pregnant and married at age fifteen to a violent, abusive man. She sustained numerous injuries at his hand, and after nearly losing her life when he pushes her down the stairs for the second time, she realize More...
Mary Grace Winters was pregnant and married at age fifteen to a violent, abusive man. She sustained numerous injuries at his hand, and after nearly losing her life when he pushes her down the stairs for the second time, she realize More...
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(17 people liked it)
Jan 21, 2009
Holly
rated it: 
This is my first Karen Rose book and by the first page I knew this was going to be riveting. Karen Rose is an excellent storyteller and she keeps everything trim and moving at a lightning fast pace. This was truly an edge-of-your-seat thriller and I enjoyed it immensely. As I was reading this I kept thinking that this would make a hugely successful movie; then I remembered Sleeping With The Enemy. I kept getting flashbacks of the movie and this book mixed up in my head but I tried not to let tha
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3 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Nov 11, 2009
Gina
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 23, 2011
Steffi
rated it:
I did a quickie review of this book on my blog because someone asked my opinion on it:
Don't Tell is the first book in the Romantic Suspense Series by Karen Rose. Although you can read every book as a standalone, they are related because of reappearing characters in the form of friends, relatives, partners, etc. Personally, I think you can experience and enjoy the books more fully when they are read in order.
In Don't Tell we meet Mary Grace Winters or Caroline Stewart, as More...
Don't Tell is the first book in the Romantic Suspense Series by Karen Rose. Although you can read every book as a standalone, they are related because of reappearing characters in the form of friends, relatives, partners, etc. Personally, I think you can experience and enjoy the books more fully when they are read in order.
In Don't Tell we meet Mary Grace Winters or Caroline Stewart, as More...
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(2 people liked it)
Mar 26, 2008
Isis FG
rated it:
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(4 people liked it)
Dec 08, 2007
Kathrynn
rated it: 
This is book #1 of a two parter.
Book #2 is "Nothing to Fear." And Mia Mitchell appears again in "Count to Ten" (as a main character). Also, Lt. Spinelli (sp?) appears in one of this author's books, but I can't remember which. Yet. Really each of the books can be read as stand alones. But, "Don't Tell" and "Nothing to Fear" should be read in order as events that happen in this book are discussed and play a role in the latter.
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Book #2 is "Nothing to Fear." And Mia Mitchell appears again in "Count to Ten" (as a main character). Also, Lt. Spinelli (sp?) appears in one of this author's books, but I can't remember which. Yet. Really each of the books can be read as stand alones. But, "Don't Tell" and "Nothing to Fear" should be read in order as events that happen in this book are discussed and play a role in the latter.
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 12, 2011
Vonda
rated it:
Overall Rating: 5 // Action: 4.5 / Emotion: 5 / Romance: 4 / Sensuous: 3.5 / Suspense: 5 // Humor: 16 / Tears: 17
After reading a Karen Rose novel, went out and purchased everything she wrote. Absolutely love her books. She jumped onto "Favorite Authors" List with super-sonic speed.
Karen Rose's debut book, Don't Tell, is a must read for Romantic Suspense readers who like: {1} an amazingly strong heroine; {2} a hunky, flawed, but eventually comes to the rescue More...
After reading a Karen Rose novel, went out and purchased everything she wrote. Absolutely love her books. She jumped onto "Favorite Authors" List with super-sonic speed.
Karen Rose's debut book, Don't Tell, is a must read for Romantic Suspense readers who like: {1} an amazingly strong heroine; {2} a hunky, flawed, but eventually comes to the rescue More...
Aug 03, 2011
Lili
rated it:
I usually find myself focusing more on the characters than on the plot of most fiction books I read. This book is a definite win, on both counts. The pace is perfect; fast, from the villain’s point of view, but slower from the point of view of the unsuspecting protagonists. The romance between Max and Caroline was as tender as it was volatile; they had their share of ugly fights and sweet moments. It was all so believable and so life-like.
That was one thing about this book that staye More...
That was one thing about this book that staye More...
