Broken

by Serena Akeroyd

Forgive me, Father, for I am undeserving when blood soaks these hands that hold Your gift to me.
I am broken and find solace in the darkness.
She is pure and basks in the light.
Did You send her to be my shelter?
I made a vow of celibacy.
She remained untouched.
Did You create her for me?
I am a sin eater, a purger of evil.
She is an angel, a guardian of good.
Did You know she would be my savior?
Thank You, Father, for she is the one sin I will willfully commit.

Broken is a forbidden, dark romance and a complete standalone.

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Religion, Forbidden Love

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

USA Today and International Best Selling Author Serena Akeroyd aka G. A. Mazurke is most known for her mafia and MC series set in the Five Points Mob Universe. 


Avid reader of all things romance, she first started her career as a why choose author in both contemporary and paranormal.

She eventually made her way to MF romance where she found her groove with the O’Donnelly brothers, the Satan Sinners and most recently the Valentini Family. 



In her back list you can find some MM, MF, MFM and Why Choose romances. 
HEA guaranteed!

When not writing Serena is either reading, traveling or coloring. 





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Reviews

[ya.vl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Дуже розчарована🥲
Мала зовсім інші очікування, трохи здивувала авторка в плані написання адже такого я ще не читала
Мені якось забагато було намучено, ну не знаю
Тут спочатку був в полоні, потім священник, далі вже вбивця, потім пішло по роках, рік, два, пʼять, десять і так йому дійшло до 65 років🤦🏿‍♀️ от для чого таке робити я не розумію
Сама Андреа, головна героїня теж максимально дивна, стала ним одержима з 17 років просто побачивши його по телевізору потім до 30 якось жила і почала його переслідувати🤷🏿‍♀️
І все зразу страшна любов, ну шось таке
Сюжет кульгає, так то дуже нічого такого не було, сам розвиток подій дуже швидкий, я шось нічого не розуміла тут він її уникає, в наступному розділі вона прийшла до нього додому, вони переспали, потім ше шось було і далі вже вагітність і оці декілька років потому
Ну погодьтесь якось так намучено, і так дивно, єдиний плюс це те що короткі розділі, і читається дуже швидко

[BookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gifted storyteller has proven time and again that my romantic heart is safe in her hands. I’ll admit, I was apprehensive about this one, but I held on to my belief in Akeroyd's care for her readers and dove in.

And something interesting happened. The thoughts and feelings I had about this book at the beginning, and even halfway through, were not at all the same as those I had by the end. Not by a long shot.

This one is part Dirty Harry, part Bonny and Clyde, and part Hallmark romance. A piece of me wanted to say that it's all kinds of wrong, dark, and taboo. But as things progressed, as I paid more attention and considered things further, I realized something.

This isn’t really a book about a damaged, vigilante priest finding his soulmate and falling in love with his other half. Well, it is, but it's something far greater than that. It's a commentary on faith and religion, comparing and contrasting the two. Many people find comfort in liturgy and rituals, but for our hero, Savio, he realized the glaring shortcomings of his religion and found his peace in faith.

This one is so compelling it's downright hypnotic, and I flew through it in one evening. Andrea is a brilliant character with her innocence, uniqueness, and unwavering conviction that she and this man of God belong together. She sees his scars and brokenness and knows beyond any doubt that she's the one made for him.

Taboo and dark romance fan or not, give this one a chance. It's not necessarily something I would have picked up on my own, but I’m so glad I read this. It's settled on my soul while somehow settling something inside me. Distinctly different than anything else I’ve read, this extraordinary, heartfelt, and yes, smexy romance surprised and delighted my heart while at the same time managing to validate my faith

[Wobilba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a while to get through because it was taking so much emotional toll out of me 😭. Despite that I did enjoy the story and the characters except that last 15% or so(because who wants to read about a 65 year old D twitching? 😭)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bless me Father for I have sinned 😂 blasphemy!!!!

[Tetyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
Тропи:
🌟дарк роман;
🌟заборонений роман;
🌟священик-серійний вбивця;
🌟незаймана героїня;
🌟вона його сталкер;
🌟споріднені душі;

Я б сказала, що це дуже "хвора" книга. Для мене стало несподіванкою, що тут так багато тригерів. Головний герой провів 2 роки в полоні, де його катували, як фізично, так і психологічно. Як результат, це сильно похитнуло його уявлення про світ і про релігію, зокрема. Крім того, він страждає від ПТСР, селфхармінгу та нічних жахіть.
Головна героїня все життя жила з хворобою, яка викривляла її сприйняття світу. Вона вважала, що має призначення, рятувати постраждалих.

