Heart on a Shoestring

Unspoken #4

by Marilyn Grey

Rebelling against a life of black and white, Miranda Ryan paints the world in a technicolor fever. She spends her free time on park benches, analyzing people from the outside in and creating whimsical stories about their lives. Unbridled and full of life, her ever-changing heart is a revolving door no man can figure out. And she likes it that way. But when Derek Rhodes enters her life, he stubbornly challenges her every move. As she unsuccessfully avoids this opinionated prankster her colors fade to gray and she is forced into a choice . . . to lose the self she knows or the self she has never been.

Derek Rhodes wears the same shade of brown every day and avoids eye contact with strangers, until Miranda walks into his life and splashes his world with streaks of colors he swore he’d never touch. Drawn to her imaginative personality, he finds himself questioning his own cynical nature and flat-lined ideals, only to fall in love and realize the only woman he’s ever let into his heart has no plans of letting a man into hers. Follow them both as they poke and prod and test each others limits on a journey of discovery.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Fiction

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2014

About the author

Dear hopeless romantic, I'm so glad you have found the Unspoken Series! This is a 10 book series ending in late 2015. You can get free books from the series and take a quiz to find out how much you'll enjoy it before reading! Go here for more info!

The Unspoken Series
Book #1: Where Love Finds You (Available Now)
Book #2: Down from the Clouds (Available Now)
Book #3: The Life I Now Live (Available Now)
Book #4: Heart on a Shoestring (Available Now)
Book #5: Bloom (Available Now)
Book #6: When the City Sleeps (August 2014)
Book #7: A Thousand Words (December 2014)
Book #8: A Starless Midnight (March 2015)
Book #9: Prism (July 2015)
Book #10: Love, Me (December 2015)

Reviews

[JLObcena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart on a Shoestring is the fourth book of The Unspoken Series of Marilyn Grey.

------------------------------------------------------------
"I'm a skeptical optimist."
She smiled. "Or a hopeful pessimist?"


This is an inspirational and entertaining love story for me. For someone so plain and dull like Derek, she deserves the colorful and optimistic Miranda in his life. Both have dark pasts they can't easily get over with. They want to love and be loved, but afraid of it. Eventually, no matter how hard they tried to neglect themselves from falling together, they found their heart tied on each other's shoestring. ♥ ‏

And hey! This is mushy. This won't bore you. Promise. Miss Grey has a lot of surprises in her stories. This one has a LOT. :))


Here's one of my favorite part:

"Someone once told me that you know you've found the right one when both people feel like they don't deserve each other." She closed her eyes, then leaned back and looked at me.

"Let's love each other because we can't help it, not because we deserve it." ♥ ‏

[Zee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart on a Shoestring is the fourth book of the Unspoken series. It can be read as a stand-alone but best if the series is read in order.

This book is Derek and Miranda’s story. It’s really interesting from page one ‘til the end. There’s the spirit of mystery lurking around that pushes me to turn the page until there’s no more. I love the theme of it, how the characters dealt with finding and accepting themselves first before diving in on the pool of relationship.

I like Miranda a lot. She likes to sit on a park bench watching the people passing by and imagining what their story might be. She changes her hair color almost every week and dresses up in unusual clothes. But behind the cheery personality hides a sad past.

Derek, on the other hand, is “the boring guy who always wears brown shirts”. He’s opinionated and almost always pisses off people when he stars spouting off his opinions. Almost. He’s sweet, though, even if he doesn't know it. He dresses up for Miranda because she doesn't like boring. That earned him a big brownie point. He’s also mysterious. I didn't figure him out until much later in the book, which I really liked. There’s nothing better than a good mystery for a page-turner.

I love the way Derek helped Miranda “to be just herself”. He thinks she “doesn't want to face the person she is so she avoids her by being all these other people”. I love the snap decision he made to kidnap her. That trip is my favorite part. Sometimes, though, I really want to smack this man and dunk him on the nearest river before putting him on a freezer. He keeps doing these things to make Miranda face her true self and it’s very ironic because he himself if trying to run away from who he was. Granted, the past she’s trying to hide is dark and painful.

The twist is amazing. Not for one moment did it come to mind. Totally unexpected. Grey’s twists keep me from wanting more and looking forward for the next books. Heart on a Shoestring is hands down amazing.

This series, especially this book, is truly a must-read.

[Marilyn Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear hopeless romantic, I'm so glad you have found the Unspoken Series! This is a 10 book series ending in late 2015. You can get free books from the series and take a quiz to find out how much you'll enjoy it before reading! Go here for more info!

