Broken Hearts by R.G. Angel is live!
The second book in the Silverbook University series, this is an angsty second-chance romance with a flawed but devoted hero and a scarred yet strong heroine, and it’s a rollercoaster of a read!
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Blurb
Eva
Cole Westbrook was the orchestrator of my most significant firsts – my first kiss, love, heartbreak, and regret. Following a harrowing event that left me broken, I’ve rebuilt myself, stronger and more resilient. The vulnerable girl who fell for Cole is gone, replaced by someone determined not to let him shatter her world again. Yet, resisting Cole’s tempestuous pull proves more challenging than I ever imagined. He’s a force of nature, equally captivating and destructive on his best and worst days.
Cole
Eva thinks she can escape our shared past, but she’s mistaken. She’s not just a lost love; she’s my only love and I’m not about to let her slip through my fingers again.
I’ve always been relentless, whether it’s on the sports field or in chasing my dreams, and I play for keeps. Eva’s no exception. My obsession might be intense, my need to protect her might seem over the top, but it’s all because she is mine. I’m ready to do whatever it takes, bend every rule, break down every barrier she puts up, to make her see we’re meant to be together.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Silverbrook University, Eva and Cole’s journey in ‘Broken Hearts’ is a raw and passionate exploration of love’s ability to heal and transform. Their story, entwined with emotional and physical scars, is a testament to love’s enduring strength and the promise of second chances.
Review
3 stars
The second book in the Silverbook University series, this is a second-chance romance with a flawed but devoted hero and a scarred yet strong heroine, and it’s a rollercoaster of angst and drama.
This is book #2 in the series, the story taking place at the same time as book #1, and then beyond. There is some character crossover, but nothing too spoilery, and while Eva and Cole’s tumultuous story was hinted at in the first book, you could read this as a standalone.
Eva is new to Silverbook University, starting a year late due to an accident which left her physically and emotionally scarred, and unable to pursue her dream of playing the violin. She has reluctantly accepted her fate, and is trying to get a fresh start when her past comes walking straight back into her life.
Cole and Eva were together in high school until they ended in a mess of betrayal and childish retribution. But from the moment Cole lays on Eva again, he knows this is his opportunity to get back the girl he still loves so desperately.
She became mine, and I, too, became so ardently hers … and even now that she doesn’t want me, I am still hers.
There’s such a murky past between these two, complicated by miscommunication on both sides. Eva is still furious at Cole, he doesn’t know why she’s so angry, and she won’t tell him. Eva is terrified of the pain she knows he can inflict and fiercely pushes him away, but that doesn’t stop Cole and his almost obsessive mission to win her back.
Cole crosses a lot of stalkery lines as he tries to reconcile with Eva, and some of his behaviour is downright creepy. To me, it felt more like obsession than love. We don’t see enough of their past to really set the scene for such an epic romance – pretty much the only part of their past we see is their stupidly immature breakup, so I wasn’t feeling the romance at all. And to be honest, given Cole’s actions in the past (even disregarding all that followed it), I probably would have run a mile from him as well.
He thinks he can control me, break me, but I’m not the same girl I once was. I’ve grown, evolved, and I won’t let him drag me back into the darkness.
They handled things badly. Their reconnection is also handled badly. They are a hot mess. But they’re young and can’t be expected to handle things maturely, and I was hooked on their story and needed to see how their story would play out.
As the truth of the past is revealed and they actually start talking, they’re able to reconnect on a personal level, and then comes the romance. It’s steamy and intense, and I was happy to see them so happy together. But there are still more secrets to be revealed and more challenges for them to overcome, and it’s a rocky road to their HEA.
I did enjoy this book. Admittedly, the relationship was angsty and all over the place, and not quite there with the feels for me, but I really liked Eva’s personal journey. It was well written, I loved meeting her Dad and her mentor, Max, and I enjoyed seeing her overcome her personal challenges, heal from the past and find her way forward with the Cole unquestionably by her side.
“Strength isn’t about never feeling weak. It’s about feeling those moments and pushing through anyway.”
As with the first book of the series, we continue to see glimpses of the weird dynamic between the third couple of the series – English soccer player, Liam and goth girl, Nessa – and I’m looking forward to seeing more of what’s going on there, and how their story unfolds.
3 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
Silverbrook University
Broken Rivalry (#1) (Ethan & Poppy)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Broken Hearts (#2) (Cole & Eva)
Review
Buy: Amazon
Broken Desires (#3) (Liam & Nessa)
To be released 12 June
Pre-order: Amazon
Meet R.G. Angel
R.G Angel is a trained lawyer, world traveler, coffee addict, cheese aficionado, avid book reviewer and blogger.
She considers herself as an ‘Eclectic romantic’ and wants to write romance in every sub-genre she can think of.
When she is not busy doing all her lawyerly mayhem, and because she is living in rainy Britain, she mostly enjoys indoor activities such as reading, watching TV, playing with her crazy puppies and writing stories she hopes will make you dream.
Connect with R.G. Angel:
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