Мені сподобався стиль написання: читається легко і швидко.
На відміну від "Священника" Сьєрри Сімони, в цій книзі не дратувало вплітання релігії в історію, тут це було органічно. Можливо тому що, не згадувався Бог при кожній сцені сексу.

Стосунки головних героїв розвивалися з блискавичною швидкістю; це не класична історія кохання: познайомилися, сподобалися, почали дізнаватися один одного краще і покохали. Авторка описує концепцію близнюкового полум'я, яка означає, що дві людини є половинками однієї душі, що розділилася. Тому кохання в них виникло тут і зараз, що виглядало не дуже реалістично. Але те, як вони розуміли один одного без слів, і вигадували думки один одного просто🫠

Також історія має досить дивну структуру, часто здавалося, що авторка перекидає з однієї ситуацію в іншу, докладно нічого не описуючи. Тут вони зустрілися і мали кілька взаємодій, а тут вже пройшло кілька тижнів, потім — бац —кілька років, в наступному розділі знову кілька років і так до кінця книги. Через це у мене виникло відчуття незавершеності, не вистачило епілогу. З одного боку, незвично, в з іншого, що це взагалі було?!

Сподобалися сцени 18+ і те як авторка зобразила відмінність віри та релігії, а ще бонусні розділи прикольні, я посміялася

В цілому, книга викликала неоднозначні враження, це було цікаве читання 😅

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broken had some really raw, emotional moments and the romance had potential, but it dragged and felt repetitive at times. The ending tied things up fine, just not in a way that wowed me.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read!

I was enthralled throughout!

Andrea (my namesake!) is a young woman who goes out of her way to help others and then becomes enamoured with a priest, Savio, when he is on the news. He has suffered so much, harrowing. She writes to him, but he doesn't receive them. It's exactly what the reader needs to understand Andrea better and how she feels about Savio. I'm glad that it wasn't one-sided. The obsession from her, he too was enamoured with her before they met! And what a first encounter they have!!!

It's a very intense story and not just a love story but a commentary about faith and religion.

There are many triggers.

It is a brilliant book.

[Intel Chicky Reads Romance (Kara Merideth) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: taboo
Angst: 😱😱1/2
Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥

I really enjoyed this story! It was well-written and most definitely had a more original storyline. It's not every day that you read about a serial killer priest paired with his much younger stalker, lol. The character development was great and both the MMCs completely drew me in. I loved how there was almost a mystical or fated aspect to their relationship. Another great read by one of my favorite authors!

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judging from the title of this book, I knew this book was going to be dark and the characters were going to be a bit broken themselves. What I was not expecting was the main characters to have such a deep past that ultimately reshaped their entire future. This story was not only tough at times, but it made you suspend your beliefs a little bit.

Andrea has always been a Straight-forward person. If she wanted something, she was not afraid to go out and get it. Growing up with a strict military dad, you would think that she would be a rule follower but you know what? She makes her own rules. Her fascination with a priest that was kidnapped, morphed into a transcending love that will not only take her a lucrative career path, but it will ultimately put her face to face with her muse.



Father Savio knows just how precious life is and he's grateful for it everyday. Carrying out his duty to serve and be there for anyone that needs it, has never wavered despite going through his own special brand of hell. But he also wants to protect his parishioners and he knows that even though there's pure love and beauty, there's also dark and evil.

This was a slow burn in the beginning and even though that might not be for everyone, I actually enjoyed that. From the letters to the dual povs, there was just something so hypnotic about that time frame that captured everything beautifully. As the story progressed and we got further along, I did not enjoy the time jumps. I knew why it was done but I feel like it could've slowed down a little bit more.

If you're looking for a dark forbidden stalker romance, you should give this one a try.

Please be aware that this book contains some sensitive subject matter.

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea is sitting in the emergency waiting room when the news story catches her attention. She was on her way to school when she saw a foot in the alley. She called an ambulance and despite not knowing the boy she waits to see how he is.

A priest just out of seminary was serving as a missionary in Algeria and had just been kidnapped by revolutionaries. Although she is horrified about his circumstances her seventeen-year-old mind thinks what a shame such a gorgeous man was a priest.

When the doctor sits beside her she can tell from his body language that the boy did not survive the overdose. Not understanding why she was meant to find him if he was still going to die she decides to write to the priest to let him know that she was thinking of him and prayed that he would be okay.

It was the first of many letters that she would write over the next few years... letting him know about the people she saved from their abusers.

I really loved this book! It is very well written and the characters are fully developed and relatable.

Fair warning - this book may be offensive. Savio is a Catholic priest who is a broken man. Forced by his captors to watch their monstrous acts against women and children as they demanded that he absolve them of their sins.

Two years, dozens of women and children until he finally broke and gave them the absolution they were demanding - only for them to still assault the small girl in front of him. A priest who lost his faith in the confessional. Tired of absolving sins only for them to repeat their vile sins. Damning his own soul to make sure the innocent stayed safe. A priest who punished those who didn't truly repent.

I love how this story starts with Andrea's letters. Letters that Silas never received but they are the background to her obsession. The feelings pour from these pages... obsession, stalking, self-punishment, shame. This book definitely has triggers and major taboos that will push your buttons but I couldn't put this book down.

[25 Readings Or More · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this is the first book i read from the author and i'm amazed because she was able to create something different from everything i've read so far.
It's definitely not for everyone because it challenges what we've been told about religion and faith. I really appreciate how she handle those topics and i loved even more the soul mates thing. I loved how Andrea went for her man, to heal him, to love him.
I loved how easily they bond, the passion between them.
I loved how she understand him without him speaking.
She just feel him, there is no other way to explain it.
Once i start reading it, i found myself picking up my ereader every time i had free time, even just for 5 minutes because i wanted to know more.
So i totally recommend it.

[Lolina ⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

-=- DNF: 34% -=-

I'm disappointed bc I really thought I would like this one 🫤. This so far just felt disjointed and I couldn't really see the chemistry between the characters 🤷‍♀️.

[Sarah Poulton-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Those tears are beautiful, and I want to taste them because they’re mine. They fell for me."

This is a dark, challenging, and taboo read. Go into it with an open mind as this will challenge your assumptions around faith and religion. Savio and Andrea's love story is not clear-cut and definitely has some potential triggers (kidnap, abuse, non consent - not between MCs). But all those reasons that make it challenging are also the reasons I loved it. There is an air of the unhinged to the narrative style that reflects the MCs' mindsets. How else could you portray a priest serial killer and his obsessive stalker? I adored every page of their unhinged love.

Savio is the disillusioned priest who is drifting between congregations and never quite finding his people. He has taken retribution upon himself, having heard one too many confessions. But in punishing those who sin, he also has to live with the guilt of sinning himself. And then along comes Andrea. She is a curious character. You are never really sure of her truth. She believes she has purpose and is a conduit for God's work. But in carrying out her work, she purposely tempts Savio from his path. However, her belief proves true as these two truly are twin flames. Their instabilities balance each other, making them a perfectly functional whole.

This is a different writing style for Serena but the tempo and questioning narrative style perfectly captures the minds of Savio and Andrea. You learn to love their quirks and their all consuming rightness for one another.

Delicious dark taboo romance between a serial killer priest and his determinedly obsessed stalker.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been looking everywhere for Serena Akeroyd’s “The Vows We Break” as I wanted a forbidden priest romance to read. To my surprise, the book would be rewritten, extended, and have never-before-published scenes added. I patiently waited for what is now known as “Broken.”

“Broken” is by far so different than any other priest romance I’ve read, and I’ve read many, including all the “popular” ones. Savio is a priest who happens to be a “cereal” unaliver. He’s a bit vigilante, but it’s a double-edged sword. Savio punishes those who deserve it, but his actions pain him. He’s unaware that he has someone watching him.

Andrea has been tracking Savio for years, and they share such a strong connection. Andrea sees her path quite clearly, somewhat similar to Savio’s. But when the two meet, it’s clear they were meant for each other. They work together, having such understanding and compassion for each other and knowing their intent for the world they live in.

