Looking at the rating and the reviews I was in the minority on this read. I didn't really like it and I only bumped it up to a 3 stars because of the narration. I knew going in the grief side of it and how its a slow burn to a romance. But I dont like the yes no over and over and I didnt like either main character but something about how Deke was. Kinda gave me the creeps in some parts.

I just wasn't a fan. And thats ok we cna all like what we like.

Thank You NetGalley for this AudioArc in Exchange for my honest thoughts.

⭐⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Plot
🌶️🌶/5 Spicy
💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾/5 Characters
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5 Audio

This book just made it to my 1%. Damn, if this didn't tug on every single one of my heartstrings.

Davina (FMC) is an entrepreneur looking to have the famous, handsome, and arrogant basketball player Deke (MMC) endorse her beauty brand. The pair have an instant connection. However, past trauma prevents them both from moving forward. Davina is a grieving widow and doesn't know how to move on without feeling guilty. Deke has family issues, and it prevents him from making a serious relationship commitment...until now.

First, I can't even begin to describe how beautifully the narrators of this audiobook portrayed each character, specifically the female narrator. You felt every emotion with her - happiness, sadness, lust, and love. She gave her all in this audiobook, and I can't rave enough about how spectacular she was. I almost prefer her reading Deke's parts over the male narrator. I'm so glad I listened to this because hearing the dialogue between the two characters gives an additional element you didn't know you needed with a book that is this heavy with its context.

Secondly, this is one of the best books I have read in 2024, and I fear this may be the last book I read this year because it might have put me in a slump. I don't think any couple will be close to Davina and Deke. I am obsessed with these two. How they communicate with each other, how they interact with each other, and their steamy scenes 🥵🥵 Everything was perfect. 💯 recommend.

4.75 stars!


What a beautiful story!! I was so invested in Davina and Deke's love story. This story shows love after loss in such a beautiful way, and it shows the complexity of moving on. Their love story was a little messy but real. The pacing and character development were perfect.

Well Shanora Williams can really write a book! Typically I have read her thrillers, but I so happy I got the chance to read this!
Beautiful Broken Love is Williams' latest contemporary fiction romance. Though the burn is slow (almost 50% until you get to an open door scene), I love the tension between our two main characters.

Davina and Deke start off as colleagues and with some hesitation on Davina's part, turn into hot and heavy lovers.
Davina is still grieving a loss and Deke can't help but falling for her instantly. He understands the difficult process she is going through, but the sexual tension is about to combust.

I highly reccomend adding this to your TBR and picking it up before the end of the year! Check out the audiobook as well! Both narrators were amazing!

“Beautiful Broken Love” is an emotional and beautiful love story.
Davina lost her husband 7 months ago and is focused on her work to escape the grief and hurt. When she meets Deke, an NBA player, there is an instant attraction between them.

Even if she is not ready to move on, he is a bit too insistent at the beginning. They both have emotional trauma that helped them connect and slowly they try to heal each other.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Aure Nash and Sean Bassett. They both manage to bring the characters alive and made me feel their emotions.

The relationship between Davina and Deke had highs and lows and I did not expect it to be so spicy. Even if I do not agree to all of their actions, they both have a character growth and I was happy that they found each other.
What I can say without spoilers is that Deke is a more forgiving person that I would have been in the same situation.

Please check the content warnings as some situations can be triggering.

I received an ALC from Valentine PR and Brilliance Audio. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I listened to the audio after reading Beautiful Broken Love and all I have to say is that these narrators brought the emotions. They were top tier. They brought their A-game to their performances. Aure Nash? I can tell you a particular scene that got me emotional while reading it. But while listening to the audiobook? Ms Nash brought me to tears with her take on Davina and the scene she had to read. Extraordinary. And Sean Bassett? That man's voice is like butter which fit Deke to perfection. From beginning to end, I couldn't help but be drawn in by their performances which were truly amazing. They made an already great story that much better by bringing this story of grief and love to life.

As for the actual book review, here's a few thoughts......

Intense attraction. Successful individuals. Weighted with grief. A beautiful story all about timing and trying to move forward even when it's the hardest thing to do.

Davina Klein has recently lost her husband and is still dealing with the grief that follows a loss like that. But she puts all her energy into her skin care company to make it successful. When they land an endorsement deal with one of the NBA's biggest stars, Deke Bishop, she can't help but to feel flustered by his presence while also feeling the major loss of her recent husband.

Deke is the epitome of the successful professional basketball player. Good looking, a little cocky, and used to getting what he wants without even trying. So what is it about Davina that clicks for him? It's on all cylinders for him right from the start and he just can't let his attraction go, even when he notices the ring on her all important finger.

I don't know what it is about a "he falls first" trope that does me in, but Williams gave it to me in spades. It had to be because Deke not only fell first and fell hard, but also because he's the untouchable. The one that doesn't give himself to just anyone. And he respected who Davina was and what she was going through. Sure, he was attracted to her and wanted her physically, but he also knew and understood her grief and was there as a friend. I LOVED that he initiated conversation between them by emails and let their friendship flow naturally from there. It allowed them time to gain trust and to truly get to know certain aspects of each other.

Beautiful Broken Love was just that. It was beautiful, fun, sexy, filled with friendly and physical chemistry, but it was also emotional and about two characters that were broken and dealing with what life had thrown their way. It hit me in the feels with the depths of emotions the characters held onto and the way they processed everything. I felt like I was on the journey to self discovery and grief right along with them.

"We're hardest on ourselves and only see the flaws when all another person sees is the beauty."

Williams gave us a beautiful story that was crafted so well. From the main characters and how they built their relationship over time, to the supporting characters and the way they helped push the story forward. In addition to the characters, the author seamlessly weaved themes of grief, healing, and embracing change along with family and trust into the story allowing for natural progression to the story without forcing anything.

If you enjoy:
Sports romance (with the best one on one scene at the cabin)
He Falls first
Two professionally successful main characters
Romance interwoven with grief
Second chance at love
Family

Then Beautiful Broken Love is a story that I would highly recommend. I'm in love with Deke and Davina and really hope that we get at least one more story about a couple of the side characters from this world in the future.

Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams was a powerful story about the heartache, loss of love, healing, and forgiveness relationships go through in life. Davina the broken widow must learn to heal from the loss of her deceased husband when life does not always go as planned. I loved how the author captured her turmoil and pain so vividly in the story that I cried for Davina to open herself up to receive and know she deserved love again. Then Deke, whew honey. The NBA star had to over come his own tragedy in this tale from the loss of his loved one and his rode to forgiveness. But Deke despite the stereotypes of being a ball player having to be a player both on and off the court, he fought so hard to prove his love for Davina through thick and thin. Their story was so beautifully written, and I enjoyed it so much.

🎧 The narration was ok, but I would prefer women do women voices and men do male voices unless they’re very talented. To me it makes the experience less authentic. Why I didn’t give it a 5 star rating. But had I read the book version, it would’ve been a 5 no doubt.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliance & @shanorawilliams for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

I have been a fan of Shanora's for years so I jumped at the chance to read this early and she has completely blown me away. I went in expecting one thing and I got even more.

Beautiful Broken Love is deep, touching, emotional, tragic and healing. You can tell this came from such a real and vulnerable place. Shanora's words and message shines through in the most incredible ways, you'll really want to sit with this story but devour each word at the same time.

Poignant, sexy, smart and breathtaking BBL is a new favorite for me!

The way this story unfolds kept me invested all the way through. There’s something about the characters' journey that feels real—both the passion and the emotional depth. I’ve always been into basketball players, so that angle was a nice touch.

What I really appreciated was how the book didn’t just focus on the romance. It touched on new beginnings and self-belief, which made the characters' growth feel authentic.

The romance had the right amount of steam, with plenty of chemistry between the two. But it wasn’t just about the attraction; it was about how they supported each other and helped each other grow, which made their relationship feel much more meaningful.

It was a story that balanced both intensity and emotional growth in a way that kept me fully engaged. The mix of passion, personal growth, and connection made it a satisfying read.

Slightly longer than needed, this was a fun yet predictable romance. I enjoyed Deke's perseverance with Davina, making her see she could be happy again. The storyline was genuine and sweet with the perfect touch of spice. It was expertly narrated too! It was my first by this author but won't be my last.

Thank you to Brillance Publishing, Shanora Williams, and Netgalley for this Arc in exchange for a review.
This book is about a strong, independent woman named Davina who recently lost her husband Lewis. To distract herself from her grief, she throws herself into her company, Golden Oil Co. She ends up looking for a brand deal with major NBA player Deke Bishop.
Davina and Deke's story is more than just a romance. This story deals with grief, trauma, and character development is beautiful. This book is so much more than a romance, and it truly touched my heart. Also, if you love spice, this is definitely the book for you. I love how Shanora writes her spicy scenes. They are romantic and sexy, never cringey.
I already knew I loved Shanora Williams writing, but I think this book is for sure my favorite. Shanora is a jack of all trades she writes so many genres, including romance, fantasy, and thriller, and all her books have such deep meanings, and her writing is so beautiful.
I highly recommend everyone check out this beautiful written love story.

Beautiful Broken Love is an amazing book about love, loss, grief and finding yourself. It is such a beautifully crafted story with discussion of heavy topics so please keep that in mind. Williams does truly weave an emotional tale but addresses it with such finesse in her words. The story unfolds at the right speed truly showcasing the reality of the entire situation and the emotions felt.

The characters are created with so much depth. They're feeling real, valid emotions that are absolutely justifiable at all times. The love story unfolded in a perfect way, the interactions between both, the vulnerability, the chemistry and the spice was absolutely perfect. They truly felt like real people and I loved them so much.

Beautiful emotional, gut wrenching read about grief and learning to love again. The writing was flawless creating an unputdownable story that will grasp you from the start.

🎧 The narration by Aure Nash & Sean Bassett was really good. They played their characters perfectly. The emotions were absolutely unreal, I truly felt them. The spice was hot. A truly great listen !

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @brilliance & @shanorawilliams for my gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.

5⭐️ 3🌶️
This story had me hooked from the beginning. There was great grief representation. There were other heavy topics addressed in this book such as suicide, and domestic violence. My heart hurt for both Davina, and Deke. I also loved that the main characters were both people of color, this is something I don’t see super often in books. I’m not going to lie I cried a lot while reading this book as I felt like I could relate to the characters so much.

Wow!

Shanora is an absolutely amazing author and this audiobook is FIRE. I cannot say enough good things about the narration of this book. This is the first audiobook in a while that I have not had to rewind several times because I missed something; I was completely engaged the entire time I was listening to Beautiful Broken Love.

This is a highly emotional story with several trigger warnings that the author does warn about in the beginning. Listen with caution if you are sensitive to these triggers. Deke and Davina have a beautiful but difficult story with a tremendous amount of grief and pain. One of the aspects of the audiobook that make it so intense, is the portrayal of the despair the characters are feeling, through the narrator's voices. They do a phenomenal job. In the same breath, be prepared to turn down the volume at red lights when the spicy scenes come because they are just as intense!

I loved the character development throughout the story and appreciated learning their backstories. Knowing some of Deke and Davina's past history can help readers have a better understanding of their present struggles with relationships and love. There are also several side characters that help bring everything together and I loved Deke and Davina's interactions with them.

If you are a Shanora Williams fan already, this novel will just make your love her and her writing even more!
I appreciate this author, NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with this ARC in return for my honest opinion!