Christie's Review: Shattered by Pamela Sparkman

Title: Shattered

Series: Stolen Breaths #2

Author: Pamela Sparkman and Deanna Gohn

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Rating:4 stars

Cliffhanger: No

Close your eyes for a moment and picture this.

A gorgeous redhead walks into a bar.

No, wait, a wedding reception.

A gorgeous redhead walks into a wedding reception. Poised, polished and flawless - on the outside.

He's tall, dark, and handsome, exactly like a fairytale prince and he won't take no for an answer as he leads her to the dance floor.

But this will be no ordinary dance and theirs is no ordinary story. What begins as rhythmic steps on a dance floor fluidly and beautifully becomes the rhythm of two hearts meant to beat as one.

Until the music stops.

In a moment everything she's put behind her comes crashing down, threatening to destroy what his love has helped repair and rebuild.

Life throws punches and it hits hard when you least expect it.

What they learn is that sometimes, in order to be truly whole, you have to first be shattered to your very core.

[ No (hide spoiler)]

This book does NOT have:
An alpha billionaire,
An alpha rockstar,
An alpha biker,
An alpha athlete,
An asshole, douchebag, or manwhore.
A heroine that doesn't know how to communicate,
A heroine that runs from her problems,
or a heroine that makes choices that make zero sense.

Did you get the hint that there's no alpha here? Or an unlikeable heroine? I know what some of you are thinking. Beta Hero? Sweet? *yawn* Ok, he might not be for everyone, but every time I read a book of this type, it feels so refreshing to add a little variety in what I read. Everyone loves a bad boy, but man, the sweet ones can melt your heart.



What this book DOES have is two people who you feel like you could meet and become best friends with. And a love story that's sweet, pure, (translate that to no erotic sex-no f-bombs or forbidden love aspects) and romantic in a way that brightens your day and puts a smile on your face.

Simply put, it's a straightforward love story about two people who meet, fall in like, into friendship, into an emotional free fall that neither are prepared for but not distance or time can keep them apart. And when their love and commitment is tested, ultimately, will they pass? For better or for worse?

Maggie is a vulnerable heroine, a woman who lacked love from her father as a child and abandoned by her mother. So she removes herself from the potential to be hurt. Deep down though, she wants something more than she's always had.



Joe and Maggie are the best friends of Cooper and Lily from book 1 and inevitably, their paths cross before their friends get married. There's something that immediately clicks with them although Joe can see that this unusual thing that's between them makes Maggie uncomfortable. But for the first time, she feels something-alive like she's never felt before.

It took my breath away. Then it was like he breathed into me, and I could breathe again, filling my lungs with something more than air, and I needed it like I needed oxygen.

I loved how they got to know each other as friends, while their attraction was still there simmering under the surface, they took the time to fall for each other's hearts rather than just their outward appearance. Joe's limitless stock of corny jokes and need to make everyone smile was adorable! He's the friend who's always by your side, fighting for you. Someone who you know you can count on. He was prince charming perfection.

"When you find someone who is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for yours, you've found your prince. All the kisses in the world won't make him something he isn't from the start."

Eventually, Joe breaks through to Maggie and their connection is a beautiful thing to see.



This isn't the start of their happily ever after, however. Unexpected events occur and they must both be strong enough to pull through and find forever.

I have to mention, Coop's grandmother was as adorable as ever. She's the rock of this group of friends. Loving, caring, and fibs without blinking an eye....

Did I mention she's a serious matchmaker who isn't afraid to orchestrate a situation that will put two stubborn people together? I think they've caught on to her devious ways though, so I'll be interested to see how she does her magic in the next book.

All in all, I enjoyed this book very much. It was super sweet and I loved spending more time with this close knit group of friends. Would I have liked just a tad more detail in their lovemaking? Sure, I admit it. It would've been nice. And the flashbacks that both Maggie and Joe had of their first night together was kind of broken up too much with flashing forward and back to her POV and then his. But other than that, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light read about a couple that doesn't need to pickup the book Relationships for Dummies. They're funny, loving, and above all, supportive. I can see this couple laughing and growing old together in my mind. They just made me smile.



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