I will forever sing praise about Shanora’s writing! Her writing is so good and draws the reader in right away and she doesn’t shy away from the more difficult topics in her books. This one in particular shows the character dealing with grief, death, childhood abuse, and discussing mental illnesses such as panic attacks. I also thought this book was a wonderful tribute to the authors brother who passed away. I appreciated her discussing this towards the end of the book and I know this book must have been very difficult for her. I loved the characters in this book and seeing the journeys that they went on. Overall, this is definitely one that I would recommend picking up for publication day!!

Beautiful Broken Love was beautiful!
I love the depth and emotions of finding love after loss.
This book was steamy but also full of angst and emotion.

Absolutely a beautiful storyline! I loved this book so much and it is a beautiful story of love after loss! The way this book gave me all the feels and is a top read of the year for me!

This is such a poignant look at love and loss and moving forward. I really enjoyed the progression of Deke and Davina's relationship building from strangers to friends to something more. There is a thread of humor that brings light into their interactions and adds another layer that I found charming. Their past experiences deal with a few heavy topics, but I thought they were handled with care and sensitivity. I listened to the audiobook and I liked the authenticity and the emotion the narrators brought to the novel. This is such a poignant look at love and loss and moving forward. I really enjoyed the progression of Deke and Davina's relationship building from strangers to friends to something more. There is a thread of humor that brings light into their interactions and adds another layer that I found charming. Their past experiences deal with a few heavy topics, but I thought they were handled with care and sensitivity. I listened to the audiobook and I liked the authenticity and the emotion the narrators brought to the novel.

*Beautiful Broken Love* by Shanora Williams is a captivating romance novel that explores the complexities of love, healing, and self-discovery. The story follows the emotional journey of two central characters, who, despite their broken pasts, find themselves drawn to each other in a way that is both healing and transformative.

The narrative is steeped in raw emotion, with Williams skillfully weaving themes of trauma, resilience, and the healing power of love. The book dives deep into the characters' personal struggles, from family issues to past relationships, creating a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that resonates with readers. The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and their growth as individuals and as a couple forms the heart of the novel.

Williams' writing is engaging and immersive, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in the characters’ lives. The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with just the right amount of tension and emotional payoff. There are moments of heartache and despair, but the narrative ultimately leaves readers with a sense of hope and redemption.

One of the standout elements of *Beautiful Broken Love* is its exploration of how love doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful. The characters are flawed and broken, yet their connection proves that healing is possible, even when everything feels fractured. Williams’ portrayal of love as both a challenge and a healing force is tender and realistic, making the book a compelling read for those who enjoy emotional, character-driven romance.

Overall, *Beautiful Broken Love* is a heartfelt and passionate story about overcoming pain, finding strength, and embracing love in all its imperfect beauty. It’s a great choice for fans of romance novels that balance deep emotional journeys with a message of hope and personal growth.

“𝙿𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚖 𝚐𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚏 𝚒𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚌𝚎𝚜𝚜—𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚒𝚝’𝚕𝚕 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗—𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝’𝚜 𝚏𝚊𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑. 𝙶𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚏 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚢𝚌𝚕𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚟𝚞𝚕𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢.”

This book hit me right in the chest. It cycled me through all of the emotions. I laughed, teared up, blushed and fanned my face of Deke and then cried some more. This is a really moving book that gives us both a happy ending and map of grieving. @reallyshanora really shows off her writing with this one and it really got me.

At times it was really hard to see myself in Davina. And the quote above resonated with me deeply. There are still some days that I wake up and it feels like no time has passed. But there’s also a wonderful message in the book, that grief exists because we loved the person so much.

This book is definitely a standout and I really recommend it for people who like their romance with a deep message(that should be all of us) but also those that like sports and workplace romance!

How do you build the courage and confidence to date again after losing your soulmate? When Davina lost her husband she didn’t know how she’d go on with life. With her husband’s presence missing yet still filling every inch of their home she began to drown herself in work. When she lands a new endorsement deal with NBA star Deke Bishop he’ll end up showing her he can score more than a few baskets.

