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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
This story was so heartbreaking and awful to begin with but it transforms into a beautiful tale of family and friendship and love.
Peyton is an amazingly written character. She is still not over her father’s death from an year and a half ago and Reed’s attack just makes her feel more helpless. When even her closest friends don’t believe her, she is very upset but she doesn’t let it all drown her. She picks up the pieces of her life and tries to deal with it all with her head held high and never backs down from the truth. She may have her issues to work through, but she always stands up for herself and takes no bullshit. She is ambitious about her career and despite her injury, is ready to give it all to achieve her dreams.
I absolutely adored her family. Her mom is a total badass who is fully supportive but also takes a very no-nonsense approach while dealing with Reed’s stalkery tendencies. Uncle Hawk is very sweet and loving and gives her all the help and space that she needs to recover. Her cousins Cameron and Christian are totally adorable and bring so much humour to the story. They are also very protective and caring, though their attempts usually end up embarrassing her.
Owen is definitely a very strong swoon worthy love interest. Though their case was a little like instalove, I enjoyed every interaction between them – the silent stolen glances, the almost touches and kisses, the way Peyton fights their connection but Owen doesn’t let go – I could really feel their bond through the pages and I loved it. The way the author makes us see the similarities as well as differences between Reed and Owen was very well done.
This book is definitely about Peyton’s journey to face her fears, come to cherish her father’s memories and learn to trust again, but it is also about how manipulative/abusive partners can happen to anyone and its possible that not everyone will believe the victim. But the truth is the truth and one should always standup for it (as much as one can do so safely) and not let the abusers define the future.
The Author’s note was definitely a shock because I didn’t know Kami Garcia’s background and I commend her for finding the strength to tell her story through Peyton. This book is a must read for any YA contemporary lover.
Peyton is an amazingly written character. She is still not over her father’s death from an year and a half ago and Reed’s attack just makes her feel more helpless. When even her closest friends don’t believe her, she is very upset but she doesn’t let it all drown her. She picks up the pieces of her life and tries to deal with it all with her head held high and never backs down from the truth. She may have her issues to work through, but she always stands up for herself and takes no bullshit. She is ambitious about her career and despite her injury, is ready to give it all to achieve her dreams.
I absolutely adored her family. Her mom is a total badass who is fully supportive but also takes a very no-nonsense approach while dealing with Reed’s stalkery tendencies. Uncle Hawk is very sweet and loving and gives her all the help and space that she needs to recover. Her cousins Cameron and Christian are totally adorable and bring so much humour to the story. They are also very protective and caring, though their attempts usually end up embarrassing her.
Owen is definitely a very strong swoon worthy love interest. Though their case was a little like instalove, I enjoyed every interaction between them – the silent stolen glances, the almost touches and kisses, the way Peyton fights their connection but Owen doesn’t let go – I could really feel their bond through the pages and I loved it. The way the author makes us see the similarities as well as differences between Reed and Owen was very well done.
This book is definitely about Peyton’s journey to face her fears, come to cherish her father’s memories and learn to trust again, but it is also about how manipulative/abusive partners can happen to anyone and its possible that not everyone will believe the victim. But the truth is the truth and one should always standup for it (as much as one can do so safely) and not let the abusers define the future.
The Author’s note was definitely a shock because I didn’t know Kami Garcia’s background and I commend her for finding the strength to tell her story through Peyton. This book is a must read for any YA contemporary lover.
First Thoughts
I wasn't sure how up my alley Broken Beautiful Hearts would be initially, but I've loved Kami's other books, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did, because I really enjoyed it! I played soccer when I was younger, and I still love the sport, so I was really excited to learn that the main character played.
Characters
The main character is Peyton Rios, high school senior and star soccer player. I really liked and related to her as a character. Sometimes, I feel like I just want to yell at a character until they do the right thing. What made this great, is Peyton often took a solid course of action, but things would still go wrong. It's a sign of good storytelling when a character can do everything right and still get screwed over. If I knew Peyton in real life, I have a feeling we'd be friends and get along really well.
World Building
Most of the book takes place in two locations, Washington DC and Black Water, Tennessee. The descriptions of Black Water felt very realistic to a southern small town. DC on the other hand felt off. I lived there when I was younger, and have family who still lives there. The main thing is that the character can just drive anywhere she wants, no mention of traffic. Characters can't just drive anywhere they want in a decent amount of time. That said, the Black Water description felt pretty well done.