As mentioned earlier,” Broken” differs from Serena’s other books, and I loved it. I loved the dark elements combined with themes of angels, mystery, and some twists––it was all exciting. There were even bits of humor thrown in. And the spicy scenes that Serena writes are outstanding. I’m so thrilled about this new rewritten edition.

[Shanna Ferris · Rating 4 out of 5]

• Priest
• Unapologetically obsessed FMC
• She stalks him
• Moral avenger
• Taboo/Boundary pushing
• Anti-hero
• Spiritual elements
• V*rgin FMC
• Blood play
• Soulmates/Twin flames

The way the book hooked me so fast is unreal! Instantly I was intrigued and I couldn’t put it down! I'm not sure I have ever read anything even remotely similar to this book! Serena's writing through this entire book was completely captivating. The way she brought these characters to life and pulled them together was so intense and so different! I enjoyed every second! And having this book narrated in duet by Jason and Stella couldn’t have been a better choice!

I have read a few of Serena's books before and her writing style will always blow me away! I never really know truly what to expect. So I decided to go in blind with this one, especially after reading the trope list! And honestly I think it made it that much more intriguing! So if you’re like me and love getting in blind, I suggest you don’t keep reading my review! Because this one is hard to review without giving some things away! All I will say is you won’t regret it either way!

Ahh!!! The level of unapologetically unhinged behavior in this book was the absolute BEST!! First off, SHE stalks him!! Are you kidding me? Immediately I was obsessed with her character! And the way she gave off this completely unhinged yet innocent had me loving her character even more! She was so chaotic but had this softness to her, especially when it came to Savio! But if she had been any other way, the balance between them never would have worked! It was such a twist from the usual FMCs I am used to reading about. I loved watching the way she broke down his walls, and even after years of everything Savio went through, he was still able to let her in!

Savio's story is raw... which made him closed off and unable to trust the people he surrendered himself with! But Andrea's forcefulness and the connection they shared that even they didn’t understand made him slowly realize that she might be crazy, but she was definitely someone he could trust! And he was unable to keep denying the pull between them!

I seriously loved the way she described the pull these two had with one another! Their connection was more than just surface level, it was spiritual! Making them see things in each other that no one else understood! Even their darkness made sense to one another.

The uniqueness of this book will stand out to me for a long time! It has me itching to pick up more of Serena's books! If you're looking for a morally grey MMC who had a dark past that haunts him daily and has him doing things that don’t align with his daily practice, and a FMC who unapologetically stalks and obsesses over him, then you should absolutely check out this book!


🎧Audiobook review🎧
Duet Narration
Narrated by Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter

These two couldn't have been more perfect for this role! Between Jason's gruff growly voice and Stella's innocent, but unhinged delivery, they brought these characters to life in the best way! The tension and chaos each of these characters gave off even more fun their their performances!

Stella captured every bit of Andrea’s madness and sweetness so perfectly, and Jason performance of Savio only brought out the emotions that Savio was battling that much more! I absolutely loved the chemistry betwen these two! This duet just added another layer to an already wild ride.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Only God can help me now”

What a wild freaking ride holy molyyyyyy. This was dark. Forbidden. HOT. Freaky. And poetic.

I had a great time listening to Jason Clarke & Stella Hunter bring these unhinged characters to life!!!

What happens when a serial killer priest comes across a woman who is a bestselling author but also happens to be his stalker & knows him better than he knows himself… A LOT ILL TELL YA!! I went into this blind besides knowing that it was dark & that it was about a priest & I enjoyed the hell out of it!!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Type: audio (thanks must love audio)

Tropes:
Twin flames
Priest + Virgin heroine
She’s his stalker
He’s a serial killer
Forbidden
Dark romance

[lindseysbooklore · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Audiobook ALC
Duet Narration Jason Clarke & Stella Hunter

Really enjoyed this! Thank you Must Love Audio for this ALC.
When I read the trope list and it said ‘priest’ -sold.

Dark and delicious. Vigilante. A possessive stalking FMC.
We have Andrea, diagnosed with a brain cyst that makes her booooorderline personality disorder.. she’s got some special ways of thinking, she’s dark and obsessive and she lays her eyes on *her* priest. Slowly she seduces him. Dark romance, forbidden, self harm- check your trigger warnings.

