FRACTURED LOVE BY ELLA JAMES-ARC REVIEW

I was sixteen when he came to our house. Landon Jones, a boy with nothing, from nowhere. He had cinnamon hair and blue eyes—light blue, just like mine. When we went out as a family with my foster brother, people asked if Landon was my twin. He wasn’t. That year, we found out how much he wasn’t. When my parents caught us, they threw Landon out like trash.

Now I’m twenty-nine, a soon-to-be surgeon, like my mom and dad. I know residency is going to kick my ass, but I had no idea that it would rip my heart out, too. Not until I see him—Dr. Jones.

Thud.

Angst.  So much angst.

My heart was in my throat for so much of this book.  The beginning, as is so very Ella James, was so taboo and so compelling.  You are drawn into the story of Landon and Evie.

There were parts at the end that had me teary, and there were parts at the beginning that had me gasping and hurting for the 2 people who really hadn't done anything wrong, for parents who wanted to do the best they could, and for a whole bunch of people who really only made the best decisions they could at the time, even if in hindsight a lot of hurt was the result.

I especially love his statement at the end about how this love is something you just have to make work, because the other choice isn't ever going to be ok. Choices, those that are big, with consequences, that seem right at the time, that you question later while struggling to remember it was the right one at the time.

This is what the book is about, at it's core.  About people who want to be together, who should, but who have life getting in the way.  It's about the choices you make, not knowing there is another option, sometimes because it hasn't presented itself yet.  It's about fate, about the fact that if you are meant to be somewhere, or with someone, that you will eventually end up there.

It is with Evie, with Landon, her parents, his family, the choices they all make.  The idea that life itself often gets in the way of life is really at the core of this story.  And, that sometimes life knows best, that sometimes the decisions you make were actually the right ones, because another decision could have ended up worse, or could have led you in a different direction, so you ended up somewhere totally different.

This book is not an easy read.  it's emotional, it's gutting, it leaves you dying to know what happens next.  But, it is powerful, and beautiful, and well written.  I wanted a little more time with Landon and Evie in the "now" but overall the book works well, and it is enjoyable...albeit an angst ridden read.

I recommend this book, just make sure you have a few hours, as you are not going to be able to put it down, and tissues.  You are going to need them.

Well, this wasn't quite what I was expecting-but by no means am I complaining! These characters tugged me into the story right from the beginning of the book and I was simply captivated. I know this is a story that will stay with me for quite some time.

I love how this story flowed. I loved meeting teenage Evie and Landon. I thought their backstory was heartbreakingly beautiful. I could FEEL the longing, the desperation they felt for one another. Their connection was there for them the moment they meet, no matter how hard they try and fight it. I did have a bit of an issue with what kept them apart-for 11 years, mind you, BUT I believe the way things were handled when they were teenagers is exactly how a family MIGHT handle things, right or wrong. I'm not spoiling it by telling you what exactly happens there, trust me you'll want to read it.

These two have such an emotional journey to go on. There are so many issues for them to work through but you can't help but root for them. I cried for them-multiple times. This is definitely a read to have the tissues ready for, in my opinion. My heart broke in this book but each time, these characters stitched it back together in a way that only they could.

I don't want to spoil this book in any way. Are there some things that might seem cliche once you see the events fold out? Maybe, but again, these situations REALLY work for these characters. It gives them a chance to grow and mature, both separately and together. The connection between them never really goes away and you can see that from the moment they see each other again.

This isn't my usual kind of second chance romance love. I'm not a huge fan of angst, I can get enough of that on the news, but the amount of angst in this book? It just worked. The tears I cried over these two were totally worth it in the end. I recommend this book.