The Unspoken Series
Book #1: Where Love Finds You (Available Now)
Book #2: Down from the Clouds (Available Now)
Book #3: The Life I Now Live (Available Now)
Book #4: Heart on a Shoestring (Available Now)
Book #5: Bloom (Available Now)
Book #6: When the City Sleeps (August 2014)
Book #7: A Thousand Words (December 2014)
Book #8: A Starless Midnight (March 2015)
Book #9: Prism (July 2015)
Book #10: Love, Me (December 2015)

[Nona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the guys in the series, I didn't really think much about Derek because his previous appearance was just mentioned in passing. Didn't think he'd actually be paired with Miranda. His character came as a surprise to me. A seemingly normal (or boring, according to Miranda) guy with a mysterious dark past and a rather cynical view of life, and who wears brown ALL THE TIME. Very different from his sister Ella, and definitely the opposite of Miranda, who loves changing her hair color every other week and wearing unusual clothes. But I couldn't help myself grinning like an idiot while reading about the stuff Derek did for Miranda. Gotta love a guy who cosplays (against his better judgement) just for the girl he likes. Not so boring now, is he?

Reading along, we find out that behind her optimism, Miranda is dealing with her own issues from her past. I think Derek is a good guy for wanting to help Miranda resolve those issues even though he has enough to deal with on his own. While I don’t believe opposites attract, I think it’s great that such is the case in this story. Being opposites made them challenge each other’s outlook, all the while encouraging each other to open up and let go of the past that haunts them.

Overall, this has been a good read. It’s a nice change from the tenser atmosphere of The Life I Now Live. I must admit I like Heart on a Shoestring a lot better. I finished it in just a few hours. I’m looking forward to reading Sarah’s story next!

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unspoken Series is definitely best when read in order because you fall in love with each character over time and when they finally get their spotlight you just love them even more. I was intrigued by Miranda from the start. She’s just so much quirkier than the rest of the characters in this series. And when she found Derek in “Down from the Clouds,” I thought, “Hmmm... Interesting.” Then, of course, we got more of Miranda in “The Life I Now Live,” because she is Heidi’s best friend.

This book ... It can stand-alone, but it really is best when read in order. That being said, this is my favorite, by far, in this new series by Marilyn Grey. This is how I’d describe the other books:

Where Love Finds You: slow, soft walk on a warm beach

Down from the Clouds: touching down to reality with some beautiful romance in the mix

The Life I Now Live: a different perspective, tense, dramatic

Now, my favorite book in the series so far would be described in one sentence like this:

Heartbreakingly beautiful story with a slightly whimsical romance

This book is emotional, but strong. It takes us through the hearts of these two people (told in both Miranda and Derek’s perspectives) as they wrestle through their pasts together. They challenge each other, encourage each other, and try their bests not to fall in love with each other in the process. I completely fell in love with both of them, especially Miranda. Something about her I just adored.

I couldn’t stop reading this one at all. Not until I finished it and I was completely exhausted from a long day at work. I stayed up after midnight just because I wanted to see what happened and I didn’t want to leave their world.

I cried pretty good while reading this one too. The ending was absolutely perfect. I’m looking forward to “Bloom” as we got to peek at the beginning of it in the back of “Heart on a Shoestring.” This series definitely keeps getting better and better. Marilyn does a wonderful job of weaving self-discovery, fear of rejection and failure, and romance together in this amazing addition to The Unspoken Series. I feel like I know these characters. They’ve become like friends to me! They’re just so real....

If you haven’t read it yet, start with “Where Love Finds You.” It’s got a slower pace, but it’s worth it to start at the beginning. I love that the entire series features mature romance without the need for heated sex scenes. All books by Marilyn Grey are definitely what I’d consider a good clean read. They’re just so beautiful. I love the author’s perspective of romance and life. It’s so refreshing and I can’t wait to read the next book which focuses on true beauty. Still 6 more books left in the entire series and I can’t get enough! Truly inspiring... Now... To go out and put some hearts on shoestrings myself....

[Addie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing. It is the fourth book of The Unspoken series. Just like the books before, this book is a heartfelt romance that in my opinion everyone needs to take a look at.

"Heart on a Shoestring" is a book about Miranda and Derek. Miranda is a very interesting character who dyes her hair almost every week and has a very unique taste in clothing. She also sees the world in a whole different light compared to most of us. What she sees in people as she takes her time watching them from her park bench is beautiful. She is anything but plain. Derek however is plain as can be, and he knows it. Every single shirt in his closet is brown and his work is a boring job that gets him nowhere. He does not do anything out of the ordinary and thinks Miranda is strange. And she thinks the same about him. So when these two are out together, man, is it interesting. They defy each other, especially at the start and it makes me laugh. They are fun together and very much hilarious.

