Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
i always say friends to lovers isn’t my thing but i devoured this book in one sitting.
ethan is in an accident a few years ago and is still dealing with the trauma that left behind. knox was hurt in past relationships and is dealing with his own trauma regarding that. they’re best friends and knox is there for ethan every step of the way. ethan starts to think about knox in a not very friendly way and can’t stop his thoughts from always leading back to knox. their relationship was very healthy and the communication they had was phenomenal. ethan was very open about making it work between them and while knox had his reservations and was open about them, he wanted it to work too. their chemistry was off the charts. i enjoyed this entire book, especially the trauma counselling and the honest discussions about how everyone experiences and deals with trauma differently
ethan is in an accident a few years ago and is still dealing with the trauma that left behind. knox was hurt in past relationships and is dealing with his own trauma regarding that. they’re best friends and knox is there for ethan every step of the way. ethan starts to think about knox in a not very friendly way and can’t stop his thoughts from always leading back to knox. their relationship was very healthy and the communication they had was phenomenal. ethan was very open about making it work between them and while knox had his reservations and was open about them, he wanted it to work too. their chemistry was off the charts. i enjoyed this entire book, especially the trauma counselling and the honest discussions about how everyone experiences and deals with trauma differently
Wrecked But Not Ruined so far is my favorite book I’m the series. The author did it again, creating a world you never want to leave.
Here is what to expect:
MM Romance
Friends to Lover
Bi Awakening
Trauma
Addicting
Let me count the ways of how much I love Ethan. He is such a sweet and sexy soul. He was drowning from his trauma of a car accident. Luckily be alive, yet barely living. What killed me was how he didn’t think his trauma was valid. Knox has been Ethan’s Best friend since they were children with a heart of gold. Ethan’s one true friend.
I adore and am borderline obsessed with these two. Read how their relationship developed from friendship to lovers, which is beautiful and a privilege to read.
Bi or Gay awaking is one of my favorite tropes, and I love how the author writes their awaking. Let’s not forget the spicy scenes. Always a bonus.
Wrecked but nut ruined was the third book in the Spark of Hope series. I was really excited to have Ethan’s story because he intrigued me since the first book.
Ethan was in a car accident two years ago that left him traumatized and struggling to overcome his fear of getting back in a car. It has a big hold on what he can do in his day to day life. Ethan attended meetings with the Spark of Hope group but felt he didn’t have a place there. I absolutely loved how the author emphasized that there is no measure of trauma, that each person’s experiences are different but no less difficult to overcome. I teared up a lot in this book, seeing the support Ethan received in the meetings and how he started opening up
Ethan was in a car accident two years ago that left him traumatized and struggling to overcome his fear of getting back in a car. It has a big hold on what he can do in his day to day life. Ethan attended meetings with the Spark of Hope group but felt he didn’t have a place there. I absolutely loved how the author emphasized that there is no measure of trauma, that each person’s experiences are different but no less difficult to overcome. I teared up a lot in this book, seeing the support Ethan received in the meetings and how he started opening up
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read most of Nicole Dykes books and am a big fan. Thus wasn't one of my favourites. I just didn't gel with the relationship dynamic. I think i wanted some mutual pining, instead of all of a sudden having feelings. Also, I think there was a huge missed opportunity to have the puppy be a tool for therapy in addressing the PTSD.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This might be the first time I've read a best-friends-to-lovers book that had no pining. Ethan and Knox were best friends, there was no denying that, but truly neither of them looked at the other as more than friends. Until Ethan, who heretofore has identified as straight, has a sex dream about Knox, and suddenly he's pushing for more. Even after Ethan tells Knox about his new feelings, Knox still says he sees him more like a brother. It kind of made their eventual leap into boyfriends seem a little forced. That being said, if I overlooked all that leadup, they were sweet together when they finally were together.
I'm glad Ethan finally worked through his trauma from the car wreck. It took him a while to get there (some bits got a little repetitive), but he came a long way by the end of the story.
And I thought they finally got the audiobook casting right with this one! In the previous two I thought they should have been swapped but in this one, I thought Stephen Dexter worked well for Ethan and Michael Dean was good as Knox. Hooray!
I'm glad Ethan finally worked through his trauma from the car wreck. It took him a while to get there (some bits got a little repetitive), but he came a long way by the end of the story.
And I thought they finally got the audiobook casting right with this one! In the previous two I thought they should have been swapped but in this one, I thought Stephen Dexter worked well for Ethan and Michael Dean was good as Knox. Hooray!
I really enjoyed this new entry in the series. Knox and Ethan’s story joins the previous books exploring trauma and recovery. We met Ethan previously as a side character, and now we get to watch him work through the fallout of his car accident with his best friend Knox at his side. I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, so this was a trope that brings all the feels for me. These two were great as they worked through their anxiety and nerves surrounding the changes in their relationship and Ethan’s awakening along with his working through the therapeutic process. I loved the dynamic between the two of them and can’t wait for more Spark of Hope stories. I’m hooked on this community of friends!
Just No
I wish I could get the time I used reading this back. This book was a hard pass. It’s extremely repetitive, the characters are immature, the dialogue is weak, and I couldn’t wait for it to end. I should have known that this wasn’t going to be for me when the first chapter ended with the MC saying that his best friend is “wrecked but not ruined.” How clever! But just in case you didn’t get it the first time, or remember that it is the title of the book, he says it again about 50% through the book. I did a hard eye roll at both mentions. So cringe.
Writing a book in the first person can be difficult and unfortunately, I felt as if I was reading the diary of some very whiny children. I would recommend skipping this one.
I wish I could get the time I used reading this back. This book was a hard pass. It’s extremely repetitive, the characters are immature, the dialogue is weak, and I couldn’t wait for it to end. I should have known that this wasn’t going to be for me when the first chapter ended with the MC saying that his best friend is “wrecked but not ruined.” How clever! But just in case you didn’t get it the first time, or remember that it is the title of the book, he says it again about 50% through the book. I did a hard eye roll at both mentions. So cringe.
Writing a book in the first person can be difficult and unfortunately, I felt as if I was reading the diary of some very whiny children. I would recommend skipping this one.
*** I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.***
Wrecked but not Ruined is the third entry in the Spark of Hope series and once again this author knocked it out of the park with this emotional best friends to lovers story where I felt all the emotions as Knox and Ethan realize their true feelings for one another.
This series has one of the most honest and realistic portrayals of the process of healing from trauma. I love how this author takes such expert care with her characters while they navigate their personal hurdles. Ethan's particular trauma was handled with care and kindness as you patiently watch him slowly heal and process his significant trauma.
To help Ethan with his daily struggles is the always reliable and consistent Knox. He is Ethan's best friend who has such earnest love and affection for Ethan that you can't help that these two will finally see how much they mean to one another.
Seeing their relationship develop and grow to something more intimate was so darn sweet to see that made for all the emotional aspects of the story more substantial. Overall this story is an impactful emotional read that puts its characters first and I loved seeing Knox and Ethan gradually fall for one another. It was so perfect to see!!!!
I love this series and cannot wait for the next one!!!
Wrecked but not Ruined is the third entry in the Spark of Hope series and once again this author knocked it out of the park with this emotional best friends to lovers story where I felt all the emotions as Knox and Ethan realize their true feelings for one another.
This series has one of the most honest and realistic portrayals of the process of healing from trauma. I love how this author takes such expert care with her characters while they navigate their personal hurdles. Ethan's particular trauma was handled with care and kindness as you patiently watch him slowly heal and process his significant trauma.
To help Ethan with his daily struggles is the always reliable and consistent Knox. He is Ethan's best friend who has such earnest love and affection for Ethan that you can't help that these two will finally see how much they mean to one another.
Seeing their relationship develop and grow to something more intimate was so darn sweet to see that made for all the emotional aspects of the story more substantial. Overall this story is an impactful emotional read that puts its characters first and I loved seeing Knox and Ethan gradually fall for one another. It was so perfect to see!!!!
I love this series and cannot wait for the next one!!!
I was generously given an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
m: Ethan
m: Knox
(Dual POVs)
Ethan was in a car accident a few years prior that has traumatized him to the point that he can’t even think about getting into a car without having a panic attack. Without being able to be in a car, it severely limits so many aspects of Ethan’s life, as well as makes him think so little of himself. When Ethan discovers he has romantic feelings for his best friend Knox, he feels extremely unworthy of Knox’s love, which he uses as a large part of his motivation to go to group therapy meetings and work through his trauma.
I felt as though I missed some of the progress that Ethan was making through his healing journey. We get to see him interact and talk during Spark of Hope meetings but we don’t see too much of the physical and mental process that it took to be able to sit in a car, let alone ride in one. When a dog was introduced in the book, I was hoping it would possibly play a role in Ethan’s healing as an emotional support animal.
One good thing about these two being best friends since they were young is that they’re already familiar with each other. They grew up together, not to mention the fact that they currently live together, and they’re completely comfortable around one another. They know each other’s likes, dislikes, fears, etc, so it was a fairly easy transition from friends to lovers. Even though this book has themes of trauma, fears, and anxiety, it was still a fairly easy read because there wasn’t a ton of angst or conflict between the characters.
This book had Nicole Dykes’ signature of characters suffering from past trauma and mental health struggles that learn to heal and love. I’ve grown to love her style over the past couple of years but unfortunately, I think this story in particular just fell a little short for me.
Favorite Quotes:
“And it’s a bitch to fight with your own mind, especially all on your own.” -Andrew
I hate that everyone I know is worried about me. But I realize just how lucky that makes me too.
m: Ethan
m: Knox
(Dual POVs)
Ethan was in a car accident a few years prior that has traumatized him to the point that he can’t even think about getting into a car without having a panic attack. Without being able to be in a car, it severely limits so many aspects of Ethan’s life, as well as makes him think so little of himself. When Ethan discovers he has romantic feelings for his best friend Knox, he feels extremely unworthy of Knox’s love, which he uses as a large part of his motivation to go to group therapy meetings and work through his trauma.
I felt as though I missed some of the progress that Ethan was making through his healing journey. We get to see him interact and talk during Spark of Hope meetings but we don’t see too much of the physical and mental process that it took to be able to sit in a car, let alone ride in one. When a dog was introduced in the book, I was hoping it would possibly play a role in Ethan’s healing as an emotional support animal.
One good thing about these two being best friends since they were young is that they’re already familiar with each other. They grew up together, not to mention the fact that they currently live together, and they’re completely comfortable around one another. They know each other’s likes, dislikes, fears, etc, so it was a fairly easy transition from friends to lovers. Even though this book has themes of trauma, fears, and anxiety, it was still a fairly easy read because there wasn’t a ton of angst or conflict between the characters.
This book had Nicole Dykes’ signature of characters suffering from past trauma and mental health struggles that learn to heal and love. I’ve grown to love her style over the past couple of years but unfortunately, I think this story in particular just fell a little short for me.
Favorite Quotes:
“And it’s a bitch to fight with your own mind, especially all on your own.” -Andrew
I hate that everyone I know is worried about me. But I realize just how lucky that makes me too.