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Review

4.5 Heartachingly beautiful stars

I have had such mixed feelings about this series. I liked the previous books, but I haven’t loved them. I’ve struggled with the excessive drama, and after the last book I declared myself done, with no intention of continuing on. But there is something so damned addictive about these books, and when I saw the blurb for this one, I couldn’t resist it. And OMG! Nashoda Rose has completely blown me away! She has given us an absolutely amazing love story that had me mesmerised from start to finish. Funny, flirty, heartbreaking and dramatic, it’s a little bit dirty and beautifully romantic. I absolutely loved Crisis and Haven’s story (so stand by for much gushing and quote-whoring).

We all know the definition of shattered: to break into pieces; to weaken, destroy; to damage, as by breaking or crushing.
But my story isn’t about being shattered.
It’s about surviving the pieces.
It’s about the strength found within the damaged.
It’s about love. Love found despite the jagged, tainted edges of who I’d become.
Warning: parts are ugly and dark. But there is beauty, too, and that is why we are here.

The series revolves around boys from rock band, Tear Assunder, and this book tells the story of bass player, Crisis (thankfully not his real name). Haven was introduced in the last book of the series, the twin sister of Crisis’ band-mate and best friend, Ream.

Haven’s backstory is hideously tragic. She has been through things that no person should EVER have to endure! Now safely reunited with her brother, she has been enfolded into the Tear Assunder group and is determined to make a better life for herself. But she is drowning under the demons of her past, until Crisis starts to pull her back out.

From the very beginning there has been a bit of a spark between Crisis and Haven, and their physical attraction is very evident. Crisis is a total manwhore, but since his first look at Haven he hasn’t wanted anybody else. She responds to him too, but she does everything she can to hide. It’s a very slow build, which it absolutely had to be. Haven has been through SO much, there is no way she is ready to jump into a relationship. She has a lot of healing to do before she can even consider being with somebody, and I love that we got to see that process. Crisis is absolutely incredible, being there for her in any and every way he can be – supporting her, encouraging her, but never pushing her. Honestly, the man is absolutely perfect!

“You will break. One day that cool exterior you’re hiding behind will shatter. It has to. It has nowhere to go. And when it does happen, I intend to be there to help you pick up the pieces.”

That’s not to say he’s a spineless sap just waiting around for Haven, oh hell no! He is rude, crude, insanely flirty and completely inappropriate, and it’s freaking hilarious! He makes his intentions known in his own unique way, and the whole time he is bashing down her walls and getting closer. And you can feel the emotion between them – from their mad attraction to their deep, forever-kind of love. I felt it all, and I was bouncing up and down with anticipation for most of the book just waiting for it all to come together.

“I need more. From you, I need more because I want all of you, not just slices of what you think is safe to give me.”

And Haven is a wonderful character! I could completely understand her fears and her driving need to keeping people out the way she does. Her coming to trust and accept Crisis is a gradual thing, and I love that we got to see every moment of her slowly letting him in. Crisis is her rock, but she grows so much, the strength she’s shown to move on from all that she’s been through is one thing, but as she starts to realise what she’s feeling, she’s brave enough to grab hold of that and go after what she wants, and I really admire her for that.

“There’s no going back after my mouth is on yours.”
“Don’t want to go back … I want to go forward, always. With you.”

It’s a long time coming, but OMG, it’s totally worth it! Emotional, passionate, and hot as all hell! By the time they actually get together, they have both totally fallen for each other, and are wholly committed, and despite all that is going on with them and around them, they are functional and stable, and it’s absolutely beautiful to see.

“I’m in love, baby. You’re my best friend and I love every part of you.”

I love the ‘hero hooking up with his best-friend’s sister’ storyline, but it can be annoying when brothers get overprotective and things get stupid. Obviously given their situation, Ream is protective of Haven, and I love the way their relationship develops in this book, but I also love the way he comes to accept her relationship with Crisis. Honestly, the man is his best friend, if a guy wouldn’t trust his best friend with his sister, why would he be friends with him in the first place? Yes, there is a bit of conflict, but ultimately, it’s handled beautifully.

The rest of the group are heavily involved in the story, and I enjoyed getting to see more of mysterious Kite. And I love the way the rest of the band all stand by and watch the relationship developing. Offering their support and just waiting for the inevitable.

“Jesus, Kite. It’s been a week.”
“No, it’s been months. You guys may not have been fucking, but you were together long before you whipped out your cock.”

Although it would be helpful to have read the other books in order to have the full background, this could easily be read as a standalone as the dynamics are established pretty early, and the full horrors of all that Haven has been through is slowly revealed throughout the book.

The drama is again, on the heavy side, but it’s not as intense as earlier books and given Haven’s horrific background, it fits in with the story and didn’t overwhelm everything else that was going on.

So enough gushing. Obviously, I loved this book. Funny, heartbreaking, and beautifully romantic, this is a wonderful story of healing, and I know it’s one that will stay with me.

Her demons weren’t black shadows. They were fuckin’ monsters and the road ahead was one that was going to test every part of me and her. But for some reason, it didn’t scare me. Because as long as she was in my arms, we’d be okay.

I am right back on board with this series and am looking forward to the next book.

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

The Tear Assunder series