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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.
daisyknox's review against another edition
5.0
This is a sweet second-chance romance between two old friends with a unique connection. Harmony and Brendon were friends growing up. He was best friends with her beloved husband, who was killed in a tragic accident, leaving Harmony widowed at the age of twenty five. Brendon witnessed his friend’s death and lives daily with the acute loss. Harmony was devastated and seeing one another hurt so they fell out of touch intentionally despite their longtime friendship.
The recent death of another close friend reunited their group of childhood friends as adults so the two have reconnected. Not a day goes by that Harmony doesn’t grieve Moyer, but she has to keep living so she forces herself to begin dating again. Each date is worse than the last but she soon realizes Brendon is the friend she rehashes these horror-stories with, not her girlfriends. They truly have a special bond but she can’t even consider being more than friends with him because it seems so wrong.
Brendon already had a lot of scars from his nightmare childhood and watching his friend die was a trauma that’s magnified in the face of his PTSD and OCD. He lives with a heavy burden and Harmony is the best thing in his life but even the thought of being closer to her fills him with self-loathing. This is his best friend’s wife, after all. The best friend he might have saved if he’d been paying attention. Brendon’s guilt is so strong that it nearly paralyzes him.
This is a slow-burn romance with a HEA thankfully, because it’s a sad story. There’s less action and more internal dialogue from the main characters than most but it works. The author really brings them to life and lets us feel their emotions in many ways. I was pleasantly surprised since I worried at first this book was a real downer but I enjoyed it very much. This was my first book from Carrie Ann Ryan but I’ll definitely check out more of her catalogue.
The recent death of another close friend reunited their group of childhood friends as adults so the two have reconnected. Not a day goes by that Harmony doesn’t grieve Moyer, but she has to keep living so she forces herself to begin dating again. Each date is worse than the last but she soon realizes Brendon is the friend she rehashes these horror-stories with, not her girlfriends. They truly have a special bond but she can’t even consider being more than friends with him because it seems so wrong.
Brendon already had a lot of scars from his nightmare childhood and watching his friend die was a trauma that’s magnified in the face of his PTSD and OCD. He lives with a heavy burden and Harmony is the best thing in his life but even the thought of being closer to her fills him with self-loathing. This is his best friend’s wife, after all. The best friend he might have saved if he’d been paying attention. Brendon’s guilt is so strong that it nearly paralyzes him.
This is a slow-burn romance with a HEA thankfully, because it’s a sad story. There’s less action and more internal dialogue from the main characters than most but it works. The author really brings them to life and lets us feel their emotions in many ways. I was pleasantly surprised since I worried at first this book was a real downer but I enjoyed it very much. This was my first book from Carrie Ann Ryan but I’ll definitely check out more of her catalogue.
daisyknox's review against another edition
5.0
All reviews posted at Tales of Love, Life, and Murder
This is a sweet second-chance romance between two old friends with a unique connection. Harmony and Brendon were friends growing up. He was best friends with her beloved husband, who was killed in a tragic accident, leaving Harmony widowed at the age of twenty five. Brendon witnessed his friend’s death and lives daily with the acute loss. Harmony was devastated and seeing one another hurt so they fell out of touch intentionally despite their longtime friendship.
The recent death of another close friend reunited their group of childhood friends as adults so the two have reconnected. Not a day goes by that Harmony doesn’t grieve Moyer, but she has to keep living so she forces herself to begin dating again. Each date is worse than the last but she soon realizes Brendon is the friend she rehashes these horror-stories with, not her girlfriends. They truly have a special bond but she can’t even consider being more than friends with him because it seems so wrong.
Brendon already had a lot of scars from his nightmare childhood and watching his friend die was a trauma that’s magnified in the face of his PTSD and OCD. He lives with a heavy burden and Harmony is the best thing in his life but even the thought of being closer to her fills him with self-loathing. This is his best friend’s wife, after all. The best friend he might have saved if he’d been paying attention. Brendon’s guilt is so strong that it nearly paralyzes him.
This is a slow-burn romance with a HEA thankfully, because it’s a sad story. There’s less action and more internal dialogue from the main characters than most but it works. The author really brings them to life and lets us feel their emotions in many ways. I was pleasantly surprised since I worried at first this book was a real downer but I enjoyed it very much. This was my first book from Carrie Ann Ryan but I’ll definitely check out more of her catalogue.
tlea's review
4.0
As with all stories from this author this is a quality read. The characters are well drawn, it's well paced and long enough that it feels substantial. As with all books from this author there is no problem reading this as a standalone, although it does feature characters from other books, most notably Breaking Without You. This book deals with grief and loss and the grieving process so is not an overly 'happy' read but it does come out the other side of the grief with a HEA.
dmconnolly1's review
5.0
Shouldn’t Have You is the second book in The Fractured Connections series. Another emotional roller coaster, this time for Harmony and Brendon. I am loving this series.
sarahmariereadsxo's review
5.0
My favorite part about Carrie Ann Ryan and her writing is that it’s relatable. She creates characters that you want to get to know, that you can be friends with. This series is just a continuation of, and honestly, the amount of depth and pain that’s reflected in these first 2 books has been incredible. It’s a break away from her typical paranormal, or hot and steamy love scenes. It’s a look into real life and the ways that tragedy can ultimately undo us and force us to look at what comes next in a totally different light.
Harmony and Brendon are both in such new places in their life. Both trying to find themselves in a sea of doubt and uncertainty. A tragedy for Harmony is forcing her to start over, and Brendon’s past is forcing him to overcome. This is a love story, absolutely, but watching these characters develop, find themselves, and a future is the ultimate version of happy ending here. Adored this book, beyond excited for the next!
Harmony and Brendon are both in such new places in their life. Both trying to find themselves in a sea of doubt and uncertainty. A tragedy for Harmony is forcing her to start over, and Brendon’s past is forcing him to overcome. This is a love story, absolutely, but watching these characters develop, find themselves, and a future is the ultimate version of happy ending here. Adored this book, beyond excited for the next!
fierce0bsession's review
5.0
This is book 2 in the Fractured Connections series but can be read as a standalone as it gives you a brief background.
Omg all the feels!!! This book sent me on such an emotional rollercoaster I'm not quite sure I'm ready to look back and write a review on it yet. I was routing for these two from the very start and so wanted them to get their happy ever after. Going through all the emotions of their past to find each other sent me through so many tissues. I loved how Brendon was all hard, but soft at the same time. And how Harmony had been through do much but was still moving on in her life even though part of it was left behind. Just loved these two from the very start.
Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to impress me with each and every book she writes and i can't wait to read more.
Omg all the feels!!! This book sent me on such an emotional rollercoaster I'm not quite sure I'm ready to look back and write a review on it yet. I was routing for these two from the very start and so wanted them to get their happy ever after. Going through all the emotions of their past to find each other sent me through so many tissues. I loved how Brendon was all hard, but soft at the same time. And how Harmony had been through do much but was still moving on in her life even though part of it was left behind. Just loved these two from the very start.
Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to impress me with each and every book she writes and i can't wait to read more.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
4.0
Sweet and angsty second chance romance. This is Brendon and Harmony’s story. Friends in the past and present but what will the future hold for these two? If they can get out of their own heads they could have it all. I really liked Harmony. There were times I wanted to put Brendon through a wall. All in all a very sweet read.