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Beautiful Broken Love

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From New York Times bestselling author Shanora Williams comes an emotional page-turner about two people still reeling from tragedy who look to each other for the strength to move forward.

It’s been months since her dreams of forever were brutally shattered. Seven long months since her husband and soulmate, Lew, died in her arms, leaving her to carry on. Alone. And Davina Klein-Roberts still isn’t sure how to move forward.

To escape her anguish, Davina throws everything into work, pushing Golden Oil Co., her self-built skincare line, to become a viral success. Now she’s poised to clinch a major endorsement deal too. But it’s bittersweet without Lew by her side.

A meeting with Deke Bishop, the hot NBA star she’s courting for her brand, leaves Davina flustered. With his dimpled smile and warm handshake, Deke’s a natural pitchman. And he’s clearly interested—not only in her lotions.

Davina soon discovers that Deke’s more than just another player and carries his own pain. But as her feelings for him grow, so does her guilt. Will the pain of a future already lost keep her from embracing hope for a new one?

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 3, 2024

1997 people are currently reading
10321 people want to read

About the author

Shanora Williams

77 books6,828 followers
Shanora Williams is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty romance and diverse suspense novels.
She currently lives near Charlotte, North Carolina and is the mother of three amazing boys, has a fiercely devoted and supportive husband, and is a sister to eleven.
When she isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her family, binge reading, or running marathons on TV streaming services. Visit her at shanorawilliams.com or interact with her on Instagram @reallyshanora.

Follow me:
Instagram: Instagram.com/reallyshanora
Facebook: Facebook.com/ShanoraWilliamsAuthor
Facebook Fan Group: Facebook.com/groups/ShanorasSweethearts
Twitter: Twitter.com/shanorawilliams

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5 stars
1,913 (47%)
4 stars
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3 stars
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30 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 753 reviews
Profile Image for Shawnaci Schroeder.
540 reviews4,756 followers
March 8, 2025
5/5 ⭐️
- FIRST FIVE STAR READ OF THE YEAR!! I already want to read this book again because it was just SO GOOD!! If you’ve ever navigated your way through grief, this book will absolutely break your heart and put it back together again.
- The love story felt so raw, honest, and REAL. Deke was everything!! Such a fast paced read!! I found myself underlining so many sections of this book.
- Really hope that this book gets all of the hype it deserves because it’s truly an incurable read!!
Profile Image for Cara.
558 reviews1,008 followers
December 11, 2024
If you don't know me by now, hi, I love pain and heart breaking stories. I'm so ready for all the pain and heart break to come my way

REVIEW TO COME😭💔😭💔!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Kezia Duah.
497 reviews656 followers
March 29, 2025
3.5⭐️

I can’t shake the feeling that I was supposed to like this way more than I actually did😞. Honestly, I really thought I was going to love this one. The way it started had me thinking ya’ll were about to get sick of me because I’d be talking about it non-stop. But as the story went on, it just wasn’t hitting me the way I expected. That said, it was still an enjoyable ride, and I’m glad I decided to hop on.

Grief is such a tender, heartbreaking, messy thing, and I really felt for Davina throughout the story. Deke had his own grief to carry, and his backstory definitely tugged at my heart too. At its core, this book is about how grief connects them, and I think Williams did a solid job of showing how hard it is to open your heart again after loss. The way their grief was written felt so raw. Anyone who’s been through something similar would probably be in shambles reading those parts.

Now, outside of the grief? Oof… I don’t know, y’all. I guess they probably looked cute together? Haha, maybe. Their chemistry was just okay for me. Individually, I liked them — Davina is a boss, hardworking and beautiful, and Deke is also dedicated in his own way. But I can’t lie… he gave me the ick way too many times. He was lowkey creepy here and there, and the only reason I didn’t completely write him off was because we got his POV. Without that, I honestly wouldn’t have thought he was good enough for Davina.

And the ending? Meh. It was just okay…..dare I say, a little cringey. But hey, that’s fine! I’m still glad I picked this up and I’m definitely not deterred from checking out more of Williams’s work.
Profile Image for BookmarkedByAlia.
271 reviews249 followers
February 4, 2025
4.5⭐️rounded up!!

Wow, Shanora did her thing with this one.
The title is exactly what this story was-beautifully broken love.
Love can be found after loss without forgetting the memory and erasing them from your life.
This was displayed beautifully with Davina and Deke. Soulmates are a real thing and in this story it shows that you may find that person twice in a lifetime.
Davina was scared to move on, Deke was afraid to love but in the end they found a way.
Ugh, this story pulled at my little heartstrings a million times.
The quotes in this one almost took me out but I put those big girl panties on and pushed through.
10/10 recommend 🩷🕊️💔
Profile Image for chasc.taylor_reads.
443 reviews33 followers
May 3, 2025
4.5 Stars ✨

Ooooohhh y’all were right about this one! 😏👏🏾

I enjoyed this! I liked the characters and the dynamics of their relationship. There was grief, love, forgiveness, tension, steaminess. Whew! These are some of the best sex scenes I’ve read (more often than not I find them cringey).

I think the basketball aspects were well balanced.

Beautiful Broken Love is the perfect title for this book. It’s worth all the hype! Add Deke to the book boyfriend list!
Profile Image for Just A Girl With Spirit.
1,404 reviews13.3k followers
December 3, 2024
This book gave me those “old school Shanora” vibes. This is a book dealing with heavy topics - loss, grief finding friendship and turning into lovers. You could feel Shanora’s heart in her writing as she is pouring onto the page emotions from the death of her brother. I’m truly in awe of the amazing talent she possesses. She is an incredible multi genre writer and does it well!! This book was a slow roast in the chemistry, sexual tension, flirtation etc..but when it hit it went up to a broil that caused road “swervation.” I literally texted Shanora after listening to the office scene while driving and told her I wasn’t hit like this in a while. Job well done!!

Davina, recently lost her husband and takes control of her company pouring herself into it to escape her grief. Deke is an NBA basketball star who has his own story that unfolds around the grief he’s experienced. Deke signs onto be a rep for Davina’s company and sparks immediately fly and the game is on!!! Love this story so much and I’m really hoping that Shanora writes more because there are a couple other characters I’m invested in also.
Profile Image for LaToya Lee.
353 reviews
December 7, 2024
Grief and unexpected love. I enjoyed this love story although it was heavy 💕
Profile Image for Elle G. Reads.
1,899 reviews1,022 followers
December 4, 2024
Shanora Williams is an incredible writer! She’s written some of my favorite books like The Ward Duet (emotional love triangle) and The Cane series (age gap, father’s best friend) and this book is going on that list too. WOW! The emotions this one brings about SHOCKED me. It’s been so long since a book made me cry so when the tears started falling while I was reading this one, I was shook. But I wasn’t surprised because Williams writes books that make her readers feel like they’re living in her characters shoes. Anyways, this book deals with grief and finding love after loss. Davina, who has recently lost her husband is pouring her life into her company when she meets Deke, an NBA star who starts to rep for her. Love is the last thing on either of their minds though as Deke is also grieving. But when the friendship turns into more neither one can stop the explosion of chemistry… This is a beautiful love story, and I think anyone who enjoys books that pull on the heartstrings and makes you FEEL will love this one as much as I did.

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for sashenka &#x1f5a4;.
387 reviews111 followers
February 21, 2025
2.15 ⭐

I don't know who bothered me the most between the two MCs. I mean, the FMC does have reasons to be the way she is but it bothered me way too much how she handled her relation with the MMC when she was scared. I didn't like the MMC but he deserved a little more than being ghosted every time.

Speaking of the MMC, I didn't care about him, at all. I don't know why we got his sad story at the very end of the book, we could have avoided it. Also, I don't know if I misinterpreted his POV but between "If only she knew I hadn’t slept with a woman since meeting her . . . and by sleeping with, I mean actual intercourse. I hadn’t felt the urge to sleep with a woman unless her first name started with a D and her last name with a K." (what do you mean, actual intercourse???) and "I’d had some encounters with other women the last few weeks, but ever since meeting Davina, it wasn’t the same. It never went past the point of them having my dick in their mouths, and I stopped messing around with Giselle after the last time I saw her." (what do you mean dick in their mouths?????) but... this dude was a whore and I couldn't cheer for him.

Their relation was only based on sex, I couldn't believe in their 'love story'. Until the end, they admitted they didn't really know each other but they were already in love.
This was my first time reading about a widow FMC and I don't think I enjoyed it. She said he was the love of her life but she couldn't stop comparing her husband with the MMC, about how she was more... herself? Can't it be just different without especially being better? Anyway, the comparing was annoying.

It was also my first time reading this author, and I don't know if I'll try again. I'm not a big fan when side characters are too present in the story (or maybe FMC's sister and MMC's teammate will have a book too?) but if that's just a standalone, I didn't see the point.
Profile Image for Maren’s Reads.
1,209 reviews2,257 followers
January 11, 2025
Widow Davina Klein-Roberts struggles to process the grief of losing her husband while building a successful skincare line. When she signs an endorsement deal with NBA star Deke Bishop to help promote her line, sparks fly.

I am such a fan of the angsty, emotional romances that incorporate grief and learning to love again. Shanora Williams’ Beautiful Broken Love does this and more. This sweet, slow burn love story between two strong MCs, both working to overcome their own tragedies, is perfectly counterbalanced with all of the heat and chemistry Williams is known for. It is hard not to become emotionally invested in Deke and Davina’s relationship and I quickly found myself rooting for their happy ending.

🎧 The audiobook is narrated by Aure Nash and Sean Bassett who do a fantastic job of bringing these characters to life. I alternated between audio and print and enjoyed both formats equally.

Read if you like:
▪️sports romance
▪️forced proximity
▪️he falls first
▪️workplace romance
▪️second chance at love

Thank you MBC Books and Brilliance Publishing for the gifted copies.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
48 reviews21 followers
December 14, 2024
This book had me deep in my feels from start to finish I’m talking sobbing, gasping, and clutching my chest! The mix of romance and grief was just too much (in the best way). And Deke? Whew, that man did NOT play about what he wanted, and I loved every second of it, period! Shanora really put her whole heart into this one and ate it UP.

Also the audiobook for this is 🔥
Profile Image for Camryn O'Conner.
705 reviews71 followers
January 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ rounded down 2 🌶️. this has its moments but i don’t think id read again
Profile Image for Kiarra.
122 reviews12 followers
May 11, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ I’ve read 3 thrillers by Shanora prior to this, and I can say they’re okay but not my favorite for that genre. But honey this romance novel 🤌🏽 loved it! This is Kennedy Ryan level good!! However, I’m realizing I don’t prefer when romance stories have so much going on (heavy topics). This is still a good story, but there’s a lot thrown at you from multiple characters.

⚠️ TW include death, grief, suicide, domestic abuse, alcoholism, and panic attacks.
Profile Image for ✨Shay✨.
189 reviews10 followers
May 23, 2025
No Just no.

Other than sex what did devina and this man have in common????

I’ve never been more happy to have a book end!

Just a whole lot of nonsense with no real plot.
Profile Image for The Love Librarian.
731 reviews1,367 followers
November 10, 2024
The exploration between grief and love in Davina and Deke’s story was organic and relatable. Davina recently lost her husband, and has thrown herself into her company to escape facing the severity of her grief. Deke, an NBA player, has his own journey with grief we learn more about as the book goes on.

I love when a hero meets the heroine, and immediately knows there’s something about her that he can’t let go. What started as Deke being a rep for Davina’s company lead to a friendship and eventual romance that allows both of them to open up about their respective healing journeys. They deserved an HEA. I’m glad they were patient when their grief caused them to lash out or shut down because we all deserve someone who will still be there for us in our moments of weakness.

I would’ve liked to see Deke’s grief journey a little more, as I felt like the book primarily focused on Davina’s journey. I felt that Deke’s issues were a bit rushed towards the end, given how long he’d had his feelings bottled up. However, I recognize that this book reflected the author’s grief journey with the loss of her brother and I appreciated her personal note towards the end.

Whether it’s contemporary, fantasy or thriller, this author is multi-talented! I hope this becomes a series because the author hinted at a couple that I am VERY invested in!
Profile Image for Gina Loves 2 Read .
144 reviews40 followers
February 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Amazing!! I LOVED Davina and Deke's story! It was truly beautiful, broken love!

The journey of grief was so well written. It isn't linear, and it doesn't look the same for everyone. I could feel the emotions of the characters radiating off the pages.

While the main characters definitely stole the show, I have to give some appreciation to the supporting characters - especially Octavia, Javier and Tish!

This was my first book by Shanora Williams and she has left a lasting impression. I'll never forget this story! 💕
Profile Image for Shelby (catching up on 2025 reviews).
1,005 reviews167 followers
December 7, 2024
Angsty. Steamy. Passionate. Emotionally-charged. The story follows workaholic Davina and NBA superstar Deke. Davina, who's still reeling from the recent loss of her husband, embarks on a journey of healing and a second chance at love. Ooof my heart! 😭 I LOVED THIS! 🙌🏼 Fans of Kennedy Ryan won't want to miss this one!

📌 Available on KU as ebook or audiobook
Profile Image for Clash.
65 reviews4 followers
August 25, 2025
As someone who is navigating life after losing a fiancé, this book spoke to the depths of my soul. The push and pull of moving forward and opening up. The fear and anticipation of new love. Wow just wow! I love love loved this book! I’m ordering a hard copy just to have on my shelf. One of my new favorite books!
Profile Image for Taylor.
226 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2024
Davina is one of the most annoying FMC’s I’ve read all damn year.
Profile Image for Darcy J..
329 reviews
December 10, 2024
3.5-4⭐️ 4 🌶️ "Beautiful Broken Love" Shanora Williams 
ARC Review
Shanora is a new to me author and I am not mad at all that this was my first read.

"If only she knew I'd give her the world if she let me." 

Is it possible to have two soulmates in one lifetime? This was a heavy story and the one thing I kept saying as we navigated through the past and present for Deke and Davina is "I want you to go to therapy" - both of them...and bring along the families as well. 

The supporting characters were everything and they gave the best advice to these two. Love Javier, Octavia and Tish. And what's going on with Javier and sis? 👀Hmm...

One thing these two could not deny was their chemistry. They were hot and heavy 😏. But I also wish we spent more time on their healing process. There was no doubt that the love was there first from Deke. He fell hard. I just hope Davina is truly healed from her brokenness and Deke as well. They dealt with some heavy trauma and I would love to see what the healed or more healed than now versions of them look like. I hope we can hear from Deke and Davina more in the future. 
✨He Falls First
✨Sports Romance
✨Workplace Romance 
✨Grief/Death of Loved Ones - Check Your Triggers 
Profile Image for Carolyn Norman.
784 reviews11 followers
January 15, 2025
Have you ever lost a spouse, a parent, a child or even a good friend? Then you know that grief is an overwhelming cloud that totally eviscerates you. And even years later that grief can pop up unexpectedly and overwhelm you all over again.

That’s how this book starts with Davina’s husband dying in their early 30s. He’s been gone for 9 months and she’s still trying to find her footing. So she spends all of her time making her company and brand into a success.

That’s how she meets Deke, a professional NBA player. He’s known for rubbing lotion on his arms before he takes the court. Davina makes a pitch for him to be a celebrity endorser of her products and he accepts. There’s a connection from their first meeting.

This book explores grief, childhood abuse, childhood abandonment and finding yourself after a huge loss. And in the midst of all that, finding love when you least expect it.

It was a fantastic read and Deke and Davina get their HEA. The characters were so well developed. You got to understand their motivations and why they moved the way they did. I thoroughly enjoyed Deke and Davina’s story. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Cydney.
504 reviews42 followers
March 2, 2025
Oh my God!

This is such a beautiful love story. Deke and Davina were flawed, scarred, and perfect for one another. While I did grow frustrated with the push and pull at one point, the wait was so worth it, and I actually think that, while frustrating, both Deke and Davina's journeys with grief and healing made everything make so much more sense. I think that the subplot of Davina's company being what tied them together was well done without being overwhelming, and I appreciated how Deke playing basketball was written because sometimes I get lost in the sports aspect of sports romance LOL.

I have only read a few books by Shanora Williams at this point, but this is by far my favorite! The writing was beautiful, engaging, and devastating, and I really enjoyed my time with these characters—as well as a set up for a potential sequel for supporting characters (please????)!

The spice was hotttt, honey. I think that those scenes being balanced with the high angst was perfectly executed, and Deke fell first, the way it should be!

I absolutely loved this and thought the audio was amazing as well!

5 ⭐️s
3 🌶️
Profile Image for Angie.
85 reviews14 followers
February 14, 2025
Deke was perfect 😍 Davina wa working mine nerves a bit. I know your grieving and there is no right or wrong way but damn lol
Profile Image for Stormitimereads.
34 reviews3 followers
April 4, 2025
Two days is really fast for me but I could hit out this down. I listen on audio and so glad I got the. Physical during Amazon book sale. Will definitely recommend this to all my friends that love romance.
Profile Image for Jai.
201 reviews2 followers
February 20, 2025
6⭐️s

If you wanna be destroyed and then be picked back up just to be destroyed again but finally picked back up… THIS IS FOR YOU!

Literally in the MIDDLE; 50% IN. I was SOBBING.

Davina and Deke broke me to pieces!! The love Deke showed had my heart aching.

I’m not going to lie I did not shed one tear when it came to Davina and her feelings for her late husband. Now the flash back to when he actually died broke my heart.

Grief and depression is a scary thing when we let it take over. At times I wanted to shake her so hard to yell or scream ‘IT WASN’T YOUR FAULT.’

And Lewis mother ain’t make it no better. I would have been told Ms. Thang she can’t be popping up at the home without calling and me VERBALIZING THAT ITS OK TO COME.

Deke accepting his father had me tearing up as well. Cause people can change and sometimes it’s hard to let go that hurt go.

This story was an emotional rollercoaster with a few fun turns and twist.
Profile Image for Monique B..
192 reviews12 followers
June 28, 2025
This is my first Shanora romance & I was hooked from the start. So many topics are intertwined into this love story - grief, finding & accepting new love, forgiveness and moving forward with life.  And I made a new book boyfriend - Deke! 🥵 He falls first & is so patient with Davina. Being a pro basketball player didn't stop him from making time for her. Their relationship seemed so genuine & honest. That's what I love to read about! 🩷

This book was a little sad (and has bits a drama)...but I was rooting for Davina to give Deke a full chance! Plus the spice was spicing 🙃.  

There are a few triggers (death, abuse, alcoholism anxiety/panic attacks, etc) so read up on those before diving in.
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