Deets:
♱ Twin Flames
♱ Blood play
♱ Priest
♱ Virgin Heroine
♱ Demi-romantic rep
♱ She’s his stalker
♱ He’s a serial killer

*mini spoiler*
I took .5 star off because of the last hour being a million x1 time jumps.

[Marianne Tuakoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Divine intervention, the hand of God, or fate - whatever it was that brought Savio and Andrea together brought them together for the sole purpose of saving each other. They truly were twin flames - soul mates. They were both broken in a way that only they were able to piece them back together and keep them whole. Although they both lost their faith in the church and humanity, they never wavered in their faith in God or each other - they were each other’s salvation and redemption.

For those that read the original Vows We Break, the story is the same. Savio is still magnificent - it’s still a yummy taboo story. There is some new content with more details but all redone in an updated Serena style format. Still Phenomenal and even better!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a chance on this book, Broken without any idea what it was about since the author is a favorite of mine and she definitely didn’t disappoint. The beginning was a bit slow for me but I pushed through and I am so glad that I did with its unique, forbidden storyline that walks the fine line between faith and religion, and fate and God’s hand.
Andrea and Savio seem to have souls that have been bonded for years without having even met one another but once they have their worlds both drastically change. He is so broken and she is his salvation. It just takes believing in one another for them to move forward. They have both faced countless struggles and have questioned their purpose in life but weirdly as it seems they both wanted to save those abused and neglected by others by taking things into their own hands. Sort of like doing bad things but for the right reasons. However, once their paths line up and they make the conscious decisions to change, they bring peace to one another and forged a life they never thought they would have filled with love, friendship and family.

[Deborah Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken is a rewrite of an early work, and I have been lucky enough to read the first plus this edition as well. Both editions have taken me on a journey that showed love knows no boundaries and you should grab life by the horns and live how you want, not by the dictates set by anyone else. Go into this edition with your eyes open, leaving all judgment at the door. Love comes at a price, but you must be willing to pay for it. Savio and Andrea are examples of true love. Their journey will amaze you.

Taboo, forbidden, verboten. They are going against the tenets of the Church by being together, but are they sinning? Who do you turn to when your faith has been tested and found shaken? When an angel appears before him, Father Savio Martin can't believe she is meant for him. To want her is a sin, but he is already damned. She becomes his chance at redemption, which he reluctantly accepts with one hand while disputing with the other. He is a man of the cloth and is supposed to be beyond fleshly temptation. Andrea Jura has been searching for the good Father since first seeing him on television at the lowest point in his life. For years, she has longed to be his redeeming angel, his salvation. He has become her obsession. She knows he is to be hers and hers alone. She follows his career path to Rome, saving him from committing a deadly sin but wanting to be the cause of his downfall. What starts in blood ends in blood. Two souls entwined through a mission in life to redeem each other, nurturing a formidable love along the way. But who is saving who?

AUDIO REVIEW:
Broken, a unique and taboo story of a priest and a woman who believes herself to be a nephilim, is a captivating listen. The exceptional voice talents of Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter bring the characters to life in a way that is truly remarkable. Their performance is so immersive that it feels like the characters are right there, reading the book to you and infusing every word with raw emotion. The angst, passion, and love are so vividly portrayed that you can almost feel them. My admiration for Jason and Stella's portrayal of Savio and Andrea is beyond words.

Andrea, despite her initial portrayal as a bit unstable, is a woman driven by a powerful mission to save the man she believes needs her more than his God. Savio, on the other hand, is deeply committed to his calling but is gradually losing faith in humanity. It's the love of a strong woman that ultimately guides him to his true place: in her embrace, not within the confines of the church.

I was sent an Advanced Listener Copy.

[Heather]

Time of Death: Page 88, 26%

Spoilers…. Probably. So if you’re not in the market for that, you might want to just skip along to the next review. But I will give you this much without ruining it for you— if psychotic, self righteous, crazy-compulsive vigilantes simping over each other isn’t your thing, then you probably won’t be a fan of this either! 🤷‍♀️🫡

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You’ve been warned. 👌 K!

