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Nearly Broken
by Devon Ashley
Release Date: 06/04/13
Summary from Goodreads:
We’d both gone missing at one point, but Claire had one thing I didn’t. Someone to notice. So why was I the one still here and she the one still gone?
Nineteen year old Megan Smith has spent the past year working in a small town diner in the middle of nowhere. Life is quiet, simple, safe. Then comes the news that her look-a-like has gone missing.
Claire.
Still damaged both physically and mentally, Megan's not looking to be noticed. Wherever she goes from here, it's a road she needs to take alone. But when Nickolas Ellis takes the job as the new nightshift cook, it scares her how easily her defenses crumble down, down, down for him. But there are secrets she can't bear to share with just anyone, unspeakable acts that continue to haunt, and when the similarities of Claire’s abduction couples with the fear of an unwanted visitor in town, the urge to run before it all happens again intensifies, threatening the only happiness Megan's ever found.
New Adult Romantic Suspense / Realistic Fiction
Recommended for 17+ for mature and disturbing situations, language and sexual content.
Release Date: 06/04/13
Summary from Goodreads:
We’d both gone missing at one point, but Claire had one thing I didn’t. Someone to notice. So why was I the one still here and she the one still gone?
Nineteen year old Megan Smith has spent the past year working in a small town diner in the middle of nowhere. Life is quiet, simple, safe. Then comes the news that her look-a-like has gone missing.
Claire.
Still damaged both physically and mentally, Megan's not looking to be noticed. Wherever she goes from here, it's a road she needs to take alone. But when Nickolas Ellis takes the job as the new nightshift cook, it scares her how easily her defenses crumble down, down, down for him. But there are secrets she can't bear to share with just anyone, unspeakable acts that continue to haunt, and when the similarities of Claire’s abduction couples with the fear of an unwanted visitor in town, the urge to run before it all happens again intensifies, threatening the only happiness Megan's ever found.
New Adult Romantic Suspense / Realistic Fiction
Recommended for 17+ for mature and disturbing situations, language and sexual content.
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Nearly Broken by Devon Ashley was definitely not what I expected it to be. Far from your typical new adult romance, it was very dark, twisted, and kept you on your toes with the multiple plot twists. This book is the epitome of emotional rollercoaster.
Megan is working as a waitress in a small town diner. Her philosophy is to keep the head down, blend in, stay off the radar, don't get close to anyone. Although we are not enlightened of her past, we do know she hides scars on her arms and is always ready to run at any given moment. Her plan is working until one day a girl comes in, mistaking Megan for her missing sister, Claire. After seeing the Claire's missing person ad and almost recognizing herself in the photo, it opens a window of questioning in Megan's mind: could her and Claire have something in common? What happened to her? Then Nick enters the scene, starting to work at as a cook at the diner. Megan finds herself drawn to Nick and surprised at how easily she is letting her usually strong-standing wall down for him. She even lets him move in with her, although the whole time she doesn't completely let him in or trust his interest with her. Suddenly, Megan's past (the one she is ready to run and hide from) comes crashing into her and her (and Nick's) whole world is turned upside down.
"I was nearly broken, my life shattered into so many pieces I wasn't sure I'd ever get them back in working order again. I was freaking Humpty Dumpty, a shell of my former self, trying desperately to seal the cracks and fill myself back up with what I had lost."
Although this story wasn't 100% my cup of tea (between the abductions, brain washing, and sex slavery it was far from leaving you with the warm and fuzzies) Ashley did a wonderful job of weaving together a love story with some of the harsh realities of sex trafficking. I really like that we are able to meet Megan and grow attached to her character before we see her as a victim. I was also hesitant at first of Nick and Megan's relationship (first thought was "Oh no, here comes another insta-love") but after learning of their interconnected past, their connection felt much more real to me.
"I don't want to be scared anymore. The only time I've ever felt safe is in you arms. I do love you, and I just want to let you in all the way. So please. Please fill me with love, because I can't bear to be filled with fear anymore. It's suffocating me."
Do not let the innocent-looking cover fool you: this story is definitely not for the faint of heart, there were times reading that I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I was almost gasping. Although we were close to our HEA by the end, this book still leaves you feeling raw and emotionally burned out.
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Devon Ashley was born in Huntington Beach but has spent most of her life residing in Texas. She spends a great deal of her time taking care of her husband and son but always seems to find time to write, knit and create unique decorative pieces. She particularly likes to write Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Interesting Fact: Devon Ashley shares her birthday with her favorite author, Jane Austen.
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