Beautiful and Broken by Sara Hubbard

Beautiful & Broken #1

by Sara Hubbard

Molly's a hot mess and her life is falling apart.

Just when she thinks she's about to get her happily ever after, her sister steps in to have an affair with her fiancé on her wedding day. Determined to bring Molly out of her funk, her friends take her out for a night on the town, only for her to go home with a professional boxer who pops in and out of her life when she least expects it. Her mother tries to push her back into the arms of her cheating ex, but forgiving Jason is the hardest thing Molly will ever have to do. And even if she can forgive him, does her happily ever after include her ex-fiance, or the charming boxer with a shady past?

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Sports, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fighters, Mixed Martial Arts

Mass Market Paperback

First published February 10, 2014

About the author

Sara Hubbard is a romantic fiction author. Her debut novel released fall 2012 and was a NEORWA Cleveland Rocks winner and a RCRW Duel on the Delta finalist. Sara lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her two children (four if you count her husband and her needy labradoodle) and works as a registered nurse.

Reviews

[Valentina "TinchyB" · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 BIG ONES!!!

He's a fighter...

See,I don't have to say anything more!
If you know me by now,you know that I have a soft spot on fighters.
I love them bat shit crazy and possessive!



This is a Molly and Sawyer's story.
She is heartbroken!Her asshole fiance is cheating bastard.
He even cheated her with her sister,on her wedding day...
See,asshole...



So,when she finaly get her ass snap from crying,
she went out,drunk into oblivion and end up in bed with our alpha bad boy Sawyer...



They are perfect for each other!
Loved how they comunicate,bantering and hot scenes of course!
All in all,solid nice easy read!

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book the heroine did get under my skin a little as people (family etc.) treat her horrible and she doesn't stick up for herself and just takes it!!

But the flow of the book was really good

[Angie Merriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to review this book and boy am I so happy I took it! I haven't been pulled into a book like this in a long time. Molly's fiance and high school sweetheart cheats on her with her sister, on their wedding day. She's broken and depressed but she still carries herself with a certain amount of strength. At the urging of her girlfriends she goes out for a party night and hooks up with Sawyer, a professional boxer with a dark past and habit of one night stands. When she does the walk of shame out of his hotel room it's with the thought of never seeing him again, she's wrong. Sawyer keeps making an appearance in her life.

I loved this book for many reasons...it's well written for starters. The female lead was strong, despite everything and even through her depression she was never that dumb girl that I've read in recent books. Yes, Sawyer was hot and brooding and a bit dangerous and sweet and sexy but he wasn't the only thing good in this book, Molly was good too. I was excited to read a stronger female character. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone..

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first sentence. Molly is just trying to survive the betrayal of both her fiancé and her sister when a night out changes everything for her. On top of her relationship difficulties Molly is struggling to find where she fits into the world. She wants to make her own way but she is so easily swayed by those around her.

I was quite surprised that I love Molly's character. I typically like strong, kick-butt, female characters. I found Molly's subtle strength refreshing. Molly comes across as a people pleaser. This is one of the reasons she finds her self heartbroken on her wedding day.

Sara Hubbard did an excellent job writing this. The characters were well written and easy to imagine and relate to. The romance was right on target and left me giggly, blushing, and waning more. I was satisfied by how everything end but I wanted more.

[LPJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Molly was the worst. I hate weak, people pleasing characters that allow others to roll right over them. Sawyer was also the worst. I have no idea when either of them developed any feelings for one another beyond lust. An alternative POV could have saved this, but it was all in Molly's wishy-washy perspective. She didn't know her own mind, which at first is understandable — I think after six years with someone it would be difficult to cut them out of your life completely. But she seemed like a terrible friend, very needy and a taker with nothing to give, she had no real ambition but she claimed to have "too much pride" to take money after she's injured in a brawl. I couldn't understand her character nor did I see much good in Sawyer. I don't think he ever really redeemed himself for his jerkface ways. Disappointing.

[Tonya Rupell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me instantly intrigued. It kind of started out like a typical women betrayed book, but then I fell into the why of the book, enjoyed the friendship of the main characters, hated the evil ex boyfriend and drooled over a hot book character that I could close my eyes and see him as a true love interest. There were a lot of hot moments, funny pee your pants moments and moments of sheer agony as the hot Sawyer muddled his way to Molly's heart. Lots of push and pull that you simply could not put this book down. I admit it, I stayed up very late just to finish this book so that I could get to bottom of where their love would go. I think this book is a stand out on its own, yet if there is another book, I'll be first in line to grab it!

[Trac · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF . I’m all for a pity party, but this was so ott. The FMC was just so ditzy and to pile and pile on the stupidity just made the story too far fetch and unrelatable., which always kills a story . This author writes things so ott that it just borders lame . Ex: She’s a real estate agent . She goes into work all dolled up, but when her friend tells her to go to a glitzy party to try to gain high society clients she wears a sundress and Payless shoes?? C’mon. Common sense . If you are gonna make it so ott, at least make it a tad believable .

[Bambi Fogleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what a book it was a amazing read I couldn't put down. the support and friendship was great the weird family dynamics the crazy ex who I want to punch and Sawyer. I really loved it. Will be reading more from this author. I loved the real emotion and fear joy and that all things don't go smoothly. wonderful just wonderful

[Gabriela Scheinberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where do mothers like these come from. I know that there are a lot of women out there that think that society is a priority, not family. Every time I read something like this, it kills me! These mothers leave a permanent damage in the soul.

Anyway, lovely book. I think Mia should get a book of her own! When all was said and done, I loved her!

[Rina Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This is one of those books that makes you wonder exactly how many times stuff like this happens in real life. Great story. Had moments that made me laugh out loud and read sections to my husband in shock and awe of Molly's family.

[Courtney LaSalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8 ☆'s

Review to come!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator didn’t sit well with me other than reading for Molly and Amy (who sounds like. 50’s Starlet.) Mia sounded 12, when she’s the older sister; the males all sound like nasally gremlins or angry dwarves (I was imagining preteen boys in oversized suits yelling at me.) Jason is a tool, and we don’t learn a ton about Sawyer until about halfway through the book, though I do love the banter between him and Molly. This book has so much potential, but I’m not sure that it succeeded to its fullness. I love the plot line, but It seemed to be drug out, like an extremely slow burn.

Boxer, Sport romance, cheating ex, friends-to-lovers, slow burn

[phoenixforce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just have to say Molly is one of the worse heroine I have ever read about.....

Doormat-ish I can understand but she is so pathetic, no common sense, unprofessional in her job (knowing she needs to buck up her sales quota and yet she throw the opportunity away cause of pride? PLEASE!)

the 4 stars are not for Molly.....they are for the storyline and Sawyer....

[FeeMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story that literally packs a punch. The drama that is this story will keep you riveted to the pages as you follow Molly and Sawyers journey. Very easy to read and the writing style made the story come to life however, I felt that although I was happy with the outcome, the ending seemed really abrupt.

[MelissaReads7997 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and I think it took a little away from the story. The voices were almost comical in some places.

But the story was good. Molly annoyed me because she never really stood up for herself. Her ‘family’ is horrible but he has a good group of friends. This is an HEA story with moderate drama.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and maybe that’s what did it. The voice was very whiny and childish and I couldn’t tell if it was the writing or the narrator. Either way, I thought the book lacked substance and the friends were just annoying. Wouldn’t recommend it.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know why this has a lower rating
I actually really enjoyed it. I thought it was a lovely story of growth from both MC’s, add a bit of angst and OM drama and it ticked a lot of my like boxes.
My only gripe, dual Zoom would have given it a bit more depth into Sawyer

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this , it had a bit of everything and was a definite page turner .☺

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, fast read! There were a few glitches of the story line (in car one second, standing the next) but it didn't detract from the story :)

[Jade WANTZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Ronchi very good book!

[Virginia J Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen to this on audiobook. Started yesterday and finished on my walk out this morning. It is a beautiful romance and I give the author 5 thumbs up

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining travel read

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really a good book, it had so much potentiel, but the HE just ends up as a doormat.. disapointing 😕

[Chani Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I freaking loved this book But it did have some unfinished plot for me maybe it’s just me. Like after coming into her on person Molly didn’t go back and stand up to her mom.

[Fiza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The revelation that her fiancé Jason cheated on her with her sister has left Molly devastated and heartbroken on her best friend’s couch. Amy, said best friend, can’t stomach seeing Molly hurting over the scumbag any longer. She manages to drag Molly’s butt off the couch and takes her out clubbing. This is where Amy introduces her to bad boy boxer, Sawyer.

However, in the club Molly also bumps into the person she can’t stand to be around anymore: her sister Mia. They exchange words and afterwards Molly starts drowning herself in booze, which results in her having a one night stand with Sawyer. In the morning after she sobers up and makes a run for it, she is confident that she will never see him again. But she is wrong, oh so wrong!



From there on everything gets worse for Molly. Poor thing, her life sucks. Mix in the cheater ex-fiancé (who turns out to be an even bigger scumbag as the story progresses), a messed up family and that she's also at risk of losing her job and you’ve got quite a toxic brew. If she loses her job she will have to crawl back to her messed up family, which is something she definitely wants to avoid at all cost.... Told you, her life sucks.

Boy! did I feel sorry for Molly. She has to overcome some serious blows. She’s got awful parents, well, mostly her mother, who is constantly trying to ambush her. If it were done for Molly’s good then I might have been okay with it, but that isn’t the case. Molly’s mother is a superficial biatch from hell with her only concern being keeping the family business in the family … which will not happen if Molly doesn’t kiss and make up with Jason. Really, what kind of mother thinks and acts like that? And then she drops into conversation something about her own husband cheating! Well, I’m still waiting for details on that.



Back to Molly, Her unique quality is that she is an open book, no games, no hidden agendas, you get what you see with her. But as rough as her situation is or how nice she is, she needs to grow a backbone. Instead of blaming Jason or getting angry, she makes all kinds of excuses for his cheating butt. I have no idea what she is trying to accomplish with that. You should have seen the look on my face when I read that she fainted after plucking a tooth from her forehead, it was hilarious. She doesn’t faint or get knocked out when a guy falls on her. Nope, she faints over a tooth, brilliant!

Oh! did I tell you that Sawyer is responsible for that tooth episode? The bad ass boxer is known for getting into fights. Combined with his shady past and a frightening temper makes for a dangerous man. He pretends that he doesn’t remember that one night he spend with Molly but it was a means to keep her at a distance. He thinks she will eventually leave him, just like everyone else.

Out of all the characters I liked Amy the best, apart from the few times she bailed on Molly, she is a great friend. Getting Molly out of her funk and always sticking up for her shows her to be supportive, ballsy and a little bit pervy. It would be great to read her story one day.

The characters in this book all had different effects on me. Some had me cheering for them and other left me so frustrated and angry. Thank god the latter people aren’t real. The sex wasn’t too explicit but it was enough to advise that this book is for more mature readers...maybe also because of the swearing. Overall it was a nice read, I give it 3 stars.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a lot of issues with this one. This is okay, although I had a hard time with the writing style which didn't feel natural, but then I realized the author is not American. So there's that.

Molly's fiance is caught cheating with Molly's sister the day of their wedding. Heartbroken, Molly is encouraged by her besties to go out after a week and find someone to hook up with. Sawyer's the guy she has the one night stand with and he's also a boxer. I don't particularly find boxers to be sexy, so I had a hard time getting into this.

Molly's got a life crisis in front of her -- she's in real estate, but not selling anything. She's got extreme pressure from her mother to get back with the cheating jerk and make up with her sister... which makes me wonder about the mother.

Sawyer, who is apparently a successful and wealthy boxer, also has a need for a home, so he finagles appointments with Molly to show him houses and that's how their relationship blossoms. I'm still not understanding the connection between the two except for the chemistry. This would have been a better had this been explored. Molly has some interesting dimensions to her, but this wasn't explored enough. Sawyer is a man of action, not words, which is difficult to portray in a NOVEL.

We eventually find out what happened with the sister, but none of it excuses the behavior of her family which is just atrocious. All of this extraneous plot would be justifiable with a great ending. But I also HATED the ending, where we also get NO resolution to the family crisis. There's also a scene which is NEVER explained where a semi-trashy woman shows up at Sawyer's hotel room in the morning. We never learn who she is or why she's there.

Molly has great friends who seem interesting, so I'm presuming this is a set up for future books.

[Nerdy Chic · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Molly’s life, to put it nicely, sucks. No, let’s not put this nicely. At times, I was wondering if this poor woman had broken several mirrors and was on year one of her bad luck streak. Between finding her longtime boyfriend and fiancée cheating on her with her sister, a bitch of a mother, a horrible boss, a ripped dress, this list keeps going. This poor woman’s life is like an out of control circus. Seriously, when it rains, it pours. At times, it was almost too much to believe what this woman goes through!!

Then there’s Sawyer. I honestly don’t even know how to describe Sawyer. For the first half of the book, I didn’t like him. I felt like Molly was going from a volcano to a forest fire. I wasn’t even sure who was worse, Sawyer or Jason. Sawyer is a player, and a bit of a douche at first. When Sawyer and Molly decide to be friends, I was hesitant. But digging into Sawyer, he has a past that has tainted him to not allow people to see anything below the surface. Molly is finally someone who sees him as a friend and not even knowing his past, is willing to trust him.

More disasters, a couple of misunderstandings and a relationship that comes with benefits and this book was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I felt so bad for Molly throughout the book, I was up in the air with Sawyer and absolutely loved Amy, Molly’s BFF. I wanted just a little more in the ending than I was given and I’m hoping that the next book is with Amy and shows Molly and Sawyer still progressing in their relationship or maybe a short novella with them.

[C. Standing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this but I didn't love it. Sawyer was gorgeous, dangerous and protective. Everything I love in a man, but Molly pissed my off a little. When she took her ex finances call after being with Sawyer, and WHILE he was still in the room. WTF?! how would she have felt if the shoe was on the other foot? The she agrees to go out to dinner with the douche who repeatedly cheated on her? She had 'Walkover' written in bold letters arcoss her forehead.

But then she finally saw the light and went to Sawyer...only for him to be kissing a woman...

Ugh. I loved him, I really did. The author nailed the haunted bad boy with a good heart, but there were parts where I was like "Seriously?" Like how he kissed her not long after he kissed the other woman.

Then there was the whole thing with him believing her asswipe of an ex over her and, then storming out the house...

It had Jerry Springer written all over it.

What pissed my off the most was how Sawyer pushed Molly away after she told him she loved him, and THEN weeks later! claimed that she LET him push her away. That's not how I read it. She DID fight for him, he was the one being a child and running away from a scary and potentially amazing situation. However, then he saw the light and removed his head from his ass and went after her. He never told her he loved her, but I think it's clear from his actions that he did.

I know I sound like it didn't like it, but I did. I would've like a little more romance and a little more Sawyer/Molly time, but it wasn't my story to tell.

[Sara DeVault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly reminds me a lot of myself. O. M. G. that mother of hers! Jason, what a scum bag! But oh, Sawyer 😊. The push and pull he gives Molly would drive me insane, like it drives her insane.
At first I had trouble getting into it. It starts off so typical. Guy breaks girl’s heart by cheating on her with her sister on their wedding day. She’s a mess and her girl friends have to try to make her feel better. Then she meets new guy. Pretty predictable. But it does get better. IMO.
Many reviews give Molly lots of shit for being spineless and not standing up for herself with her family and her ex-fiancé. But I get it with the family. Sometimes it’s not worth it and it’s better to just keep the peace and not rock the boat. Fortunately she does grow a pair and eventually stands up to them. Maybe not fully how they all deserve, or how I think it should’ve happened, but she does eventually tell them off. As for the ex-fiancé, he can go rot in hell for all I care.
It doesn’t really say what happens to him or the family after a scuffle at thanksgiving, and I kinda would’ve liked to know how all that ended up. Maybe I just have to read the second book to find out.
All in all, cute book. Kinda predictable, but cute. Not too over the top with the sex either which is good. Not that too much sex is a bad thing.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was supposed to the happiest day of Molly's life, it was her wedding day but things didn't go as planned. Jason her fiancé was caught cheating on her with her own sister. The wedding was called off and she now has to try to get over Jason and the depression. Amy convinces her to go out and hook up for the night. Molly feels guilty about hooking up and just wants to forget Sawyer. Will Molly go back to Jason or does she move on?

I did like this book but it was no fast page turner. Could it be the mood I was in? Thats a good possibility so don't let that be the judge for you deciding to read this. The only problem I had was the ending. It just flat out ended even though it seemed like there should be more details and no epilogue to fix that either.

I received an Arc from the author is exchange for an honest review