Monday, November 25, 2013

Broken by Kelly Elliott






SYNOPSIS:

Layton Morris and his brother Mike grew up not knowing what it would be like to live in a normal home. With no running water or electricity in their home, no parents around to protect them, they quickly learned how to survive and depend only on each other. When a tragic accident takes Mike away from Layton, and the only other person that he ever let into his heart walked away from him, leaving his heart shattered, Layton focuses all of his time and energy into the ranch he and his brother dreamed of. He makes a vow to himself to never let love in again. The last thing Layton needed or wanted was more heartache.

Whitley Reynolds grew up in a privileged home in upstate New York. When she landed the star football player in high school no one was surprised, not even Whitley. She dreamed of a life with Roger living in New York City and happily followed him there. The first time Roger hit her for arguing with him about a dinner party, she forgave him. The more it happened, the further Whitley withdrew from her friends and family. One fateful day things go to far. Whitley makes a promise to herself and finds the courage to do the one thing she thought she’d never be able to do. Fleeing with her best friend Courtney, Whitley was determined to put her past behind her and start a new life in the small town of Llano, Texas, where no one would ever find out about her past. Will they both ever learn to trust and love again, or will their pasts come back to haunt them, keeping them both alone and… Broken.



REVIEW:

Kelly, you did it again.  You created another set of characters that I have fallen in love with.  I know that Broken was tough for you to write, and I thank you for sharing this story with the world.  I know that this story holds a special place in your heart. Broken was yet another AMAZING book you can add to the list that you have written. 
“You thought you could break me into pieces that you could control.  You thought you could beat me down to nothing…well, not anymore.  You’ll never control me again.” ~ Whitley

Whitley was in an abusive relationship for years and she pushed those away that loved her for fear of them seeing her injuries.  Whitley didn’t know who she was anymore.  She was just trying to please Roger to avoid another beating.  She knew if she stayed, one day he was going to kill her.  After a severe beating, she woke up in the hospital and Whitley knew she needed to get away from him.  She wanted to start over, start a new life, somewhere far away from Roger. And that is exactly what she did.  Whitley and her best friend, Courtney packed up and moved to Texas for a new beginning.

Whitley didn’t plan on ever loving anyone again. She didn’t want to open herself up to anyone and she certainly didn’t trust men.  She didn’t want to be hurt again.  The only problem is, Whitley needed to realize that all men weren’t like Roger.  There are great men out there.   Fate played a role in how Whitley and Layton met one hot day in Texas.
Layton was a southern gentlemen.  He was a hot Texan cowboy who owned his own cattle ranch and several race horses.  Layton was no stranger to hurt.  Layton had lost people that he loved.  He felt like everyone he ever loved always left him.  He didn’t want to open himself up to anyone, for fear of losing them.  Layton wasn’t living his life, he was just going through the motions.  That all changed when he stumbled upon a City Girl from New York stranded on the side of the road.

Both Layton and Whitley felt the connection between the two of them, but neither one was willing to admit their feelings.  Both of them needed to learn how to open their hearts again to the possibility of love.  Could they love each other?  Could they help each other heal?  Was love worth taking a chance?  Would their feelings for each other?  Would they both be stubborn enough to leave this opportunity pass them?
“Keep your heart open, Layton.  Keep it open for that one girl who’s going to wake up something deep down inside of you.” ~ Mike

Both Layton and Whitley need to let go of their pasts in order to move on.  Layton and Whitley were both “BROKEN” when they met each other.  Layton had lost someone very special and the day after, someone else shattered his heart in a million pieces when they walked away from him when he needed their support the most.

“When you first met me, Whitley, I was so damaged.  I had a broken heart that was still bleeding.  When I look into your eyes…I feel…like my heart is healing.” ~ Layton

Could Layton’s broken heart be mended?  Was Whitley the girl to do it? Could Whitley bring meaning back to Layton’s life?  Was Layton so broken that he couldn’t love again?

Love can hurt.  Love can shatter you and leave you with a broken heart in a million pieces.  You cannot hold someone else accountable for what someone else has done to you.  You only have one life to live and you need to live it to the fullest. I think once Layton and Whitley realized that, they were on their journey to mending themselves...  together. 

I LOVED Layton and Whitley.  I enjoyed the bickering back and forth between the two.  Their chemistry seemed so natural and I could picture it unfolding before my eyes.  I loved the supporting characters in this book as well. Courtney and Reed, Layton’s best friend had me laughing out loud all the time.  The two of them are a riot.  I look forward to seeing how Broken dreams plays out with the two of them.

This review was prepared by Heather.

           
 
 
 GET ONE CLICKING !!!!
 

1 comment:

  1. This book had me drawn in at the synopsis. Whitley has helped me remember that I made the right choice several years ago.Thanks for putting real life problems in your stories! Can't wait to read about Courtney and Reed.

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