Broken Parts Included

by Alyson Root

For as long as Lydia Archer can remember, her life has been a balancing act between a tireless battle with her health and the tireless search for "the one." She's put herself out there time and again, yet still, has found nobody prepared for the rollercoaster of her mystery ailment. Persistent pain and dismissive doctors are Lydia’s constant shadow. Just as Lydia begins to think that her beloved pup Monty is the only one who can handle her brokenness, her sister’s best friend, Halle, steps in to save her health and quite possibly, her heart.
Just as Lydia is on the mend, the unexpected arrival of love threatens to throw everything off balance. And to top it off, as a friendship blossoms between Lydia and Halle, Lydia’s sister Fe finds herself grappling with her own whirlwind of emotions. Throw in the delightful chaos of Lydia's "niblings," Fe’s mischievous triplets, and this sapphic romance weaves a tale of healing and love, reminding us that sometimes both can be found in the most unexpected places.
Lydia's journey is one of resilience, family, self-discovery, and the promise that true love accepts us for the whole—broken parts included—because love has a way of piecing things back together.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Contemporary, Lesbian Fiction, Audiobook, Friends To Lovers

444 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

Alyson was born and raised in the heart of England. She moved to Paris in 2015 when she met her wife. Together they moved to the west of France where they now live with their two dogs and pet bird. Alyson spends her time running a small campsite and holiday home. During her off time, she loves to read lesbian romance books, write and Scuba Dive.

Reviews

[Stuffl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've already read a few books by Alyson Root and have been thrilled every time. That's why I was so looking forward to this book, especially because the blurb sounded so great. But somehow it rather disappointed me. The two main characters, Lydia and Halle, were likeable, without question, but I completely missed the chemistry between them. There was no attraction and the slow burn effect completely passed me by. The romance just didn't capture me. The situation with Lydia's controlling sister, who was also Halle's best friend, also got on my nerves in many places.

However, I was totally thrilled by the visibility of the disease “endometriosis”. Lydia has to struggle a lot with it and you learn a lot about the different faces of this agonizing disease. It's a really great portrayal and I was very surprised at all the symptoms. In general, Lydia's development was great. The fact that the book is written entirely from her pov gave her great depth and you couldn’t help but like her. This part was really well written.

I enjoyed the story in parts. Great character portrayal! Great depth! Great character development! Great focus on women's health! But the romance, the tingle, the sparks...I really missed that.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Alyson’s books, so I was very excited to read this and jumped at the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy. The plot focusses heavily on female reproductive health and mental health in relation to that and the medical system. As well as how it impacts relationships. Which is such a powerful and important story to be told. So I really enjoyed gaining a new perspective on something I haven’t seen in many fictional books that I’ve read so far. I sympathised with the MC so much.

The story follows Lydia, who has recently been broken up with again by another *insert insult that I can’t say on review platforms* due to the symptoms of her reproductive health issues. She is battling with the impact of how intricately intertwined her reproductive health issues is in every facet of her life and how little help she has been getting until her childhood crush and her sisters best friend, Halle steps in. I LOVED every second of how fierce she was in showing up for Lydia in that moment. The story also discusses Lydia’s mental health surrounding body dysmorphia and self esteem issues. Although they correlate to her reproductive health, they are also seperate issues that she is dealing with. It pulled at my heartstrings seeing all the things Lydia was dealing with. Lydia was navigating the issues surrounding her feelings for Halle and how her sister, Fe felt about that. She was completely against them even being friends, but made it clear they were off limits to each other. Which Fe has her own story within this story. Despite Fe being…well Fe, the tension between Lydia and Halle had me swooning. Some of the spicy scenes were OOF 🥵I went on quite the rollercoaster of emotions and it was well worth every second. The story also focuses on issues around sibling relationships and family overall. I overly loved the complexity of the characters, the plot and how it all ties together in the end. The star of the show for me was Monty, Lydia’s cute fur child. He has so much character, sass and is incredibly loveable.