I just can’t with this book. The FMC is crazy. Like literally, full on, ball-busting bonkers! 🤪 In the beginning you get subtle hints because she’s very childish and just acts kind of bizarre for a 17-year old. It took a lot to push through that as it was, but I really was just trying to trust the process. Then you find out she has a brain cyst and they have to do brain surgery, so you’re like, ‘Ok, well that explains it!’ 😌 But guess what? She’s still insane once it’s removed— talking about her wings on her back (not figuratively either, literal 🪽) and having to save her “charges” and shit. 🥴

And this poor priest that she’s obsessed with and been stalking for years might as well be crazy with all the shit he had to endure when he was taken hostage. I almost feel sorry for the man with the literal train wreck waiting in the shadows ready to pounce on his unsuspecting ass! 😳 Not that he’s without his issues too, but in the content I’ve read so far, he doesn’t grate against my nerves nearly as much as the coo-coo for coco puffs heroine. 🫣😬

Final thoughts? I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m not going to be able to stomach reading through this book in its entirety. Not only am I not a fan of this particular brand of crazy, I also don’t enjoy the heroine being the OTT, possessive one pursuing the relationship, which she most definitely is! Whatever it is that the two of them have (whenever it actually develops since they technically haven’t even met yet— she’s just went all “I find you!” and stalked him all the way to Rome and sat in on one of his services at this point in the book) would never have happened if she hadn’t chased him down. It’s just not for me because it’s in no way actually enjoyable to read. 🙅‍♀️✋😐

[Amber (Amber Reads Romance) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶

Broken was such a beautiful and heartbreaking romance that dealt with dark subject matter. I found this to be a truly unique story, and unlike anything I have read by Serena Akeroyd. It had such a different style and pacing than her other books, and I loved it. This book may be taboo and difficult to read for religious people because it tackles issues with faith. I found the questions and struggles Savio goes through to be very relatable, and my heart broke for his character.

Savio is a broken and disillusioned priest, struggling with his faith and trying so hard to be on God’s path. He has severe trauma and PTSD from the time he was held captive by an evil group. He has been bounced around to different congregations because he just can't find his place. He has taken it upon himself to punish sinners who are coming to confession and admitting to unforgivable crimes. He also punishes himself for his sins by self flagellation in a very harmful way. He is just going through the motions and suffering until Andrea walks into his life.

Andrea was such a fascinating character because she felt like an unreliable narrator. I couldn’t tell what was real or a delusion since she had some pretty wild beliefs. She is an empath and has spent her life seeing things others can;t and going out of her way to help people who are being victimized. She has been obsessed with Savio since she was 14 and saw him on the news. She wrote him letters for years and believes they are twin flames.

By the time she enters his life, Savio is in desperate need of her help. She is there to save him and tempt him from his faith, but she doesn’t do it in a forceful way. She helps him come to terms with his doubts and sets him on the right path. These two were true soul mates, and I loved how beautiful they were together.

I was so impressed with this story because I have not read anything like it. This may be one of the best priest romances I read.

Thank you to Serena Akeroyd and Give Me Books Promotion for providing the ARC.

TW: self harm, mentions of SA, PTSD

[liz_loves_reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merged review to include 🎧 book on 26 June

Absolutely top notch 🎧
Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke were, without a doubt, the best narrators to fully portray Andrea and Savio.
They brought out the angst, despair, and yearning perfectly. The moments of 'craziness' were expressed flawlessly, as were the spicy scenes.
Loved every minute!


📚 reviewed 01 August 2024

Serena has written such a compelling, dark, twisted, and challenging taboo tale in Broken.

Fr. Savio Martin is tortured in mind and soul after enduring a hellish past. He finds himself adrift from the religious dogma of the Catholic church and is shunted from congregation to congregation until he lands in the Eternal City.
He seeks atonement for his sins by punishing himself and terminal punishment to sinners - 'sin eater'

Andrea Jura has had a strange fascination with Savio since a teenager and over the years has written to and obsessed over him. She is convinced that she is on God's path to be his saviour and that this is her sole quest when she arrives in Rome.

"My Savio. My sinner. My seeker of redemption."

The tempo and narrative were perfect for this story of troubled souls finding their own peace, joining their twin flames to secure a future together.

[Jemma Newby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savio how you have my heart. Savio and his Angel (Andrea) are just everything. Once again this author has blown me away with the way her writing just pulls you in. I was on the wild ride with the very delicious Savio. I loved every hot dark / t@b●● second of it. I also loved how this book ended , we got to see Savio and his Angel years into the future. You will need to read the TW before reading this book but boy you will not be disappointed. Incredible five star read that I would definitely recommend.



