Beautiful Broken Mess

Mis-steps, Mis-communications and missed opportunities. That’s the story of Jace and Audrey. Their start is beautiful, their middle is heartbreaking, and you need to read the book to find out how their story ends.

I have to say, I am AMAZED at how Kimberly Lauren took a character I could.not.stand in book one and made me just want to hold her hand and save her in book two. It just blew me away. I mean, I hated Audrey! I though she was a total witch. I wanted her GONE. In the first chapter of Beautiful Broken Mess all those thoughts went out the window. I saw the pain, the absolute horror she went through and I felt nothing but empathy for her. She is a lovely character.

Jace…now Jace is wonderful. I adore him. He was trying to walk show more the line between being a loyal brother and following his heart. He is trying to be so many things to so many people. All along the way you see his struggles, his imperfections and his absolute adoration of Audrey.

The back and forth of the character view points made me squee with joy. I LOVE reading what each person is thinking/feeling!

And to top it all off we got to me Lane. Serious swoon. I can.not.wait to read Lane’s story! He is just…awe. I love him!!

Ok, so now I am telling you that need to read this book. It’s sweet, heartbreaking, and lovely all at the same time. Go get it! show less

Oh my gosh, I didn't think I could love this book more than Beautiful Broken Rules. I mean, I absolutely loved Jaxon and Emerson's story. But, Jace and Audrey? Oh, my! Their pain level was off the charts and their chemistry and passion was through the roof amazing! I literally cried for Audrey and Jace. I wanted their happy ending as if it was my own happy ending. Seriously, Kimberly Lauren takes all the angst she can find, and bundles it up into the perfect romance novel! Absolutely stunning! If you are looking for a quick, light-hearted read, don't grab this one. If you want a book that is 5 star worthy, beautifully written, and will leave you in a blubbering mess through, then absolutely grab this read, and let Lauren take you on show more that roller coaster ride of emotions. Fabulously done, Ms. Lauren. I can't wait to see what's in store with Promises! show less

Mis-steps, Mis-communications and missed opportunities. That’s the story of Jace and Audrey. Their start is beautiful, their middle is heartbreaking, and you need to read the book to find out how their story ends.

I have to say, I am AMAZED at how Kimberly Lauren took a character I could.not.stand in book one and made me just want to hold her hand and save her in book two. It just blew me away. I mean, I hated Audrey! I though she was a total witch. I wanted her GONE. In the first chapter of Beautiful Broken Mess all those thoughts went out the window. I saw the pain, the absolute horror she went through and I felt nothing but empathy for her. She is a lovely character.

Jace…now Jace is wonderful. I adore him. He was trying to walk show more the line between being a loyal brother and following his heart. He is trying to be so many things to so many people. All along the way you see his struggles, his imperfections and his absolute adoration of Audrey.

The back and forth of the character view points made me squee with joy. I LOVE reading what each person is thinking/feeling!

And to top it all off we got to me Lane. Serious swoon. I can.not.wait to read Lane’s story! He is just…awe. I love him!!

Ok, so now I am telling you that need to read this book. It’s sweet, heartbreaking, and lovely all at the same time. Go get it! show less

I waited for this one to:
1) Catch up with the wonderful Hxh from book 1
2) To see if the redemption of the heroine, who is the bitchy cow "other woman" from book 1.
3) To see the gorgeous worthy hero of this book get his own HEA.

I'm glad I read it cos the love between the MCs of book 1 is SO evident in this book 2. Too lovely - it was like a long epilogue for me, seeing them together, their love even stronger. I loved this book for that reason.

To me this book was all about catching up with book 1's characters cos most of the relevant plot revolves around them here. To me the actual Hxh is just something to fill the space and to get closure on the mystery surrounding her and the H in book 1.

The heroine (Audrey) in this book appears in book show more 1 as the skanky ex of the hero in that book. She came across as typical other woman style. A cheap pathetic stuck-up sarcastic loser that no-one liked having around. Her character in this book is totally different. She has a 360 degree personality change.

The hero (Jace) in this book appears in book 1 as the gorgeous sexy stand-up guy, the twin of the hero in that book. He was portrayed as this solid, honest, kind, genuinely worthy hotty and everyone loved him. I couldnt wait for this story. His character in this book is totally different. 360 degree personality change. He is unworthy. Weak, petulant, moody, rude, whiny, and everything he isnt in book 1.

A more disinterested hero I have never come across. He is SO bad that SHE looks good now. So bad that I actually felt sorry for HER.

It started well, I liked his determination to be with her, his jealousy and possessiveness. But its all superficial. When it comes to the crunch there is nothing to hold on to. There is no lasting love between this Hxh. I wanted them to make it big or not make it at all. They are settling.
They have no connection except their past and their physical chemistry. The sex scenes are well written but even that isnt enough to hold them together.
He chases her and rejects her and chases her and rejects her from start to finish. When I say finish, I mean up until the epilogue, one year later.

At this late stage:
He can happily live without her.
His life is not empty without her.
He has work and his friends and his brother and he is perfectly happy without the h.
There has been no relationship development at all. They live in the same house but he has no idea that she hasn't even unpacked yet, that her part of the closet is empty........
He doesn't feel the need to be alone with her after their honeymoon. (eww that was a cringe-worthy moment for me)
He doesn't need to leave work to go home to her at the end of the day.(his secretary has to REMIND him to go home)
He doesn't need to be with her when he DOES eventually get home - he can easily hang around the other side of the house with his friends and really not be bothered to get to her. (His friends have to REMIND him about her)
She is just....accepting.....It is the way it is.....at this stage I was actually feeling sorry for her. And then the story ended. With some fast damage control on his part. And a last page pregnancy to keep her happy.

The other characters: Jax, Em, Quinn and Cole - their love ALMOST makes up for the lack of depth in the relationship of the actual Hxh. Almost but not quiet cos I had started this book knowing that its focus was supposed to be on Jace and Audrey and I wanted them to work. But they just dont exist cos there IS no JaceXAudrey love. Its an empty shell of a joining of 2 people who simply fit into the scheme of things....just a twin of another hero and a friend of another heroine. show less

I gave this 4.25 stars.... Main reason being that I now love Audrey! In Beautiful Broken Rules, she left kind of a sour taste in our mouths. We thought she was a psycho... Little did we know her story!
Their tragic past with secrets that could have brought them together instead of tearing them apart, feelings that never faded through everything, and their states of being unsure of being together, make this story one that is hard to put down.
You will fall in love with Audrey. Feel sorry for her. Long for her to and Jace to work things out. I found myself begging her to just tell him everything... beg for him to be hers.
Jace was so heartbroken back in high school... Now you see him as a loving and guarded man. His feelings for Audrey run show more deep. I found myself wanting him to run to her and tell her to forget about the past... force her to try to start new...
But we know it isn't that simple... It would make for a boring book. When tragedy strikes, things really get interesting and heartbreaking. show less

I gave this 4.25 stars.... Main reason being that I now love Audrey! In Beautiful Broken Rules, she left kind of a sour taste in our mouths. We thought she was a psycho... Little did we know her story!
Their tragic past with secrets that could have brought them together instead of tearing them apart, feelings that never faded through everything, and their states of being unsure of being together, make this story one that is hard to put down.
You will fall in love with Audrey. Feel sorry for her. Long for her to and Jace to work things out. I found myself begging her to just tell him everything... beg for him to be hers.
Jace was so heartbroken back in high school... Now you see him as a loving and guarded man. His feelings for Audrey run show more deep. I found myself wanting him to run to her and tell her to forget about the past... force her to try to start new...
But we know it isn't that simple... It would make for a boring book. When tragedy strikes, things really get interesting and heartbreaking. show less

I loved book 1 of this series so idk why it took me so long to read book 2. The Riley twins are amazing along with the entire group of friends. I think it's great how the characters aren't perfect. I also like how the author doesn't follow the good little virgin girl after the big badass boy outline. The characters all make good decisions and bad decisions, but at the same time, nothing is so left field that they can't come back from it. None of the characters did anything I felt was ridiculous, and I never lost any respect or love for them. I really recommend this book. It's sweet and realistic and sexy all in one.