Broken Silence

Broken Silence is the sequel to Silence by Natasha Preston. It is an exceptional book that deals with a very sensitive subject- child abuse. She deals with it in a way that makes you view it from the eyes of the abused and the families. The acts themselves are referred to but not dwelt upon. The emotions are what are important. Oakley and her brother and mother had left the UK for Australia after the arrest of Oakley’s father for child abuse. Oakley had been abused when she was five until she was thirteen. From the age of five until the age of sixteen, she had not spoken after her father told her it would kill her mother. Five-year-old Oakley took those words literally. At the age of sixteen, she had been exposed to her abuser again but fled, called her boyfriend, and went to the police. Now her father’s trial was coming up and although she had been offered video tape testimony, Oakley felt she needed to testify in person so they were returning to the UK. Now, Oakley would have to face her father but also face the man she loved who she had left behind. Cole had no idea Oakley was returning. The Internet at his parent’s house was out so his mother didn’t get the email alerting them to their return. He had been totally miserable since Oakley had left. He thought they were totally in love, at least he was. He had been protecting Oakley since she was five from those who would tease her. They had grown up living next door since they were born. Somewhere along the line, he had fallen totally in love with Oakley but she had left him behind. What was he going to do now? How would Oakley deal with the trial and seeing her father for the first time in four years? Would Cole put aside his hurt and stick beside her again? Would he still be in love with Oakley? What would happen when she decided to return to Australia?

There is a bit of a time lapse with this sequel to Silence, beginning a few years after the last ended. Oakley has definitely changed as a character, relearning herself now that her secrets are known and she is speaking once again. This sequel is less young adult and more new adult now, as neither of them are teenagers anymore. Hands down, what I liked the most about this book was the fact that Oakley finally has the family she deserves. Her brother Jasper has always been there for her, but now her mother is, too. That was also the downside for me, the fact that her mother whisked her away to live in Australia. While I understood the mother's instinct to take your child away from all that was wrong, to protect her from the inevitable media storm, I felt for Oakley. I felt like her mother took her from the person she needed most, Cole, the person who had been there for her more than anyone else. The central focus of this book was the trial and all of the emotional baggage that comes with that. It seemed that Oakley was still learning how to live again and was still a bit socially awkward and nervous, something I feel is absolutely normal. There is also the struggle between Cole and Oakley as they had to rediscover each other. Some of that was due to their time apart, but just as much had to do with the fact that Oakley now communicates. What I loved most was the message... the idea that you can persevere, that you can choose to be survivor instead of a victim. It was a powerful message and an important one. Things to love about Broken Silence... --Oakley's strength. I love the messages of strength and courage that her story sends. --The realistic portrayal. It is tough subject matter and I love how it was handled, no sanitizing it. Things I wanted more or less of... --More nice Cole. Towards the end of the last book and at various points in this one, I felt like he was bordering on jerkdom. While I understand that as a person, he had feelings and emotions in regards to all that happened in the story, I felt like he didn't have the understanding for the horror that Oakley went through and the inevitable issues that kind of thing creates. Some quotastic goodness... --Everyone says that getting over somebody ‘just takes time’ and that one day it will stop hurting and the door will open for you to move on. We are also told that love is eternal; something extraordinary that will stay with you forever. However, after a break up, suddenly love becomes something you should get over once a little time had passed. The contradiction is immense (Loc. 22-24). --There had been no one else because I couldn’t stand the thought of being that close to anyone else. There was nothing wrong with the guys here or anything, I just didn’t feel safe and secure with them. They couldn’t make me forget every disgusting thing that had happened to me with one little smile (Loc. 140-142). My recommendation: A dark, but beautiful and emotional read that I felt was very moving!

This was book 2 of the silence series. A little better than the first. Because it helped you to understand more. Oakley left England for four years leaving behind Cole. But never stopped loving him/ Cole also continued to love Oakley. The trauma from her dad and his friend made it impossible to stay at her home. Her brother Jasper was her protector. He literally wanted to kill both men. Threatened to kill Frank in front of a whole court room. I loved the ending of all the terror and to read about Cole being arrested for having sex with he was absurd. Any way a Must read . The ending of this book is fantastic!!! Thank You Natasha Preston for a great series

This series is nothing short of incredible. From the moment you read the first book, you're hooked and can't put it down. Oakley has only been existing for four years after leaving England for Australia. She's doing better but with the trial coming up soon she's come to the conclusion she wants to go back and be present for the trial. Cole hasn't been able to move on after Oakley left and stopped talking to him. Every day he wishes things were different and he could be with her. He knows the trial is coming up but doesn't believe he'll see Oakely again. When Oakley and her family planned to go back to England, Oakley's mom sent an email to Cole's mom letting them know about their return but things don't work that way. When Cole sees Oakley for the first time he can't believe it, after four years she's finally back. Oakley still loves Cole but doesn't know if she can stay in England. Cole wants nothing more than to stay with Oakley for the rest of his life but will Oakley want the same? Will Oakley finally be able to move forward once the trial is over?

De los mejores libros que he leído! No podía parar de leer esta segunda parte de la saga "Silence" de esta increíble autora!

If you've read Silence, you MUST read this book! its equally as good as the first book and i highly recommend you read this. Although some grammatical errors (which everyone has) so as long as you're okay with that then this book qualifies as perfect.

Read her first book 'Silence' two days ago and finished within 8 hours. Then downloaded this one and finished today. DEFINTELY RECOMMEND READING. So many mixed emotions, could connect with the story easily. It's fair to say I couldn't put it down. Will definitely be reading more of Natasha Preston's whom is a good author books of her real life memories. Reading each chapter made my heart feel for each memory she suffered. So happy about the news of Oakley and Cole, they were obviously made for each other. Cole was truly gentleman like. Without a doubt, I can't wait to read more of her precious books.

After reading the first book of the silence series I knew i had to read the next one. This was such an amazing book. And the fact that Oakley and Cole had a happy ending made very happy. I absolutely loved this book. I can read the again and again but I'll never get bored of it. ❤

Very much in the same vein as its predecessor, 'Broken Silence' tells the story from the first-person view of the two main characters, Oakley Farrell and Cole Benson. Everything is there to help you immerse yourself in the continued story right from the off, despite the initial change in location and four-year gap since Oakley left the love of her life behind. Even though the time spent in Australia is brief it gives sufficient insight into how their lives have progressed (or not, in Jasper's case!) and instantly wins the characters over. When Oakley and her family return to the UK and other familiar names start to appear it becomes even easier to read; you know how they act and feel so the emotional bond is there and you find yourself willing them to succeed. As with 'Silence' there is also a good sprinkling of humour and the dialogue is realistic, especially in the case of Cole; Ms. Preston doesn't shy away from the use of strong language and it fits in perfectly with how each would portray themselves. All of the ingredients are there that made the first book so enjoyable; it is so easy to become emotionally involved in Oakley's and Cole's lives, understand the circumstances, hopes and dreams of the others, and the sexual tension between the two leads is kept bubbling without ever becoming tacky or sordid. I really didn't want this book to end and I would LOVE to think that it could be developed for the big screen (any movie producers out there, please take note!) Both books read within the space of 2 days, simply because I found them so difficult to put down. If you want an easy-to-read love story and won't be put off by a few grammatical errors, don't pass this one up.