The story although centred around Lydia, it also has both personality and story to the side characters Fe, Cathy and Harrison. Which really brings them to life. I LOVED Cathy. She was by far one of my favourite characters. She made things very…interesting. All characters are impactful to the plot in some way. Which is something that I love about Alyson’s writing. If you’re a fan of Alyson’s books, looking for a new spicy book or are wanting to read a romance that involves reproductive health, you’re going to love this. I would also recommend reading it purely because cute dog!

I received a free copy of this book from Alyson and am voluntarily leaving a review.

⭐️ 4
🌶️ 4

CW: Sexual content, body dysmorphia, reproductive health, medical system issues, cheating, divorce, alcohol
Rep: Pan MC, lesbian LI, body positivity

[Lady Olenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A thorough look into women’s health! It was such a brilliantly written story. The main character’s “mystery” malady was discussed so very intimately I was mind blown by how accurately it was portrayed.

All the side characters were written so “perfectly imperfect” as well and their personal development were all so natural and true to life that it was so easy to get invested in them. Safe to say, Alyson Root is now added to the list of authors of whom I read their entire bibliography.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A first… Not too bad a read 😊

A protagonist who is almost broken mentally, physically and emotionally, who is down with a medical condition and the other an ever supportive friend and eventual partner.

High 3+ ⭐️

[bookster · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this is a different novel! It deals with serious subjects, one of which blights many women’s lives but isn’t often acknowledged and certainly not in any sapphic romances I have read. However there is, at the heart of this book, a romance, so if that’s your niche, you will love this. This is not just a romance ‘tho, there is also an important reminder for those who perhaps don’t love the way they look….
There is also of course, as with many of this writers books, a good bit of humour. I smiled a lot and laughed out loud at several points.
Half way through I felt I’d been through the wringer already. This is not a sad or depressing book, in many ways I actually found it uplifting, but it is meaty and that to me is a good thing! It also feels real, real people, real situations and real life. I also read it in one sitting…. That’s how good this is!

[heather. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars 🌟

I’m a bit disappointed. This was set to be a 5 star but then towards the end Lydia was really starting to drive me nuts so it was going to be a 4.5… however when I say I HATED the end… I’m not going to spoil it for anyone but I just felt massively let down :(

That being said, it’s not going to stop me from reading anything else by Alyson Root because I really was loving this book for about 80% plus the sort of found family with Cathy, Harrison and Elise etc was really great to read about!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Lydia is a character I believe many women can relate to. We can all use a Halle in our life,

[Vita L. Licari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book deals with a female condition that a good number of women live with. But Lydia's male doctor isn't helping her, in steps her friend Halle who takes her to a female doctor and through tests discovers her problem and gives her the correct medication. But this is also a romance. Halle is Lydia's sister Fe's best friend. Halle has a secret that involves Lydia.
This touches upon physical health, mental health and love. Especially love! This is a favorite! 5 stars!

[abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

did I just read a different book to everyone else? the struggles with endometriosis were the most interesting part but it was almost like they were magically resolved at the end.

everything else was just super cringey. none of the characters acted like they were in their 30s, everything seemed to progress super quickly, and the whole situation with the nurse making Lydia realise her feelings for her friend during sex was just one big yikes.

[Aster]

I'm surprised that this author is as popular as she is given the quality of the dialogues

[SJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyson Root never disappoints! Broken Parts Included was a powerful story that delved heavily into the topic of female reproductive health (along with health care challenges) and the impact it can have on every facet of a person’s life. Relationships, family, mental health, jobs. This book was still very much a romance at its core. And, as with all of Alyson’s books, had a great deal of humor and spice throughout which I love! But it was so much more than that. It was a moving story about working through and overcoming physical and mental health struggles. A story about not just finding someone who loves you as you are, but about learning to love yourself completely and wholly - broken parts included. ❤️‍🩹

Lydia had my heart from the beginning. Her character was real and raw and her pain and suffering was captured in a way that felt truly authentic. My heart literally ached for her at times as I read her story and learned about her reproductive health issues and struggles with body dysmorphia. Her journey was deeply personal and incredibly beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed her friendship with Cathy and loved that she had such an amazing friend and coworker. Cathy CRACKED ME UP! And I was so glad to see Lydia begin to allow people into her life more as the story progressed and she came into herself more and found her power.

Fe really frustrated me at times. She had some good sisterly moments with Lydia, but her need to control continued to get worse throughout. She always showed up at the WORST possible moments like she had some sort of sixth sense or something! And I won’t go into details…but the way she behaved after “the moment” - ugh! I was so mad at her. I know she was going through a lot of her own struggles though, too. So I forgive her. But dang…she really was a clam jammer! 😤

And then there’s Halle. Oh Halle. 😍 Fe’s best friend and the one person that was truly off limits for Lydia. I freaking loved Halle. She was funny and sweet and charming. And the way she always showed up for Lydia, always seemed to know what she would need or want, fought for her and cared for her. SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL! 🥹 And just incredibly heartwarming. I absolutely loved these two together. They just…worked. Everything about them. They fit together perfectly and you could tell from early on that there was clearly a pull between them.

And of course…I can’t forget the most adorable and lovable little side character - Monty. I’m a sucker for a cute dog and Monty was the best little emotional support pup and companion Lydia could have asked for. Love that little guy!

This story had all the things I love about an Alyson Root book, and the way she handled these heavy topics was honest and raw, but also delicate and compassionate. In a word, this story was simply breathtaking. I highly recommend it!

I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest review.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Pansexual FMC, Lesbian LI

📝Tropes/Themes: Sapphic Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Best Friend’s Sister, Forbidden Love, Friends to Lovers, Secret Crush, Family Relationships, Mental Health, Reproductive Health, Sex Toys, Femme/Femme, Body Positivity

⚠️TW/CW: body dysmorphia, sexual content, depression, blood (periods), alcohol, cheating, divorce, mention of parental abandonment

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading the title of this novel, I was immediately drawn in, and when I read the blurb and realised that this novel was going to deal with heavier issues, I was completely sold on it. So, I was thrilled when I luckily got one of the ARC slots offered by the author.

A novel which focusses so heavily on female reproductive health, and the overwhelming impact it can have on every aspect of life is something that feels quite rare. Although I have read a few novels, and sapphic romances, where one of the female main characters has a gynaecological disease, it hasn’t been at the forefront of the books plot as is the case here. In my prior experience, it’s not really affected the character during the book, and it’s only really been mentioned in quite a throwaway manner i.e. a mention that the character no longer has periods following a hysterectomy because of her endometriosis as happened in one book I read. Here though we experience Lydia’s symptoms with her alongside the difficulties in getting medical professionals to take those symptoms seriously. I also appreciated that even when there was a diagnosis given and a treatment plan started, Lydia wasn’t magically cured.

But alongside the physical health side, there’s also discussion around Lydia’s body dysmorphia and her struggles with self-confidence and self-esteem. It is well done, and at times difficult to read because this is so well written. It’s easy to relate to Lydia and what she is experiencing because it does feel so realistic.

However, it is not just a story about Lydia. Although she is very much the main character, Halle, Fe and Cathy all have their own stories and struggles. In someways, one of my only criticisms of this book is that I would have perhaps liked to have had a dual perspective and got Halle’s side of the story. I wanted more of an insight into her mind and the way she experienced the events of the story. Particularly during the periods when Lydia and Halle were apart, I wanted to know more of what was going on with her.

I loved Halle as a character. The way she was there for Lydia was something that I really enjoyed, and if only everyone could find a Halle of their own. I absolutely adored the love story element in this and seeing how things developed between the two women. They just worked so well together and I was absolutely rooting for them throughout.
Although this book does cover some serious, meaty issues, there is still a fair amount of humour in there as well and it did have me smiling a lot. It provided a nice balance to the rest of the story. However, I am glad that the book didn’t shy away from the severity of what Lydia experiences, and I think these are things that need to be discussed more often.

There were elements of the epilogue that I wasn’t quite as keen on. It felt a little bit too perfect although Lydia’s issues around her body image were still very much present, the actual scenario just felt a bit much for me and given how realistic the rest of the novel felt I was disappointed. It is, however, a small thing in the grand scheme of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book though, and I’m very glad I read it. It was quite a quick read (I read it over 2 days) and I’ll definitely be reading more of Alyson Root’s books in the future.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was such an awesome book. So well written. Very nice spice that adds to the story. These characters were so relatable that I felt like I was a part of the story, having experienced the undiagnosed (thankfully not the doc though much that I went through was due to insurance and what had to be tried before other options could be looked at), having family members with anxiety and could hear myself in Halle. I feel so seen and supported and just good, just from reading this book. I thank the author for this arc! It will stay in my heart (and my kindle) forever.

[Andrea (looseleftlesbian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyson is amazing at writing such open, communicative characters. This book was a breath of fresh air to read. I loved that sex wasn’t the man focus and more so that the two love interests had conversations about sex—the kinds of sex, lack of sex, etc. More people need to be educated on endometriosis and the medical gaslighting that women with it (and women in general) go through.

Wow, wow, wow. I didn’t think I’d be able to finish another book by the end of the year, but Broken Parts Included had me hooked from the start and I couldn’t put it down! Yes, there was a lot of angst/drama but it wasn’t drama for drama’s sake. It had purpose & meaning. More importantly, it was realistic.

I adored Halle and how understanding she was. Lydia’s character is important for women and others to read. I can even appreciate Fe’s character arc even though I wanted to strangle her at times.

What an amazing book to end the year on.

[Ashley Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually give this about a 4.5 stars. Overall the book was very good! Very emotional book. I loved how Halle and Lydia’s relationship progressed. I wished it didn’t take them 20 years to get together. I mean in the beginning I get why Fe didn’t want her best friend dating her younger sister, but for it to go on for 20 years?!?! That’s just crazy. I loved how Halle was always being thoughtful and caring when it came to Lydia. Wanting to go to appointments, cooking her certain foods for her, etc!
I didn’t like the time gap between the last episode and the epilogue. One, it didn’t really tell us how long the gap was and two, Halle and Lydia trying for a baby AND their wedding wasn’t even talked about! :(
I how there will be a sequel though! I’d love to see how they are doing as a family, how Fe has learned to move on and if Cathy and Harrison stay together or not

[3DKing · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was a real nice book. Finding inner strength, still struggling with emotions, battling health problems, standing up for oneself, drawing up boundaries, leaning on friends, opening up.. so many heavy and important topics in story. Very impressive.

[Debbie Fahlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alyson has written a book that is a little different than what she normally writes, but it is just as good as her other books.

Lydia has suffered physical problems that are common to some women, but the doctor is discrediting her symptoms. Enter Halle, a childhood friend and her sister Fe’s best friend. Halle takes control and finds a solution. I love how Halle dismissed the doctor and stood by Lydia.

Fe was a brat, the word I really want for her, I can’t post here.
Join these three and see a love story that’s a slow burn but had deep roots for many years!

I received an ARC from the author

[Maelie Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,75

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel seen!

Lydia is a woman who is dealing with some medical and body issues and is trying to find answers/help. And she is seeking a loving partner. But those two pursuits have a way of colliding in hurtful ways. Her family is supportive (mostly or at least when convenient) and she has wonderful and funny coworkers and friends.

In essence, this book is a romance. But it includes an added dimension. Do you need to be perfect to find love? Or can love blossom in spite of medical and body issues? And, can an imperfect person believe they deserve love or even believe the person who is offering love is serious and won't bail?

I loved all the characters. They were caring and cheeky and smart and funny and occasionally bitchy. There were laughs and tears. The ending was absolutely perfect. I'd love to say just how it was completely on point and illuminated both the essence of love and the struggle to accept love, but you need the journey to get to the perfection of the ending.

I honestly think this is every woman's story in many, many ways (details might be different, but the feelings are so universal) … and it makes me feel seen!

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book and am providing an honest review.

📖

[Lydia Beskalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Book

The messages in this book are absolutely amazing. From dealing with a physical illness like endometriosis to mental like body dysmorphia. It was beautiful.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author never disappoints in my opinion and I have loved everything I have read by her so far. Broken Parts Included was phenomenal, Lydia has been through so much with little progress medically and finally Halle, her sister's best friend steps in to help and makes more progress than by accompanying her to one appointment than Lydia has made in nearly three years. In this extra time spent together Lydia starts to see Halle as more than just her sister's best friend only to find out that Halle has been pining after her for years. The character development throughout the book takes us through all the feels and is so relatable especially if you've been through issues with endo or pcos. You can really put yourself in Lydia's shoes and feel the frustration for her and then the elation when she finally starts to get some answers and resolutions. This is definitely one to move to the top of your TBR list!

[Hope Freed · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s tough being a woman sometimes…

This book is written in third person but very much from the perspective of lovely Lydia, owner of cute dog, Monty. Lydia is the sister of Fe (mother of the triplet terrors) and good friend of work colleagues Cathy and Harrison. There’s also Fe’s best friend Halle, who Lydia starts to develop a deeper relationship with… but things certainly aren’t smooth sailing as various drama’s and issues unfold. No spoilers from me on how the plot plays out!
Whilst there is a lightness to some of the dialogue and situations in this, it also tackles some serious subjects. Lydia has a very poor self-image. She doesn’t believe that she is particularly beautiful or desirable, and thinks her sister has won the genetic lottery. She also suffers significantly from some ‘women’s issues’ which affect her pain levels and her mood and which aren’t taken seriously by her treating clinician.
I related to some of the body issues Lydia has in this. When younger, I had the same medical condition (which fortunately didn’t affect me as badly as it does her, but did impact my fertility). In terms of ‘loving yourself’, I understand the difficulties. I’ve had to deal with major gynaecological issues and breast cancer - both have left significant scarring. I’m now carrying a bit more weight than I should. Add on a type of muscular dystrophy affecting my mobility and it can be very difficult to love yourself - your body seems to be determined to trip you up! But what it does do, is build resilience, and that’s what Lydia develops in this. Not all issues are resolved by the conclusion of this book and she definitely has ‘wobbles’, but she ends up with just the right person to bolster her. You sense that she really is making progress in feeling good about herself too. And that’s definitely something to be happy about…

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully funny romance written with incomparable, charming British humor. I love it!
This was my first book by Alyson Root and I‘m so happy I got an ARC, because I have a weakness for second-chance and friends-to-lovers romance.
I also think the cover is incredibly beautiful.
The book is about the very sweet Lydia Archer and her not-so-easy life and love life.
She lives in constant pain and is regularly disappointed by the world and people.
Her doctor doesn't take her seriously, she's just been dumped again and her sister is her best friend, but also a challenge.
Then there's Halle…the wonderful, beautiful Halle is her sister's best friend.
She's so sweet and in a really desperate moment of Lydia‘s life, she's the one who saves Lydia's health and somewhat her life!
She is perfect, but also taboo!
There are many reasons for this, but the main one is Fy, her sister, but don't want to give anything away!

It is a novel full of colorful, funny and true-to-life characters, almost all of whom I immediately fell in love with.
Halle and Lydia's story is warm, bumpy, a little slow, but still very hot!! I wasn't expecting this, but I was extremely pleasantly surprised. Wonderful, funny (I had to laugh out loud so many times), romantic and also profound.
Self-doubt, betrayal, childhood trauma and love for yourself are also topics, that are taken into account and made me think.
Nevertheless, Root managed to create a very well balance romance of light and deep with lots of humor.
Thanks to Alyson Root for this fantastic read and the ARC!

[Red Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem of a book from Alyson Root. This time the underlying story is about the struggles of someone who lives with an undiagnosed condition that impacts on all aspects of her life but especially her sex/love life. The author handles the subject in a sensitive manner particularly highlighting the lack of understanding from people - despite many being well meaning but it also shows Lydia’s isolation and negative images of herself.

However, having said all that, Alyson Root has managed to write a book that is funny, has great characters and takes us on a journey of discovery of love that sees beyond the ‘broken parts and hope for those in similar situations. There are so many layers to this book it was amazing and was a joy to read.
Huge thanks to Alyson Root for the ARC.

[Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant story about overcoming pain and hurt and moving on with your life, told in a sympathetic way we hear about Lydia, who has some long term health issues. She has fancied her sister’s best friend Halle, for ever, but never moved to try for more as her sister was against her building a relationship with Halle. But when the chips are down and Lydia needs support, Halle comes to the rescue. This is a lovely, well written romance, with great main and supporting characters that I know I will read again and again. Would highly recommend,

[Juniper L.H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel! Absolutely amazing! This novel was incredible for so many reasons and succeeded on so many different levels. It was an emotional roller coaster that expertly balanced serious topics with lighthearted humor, cute moments, and spicy romance. There were multiple plotlines woven through this novel that overlapped and intersected to create a rich tapestry that was very satisfying. I wish that this novel had been longer because I absolutely adored it and I was sad when it was done. Recommend to all!

Highlights:
-Aside from being a romance, this novel focused on some very serious topics. Many of which, are not often discussed enough so this was excellent. The discussion of female reproductive health and the difficulties women face navigating the medical system were very well done. A lot of people don’t realize how difficult it can be to be taken seriously by doctors as a woman, particularly with regards to reproductive issues. Endometriosis is particularly difficult to get diagnosed and/or treated and it absolutely does not need to be! Female pain is minimized or dismissed far too much and it is an issue people need to be more aware of. Additional shout-out to representation for body dysmorphia and the other mental health issues Lydia was facing .
-I loved their relationship! It was so supportive, they were so cute together, and their dynamic was absolutely delightful. It was immediately obvious that there was something special between these two characters and it was fun to witness Lydia realizing it. Halle was perfect and amazing, and I loved how she took the time to figure out exactly how to support Lydia in the ways that SHE needs.
-I also loved Fe! She wasn’t always being great to the other characters, but she was a perpetual delight to me as a reader. I liked how she had some significant plotlines of her own in addition to being a supporting character in the main plot. Fe was struggling with her own issues just as much as any other character and I loved her dynamic with Lydia over the course of the novel.
-All of the other characters! This novel was a grand success in terms of characters as there were a sizable cast of side characters who were well developed and contributed meaningfully to the plot. This contributed significantly to the novel feeling so full and “real”.
-Lots of female empowerment on display in this novel, in a lot of different ways. Lydia faced her challenges and regained control over her life, pushing forward for to find her happiness. Fe stood up for herself and her independence, showing that she was capable and did not need to tolerate being mistreated. Cathy was simply empowering all-round on multiple levels.

[Suzi Vilkman (Hautaniemi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect and relatable

A rough condition can cause a multitude of problems in life. Especially love life. It can take time to find the perfect support system and the special person who is perfect for you. The perfect person can also be closer than you think.

All the characters in this story are relatable and brilliant. The story develops into a phenomenal love story between two characters who have known each other for years already.

[yorkie28 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like I'm reading a bad fanfic