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Broken Things
We're all a little bit broken, aren't we?
Young widow Tracie Shaw may be more than most. She spends her days hidden away, making beautiful treasures out of other people's trash. When she finds someone's abandoned ashes in a storage bin auction, her life begins to change. When she meets a woman who might have a clue as to where the ashes came from and what they mean, her life turns upside down.
In this tale of friendship and loss, magical realism takes a backseat to the everyday magic in Broken Things.
Young widow Tracie Shaw may be more than most. She spends her days hidden away, making beautiful treasures out of other people's trash. When she finds someone's abandoned ashes in a storage bin auction, her life begins to change. When she meets a woman who might have a clue as to where the ashes came from and what they mean, her life turns upside down.
In this tale of friendship and loss, magical realism takes a backseat to the everyday magic in Broken Things.
110 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Lori B. Duff
10 books63 followersLori Duff is a two-time winner of the Georgia Bar Journal's fiction competition and a popular humor Blogger. Her humorous essays have won multiple awards, including the Foreword Indies Gold Medal for humor, and first place in the National Society for Newspaper Columnists in the humor category. She also writes fiction. Her novella, Broken Things, won the Georgia Independent Author of the Year Award for Literary Fiction. Her novel, Devil's Defense, the first in the Fischer at Law Series, won the GIAYA award for Legal Thrillers, and is a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards. Devil's Hand, the next in the series, is forthcoming in October 2025 from She Writes Press.
By day, she is the managing law partner of Jones & Duff, LLC and wages war for a living. She prefers making people laugh.
Lori is married to her husband of 26 years, Mike, and together they have two grown children and a rescue dog.
By day, she is the managing law partner of Jones & Duff, LLC and wages war for a living. She prefers making people laugh.
Lori is married to her husband of 26 years, Mike, and together they have two grown children and a rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 17, 2025
I loved the way Ms. Duff wove together the stories of four people that needed release from grief and needed to know the truth that was denied them. I read this in one sitting.
Lori Duff is becoming one of my new favorite authors.
Lori Duff is becoming one of my new favorite authors.
December 14, 2023
Wanting to know what’s next
This touching novella is quickly read, but not easily forgotten. I found myself enchanted by the elements of magic realism paired with a relatable story of a young woman trying to piece her life back together, literally and figuratively, after the death of her husband. The uplifting end to the story left me wanting more and hoping for a sequel sharing Tracie’s recovery and new adventures with her art and new friends.
This touching novella is quickly read, but not easily forgotten. I found myself enchanted by the elements of magic realism paired with a relatable story of a young woman trying to piece her life back together, literally and figuratively, after the death of her husband. The uplifting end to the story left me wanting more and hoping for a sequel sharing Tracie’s recovery and new adventures with her art and new friends.
December 31, 2023
Lovely Book
"Broken Things" is a unique story, a brisk and compelling read with evocative, propulsive language. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this novella!
"Broken Things" is a unique story, a brisk and compelling read with evocative, propulsive language. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this novella!
October 3, 2023
This is a fascinating story. Perfect title, believable characters and dialogue, and just-right pacing. The author lets the possibilities dawn on the reader gradually. Lori Duff is a master storyteller!
September 11, 2023
This novella is so engaging that I couldn't stop listening (purchased on Audible.) I'm often suspicious of an author who reads their own book (i.e. Harvey Fierstein) but Duff did an amazing job reading her own compelling work. It is amazing to me that she was able to create captivating characters that I really liked, while intertwining with fantasy and magic. I finished this book in two settings.
One of my favorite things about the book, other than it being a page-turner, was the intricate details that Duff wove in the book. The coke v. Diet coke thing was hilarious, and meaningful. The blue jay who kept knocking on the window. Tracey's visceral feelings about the ashes, in and out. Maria's laugh. And she managed to work in some major league baseball, always a crowd favorite.
Congratulations, Ms. Duff, on a successful book. It was a very enjoyable read.
One of my favorite things about the book, other than it being a page-turner, was the intricate details that Duff wove in the book. The coke v. Diet coke thing was hilarious, and meaningful. The blue jay who kept knocking on the window. Tracey's visceral feelings about the ashes, in and out. Maria's laugh. And she managed to work in some major league baseball, always a crowd favorite.
Congratulations, Ms. Duff, on a successful book. It was a very enjoyable read.
February 13, 2025
The author takes you on a surprising yet comforting ride of the practical, creative, and ghostly, all woven into characters who areas well developed as many I’ve encountered in longer stories. They’re attractive and relatable without being too cute. Maria’s and Tracie’s unlikely meeting and subsequent friendship, as well as their struggles with the supernatural and its role in their separate grief journeys, is engaging and realistic. Lori Duff’s novella is sentimental without being sappy, and the ending left me completely satisfied. She is quite the storyteller.
May 14, 2025
We proudly announce that BROKEN THINGS by Lori B. Duff has been honored with the prestigious B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). This honor places it among a distinguished group of award-winning, reader-recommended works at indieBRAG. This award is a testament to this book's quality and its impact on readers.
September 14, 2025
This was such a comforting read. The continual messaging of the possibilities of broken things to still have so much worth was really encouraging. It definitely gave the feeling of a warm hug from someone you love.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews