Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Review of Broken Ever After by Natalie Graham


A gripping story of a student/teacher relationship that leaves you wanting more. 

Broken Ever After is the story of Olivia Stevens. Olivia has been harboring a crush on her math teacher, Jamie Matthews for years. She falls in love with him from a distance her entire time in high school, until one day Jamie makes it obvious that he returns those feelings. And so – with a week left in high school, Olivia and Jamie embark on a secret affair. 

But Olivia has a haunting past. A past that left scars that are still affecting her. 
Olivia also has an ex-boyfriend that refuses to let go, and is doing everything in his power to make sure that he gets her back.

And Jamie has secrets. Ones that he isn’t willing to share for one reason or another. But he loves Olivia, and fights for her – and for them – to keep them together. 

As the past catches up with Olivia and Jamie’s secrets are slowly revealed – their relationship and commits are tested. It’s brought to the breaking point, and you just don’t know if they are going to make it. 

Olivia is threatened by the ghosts of her past and is put under the protection of her Uncle Austin and his bodyguards, including the super sexy Riley. 

The second half of this book is an action packed, fast paced ride that keeps you guessing. Even though some of your questions are answered, as more things are revealed – the more questions you have. 

I will say that I was highly irritated by Olivia’s parents. Given Olivia’s past – I was infuriated that they didn’t spend any time with her or keep a closer eye on her. Her father is a doctor and her mother is a nurse. Both are very career driven individuals who spare little to no time to be with their damaged daughter. I understand that in order for the relationship to develop between Olivia and Jamie she had to have some sort of “freedom”, but given Olivia’s past – I can’t see ever leaving my child so……on her own. 

There were a few things that you probably need to be aware of going into this book – it is written by a British author, so there are some things that as an American reader I didn’t understand. For example, it is referred to constantly that Olivia is in “sixth-form” in school – which to Americans is the equivalent of a high-school senior. Most of the things mentioned, you can figure out in context – but it’s just something to be aware of going in. 

Overall, this book was a wild ride of emotions that left me spellbound. There is no real cliff hanger, which being the first book in a series, makes me happy. However – that doesn’t mean that all your questions get answered in this book. I still have so many thoughts spinning, so many questions unanswered, and just enough suspense to have me waiting for book 2. 

4 Suspenseful Stars!! 

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