Audiobook Review :


Ahhh , this audiobook was just amazing. Stella Hunter and Jason Clarke voicing Savio and Andrea (Angel) was just everything , they really brought these two characters alive. I loved every last second of it and I just couldn't stop listening. Amazing , five huge stars.

[Bookomaniac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was certainly one of the oddest forbidden taboo romances I've ever read. If you're in the mood for something very different, this book is for you.

* MF Contemporary
* religious themes
* French-Italian priest
* tortured during the Algerian Civil War
* becomes a vigilante afterwards
* self-harms
* famous wealthy writer FMC
* she's the obsessed stalker
* she has mental health issues/ brain tumor
* forbidden love
* taboo sex scenes

SPOILERS*****************************************************************

-- he's a French-Italian priest that was tortured in Algeria by Christian rebels who were committing terrible crimes and wanted absolution, which he would not give until they began torturing women and girls in front of him
-- he suffers from PTSD, survivor's guilt and religious confusion/ doubts
-- he also plays vigilante, killing parishioners who are remorseless monsters
-- he self-harms old-style (flagellation)
-- she's the American daughter of an army man and a doctor
-- she sees the priest being rescued on the news when she is 17 and becomes obsessed with him
-- she helps people escape terrible situations, believing she is their guardian angel
-- as she gets older, she comes to believe that she is Nephilim, and that she has wings
-- she also becomes a famous writer and gains fame and fortune
-- she is still obsessed with the priest, writing him letters that he never receives (he knows nothing of her)
-- she is diagnosed with a brain tumor, which doctors explain caused her delusions and hallucinations
-- she has brain surgery, becomes physically weak, but is still determined to find the priest (she's 30 now)... she has wings tattooed on her body, still obsessed with priest, had him investigated, has a file on him, knows there are "suicides" of bad people wherever he is posted
-- he is sent to a small parish in Rome because he is a troublesome priest; he sees her on tv and is attracted to her, reads all her books
-- she goes to Rome to find him
-- she quickly seduces him (like, in a day)
-- she convinces him that they are twin flames, that she is there to save him, that she is his guardian angel, to stop him from killing, to convince him to leave the priesthood
-- he tries to kill two more bad men, she stops one killing (by stabbing him) but helps him kill a drug dealer; then provides a self-defense motive by stabbing him and claiming it was the dead guy who stabbed the priest
-- they are briefly separated while he gets de-priestified (should be a word) and testifies in Italy about the other drug dealers
-- the last part of the book is like a long epilogue, describing their life together over the next 20 years. It's my favorite part of the book.

[Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrea has always been a do-gooder, much to her parents chagrin. It isn't until devastation hits her life, that she begins to grow an obsession for a priest who was abducted, and finally returned years later. That obsession carries over a decade, until she makes the choice to finally take her future into her hands, and claim that man - her man - for herself.

*****

Hoooooly fuuuuuuck. I was not expecting this book and it was everything I could have wanted and more. Andrea is, in a word, unhinged. She's spent her life dedicated to doing what's right in progressively more risky ways, and doesn't realize until she's older that there may be a reason for that. Her path to healing doesn't come in a linear way though. Instead it's fraught with hallucinations, obsessions and a heavy case of stalking.

I wanted to root for her at moments, while I was also horrified by her beliefs and choices. Savio's initial reactions to her and how he then leans into her salvation from his life of begrudging priesthood and serial killings was stark and also just made sense. Seeing him slip into what could be madness but felt so much like clarity was so twisted and perfect and made me love both of these absolutely insane characters. The narrators Jason Clark and Samantha Hunter were the perfect choices for this book, and I was able to fall into the world they voiced with so much emotion and stay hooked the entire time.

Getting an HEA that spanned decades and pulled them into such a perfect finish was unsettling and also lovely, especially considering how they started. This book was unsettling and wonderful and the kind of perfection I've grown to expect of the author.

*****

Thank you to the author, Serena Akeroyd, for the Advanced Listener Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Yenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Serena writes and BROKEN was no exception. I feel like the book is a departure from her typical writing style, as is it part epistolary, but this just shows the depth and versatility of her talent. BROKEN is a forbidden romance about a serial unaliver priest and an empathetic obsessed stalker. Sounds like a match made in heaven, right? Tbh, they truly were!

