Shatter Me

ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review..Partial to a military story, I was keen to jump into this one.Ex Marine, Alex McCray, finds himself back in his hometown to carry out a vow he had made to his dying friend, Drew Sanders. After all, Drew had saved his life, so it was the least he could do. The pledge he had made was to look after Drew’s wife, Reagan, which was going to be a test in itself.There had been an underlying attraction between these two since they first set eyes on each other, but Alex would ensure that nothing would ever come of that allure. After all, wasn’t it because of him that Drew had surrendered his life.Reagan had battled on since Drew had been killed. It had been hard, given the hero status that her husband held in the town. But Reagan had led a different life, and her intent to change that was about to be challenged.This was an ambitious story to tell, given the subject matter, and I found the characters were set up well to carry that through. However, once the storyline had disclosed where each character resided in their thinking, but not acting, I found the constant regurgitation of their internal musings naturally repetitive and extremely tiring.I admit to skimming, which isn’t something I often do, and ultimately found the conclusion lack lustre. I feel the story would have been better served in a more compact version, with a twist to the delivery.

3 - "Can I be enough for you... for a little while?" Stars.I have read a few books by this author now, and although I always find aspects of them enjoyable, they always seem to fizzle out a little bit, for not offering anything different or overplaying certain tropes. I do not dispute at all that the author can write, and the sexy-times between her couples are always well crafted and imaginative, but something always lets the overall book down.The same can very much be said for Shatter Me, upon reading the synopsis I was really looking forward to reading Alex and Reagan’s story, the subject matter hinted at, offered a glimpse that this book may be a little deeper and potentially more emotive than some of your more usual Brazen novels, and it started well, both Alex and Reagan are grieving the loss of a man that was a big part of their lives, how that grief is portrayed leaves one to believe the other may not have fully accepted the death of one he believes was loved.Sometimes it felt so... natural it was frightening.You are also given the difficulties that two people face when they admit that they have feelings for each other, after the person that bought them together initially (in this case husbands best-friend, Army Brother) is no longer in the picture. The guilt for moving on, the anguish of thinking it is okay to do so, and the feeling that you are betraying that memory because the feelings you have and the forward thoughts you are considering are with the woman who was your deceased best-friends wife.And then we have the secrets, both Alex and Reagan are carrying them, and in the 18 months since Drew’s (husband/best-friend) death, Reagan has moved on with her life, and not in the way Alex was expecting when he turns up on her doorstep, and as the book progresses it is clear that all may not be as it seemed with Drew and Reagan Sanders marriage.With all this going on I had great hope, both of our characters are dealing with some seriously heavy issues, and that is what I wanted to read about, them dealing with their issues, instead a large chunk of it was basically a merry-go-round of one or the other of them acting, reacting, apologizing and then they'd have sex. There was a bigger picture here that could have been explored, rather than going the predictable route the plot did, you knew the car crash was coming from very early on, and the wreck was a doozy.I see this book although enjoyable enough, as a wasted opportunity to take some less used tropes and turn them on their head, there was a definite missed chance to shake things up. This couple literally spend most of the story thinking they are doing what’s best for the other, without actually talking to each other about it, and then apologizing and trying to make up for their misplaced intentions… I wanted them to talk, I wanted them to deal with the ghosts of the past together, I wanted them to present a united front against everyone else that judged them, and not the expected path it disappointingly took.This couple also deserved a decent ending/epilogue, once the car crash had been dealt with it was full steam ahead, and all was right with the world… after the way the rest of the book played out it just felt a little rushed to get them past the finish line.ARC generously provided via Entnangled, in exchange for the above honest review.

With a blurb that grabbed, I have to say I was quite looking forward to reading Shatter Me. Best friend's widow isn't a trope I feel has been overplayed and held possibilities of secrets, tormented feelings and a little angst."Alex McCray might be a walking sexual fantasy...but he'd never betray Drew's memory by indulging in her."With the perfect marriage to outsiders, Reagan's attitude over the death of her military husband, Drew is somewhat surprising to many, including his best-friend Alex. And when he visits and sees how she's struggling with house renovations, he simply wants to help the widow of his best friend. But underneath, both have harboured an attraction neither could ever act on whilst Drew was alive. But for very different reasons."I thought I could ignore how much I want you. And part of me wants to. But a bigger part of me is worn out from the fight."Unfortunately, it had an air of Groundhog Day about and I felt I was hitting pause, rewind and play for a large part of the book, with everything of consequence being saved for the final 25%. And whilst it was an easy read and I did like Reagan and Alex independently and together, it was very easy to predict where the story was heading and opportunities were missed. That said, their reacquaintance did bring sexy moments and some angst; it was the repetitive nature that pulled the rating down for me."She'd been his. He'd been hers. And for a little while, the ghost that divided them was laid to rest."Copy received courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This book was a very intense read that's for sure. I really liked it. My heart went out for Reagan that's for sure. Reagan is a widow and still feels like she has to keep her dead husband's secrets. Especially from Alex who believes it's his fault his best friend is dead. Alex is battling between his loyalties and his desires. Reagan has to be one tough woman and I admired the hell out of her.This book was a 5 stars for me. I love books that make me emotionally invested and I was emotionally with Reagan and Alex's story!(ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review)

Shatter Me was a good story, with just the right amount of heat. Alex and Drew are best buddies. After Drew dies Alex feels it's only right to follow up on his promise to his best friend to check in on his widow. What Alex doesn't expect is his reaction to Drew's widow. Sure, he has always felt an attraction to Reghan. But when he shows up in the aftermath of a bad storm and sees the damage to Reghan's house he can't just walk away without helping her out. Soon Alex is crossing a line with his best friend's widow, one that haunts him until he learns the truth about his best friend.

I found Alex and Reagan utterly frustrating; I saw where the story was headed and how it was going to blow up long before it happened but I just couldn't stop myself from reading in hopes they would surpass my expectations. I must say I was pleasantly impressed with how quickly Alex came to his senses and realized his error. I loved watching them both grow in their ability to trust one another.

Where to begin!! Reagan went so much through the abuse from Drew. Then die and still put her through hell. Alex comes in like a Shinny White Prince and helped her . I would have like more to be said to the sister but this book was really good.

I absolutely loved this book. It was fast paced, very detailed, and moving. Amazing writing! I recommend this book to anyone who likes romance and stories of people truly getting the happily ever after they deserve!

Things are not always what they seem. My grandmother told me that many years ago and I guess it's true in this story. This is a great read.

Steamy sexy lovable

Thanks for the good read and just more please