• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Maryse's Book Blog

Following my heart, one book at a time...

  • HOME
  • MY REVIEWS
    • ALL MY REVIEWS (ALPHABETICAL BY AUTHOR)
    • 5 Star Reviews
    • 4.5 Star Reviews
    • 4 Star Reviews
    • FAVORITES LISTS
    • Recommendations
    • MY TOP 15 FOR 2019
    • MY TOP 15 FOR 2018
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2017
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2016
    • MY TOP 10 FOR 2015
    • MY TOP 25 FOR 2014
    • My Top 25 for 2013
    • My Top 25 for 2012
    • My Top 25 for 2011
  • FAVORITES LISTS
  • BOOK RELEASES
  • READING ORDERS
  • IN THE MOOD FOR
    • THE ENTIRE “PICK YOUR MOOD” LIST
    • AGE GAP ROMANCE
    • A SHORT STORY
    • A SLOW BURN
    • AUDIOBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
    • BAD GUYS & ANTIHEROES
    • BIKER ROMANCE
    • BILLIONAIRES
    • A BROKEN HERO
    • BOSSY BULLIES
    • BROODING HEROES
    • BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND ROMANCE
    • COMEDY ROMANCE
    • CHRISTMAS ROMANCE
    • DARK READS
    • DYSTOPIAN
    • FALLING FOR A NERD
    • FANTASY ROMANCE
    • FIGHTERS – PRO & UNDERGROUND
    • FORBIDDEN LOVE
    • FRIENDS TO LOVERS
    • HISTORICAL ROMANCE
    • HORROR
    • IN LOVE W/ A CELEBRITY
    • IN LOVE W/ A DOCTOR
    • INFIDELITY
    • INTERRACIAL ROMANCE
    • JAW-DROPPING TWISTS
    • LOVE AFTER LOSS ROMANCE
    • MAFIA ROMANCE
    • MARITAL STRIFE
    • MEN IN UNIFORM
    • M/M ROMANCE
    • OFFICE ROMANCE
    • OLDER MAN/YOUNGER WOMAN
    • OLDER MAIN CHARACTERS
    • OLDER WOMAN/YOUNGER MAN
    • PARANORMAL ROMANCE
    • PERSONAL GROWTH & SURVIVAL
    • POST-APOCALYPTIC
    • PSYCH-THRILLERS
    • RECLUSIVE HEROES
    • REVERSE HAREM
    • SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
    • SINGLE DADS
    • SHELTERED HEROINES
    • STALKERS & OBSESSIVE LOVE
    • STRANDED & SURVIVAL
    • SUPER-ANGST
    • SUPER-HOT EROTICA
    • TEARJERKERS
    • UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE
    • UNREQUITED LOVE
  • EXTRAS
    • BOOK DEALS
    • HOW DO I FIND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR?
    • READER RECOMMENDATIONS
    • READER QUESTIONS
    • READER CONFESSIONS
    • WHERE DID THIS AUTHOR GO?
    • AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
    • BOOK & AUTHOR NEWS
    • MARYSE’S SURPRISE FROM HER FAVORITE BOOK BOYFRIEND’S
    • BOOK SIGNINGS
    • MY TBR LISTS
    • EDITORIALS
    • MOVIE REVIEWS
    • PRODUCT REVIEWS
      • MAKEUP & SKIN CARE REVIEWS
  • EMAIL
    • EMAIL ME :)
    • ABOUT ME
    • MARYSE’S FAQ
    • REVIEW REQUESTS
    • JOIN MY NEWSLETTER
      • MY NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
    • MY RSS FEED
      • JOIN MY RSS FEED
You are here: Home / My Book Reviews / Book Review – Let It Be Me by Toni Aleo

Book Review – Let It Be Me by Toni Aleo

January 12, 2014 By Maryse 1 Comment

Let it be Me
I’ve had this one on my TBR list since it’s release a few months ago. In a way, I was dying to read it, but I just needed to be prepared. I kept re-positioning it to the top of my list, but skipping over it when it came time to choose, ’cause I knew… this one wouldn’t be an easy read, and I was never really ready for it. Considering the subject matter, I had a feeling this would get ugly, and boy did it ever.