I wasn't sure how up my alley Broken Beautiful Hearts would be initially, but I've loved Kami's other books, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did, because I really enjoyed it! I played soccer when I was younger, and I still love the sport, so I was really excited to learn that the main character played.
Characters
The main character is Peyton Rios, high school senior and star soccer player. I really liked and related to her as a character. Sometimes, I feel like I just want to yell at a character until they do the right thing. What made this great, is Peyton often took a solid course of action, but things would still go wrong. It's a sign of good storytelling when a character can do everything right and still get screwed over. If I knew Peyton in real life, I have a feeling we'd be friends and get along really well.
World Building
Most of the book takes place in two locations, Washington DC and Black Water, Tennessee. The descriptions of Black Water felt very realistic to a southern small town. DC on the other hand felt off. I lived there when I was younger, and have family who still lives there. The main thing is that the character can just drive anywhere she wants, no mention of traffic. Characters can't just drive anywhere they want in a decent amount of time. That said, the Black Water description felt pretty well done.
Well this was a beautiful and yet painful read. I think I highlighted the entire last two pages because the writing was so lovely. And Peyton and Owen - be still my heart. I liked them both individually and their dynamic together.
That bastard Reed? No more needs to be said about him.
That bastard Reed? No more needs to be said about him.
This book has a couple of high points that are 5 stars worthy, spaced out with a 1 star rant worthy pages.
I so want to say it all right here and now, but I don't have the energy XD
I so want to say it all right here and now, but I don't have the energy XD
Real rating 4.5 but I rounded up.
This was a great story and I was completely surprised at how much I liked it. Real review to come.
**Edit 09/01/2018**
You can find more of my reviews at my blog, Take me Away…
Since I didn't read The Lovely Reckless, I went into this with an open mind. The only other things I've read by Garcia have all been paranormal, so I was kind of iffy about this one. But after reading it, I'm not sure why I ever had any doubts.
Peyton has it all; a spot on the varsity soccer team, a great boyfriend, and great friends. But all that comes crashing down when she finds out a terrible secret about her "great boyfriend." A fight breaks out and she takes a tumble down the stairs and lands on her knee, smashing her kneecap. Peyton moves away to escape threatening phone calls and whispers from her classmates. She wants to focus on rehabing her knee, but what she doesn't count on is meeting Owen Law.
The main thing I liked about this was the writing style and plot. I was listening to this at work and I found myself hating to have to go to the desk because I wanted to listen to it non-stop! The plot is pretty contemporary romance troupey, but it was written in a way that I didn't worry about that.
I also really liked the characters. They all had their own personality and I thought they all played their part in the story. Garcia also did a great job in portraying all the different characters as well. It was definitely something that I could see really happening.
Lasltly, I reallyliked the narrator. I haven't read too many audiobooks, but Brittany Pressley is a new narrator that I will look for. I think she made the book for me. A contemporary romance is normally very troupey and very predictable. But apparently, with the right narrator I will still get sucked into the story and want to listen to it day in and day out.
The fact that I liked this so much was a bit of a shock to me. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. Especially since the only other things I've read by her have been so different. But now that I hope her other works are just the same as this one!
This was a great story and I was completely surprised at how much I liked it. Real review to come.
**Edit 09/01/2018**
You can find more of my reviews at my blog, Take me Away…
Since I didn't read The Lovely Reckless, I went into this with an open mind. The only other things I've read by Garcia have all been paranormal, so I was kind of iffy about this one. But after reading it, I'm not sure why I ever had any doubts.
Peyton has it all; a spot on the varsity soccer team, a great boyfriend, and great friends. But all that comes crashing down when she finds out a terrible secret about her "great boyfriend." A fight breaks out and she takes a tumble down the stairs and lands on her knee, smashing her kneecap. Peyton moves away to escape threatening phone calls and whispers from her classmates. She wants to focus on rehabing her knee, but what she doesn't count on is meeting Owen Law.
The main thing I liked about this was the writing style and plot. I was listening to this at work and I found myself hating to have to go to the desk because I wanted to listen to it non-stop! The plot is pretty contemporary romance troupey, but it was written in a way that I didn't worry about that.
I also really liked the characters. They all had their own personality and I thought they all played their part in the story. Garcia also did a great job in portraying all the different characters as well. It was definitely something that I could see really happening.
Lasltly, I reallyliked the narrator. I haven't read too many audiobooks, but Brittany Pressley is a new narrator that I will look for. I think she made the book for me. A contemporary romance is normally very troupey and very predictable. But apparently, with the right narrator I will still get sucked into the story and want to listen to it day in and day out.
The fact that I liked this so much was a bit of a shock to me. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. Especially since the only other things I've read by her have been so different. But now that I hope her other works are just the same as this one!
Star soccer player Peyton's boyfriend Reed shoves her down concrete stairs after she confronts about the steroids she found in his gym bag. The fall causes a bad injury to Peyton's knee, requiring a trip to the ER, surgery, and a chance she may never play soccer again. No one but Peyton's mother believes her normally loving, protective boyfriend could do such a thing.
Deciding not to press charges after Reed somehow passes a urinalysis test, Peyton's mother sends her to live with her uncle and twin cousins when Reed's scary, stalking behavior continues to increase.
A new school means Peyton can hopefully focus on rehabbing her knee without telling anyone about how it actually happened. Too bad she has the awfully distracting Owen, a super hot MMA fighter and fellow student at her new school, helping with her rehab.
Owen also has a secret, and while they try their best to be "just friends," their irresistible attraction leads to major drama.
I at turns loved this story and got mad at it. I loved Peyton's immediate break up with Reed, her insistence on keeping Reed away from her, and her mother's loyalty. A lot of readers apparently found Peyton whiny and childish, but I found her relatable and even mature beyond her years (for a teen). I was fine with her conflict over desiring Owen's hot body (and come one, his personality) but also of not getting involved with another fighter.
Owen toed the line between being perfect and 'unbelievable,' often crossing more into unbelievable territory. I wish there was a little more exploration of his character and backstory, but. But, hubba hubba, I'd want to be with him too.
My irritation with this story was the CONSTANT fighting throughout the story. Between Peyton's twin football playing, giant cousins, Owen, Reed, and the other testosterone-filled boys, hell even Peyton threatening a female rival, there was at least the rumbling of a fight every chapter. I found Peyton's "annoyance" with the fighting a bit trite, especially for someone who had just been massively injured by a "fight." I appreciated Owen's moral code, which was explained early on, but found his decision at the end a bit maddening.
That said, this is a riveting read and one that does address the domestic violence in an otherwise sensitive way. There is a great author's note at the end detailing Garcia's own experiences and a list of resources for those who need them, or just want to know about their options. You are not in this alone.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC!
Deciding not to press charges after Reed somehow passes a urinalysis test, Peyton's mother sends her to live with her uncle and twin cousins when Reed's scary, stalking behavior continues to increase.
A new school means Peyton can hopefully focus on rehabbing her knee without telling anyone about how it actually happened. Too bad she has the awfully distracting Owen, a super hot MMA fighter and fellow student at her new school, helping with her rehab.
Owen also has a secret, and while they try their best to be "just friends," their irresistible attraction leads to major drama.
I at turns loved this story and got mad at it. I loved Peyton's immediate break up with Reed, her insistence on keeping Reed away from her, and her mother's loyalty. A lot of readers apparently found Peyton whiny and childish, but I found her relatable and even mature beyond her years (for a teen). I was fine with her conflict over desiring Owen's hot body (and come one, his personality) but also of not getting involved with another fighter.
Owen toed the line between being perfect and 'unbelievable,' often crossing more into unbelievable territory. I wish there was a little more exploration of his character and backstory, but. But, hubba hubba, I'd want to be with him too.
My irritation with this story was the CONSTANT fighting throughout the story. Between Peyton's twin football playing, giant cousins, Owen, Reed, and the other testosterone-filled boys, hell even Peyton threatening a female rival, there was at least the rumbling of a fight every chapter. I found Peyton's "annoyance" with the fighting a bit trite, especially for someone who had just been massively injured by a "fight." I appreciated Owen's moral code, which was explained early on, but found his decision at the end a bit maddening.
That said, this is a riveting read and one that does address the domestic violence in an otherwise sensitive way. There is a great author's note at the end detailing Garcia's own experiences and a list of resources for those who need them, or just want to know about their options. You are not in this alone.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC!
i haven't read anything by kami Garcia since i read beautiful creatures YEARS ago but her writing is just as amazing as it was back then. this book was INTENSE. i'm glad peyton got "happily even after" and that her ass of an ex boyfriend got what he deserved. oh, i love-love-loved owen.