Andrea first learns of Savio when she hears of his kidnapping in Algeria on the news. Just a teenager, she writes him numerous letters over the course of several years. She tells him that she is thinking of and praying for him as well as about all the people she's saved. Her letters go unanswered but she continues to write him anyway.

Savio is a broken Catholic priest who's somewhat lost his faith and can't a congregation where he feels at home. He suffers from severe trauma and PTSD. Disillusioned, he punishes sinners who confess to heinous crimes, but he also punishes himself in the process.

When Andrea finally locates Savio, she goes and finds him. And it's almost as though she comes at the right time because Savio is really struggling and needs help. She saves him and helps put him on the right path.

There's so much to love about this book. It's complex, layered, gritty, and raw. Andrea and Savio are such flawed characters and I truly felt like they were soulmates. Their character development was excellent, as was the plot. Their love story was full of emotion and angst. BROKEN is probably one of the most unique love stories I've ever read; it's heartbreakingly beautiful and very thought-provoking.

I highly recommend this one! Definitely check TWs, as some of the content and themes may be triggering to some. 4.5⭐️

Thanks so much, Serena and Give Me Books PR, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! 💕

[Geri Stoikova · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when the Sin eater meets the Guardian angel and his last shreds of faith are put to the test ? Can those broken souls be saved ?
Broken is so different from everything I've read. It's dark and heartbreaking , challenging taboos and questioning your beliefs . And despite the heavy topics it brings to light it's a story about love and faith, redemption and living life to the fullest. Loved the way Andrea and Savio's story was written in letters and prayers while the main event is happening only for twenty four hours and is shaping their whole lives. And after that follow all those snippets of life that is full of love and purpose. I loved it that before they meet they only saw each other on the TV screen and felt connected to each other. Andrea was such a complex character with strong beliefs and purpose to help others. Even her choice of work did that. And she wants finally to meet Savio and to help him. And her name is so fitting-Andrea means warrior. Savio sees her when she's at the beginning of a difficult period in her life. And he prays for her to make it through. Savio means wise and educated. When they finally meet Savio is struggling with accepting Andrea and her truth. She's challenging everything he believes and she's forcing him to come to terms with his new reality and purpose. I loved the idea of them being twin flames and even so different they completed each other. And she truly was a Watcher to him and keeping him in line. Because the urge to right the wrongs in the world and set the Sin eater free is overwhelming. Savio and Andrea balanced each other and kept their tendencies in check and they have the happily ever after they deserved . And that ending made a full circle of the story and this time they were together to deal with it. Broken is not your typical summer read but it's Serena Akeroyd at its best so you won't want to miss it.

Thanks to the author and Give Me Books PR for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

[Jens_Book_Cubby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken is a contemporary, standalone, M/F, dark, forbidden romance.

Savio and Andrea are terrific characters and I loved them. Savio is a priest, and such a tormented soul, his past is horrific. After seeing Savio on television, Andrea becomes obsessed with him, and essentially becomes his stalker. She believes they have a connection. I loved when and how these two find each other. They are a perfect match. They come together and complete each other.

I loved the priest/forbidden aspect of the storyline, as well as the, I know this is wrong, but they so deserve it aspect. I love the feeling you get when you are reading a book and it’s like, I know what is happening is not socially, nor morally okay, but honestly, should it be considered wrong? Do I consider it wrong? It really makes you think and I love that in a book.

The writing, pace, and flow of the story are spectacular, as are the plot, storyline, storytelling, characters, character development, relationship development, and world building. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for more from this wonderful author.

[Arianna ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 star but rounded down to an actual 2.5

I wanted to like this book because I was hoping it would be similar to Priest by Sierra Simone but darker. But I just couldn't get into the story with these characters. I'm all for delusional characters in books but I just couldn't get with the FMC and her antics, even when it was partially explained by a medical issue. I really liked the idea that the MMC was a priest / vigilante serial unaliver but the book as a whole just didn't draw me in and hook me.

Thank you to Must Love Audio for sending me an early audiobook!

[Cristina]

DNF

It’s probably me but I couldn’t connect with the characters. Their romance felt… off.