While I tend to gravitate to these kinds of reads (or watch movies that deal with spousal abuse), I cringe and wonder why I do “this” to myself. But I realize, what I love about these “darker” reads, is that sometimes, we can truly hate the bad guy from start to finish, our minds are not muddled with “love” for him. Plus, hopefully… eventually, the heroine’s survival instincts kick in, her mind overrides the mental abuse and brainwashing, and she’s practically reborn in the end. She finds herself again, and is stronger for it.

And while I really struggle through the whole process of that muddled thinking (all the self-doubt), the innate constant fear (with good reason), stepping on eggshells and no matter what, NEVER getting it “right” (ugh! When it comes to HIS demands), there is something to be said for reading about a character that somehow manages to find herself, take herself back as she climbs out of her own personal hell and permanently sever her relationship to the devil incarnate. And best of all… LIVE again.

That’s why I read these. That’s why I’m attracted to a story about a women in hell, that finally fights it, and survives it.

And this is what this story is about.

Violet married the “love of her life” at the age of twenty and while at first his handsome, charming ways and intensity wooed her, he quickly proved to be the devil in disguise. And I mean it. This guy pretty much makes the worst of the worst list in my book. His mental and violent physical abuse was constant. He is an absolute monster, and like her, I kept wondering… if he hates her THIS much, why does he even bother?

He is stronger, much stronger, and Lord knows I’m scared of him. Like now, he lets loose a string of obscenities about how I’m the world’s biggest piece of sh!t when, not two years ago, I was his world.

But alas, I do not understand anything in regards to the mind of an abuser. It makes no sense to me other than monsters are just that. They’re monsters. They can’t relate to love and protection and sharing, they can’t be reasoned with, they have no sense of logic, and they are just plain… psycho. That’s the only thing I can “try” to comprehend with this kind of person.

Is it love? Hell, I sure don’t think so because his voice makes my skin crawl. Even with his dark hair and even darker eyes, his olive skin, and the thick scruff that used to turn me on, I can’t stand the sight of him. I hate him. Am I scared to leave? Yes. Do I feel like I’ll never find someone to love me? Definitely.

And while some abusers (in our books and probably in real life) act lovingly and seem to care in times when they are not on a rampage, Rob is NEVER a nice guy. N-E-V-E-R. Even in public (amongst her entourage, that is). He’s just abhorrent.

But luckily she has ONE reprieve. He works nights while she works days (and she had to practically beg to be allowed to work, so that should tell you something). They barely cross paths, but when they do, it’s never nice (even if it’s just verbal). He’s such a… UGH. I was all… “Someone just… please!! Do something about him!!!”

But at work, she has a different “life”. A certain amount of relaxation, where she can smile again, and chat and laugh freely. She finally makes her own friends that give her a sense of worth and respect. And she learns that love might just be like she once dreamed of when her new boss befriends her and they begin to bond. And while she tries to hide her reality from all, he recognizes the signs of abuse, even if she won’t let him in.

But that’s where I struggled the most, wishing that someone would just… I dunno. Force her to not go home again (I mean come on!!!! HELP HER. Don’t let her go back!!!). Force her to fly back to her mother’s house in a completely different state. Take her and hide her. ANYTHING!!!! But she wouldn’t go for help, she would barely even ask for it, and even though she had plenty of opportunities to escape (or to just… not go home again), she… didn’t. And I freaked out each and every time.

Why the hell do I stay? Why do I take this and why do I allow this to happen?

I’ve asked myself those same questions for the last seven hundred and thirty days, but for some reason I still stay.

But you know… they say this kind of mentality happens a lot in abused spouses and while I could see ALL SORTS of opportunities for escape, for some reason… she could not.

At least, not yet.

… my story isn’t a happy one, well no, I take that back. It can be happy, I can be happy; I just have to get there. I have to fight for it.

And I’ll let you find out the rest.

Sure, at times I found it to be somewhat repetitive and drawn out, as she would mentally go over and re-go over the same excuses she felt the need to convince herself of. Re-hash it all. But then again, that might just be my need for her to GET OUT NOW!!! And fair warning, the abuse scenes are extremely graphic (I really struggled with these. And there are many). And maybe some other “stuff” felt a bit quick to me.

But overall the message was clear, and my hope was tremendous. This was a bit of a “love story” but mostly this is a potential survivor’s story. Very good read that kept me turning the pages, and had me on the edge of my seat, and gritting my teeth.

