Our shadows are always there.They entertain us when we’re little, just like best friends.As we grow older, they grow with us. Even through the darkness they stay, never leaving our side.They watch.They listen.They know all our secrets. Endure our pain. Their silence remains while only rumors drift in the wind.Soon our shadows turn from friend to foe. They become the monster starring in our … They become the monster starring in our nightmares, a temptress of hell reminding us what it feels like to burn.
Shadows are the demons that tear our souls apart. They never let go, and they never allow us to forget.
Everyone has a shadow.
I just buried mine.
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HJ Bellus came out of the box with rumors.
There’s so much depth to this story. So many things that I’ve can’t come up with the right words except life has a way of picking you up when you least expect it.
This story has a voice that many need to hear. I heard it loud and clear.
Brilliant and all the stars.
Kathy Coopmans
USA Today Bestselling Author.
“So, you’re telling me this girl quit going to school, holed up in her house for years, and it didn’t raise an ounce of fucking suspicion in this small town?”
H.J. Bellus, girlll what have you done to my heart?? You brought all the feels and GIRL, I loved every minute of it!!!!
Y’all, you are about to hop on the “Feels Train” for sure. My heart got stepped on, kicked around and even thrown across the room, right along with my Kindle…lol And then in pure Bellus fashion, she starts piecing it back together, piece by piece, but ever soooo S L O W L E Y!!! But of course the end result always has me loving Bellus’s books even that much more and always leaves me waiting patiently for her next release!!!
Thank you for another 5 Book girlie!!!! I finished this one several days ago and I am still thinking about it!!! Loved Rumors sooo much!!!
I almost stopped reading after first chapter because it was just that painful to read, but so glad I continued. I loved it. It’s a topic all too often swept under the rug, not talked about because the person is in high standards of a community, the victim not believed left to suffer in silence. HJ did a tremendous job in bringing it to light. I was so happy how Frankie handled it. Fell in love with Dalton, Truckee, and Opal. Another number one on your hands Heidi Jo Bellus. Love ya! I think you should write more of this genre. Right up there with My Girl.
Disclaimer: This book may cause triggers.
Welcome back HJ Bellus. I can’t put into words what this book was or the emotions that is elicited out of me. I can’t relate to anyone who experienced what Frankie had but I can damn sure relate the protectiveness of Dalton, Truckee, and Opal. I feel so much angry for a fictional character because I know this is some person reality.
Know that you have a knack for dark romances. This story has the feel of That Girl and I never in my life thought I could be taken back to that place but my dear you have succeeded.
I need time. So much time.
Never in my life have I been struck as speechless as I am now.
This book.
Is unexpected. Raw. Honest. Unforgettable.
Once in a while, a book comes along to not only entertain but to heal, to help others understand, to show someone how to move forward and to look beyond what you thought someone was or who they are. This book does all of that and more!!
It’s full of reflection and wisdom. Facing down demons and growth. One that will help those that have lived a life such as this know there is hope.
Yes… this book is HOPE!!
Hope for those that feel as though there is no way out, nothing to help move you forward. It teaches us that we all have faced the same things even though we may not know it and no one can tell you how to live through it.
But this book, truly one that all women, no matter the age, can identify with in some way. Helping to heal and teaching us to grow.
This 4 star story is not for the faint of heart. But it is for the readers that love taboo and and forbidden stories.
Frankie has a secret. Not any kind of secret, a traumatic one. She will get help from the town sheriff. Dalton will do everything in his power to help her, even if it goes against his beliefs.
This story started with a bang and after I wasn’t sure where it was going. Characters did not act the way I thought they would. It was intriguing. Limits will be reached and crossed over. It’s somewhat Taboo and forbidden.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I recommend this story.
OMFG I was warned that it was soo good and it was ! And more ! I literally couldn’t put it down and had to i mean HAD to read all in one sitting up to 2:30 in the morning to Finish reading it! It’s so raw and emotional and so bloody good ! Had me crying and laughing I bloody absolutely lovvved Truckee and Dalton and of course Frankie! Absolutely a must read !!!! May be hard for some to read, hell for anyone to read but soooo worth it !
