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kaydanielsromance's review
5.0
To say this book is emotional is to put it mildly. Carrie Ann's note preceding the first chapter had me tearing up and then the very first words, the very first words, in chapter one had those tears slipping down my cheek. I barely made it through two pages before I was reaching for kleenex to wipe more tears away. I hardly knew these characters and I was already an emotional wreck. So be prepared from the get go with lots of tissues because the tears kept flowing as I kept reading.
What I also enjoyed, and this same ebb and flow carried out through the entire book, that while I was immersed in pain (I know why would I enjoy that, but wait...) there was still humor. Through my tears I was laughing at these light hearted moments and frankly laughing through tears is a powerful emotion. Carrie Ann wrote this book from a very personal place and the depth of the her emotions leapt off the page.
Harmony Wynham is a young widow, for the first time after losing her husband, and she trying to move on with her life. It's been a couple of years and she has finally decided to try dating again. The dating world isn't quite as easy as she remembers, or perhaps the men she's dating just aren't for her. She didn't remember it being this hard when she met her husband, but they had been friends first and things just progressed naturally. After several failed dates she wonders if she needs to focus on her friends instead, people like Brendon Connelly who have always been there for her. Nice and easy to talk to. A good friend.
Brendon Connelly grew up in the foster system until he was finally adopted into the Connelly family. His childhood hadn't been easy, but he worked hard at turning his life around. His circle of friends and adoptive brothers are his new family and there isn't much we wouldn't do to keep them. When Harmony's husband dies, Brendon actually lost one of his best friends. He never thought of Harmony as anything other than just a friend before Moyer's passing, but as time passes those feelings began to change. It became harder to stay away and keep things platonic even though he knew he should.
Everyone grieves on their own timeline and everyone grieves differently. When Brendon and Harmony finally realize that it's okay to open up and explore the feelings that have begun to grow beyond the friendship they have. To admit that they might have a future again, but to do so is by rectifying their past. Together.
What I also enjoyed, and this same ebb and flow carried out through the entire book, that while I was immersed in pain (I know why would I enjoy that, but wait...) there was still humor. Through my tears I was laughing at these light hearted moments and frankly laughing through tears is a powerful emotion. Carrie Ann wrote this book from a very personal place and the depth of the her emotions leapt off the page.
Harmony Wynham is a young widow, for the first time after losing her husband, and she trying to move on with her life. It's been a couple of years and she has finally decided to try dating again. The dating world isn't quite as easy as she remembers, or perhaps the men she's dating just aren't for her. She didn't remember it being this hard when she met her husband, but they had been friends first and things just progressed naturally. After several failed dates she wonders if she needs to focus on her friends instead, people like Brendon Connelly who have always been there for her. Nice and easy to talk to. A good friend.
Brendon Connelly grew up in the foster system until he was finally adopted into the Connelly family. His childhood hadn't been easy, but he worked hard at turning his life around. His circle of friends and adoptive brothers are his new family and there isn't much we wouldn't do to keep them. When Harmony's husband dies, Brendon actually lost one of his best friends. He never thought of Harmony as anything other than just a friend before Moyer's passing, but as time passes those feelings began to change. It became harder to stay away and keep things platonic even though he knew he should.
Everyone grieves on their own timeline and everyone grieves differently. When Brendon and Harmony finally realize that it's okay to open up and explore the feelings that have begun to grow beyond the friendship they have. To admit that they might have a future again, but to do so is by rectifying their past. Together.
smithsj123's review
4.0
4.5 stars 🌟
This second book in the Fractured series, is yet another deep, emotional and heartwarming story. This story focuses on Harmony (a young widow who has already loved and lost the love of her life) and Brendon, who has been her friend since she was a child, and who is there to provide support and friendship; until they both realised it is so much more.
A poignant and moving story, and an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book and all of Carrie Ann Ryan’s series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
This second book in the Fractured series, is yet another deep, emotional and heartwarming story. This story focuses on Harmony (a young widow who has already loved and lost the love of her life) and Brendon, who has been her friend since she was a child, and who is there to provide support and friendship; until they both realised it is so much more.
A poignant and moving story, and an enjoyable read. I highly recommend this book and all of Carrie Ann Ryan’s series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
carlac135's review
5.0
Shouldn’t Have You is the Harmony and Brendon’s story. Harmony lost her husband two years ago and the three of them were all friends..Brendon was with Moyer when the accident happened. They remain in each other’s lives but you can see feelings simmering beneath the surface. Harmony realizes she needs to start living again and begins dating much to Brendon’s dismay. Brendon however doesn’t feel like he’s good enough for Harmony based on his past before he was adopted. This story is heart wrenchingly beautiful and the way Harmony and Brendon find their own paths back to living and loving and then find each other was wonderful! Another great book in this series!
niniwags's review
5.0
I would give this book 100 stars if I could; it was that good!
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this is one of the best I've ever read. There is so much emotion in this story and a very long history between Brendon and Harmony.
They have to navigate their past friendship, their shared grief, their new friendship dynamic and eventually they figure out their new dynamic as lovers while still being the best of friends.
Such an amazing story and I can't wait to read about the rest of this family.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and this is one of the best I've ever read. There is so much emotion in this story and a very long history between Brendon and Harmony.
They have to navigate their past friendship, their shared grief, their new friendship dynamic and eventually they figure out their new dynamic as lovers while still being the best of friends.
Such an amazing story and I can't wait to read about the rest of this family.
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
4 Stars
Carrie Ann Ryan continues to pull on the heartstrings and emotions with the second book of the Fractured Connections Series, Shouldn’t Have You.
