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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I didn’t hate this book but I didn’t enjoy it half as much as [bc:The Lovely Reckless|27414434|The Lovely Reckless|Kami Garcia|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1465876334s/27414434.jpg|46003648]. The author made each character one dimensional. Owen was the only one who had some complexity but not really. I wasn’t moved by this story. I was bored through half of it.
I never connected or liked the heroine Peyton. But I’ve decided to give her a pass. She did lose her dad and it was traumatic for her. It’s clear that she didn’t love Reed nor did she know him. After all, she said he was there for her when her dad died. Had she cared for him or loved him, her first reaction as to why he was being weird and missing date would have been sympathy for what he was going through and the pressure his mom put on him. She would have wanted to help not thrown up such a hard line. We didn’t see any of their history so I didn’t feel the chemistry or connection. Especially when she described him as not that handsome.
She also didn’t know Tess that well either. That seemed to be one of those friendships of convenience and proximity more than genuine ride or die girl love.
What I did enjoy was the relationship with her boy cousins. They seemed to take ownership of her and her well being. I liked Owen as we got a chance to get to know him and see him work to gain her admiration. That relationship I enjoyed and liked. I liked everyone in the second part of her circle...except her.
I also noticed that when she thought Reed would do something terrible to Owen, she sacrificed her leg and soccer scholarship to get to Owen. That’s one time she sacrificed something of significance for another person.
I never connected or liked the heroine Peyton. But I’ve decided to give her a pass. She did lose her dad and it was traumatic for her. It’s clear that she didn’t love Reed nor did she know him. After all, she said he was there for her when her dad died. Had she cared for him or loved him, her first reaction as to why he was being weird and missing date
Spoiler
when she found the drugsShe also didn’t know Tess that well either. That seemed to be one of those friendships of convenience and proximity more than genuine ride or die girl love.
What I did enjoy was the relationship with her boy cousins. They seemed to take ownership of her and her well being. I liked Owen as we got a chance to get to know him and see him work to gain her admiration. That relationship I enjoyed and liked. I liked everyone in the second part of her circle...except her.
I also noticed that when she thought Reed would do something terrible to Owen, she sacrificed her leg and soccer scholarship to get to Owen. That’s one time she sacrificed something of significance for another person.
would've been a 5 if owen died honestly BUT OH GOD WHAT A GOOD BOOK I MISSED SIMPLE ROMANCES SO MUCH THE FWB HAD ME ROLLING ON THE GROUND AND SCREAMING AND GIGGLING
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Stalking
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence
This book has been on my TBR for a long time and I almost removed it several times. But I'm so glad I didn't and gave it a chance.
The title always made me confuse it with books of Sara Barnard and I was a bit surprised that it is written by the same author as the beautiful creatures serie.
Yes, in many ways it is a typical YA-story: High school scene, rivalry between the cheer leading squad and the new girl in town, jocks looking for fights to show their superiority... But it also was more than the stereotype would make you expect. It was about real problems that are often brushed under a rug, never to be spoken about unless something really bad happens. No matter how humiliating or demeaning it makes someone feel, how it will make people whisper behind backs and point fingers, it can no longer be hidden and ignored. It takes courage to pick up the piece, face and conquer your fears and continue where you left off or to start over.
Everyone can get broken is so many ways and it's like the MC says. It is not the happy ever after that counts but the happy EVEN after everything that happened.
Totally fell in love with the connection between Peyton and Owen, the bickering between the twins and their protective streak.
The title always made me confuse it with books of Sara Barnard and I was a bit surprised that it is written by the same author as the beautiful creatures serie.
Yes, in many ways it is a typical YA-story: High school scene, rivalry between the cheer leading squad and the new girl in town, jocks looking for fights to show their superiority... But it also was more than the stereotype would make you expect. It was about real problems that are often brushed under a rug, never to be spoken about unless something really bad happens. No matter how humiliating or demeaning it makes someone feel, how it will make people whisper behind backs and point fingers, it can no longer be hidden and ignored. It takes courage to pick up the piece, face and conquer your fears and continue where you left off or to start over.
Everyone can get broken is so many ways and it's like the MC says. It is not the happy ever after that counts but the happy EVEN after everything that happened.
Totally fell in love with the connection between Peyton and Owen, the bickering between the twins and their protective streak.
I can sum Broken Beautiful Hearts up quickly: the main character, Peyton is a rising star, amazing soccer player headed to her dream college. Then she finds out her fighter boyfriend is abusing steroids, confronts him, he goes into a rage and pushes her down a flight of steps outside a party. Peyton tells everyone, including her boyfriend's sister who is also her best friend, what happens but nobody (other than her mother) believes her. Then the threats start and Peyton has to leave town. In her new town she meets a new boy, Owen and tries to fight her attraction to him but she really likes him. Then her psycho ex shows up with the attitude "If I can't have you no one can", things escalate, and finally at the end Peyton allows herself to be with Owen. I mean, some other stuff happens but that's basically the gist.
I requested to be on the blog tour for this book because I've read and loved other books by Kami Garcia and the way it was promoted sounded like if you liked The Lovely Reckless, Garcia's last book, you'd love this one. While I loved The Lovely Reckless and devoured it in one night, this book reminded me of the plot of about 10 Lifetime movies I've seen. I've read other books where the main character is an athlete, which is not exactly something I can relate to, but I've enjoyed those books and thought I'd like this book but it seemed almost too focused on the boring mechanics of soccer in the beginning. I also get that the author was trying to convey a true image of teen dating violence but if I were Peyton I would have handled things differently from the start. I wouldn't have given a damn that Reed was supporting his family, his butt would have been in jail and there would have been a restraining order.
The players in this book:
The Heroine / Survivor:
Peyton is supposed to be shown as a girl putting her life back together but I honestly didn't like her very much. In the beginning she was whiny and kind of self-absorbed then after the incident it was like she was still trying to protect Reed, even indirectly. I never really grew to like her after that.
The Perpetrator:
Reed is your basic controlling, abusive boyfriend. Steroids or not, he's not a good guy no matter what anyone says. The whole fact that Peyton didn't want to rush in and tell Reed her good news that morning in case waking him up caused an argument? That's what we call a red flag. He's not a sexy bad boy we love, he's a psycho to run far away from.
The Traitor:
Don't get me started on Tess. I know Reed was her brother but come on, you've seen his mood swings! You know something is up!
The Love Interest:
Honestly, Owen was the only thing that saved this story for me. I loved him as a character.
Overall, I didn't like the first half of this book and I almost DNF'd it a few times because I didn't like the main character, but the second half of the book got better. It was a quick read and the book's intent has an important message but it wasn't a unique story for me. I feel like I've seen the same story in different variations in television movies and other books.
I requested to be on the blog tour for this book because I've read and loved other books by Kami Garcia and the way it was promoted sounded like if you liked The Lovely Reckless, Garcia's last book, you'd love this one. While I loved The Lovely Reckless and devoured it in one night, this book reminded me of the plot of about 10 Lifetime movies I've seen. I've read other books where the main character is an athlete, which is not exactly something I can relate to, but I've enjoyed those books and thought I'd like this book but it seemed almost too focused on the boring mechanics of soccer in the beginning. I also get that the author was trying to convey a true image of teen dating violence but if I were Peyton I would have handled things differently from the start. I wouldn't have given a damn that Reed was supporting his family, his butt would have been in jail and there would have been a restraining order.
The players in this book:
The Heroine / Survivor:
Peyton is supposed to be shown as a girl putting her life back together but I honestly didn't like her very much. In the beginning she was whiny and kind of self-absorbed then after the incident it was like she was still trying to protect Reed, even indirectly. I never really grew to like her after that.
The Perpetrator:
Reed is your basic controlling, abusive boyfriend. Steroids or not, he's not a good guy no matter what anyone says. The whole fact that Peyton didn't want to rush in and tell Reed her good news that morning in case waking him up caused an argument? That's what we call a red flag. He's not a sexy bad boy we love, he's a psycho to run far away from.
The Traitor:
Don't get me started on Tess. I know Reed was her brother but come on, you've seen his mood swings! You know something is up!
The Love Interest:
Honestly, Owen was the only thing that saved this story for me. I loved him as a character.
Overall, I didn't like the first half of this book and I almost DNF'd it a few times because I didn't like the main character, but the second half of the book got better. It was a quick read and the book's intent has an important message but it wasn't a unique story for me. I feel like I've seen the same story in different variations in television movies and other books.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was absolutely amazing! It was heart-wrenching, especially for someone who comes from a military family. I could see this turning into an awesome movie someday!
Not really for me. I wish there was a deeper examination of the abuse aspect of this novel and less romance. Also, I wish Peyton (yes, I did have to check the summary to remember her name) worked harder to correct her small-town Tennessee brothers about their views on "chicks" etc.
I think die-hard Kami Garcia fans will love this, but I just wanted this to be harder-hitting and more thoroughly discussing this topic.
I think die-hard Kami Garcia fans will love this, but I just wanted this to be harder-hitting and more thoroughly discussing this topic.