Broken Like This

by Monica Trasandes

"Trasandes eloquently renders the passionate and heartrending love story...it’s rare to root for all sides of a love triangle, but the author’s depth of insight into her characters makes this a wonderfully accomplished first novel."—Publisher's Weekly

An unforgettably haunting novel—intertwining stories reveal how a man and a woman fall in love with the same extraordinary person.

Broken Like This by Monica Trasandes is the saga of Kate Harrington—who for the past fifteen years has been the muse, provocateur and lodestone in the lives of Louis Ross and Angela Agnelli. After a car accident in Ibiza, Kate lies comatose and is, unbeknownst to anyone, two months pregnant. Angela and Louis both fly to her side, as does Kate’s step-father, who’s been a dark presence in all of their lives for many years. Told in present day and breathtaking flashbacks, by turns bittersweet and brutally honest—this is a remarkable debut.

What begins as an evocative story of love and identity evolves, faster and faster, into a high-scale drama. From sunny, Southern California to the sweaty, musical streets of Brazil; from a garden in Boston to a rooftop in Brooklyn—Broken Like This is a rare novel that captures the utter joy felt when meeting that person whose energy and passion will shape your life forever.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, LGBT, Lesbian, Contemporary

336 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2012

About the author

I was born in Montevideo, Uruguay. My family relocated to the U.S. in the early 70s during the military upheaval there. I earned a B.A. in International Relations at the University of California, Santa Barbara, then an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. I’ve worked as a newspaper reporter and a magazine editor. I’m now the Director of Spanish-Language Media at GLAAD.
My short stories have been anthologized and published in journals and magazines such as The Sun and The Rake. I’ve also written several plays. Broken Like This is my first novel.
I live in Los Angeles with my partner Valda and enjoy seeing my family and friends, reading, and getting to the beach as much as possible for some boogie boarding and smash ball.

Reviews

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give it a 3.5. Not quite enough there to make me love these characters. But I liked the themes and the loyalty of friendship over a selfish set of parents.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book by the end, when the pace picked up. The love triangle seems relevant, despite being set a few years ago.

The efforts to make Don a rounded, not totally evil character came across as false, very much what you would expect to get from Don. The two main characters were reasonably likable and real, though Louis bordered on cliche and Angela bored me sometimes. The twist with Louis, Kate, and Don in Kate's childhood bedroom surprised me, but believably.

The in medias res beginning didn't really work. The car accident was somehow dull, especially compared to how we see it later, when we know about Louis and Kate, and how special that baby could be.

I /love/ the reality of the scene in which Angela analyzes her apartment while waiting for Kate, when Kate stands her up.

When Louis feels attracted to Kate (pg. 73), the author writes about his physical erection. When Angela feels attracted to anyone, we hear her thoughts. Writing choices like that make me cringe.

On pg. 85, there's an awkward part where two paragraphs repetitiously describe the uncomfortable hug between Angela and Louis. I guess it's supposed to be from each of their perspectives, maybe? It's not very clear, and comes across as redundant.

On pg. 276, Don repeats "the most important ___ of his life" phrase from a few pages ago. There are several other grammatical and typographical issues throughout the book.

I fell in love with Kate by the end. I regret that Louis won't have her baby, but I still appreciate the effect of that ending.

I got the advance copy of this book through Goodreads' giveaways.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review based on an advance reading copy from Goodreads. Thank you.

I like this book. A lot. I wanted all the characters to have happy endings, but life isn't like that. Angela and Louis are Kate's satellites and lovers, and what happens when the orb they circle is in the hospital in a coma, following a terrible accident? Angela, who earlier in the book, says "I don't connect that well with other people. ... I watch, take notes", must finally take a stand and do something. Louis and Angela draw together, knowing, in Louis' words, "... it's always been you and me. Just us." They love Kate and must do all they can to stand by her and guard her against an old threat from her childhood--the man who had molested her. Through flashbacks and the present day of the novel we follow these three, and are as caught up in Kate and her destiny as Lewis and Angela are. I felt I was a part of their lives as I read this book, and was sad to say goodbye to them all. The author has a wonderful way with setting, mood, and characterization, and I look forward to see what she will do next.

[Priya Bhakta · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 STARS)

Broken Like This is not really about Kate. Kate is the woman that both Louis and Angela love, and that Kate has loved back. They were both vital in forming Kate as a character and, likewise, she's had a huge influence over them. Louis and Angela's paths never crossed greatly until Kate falls into a coma and they both rush to her bedside. Chapters alternate between present day and past which allows insight into the characters, relationships and the larger story as it unfolds.

Louis and Angela are so in love with Kate and I usually find that sort of relationship really uninteresting reading as usually the writer makes no effort to explain why the character in question is so wonderful - they expect the reader to accept this. Trasandes doesn't try too hard to make the reader love Kate - you don't need to, Louis and Angela are the key characters for the reader, and in fact this works because you accept Kate is a normal woman who is considered extraordinary by these two people.