This is probably the 2nd or 3rd sports romance I’ve ever read and omg it was so good because what sports lol. Shanora truly delivered with this book it was everything I wanted it to be and more. From the romance, the fling that turned into a thing, Davina finding love after loss, watching our MC’s fall in love, their vulnerability, Deke being everything Davina needed, the sex 🥵 and their chemistry it was all so perfect. We did get a little drama cause Lewis mother and Deke’s ex both tried it‼️ But I loved pretty much all of the characters especially their siblings.

Overall, the book was amazing trust me read it. Check the trigger warnings before reading though the author touched on some heavy themes involving grief, depression, losing a spouse to cancer, childhood abuse/trauma, suicide, and neglect.

Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams is an emotionally charged audiobook that captivated me from start to finish. As someone who often listens to audiobooks while multitasking, I found this story to be the perfect companion during my daily activities.

The characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own struggles and growth, making it easy for me to connect with them. Williams' writing shines as she explores the complexities of love and heartbreak, and the narrator's performance truly brought these characters to life. The emotion in their voices resonated with me, making the listening experience immersive and impactful.

I particularly appreciated how Williams navigated the ups and downs of relationships, portraying both the beauty and pain that come with love. The pacing was just right, allowing me to absorb the story even while I was cleaning or commuting. However, there were moments when I felt a bit lost due to some predictable plot twists; I wished for a few more surprises to keep me on my toes.

Overall, Beautiful Broken Love is a compelling listen that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it, reminding you of the resilience of love and the importance of healing. If you're looking for an audiobook that balances emotional depth with engaging storytelling, this one is definitely worth your time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shanora Williams and Montlake publishing for the e-arc.

The novel Beautiful Broken Love is incredibly moving. There is so much more to this book than just a contemporary romance! The writing in this book is amazing. Davina's struggle with loss, sadness, and pain is real. However, you can also tell that she is eager to potentially move on with her life in the future. While you can sense Deke's desire to strengthen their relationship, you can also see how patient and devoted he is to Davina as he quietly watches her struggle with her sadness. I would absolutely want to see more from the author.

Grief and love. Davina is mourning her husband and focused on her business when she meets Deke who has a tragic back story of his own. These two grow a relationship through working together and then a romance, It's a thoughtful look at people struggling with guilt about starting again. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

When her husband tragically passes away the only way Davina knows how to deal with her grief is by directing all her focus into her company. She is not ready to let another man into her life but when she finds herself working with him, she cannot help but feel more alive when he is around.

Deke appears to be living the dream of a professional athlete who does not appear to have a concern in the world, but he has a difficult past of his own. He has feelings for Davina from their first meeting, but he is willing to be patient and accept whatever she is willing to give until she is ready for more.

Davina and Deke help each other through a tumultuous time in their lives as they help each other make peace with their past and find love and a future that they both deserve.

Beautiful Broken Love is now one of my favorite reads for 2024. You can feel Davina’s grief as she tried to live with the devotion that she still felt for her husband. Honestly, I initially didn’t like Deke because of his arrogance, but I changed my mind as I read more about his past and witnessed how he cared for Davina. Deke and Davina’s journey to each other is perfectly described by the title of the book, Beautiful Broken Love.

This was such a heart crushing story. I’ve never cried soooo much in one book.

This book did not feel long and I’m going to say it’s cuz I was eating it up.

The story line was amazing. I love Deke and the was he didn’t allow her over thinking to push him away he knew this was meant to be. Davina her growth was amazing. I can’t relate to her but I felt as tho I was her best friend just by her side watching her hurt. Deke never forced he didn’t really push he was just being there, a shoulder, an ear, a lil bow bow, he showed up for her every time.

This was a phenomenal book I’m going to need to get the physical copy cuz this was wow. I clearly need to get into her catalog because I ain’t know my girl was getting down with the romance and this was so heart wrenching I loveeeeed it.

A gripping book, this story pulls you till the very end, I enjoyed reading it. I definitely will love to see more from the author

Beautiful Broken Love is a highly emotional book. This book is absolutely so much more than a contemporary romance! Shanora Williams did a fantastic job making you feel the characters sadness, loss, grief. And she did a beautiful job honoring the ones lost in the story, as well as shining light on a new love.

Davina Klein-Roberts is an entrepreneur, working with an endorsement deal with Declan (Deke) Bishop, a successful basketball player. Davina is battling depression and grief, dealing with the loss of her husband, Lewis, 7 months ago. Deke is absolutely enthralled with Davina and is wanting to get to know her more than just by a business deal.

Deke is trying his best to get Davina's attention. But Davina is very quick to let him know she is not interested in anything more than friends. Deke agrees to this arrangement but has several break through moments to share Davina's grief while also trying his best to lift her spirits.

Davina is struggling with her guilt and grief. She doesn't feel like she should be ready to advance into a relationship with the recent loss of her husband, even though she was told very bluntly by her late husband, he would just want her to be happy.

This book is beautifully written. You can feel Davina's struggle with grief, pain, loss. But you can also sense her eagerness to one day hopefully move on in her life. You can feel Deke's desire to advance this relationship with Davina, but you can also appreciate his patience and his devotion to Davina as he idly stands by and waits for her to work through her pain and grief.

Davina and Deke also share a bond they didn't realize when Davina learns about the loss of Deke's sibling.

This book is perfectly spicy, emotional, heartbreaking and heart mending. I absolutely cannot recommend this book enough. Shanora relays these characters beautifully. She also makes you feel the emotions, even if you want to or not. I would highly recommend reading this one. Don't even think about it too much. Thank you to NetGalley, Shanora Williams and Montlake publishing for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE by Shanora Williams is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on professional basketball player Declan ‘Deke’ Bishop, and thirty-one year old, skin care designer/ widow Davina Klein-Roberts.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Deke and Davina) BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE focuses on the building romance and relationship between professional basketball player DEclan ‘Deke’ Bishop, and skin care designer / widow Davina Klein-Roberts. Davina Klein-Roberts is the CEO of Golden-Oil Co, a designer skin care manufacturer, and she is hoping basketball player Deke Bishop will become the new spokesperson for her latest line but Davina goes into their introduction and meeting with a set of preconceived notions, and the her attraction to Deke is offset by her guilt in the wake of her late husband’s death. Several months earlier, Davina’s husband passed away, and our heroine had not desire to move on from the past. Deke Bishop fell immediately for Davina Roberts but Davina continued to struggle with her guilt and grief. Unable to compete with a ghost, a broken hearted Deke walks away, leaving the woman he loves behind.

The world building focuses on the the growing relationship in the face of Davina’s overwhelming guilt and grief. Unable to let go of the past, Davina struggles with her attraction to the man with whom she will fall in love but Deke is determined to bide his time but there is no end in sight for Davina’s grief. Meanwhile, with the approach of the Thanksgiving holiday, Deke’s embattled family want our hero to make amends with the man he blames for destroying their lives.

The relationship between Deke and Davina is one of immediate attraction but Deke is a client, and Davina is refusing to cross a line. In the wake of her husband’s death,Davina struggles to move forward, and her feelings for Deke add guilt to her ongoing grief. As their relationship grows, Deke’s past takes aim, targeting our story line heroine. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top , sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful secondary and supporting characters include family, friends, co-workers and teammates. We are introduced to Deke’s teammate and single father Javier Valdez , and Davina’s sister Octavia, a nanny who may be a prospect for Deke’s daughter. I am hoping the author has plans for a series.

BEAUTIFUL BROKEN LOVE is a story of grief and sorrow, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is emotional and often heart breaking; the romance is passionate; the characters are determined and charismatic.

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Chapters/Indigo (Sandy@thereadingcafe) posted

This book gave me old school vibes by this author previous books. This book has a lot of heavy topics such as loss, grief, finding friendship etc. this book was incredible! Highly recommend!

This is a heartwarming and emotional page-turner that will captivate readers who enjoy sports romance, romance, and stories of overcoming adversity, particularly those who appreciate strong, complex characters and the healing power of love.

Poignant. Engrossing. Shanora Williams has done it again. Her ability to brillantly craft a compelling narrative with words thatt cut deep into your soul is remarkable. BRAVO!!

Deke and Davina. I don’t know where to start. I feel like I have so many thoughts and I can’t articulate them. What I can say is you must read this book. If ever a title described a book perfectly, this is it! Filled with loss and love, this book will break you and put you back together again <3