Apr 02, 2011
Tracy
rated it:
A Chilling Reminder
She's been hiding for seven years, keeping her son and herself safe from the madman who had brutally abused them and almost killed her. Mary Grace and Robbie Winters are painful memories and Caroline Stewart has done everything in her power to help her and her son Tom do more than survive, but thrive. Seven years after fleeing from a violently abusive spouse and assuming a new identity, Caroline has gotten her GED and is working her way through college, just a semester aw More...
She's been hiding for seven years, keeping her son and herself safe from the madman who had brutally abused them and almost killed her. Mary Grace and Robbie Winters are painful memories and Caroline Stewart has done everything in her power to help her and her son Tom do more than survive, but thrive. Seven years after fleeing from a violently abusive spouse and assuming a new identity, Caroline has gotten her GED and is working her way through college, just a semester aw More...
Mar 16, 2011
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it:
For me in a way the 3 star rating is s gift. It's a gift in that this is not a book of the type I read, heavily romantic and so on it's not a book I would have chosen. On the other hand, it's not badly written and it deals with a difficult topic that might bear being looked at more openly.
This is one of my late wife's books. When she passed I moved to a much smaller place and my library has had to be severely pruned. I couldn't bring all my book shelves and the shelves I do have are More...
This is one of my late wife's books. When she passed I moved to a much smaller place and my library has had to be severely pruned. I couldn't bring all my book shelves and the shelves I do have are More...
3 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jan 05, 2012
Lígia
rated it:
Estava muito curiosa em experimentar esta autora e fui comprando todos os volumes anteriores, até chegar este a Portugal, o primeiro que ela escreveu (a ordem de publicação por cá foi ao contrário).
Pensei sempre, quer pelas sinopses, quer pelo que fui lendo aqui e ali, que se trataria de suspense a sério, mas, pelo menos neste livro, predominou mais o romance do que o suspense. Nem sequer diria que é suspense romântico, mas mais romance com algum suspense do meio para o fim...
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Pensei sempre, quer pelas sinopses, quer pelo que fui lendo aqui e ali, que se trataria de suspense a sério, mas, pelo menos neste livro, predominou mais o romance do que o suspense. Nem sequer diria que é suspense romântico, mas mais romance com algum suspense do meio para o fim...
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Nov 16, 2010
Emmi
rated it: 
I'm sure I'll be crucified for saying this, because it seems that everyone loved this book but... I just wasn't feeling it.
Yes, Rose conveys the fear, anguish, and terror a woman must endure in an abusive relationship. She also clearly shows the strength and determination that is needed to get out of such a horrible situation. On those counts, bravo.
My issue with this book was the relationship between Caroline and Max. It comes across as just a lot of "i love you's" More...
Yes, Rose conveys the fear, anguish, and terror a woman must endure in an abusive relationship. She also clearly shows the strength and determination that is needed to get out of such a horrible situation. On those counts, bravo.
My issue with this book was the relationship between Caroline and Max. It comes across as just a lot of "i love you's" More...
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(4 people liked it)
Apr 14, 2010
Mojca
rated it:
She succeeded in escaping her abusive husband, creating a new identity and new life for herself and her son. But just as she's finally feeling safe after seven years, learning to trust again, learning to love, her past is about to come crashing down around her...
This is the first book by Karen Rose that went through my hands, but it certainly won't be the last. I heard only good things about her books and now I have proof they were all true.
This was and amazing stor More...
This is the first book by Karen Rose that went through my hands, but it certainly won't be the last. I heard only good things about her books and now I have proof they were all true.
This was and amazing stor More...
3 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Aug 29, 2009
Cynthia
rated it:
This book was satisfactory on many counts:
The villain was evil, brutal, monstrous, and violent. As he intelligently hunted down, threatened, and killed others to find Caroline, it built up a real, scary anticipation for the end.
The romance was believable, sweet, and rewarding. The H/H both brought a lot to the table and helped each other grow (getting over disability issues, residual trust/fear issues). Max is gentle and slow with Caroline, while still making her feel More...
The villain was evil, brutal, monstrous, and violent. As he intelligently hunted down, threatened, and killed others to find Caroline, it built up a real, scary anticipation for the end.
The romance was believable, sweet, and rewarding. The H/H both brought a lot to the table and helped each other grow (getting over disability issues, residual trust/fear issues). Max is gentle and slow with Caroline, while still making her feel More...
