Everything I Left Unsaid by Molly O'KeefeMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
When the bad stuff was over, there was something good waiting for me.
Wow, I loved the idea of this book! Annie answered a cell phone that wasn't hers and began speaking to her destiny. His name is Dylan. She told him her name was Layla because she's running from an unspeakable situation. He wanted her to watch Ben, the old man two trailers over from her, without giving her a reason. They both held secrets, they both felt an instant connection, and they both thought they could handle the game they were playing without ever seeing each other.
This is the first time I've read anything by Molly O'Keefe and it was awesome! She is a skillful writer, who had me hooked quickly. I always enjoy when books mention places I've been before. In this case, Annie is hiding out in an outskirt of Cherokee, NC. Having been there before, it was like re-living a memory.
Annie's optimism after escaping a harrowing situation was one of the things I liked about her. Although there was always a little bit of doubt, she was trying her best to be brave and become a new person. I loved the fact that Dylan really pushed her, finding out how far she would go, all the while, helping her grow. Helping her decide what she wants for herself.
One of my favorite parts was when she found Fifty Shades of Grey at the library. It was such a short and simple scene but it had me laughing out loud. Let me just say...that book literally changed Annie's life. No lie.
Oh, and be prepared, there is a cliffhanger! I had a feeling something like that was going to happen. As soon as Tiffany apologized to her I knew what was waiting for Annie. Um...I really need to read the second book!
Highly recommended!
**Quotes are subject to change in the final copy.
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Here is Molly O'Keefe's playlist for Everything I Left Unsaid and her reason for each song:
Playlist for Everything I Left Unsaid…
Florence and The Machine – What Kind Of Man.
And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion
That lasted for twenty years
What kind of man loves like this?
The music of Florence and The Machine is like my spirit animal. I wish I could write something so perfectly sexy and broken and personal and smart, popular and totally outside the box at the same time. I love love love this music. And this song fits Annie’s utter dumbstruck and perhaps ill-fated fascination with the man on the other end of the phone…
July Talk – Summer Dress
Yea but this is life we're living
Life ain't always 'bout forgiving
She's my lady in a summer dress
This is life we're living
Life ain't always bout forgiving
July Talk is my new obsession at the moment. They are a Canadian band with a really signature sound. Lots of songs of anger and devotion and obsession could have fit with Everything I Left Unsaid, but I love this song and the singer/characters obsession with NOT forgiving. Totally fits Dylan.
Cake – The DIstance
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags go up.
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank,
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank.
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns.
Their prowess is potent and secretly stearn.
As they speed through the finish, the flags go down.
The fans get up and they get out of town.
The arena is empty except for one man,
Still driving and striving as fast as he can.
Well, first of all who doesn’t love Cake! And second of all – it’s a song about a driven race car driver! My main character Dylan was a driven race car driver until everything fell apart.
Maroon 5 - - Animals
So if I run it's not enough
You're still in my head forever stuck
So you can do what you wanna do
I love your lies, I'll eat 'em up
But don't deny the animal
That comes alive when I'm inside you
One of the sexiest songs sung by one of the sexiest men in the world – this was one of the first songs on my playlist. It’s just. So. Sexy.
Imagine Dragons – Shots (the acoustic version!)
I'm sorry for everything
Oh, everything I've done
From the second that I was born it seems I had a loaded gun
And then I shot, shot, shot a hole through everything I loved
Oh, I shot, shot, shot a hole through every single thing that I loved
I heard the acoustic version of this song first and it shattered me. The lyrics, the harmonies – it’s just amazing. Then I heard the poppy arrangement and it was like a completely different song, so I’m pretending that version doesn’t exist. It’s all acoustic heartbreak for me. Imagine Dragons is one of those bands that write and sing about obsession and heartbreak and darkness and redemption in a way that just speak to me. I could use a dozen Imagine Dragon songs on every play list – but this one totally suits Dylan.
