Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
In this thrilling and sexy new novel following Hollow, a psychiatric intern starts to question her values and training when she falls in forbidden love with one of her patients.

For the first time in her life, Mia Horton isn’t afraid of the future. Equipped with a new major, a new internship, and a new life, she is finally able to put the past behind her—that is, until she meets Flynn McKenna. Flynn’s boyish charm and rugged good looks make her feel things she doesn’t want to feel, shaking the foundations of her carefully constructed world. With Flynn, Mia craves things she knows she can never have and wonders if she’ll ever be rid of the silent curse that seems to plague all of the women in her family.

Well on his way to being the youngest mixed martial arts champion in the world, Flynn uses fighting to provide for his impoverished family. Then one day an accident forces him to the sidelines. His failure to achieve success devastates his parents and starts a downward spiral of guilt and self-loathing that lands him at Newton Heights Mental Hospital. He has given up on all hope, when a gorgeous young intern helps him see that there’s more to life than winning, and that love is the most valuable prize of all.

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2015

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Ava Conway

4 books67 followers
At fourteen, Ava snuck her first romance novel into bed and read it by flashlight. There she met her first “book boyfriend” and has been hooked on reading ever since. She often prefers book-boyfriends to the real thing, and believes that a gooey, fudge brownie is a little piece of heaven on earth. When she’s not writing, she’s stumbling through her Zumba class (have to work off those brownies somehow), obsessing over the latest PINK song, or feeding her addiction for reality television.







Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
7 (23%)
4 stars
11 (36%)
3 stars
6 (20%)
2 stars
4 (13%)
1 star
2 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Profile Image for Paranormal Kiss.
898 reviews43 followers
January 5, 2015
2.5 Stars

Shattered by Ann Conway takes place in the same world as her previous novel, Hollow, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I have to say that when I first started this novel, I hated Mia. She was so into appearances and judgmental it made me sick. After that initial impression she started being more likable and less critical but I still shook my head at so many of her actions. She was appallingly unprofessional in so many ways that she had no business being an intern at a Mental Hospital. Not to mention her psychiatric advice is to bury the pain, as she has done, and never think of it again. I mean, come on, seriously? I know she’s still in school but surely after 2 years she knows that burying the pain isn’t the right solution.

A big part of Shattered was about the issues that Flynn has and to a lesser extent Mia. I wanted to see them work through these issues over the course of the novel but, ultimately, it wasn’t about that. It was about Mia and Flynn breaking the roles by forming a personal relationship and having inappropriate relations. Then at the end, several months in the future, they’ve both miraculously made progresses to overcome their issues. That was rather disappointing to me. I don’t want a “magic pen” to fix everything. I wanted to see the characters work through their issues. Especially when so much focus was put on them during the story.

While Shattered had some good moments, overall, I was disappointed.

*ARC (Advanced Review Copy) received from the publisher, Pocket Books‏, via NetGalley.
Profile Image for Johanna Sawyer.
3,479 reviews42 followers
January 12, 2015
Thanks Netgalley for a free book in exchange for a review.

The promise of this book was exciting but for me it did not live up to its expectations. Mia was an extremely unlikable main character. As an intern she was just unfriendly and the things she said were just idiotic. Made me feel like she was a high schooler, and not a second year grad. I felt her first attempts at making nice were just snobby, and rude. When she met Flynn it just felt wrong, like they were at a mall meeting and not a nut house. Overall entertainment is three stars, and only because it had a HEA.
Profile Image for Lindy.
853 reviews198 followers
January 6, 2015
My Thoughts:

Shattered is the first book that I've read by Ava Conway, and a book unlike any other. It was a fairly quick read and had my attention from the very first page on. While it was the second book in the Perfect Little Pieces Series, it can be read as a standalone.

Shattered is the story of young and ambitious college student, Mia Horton. She is excited to begin her new internship at Newton Heights Medical Institution. All of her hard work in school has finally lead to this moment, and she has high hopes that her internship will open doors to her future career as a Psychologist. As she gets better acquainted with the patients, one in particular fascinates her. Flynn McKenna doesn't seem like he belongs in a long-term mental facility. He's caring, compassionate, and intelligent. As Mia and Flynn begin to spend more time with one another the lines between patient and mental heath intern begin to blur in to something way more. Mia is determined to give Flynn hope for his future so that he will fight for his recovery, whereas he believe that he will only cause Mia ruin.