As rumors get whispered in my ears and swirl with lies, secrets and shame, it was the truth that had my pulse racing, my heart pounding and my tears falling. As the darkness surrounded you it was the glimpse of light that gave you hope. It was the spark you felt flicker as he saw what was hiding behind those eyes. This story was about rising above, taking back control and finally claiming back your life. Rumors was a story that gave voice to those without one, it broke free from the dark, it pushed aside the gossip, the hearsay and with the strength of a stranger it finally gave us sincerity and set her free. This story was one that so many people can relate to. It might be confronting and raw but it is packed with so much emotion that the journey will be worth every teardrop and every scream of unfairness. It left my heart full, my soul with a renewed strength and a love for these characters like none I have ever felt. If you read only one book this year believe the rumors, because it should be this one.
I could hardly wait for this one the promise behind the cover caused ants in the pants as they say. Put up do not disturb and in I went. As it turned out this one was dangerous it ripped me. It scooped it out then it begin to fill it with the good stuff that a novel with raw emotion and love deeper than a ocean. Things in the dark usually sooner than later get light. How you live it is another thing with what you let it do or not do. This will show you what love and light look like. Frankie and Dalton will show you life up close and personnel. When you are finished with this you will need a minute or two and will say what just happened here.
Very controversial topic but one that needed to be written. Heartbreakingly beautiful. A story so wrong that it was right. I loved the way this story played out and the way it was told. The characters were dynamic, different and captivating. Loved it!
OMG!! This book was EVERYTHING! I have not been this taken in and invested in a book for quite some time. There were definitely some tough moments to get through, but this book is so raw and real. It gives you hope and really makes you think. I know that the subject matter is not for everyone, however, there is a warning at the beginning, but I urge everyone to read this book. The amount of emotion that can be felt through those pages and words is indescribable. This book has just skyrocketed to the top of my favorites list and definitely one of my favorites from HJ Bellus! So much love for this book!! <3
5 RAW AND BEAUTIFUL STARS!! This story is Raw and beautiful….it reached in grab my heart and squeezed it all the way through. Frankie and Dalton have one heck of a story to tell you, so grab some tissues and listen. The feels in their story are jumping of the pages. H.J. Bellus is a phenomenal storyteller that grabs you in the heart with her words. This is one book you need to read, but know it is a hard to hear.
Raw and honest, Rumors by HJ Bellus packed one hell of a punch.
If you’ve ever lived in a small town, you know how damaging rumors can be and how fast gossip spreads. The author, being a small town resident herself, portrayed this beautifully throughout the book.
What happened to Frankie made my heart hurt, but the fact that everyone around her turned a blind eye enraged me. Saddest part? Things like that happen in real life, not just books.
Dalton was definitely a man I rooted for. He didn’t play into anyone’s petty games and stood up for what was right. The moment he saw Frankie he knew in his soul that something was wrong, and it was in that moment that everything changed not just for him, but Frankie too. He had me swooning from the very beginning with the way he became Frankie’s rock.
Dalton along with his brother, Truckee, and Opal, Truckee’s girl, were the only ones that truly helped Frankie live. They gave her a chance at not just a normal life, but a beautiful one.
I really hope the author writes Opal and Truckee’s story too because I absolutely LOVED them. Truckee wasn’t just super sexy, but funny too.
Rumors was an emotional read that I highly recommend you devour.
Have you ever read a book and was like WHAT did I just read??? I don’t know where H.J. Bellus gets her ideas from but OH my. Rumors is one of those books that has all of the feelings. I know in some it will trigger something that should never be done to anyone, where she doesn’t go into all the details you do understand what has happened and how it has effected Frankie’s life. She was such a easy going child until one day that changed her. For most people there is no going back and trying to over come isn’t easy, From the first time that Dalton meets her he knows there is something in her past that isn’t right. For me this book was RAW and very well written on a subject that is not touched by many. i can’t say enough about this book it’s got to be my favorite for this year and i want to say it replaces flight of hope that was my favorite book by her.
