Broken Glass

by Tabitha Freeman

Ava Darton had it all: she was a beautiful, spunky blonde with a great group of friends, an amazing fiancé, and a perfect career waiting for her as she was about to graduate college at the top of her class. All this, and she was just twenty-two years old.

And in a matter of moments, it was all gone.

In an instant, Ava’s perfect life turns into her perfect nightmare, and unable to handle what her life has become, she attempts to end it. Failing miserably, she lands herself in Craneville, a hospital for the mentally ill.
From a tough psychiatrist to a locked-down cell to fellow patients talking in riddles, Ava falls into a dark place, unsure of how to pull herself from this personal entrapment. Stripped down to her rawest bits, Ava will discover if her life was really ever perfect, or if she has just begun to figure out who Ava Darton is.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Drama

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2012

About the author

TABITHA FREEMAN is an international bestselling and award-winning fiction author of The Life We Unmade. Her works also include The Life We Unmade, the Ghost Story Trilogy, the explosive, social contemporary novels Broken Glass, Coyote Creek, and The Phobic's Son. She also writes horror under the pseudonym Rigby Glass. Find her online at www.tabithafreeman.com, Instagram handle @tabbytime, and www.facebook.com/authortrfreeman.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book was amazing!!

It takes place in a mental institution. Ava's fiance dies in a horrible accident. She can't take it so she tries to kill herself three times. She ends up in Craneville, a "nuthouse" as Ava describes it. Will Ava ever get better and get over her fiance?

I couldn't stop reading this book. It was amazing! I loved the story line, the characters, the setting, just everything. It is very well-written.

This has become one of my favourite books. Give it a read as you won't regret it!

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this one a very strong 4 1/2 stars. There were a few things that niggled at me, but overall, I found this book very engaging and the characters and story line very captivating. One thing that bugged me was the story started out with the main characters as high school seniors and I just didn't think they sounded like high schoolers... their voice just didn't ring true to me even if you considered them to be very mature high school seniors. But the story moved quickly to end stage college and they seemed more natural. And it was a bit of a stretch to see the very accomplished and independent Ava go completely bonkers after her boyfriend/fiance died. I could see her swearing off men forever and throwing herself into her schoolwork or a new job, but suicidal/mental institution crazy was a bit histrionic.

But let's say I buy into the histrionics, which I did, that's when the story got more interesting and just took off dragging me along on a wild and crazy ride. I honestly really loved the book and found it impossible to put down. The characters were quirky and, yes, crazy and that was totally the attraction and charm. I loved the author's writing style and the way she could just reach in and pull your heartstrings right out of your chest and wrap them firmly around your neck and just when you thought she was killing you for sure, she gently fluffs them up like a nice warm scarf.

I loved it, loved it, loved it.

[Janelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because previously I had read Freeman's Ghost Story. I knew from the book description on the cover that it was completely different from Ghost Story, but I had no idea how different until I started reading.

This book was a total 180 from Ghost Story and this kind of genre isn't what I normally read--but I LOVED it. Freeman's writing style is effortless and relateable, and I think that is a big reason I was able to really fall in love with a book that I normally wouldn't read.

This book is about a girl named Ava who has a great life until her fiance is killed in a car crash. Ava tries to kill herself and we follow her through her journey of trying to put her life back together. She is sent to a mental institution and there, she meets all kinds of people with all kinds of tragedies in their lives. The "crazies" as Ava refers to herself and the others in the institution, are the best group of characters--people in their rawest form trying to all figure out what the next step is and who they really are.

I cried about a billion times and I can't even put into words how utterly heartwrenching this read is. Loved Loved Loved it

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Glass portrays author T.R. Freeman’s abilities to develop an intense, yet delightful story. The characters are unique and unlike those you see in the author’s series Ghost Stories, but you fall in love with them all the same. Right when you think you know where the author is going with the storyline or what the characters are going to do next, Freeman adds a different twist or turn, yet the story continues to flow without any interruption. I started reading this story on my 3 hour flight and was devastated when the pilot told us to power down our electronic devices. I was anxious to board my next flight to complete the book. I won’t provide any spoilers, but will instead recommend you meet Ava, Channing, Connor and the rest of the crazies. This story will make you LAUGH OUT LOUD and bring tears to your eyes all at the same time!