Shattered was such a gripping story. The plot was unique and refreshing, which had me turning pages with the need to discover how Mia and Flynn's story would play out. I loved watching the character growth that Mia underwent throughout the story. At the beginning of the story she looked at the patients as beneath her, and by the end she finally saw them as people just like her. While Mia had every intention of rehabilitating Flynn's life, he's the one that really healed her. She found someone to share her pain and burden's with. Flynn made her look at life from a different perspective, and this was a beautiful thing. These two characters had a deep emotional connection and healed one another.

My Rating:


I loved Shattered, by Ava Conway, and highly recommend it! It was such a brilliant story that made me reflect on my own life. As Flynn spoke his words of wisdom, I though of what he said about living in the moment, as opposed to always looking toward the future. He referred to how people stop noticing the beauty around them because they get so absorbed in their own lives. I think this is very true. I made a mental note to try to cherish the small miracles all around me, and live in the moment more. This story was entertaining, but it also spoke to my heart on a deeper level. If you are looking for an excellent story that is outside of the box, I suggest you give Shattered a read!


My Favorite Quote:

"Stay away from me, Barbie. I'll only ruin you." (eARC, Loc. 1828)

~Flynn


*To Read More Book Reviews, Visit A Bookish Escape at http://www.abookishescape.com

Profile Image for Farrah.
1,248 reviews210 followers
December 12, 2014
My Rating: 2.5/5

Shattered was a good New Adult romance and, while it didn't meet my every expectation, it was a enjoyable read. It was emotional, with sweet romance, and I liked it overall.

Mia was a little iffy for me. She didn't make the best first impression. She came off as a condescending snob and it took a while for that impression to be revised. I especially didn't like the almost superior way she thought of the patients at first. And, this might seem like a small thing, but she was constantly going on about how she wanted to help patients "bury" their problems, which didn't strike me as right considering she should be helping them solve their problems, not put them away so they could pop up again later. She did change over the course of the book: letting her walls down, reevaluating her priorities, and realizing that what she was working so hard to achieve might not be what she wanted. By the end, I was okay with her.

I really wish we had gotten to see more of Flynn. From what we do see, it was clear that he was an absolute sweetie. He was loyal to his loved ones, sometimes to his detriment, and determined to care for them, no matter the circumstances. I wish we had gotten to see the resolution to his issues, the steps he took to bring himself back from the pit he was stuck in. I think it would have made both the character and the story more interesting, especially because I honestly found his problems more interesting that Mia's. But, as a character, I really liked him.

The romance was good. Despite any issues I had with the character, I really though Mia and Flynn were great together. They helped each other motivate themselves to fix their problems, though the responsibility to do so was ultimately on them. I thought they were sweet together.

The plot was well paced and kept me interested all the way through. Though I did have issues with the book, I still enjoyed the story overall. It wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was a decent read.