I can’t remember the last time a book broke my heart the way this one did.
The all too familiar small town small minds brought to a whole new level.
Relatable characters, good flow, engaging secondary characters and a hero and heroine you pull for.
First of all, let me say WOW. H J Bellus gave us such a beautifully tragic story about how a small town Sheriff changed the life of one very broken soul.
Our hero Cray, is the new Sheriff in town who is struggling with his own inner demons when he collides with our 17-year-old Heroine Frankie. Our heroine is somewhat of a recluse who is afraid to leave her house after suffering ongoing sexual abuse at the hands of her local Pastor.
I couldn’t help but connect with Frankie straight away as I know what it’s like to go through a traumatic event that leaves you so depressed that you can’t leave the house and you completely retreat into yourself. My heart ached for her 13-year-old self. The abuse she suffered was heartbreaking and I just wanted to end her suffering.
An abundance of passion and love exploded off the pages and I couldn’t help but root for their happy ending. What made this story even more special was the supporting characters. The story was based around family love and togetherness which made it all the more special.
This book left me with one hell of a book hangover but it was so worth it.
Come immerse yourself in the journey of Frankie and Cray.
Rumors by HJ Bellus is a romantic suspense that I listened to on audio narrated by Tyler Darby and Amber Bray. This book was hard for me to categorize and I think the blurb says it best “an unexpected and gut-wrenching tale that will have your heart beating with anticipation.”
This book does come with a Trigger Warning: This book is not intended for readers younger than 18 years of age as it contains dark, violent events and talks in detail about rape.
This is the first book of HJ Bellus that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. She pulled me in from the very first chapter. The story will take you on an emotional roller coaster. I loved that it was raw and honest.
Tyler and Amber did an amazing job on the narration. They really brought the story to life.
Audiobook Unleashed Verified Reviewer
Every single book written by this author I know without reading the blurb that I’ll be in love with it.
Each book is even more perfect than the latest and I always want more.
HJ Bellus does this to me, each and every time, page after page.
Her writing is so Rae, addictive and intense that I’m always amazed.
Rumors is her latest release and explores Frankie and Dalton’s lives.
Life is filled of evil, of nightmares and disdainful people. We can look them in the eyes and won’t be able to see them like they really are.
Rumors tend to hide or expose everyone and everything. Unfortunately, not everything is done in the light of the truth…
I’m stunned. I’m speechless. I’m amazed…
This book stole my soul along with my heart.
Superb plot, very well written, super engaging and intense.
It was a dark reading with a few bits and pieces of light along the way.
There were parts of the book that I saw myself crying so hard. It gutted me in a way that I can’t describe.
Sadness, abuse, betrayal, pain, punishment is very present in this book as well as love, trust, and some funny things.
This book was written in a way that will make you think about everything. It will make you see things how they really are. It will make us see that rumors can’t bring good things, just the opposite.
Fight for what you believe. Fight for you. Fight to find your true self.
This is the quote that I think will describe this book perfectly:
“There’s always a hidden truth under layers of deceit and pain. ”
HJ… Oh boy… You nailed it. This book just stole my heart and soul. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Man what a ride! There are triggers though so readers, please be aware.
Emotional from Chapter 1, how does an outgoing girl turn into a recluse and no one tears up the place? I wanted to jump into the pages for people. However, we know that sometimes those we consider big in society can do stupid things to people considered lower in society. The lower person has to somehow keep it to themself and suffer through life.
This story is written in such a way that a person who has never experienced it can understand a bit better. And it presents some hope, persons who can help carry the pain.
Can I rate this more than 5 stars? I do not think I can read anything else at least for a day. This story stays with you!!
Having read Ms.Bellus’ work many times before I’ve been meaning to get more of her books. So when I read the synopsis for this one I knew that I needed to pick it up! From the prologue to the very end this story had my attention and didn’t let go. It was so realistic and I could not control my emotions at times.