Shattered Fear by Tara Thomas is a good fit for readers who enjoy romantic suspense stories about undercover detectives getting close to potentially dangerous suspects, exploring themes of deception, attraction, and justice.

I'm sorry to say this book didn't work for me. I just couldn't connect with the characters and get into the story. Thank you.

A good novella with the right amount of suspense and romance. I will definitely continue on with the series.

Taea Thomas is an artist when it comes to captivating story telling at its finest. I loved every second I spent in this universe.

This book wasn’t for me. Instead of posting a negative review, it is my policy not to review the book on my site or label it as DNF (did not finish) on Goodreads/Amazon

I received an email to read and review this one. When I accepted it, I didn't realize that it was a novella. I'm not a big fan of novellas because they just aren't long enough. I always feel like the author is rushing to get the book finished and there was too much going on in the short amount of time given.

It was a decent introduction to the Sons of Broad series. Things between Janie and Brent moved a little quickly for my taste but since it's a novella, I can see why it needed to be done. I didn't appreciate the cliffhanger ending and I'm not sure I'm intrigued enough to read Hidden Fate to see what happens between Janie and Brent.

Exciting. Thats how I would describe thia story. Janies is an under cover Detective trying to catch a killer. Is the man she is falling for Brent Taylor the man she is after or the man she can love fir the rest if her life. With the danger that surrounds them that depends in how on that life will be if she can figure out who the killer is. Another great story from Tara Thomas. I voluntarily reviewed and arc for this book for my honest review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Hmm.. I don't understand why these prequel novellas are breakdown into three parts instead of one (which I prefer). This one is about Detective Janie Roberts working as an undercover agent by bartending in a club to investigate whereabouts of girls who went missing at the said establishment and she'll hunt down the suspect. While working, she meets Brent Taylor. He's a sexy and good looking guy. Both of them are attracted to each other but Janie was wary about him and chances are he's the one responsible of these heinous crime.

Suspense/thriller wise it's good but the characters were underdeveloped. Not a fan of the romance here because everything just happened so fast. I wish these characters take their time 😂 The Gentleman was shady af. I hope the next ones are better.

Shattered Fear was a short read but a great beginning to a series that I already want to know the ending too. I jumped right into the next book.

If you like a book that will have you constantly wondering 'who did it' this is for you. The chemistry between the Janie and Brent was immediate. I'm jumping right into the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley, especially the Publisher, of this book, for giving me an ARC in exchange for an fair and honest review.

I've never heard of Tara Thomas till this book but boy, this romantic suspense novella was darn good. I want to read more. I want to know what happens next!

Janie Roberts, the heroine, is working undercover as a bartender. She's a police detective and she's on the trail of a kidnapper/killer. Brent Taylor, the H, seems to be her main suspect. But is he really? Hmmm....

Warning: this is too damn short and it ends in a cliffhanger but I didn't mind because book 2 is already out!

A tantalizing series of prequel novellas set the tone for the Sons of Broad series and whet the reader’s appetite beginning with this first installment, Shattered Fear

Undercover cop, Janie, is trying to catch a serial kidnapper who preys on unattached women working a certain bar. She encounters sexy Brent Taylor and doesn’t know whether to lose herself in his kisses or cuff him as chief suspect.

I enjoyed the set up. The suspense is strong where even the clever, unknown villain gets some narration time with Janie. She’s a determined cop, but she is distracted- more than distracted- by sexy Brent who may or may not be more than he seems (not sure a cop of her supposed caliber would let herself get into this sort of trouble, but I’ll go with it, for now). She’s up against a lot once she starts to fall for Brent, but women are being taken and never seen again so she tries hard to work her case even while being in Brent’s bed is the most amazing experience of her life. Whew boy that was some great sensual and steamy interludes, too.

The villain ups the stakes and this segment of the prequel series ends on an ominous note of murder, attempted murder, plans for a new kidnapping victim and Janie right in the crosshairs.