I’m not quite sure where I’m at, star-wise. While some scenes (in regards to repetition) and dialog had me more at a 3.5 star level, it’s definitely at least a 4-star for me in terms of holding my attention and having me mentally and physically reacting, so I’m thinking of going with that.

4 stars!

The original cover.

Filed Under: My Book Reviews Tagged With: 4 stars, contemporary romance, dark read

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tina
Tina
7 years ago

I really liked this book, books that have abuse in them are hard to read but it happens all the time. I get sucked in just for the revenge. I loved the epilogue.

Reply

Primary Sidebar

My Facebook Page

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Maryse's Book Blog

1 day ago

Maryse's Book Blog

MY LATEST 4.5 STAR REVIEW IS UP!!! 😊

In the first comment:
... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 19
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 5

Comment on Facebook

www.maryse.net/books/book-review-the-invitation-by-vi-keeland.html

It was a lovely book! So many parts made me smile, even laugh out loud. Adored Charlie 🥰

It was so good

I loved it 😍😍😍

It was really cute

View more comments

Maryse's Book Blog

1 day ago

Maryse's Book Blog

RECENT RELEASE AND I 4.5 STAR LOVED IT!!!! It held me captive until the very end, and it was everything!! And now here's my review. 🥰

Book Review – The Invitation by Vi Keeland
➔ www.maryse.net/books/book-review-the-invitation-by-vi-keeland.html
... See MoreSee Less

RECENT RELEASE AND I 4.5 STAR LOVED IT!!!! It held me captive until the very end, and it was everything!! And now heres my review. 🥰Book Review – The Invitation by Vi Keeland
➔ https://www.maryse.net/books/book-review-the-invitation-by-vi-keeland.html
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 10
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Maryse's Book Blog

2 days ago

Maryse's Book Blog

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO READ? What about these?? In the first comment: ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 10
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

www.maryse.net/news/bargain-and-freebie-ebooks/friday-finds-reader-recommendations-01-22-2021.html

Maryse's Book Blog

2 days ago

Maryse's Book Blog

AWESOME PSYCH-THRILLER SALE ALERT!! I read & enjoyed it, and if you love domestic psych-thrillers featuring a creepy child... this is for you!!

Tasha J: Maryse, Baby Teeth is on sale today. I thought I remembered you loving this one. I’m seeing a ton of reviews comparing and contrasting that and The Push. Some love one, some the other. Some say they’re super alike, some say no way.

Here's my review (and it's linked up to the sale price). 😀
➔
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Book Review - Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage - Maryse's Book Blog

www.maryse.net

Book Review – Baby Teeth by Zoje StageFebruary 23, 2019 By Maryse 3 CommentsBaby Teeth: A Novel I was DESPERATE to read this book the minute it came out and kept stalking it to see if it would go on sale. I AM ALWAYS in the mood for this genre, and the day it finally did go on sale, I one clicked ...
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 3
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 1

Comment on Facebook

Would you believe I found this book at the dollar store a couple of weeks ago? Yeah!! It has been on my TBR.

Maryse's Book Blog

2 days ago

Maryse's Book Blog

LIVE!! HER ROCK STAR NEIGHBOR/ENEMIES-TO-LOVERS ALERT!!

“...Personal Assistant Hadley Crawford was already against her boss’s decision to front a new band with a disgraced ex-rocker. Imagine her surprise when Viv’s new bandmate is also the arrogant jerk from upstairs.

#amazonaffiliate #CommissionsEarned #bookrelease #rockstarneighbor

So what if he’s talented, hot, and captivating? People resist unhealthy attractions all the time...”

