{REVIEW} UNBROKEN by MELODY GRACE

Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Publisher: self-published
Publication Date: 3/13/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 215
Source: Received from author for review.

"Mom always told me there are two kinds of love in this world: the steady breeze, and the hurricane. Emerson Ray was my hurricane…"

Juliet McKenzie was an innocent eighteen-year old when she spent the summer in Cedar Cove—and fell head over heels in love with Emerson. Complicated, intense Emerson, the local bad boy. His blue eyes hid dark secrets, and just one touch could set Juliet ablaze. Their love was demanding and all-consuming, but when summer ended, tragedy tore them apart. Juliet swore she’d never go back, and she’s kept that promise… Until now.

Four years later, Juliet’s done her best to rebuild the wreckage of her shattered life. She’s got a great boyfriend, and a steady job planned after she graduates. Returning to Cedar Cove to pack up her family’s beach house to prepare it for sale, Juliet is determined that nothing will stand in the way of her future. But one look from Emerson, and all her old desire comes flooding back. He let her go once, but this time, he’s not giving up without a fight. And Emerson fights dirty.

A heartbreaking history. An unstoppable passion. Torn between her past and future, Juliet struggles to separate love from desire. But will they find a way to overcome their tragic secrets—together? And after so much damage has been done, can a love remain unbroken?

*This book contains adult situations and explicit content.*

Like a lot of readers, I've been waiting to read Unbroken since the moment I posted a cover reveal. Shallow? Maybe. A fact of life? You bet. It's a fact that pretty covers draw readers in, but the book better be able to back the pretty up. Unbroken totally did.

Unbroken is told in a manner that I happen to enjoy a lot: We're given a present in which the two main characters, Jules and Emerson, are no longer together, we don't know what happened to drive the two apart, only that it was devastating. It's clear, though, that Jules is still not over Emerson, four years later. Jules is back in Cedar Cove to pack up her family's beach house, but she can't escape her memories of a fateful summer; a summer in which she fell hopelessly into a reckless love. She also lost her mother and had her heart broken in a matter of days.

Naturally, it doesn't take Jules long to run into Emerson, and the tension between the two is abundant. These two are like a stick of dynamite and a match. Dangerous. They're not dangerous for each in an unhealthy way, but their passion is crazy intense. They have a wicked chemistry, and within a matter of moments, Jules and Emerson look as if they're headed down a familiar path. The love between them is apparent. It's completely clear they want to be together. I wanted them together, asap! But the two have issues to clear up though before they can even begin to start again. Jules needs to know why Emerson broke her heart before. Will he do it again? And, she has a serious boyfriend, a man who can give her the life her family thinks she needs. It's a question of whether true, all-consuming love can overcome anything, even a painful past and uncertain future.

( For those who hate love triangles or cheating: Don't Worry, this is all handled very, very well. )

At this point, I think I've made it clear that this story is passionate. Jules and Emerson were crazy intense characters, especially him. Jules is a strong girl who is torn by her love for Emerson. She wants to do what's right, but she also needs to take control and fight for a life that she wants. Emerson was pure alpha male. He's the kind of guy who throw punches first, and ask questions later. Now, I won't say that he didn't thoroughly piss me off a few times, but he's hurt. It happens. Emerson can also be extremely charming and sweet to Jules. He wants the girl he fell desperately in love with years ago, but he's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she gets the life he thinks she deserves. He is a man who knows how to take control.

And boy does he ever. All of the passion and intensity in the story and characters most definitely carries over into the intimate scenes. *fans self* I won't go into too many details, because you should savor that for yourself, but lemme just say, I will never look at a bar storeroom the same way again. Hot stuff.

Unbroken was soooo good! It was sweet, romantic, and passionate. I enjoyed the entire story, but the ending just blew me away. It was so overwhelming, a wonderful treat for this die hard romantic. When I finished, I was thoroughly pleased. I can't wait to read more from Melody Grace.

Favorite Quote:

  "Tell me no," he demands hoarsely, echoing the question he asked just two nights ago.

  Then, I didn't have the strength to answer, but this time, I dig deep into the last reserve of control I have and breathe my reply, the word falling from my lips in a moan of pure, desperate desire.

  "Yes."  ~eARC, 55%

  "I always want you, Jules. Even when I hated you, even when I wished I'd never see your face again, I still lost my mind thinking all the things I'd do to you, if you came back." His voice breaks. When he speaks again, it's with a rough, ragged tone, like he's forcing the words out.

  "I'll always want you, Juliet. It'll be the fucking death of me, but I won't ever stop."  ~eARC, 66%

About the author:

I'm a new SoCal girl, and the author of sexy & heartfelt new adult romances. UNBROKEN coming March 13th. I love gelato, red lipstick, and laying out on the beach with a good book.

Connect with Melody Grace at:

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