Coleman Hell – 2 Heads
I turn to you, you’re all I see
Our love’s a monster with 2 Heads and one heartbeat
We just got caught up in the moment
Why don’t you call me in the morning instead
Before we turn into a monster
Before we turn into a monster with 2 Heads
I love everything about this song. The dance beat with a banjo?! Perfection. But the lyric is what kills me most – this song is all about Dylan pushing Annie away when she confesses she wants more of him.
Metric – Lie Lie Lie
Baby, you'll be safe with me
Rage against the dying of the light
Holding up a tattered dream
Rage against the dying, rage against the dying of the light
Another great Canadian band – this song is fascinating. An anthem against changing with fame or popularity. Which doesn’t fit with my book – but I just love that lyric…
Rachel Platten – Fight Song
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion
My kids are totally obsessed with this song. I hear it in my sleep and it’s a great song that encapsulates Annie’s journey.
Florence and The Machine – What Kind Of Man.
And with one kiss
You inspired a fire of devotion
That lasted for twenty years
What kind of man loves like this?
The music of Florence and The Machine is like my spirit animal. I wish I could write something so perfectly sexy and broken and personal and smart, popular and totally outside the box at the same time. I love love love this music. And this song fits Annie’s utter dumbstruck and perhaps ill-fated fascination with the man on the other end of the phone…
July Talk – Summer Dress
Yea but this is life we're living
Life ain't always 'bout forgiving
She's my lady in a summer dress
This is life we're living
Life ain't always bout forgiving
July Talk is my new obsession at the moment. They are a Canadian band with a really signature sound. Lots of songs of anger and devotion and obsession could have fit with Everything I Left Unsaid, but I love this song and the singer/characters obsession with NOT forgiving. Totally fits Dylan.
Cake – The DIstance
Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags go up.
Churning and burning, they yearn for the cup.
They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank,
Fuel burning fast on an empty tank.
Reckless and wild, they pour through the turns.
Their prowess is potent and secretly stearn.
As they speed through the finish, the flags go down.
The fans get up and they get out of town.
The arena is empty except for one man,
Still driving and striving as fast as he can.
Well, first of all who doesn’t love Cake! And second of all – it’s a song about a driven race car driver! My main character Dylan was a driven race car driver until everything fell apart.
Maroon 5 - - Animals
So if I run it's not enough
You're still in my head forever stuck
So you can do what you wanna do
I love your lies, I'll eat 'em up
But don't deny the animal
That comes alive when I'm inside you
One of the sexiest songs sung by one of the sexiest men in the world – this was one of the first songs on my playlist. It’s just. So. Sexy.
Imagine Dragons – Shots (the acoustic version!)
I'm sorry for everything
Oh, everything I've done
From the second that I was born it seems I had a loaded gun
And then I shot, shot, shot a hole through everything I loved
Oh, I shot, shot, shot a hole through every single thing that I loved
I heard the acoustic version of this song first and it shattered me. The lyrics, the harmonies – it’s just amazing. Then I heard the poppy arrangement and it was like a completely different song, so I’m pretending that version doesn’t exist. It’s all acoustic heartbreak for me. Imagine Dragons is one of those bands that write and sing about obsession and heartbreak and darkness and redemption in a way that just speak to me. I could use a dozen Imagine Dragon songs on every play list – but this one totally suits Dylan.
Coleman Hell – 2 Heads
I turn to you, you’re all I see
Our love’s a monster with 2 Heads and one heartbeat
We just got caught up in the moment
Why don’t you call me in the morning instead
Before we turn into a monster
Before we turn into a monster with 2 Heads
I love everything about this song. The dance beat with a banjo?! Perfection. But the lyric is what kills me most – this song is all about Dylan pushing Annie away when she confesses she wants more of him.
Metric – Lie Lie Lie
Baby, you'll be safe with me
Rage against the dying of the light
Holding up a tattered dream
Rage against the dying, rage against the dying of the light
Another great Canadian band – this song is fascinating. An anthem against changing with fame or popularity. Which doesn’t fit with my book – but I just love that lyric…
Rachel Platten – Fight Song
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion
My kids are totally obsessed with this song. I hear it in my sleep and it’s a great song that encapsulates Annie’s journey.
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