Don't Tell (Romantic Suspense #1)

Jul 24, 2008

Christa rated it

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Shelves: library

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...moreDon'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 realizes that she will have to do something drastic to get herself and her son away from the violence. Mary Grace has already tried to go through legal channels to get help, but it is made difficult by the fact that her husband, Rob Winters, is a police officer. Mary Grace's injuries are so severe that it takes her two years to recover enough to take her son, Robbie, and escape. Mary Grace ditches her car in a lake, changes the names of herself and her son, and takes shelter at a women's home in Chicago. Seven years later, she is known as Caroline Stewart, and is a college secretary and soon to be college graduate. After the death of her boss and mentor, she meets the new head of her department, Max Hunter. Max Hunter has also survived great tragedy, and is constantly reminded of it by his physical limitations that require him to use a cane. Max and Caroline are drawn to one another immediately, and are very soon involved in a relationship that both hope will lead to a future together. Before they can find happiness together, they will have to overcome several obstacles. Max will have to come to terms with his present life and realize that he didn't lose everything in his accident, and Caroline will have to find a way to tell Max about her past and that she is still married. As they struggle with their fledgling relationship, Caroline's abusive husband finds her and threatens her existence.

This book was riveting, and I couldn't put it down. Both the hero and heroine were very likeable characters, although both had serious issues to overcome from their pasts. The villian was without conscience and committed some disturbing acts that gave the book a rougher edge than many of the romantic suspense novels I have read. There were several secondary characters that played an important role in the story, and I look forward to seeing some of them again as the series continues.(less)

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Jan 21, 2009

Holly rated it

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Shelves: romantic-suspense

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...moreThis 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 that bother me and besides, this book was vastly superior.

The romance isn't the main focus of this book but I thought it was nicely balanced with the suspense. I was mostly interested in the suspense anyway so I didn't mind. We know who the bad guy is from the very beginning so this isn't a who-dunit but more of a when-are-they-going-to-catch-him type of book. Our hero and heroine are blissfully going about their lives, tentatively beginning a new relationship while never knowing that the psycho husband is closing in on them. You pray that he will be caught soon because the body count in this book is really high. Anytime Winters was front and center I felt like he was this unstoppable Angel of Death. He just kept circling tighter and tighter around Caroline and I was breathlessly awaiting the moment when he would strike. Part of my unease about this book was knowing that Max was physically unable to protect her. Of course this is fiction and the good guys must triumph but it definitely made it more interesting in an edge-of-your-seat sort of way. Max wasn't some ex-soldier or FBI agent who knew how to save the day. He was a handicapped history professor and while he was certainly willing to put himself in harms way for Caroline and her son, when push came to shove, he had a bad leg. This leaves most of the hope for Caroline's survival on her own shoulders and I loved that. I loved reading about her facing her husband again, thwarting him even and challenging his dominion over her. I loved it.

Without a doubt my favorite character was Caroline's son, Tom Stewart. Caroline and Max were good characters but they were a little too defensive for my tastes. He was a little too quick to feel sorry for himself and she was just a little too blah. While I greatly admire them, Tom is the one who stole my heart. I would love to read his story someday. 4.5 stars. (less)

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Nov 11, 2009

Gina rated it

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Recommended to Gina by: Crystal Craig.

Shelves: own, mini-group-read, action, mystery, romantic-suspense, suspense

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Oh, did I ever love this book! This is my first time reading Karen Rose, and it most certainly will not be the last!

The characters, especially Caroline/Mary Grace - you could feel how she feels, when she stiffens, when she melts, how much she loves her son... As injured as she was, she endured the physical pain/still endures the physical pain, to function, to protect her son. Constantly on her guard, should it ever happen that 'he' finds them.

Robbie: for a 14-year-old, ...moreOh, did I ever love this book! This is my first time reading Karen Rose, and it most certainly will not be the last!

The characters, especially Caroline/Mary Grace - you could feel how she feels, when she stiffens, when she melts, how much she loves her son... As injured as she was, she endured the physical pain/still endures the physical pain, to function, to protect her son. Constantly on her guard, should it ever happen that 'he' finds them.

Robbie: for a 14-year-old, you can tell he grew up quickly and was more adult than even his own father (the SOB!) He cares for his mother very much and is still wary of Max, even at the end of the book. I hope that Robbie becomes more comfortable with himself and men in general.

Max: I fell for the man right at the beginning. Even though he didn't know about Caroline's past, he was the perfect gentleman through and through, never pushing. The arguments he and Caroline had - I felt bad for both of them, he was still living in his self-pity/self-hate world, and Caroline understood it more than he thought. He needed that 'kick in the pants' she gave him, and I'm glad he finally woke up.