Aug 07, 2011
Batsap
rated it:
I picked this up for £1, thinking it was an average crime book. Started reading and got to the part where Max is introduced, at which point things began to get a little too Mills & Boon for my tastes. After looking Karen Rose up, I realise now of course that she writes romantic suspense.
Romance novels tend to annoy me. This one was no exception.
Max. The hero. Thinks that no woman can ever fall for him because he walks with a cane. Has he not seen House? Canes are cool. Ev More...
Romance novels tend to annoy me. This one was no exception.
Max. The hero. Thinks that no woman can ever fall for him because he walks with a cane. Has he not seen House? Canes are cool. Ev More...
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(2 people liked it)
Jun 05, 2011
Jonetta
rated it:
Mary Grace Winters finally found a way to escape her abusive husband and reinvented herself as Caroline Stewart and moved to Chicago with her seven-year old son, now named Tom. For the next seven years, she managed to pull herself up by her bootstraps, with the help of a shelter and a kind employer, and create a happy and productive life. Caroline got her GED and went to work for the head of the history department at a small college. Following the death of the chair, a new history professor, Max
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Nov 25, 2010
Rebecca T
rated it:
Well would you look at what I've just found. I read this book years ago on the long flights between Australia and Spain and can remember really enjoying it. However, as per usual with the course of time, I'd forgotten all about it. Another reason for loving GoodReads, I guess.
Karen Rose writes a really good balance between the romance and the suspense/thriller aspects of this novel and her characters are well-rounded and relatable. I mean, what kind of mother wouldn't do all she could More...
Karen Rose writes a really good balance between the romance and the suspense/thriller aspects of this novel and her characters are well-rounded and relatable. I mean, what kind of mother wouldn't do all she could More...
Jun 08, 2011
Vicki
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 06, 2008
ElaineY
rated it:
Max isn't a cop or FBI agent but a history professor. Nevertheless, he's hunky and attractive. Improbable, in my experience, but this is Romantic Suspense Fiction so anything's possible.
I did not like this as much as the other Rose books but it was way better than Have You Seen Her which had the most unattractive hero ever.
I did not like this as much as the other Rose books but it was way better than Have You Seen Her which had the most unattractive hero ever.
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Oct 17, 2011
Hope
rated it:
Don't Tell had everything you could want from a romantic suspense book. A deep rooted hatred for evil that Caroline must overcome if she ever wishes to find true love. This was almost painful to watch play out. I have a great deal of respect for women in these situations and I feel that Karen Rose, did an amazing job of portraying the very real evil that lives behind closed doors. I loved Caroline's support system and the fact that Dana didn't take ANY crap from Caroline and told her like it
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Apr 22, 2011
Ila
rated it:
This book was really well written the characters really came to live and the suspense was the kind that really made me sit on the edge of my chair and bite my nails.
The romance was well done, but i did find my self skipping bits to it to figure out what was happening on the suspense side. The characters were earthy and real and the only point for which I'm skipping a star is the hero whose problems seemed a bit immature (and he seemed immature in facing them) in front of the heroine's More...
The romance was well done, but i did find my self skipping bits to it to figure out what was happening on the suspense side. The characters were earthy and real and the only point for which I'm skipping a star is the hero whose problems seemed a bit immature (and he seemed immature in facing them) in front of the heroine's More...
Mar 29, 2010
Dawn
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 23, 2009
HeiLi
rated it: 
What I didn't like about this book was that the author uses the very serious and very real subject of spousal abuse as an excuse to come up with the most blatantly trashy lovel story one could possibly imagine.
She uses every cliché for love stories that is out there: of course the heroine is (naturally) blonde, petite and has blue eyes, of course the hero is tall, dark, handsome and brooding, of course it's love at first sight for both, of course he's a young, good-looking intellige More...
She uses every cliché for love stories that is out there: of course the heroine is (naturally) blonde, petite and has blue eyes, of course the hero is tall, dark, handsome and brooding, of course it's love at first sight for both, of course he's a young, good-looking intellige More...
