Shattered Past, Book 2
Synopsis: He’s the campus golden boy. She’s picking up the pieces of her broken past. But in Cecy Robson’s scorching novel of second chances—perfect for readers of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—their differences only make their connection more explosive.
Every memory Lety Tres Santos has from her childhood comes with a scar—some emotional, some physical. Her father is an abusive drug addict, and her mother enables his destructive behavior. College offers Lety a fresh start . . . until her father finds a way to ruin that, too. Now, after losing her scholarship to kick off junior year, Lety must somehow stay in school, pay tuition, and turn a deaf ear to the whispers that follow her. And she intends to do it all without Brody Quaid’s help.
Brody is a lacrosse star, a 4.0 student—and as a freshman, he fell hard for the beautiful and spirited Lety. But their relationship crashed and burned because he couldn’t break through the walls she’s put up around her heart. With Lety hurting more than ever, Brody strives to win her back and make her believe in real love and true partnership. That will mean opening up secrets locked away in his own past—and trusting someone more than he’s ever dared.
Lety knows how painful it can be to depend on the wrong man. She also knows how much Brody wants to do this the right way. But it takes more than sizzling desire to move on and build a future together.
Review: I really liked the first book as it really touched me. So I threw myself on the second novel as soon as I had the opportunity. I must say that I was curious to discover the stories of the Matheo’s sisters that we had discovered in the previous volume. And as you can see in the summary, here we follow Lety!
Our young heroine had a very difficult and sad childhood with an abusive father and even if his brother paid the price, it is the same for these two little girls. But Lety is determined to change that, to finish her studies and to become someone, an independent woman, to be able to release her past. But whatever she does, her father still remembers her that he is here and because of that, she loses her scholarship while… she already had a hard time earning a livelihood. To change this, she decides to add a work in addition to everything she does. Her ex-boyfriend Brody wants to help her, to lend her money, to make her succumb again but Lety is determined to resist. Yet she might fall in love with the boy even though she refuses any financial aid. Yes, because our heroine refuses to depend on a man as does her mother, she refuses to trust, but she also refuses to let go of things. But Brody is far from her father and he would never hurt her, however, it does not change the ideas of the young girl who has a hard time letting anyone else get into her broken life. Yet this boy could also be broken by his own demons, and she discovers his own past gradually. But each will have to open up to the other, to evolve, to trust, to face what happened and to move forward. One thing is certain it will not be easy.
I really had a great time with this novel even though everything was really heartbreaking. The stories of our two characters are really touching and it’s true that we hope that they will have a happy ending together. Lety is dealing with the consequences of what she has suffered over the years and we fully understand that, yet we also know that Brody could be the one to help her. But the young woman is also very strong, she will dare to act when no one has done this before, to stand up to her father despite the consequences. We also learn a little more about Evie and Matheo, what they are doing even if we do not see them much here. The Lety’s sister was not very present either but I am very curious to discover her own story!
Again this is a really powerful story that the author presents here. We can only be carried away by all the feelings presented and we suffer with the characters, we share their hopes and we expect a happy ending for everyone. But nothing will be easy and although like Lety, we’re angry with her mother who lets things getting worse, we hope someone will step in to help this family. A new very good story to discover.
I do wonder, would I like her NA books?
Maybe?
I love all Cecy’s books and this new series of her’s but I definitely liked this one more than the first! So glad you liked it so much as well! Brody was such a sweetie!
It’s a really good series. She is a multiple genre author! I agree.
Lety sounds like my type of character, very strong and determined, especially with all she’s been through. 🙂
yes she was really interesting to discover!
Lety sounds like a really strong character that I would enjoy reading. Great review.
I hope you’ll be able to try!
Thank you so much for the wonderful review and feature, and for being a part of my tour. I’m so happy you enjoyed Once Loved. Merci!
My pleasure!
I don’t see you reviewing New Adult Contemporary very often, Melliane! It would appear as though your risk really paid off too because you loved practically everything about it. I still need to read her Weird Girls series because I get started on this one.
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
No it’s not a genre I go easily to, but well I couldn’t miss Cecy’s book. Oh yes you need to read her other series, I love it!
She’s a popular author among PNR readers, isn’t she? I wouldn’t mind checking this one out, even though it sounds like it’s going to break me. 🙁
In UF, not PNR but yes.
As much as I love the look of that cover (yum!) I hate the NA genre. Especially college life. Not sure this one is for me, but I enjoyed the review 🙂
I understand, it’s a delicate genre, even for me.
I’ve got the first in her other series but really think this series is the one I’m going to start with. Sounds so so good.
I love her other series!
I’ve been hearing a lot about this book, and I’ll be sure to read it at some point! You know I really like NA Contemporary Romances, so I’m always glad when I read you had a good time with this genre. 😉
you’re a better NA girl than me. Thank you!
I am glad you liked this one as well. I think it is one of the best NA I’ve read. I loved Lety and Brody and I loved the way Lety helped Brody heal. It really was a moving read, and I am not the biggest fan of NA.
oh it’s great that you had such a great time with it. Yes it was a good one!
I felt this was stronger then the first, and issues were handled well. Lovely review, I am delighted you enjoyed it too.
yes it was a good one
I do like Cecy Robson…so I shall enter.
I want to read her Weird Girl series before I tackle these, but oh it sounds so good. I didn’t expect emotional!
oh yes you need to read it!
Gah! I really have a bad relationship with NA, I’ll stick to her UF series instead. Glad you loved this though, I know Cecy would be pleased!
I can understand too.
I’ve not yet started this series. I know I love Cecy’s writing and need to give it a try. 🙂 Glad you are continuing to enjoy it.
I hope you’ll like it if you try it.
Some of the best books are sad and emotional….glad you liked this one.
that’s true
This one did catch my eye. I didn’t know it was a series though. sounds great.
a trilogy I think.
Hmm, can’t say that cover left me indifferent 😉
I really glad you loved this one. Robson is kind of hard for me to read for the same reasons you like her so much though–she’s really great at capturing the really painful things that happen to people, and it’s . . . a little bit too painful for me sometimes 🙁 It hurts!! But that just means she’s super talented, right? Thanks for the review, Melliane!
ah yes I can understand…