Harmony’s life is not what she thought it would be. Her psyche and soul are damaged after the loss of not only her best friend, also her partner in live. She’s trying, even when it epically fails her. Harmony brushes it off and gets back up. She looking to fill something she’s missing in life, but Harmony is maybe not looking at all the options.
Brendon, too, is picking up the pieces of his past and trying to get on track. He has also felt the loss of losing a friend. Brendon is amazing. Sweet and caring, knows how to be a true friend and is loyal. As his feelings develop, he gentle and respectful. Brendon is what I call one of the good ones.
Shouldn’t Have You is about healing and moving on with and within love. Learning to love again and finding oneself. It’s a fantastic friends to lovers story but so much more. Harmony and Brendon are going to take you on a emotional ride. Intense, raw and real. Ms. Ryan captures the essence of the emotions and transcribes this tale into a journey of healing and love. Mending what’s broken, nurturing what hurt and embracing something or someone new. That’s what Shouldn’t Have You was for me.
Warring: Tissues may be needed.
Carrie Ann Ryan continues to pull on the heartstrings and emotions with the second book of the Fractured Connections Series, Shouldn’t Have You.
Harmony’s life is not what she thought it would be. Her psyche and soul are damaged after the loss of not only her best friend, also her partner in live. She’s trying, even when it epically fails her. Harmony brushes it off and gets back up. She looking to fill something she’s missing in life, but Harmony is maybe not looking at all the options.
Brendon, too, is picking up the pieces of his past and trying to get on track. He has also felt the loss of losing a friend. Brendon is amazing. Sweet and caring, knows how to be a true friend and is loyal. As his feelings develop, he gentle and respectful. Brendon is what I call one of the good ones.
Shouldn’t Have You is about healing and moving on with and within love. Learning to love again and finding oneself. It’s a fantastic friends to lovers story but so much more. Harmony and Brendon are going to take you on a emotional ride. Intense, raw and real. Ms. Ryan captures the essence of the emotions and transcribes this tale into a journey of healing and love. Mending what’s broken, nurturing what hurt and embracing something or someone new. That’s what Shouldn’t Have You was for me.
Warring: Tissues may be needed.
jje121579's review
4.0
A heart wrenching tale of friends to more...
Be prepared for a healthy dose of frustration, because I agree with Beckham’s (the bartender in our series) description of our couple “You’re both thinkers. Sometimes that’s great, and sometimes it means you overthink shit.” Here two sweet people have overcome a lot in their lives and just deserve so much happiness at this point. Anyway, this character driven story brings us into their minds and hits us with all of their wonder and despair and crisis of conscience and makes us feel it all. Don’t miss this thought provoking read.
Be prepared for a healthy dose of frustration, because I agree with Beckham’s (the bartender in our series) description of our couple “You’re both thinkers. Sometimes that’s great, and sometimes it means you overthink shit.” Here two sweet people have overcome a lot in their lives and just deserve so much happiness at this point. Anyway, this character driven story brings us into their minds and hits us with all of their wonder and despair and crisis of conscience and makes us feel it all. Don’t miss this thought provoking read.
mlcreads's review
4.0
This is a beautifully written story that touches on some hard topics but is full of love and hope. Brendon had a very rough start to life and though his life is good now he still has the scars. Harmony's husband, Brendon's best friend, was tragically killed in an accident two years ago, and Harmony is just starting to move on with her life. Can they be together as a couple? This is a touching story of finding love within a friendship. There is loss and tragedy but there is also love, friendships and most importantly hope.
sjb86's review against another edition
5.0
Book 2 of Fractured Connections Series
This book begins right after the first book with Brendon and Harmony doing there friendship/dating dance.
Harmony is a widow and after her husband died she went on autopilot for a while but now she’s trying to date with little success.
Brendon was harmony’s husbands bff until one day at a traffic lights everything changed. He still struggles with what happened and after Harmony started dating Brendon has been struggling with his feelings.
This book has such heartbreaking moments especially between Harmony and Brendon after they get together and try find out what they mean to each other.
This is first honest book I’ve read about heartbreak from losing a spouse and bff.
I absolutely love this series and the narrators are amazing. I love the duo of male and female voice but would have loved if they had narrated together each taking separate male/female voice instead of each taking a chapter but still Carrie Ann Ryan really has great taste in narrators.
Can’t wait for more.
This book begins right after the first book with Brendon and Harmony doing there friendship/dating dance.
Harmony is a widow and after her husband died she went on autopilot for a while but now she’s trying to date with little success.
Brendon was harmony’s husbands bff until one day at a traffic lights everything changed. He still struggles with what happened and after Harmony started dating Brendon has been struggling with his feelings.
This book has such heartbreaking moments especially between Harmony and Brendon after they get together and try find out what they mean to each other.
This is first honest book I’ve read about heartbreak from losing a spouse and bff.
I absolutely love this series and the narrators are amazing. I love the duo of male and female voice but would have loved if they had narrated together each taking separate male/female voice instead of each taking a chapter but still Carrie Ann Ryan really has great taste in narrators.
Can’t wait for more.
chrissy3562's review
5.0
This book had me bawling at times. It hits on some really tough points but is done in a way that makes you can't help but love the story. We met Brendon and Harmony in the first book in this series, but I didn't realize how deep their connection went. Their connection was strong, not just because of the foundation as friends they had, but because they also experienced the loss of someone so important to them together. As tears were streaming down my face I was rooting so hard for this duo. I loved this story.