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(3 people liked it)
Jul 24, 2011
John
rated it:
Well, when I was told that the books by Karen Rose were Romantic Suspense stories I thought “No Way” these are pure murder-mystery with a lot of suspense anyhow it doesn’t matter because they are Attention-Grabbing, Scary and Downright Gripping, Karen Rose is a stylish teller of tales.
I have not as is usual for me read them all in sequence, it does not spoil it as such but as there are characters in the books that make appearances in all the books it is better to read them in order, I found More...
I have not as is usual for me read them all in sequence, it does not spoil it as such but as there are characters in the books that make appearances in all the books it is better to read them in order, I found More...
May 20, 2010
Kristen
rated it:
Last year I've got hooked on Karen Rose's You Can't Hide on my romantic suspense novel hunt and loved it. This time around, I'll be reading lots of books to get caught up with the series, starting with Don't Tell. This book launched her into stardom. Set in the Carolinas and Chicago, Illinois, Mary Grace Winters lives in fear and went in hiding from her abusive husband Rob, with her son Robbie, under the name of Caroline and Tom Stewart to start a new life. Bruised, battered, she survived for h
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May 02, 2011
Kristina
rated it:
This was a quickie book that I enjoyed. It was fast-paced and hard to put down. The plot wasn't all that complicated, neither were the characters (they were either good or bad), but it was very entertaining. I liked the romance between the two main characters, but I can't remember their names which speaks to the fact of how little an impact the book had on me. The only thing I didn't like is it seemed to get a little mushy and sentimental towards the end and I kept getting a whiff of a Christian
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May 25, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
This was my first Karen Rose book touted as a suspense/romance novel. Suspenseful it was -- the story of a young 16 year old girl, who becomes pregnant and marries an abusive man, who just happens to be a policeman. She takes her young son and escapes, starts a new life under an new name, finds love (the romance part), and the abusive husband comes after her 7 years later.
I probably would have given this 5 stars -- but I did find myself towards the end -- saying "come on al More...
I probably would have given this 5 stars -- but I did find myself towards the end -- saying "come on al More...
Nov 04, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
Don't Tell
4 Stars
Synopsis:
The victim of horrendous abuse at the hands of her police officer husband, Gracie Winters saved her own life and that of her young son by staging their deaths. Nine years later, Gracie has reinvented herself as Caroline Stewart and is on the verge of falling in love and trusting a man again. But Caroline’s past is about to catch up with her and the threat could cost not only her newfound relationship but her very life.
Review:
The More...
4 Stars
Synopsis:
The victim of horrendous abuse at the hands of her police officer husband, Gracie Winters saved her own life and that of her young son by staging their deaths. Nine years later, Gracie has reinvented herself as Caroline Stewart and is on the verge of falling in love and trusting a man again. But Caroline’s past is about to catch up with her and the threat could cost not only her newfound relationship but her very life.
Review:
The More...
Dec 14, 2010
Desert Rose
rated it:
This is the first book in the series. It is also the first book I read for this author and will not be the last :)
Mary Grace Winters suffered terribly from her abusive cop husband and knew there is no way to survival for her and her son except by running away and staging her own death.
Now seven years later as Caroline Stewart, she started to feel safe and considers risking her heart to love with the new Dr. Max Hunter that enters her life as her new boss. Both of them having pasts More...
Mary Grace Winters suffered terribly from her abusive cop husband and knew there is no way to survival for her and her son except by running away and staging her own death.
Now seven years later as Caroline Stewart, she started to feel safe and considers risking her heart to love with the new Dr. Max Hunter that enters her life as her new boss. Both of them having pasts More...
Jun 10, 2010
Jill
rated it:
Mary Grace Winters nine years ago ran away from her abusive husband with her seven year old son Robbie. She knew if she stayed with her husband any longer that he would eventually kill her with his frequent beatings. After healing a broken back, that was the result of a fall down the stairs, Mary Grace changed her and her son's name and moved to Chicago.
There are three separate plot threads in Don't Tell that all eventually come together to a very exciting conclusion. The first is Mary Grace, n More...
There are three separate plot threads in Don't Tell that all eventually come together to a very exciting conclusion. The first is Mary Grace, n More...