I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Shattered Fear is the first of three prequel novellas in the new Sons of Broad series by Tara Thomas and it introduces readers to Detective Janie Roberts who is currently investigating a potential serial killer. Women have been going missing from a local bar and Janie is working there undercover looking for suspects. Wealthy businessman Brent fits the profile for the murderer perfectly and is currently her number one suspect but that doesn't stop her from finding him incredibly attractive and it doesn't take long for her to blur the lines between professional and personal.

This novella started out quite well so I hate to say it but it went downhill fast, Janie is supposed to be a brilliant detective but she completely loses all common sense simply because a handsome man is interested in her. Never mind that she thinks he might be a serial killer - he's so hot she's going to sleep with him anyway! The speed at which their relationship progresses was beyond ridiculous and that completely ruined the story for me. What woman in their right mind would have sex with a man she thinks is abducting and murdering women? I don't care if he looks like David Gandy, if I think a guy might murder me I'm not hopping in bed with him!!

I've since found out that the first three novellas in this series are all about this couple so I think the author and publisher have basically chosen to split what should have been a full length book into three parts but I really don't understand the reasoning behind that. I think this could have been really good as a longer story where Tara Thomas could have taken her time developing the romance but it's like she suspected readers wouldn't buy the rest of the story if she didn't include the couple hooking up in the first instalment. This is one of the worst cases of insta-love I've seen in a romantic suspense, it might have worked in a paranormal fated mates type trope but fails spectacularly in a contemporary setting.

I have to admit if I'd bought this novella myself I probably wouldn't be interested enough to carry on reading, mainly due to the speed of the romance but also because Janie was the most unprofessional and hopeless detective I've ever come across. She has no credibility as an intelligent woman or a trained detective and I highly suspect the murderer could run at her with a knife in his hand and she wouldn't have the brains to think him dangerous. As for Brent we've not been given enough information about him for me to feel invested in him as a character so at the moment I don't really care what happens to him. Because I was given all three novellas for review from the publisher I'm going to read the rest of their story to see if Janie manages to redeem herself and if I ever find her relationship with Brent credible but unfortunately I'm nowhere near as excited for this series as I was before.

Good beginning to this new Sons of Broad series. So far I love the characters and the story line.

Quick, enjoyable romantic suspense read that does a great job setting up the series. 3/5

Great background insight into the Sons of Broad world. Nice pacing and character development.

This is a fantastic new series with so much suspense and mystery. This is only a novella so it can be read very quickly but it is packed full of drama and mystery. I can’t wait t read more of this series to see where it all leads.

Shattered Fear is a well told introduction to what looks like a very promising series.

Janie Roberts is an undercover cop investigating the disappearance of many girls. When Brent a wealthy businessman asks her out she knows she must keep her wits about her as he could be involved.

A great introduction to the characters and after that ending I can’t wait to read more.

4 Had Me On The Edge of My Seat Stars

I don't normally gravitate toward romantic suspense novels, but when the synopsis for this book landed in my email I knew that I had to read this one.

Once I started this first novella in this new Sons of Broad series, I was literally captured in Ms. Thomas' net because OH EM GEE talk about a nail biter! Janie is a cop working undercover in a Charleston bar trying to capture a serial killer but her life takes a swing in an opposite direction the night she meets Brent Taylor.

The writing in this book was spot on in that it drew me into the story, the level of detail was outstanding and I was completely invested in the story. Janie and Brent shouldn't be attracted to each other let alone in a relationship. But sometimes, it's too difficult to fight the chemistry that's brewing between two people.

Janie takes some risks with Brent because he COULD be the suspect they're seeking and their relationship starts off with some pretty big lies being told.

Needless to say, I consumed this book because I HAD to see what happened next. Ms. Thomas ended this book with me saying...."WTF?!?!" I moved very quickly to Hidden Fate.

Like the other book in this series, I ended up DNFing this title. More than likely this is a case of "It's me, not you" as I don't mesh the characters at all.