AMAZON US: amzn.to/2Y3MaRB
AMAZON CA: amzn.to/39TwaY6
AMAZON UK: amzn.to/2NuVmMX
AMAZON DE: amzn.to/2MaBEp4
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Crashing East (The Save Me Series Book 4)

amzn.to

Crashing East (The Save Me Series Book 4)
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 9
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Load more

About Me

Reading is my favorite! I love blogging about books, reviewing them, making "favorites lists" & reading order guides, & hearing your own 5-star recommendations to add to my TBR list! I love our virtual book club! 😀  [more about me]

Recent Posts

  • Book Review – The Invitation by Vi Keeland
  • Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 01-22-2021
  • Lauren Runow & Jeannine Colette – Falling for the Stars Series Reading Order
  • A fun tidbit about Aquarius Men in spirit of Authors Lauren Runow & Jeannine Colette’s zodiac-themed romance series!
  • Reader Question… Solved! The book where she was in love with him, but he had a girlfriend, but then his girlfriend died…

QUICK LINKS:

➔ Book & Author News
➔ Latest Book Releases
➔ Maryse’s Book Blog FAQ
➔ Upcoming Book Releases
➔ My 5-Star Favorites
➔ My 4.5-Star Favorites
➔ My 4-Star Favorites
➔ All My Reviews
➔ Book Recommendations
➔ Reader Questions
➔ Reader Confessions
➔ Author Interviews & Tidbits

➔ Makeup & Skincare Chat
➔ Our Recipes & Kitchen Tools

BEST OF THE YEAR:

➔ My Best Books of 2019
➔ My Best Books of 2018
➔ My Best Books of 2017
➔ My Best Books of 2016
➔ My Best Books of 2015
➔ My Best Books of 2014
➔ My Best Books of 2013
➔ My Best Books of 2012
➔ My Best Books of 2011

READER RECOMMENDATIONS:

➔ Books that stayed with you
➔ Unrequited Love Books
➔ Infidelity in Romance
➔ What to read after…
➔ Broken Book Boyfriends
➔ Slow Burn Romance
➔ Risqué & Forbidden Love
➔ Comedy Romance
➔ Favorite Audiobooks
➔ Authors’ Favorite Books
➔ Readers’ Top 2015 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2016 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2017 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2018 Favs
➔ Readers’ Top 2019 Favs

➔ All Our Favorites Lists

IN THE MOOD TO READ:

➔ Super-Angst?
➔ a Tearjerker?
➔ Unconventional Love?
➔ Love After Loss?
➔ Books w/ a Pregnancy?
➔ Friends to Lovers?
➔ Forbidden Love?
➔ Falling for a Celebrity?
➔ Men in Uniform?
➔ Gritty Biker Romance?
➔ Marital Strife?
➔ Unrequited Love?
➔ Mafia Romance?
➔ Barbarian Warlords?
➔ Arranged Marriage?
➔ Bossy Bullies?
➔ Older Main Characters?
➔ Comedy Romance?
➔ Office Romance?
➔ Second Chance Romance?
➔ Psych-thrillers?
➔ Historical Romance?
➔ Interracial Romance?
➔ Older Man/Younger Girl?
➔ Older Woman/Younger Man?
➔ Age Gap Romance?
➔ Audiobooks?
➔ Reverse Harem?
➔ A Broken Hero?
➔ A Short Story?
➔ Brother’s Best Friend?
➔ M/M Romance?
➔ Reclusive Heroes?
➔ A Nerdy Character?
➔ Fantasy Romance?
➔ Urban Fantasy?
➔ Paranormal Romance?
➔ Vampires?
➔ Shifters?
➔ Witches?
➔ Time Travel?
➔ Stalkers & Obsessive Love?
➔ What to read after…?
➔ Christmas Romance?

➔ The ENTIRE “What Are You In The Mood To Read?” Genre List

Recent Comments

  • K. Phelan on Book Review – The Invitation by Vi Keeland
  • cheryl on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 01-22-2021
  • Kristina on Book Review – The Invitation by Vi Keeland
  • mony on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 01-22-2021
  • R. Renee on Friday Finds & Reader Recommendations – 01-22-2021

