Thanks to a little birdy on Facebook in the form of Mrs. Chelsea Fine herself, I realized I had never posted my thoughts on her newest novel Best Kind of Broken. What better time to do it than today when, guess what, you can win yourself a copy! Goodreads is doing an awesome giveaway of Chelsea's newest book and hopefully after reading some info about it, you will run over and sign up for it! You do have to be a Goodreads member (but if you aren't, shame on you, lucky for you, registration is SUPER easy)! Read the info and my review for BKoB and then check out the links at the bottom of the page to register for the Goodreads giveaway! Here we go!
As any of you who have kept up with us here at OneGuysGuideToGoodReads will know, a few weeks ago I gave a really awesome review of Chelsea Fine's Young Adult series, The Archers of Avalon. Check out that review by clicking here! And after reading those books, I am probably one of the biggest Chelsea Fine fans on this planet. I actually read Best Kind of Broken prior to the Archers series, but the blog was not up and running so I couldn't review it yet! Here's some basic info about Best Kind of Broken!
Pixie and Levi haven't spoken in nearly a year when they find themselves working―and living―at the same inn in the middle of nowhere. Once upon a time, they were childhood friends. But that was before everything went to hell. And now things are... awkward.
All they want to do is avoid each other, and their past, for as long as possible. But now that they're forced to share a bathroom, and therefore a shower, keeping their distance from one another becomes less difficult than keeping their hands off each other. Welcome to the hallway of awkward tension and sexual frustration, folks. Get comfy. It’s going to be a long summer.
Also, before we go any farther, watch this video of Mrs. Chelsea announcing Best Kind of Broken to all of her fans. Isn't she awesome?
Okay, down to business. You guys will have to excuse me, I read this over a month ago so I'm trying to go back through it now to refresh my memory about some specifics. There is one thing I can remember about this book without even having to look: This is one of THE BEST New Adult book I have read. No seriously, Stop what you are doing and read that again. I don't say that often, but seriously Mrs. Chelsea, you have given is quite a treat in the form of BKoB! I finished this book and was completely astonished at what I had just read. It wasn't just about the love story. It wasn't about the plot. It was about the complete rawness that this book had. The way it is written is full of emotion and it pulls you in so well. Everything about it screams genuine. There are so many "romance" novels that I have read where the relationship seems completely and ridiculously outrageously unreal. This was definitely not one of those books.
Pixie (female MC) and Levi (male MC) are the coolest couple to read about. By chance, they have both been employed by Pixie's aunt (who owns and operates a Bed and Breakfast) over the summer. They have quite the interesting past so reading about their adventures over this summer while only living a few feet apart is awesome.
Sarah (AKA Pixie) Marshall is a college freshman with a heartaches in her past and is an artist who definitely uses her emotions for inspiration. Levi is just Levi. Only way to describe him. Levi plays... played... plays? Football for the local college team and has faced a few very large obstacles in his family life that are really holding him down. You see, Pixie comes from a broken family and spent most of her childhood "living" with her best friend, who happens to be Levi's little sister. Levi and Pixie were very close throughout their childhood, but after tragedy strikes, their relationship is forever changed. I wont say anything else because it would be a huge plot spoiler, but there is definitely more to the relationship than meets the eye.
The supporting characters are what I think really made this book for me. Ellen, Pixie's aunt and owner of the Willow Inn, is a great addition to the storyline. She acts as a mentor to both Pixie and Levi and gives great advice to the both of them. Matt, Pixie's boyfriend, play a very interesting role in helping Pixie discover herself. A huge host of Inn employees and residents make for several hilarious moments! Jenna, Pixie's college dorm mate and best friend is awesome! And then there's my favorite character: Zack.
Zack doesn't really do anything important, well, yes he does, but it isn't what he DOES that's so awesome, it's his personality. Great with the ladies and full of hilarious anecdotes! Best part, Zack has inherited Marvin. Who is Marvin? Marvin is a goat. Yes, a goat! Zack inherited Marvin from one of his latest female conquests and is babysitting him for the summer. He met the girl at mass. Zack isn't catholic. This is why I loved Zack, cracked me up! The things he would do to get a girl! Marvin pretty much made the book for me, I laughed so hard at the randomness of a goat ever so often. Who doesn't love goats?
But back to a serious note, this book is amazing. I know I always touch a little on the sex scenes in a romance novel and I will just say this about them: they are there, but they are not trashy. Again, like I said, everything in this book seems to be real and genuine, nothing seems forced or unrealistic and I think that's what I liked the most about the whole thing!Another thing I liked about this NA romance is unlike other I have read, Pixie and Levi already know each other. There is already a very strong connection between the characters so there isn't a need for a whole lot of explanation about their feeling for one another. Which doesn't waste any time on our story!
Okay I've said a whole lot more than I intended on saying, but like I said, I REALLY enjoyed this book and plan on reading it again, it will definitely be featured on my "Best Books of 2014...So Far" list that I plan on posting in June! As if I haven't said enough amazing things about Chelsea Fine, I just have to say again: this woman is awesome. I have now read every book she has published and there isn't one that I didn't thoroughly enjoy! I have communicated with Chelsea via Twitter and she is so awesome to her fans, check out her Twitter here!
Sounds awesome right? Well, it is! Also, it doesn't say it on the cover, but this is actually the first book in a new Chelsea Fine series called Finding Fate. Find out more about book two in the series here! And then find out more about book three in the series here! Both of the next two books will be releasing later this year!
Alright everyone, the big moment is here. Where can you get YOUR copy of Best Kind of Broken? Well, you can order your own copy from Amazon or B&N by following the links, OR you can win your very own copy in two different giveaways below! First, here is the link to the Goodreads giveaway going on right now:
Register to win a copy of Best Kind of Broken here!
And just because I REALLY want you guys to check out this amazing book, here is yet ANOTHER chance to win your own copy. Click below to be directed to another review+giveaway being given by my amazing blog mentor Amber over at Grown Up Fangirl! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you guys have her to thank for this blog, she has been such an inspiration to me! Go read her blog! You won't regret it. Plus check out all of her other amazing giveaways going on right now! Here's the link you need for her giveaway:
Click here to register for another awesome chance to win a SIGNED ARC of Best Kind of Broken via GrownUp Fangirl!
Or register here (Thanks Amber!):
a Rafflecopter giveaway
(Seriously, I'm not kidding guys, you WANT to read this book. What are you waiting for? Go register now! It's free, free, FREE!!!!)
Alrighty guys, this was kind of a long post, I apologize, but definitely worth the read! Chelsea Fine is one of my favorite authors and I cannot say enough good things about her. One day I WILL meet her! Until then, I'll just continue to rave about her all over the place, no big deal!
Don't go too far readers, I have a HUGE week planned for you guys, including another "Throwback" review of an old favorite of mine, with a huge twist! Be sure to come check us out later this week. Also, be sure to check out the new "About Me" section of the blog at the link above this post! Trying to do a little site maintenance and would love some feedback! Until next time, Happy Easter and Happy Reading!
-Ethan
No comments:
Post a Comment