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A review by queerafictionado
Broken Parts Included by Alyson Root
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Alyson Root never disappoints! Broken Parts Included was a powerful story that delved heavily into the topic of female reproductive health (along with health care challenges) and the impact it can have on every facet of a person’s life. Relationships, family, mental health, jobs. This book was still very much a romance at its core. And, as with all of Alyson’s books, had a great deal of humor and spice throughout which I love! But it was so much more than that. It was a moving story about working through and overcoming physical and mental health struggles. A story about not just finding someone who loves you as you are, but about learning to love yourself completely and wholly - broken parts included. ❤️🩹
Lydia had my heart from the beginning. Her character was real and raw and her pain and suffering was captured in a way that felt truly authentic. My heart literally ached for her at times as I read her story and learned about her reproductive health issues and struggles with body dysmorphia. Her journey was deeply personal and incredibly beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed her friendship with Cathy and loved that she had such an amazing friend and coworker. Cathy CRACKED ME UP! And I was so glad to see Lydia begin to allow people into her life more as the story progressed and she came into herself more and found her power.
Fe really frustrated me at times. She had some good sisterly moments with Lydia, but her need to control continued to get worse throughout. She always showed up at the WORST possible moments like she had some sort of sixth sense or something! And I won’t go into details…but the way she behaved after “the moment” - ugh! I was so mad at her. I know she was going through a lot of her own struggles though, too. So I forgive her. But dang…she really was a clam jammer! 😤
And then there’s Halle. Oh Halle. 😍 Fe’s best friend and the one person that was truly off limits for Lydia. I freaking loved Halle. She was funny and sweet and charming. And the way she always showed up for Lydia, always seemed to know what she would need or want, fought for her and cared for her. SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL! 🥹 And just incredibly heartwarming. I absolutely loved these two together. They just…worked. Everything about them. They fit together perfectly and you could tell from early on that there was clearly a pull between them.
And of course…I can’t forget the most adorable and lovable little side character - Monty. I’m a sucker for a cute dog and Monty was the best little emotional support pup and companion Lydia could have asked for. Love that little guy!
This story had all the things I love about an Alyson Root book, and the way she handled these heavy topics was honest and raw, but also delicate and compassionate. In a word, this story was simply breathtaking. I highly recommend it!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
🏳️🌈Rep: Pansexual FMC, Lesbian LI
📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Best Friend’s Sister, Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Secret Crush, Family Relationships, Mental Health, Reproductive Health, Sex Toys, Femme/Femme, Body Positivity
Lydia had my heart from the beginning. Her character was real and raw and her pain and suffering was captured in a way that felt truly authentic. My heart literally ached for her at times as I read her story and learned about her reproductive health issues and struggles with body dysmorphia. Her journey was deeply personal and incredibly beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed her friendship with Cathy and loved that she had such an amazing friend and coworker. Cathy CRACKED ME UP! And I was so glad to see Lydia begin to allow people into her life more as the story progressed and she came into herself more and found her power.
Fe really frustrated me at times. She had some good sisterly moments with Lydia, but her need to control continued to get worse throughout. She always showed up at the WORST possible moments like she had some sort of sixth sense or something! And I won’t go into details…but the way she behaved after “the moment” - ugh! I was so mad at her. I know she was going through a lot of her own struggles though, too. So I forgive her. But dang…she really was a clam jammer! 😤
And then there’s Halle. Oh Halle. 😍 Fe’s best friend and the one person that was truly off limits for Lydia. I freaking loved Halle. She was funny and sweet and charming. And the way she always showed up for Lydia, always seemed to know what she would need or want, fought for her and cared for her. SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL! 🥹 And just incredibly heartwarming. I absolutely loved these two together. They just…worked. Everything about them. They fit together perfectly and you could tell from early on that there was clearly a pull between them.
And of course…I can’t forget the most adorable and lovable little side character - Monty. I’m a sucker for a cute dog and Monty was the best little emotional support pup and companion Lydia could have asked for. Love that little guy!
This story had all the things I love about an Alyson Root book, and the way she handled these heavy topics was honest and raw, but also delicate and compassionate. In a word, this story was simply breathtaking. I highly recommend it!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
🏳️🌈Rep: Pansexual FMC, Lesbian LI
📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Best Friend’s Sister, Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Secret Crush, Family Relationships, Mental Health, Reproductive Health, Sex Toys, Femme/Femme, Body Positivity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment and Blood
TW/CW: body dysmorphia, sexual content, depression, blood (periods), alcohol, cheating, divorce, mention of parental abandonment