Archives

  • January 2021 (37)
  • December 2020 (58)
  • November 2020 (46)
  • October 2020 (60)
  • September 2020 (60)
  • August 2020 (49)
  • July 2020 (59)
  • June 2020 (62)
  • May 2020 (56)
  • April 2020 (61)
  • March 2020 (46)
  • February 2020 (50)
  • January 2020 (62)
  • December 2019 (48)
  • November 2019 (43)
  • October 2019 (53)
  • September 2019 (47)
  • August 2019 (48)
  • July 2019 (53)
  • June 2019 (50)
  • May 2019 (54)
  • April 2019 (47)
  • March 2019 (56)
  • February 2019 (40)
  • January 2019 (57)
  • December 2018 (41)
  • November 2018 (44)
  • October 2018 (47)
  • September 2018 (46)
  • August 2018 (44)
  • July 2018 (48)
  • June 2018 (45)
  • May 2018 (47)
  • April 2018 (45)
  • March 2018 (57)
  • February 2018 (44)
  • January 2018 (45)
  • December 2017 (45)
  • November 2017 (40)
  • October 2017 (42)
  • September 2017 (41)
  • August 2017 (43)
  • July 2017 (52)
  • June 2017 (42)
  • May 2017 (45)
  • April 2017 (41)
  • March 2017 (55)
  • February 2017 (48)
  • January 2017 (59)
  • December 2016 (44)
  • November 2016 (45)
  • October 2016 (60)
  • September 2016 (53)
  • August 2016 (50)
  • July 2016 (58)
  • June 2016 (57)
  • May 2016 (54)
  • April 2016 (56)
  • March 2016 (55)
  • February 2016 (51)
  • January 2016 (60)
  • December 2015 (51)
  • November 2015 (44)
  • October 2015 (64)
  • September 2015 (59)
  • August 2015 (59)
  • July 2015 (59)
  • June 2015 (56)
  • May 2015 (60)
  • April 2015 (56)
  • March 2015 (54)
  • February 2015 (50)
  • January 2015 (50)
  • December 2014 (45)
  • November 2014 (47)
  • October 2014 (50)
  • September 2014 (39)
  • August 2014 (51)
  • July 2014 (47)
  • June 2014 (61)
  • May 2014 (47)
  • April 2014 (40)
  • March 2014 (46)
  • February 2014 (41)
  • January 2014 (50)
  • December 2013 (66)
  • November 2013 (50)
  • October 2013 (61)
  • September 2013 (49)
  • August 2013 (61)
  • July 2013 (56)
  • June 2013 (50)
  • May 2013 (51)
  • April 2013 (49)
  • March 2013 (59)
  • February 2013 (61)
  • January 2013 (49)
  • December 2012 (66)
  • November 2012 (48)
  • October 2012 (49)
  • September 2012 (44)
  • August 2012 (51)
  • July 2012 (48)
  • June 2012 (41)
  • May 2012 (40)
  • April 2012 (42)
  • March 2012 (39)
  • February 2012 (29)
  • January 2012 (37)
  • December 2011 (41)
  • November 2011 (41)
  • October 2011 (45)
  • September 2011 (30)
  • August 2011 (37)
  • July 2011 (35)
  • June 2011 (29)
  • May 2011 (28)
  • April 2011 (40)
  • March 2011 (39)
  • February 2011 (40)
  • January 2011 (29)
  • December 2010 (29)
  • November 2010 (36)
  • October 2010 (31)
  • September 2010 (31)
  • August 2010 (22)
  • July 2010 (14)
  • June 2010 (14)
  • May 2010 (18)
  • April 2010 (21)
  • March 2010 (15)
  • February 2010 (14)
  • January 2010 (19)
  • December 2009 (14)
  • November 2009 (14)
  • October 2009 (25)
  • September 2009 (10)
  • August 2009 (22)
  • July 2009 (10)
  • June 2009 (35)
  • May 2009 (33)
  • April 2009 (49)
  • March 2009 (41)
  • February 2009 (5)

Tags

3.5 stars 4 stars 4.5 stars 5 stars alpha males bad boys bikers billionaires bossy bullies celebrity romance cheating comedy romance contemporary romance dark read dark romance erotica fighters forbidden love giveaway infidelity kidnapped love triangle mafia marital strife men in uniform motorcycle club new adult paranormal romance pregnancy psych-thriller psychological thriller reader favorites reader question reader recommendations rock stars second chance romance shifters solved sports stars super-angsty unrequited love unsolved urban fantasy vampires YA

Contact Me | About Maryse | Privacy Policy | © 2020 Maryse.net - Maryse's Book Blog |
I am part of the Amazon affiliate program, which is designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Other than potential affiliate link commissions, I receive no compensation for reviews. All opinions I have expressed are my own.

X
Welcome, book friends! My posts include affiliate links meaning I may earn commissions from Amazon or other companies for qualifying purchases. All opinions I've expressed are my own. ❤️