But...

This isn't all. This isn't really about how opposites attract, (well, sorta) but how the two open each other up. And let me tell you, when they do it pretty messy but you then see why they are the way they are. Both of them hide behind different facades, but in the end they are the same; hurting and regretting.

This book is deep and heartwarming. It is my favorite book so far and also the most sincere and heartbreaking. It doesn't have the big twist/s we learned to expect but it does have a big reveal that leaves your heart aching. It also has an ending with a message that surely people will need to look back on in their life.

[Maxine · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don’t let anyone in and you won’t get hurt. Let them in and you welcome the opportunity to get hurt" -Miranda Ryan

[This phrase occurred to me way before I read this book but I want to quote it still. ]

This 4th novel is fun and PROFOUND to read. I love Miranda and Derek's bickerings to their intellectual conversations. I love both of them. Their characters are well-developed and it takes such talent for an author to keep the characters alive yet not turning them into the cliché story and characters.

With Marilyn Grey, you can expect to have the twists and turns of one story and you'll not get bored. She continues to astound me with that skills of hers. Like she said, fiction is a softened version of reality because it'd be too much to digest.
Her way of writing is interesting... in every character you will be able to relate, realize you have that trait and get to know yourself better because it is through the hands of others that we'll be able to know who we are, what we're like and, eventually, who we will like/love. Just like how the friends of Miranda and Derek have seen that they will be fit together, only they, Miranda and Derek, have to find that out and rediscover their selves before truly be in each other's arms.


The 5th book, Bloom, will soon be out. There's so much anticipation for Sarah and James' story.

EVER WONDERED HOW MARILYN GREY JUST KEEPS COMIMG UP WITH THESE AWESOME STORIES WITH DIFFERENT PLOTS AND CHARACTERS? 'Cos I've been wondering it since book 2. I can't wait to discover more about the other characters (and about me through this process) ;>

[KStar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazingly wonderful story in “The Unspoken Series” with which adds even more depth to these remarkable characters by bringing them to life and making you feel like you’re dealing with their issues and hidden secrets alongside them.

Derek and Miranda desperately try to help each other deal and live with themselves and not the fear that’s crushing them. Hoping the other will reveal their secret and finally realize little by little they may need to let go and move forward, forgive themselves, and possibly find what they never thought they deserved or realized they ever wanted or needed for that matter. Whether that’s for them to do as forever friends or possibly more will be revealed.

So, with a little bit of kooky crazy fun, if that’s what you want to call it, because it’s a little bit whacky and pretty wonderful actually. They test the waters of their friendship. There are also some actual scary moments in a sense and definitely some laugh-out-loud ones as well, mixed in with definite surprises and revelations. With that plus-some you have another wonderful book to add to this amazing series. I cried, I laughed and enjoyed every moment and didn’t want to stop reading until that last and final page. It’s just that wonderful a story.

Such true to life characters that you can feel their every emotion. You feel their joy and happiness, but also every bit of pain and anguish they’ve been through even if it’s only on the surface hidden from others it’s there. They hide it so well from the ones that care about them the most even if it’s with creative color choices or the same old one every day. They struggle daily trying to deal and live in the present. When their past keeps creeping in and haunting them.
It can be quite scary facing the truth and revealing your past. Perhaps hoping people won’t judge you for your mistakes. You can’t let the fear take over you; it will drown you before you know it.

I do love how the characters from the previous books make appearances in each of the newer books keeping you updated with the happenings surrounding them and weaving their stories into the current main characters. Even if it’s someone just making a brief appearance it’s always a nice little peek into their lives which brings even more surprises.

I can’t wait to continue with this series. I’m so very excited to read the next one, Sarah’s story in Bloom. I must say this was an absolute true pleasure to read and I would definitely recommend it. You don’t have to read the prior books to read this one,Where Love Finds You, Down from the Clouds, and The Life I Now Live, but again it truly helps you understand when a character is mentioned or shows up and you know what their role is in the story.

Amazing totally amazing author that you are Marilyn Grey that you've written such fun, beautiful, romantic, and inspirational stories. Thank you!! :) 

[Laura Dobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, firstly if like to say that Marilyn is just awesome, her writing captivates me from the first chapter until the very end. I gobbled this book up in a few hours as I just couldn't put it down, and today I have read it again, just to check it wasn't a fluke, and let me tell you, it wasn't. I am going to surprise myself and say this is by far the best book (I think) that has been written. I am shocked as I've always been a 'where love finds you' girl but this one takes it. It's heart felt and fun, but also so deep and moving that I've been in tears and laughing all at the same time. Especially with the wetting of his pants bit hehe I won't write any spoilers, but that chapter was so sad and when 'lizzy' (read it, you'll know who I mean,) desperately needs help, but the is looking at his wet trousers. Ok, I'm blabbering on as usual. I just love it. Here's 2 of my favourite quotes:
'I never meant to change you lizzy...I didn't want to dilute you...I only wanted to filter out the dirt and help you live and rest in who you are.' I am seriously looking at Derek more and more as a saviour, even though he has an awful hidden past which he can't get past.

'they will forgive you if you ask'. So sweet, but when you read it in context with the story and who says it to whom it's so moving that I had to have a little breather to stop crying as the words kept blurring.
In this book I think we also get to see characters differently through the eyes of other characters. For example, I've always loved Ella but she sometimes comes across as judgemental, with the things she says, such as when she told Patrick she thought he should stay married to his dead wife. I know her opinion did change but while she's talking to her brother In heart on a shoestring, we find out snippets about their life's before the books were created and she seems very level headed and I just love looking at them through others eyes, it's magical.

Finally, I want to say how much this series has meant to me, there are so many authors out there now, striving to find the right niche for their market and the right readers, well I just want to say thanks to marilyn, as after finding these books, they really have helped me through some tricky times (as you know) and I am truly grateful. To my American friend, thanks xx until next time...

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars Love not only changes lives . . . it gives birth to life, January 2, 2015
By Sara Miller
This review is from: Heart on a Shoestring (Unspoken series Book 4) (Kindle Edition)
Such a beautiful poetic love story! It begins with swirls of color and these 2 tarnished people just trying to escape these circumstances in their pasts. I love this series and while I was a little hesitant about reading Miranda's book I am so glad I got to learn more about her character. When we see her in the other books before this one she just seems like a bright bubble of color and fun times, with enough sass to overflow the levy. In this novel we finally see Her story and what makes her tick. The passage from the beginning "sometimes all we need is a little reason to wake up the next day. That's all it takes to spark the light inside, just one little reason." From that moment on the reader is off on a grand adventure, complete with a Secret Garden.
Tough subjects are handled in this one, much more than the previous novels. But the sensitivity with which Marilyn crafts those scenes make it a piece of the story but doesn't overwhelm it.
This passage sums why I love this series so much "Life is too real for fiction. People want to feel good all the time, but life is messy and sometimes it doesn't feel good." These stories are the unvarnished truth about life and love, and while there is some anguish along the way it's all about who you have beside you on this adventure we call life. Turtle and Lizzy FOREVER!

[Ashley Weis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of the series. I love their relationship and funny moments, mixed with their deep conversations, and their sweet romance. This book was hard to put down, and not so much because of tension and all that, but mostly because I just loved these characters and didn't want to leave their world. The scene with the red flowers in the meadow... Wow! I was right there and had to reread it several times. So beautiful. Love this series so much. It's not only got beautiful romance all throughout, but it makes me think! These two characters especially... from their pasts and hidden secrets to the conversations they had. Definitely a lot of underlined parts. So thankful for the ARC copy, which I agreed to review from the publisher for an honest opinion. My honest opinion: bring on the next book! Bloom seems amazing and I've been wanting to read about Sarah for a while now!

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I preface this review by stating that I did not read the 3 prequels to this novel, and, to gain the full impact, I should have.

That being said... My initial interest was piqued by the uniqueness of Miranda. Not only do we share a name, but we share similar views of the world and love of imagining the very best for people. Beyond that, I found Grey's characters quirky and affectionately broken. The storyline, however, seemed lacking in body. Several times I found myself having to go back a paragraph or two to see if I missed a scene changed, but no. Grey's mind had moved forward, so the characters followed, even if they had not fully finished what they were doing.

If you're looking for a deep, heavy hearted, wildly imaginative read, and are willing to overlook a vast array of grammatical errors, this is right up your alley.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You do not need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. Heart On A Shoestring took me a little longer to get into then the previous books, but it definitely pulled my heart strings as I read it.

Miranda and Derek have a lot to deal with - as I think most of us do. Watching them help each other discover who they really are and who they are meant to be was an awesome ride.

It is so refreshing to read a love a story without explicit love scenes. I would encourage a teen and mom to read these stories and have a conversation after each one. Each story brings new topics up to revaluate your opinion from a different perspective.

Marilyn Grey is an amazing author. I am looking forward to when Bloom comes out. Keep writing and I'll keep reading!

