Don't Speak (Modern Fairytale, #5)

by Katy Regnery

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

“Don’t Speak” is the fifth (5th) book in the Modern Fairy Tale series by Katy Regnery and can be read as a stand-alone. If you are not a fan of stories that are passionate, emotional and filled with sweet romantic moments, then this book is not for you.

“Don’t Speak” is a fairy tale romance. It tells the story of Laire Cornish and Erik Rexford. Laire and Erik were from different worlds, as a result, their beliefs and outlook on life were on opposite sides of the spectrum of life. One would consider Laire to be naïve when it came to the ways of the world. This was mostly due to the culture in which she was raised. She is an island girl and the daughter of a fisherman, but she had dreams and plans that clashed with the expectations of family and the cultural norms of Corey Island. Erik is the son of the governor of North Carolina. He is living the life that his parents plotted for him, despite this being not what he wanted. Life has a funny way of surprising us with things we least expect and for Erik his biggest surprise was meeting the sweet and innocent Laire. What was even more surprising for him was when he found himself falling in love with her.

Erik and Laire, complete opposites, but perfect for each other. Despite the odds that were against them from the start, they fought hard for their love. Their love for each other was pure and sweet. However, misunderstandings and miscommunication would tear them asunder leaving them both broken-hearted.

I admired Laire for her tenacity. She knew that there was a world beyond Corey Island and she was determined to experience it, no matter what her family had to say. I enjoyed watching how she embraced the changes in her life, which helped to make her stronger. Erik was indeed a prince. His treatment of Laire was sweet and endearing. He was patient and understanding and he never once tried to force his will on her.

The first half of the story started out a bit slow, but it was never boring. During this time, the focus was on the development of their romance and the events that tore them apart. The second half focused on their reunion, which occurred six years later. This was a bittersweet moment, and at that point, it was clear that the love they shared was burning as strong as ever. My only problem with this aspect of the story was the speed in which the events of their reunion took place. I was hoping for a little more angst and drama.

The story is written in the third (3rd) person POV and it gave us both Erik and Laire’s perspective. It kept me engaged from start to finish. I wanted to read this book from the moment it came on my radar. It was heartfelt, passionate and emotional. It was predictable, but it did not detract from my enjoyment. This was a beautiful story, which demonstrates the power of true love and one, which I recommend to fans of fairytale retellings.

I received this book from the author via L. Woods PR. My review is voluntary. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***