The plot: I knew it was going to be touchy with me. I've seen my best friend through this type of situation and I knew I was going to get into it a little too much, LOL! Oh, I so wanted to jump right in the book and strangle Winters (her 'husband') with my bare hands. I hated him right to the core, and was completely ecstatic when Caroline/Mary Grace finally fought back and took him down. That's exactly what she needed to finally be free of him; divorce wouldn't have been enough. No one has the right to make a woman feel the way Caroline felt, to treat her like garbage, like a child.

In a way, this book reminded me of that movie starring Jennifer Lopez Enough. The plots were a little similar.

I had a hard time putting this book down, watching the relationship between Caroline and Max grow, the friendships she shared, watching Winters get closer and closer to finding his wife and son... A page turner you'll have a hard time putting down.

5-stars, all the way.(less)

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Aug 23, 2011

Steffi rated it

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Shelves: suspense, part-of-series

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

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Mar 26, 2008

Isis FG rated it

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Shelves: romance-suspense, reviewed, info-full, author-karen-rose, stars-5

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 08, 2007

Kathrynn rated it

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Recommends it for: Romantic Suspense Readers

Shelves: romance-suspense, own, 2007, reviewed, series-karen_rose

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.

...more

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Oct 12, 2011

Vonda rated it

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Shelves: romantic-suspense

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

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Aug 03, 2011

Lili rated it

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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...moreI 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 stayed with me. How it was written like something that could happen in real life, as opposed to something only believable in a book or movie. I didn’t do much eye-rolling (which is an accomplishment. I’m very finicky when it comes to clichés) except at one or two bits at the end, which would give away too much so I won’t go into.

Here are some excerpts to give you a feel of the story:
-Disillusionment fueled her anger as she felt her short-lived dream of the perfect man slipping away. Too many men in her life had blamed someone or something for their bad luck. Her father. Rob. Eventually they’d ended up blaming her.

I for one do not want to read a book with perfect, flawless… plastic characters so I was surprised at how many reviewers thought of Max’s flaws as something unconstructive. I mean, sure; he had his moments of self-pity, childishness, bitterness, temper tantrums… but those are the kind of flaws that make his character dimensional and believable. He was a real person, and so was Caroline; both had scars -physical and emotional- that made them realistic and easy to relate to.

It would not have been nearly as good a book if he was all jolly and accepting and she was trusting and tolerating.

-“The husband is the head of the household and has every right to discipline his wife and children. It’s Biblical.”

The villain, a Mr. Rob Winters, I loved. Of course by love read hated, which is a testament to K. Rose’s excellent writing. He didn’t feel like one of those ruthless, one-dimensional villains who were too evil to possibly be real. But he was downright delusional and psychotic. All of his actions were, in his mind, completely justified, and made not out of revenge or sadism but because he was convinced it was his right that had been stolen from him by his insolent whore of a wife.

Some of the things he did made me cringe. I swear, I’d sit there reading with a grimace on my face. It wasn’t overly graphic or gory, but the sheer cruelty of the things he does was hard to read and not for the weak-hearted.
I’ve known more than one wife-beater, and I found myself remembering them when I read the parts from Winters’s point of view. Again, a testament of how well-written and realistic a character he is.

The supporting characters were also very believable and with their own issues. Caroline’s son Tom, and Dana, her best friend; Max’s brother David and the rest of the ‘Hunter clan’, Evie Wilson, Lieutenant Ross, Detectives Lambert and Jolley, Special Agent Thatcher and his son, Nicky… all were a truly excellent support structure for a solid story. They all had varying roles ranging from prominent (Tom) to minute (Nicky) yet they all made the story so much better.

Overall, a winner form Karen Rose I recommend for anyone looking for a good romantic suspense read with a ruthless villain.
(less)

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Apr 02, 2011

Tracy rated it

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Shelves: romantic-suspense, non-series-stand-alone-novels

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...moreA 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 away from her dream of law school. Her son is well loved and safe. And despite recently losing her beloved boss to a surprise heart attack, she's happy in her job as secretary of the head of the history department. When the new department head arrives, she's more than happy, and handsome and very tall Dr. Max Hunter makes the sort of impression Caroline had never had a chance to experience in her long history of neglect and abuse.