[Yessyka Widy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If it’s not worth the struggle, then it’s not a prize"

"Faith is hoping for things you can't see. If you believe, anything is possible."

Right away, it's all about Derek and Miranda.. About their previous life, their love, their faith, their effort..

Like previous ones, I always find it is fascinating. Not only about romance, but also faith and move on..

I'm romance fan who crave for romantic love story and sometimes feel not enough, but when I read these series, I feel that's enough, great and even always getting better. This time, it's about how they try to find their selves, the true colors, just the way they are.

God, I always envy with the love among those couples. Even I want my love story just like them. I mean, the most simple yet beautiful one. ^_^

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book by the author and of The Unspoken Series that I have read in recent months. Interestingly enough, I didn't realize it was part of the same series until the last 1/4 of the book. I really enjoyed taking the journey withe Miranda and Derek. Being part of their growth as people, as friends and ultimately as two people in love was nothing short of fantastic.

There is a slight turn into a political point that I could have done and led to the 4 stars. While it may not be a viewpoint I agree with, I understand the need to include the story and it completely made sense for the character. Taking the journey with Derek as he came to terms with his past and with Miranda as she supported him, was beautiful.

I highly recommend this book and the series overall.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great series that I'm always anxious to read the next one when they come out. I've loved each of the books and this one is no exception. These stories are so different from most of the other romance books I read. The characters always pull me in. I got this book yesterday and couldn't put it down until I was done reading it. This is such an emotionally beautiful story. I love the way Miranda and Derek open up and help each other find themselves. They are both really entertaining characters. Thank you Marilyn Grey for such a great series. I can't wait to read Bloom when it comes out.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

The fourth book in the series and maybe my least favorite, but I won't abandon the series since each book is based on different characters.

For me, I didn't enjoy this book because I didn't enjoy the characters that it was based on and I was missing the updates from the other characters in the group. The book centered around two very very quirky characters Miranda and Derek and both have some huge issues that they are keeping secret and still haven't overcome. Through encouragement by each other they are able to help the other through their issues and may even fall in love.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 4th in the series and for me, the best. I highlighted the everloving crap out of this book. Boy oh boy can this author write. I loved these two so much, what a great story. I have to say that although I totally get the graphic depiction of Derek's past. It was to show us the why, I know. But I was disturbed. Perhaps that was the authors intention but it took me out of my deep contemplative place and tossed me into a darker place I didn't think "fit" with the rest of the writing.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of introspection in this series. In books by other authors I typically find that boring but not here. A lot of things happen. There are significant twists and turns.

Many books deal with a troubling mystery from a characters past that they don't want to share with others. In this book, that mystery turns out to be shocking and disturbing. I could never have imagined this one. Thankfully, the details were discussed in only 1-2 pages and I found myself skimming a couple of paragraphs instead of reading word for word. Fortunately, it progressed quickly to a HEA.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't know how its possible but this series just keeps getting better! And I guess I shouldn't say better because I fall in love with every single character, so better wouldn't be the right word! It was a wonderful read. I was on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the entire thing and as I am with each of these stories, I was captivated by the end. Left wanting more and rooting for each person. They don't get "better" they are all just that great! Thanks Marilyn!! Im never disappointed!

[Carla Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Derek and Miranda's love story was a little different.

Derek and Miranda's love story was a little different.

It's funny each story has something under it that keeps you reading. A little mystery that keeps hidden until just the right time. Derek or David has that little mystery. Not one that I would have ever guessed. Read their story to find out his and Miranda's and what happens to Ella.

[Falin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't if it's just me, but this book gives different vibe than the other books.
This book tells about two people who are struggling to find their true colors and to forgive themselves. Such a good book. I always admire Marilyn Grey's works.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If orders are given as to what book is the best in this series, this book will be number 1 on the list. The characters were fit. I read to learn and I learned more on abortion in this book. The author is amazing in each book of her series. An awesome read!

[Kelsey Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite among the Unspoken series, so far. The characters reminds me a little bit of myself. Stubborn, yet self-preserving. Their love story is different from Ella and Gavin's. But it has vibrant and dull and pastel colors too.

[Lori Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear jerker anyone? Very strong emotional storyline. I couldn't put it down. Everyone should read this series!!

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book. Seemed too short because it makes you think about yourself.

[Angela Hankinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Honeypie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to get a paperback copy so I can relish its beauty with notes and highlights.

Possibly one of the best books I've read. Marilyn Grey never fails!

[Nesy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sanjana H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok here it goes- loved the title loved the cover loved the story and loved everything! In a word I just loved it really! It's now officially my favorite book from the series. <3