[Tanja Berg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating 2/5*. Read on the airplane / train ride home yesterday. Difficult to review without spoiling anything, but it can be summed up in one word: BORING. Or in one sentence: young woman loses a loved one and ends up in a mental hospital after trying to kill herself three times. After which the story takes it's predictable course.

I did not hate this. It just did not stir any emotion in my except mild irritation. No suprises and no fun, but a very quick read.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5 STARS)

WOW! This was an amazing read! From the prologue to the epilogue...I ate up every word! God...did I cry! This book was emotional...but also leaves you with a great sense of hope! It also had a perfect HEA! I am a very happy girl right now! Awesome freebie!

[Jess (jessreads1985) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful novel. It is heartbreaking, but also a message of hope.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast and very engrossing read about love, loss, and hope.

[Dyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we are all a little crazy. I had a first love I would have probably felt the same way about back then. Easy read... good book.

[Samantha Woodall-freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite book by this author so far. very powerful. elicits unexpected emotions. I was drawn to all the characters. loved it!

[Marcia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had some very good parts and some very bad parts. Overall, the storyline was good, but it went from a good story to a pretty implausible story which left me very disappointed. But the worst thing about the book was the lack of editing. I found the numerous spelling and grammatical errors terribly distracting and irritating. Example: yes, “there” IS a word, but it will never have the same definition as “their” or “they’re”. I believe good writing should include correct grammar and spelling - especially in a book intended for young adult readers!

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good one time read

[Farah Elgawady · Rating 5 out of 5]

infinity + 1 / 5 stars !!!!!!

*this book was sent to me by the author for an honest review*


''Ava, do you ever think how crazy it is that our hands fit together perfectly? They just mold to each other, you know? Like two pieces of a puzzle that just…click."


this was hands down the most beautiful and perfect book i read in 2014 and may even include 2013 there's just to much to say about this book that i may end up rereading it 30 times to not forget anything

"Couldn't say in front of the guys. I luv u
sooooo much, Ava, & I always will, no matter
what happens. I’ll always be here. I luv u
infinity + 1"

so what's this book even about you ask?

Ava Darton had it all she had friends the perfect (perfect infi-

inity +1 may i add) fiance and went to the perfect university

and in a matter of moments it was all gone..


in her attempt to get rid of it all she tries to kill herself and

fails and instead getting sent off to cranville a hospital for the

mentally ill...in a time when everything feels like it fell apart

Ava learns weather her life is worth living or not.



so maybe you've heard this plot a lot in other novels and now

you're like "meh, that's old i want something new" and you

know why you're saying that?






yes you are !! do i look like i'm done with my review?? ha? do

i?? you just stick around and then u judge 'kay?



the romance between tryson and Ava was the most

romantic and beautiful romance i ever seen in a book. yeah i

said that. i was just so into the romance i had a hard time

believing that it was only 25 page or so . i felt like it was

really infinity+1 they were perfect to say the least.





Tabitha freeman have a beautiful way of writing and making

every single character, lead or not to be hilarious i was

seriously laughing out loud at times which got me strange

looks from my parents but i didn't care because i was so into

the story.


i would've finished the story in one sitting if I've started on it

earlier the story just pulls u in and you just have to finish it i

read it until i fell asleep and then as soon as i woke up and

my eyes are still half open i began reading.





you know how some authors have this way of making

everything alright in the end? that somehow no matter what

there was in the middle of the story you still finish the book

with a smile on your face ? this is exactly what happened

with me when i finished Broken Glass.


i was never a believer in second love i was one of those who

believed that you just have one soul mate and if he's gone or

you broke up you shouldn't love again and if u loved again

then he/she weren't your soul mate and your new love is..

but this book awaken something in me and now ik that

when you love again it doesn't mean you didn't love the one

before but that life goes on and that there was a reason

behind you being the one left behind and that you have to

move on with your life and live life to the fullest.




a lot of us can relate to Ava. when we lose someone dear to

us we feel like time will stop now there's no purpose in our

life anymore and we just give up everything and shut people

out as if this will help bring them back to life. we cling to the

memories because it the only thing we have left from them.

and we stay miserable forgetting that they would never have

wanted to make us miserable and all they wanted was for us

to stay happy and move on with our lives




“You’re living in the past…in memories that are in but a

single moment. You’re walking backwards in shoes that

don’t fit.”



i don't exactly know what's with me and supporting

characters ? i honestly have no idea why but i always end up

liking them more then the lead

characters them selves there's unsolved mystery behind it. in

this book it was Shakespeare , henry and channing they

where Ava's friends in carnville and they where so nice that i

felt like i wanna know more about each of them.



so all in all this story is PERFECT! i finished it in 5 hours

yesterday plus one hour today, which didn't happen in a

long time please don't be taken down by the a-bit-cliche

summary because this book is defiantly worth reading and i

can totally see myself rereading it. i totally recommend this

book to anyone.





“If I have the strength to sit here for months,” he murmured,

almost painfully. “Falling more and more hopelessly in love

with you every single day, while you’re still madly in love

with a ghost, then you can have that same kind of strength

to move on from this.”

― Tabitha Freeman, Broken Glass

[Evangeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way the story could be so tragic and yet have an undertone of hope at the same time. I usually stay far away from sad stories. Before reading a book, I would do all I can to ensure that it doesn’t have a tragedy in it. Even if it does have one, it had to be a small tragedy. But this book has a tragedy in it, and the tragedy with its aftermath is a major point in the plot. When I started to read the story, I presumed that Ava’s losses and downward spiral stemmed from a less tragic reason. Although my presumption was wrong, I don’t regret reading this story.

Broken Glass is a story about one young woman’s journey of healing from her tragic loss. During her journey, she learns to live and love again. Her journey was portrayed in a very realistic manner. Overcoming her grief was a long process that could only come about with the help of the “crazies” in the mental facility and someone special. There was a character with unrequited love, another character with pretty unstable tendencies, and yet another character who was initially a friend but grew cold later on. These characters and many others made Broken Glass an interesting read. There was never a moment of dullness in the story.

There are no big dramas or explosive action in the story. Yet, it remains a captivating read. When I started to read it, I couldn’t put it down until I had completed it. I was absolutely enthralled by the story. I think that what played a major role in holding my attention was the “would-they-or-wouldn’t-they-get-together” question I had. I am a big fan of romances (obviously) and while I understood Ava’s need for healing, a tiny part of me wished she would recover sooner.

The characters were for a lack of better word, crazy. They were varied and interesting. I have no particular favorite, but if I were to choose a character I liked, I would choose Conner. His patience, wise reasoning, and sometimes blunt manner makes him a good influence in Ava’s life during her healing process. Channing is also another character I liked. Despite having a bad history, her sound advice and opinions always came at just the right time when Ava needed them. Most of the other characters were amusing. Their antics added a lighthearted tone in parts of the story when the mood and tone were strongly dark and sorrowful.

Conclusion: It is okay to be a little crazy in the world. Not everyone has to be wholly sane and as illogical as it might sound, being broken glass is okay. I enjoyed reading Broken Glass. Yes, most of the time, the story in Broken Glass was tragic and sad, but there was also hope and light at the end of the dark tunnel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author through the Review the Book book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Romina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Darton is 23 years old and a resident in a psychiatric ward. Her story tells of how she came to be there and her journey to get better.
At 18 years old Ava is a senior in High School. She is introduced to Tyson Andrews who has just moved to Virginia with his Dad to be closer to his Mum and Sister.
Their relationship soon blossoms and after 3 years together they begin to make arrangements to get married.
Tragedy strikes leaving Ava unable to cope…
I gave this book 5* because not only because the story is written with such depth you could get lost in the emotions but also it became a kind of self-help experience for me.
The writing feels honest which I appreciate in books like this.
You instantly feel Ava’s grief and conflicting emotions as she gradually begins to get better.
Being set in a psychiatric ward I initially thought that it would become like a movie and be full of drama, but it takes an honest approach making the reader more at ease.
During the story a few significant characters emerge, all with their own troubles. I love that we don’t initially know why some of these people are in a psych ward and we are able to pick up characteristics throughout the story leading to the reasons why.
These characters are brought into this story with ease and all have their own way in helping Ava.
It was interesting to see how Ava coped not only being put away but also her journey to feeling able to live again.
It also manages to leave you with the question I guess we’d all have to face.
How would you cope if your reason for living was suddenly gone?
Tabitha Freeman is known for ghost stories and manages to leave the reader with a touch of that in this story. I felt that it is incorporated into this story in a way that is believable and brought a very perfect ending to this enjoyable book.
I will be definitely looking at more of Tabitha’s work.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is going to be a hard review for me. First off let me say how much I loved this book!!!! Ava lost her fiance Tyson and ends up in a psychiatric ward after trying to end her life. I am pretty sure I cried throughout this whole book. Let me explain.....when I was 19 yrs old I lost my boyfriend in a motorcycle accident. I had just found out I was pregnant. I was happy and that happiness was torn away in an instant. No one understands how you feel. They say they do and they try to help buy nothing helps. This author captures it all. All the heartache, the despair, the anger, the feeling that all is lost. It is so real. I have read other books that have some of the same subject but they haven't come close to the feelings this book brought out in me. The patients she meets at the psychiatric ward are charecters you won't forget. You love them all and they stay with you. What really stays with you is the journey of Ava finally finding herself again. After all the pain and heartache she has gone through all hope is not lost. It's a beautiful story of a girl realizing that even though she is broken....she is still alive!!

[Jules M. Swyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Broken Glass” is a poignantly written book highlighting a young woman’s devastating loss of her fiancé and the aftermath of her downward spiral. Tabitha Freeman handled the sensitive topic of suicide and mental illness brilliantly.

While the supporting characters certainly added depth to the story, I feel as if they could have been developed further. Additionally, I was bothered by how Julianne handled the situation with Ava especially considering how much she appeared to be invested in Ava’s recovery initially.

Lastly, the timeline doesn’t make sense. Perhaps I misread or confused what was said. The prologue stated she was at Craneville Psychiatric Hospital for “one year, one month and five days”, however, wasn’t she initially committed for 60 days (around July), then extended to a year at the beginning of fall yet was released soon after the new year? That didn’t add up. It just seems significant.

Regardless, I would recommend this book!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one because it was from the same author as Ghost Story. It's a different genre but it still has some similarities that connect them. I read this one in much smaller increments than I did her previous book, but still felt anxious to pick it back up and continue reading to find out what happens. The writing was heartfelt and made me cry when she describes what Ava is going through with the loss she experiences. It really makes you think about where you would be if these things happened to you, even though it is light hearted in places as well.

[Alicia Huxtable · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definately one of the best I have read this year. the heartbreak and dispair are so palpable that even I found myself crying at times.
Here's a girl who has lost the love of her life and those around her just want her to move on and be ok. She ends up in a place with people that are perfect for helping her. They ar genuine and understanding alhough even they need to get a bit pushy. But in being there she learns that yes life can go on and yes she can love again.......

[Daniel Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it hat some people seem well equipped to handle tragedy, whereas others are consumed by it? In Broken Glass, we witness a girl shattered by tragedy who slowly finds the strength to put the pieces back together. It's a very heart-wrenching story, and it will challenge the way you regard mental illness.

[Melissa St peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely not the typical love story but it was so relatable. You start to feel the sadness Ava feels when she loses her love. She goes on this incredible downward spiral and you feel every ounce of pain and loneliness yet you keep reading knowing that it can't last forever. I think so far this is my 2nd favorite book by Freeman.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. I don't usually read books in 1 day, but I couldn't put this one down. There are sad parts, and the book did make me cry (which is another thing books don't usually do), but isn't that what a good book does, makes you laugh, or cry or frightened? I recommend this book highly.

[Kim Setser · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a nurse practitioner, I often deal with psychiatric patients, so I found this to be intriguing, although i think it would appeal more to a younger audience. I will look forward to more books by this author.

[Margaux Espinosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! it made me laugh and cry and had an amazing set of characters. there is so much truth in the words and story of this book, I loved every minute of it and couldn't put it down until I read it all the way through.

[Harmony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, I didn't love this book like so many others did. Too much bothered me... The doctors actions near the end, the way Ava responded to it, the whole odd side plot with Aurelia and Sam, and most of all the way Ava defined herself throughout this book.

[Julie Reveles (Juls ~ ILST BLOG) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! 5 stars! Let me just say u will need a box of tissues ... I seriously cried thru the whole book... The end was so sad too! I can't imagine going thru those last events with Tyson.. Love the book.. And thank God for Conner!

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

yikes, I didn't know this was a YA book when I started it, I was hoping for something a little more... It's no Psychophilia or Girl Interrupted but if you want all surface and kiddie pool and no 12 foot deep end stuff then I suppose its fine.

[Martha Woodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving novel I just couldn't put down. Well written and interesting. Recommend for all ages, but young adults will be the biggest fans of the book.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw

A very raw story of love, loss, depression and finding yourself again. Worth the time to read and break down!! Very raw and honest!

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple and easy read, but it does a good job of addressing deeper issues.