Both are scarred, both flawed by circumstance and painful pasts, but their attraction is intense. Caroline's secrets, though, are the sort that kill, and unbeknownst to her, the sadistic misogynist and murderer she married, Rob Winters, has realized that his wife and son aren't missing or dead. Realized that Mary Grace ran from him, stole his son from him. Unbeknownst to Caroline, Winters is cutting a wide swath of death and destruction...and he's coming for her and their son. Nothing will stop him. No one can catch him. And no one will see him coming.

Don't Tell isn't my first romantic suspense by Karen Rose, but it was her first published. It's surely not necessary to read them in order, as they're only loosely connected by reappearing characters, but I thought I'd go back to see how it all started. I'm glad I did. Rose started with a plot that perhaps isn't the most original, but it's well told. An abusive cop husband undermines his abused wife and son and keeps her from any hope of help until she takes her son and disappears. Years later he finds out and, enraged, starts to hunt her down, destroying everything and everyone in his path.

The procession of the plot is a bit formulaic, including the quick-fired romance between Caroline and Max and the reaction of Caroline's son Tom, but there's a certain formula to all romantic suspense, so I wasn't overly bothered by that. Rose's authorial strengths lie not just in the intricate, twisting plots of her novels, but in the depth and dimension of the characters inhabiting the story. She excels in creating sympathetic characters with baggage and flaws, characters who make mistakes and are intrinsically human. Some endearing, some humorous, most a mixture of both. This exceptional talent extends beyond primary characters to the secondary and ancillary set, from heroes and heroines to their families and friends and even to their pets. In so doing, each book is gripping on an emotional level and memorable for it, regardless of specific plots.

In Don't Tell Rose has gone one further and touched on many of the sensitive issues and delicate psychological damages shared by survivors of spousal and parental abuse and carefully folded that into the personalities of Caroline and Tom to the differing degrees required by the plot. Taken to the extreme, the abuse was horrifying, but it served as a reminder and wake up call to women who may find themselves in situations that are in any way similar. Perhaps it breathed hope into just one victim, or reminded one woman or child that abuse can be escaped - should be escaped, or provided one option to someone who was convinced there were none. Perhaps. If so, then it transcended the scope of chilling entertainment.

I hope it did.

~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.(less)

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Mar 16, 2011

Mike (the Paladin) rated it

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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 ...moreFor 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 double loaded with books shoved into every nook and cranny. So at last I'm looking at books that had been Jeanie's. I don't like to sell, trade, or give away books without at least trying to read them, so among all my other reading I'm making room for some books that I probably wouldn't have read in any other situation.

We were married for 34 years and she passed away almost 2 years ago from compilations arising from a series of strokes (multiple organ failure). When my wife was a child she was abused. I won't go into detail but for her, her mother, and others in the family both physical and psychological abuse had been common.

That is what this book attempts to deal with.

It does push one of my buttons in a way as I am so tired of abusive husband and father stories. The fact that they're out there is undeniable. But please be aware that all husbands and fathers are not abusers and seeing "men" (and most of us who are men hate that the word is used for these creatures) when they see other men abusing family members (or others) most (I hope) men are repulsed. Whether modern women want it or not most of us would stand between you and whatever threatens (yes I know, you don't need a man to protect you, it's not PC and all the other. We're still willing).

So, the book deals with a real problem. Does it do it well? I wouldn't say this is the end all and be all of books (fiction or otherwise) on the subject. But, it's got it's own value. I won't endorse it as a "read" or as a "story" but try it your self. (less)

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Jan 04, 2012

Lígia Filipa rated it

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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...

...more

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Nov 16, 2010

Emmi rated it

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Shelves: genre-contemporary, 2010-reads, genre-romantic-suspense

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

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Apr 14, 2010

Mojca rated it

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Shelves: suspense-mystery-adventure-thriller, own, chubby-chunkster-challenge, karen-rose, favorites

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...moreShe 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 story, a full-fledged thriller with enough elements of romance to satisfy even the pickiest of romantic suspense readers.
I found this book hard to put down (unfortunately I do need to sleep from time to time, so I had to take a short break). This is one of those books that grip the reader from the first page, pull her or him into the story, and don't spit her or him out until they're done.

The topic was chilling and more than realistic. The struggle of an abused woman, the courage it takes to pull herself out of the abyss of torment and rise literally out of her own ashes was beautifully done. The author, though sparing the reader a few gory details, didn't sugarcoat the subject, presenting it straightforward, unblinking and unflinching in all its starkness and bleakness.
Though the reader is induced to feel a modicum of pity for the heroine that pity doesn't have the time or momentum to take a life of its own and take over the story, because the author give the heroine enough spine, spunk, stubbornness, and determination for the reader to quickly forget the pity, and admire the heroine instead.

The characters and their actions are realistic and believable, portrayed with a staggering accuracy. Though this is a work of fiction, Ms. Rose portrayed her characters as real people, with real feelings, with real flaws, making real (and sometimes stupid) mistakes, giving the reader ample opportunity to empathize with them, all the while creating interesting and chilling food for thought. Because what happened in this story happens out there every single day. And people, as the people who knew Mary Grace Winters, tend to turn a blind eye to it, grasping at any plausible explanation that might ease their minds.

This truly was an intense, chilling, thrilling roller-coaster ride of a romantic suspense novel with wonderfully developed and wonderfully flawed characters, a twisted beyond measure villain, edge-of-the-razor suspense, nail-biting tension, nice sprinkle of romance, wonderfully paced and amazingly well-written. 10 stars out of 5!(less)

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Aug 29, 2009

Cynthia rated it

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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 ...moreThis 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 very much wanted. Caroline is awed at first, but later gives Max a much needed slap up side the head to help him reconnect to a full life and his family.

The abuse angle seemed well researched. Sometimes, I felt detached from Caroline's pain, since it was so horrible; the history painted fell just a few details short of being complete. But, there was still much to tug at the heart strings and admire Caroline/Dana/abused for. I think Rose handled abuse well, especially since it was such a significant part of the book. She didn't shy away from giving characters horrific and very plausible backgrounds. The women often went back to their abusers. The safe house never has enough resources.

The support characters were rich and likable. The son Tom, was a bit too mature for his paper age (14), but admirable. BF Dana and Bro David were great supports for our H/H and entertaining.

The police tracking Winters (the good guys) were ok. They were a bit bland for me.

Unfortunately, everything was pretty good and enjoyable, but not much was Amazing. Nothing really stood out or compelled. Probably a forgettable book.

Spoiler

The final showdown was a big letdown for me. I was happy Caroline got the chance to strike Rob down, but other than that, it was all handled so badly. Bringing 3 civilians and 1 unstable cop along with only 2 real cops? The late back up was a lame excuse to let our characters get their moment to shine. By all rights, a SWAT team should have been sent out to the cabin and a sniper to take out Rob. The civilians, if allowed to come at all, definitely should have been better controlled.

Also, this is silly, but the hair dyeing thing at the end bothered me. You can't just take a box of hair dye and go from dark brown to bright blond in 1.5 hrs. Ugh.(less)

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Aug 07, 2011

Batsap rated it

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Shelves: crime, bad-romance

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

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Jun 05, 2011

Jonetta rated it

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Recommended to Jonetta by: Lauren

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...moreMary 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 Hunter, was hired and at his first appearance, both he and Caroline established an immediate connection, one that transcended employer/employee relations.

Meanwhile, after seven years, Mary Grace's car was located in a lake in South Carolina, the contents of which cause her husband, Rob, to suspect she's alive. He becomes consumed with finding her but this has also caught the attention of the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI),who has always believed Rob murdered his wife and son.

The story transitions between Caroline and Max's developing relationship, the SBI investigation and Rob's hunt for "Mary Grace" and his son. Rob is a sadistic and cruel man who is also a pretty bad cop but a skilled detective. The tension mounts as these three stories begin to intersect and the bodies start to pile up. Your pulse rate will increase as you begin to worry for some of the characters, knowing that there will be an eventual climax between the investigators, Caroline and Rob.

Karen Rose has masterfully written a riveting story involving domestic violence and the triumph of the human spirit. Caroline isn't the only one in the story to rise above her circumstances. Max is recovering from a life altering and devastating accident from twelve years ago. Dana, Caroline's best friend and manager of a women's shelter, came out of an abusive marriage. The lead investigator, Steven Thatcher, is raising three sons on his own following the death of his wife. All are involved in the culmination of the confrontation with Rob.

This is a great story, even though there's a whiff of the love-at-first-sight syndrome between Max and Caroline but the events that occur as their relationship develops more than compensate for their beginnings. Their trials and challenges are extremely realistic for two people that don't know each other very well. The police investigation is gritty and well researched. Much of the story is based in North Carolina and the author did her homework in representing the geography of the state.

This is a must read and I plan to read a lot more from this author.(less)

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Nov 25, 2010

Rebecca T rated it

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Shelves: romance, suspense, thriller, family

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

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Jun 08, 2011

Vicki rated it

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. WOW! This book was excellent. 'Don't Tell' by Karen Rose is much more than just a romance or an action-packed thriller. It was equal parts both and a damn good read. It had me on the edge of my seat. I was captivated by the love between Caroline and Max and I was repulsed by her heinous husband and the atrocities he commited. It was a moving book and I couldn't put it down.