It's a small story but it's a nice one - it's about love and the family we make.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite shamefully, this is one of the only novels that I have read with LGBTQIA+ protagonist. I really need to read more LGBTQIA+ friendly literature. Other books I have read mentioned a questioning period that a person experiences but mentioned it once and slowly the story suppresses questions of sexuality just as the characters do. Lately, I have been trying to read more novels with characters that are not the typical white female that I'm used to. In order to do so, you have to read books written by non-white authors. Monica Trasandes writes a thoughtfully woven together novel that kept me engaged. The protagonist is magnetic, as you can tell from everyone's infatuation with her. Yet, she is relatable and imperfect. The time jumps were well organized and I was able to keep up with the story without having to backtrack. Overall, it was an interesting and enticing read.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a 'First Reads' giveaway. I was so excited to read it, I knew I was going to enjoy it. True enough, I couldn't put it down. I read it quickly. It was so heart-wrenching. I liked the way the author gave you bits & pieces from the main characters past, then switched to the present situation each chapter. Like a tease to keep you on path with the story. The ending was sad & made me cry.

[Andrea Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me some time to get into the story, but it was the author's writing style that sustained my attention. At first I found it confusing when the author wrote back and forth changing eras.

But little by little the author dropped hints and I started to pick up the clues. I wanted to know where the story was going. Especially when I got closer to the end of the book, I couldn't stop reading, the plot seemed to pick up.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved this book from goodreads First Reads. I absolutely loved this story. I didn't ever want to put the book down. The only downfall of this book was all the grammatical errors. There were many times where I had to stop reading and re-read some sentences to try to figure out what it was supposed to say.

[Heidi Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars if possible. Overall, a good story about a special woman and how she affected the lives of a few key individuals. I eventually adjusted to the story's shifting time lines and narrators; it just felt like it was trying too hard at times and then left other things up in the air.

[Rebecca Raeske-Grinch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written and ultimately depressing story. I really did like this book, read the last 50 pages or so with a sense of urgency pulled from the drama rapidly unfolding in the story, then deflated with the ending. You really hoped they were going to make it, and it felt like everything was going to be okay, then splat. Tragedy.

[Felicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of the book was interesting. However the dialogue was awful. There wasn't even enough angst in the story to make me want to skip ahead to the ending. I didn't really care too much about any of the characters. The portrayal of the step father was ridiculous. The author has potential and I might read another book by her if she writes one.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued the whole time. I didn't relate to the characters but was amused with the descriptions and the obsessiveness and pedestal-placing. The ending was a bit overly dramatic then abrupt, but I enjoyed the whole read.

[Pmcdnld2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad but a good story. Kate is in a coma after a car accident in Spain. The 2 people who she has loved, one male and one female, and who both love her rush to her side. Her story is told in flashbacks as the 2 of them argue with her useless mother and her evil stepfather.

[Jeremy Minnetian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a love triangle involving 2 women and a man. It was a quick read with semi-interesting story that did hold my attention. I do wish it turned out differently in the end though. Sad.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story about a woman hurt in a car accident in Spain, the 2 loves of her life travel there and we hear about their relationships, before during and after the crash. It sort of fell apart at the end but still had me going the whole time, read it in 1 1/2 days!

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very lovely and tender book. The relationship between Kate and the two people that love her the most is
described so well that I could feel it through the pages. I liked Louis and Angela so much and really wanted
them to save Kate. Great love story.

[Amanda Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm confused. I wasn't aware Twitter existed in 1994. You lost me on page 56.

Page 92: botox wasn't approved for cosmetic use until 2002. Who edited this book?

Page 216: She has a character checking his email at a Starbucks at the Grand Canyon in 1992.

[Elize · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down and was crying throughout. Kate is an interesting, puzzling, and broken character and this book does a great job of slowly unveiling her life and her relationships. Love this one.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful book. At times, difficult t read since it hit home for me. Kate was a complicated girl but understandably so. Louis and Angela loved her no matter what and I guess that's all we really need to get by in this crazy thing called life. I highly recommend this book.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Notified that I won this as a Goodreads giveaway.

[Loretta · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was interesting from the start. Three quarters thru the book I became impatient & only wanted to read about Kate's situation in Ibiza 1994.

[Kaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed. the book but hope that the many editing errors were taken care of before it was released for sale. If not Monica needs a new editor. VERY distracting.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I wasn't sure I'd like this book AND I was right..... I LOVED IT! Very emotional read that left my heart broken and my spirit alive.

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poem-or novel about a love triangle with lots of twist and turns, broken lives, beautiful travel destinations so a great read.

[Erin Stankiewicz Faticanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book as a whole the ending was a little bit of a let down not what I expected it to be. I would have given it 3.5 stars but not possible I would recommend it it was over all good

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very different book. I loved the characters, loved the background cities and the stories. It was heartbreakingly happy and heartbreakingly sad. I think that would have pleased Kate.

[karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, would have given it 5 stars had the plot not turned to be a not far fetched for me.

[Beth]

Maddening. I have 100 new gray hairs... One for every 11 historical inaccuracies in this book. (see comments.)

[Korey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Finished this book and promptly threw it in the trash. Probably the worst book I've ever read. It was so boring, and didn't have a point.

[Perkimom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad, disconcerting.