Emotional and romantic, Shattered was a nice new adult read. It has its issues, but it was good overall. Romance lovers, I don't know if I would recommend this, but you might want to look it up.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Anita Byars.
1,453 reviews13 followers
January 3, 2015
I received an ARC for an honest review.
This is a story about Mia a young woman who wants to be a psychologist. She has finally gotten an intern job at Newton Heights a Long Term Care Psychiatric Facility. Mia has gone in this field to try to make a difference, she wants to be a leading authority. Her own father, sister as well as a friend from college has had psychiatric problems. After her boyfriend broke up with Mia in college because she was pregnant Mia then had a miscarriage. With a family history of infertility problems Mia herself starts to have feelings of inadequacy. But Mia is determined not to let her mother down and set her goals to be all about her job she doesn't need a man or a family. Mia is given an assignment to do assessments on two patients and make recommendations. Nestor and Flynn are the two patients that are part of her assignment but as she researches and observes these two Mia starts to have problems keeping her thoughts about Flynn strictly professional. Flynn McKenna is a former Martial Arts Champion who has some issues with anger and has gone through a lifetime of problems that have made him feel that he has nothing left to live for outside of an institution. After spending time together they become attracted to each other but there are others watching everywhere and if they cross the line Mia could lose everything. But sometimes what and who we want can take on a life of its own and consequences are an after thought. Will Mia and Flynn feelings for each other shatter their lives or will it right all the wrongs they have endured. I really enjoyed this read, it was well thought out and I loved all the intricate attention to details that mental patients, as well as the staff in this type of institution would have and how this can help or hinder these patients and these facilities protocols. These characters felt so real and your emotions will be put through a series of ups and down. Couldn't put this down. Would love to see more of Mia and Flynn. Great read.
Profile Image for Bea.
318 reviews7 followers
December 27, 2014
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the blurb for Shattered by Ava Conway, I could not wait to read the book. It carried the forbidden love trope I'm so fond of and I found the whole setting for the book intriguing. I won't rehash what the book is about because the blurb is pretty accurate in that regard, but I will say that Mia (the h) was an unexpected surprise. Going into this book I believed that Flynn (the H) was going to be the only one with emotional baggage but I was totally wrong. Mia is pushing all her emotional issues and family drama aside and pretending she's perfect and in complete control. The effort it takes to be "put together and in control" Mia causes her to come across frigid, aloof, prim and snobby. As the reader I found it hard to warm up to her because her character wasn't giving me anything that was likable or relatable about her. Luckily for her, she and Flynn had an immediate connection. She inexplicably felt drawn to him and he recognized her from a picture that he'd stolen from one of her friends that used to be institutionalized at that same facility. As the story progresses, Flynn manages to thaw out Mia and makes her more likable, but for me personally, it still wasn't enough. I found her to be a pushover at times and lacking in the bravery department. Flynn deserved better. He was a much better character. In my opinion Flynn brought out the best in her. Unfortunately, she wasn't someone that I enjoyed reading about. In the end, while the romance was interesting enough and the pacing was good, I didn't enjoy reading the book as much as I hoped. Besides my issues with the h, I felt that the romance lacked that addictive emotional and physical connection that keeps me hanging on every word, every emotion and every touch.
Profile Image for Amy .
3,166 reviews
November 26, 2015
Shattered is the follow up book to Hollow, but can also be read as as stand-alone. This is Mia and Flynn's story. Mia is starting her internship as a psychiatric intern and is just trying to put her past behind her. Everything was going well until she meets Flynn. Flynn makes her feel things that she isn't ready for and has her questioning her beliefs and and training. Flynn was on his way to be the youngest martial arts champ. One day an accident forces him to the sidelines and that will send him on a dangerous downward spiral. He's given up on everything....that is until he meets Mia. She's helps him to see that there's more to the life that he knows and there are some things still worth fighting for.

I have to say, I wasn't too impressed with Mia from the first book, but I was willing to give her a chance. She really didn't make the best impression at the beginning of this book, but as the story progressed, I will admit that she did eventually grow on me. I was happy when she finally let her guard down and show who she really was.

I found Flynn to be a really interesting character. I liked learning more about him and how he ended up where he did. I thought that Flynn was a good match for Mia. Even though they both had their issues, they were just what the other needed to help push to fix their problems.

Overall, I thought this was an ok read. The pacing was a lot better than the first book and the story-line kept me interested. I enjoyed the forbidden romance element and the emotional issues that the characters faced. Even though this book wasn't a home run for me, I'm still glad I checked it out.

*I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*



Profile Image for Melanie.
1,076 reviews34 followers
January 7, 2015
Mia is a young lady that has dreams of helping others with her dreams of working in the psychiatry field. Mia thinks that she has uncovered the secret to dealing with your past. Mia starts her intern at a hospital that she learned about through her friend, Lucy, having spent time there. Mia starts working on the long-term floor and quickly learns how some of the patients can flip out really quick with little provoking. Mia meets a young man, Flynn, that has been in the long-term care for awhile and immediately has feelings for him but knows that it is strictly off limits for patients and staff to have a serious relationship. Mia has to keep reminding herself of this each time she sees Flynn.

Mia takes on Flynn as one of her patients and this causes them to get closer without Mia even trying. Soon the feeling are mutual and can't be stopped. Mia tries to remind herself that it will cost her the internship that she has worked so hard to obtain. Mia starts to question what she really wants in life. Her definition of happiness has changed and she starts to reconsider what is important to her.