'Don't Tell' is the story of Mary Grace Winters and her quest to save her son, Robbie, and herself from th...moreWOW! This book was excellent. 'Don't Tell' by Karen Rose is much more than just a romance or an action-packed thriller. It was equal parts both and a damn good read. It had me on the edge of my seat. I was captivated by the love between Caroline and Max and I was repulsed by her heinous husband and the atrocities he commited. It was a moving book and I couldn't put it down.

'Don't Tell' is the story of Mary Grace Winters and her quest to save her son, Robbie, and herself from the clutches of her hideously abusive husband, Rob. After years of abuse and one particular incident that almost left her paralysed, Mary Grace stages hers and Robbie's deaths in an attempt to finally escape Rob. With the assistance of a secretive women's shelter they escape with new identities and manage to live relatively normal lives for seven years before their past catches up with them.

During the seven years, Caroline (previously Mary Grace) and Tom (aka Robbie) never stopped looking back over their shoulders but as each year passed they grew more comfortable that they'd escaped Rob. Tom was leading a normal teenage life and Caroline had a job she loved and friends that cared for her. Her life got even better when her new boss arrived - the incredibly handsome Max Hunter. From the moment Max lays eyes on Caroline he is smitten and their relationship builds quickly but is not based on sex or frivolity. It's love but it is complex. Max has his own demons from his past and Caroline struggles to reveal her deep, dark secrets, even to the man she loves.

Meanwhile, the car that Mary Grace used to stage her disappearance is recovered from the lake and Rob, being a cop (and there's the kicker) has access to the impounded vehicle and soon puts two and two together and realises that he's been tricked and his wife and son are alive. He's livid and vows to track Mary Grace down and find his son. And he vows to make her pay dearly for taking his son from him.

He is a vicious man and soon his cop buddies (who've been protecting him) realise this and then the chase is on. Can they locate Mary Grace and Robbie before Rob does? And how many innocent people will die as they cross Rob's path? It's scary and full of suspense but countering that is the love between Caroline, Tom and Max. A great book. (less)

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Jul 06, 2008

ElaineY rated it

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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.

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Oct 17, 2011

Hope Frost rated it

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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...more

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Apr 22, 2011

Ila rated it

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Shelves: suspense-thrillers, contemporary-romance

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

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Mar 05, 2010

Dawn rated it

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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 23, 2009

HeiLi rated it

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Shelves: thriller

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

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Jul 24, 2011

John rated it

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Shelves: crime-thriller

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

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May 20, 2010

Kristen rated it

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Shelves: 2010, romantic-suspense

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...more

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May 02, 2011

Kristina rated it

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Recommends it for: anyone who enjoys quickie suspense romance books

Shelves: brain-candy, fiction, nook-book

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...more

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May 25, 2011

Cindy Hartman rated it

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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

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Nov 04, 2011

Lauren rated it

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Shelves: romantic-suspense

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

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Dec 14, 2010

Desert Rose rated it

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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

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Jun 10, 2010

Jill Dunlop rated it

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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...moreMary 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, now Caroline Stewart, meeting and falling in love with her new boss Max Hunter. The second is Rob Winters Caroline's abusive, cop husband, who now discovers after nine years that his wife was not abducted and killed, but deceived him and has hidden from him. He is on a hunt to find her and make her pay for taking his son away from him for so long. The third thread are the cops who are looking for Mary Grace and are following Rob's trail.

Don't Tell was very well balanced between the suspense portion of the book and the romance between Caroline and Max. This was a very intense read. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book, waiting for Rob to catch up with Caroline. I was biting my nails, hoping and praying the cops would catch Rob before he gets to Caroline. Rob was one of the scariest bad guys I have come across in a long time. He is truly a sadistic, sick pup and the stuff of nightmares.

Meanwhile Rob is hunting her down, Caroline is finally letting down her guard and trying new life experiences with Max. It is not easy by any means. Both Max and Caroline have huge baggage that they have to deal with. Caroline is weary of men and not sure she can entirely trust one again. Max carries incredible guilt for causing the death of his father and is a bitter man. Caroline teaches him about what it really means to live and there story is very moving. The romance is more sweet than hot, but it was very keeping with Max and Caroline's personalities. I just loved this book and highly recommend it. Karen Rose is awesome!(less)

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title link	preview: Don't Tell
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Don't Tell (Romantic Suspense #1)

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