Shattered Dreams

by Ivy Penn

Sometimes you make bad decisions, and you don't realize how bad they are until it's too late.

Like leaving the love of my life because I thought it was the right thing to do.

Or marrying an asshole who kept me barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen, away from my friends and family.

Or making excuses for his behavior.

When I got a chance to fix it, by escaping and coming home, I had to take it. Even though it meant swallowing my pride.
And to pour salt into an open wound, the man I was in love with became my savior when my van broke down.

Life is finally looking up.

Until I discover that all the best decisions in the world don't make up for the secret I'd kept.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Ivy Penn is a multi-genre romance author who has a macabre sense of humor and loves horror movies. Growing up as a single child, she was often lonely and began creating characters to entertain herself. Now she shares her stories with her readers. Dark, morally grey, sweet, or dirty. Her belief is that all stories bloom in thier own way. She lives in the midwestern United States with her husband and daughter. Her hobbies include drinking coffee, video games, and cooking.

Reviews

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Jo and Richard. The author does a great job developing their story and painting her scenes perfectly. She tells the story in the dual POV and takes you into their lives with both dealing with past abuse, a secret and a roller coaster of emotions with both laughter and tears. It's well written, moves fluidly and is a page turner.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Allison Comis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series so far. This is book 3. This was about JoLynn. She was in love with Richard but she ended up leaving because of things he said to her one day. She ended up marrying Johnny. He was great at first and then things changed after their first child was born. She ended up having 5 kids with him. One day she found out her mom was not doing great when her dad called and she said that she couldn’t go anywhere because she had no money. He sent her some. She was getting ready to sneak away when he told he was leaving to go out with his friend. She took that opportunity to pack as much as she could and left. Her car broke down when she was almost to her dad’s house. She called him and he called a tow truck. Turns out it was Richard who went out. Everything changed for them after that. Loved this book.

[Beks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, having read it in a day and could not put it down!

The book features compelling characters with Jo and Richard. Strong lead characters where Jo overcomes domestic violence and finds her knight in shining armour in Richard. It takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions, experiencing the effect of domestic abuse on Jo's self worth as well as the kids development. The kids add cute humour and just makes you love them immediately. Richard is the perfect hero, being not only a savior to Jo but to the kids as well.

The author narrates the story from dual perspectives, providing insight into both characters' lives, thoughts and emotions, while also exposing us to how their relationship develops over time. We get to see both characters dealing with their own struggles while helping each other navigate theirs.

There's curveballs and heartbreak thrown into their path to happiness but they are able to overcome it against all odds and have a happy ending they both deserve.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LaShanna R. Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believing she would be in the way of his future, Jolynn Whitman Evans has ended her high school romance with her best friend and next-door-neighbor, Richard Parks, with a “Dear John” letter, unfortunately walking right into a violent marriage. Ten years and five beautiful kids later, Jolynn has finally found the courage to leave and return home with her young children. Now co-owner of a thriving auto care shop, Richard, who has never stopped loving Jolynn, immediately welcomes her home, treating her children as his very own. But even the love and safety of a strong family will be tested when Jolynn’s husband sets out to reclaim his family, while Jolynn harbors a painful secret that may rip her and Richard apart for good.

The beauty in Ivy Penn’s “Shattered Dreams” is a warm and heartfelt journey displaying the reality many married mothers face in our society. Through the darkness, we see the love and humanity in the hearts of Richard’s family. Having grown up in an abusive household himself, Richard, the oldest of three brothers, is for certain a mama’s boy. Through him and his two brothers, Jeremy and Cooper, we see the love their mother was able to instill in them as children despite the violence they all experienced growing up, which enables Richard to be the strength Jolynn and her children need when her ex-husband, John, comes calling.

The poetic way Ivy tells this story will make you believe in the power of love and family despite the tragic journey both Richard and Jolynn have had to endure. In the end, we find that even in the midst of extreme pain and tragedy, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel because love will always win.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jolynn (Jo) and Richard’s story is emotional, entertaining and riveting. Young Jo left town and the man she loved because she believed she was a detriment to his dreams for his future. A decade later, with five small children by her side Jo has found her way back to her home town after finally escaping her controlling and abusive husband. She isn’t looking for romance or a relationship, because everything takes a backseat to her kids and providing a better life for them. She never expected her high school sweetheart, the man she could never forget, to offer her and her children support and assistance. Richard shows both Jo and her kids that they are worthy of love. He is the epitome of the cinnamon roll hero with an inner core of steel that appears when her ex comes to take Jo and the kids back. When Jo’s secret is finally revealed, she fears that Richard will turn his back on her. Nothing could be further from the truth. Richard and his family shower Jo and her adorable kids with the love and affection that has been missing from their lives. There are so many moments that made me tear up, but also many moments, usually involving the kiddos, that made me laugh or smile.

This second chance at love romance is well worth reading and I am happy to recommend it.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miss Ivy Penn knows how to write beautifully tragic and compelling stories that drag you in from the first sentence and keep you fully engaged until the very end.

I absolutely love the dual POV's, it definitely helps to see that insight to understand the darker situations in both characters lives.
There were so many emotions I experienced through reading this; I laughed, I cried, I felt the happiness they felt and I felt the heartbreak too. These characters and their situations were written in a way that was respectful and incredibly captivating.

Through it all, I'm glad these characters got to overcome all their experiences against all odds and have the happy ending they deserved!

Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book as it does cover some dark themes.

This is an ARC review and is my honest opinion.

[Jordan Fiest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams is book three of the Port Stella Series.

This story was a lot darker than the previous ones in the series. We deal with some very serious issues about domestic situations.

Jo showed such strength for finally breaking the cycle of pain and suffering she was enduring. She finally saw her chance to escape and she took it with open arms. However, she did have to return to her home town where she had some run ins with the love of her life, whom she ended her relationship with suddenly. I enjoyed seeing Richie and Jo reconnect. Neither has forgotten the other and you can feel how deeply they love the other. The acceptance Richie has of Jo's children was heartwarming. Everyone had bonded so well together that I could see them being a very solid family together.

This was another great installment to the series!

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

This was adorable. I mean it did take me a second to catch up to who the characters are from the books before but to be honest that didn’t matter much. Each book appears to be an interconnected standalone.

Jolynn has been through some things. Hiding secrets she leaves the safety of her home town only to land in the clutches of a man that has nothing nice to offer her.

Richard has been in love with Jo his entire life, she’s the one who got away. The one who left without saying goodbye. But when she comes back to town with a gaggle of children in tow will he be able to resist the pull of her love or will he fall for all of them?

This was sweet and loving, a second chance romance set in a small town. Which I LOVE. Jo and Richard deserved this happily ever after and I’m so glad they got it.

[Charlene Alana Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes you make bad decisions, and you don't realize how bad they are until it's too late."

Love, love, love ivy penn's books, I will always pick up her books, I'm a fan for life. Her books always have a way of pulling you in and never letting you go.

I'm addicted to the port Stella series. The characters in each book so far have been great and became part of my family. I just can't get enough of them. This is a second chance romance and it dark, raw, emotional and just beautiful. The author really did justice in telling their story.

I couldn't put it down once I started it was an emotional journey. It's action packed with drama, spice, trauma, angst, suspense and so much more.

The characters, storyline and plot where beautifully written. Highly recommend!


"Until I discover that all the best decisions in the world don't make up for the secret I'd kept."

[Lenna Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and wonderful story but has sensitive triggers for certain people (spousal & child abuse) that’s all I’ll say because this whole story is about a young teenager who went through a heartbreaking times in her life and lost not one person but more and ran away , and being stuck in a situation for a decade but got out. Richie’s past is Jolynn’s present life, but will his past and her current life work out for the better and he can help her and her 5 babies heal?
Was it a get away or was there obstacles along the way?
Will true love survive after a decade apart or will it need to be reconnected?

Questions that’s been on my mind, why is Olivia’s daughter, Sammy, never mentioned until later, and did Coop know about her before his deployment??

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard has lived in this hometown his whole life, there has only been one woman that he really loved and she left town years ago. He opens a garage with his brother and one day he gets a call to pickup a van. There he finds his one and only Jolynn and her five children, she has left her husband and is staying with her dad.

His interactions with the children tells him that they were abused, he would no his father was no prize. The more time he spends with Jolynn and her children, the more he wishes they were his.

This is a sweet second chance romance with some steam between the two. There is violence in the form of the ex-husband. This is my first book by the author and look forward to more stories.

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

[Shawna Hiscox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well you did it Ivy Penn! You had me crying more while reading Shattered Dreams than the first two books in this series! Jolynn and Richard’s story will be forever engraved in my heart. I felt all the emotions down to my core. I cried, laughed and swooned. My heart was broken for Jojo and her littles and a past secret revealed to Richie, but it was put back together in the end. I promise!
I wouldn’t change a single thing in this book. I highly recommend reading the first two books in this Port Stella series because it will tie together the connection between all the characters.
Ivy will make you believe in the power of true love and what a real family feels like.
“This was what family was. Laughter and tears mixed with pizza.”

[Janet Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ivy Penn
Richard and Jolynn
Jolynn and Richard were neighbors who have always loved one another. This is the third installment of the series however may be read as a standalone. Please read the trigger warnings as there may be some triggering details that might disturb you. Jolynn entered a relationship with a man named Johnny and he became increasingly abusive physically and mentally to not only her by their 4 kids at the time. She finally had enough and so luck would have it the person who saved her and the kids from the side of the road was Richard her first love. Will her and Richard be able to fall back in love or will the truth as to why she left him to begin with tear them apart forever? Make sure you read to find out!

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo and Richard had my emotions on one thrilling ride from domestic abuse from a marriage she had to endure when she left behind the love of her life. She has returned home and reconnected with the man that has never stopped loving her. in spite of everything taken place. He knows about domestic abuse being a product of it growing up watching his parents. When Jo's ex comes calling to reclaim what he perceives as his will Richard be able to keep her and the kids safe. This poignant story had me all caught up in Jo and Richard as I cheered them on to finally getting their chance for happiness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenn M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotionally Charged Read!

This book grabbed deep into my soul and held on. The themes of this book are dark but real. I love how this author did not shy away from the issue of domestic violence. Instead, she faced it head on. Right to the end of the book. How she portrayed the dynamic that often occurs with IPV, was so real but at times, it was hard to read - only because I wanted to scream at her to leave and at him to leave her alone.

This book is also a story of hope, resilience and new starts. The love story woven throughout the book is heartwarming and healing.

I loved reading this book and am looking forward to more reads from this author!

[Carrie West · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only someone wasn’t a buttmunch all those years ago so much heartache would have been spared. As his mom said, though, those beautiful babies would never have been.

There were a few times Jo needed to grow a backbone, but it makes sense as to why she was so timid. Richie understood her issues, better than most. That made him the perfect person to help her heal. Jo and Richie needed to be together. Oh lordy. They were stupid crazy about each other. Never faulting the other for past mistakes, just loving them in spite of them. It was fabulous. It made my heart happy.

[Janie Graybeal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. In all honesty, I related to this storyline more than I can think! As a child who watched her mother go through really terrible abuse by my step-father, it really made me cry when I read about Jo’s kids. I felt so bad for them because I was once in their shoes. But now, my mother has found the love of her life and he’s the best thing that could’ve happened to all of us. He’s taking care of us more than anyone else has and we love him for it, just like they love “Richdad”!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am speechless by another wonderfully twisted second chance romance book by Ivy Penn. The story of Jolynn and Richard had me in tears at some points and then awe at others. I love the instant chemistry between their family and how they just fit together. I am so happy that these two got their HEA after everything they have been through and the fact that Richard has nothing but love, compassion, and open arms for Jolynn and her kids, is truly inspiring and heartfelt. I need more from Ivy Penn!!!

[Donna Zug · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story but dark. Read the trigger warnings but so worth reading. Ivy approaches several difficult situations carefully yet expresses what needs to be said. You will pull for the MFC & MMC all thru this story and want to do major damage to the bad guy. I laughed, I cried, sat on the edge of my seat and relaxed as I read this compelling story. And I'm looking forward to the next tale about this family.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams is a compelling, beautifully written, emotional story. Jolynn and Richard's journey will absolutely wear on the heart with all they've endured. This is a fantastic, beautiful second chance story that keeps you in it's clutches from start to finish. It absolutely gives you all the feels and throws little curves in every now and then that either gets you thinking or keeps you thinking. A great, must read story!

[Sabrina Latulipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was my first book by Ivy Penn and it did not disappoint. Jo and Richard were childhood best friends and high school sweethearts but Jo left after graduation to find herself but she ended up finding was herself in an abusive relationship trying to take care of herself and her kids. When she finally has the courage to leave she goes back home with her dad and 5 kids. Richard was so supportive to her and her kids. He treated them like his own and showed them how a real man takes care of a family. This book gave me all of the emotions. I definitely shed a few tears. There were some parts I felt lost because I haven’t read any of the other books in the series but I still enjoyed it very much!

[Booklvr89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one had me on such an emotional roller coaster ride. Am I angry, sad, happy, confused... do I like this person? I dunno. Omg it's so good. I love a good book that can make you feel things!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tranese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely buying the series.

I've read this series out of order, but I can already say this is my favorite book out of the series. I just loved Jo and Richard journey back to each other. It gives me hope of true love being out there..

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not typically read romances with a tragic backstory but this one is worth it! Very powerful and a very sweet romance.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Monica Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered dreams

This was a great book. Make sure to read trigger warnings as there is abuse. Watching them grow and get a second chance was beautiful. I really loved Richie and everything he would do for those he loved.

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams
Ivy Penn

I really enjoyed this story. I found it well written. The characters had life, chemistry and substance. Great read.

[Elizabeth W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I loved it. Old flames reconnecting. Women empowerment. Kiddos finding a safe home. Absolutely fantastic. I can't wait for the next one!

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it ! check trigger warnings, it was hard to read in some parts because of the abuse. I'm so happy Jo and her kids found their happy ending they deserved tho