This books makes you realize that no matter how people may seem on the outside, they may be dealing with things on the inside that you don't realize just from talking with them. People hide things and try to deal with things on their own that plays an important part in who they are. This book has a HEA but I would love to know what happens with Mia and Flynn in their future. Thanks for a great read Ava Conway that opens your eyes to psychological problems that people may be dealing with.
Profile Image for Cassie Hess-dean.
669 reviews10 followers
November 13, 2014
Really enjoyed this book. Mia gets an intern position in a long term care facility. Because mental illness runs in her family and affected her best friend, she feels like this is the perfect place for her. Unfortunately she can't seem to distance herself emotionally from the patients. Well, one patient in particular, Flynn McKenna. Flynn and Nesto are the two patients that she is asked to observe and write her recommendations on. Mia spends most of her time getting to know Flynn and see's what a great guy he is and what potential he has. To bad he doesn't see it in himself. When things start to become more personal in their relationship, Johnson, the security guard notices. He is jealous and starts to ask Mia out on dates. She isn't interested but this attention from Johnson starts to make Flynn angry. He has trouble controlling his anger. Will Flynn be able to control his anger and not hurt Johnson? Will Mia be able to help Flynn and not cross the line with him? Or will their attraction be to much for her to deny? Read this book to find out the answers and see if Mia's life will be shattered...
Profile Image for Ani's  Reviews.
285 reviews10 followers
January 3, 2015
I was given an ARC for an honest review!

I'm in love with Flynn, I really am. This is the guy I would love to meet if he existed. Well, since he doesn't I can dream, can I?
Okay, I have to say this book had me hooked from the beginning to the end. I was waiting with my stomach tied up in knots to know more about this guy and what will happened to both of them. I like surprises in a book and I like it when the author makes it hard for me to see what will happen next, which she did. All through the book I was looking for another glimpse of Flynn and I couldn't wait till the end only to want to start it all over again so I could read it from the beginning.

So, needless to say I couldn't be more happier to have had the privilege to read this book. Thank you. Made me feel happy just reading it.
Profile Image for Alex.
131 reviews
January 12, 2015
Received ARC in exchange for an honest review

Shattered is book 2 in the Perfect Little Pieces series. Although part of a series, Shattered could be read as a stand-alone. Shattered is a story of forbidden love. Mia Horton is an intern at Newton Heights Mental Hospital. Flynn McKenna is a long-term care patient. When we first meet Mia, she believes the internship is what she has been striving for and that her life is fine as it is. Mia spends more and more time with Flynn as an assigned patient. As the story progresses, it is through each other that Mia and Flynn recognize they have to deal with their personal issues before moving forward. Ava Conway brilliantly shows the progress Mia and Flynn make in recognizing the value self-worth.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,480 reviews8 followers
November 5, 2014
The story is of a young girl who learns the hard way how to let go her way of thinking and grows up. Mia has a lot of preconceived notions of how life is supposed to be. She doesn't want to upset her Mother by telling her what's going on in her life. She tries to handle everything on her own. She eventually learns that once you start thinking of others and not yourself that life may not be comfortable but it is rewarding.

Ava does a great job getting into the head of young girl and makes you jump into her psyche and feel like a young naive girl again.

179 reviews
December 12, 2014
Mia is a girl with a set way she thinks life is , but with family and friend with a mental illness she thinks her internship job is perfect for her. But while there she meets Flynn who after a while consumes her thoughts, she can tell what a great guy he is and starts to fall for him, while this is happening the security gaurd notices and starts to ask Mia put himself. With twist and turns, live and hate can Mia figure out what it is she wants, needs and is good for her. Then can she figure out what's she's gonna do when she figures it all out?
Profile Image for Kim.
435 reviews9 followers
January 2, 2015
This is a really hard series to read. The stories are so heartbreaking and heavy that it takes time to get through it but it's so very much worth it. This is a well written book, the characters are so vivid that you truly feel their pain as well as their joy. It's totally worth the read but be prepared to feel like you've been wrung through the wringer as only an amazing book can do to you!
Profile Image for Janna.
785 reviews60 followers
January 12, 2015
This was a very interesting book for a psychology major. I liked the relationships between the characters and Johnson and Everett made me so angry I wanted scream and throw my iPad to the wall. But definitely very interesting book and did enjoy reading it.

*ARC received from the author
Profile Image for loves 2 read romance.
846 reviews17 followers
January 5, 2015
I received a copy of this book for a review.
This is a story of forbidden love.it is well written and the characters are great. Once you get into the story it is hard to put down
484 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2015
I could not get into this book at all. I could not sympathize with the character of Mia at all and found myself getting annoyed by her. I couldn't get past chapter 5.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews