An emotionally devastating love story full of love, trauma, heartache, and healing. Tiny Fractures is the first book in the Halfway Broken series.
Love, like light, will always find a way in through the smallest of cracks, the tiniest of fractures—even the invisible ones like those caused by fear, and pain, and violence...
Cat—not Catherine, just Cat—is trying to piece her life back together after a shattering breakup when her family relocates to the bustling city, desperate for a fresh start. With her heart in tatters and guilt weighing heavily, she vows to shield herself from anything that could lead to more pain.
Until she meets Ronan.
The moment their eyes lock, the world shifts right beneath their feet. Ronan is the star center forward of the varsity hockey team—handsome, smart, and fiercely protective. But beneath his perfect facade lies a secret so dark it has the power to destroy everything he loves.
As they fight to keep their distance, the pull between them becomes impossible to ignore. When Ronan sees the fractures in Cat’s soul, mirroring his own pain, he’s determined to rescue her from the darkness threatening to consume them both. But with every stolen glance and every shared laugh, the stakes get higher, and the risk of heartbreak grows.
In this gripping new adult romance, Cat and Ronan are drawn into a whirlwind of fierce love and dangerous vulnerability. Prepare for a heart-stopping journey through pain and redemption, where every choice could lead to salvation—or devastation. Can their love be the light that pierces the darkness, or will the very fears that bind them drive them apart forever?
Filled with angst, tension, and relationships like no other, Tiny Fractures will shatter you to pieces and leave you desperate to read the next book in the Halfway Broken series. This book is perfect for readers who
Dual POVsNew adult/YA crossoverFound FamilyFriends-to-loversTrauma romanceSlow-burnWhat readers are
“It had me by the throat AND quite literally froze time.”
“It’s a slow burn for sure, but once it ignites, your entire soul will be on fire.”
“Let me tell you right this isn't your typical romance story. It's raw, real, and unforgettable.”
“What a DEBUT!!!!!”
“Have tissues you will need them. I will warn you right off the bat with this review. This storyline will pull and tear apart your heart. But so worth it.”
“This book was absolutely amazing! So beautifully written. It definitely makes you feel all the emotions! You won’t want to put this book down. Love at first site is always amazing... until it isn’t. 🤫 Definitely deserves a 10 star review ❤️ You won’t be disappointed!”
This story took me back to 2013 when I found GR and started devouring books. It was a time when I read so many great YA books, heavy on angst, depth in spades and hot chemistry. That vibe was very present here until it wasn't.
It was a decent read, but it dragged from the middle and I was annoyed that it ended on a cliffhanger. I wouldn't have started it if I had known.
4 stars!! Man this book was HEAVY!! Ronan and Cat go through some pretty traumatic experiences so please be wary of the triggers!!! (Suicidal thoughts, Graphic Violence, Domestic and Sexual Abuse, Unhealthy parental relationships, affairs) This is an incredible debut! It’s very well written and Julia does a PHENOMENAL job at introducing characters you can’t help but root for. I was obsessed with the friend group and adored the relationships within it! Now with that being said, the reason it isn’t a 5 star read (for me) is because the content level is a bit risky. I know that drugs, sex, and alcohol are all teenage habits, and the reasoning for these specific practices do go hand and hand with the plot and character traits. I just wish it wasn’t as explicit! (this is a personal preference) The content is definitely suited for people aged 17+! Either way, this book hooked me with the characters, the healing, and the tiny fractures waiting to be mended! AND THE TWIST AT THE END?!? Hello!!!???? I will definitely be picking up book 2!!! GAHHHH
4.5/5⭐️ rounded up :) Short version: I loved this story and although some parts were drawn out, could have been omitted, or placed elsewhere, I’m dying for more and I love these characters and the bond you feel within the pages.
There was a nice sense of community for Cat and the friendships she develops are so genuine, you really start to love the characters from the moment she meets Vada. The plot was very good but some parts felt drawn out while others felt rushed at times. I think we could use some page breaks for some scene transitions. A little more descriptors at the beginning would have been better; in-depth descriptions of the beach house for example were towards the end of the book when Cat and her friends do a lot of hanging out there from the beginning and having that setting description would have been nice from the start. We learn the names of her siblings far too late, they could have been introduced during her drive up from North Carolina to New York.
Dual POVs between Cat and Ronan overlapped unnecessarily at times, repeating scenes without too much needed context, but it didn’t drive me away from continuing and loving the story at all because they weren’t repeated word for word - just adds some length to the book. There were some sayings that were recycled throughout the book, like each of them talking about how perfect the other is, or how comfortable they feel around each other. Ronan will tell us that Cat is the most beautiful girl he has ever laid eyes on at least once every time the POV switches, and the same happens in Cat’s POV. Cat will tell us that she can’t stop staring at Ronan’s muscled torso every 5 minutes. But they’re 17 and it’s young love so, maybe that’s the idea. I liked the swooning, lovebird feel to their relationship a lot. Ronan is the perfect gentleman despite his upbringing and everyday battles.
Portrayal of abuse was VERY thorough. Take a good minute to read the warnings and know that the physical abuse is very descriptive and happens often, it may be extremely triggering for some people. I liked that this book was not stereotypical in its portrayal of abuse (girl gets abused by dad, boy swoops in and saves the day) and it does not glorify in any way that sort of lifestyle (much like Colleen Hoover is often criticized for). This book is very real and raw and gets to the nitty-gritty. The inner demons within Ronan and Cat respectively are well thought out and well written in conveying what they feel, making the readers really feel it with them.
There isn’t really a happy ending, but it’s one that leaves you with questions and an open stage for the next book. I’ll be VERY interested to see how Ronan’s story develops and how the situation with his mom is handled; considering that the author is/was also a lawyer, I think it’ll be really well written and accurately depicted. And hopefully there is a good sense of justice brought to Ronan as well as peace within himself.
Cat and Adam’s situation could have been concluded in this book and left room for Ronan’s story in the next book. It seems a bit played out, like come on Cat, change your number and don’t give it to your North Carolina friends!
Overall, it was a very good story and I’d recommend to people who like a mature coming of age story with dark secrets and a lot of tensions and suspense. Thank you to the author for the ARC, I was thrilled and devoured this book in a few short days despite its length.
“I’m serious, Cat. I’ve never felt like this; I’ve never been this drawn to someone.”
A huge thank you to J.V. Reese for the privilege of reading this ARC and for sending such a stunning physical copy! It’s one I’ll proudly display on my bookshelf.
In this debut coming of age romance novel, Cat is on a healing journey after a traumatic breakup, resolved to protect her heart. However, when she meets Ronan, a star athlete with his own hidden struggles, their connection is undeniable. Despite their fears and past wounds, they are drawn to each other. As their relationship deepens, they must face their inner demons and decide whether their love will mend their scars or unravel them further.
This debut is truly impressive! The character development is stellar, and the writing is flawless for a first book. I was especially taken with the friend group—each character’s personality is vividly brought to life, making them easy to visualize and remember. When a book keeps me thinking about its characters and eagerly anticipating what’s next, even when I'm not reading, it definitely earns a good rating! I was moved by the way the author explores the theme of vulnerability and healing. It resonated with me and made me reflect on my own journey at that age, how so many changes happen during that time.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates deeply emotional stories with complex characters and realistic portrayals of personal growth. Please note that this book covers heavy topics, including verbal and physical abuse, domestic and dating violence, mentions of suicide, sex, alcohol, and profanity. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.
I genuinely don’t know where to begin with this book. The story was so incredible....the friendships, the love, the trauma, all of it was so beautifully written and left me on the edge of my seat more often than not! I had the hardest time putting this book down, and found myself up til 2am reading trying to get to the end to find out what happens to Cat & Ronan. Some of the events had me on the verge of sobbing and I’ve never been so emotionally invested in fictional characters before... I was so emotionally wrecked with their story, by the ending I was in tears. I NEED MORE. I need to know what’s going to happen next...Where do Cat & Ran’s story go from here? I have so many unanswered questions and truly can’t wait for the next book!
I also think this book has a huge potential to be made into a movie - It’s just that amazing!
Can I rate this 10 stars?! The character development, the details, the story with so many moving parts, and the gripping emotion… I can’t say enough good things about this book. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat unable to put the book down, and then I noticed 99% done and I screamed “no, not a cliffhanger!” and then it ended in a way that has me so stressed out lol
I have absolutely fallen in love with Ronan and Cat and their circle of friends. I want to protect them at all costs and see them all go onto college and create incredible lives with each other.
Please please please tell me there’s a book in the works to continue the story!
Absolutely perfect, heartbreaking, sweet, traumatic, and lovely. These characters and their experiences shattered me. I’m eagerly awaiting book 2. I cannot get Cat and Ronan off my mind a week after reading Tiny Fractures. I’m counting the days for book 2.
This read has left me speechless and yearning to express my emotions. Initially, it was a slow burn, but once it gained traction, I was utterly enthralled. This was a powerful exploration of emotional depth, navigating Cat's and Ronan's painful pasts, with a touch of sensuality. Be mindful, as some themes may be distressing for survivors of trauma. I'm excited to see what's next for the characters, yet apprehensive about the repercussions of the antagonist's reappearance.
YALL THIS BOOK I HAVE NEVER FELT SO MANY EMOTIONS. I LAUGHER. I MOST CERTAINLY CRIED! THE STORY IS AMAZING ALSO TRAGIC. YALL NEED TO READ THIS BOOK LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT RAN AND CAT. BUT BEING ABUSED THEY BOTH HAVE BEEN ONE SPILLING THE TRUTH THE OTHER HIDES IT NOT TO DRAG ANYONE DOWN! YALL READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS ALWAYS! THE CLIFF HANGER THOUGH I NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW PLEASE!!!
Omg Ronan and Cat’s story was heartbreaking! Cat moves to New York from North Carolina after her life was turned upside down by her ex boyfriend. She meets Ronan, who is the complete opposite of her ex. He’s sweet, kind, and always looking out for her and protective. He never pushes her boundaries. But neither of them have an easy life. Ronan is hiding a huge secret that becomes life changing to everyone around him when it comes to light. Cat thought moving would be the end of her past, and that was a mistake. Someone is set on revenge and will stop at nothing to make her pay.
The was a part that immediately told me that this book wasn’t just a story, but was made with love and has a real world purpose was the line that gave the book its title. “She’s a beautiful girl—f**k, so damn beautiful—but I sense darkness. I could see it in her eyes—the fractures. Tiny, but there nonetheless. I can tell because I know all about that, and I would be a horrible person if I made a move on Cat, if I let myself feel anything for her, because I would shatter her. I could never be enough. For anyone.”
I will not give the plot twists away, but what I can say is, the author handled both situations with the care of the victims in mind. It was an accurate portrayal of what they go through, and it had me in tears. I was beyond excited to see that the story of Ronan and Cat are not over, they are getting another book!
To the amazing author, thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing a real light of the situations. For not letting Ronan just give up. Thank you for showing that victims can fight for themselves, and that it’s not as easy as just getting better and healing. It’s a process with both good and bad moments. You handled it beautifully and with respect.
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Thank you for the opportunity! Congrats J.V.Reese on your debut novel you should be so proud! (It can be heavy read with the triggers it has so check them out before reading.)
It was a good coming of age story. Love, family and trust was found along with a little cliff hanger that does make you want to know what the next book will be about! That being said I personally give this book an overall 3.75 stars. 🌟
I wanted to Love the story MORE, and don't get me wrong it was a good read and I enjoyed the different emotions I felt whilst reading it. There were some parts however, that just wasn’t giving me what it had the potential to give. Especially considering the length of the book.
Some things felt a little too much / over done such as: Cat & Ronan constantly describing each other (it felt like every other page), the amount of characters, the scenarios cat was in… amongst other things.
The time lines were a little 🤏🏽 confusing, they didn’t seem to add up at times within the story. Another thing for me was the POV’s, they didn’t flow in the beginning half, in my opinion. However, I felt like it flowed around the middle to end of the book which made it more enjoyable.
My heart went out to Ronan at first I thought he was just “one of them guys” but he definitely deserves all the love in the world and definitely fave character in the book. If I ever see Rica she’s catching these hands lol😤 Cat…irritated me at times, she was “meh” to me I wanted to shake her and say “C’mon miss girl! Really?” The rest of the gang were cool and I love how J.V.Reese captured the essence that family isn’t always blood and also showing that not every book leaves on a high note.
All in all I definitely recommend having a go of this book! Like I say everyone’s opinion is different and in no way is this a negative review!
Happy Reading xx
Fave Quote: She's breaking down every wall I've ever built, my carefully constructed cocoon meant to shield me from vulnerability. - Ronan 🥹
My heart! 🥺 This story just engulfed all my emotions. From feeling giddy for a first true love , to laughter at some of the banter to full on tears due to the heavy emotional trauma both main characters go through. As a mother, it just shattered my heart.
I fell in love with both man characters, Cat and Ronan. Cat, a sweet teenager who I felt sometimes in her past got caught up with peer pressure, partying and not knowing how to handle a partner who had abusive tendencies as many teenagers do. Then Ronan who is fighting demons of his own of which happens to be a parent whose job is to love their children and make them feel safe instead of tear them down emotionally and physically. I just wanted to wrap my arms around both of them. The friend group was heartfelt and really enjoyed how they car
The writing was extraordinary. So much heavy trauma, abuse, triggers some being explicit violence and su!cidal thoughts (- check the TW before reading) however I felt the author did a phenomenal and careful job in how she presented it in the story. The love story between Cat and Ronan is a sweet one and I look forward to watching their journey unravel in book 2.
Where to start I ran across this book by luck, and I’ve been obsessed since page 1 but my heart also hurts for them. I can’t wait to read book 2 and see what else this author has! She has fast become one of my fav authors just from this book!
This was an emotional book from start to finish and it honestly had me crying at some points of it. This author never stops amazing me with what she writes and this book proves it. She had so many elements going on but they all worked in it such as drugs, traumatic pasts, heartbreaks, and so much more that had this story gripping my heart over and over again
Holy Moly! Tiny Fractures was beyond amazing in this love at first sight romance! Ronan and Cat have a connection that they never had before with others. Highly Recommend! A Must Read!
Ooh how I fell in love with the story! I loved the banter between the two main characters and the strength of friendship within the group. Tiny Fractures has some of my favorite tropes, friends to lovers with that slow burn 🔥, and found family 🤍
Thoroughly enjoyed the dual POV 🙌 I was able to really connect with the MFC and then better understand by viewing through the eyes of the MMC…plus don’t we always wish we knew what our partner is thinking 😆
Side note: Vada is my home girl 🫶 also I hate, hate, hate Adam.
Times I wanted to cry, times I wanted to yell, and times I wanted to rejoice with the love that filled my heart.
I am so glad I was allowed to be an ARC reading and can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.
I got the privilege of reading this ARC, and so happy I did. This book was so good! It made me smile & bawl my eyes out. Cat & Ronan are the perfect highschool sweethearts. Both struggling with secrets thinking they other will think badly of them if they found out. With such an amazing group of friends! God I loved Vada and her horrible timing. The book is over 500 pages & it ended too quickly for me! I need the second book!
♥️ Dual POV ♥️ Friends to lovers ♥️ Suspense ♥️ Coming of age romance ♥️ Dark secrets
Wow! I cannot believe this is the author's debut novel! What a wonderfully written and highly emotional book. I felt absolutely everything that blossomed so beautifully between these two characters, both so tortured and broken but oh so perfect together. Whilst I admittedly found it difficult reading about the abuse Ronan experienced at home, the author wrote the traumatic scenes with such care and consideration that I simply couldn't stop reading. I felt upset and emotional and so angry for Ronan, all rolled into one. In a nutshell, this story is absolutely soul destroying but at the same time, you are aching for more and are really rooting for these two beautiful characters. I cannot wait for the next book. Hoping and praying that both Ronan and Cat get their long awaited happy ever after.
After my year long reading slump, I was searching Amazon and stumbled upon, Tiny Fractures. What a hidden gem this book was. Everything from heartbreaking secrets and trauma, building wonderful friendships, and finding true love. I adored these characters that J.V. Reese created, we’ll all for two, but you will know who they are once you read this story.
Ronan and Cat are my new favorite couple of 2025 y’all! I will say this book ends on a cliff hanger, but I am exited that their story will be continuing in The Edge of Unbroken, which releases soon, thank goodness! I have to know what happens Ronan, Cat, Steve, Vada, Tori, Shane, Zack.. the whole bunch. Thank you, J.V. for bringing Cat and Ronan to life and for bringing me back to my love of reading. 😊
Oh my god, THIS BOOK!! Listen, you better be ready with tissue and a comfort blanket because this book will rip you to pieces. It is soooo well written! You will feel as though you’re IN the book, sitting on the deck with the friends, overlooking the beach. It’s incredible. The descriptions, the tension, the love, and OOF, the dang heartbreak. You’ll feel it all.
The thing is: indie authors are SO UNDERRATED! Are the trad published books great? Sure, but you know what? Most of the time they’re not really any more spectacular than the unknown indie book! Fourth Wing? Entertaining, but also kind of forgettable (hate me if you want. I speaketh the truth). I had to work HARRRRRRD to picture the scenes. Not so with this gem! Reading Tiny Fractures, I could see, hear, smell (!) what was happening. And don’t even get me started with the characters. Need a new book boyfriend (or 4?): signed, sent, delivered. Even the side characters are chef’s kiss!
I one hundred percent recommend this book! I will shout it from the mountaintop: A MUST READ!!!!!! And I’m not even mad about this cliffhanger because that just means I get so much more of Cat and Ronan.
People might be complaining that the book is drawn out, but think about it: the reason the trauma was so… traumatic was BECAUSE THE AUTHOR SPENT SO MUCH TIME SUCKING US INTO THE LIEVES OF THESE PEOPLE! And then: boom! Heart yanked right out your chest. It just wouldn’t have hit the same if the book hadn’t spent all this time getting me absolutely, deeply invested in these characters. In the end, the author did an unbelievable job absolutely annihilating me!
I’ll say it one last time: READ IT!
Just, you know: be ready with tissue because THIS IS A TRAUMATIC TEAR JERKER!
Please note that this book covers heavy topics, including domestic violence, mentions of suic!de, and has some explicit scenes with s3x and profanity.
PLEASE READ TRIGGER WARNINGS AND TAKE HEED!
While there are deep, dark topics discussed, I think JV Reese does a wonderful job in handling them. As a debut novel, this author knocked the assignment out of the park. Her character development is top tier, and you truly connect with each individual character. The found family aspect within the friend group is one that I so desperately wish I would have had in high school. Cat and Ronan both have trauma, and both believe they are not good enough for the other, but their chemistry and attraction to each other is indisputable. There are a lot of things that they must work through as a couple as well as individually.
I can't express enough how emotionally strong this book is. I am not an easy crier, and I was sobbing by the end. JV Reese does such an amazing job in how she handles the dark topics, the deep and dark feelings of the characters, and the sensitive topics of the trauma events.
I cannot recommend this book enough! But BE PREPARED with plenty of tissues and make sure you are in a safe mental health place before reading. Please note that this book does also end with a cliffhanger, but book 2 is being released in MARCH 2025!
**Please check your triggers if abuse is something you struggle with. At the very least.**
I didn't know what I was walking into with this book. I had signed up for the arc of the second book. And honestly I forgot about it. Then I received the arc on bookfunnel. I looked it up and read the goodreads info and J.V. says you probably should read the first to read the second. So I bought Tiny Fractures on my kindle app. It took me a hot minute to actually get to read it, not because I didn't want to or because I needed to read the second but of course life gets in the way. This past Friday I started this book and I just finished it. This story breaks my heart in so many pieces because of the trauma Ran endures, and puts my heart back together with the all the love his friends have for him. Especially Cat. I got to about 43% through this book and made the biggest revelation. That this story was about mine and my partners life.( Clearly not but so so very close to it) Like we were parallel to the characters in this book.
I look forward to reading the second book and jumping right back into the world of Ronan and Cat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶 The attention to detail! It was hard to believe this was J.V. Reese' first novel. It was incredible! Everything about Cat and Ronan had me believing they were a match made in heaven and craving more. (Cannot wait for book 2!) Ronan - a hockey playing, touch her and die kinda guy with a hard exterior surrounding a soft heart. Cat- a softball playing sweetheart who holds her own. Both coming from past/current life filled with either emotional/verbal abuse and physical abuse. It's inevitable that they come together and find one another absolutely perfect, though thinking they themselves are broken. It hurts to read that they think they are the root cause of their suffering. This book put me on a very much welcomed emotional Rollercoaster. I just wanted to give Cat and Ronan big old hugs the whole time and take them under my wing. I'm normally not an emotional reader and this brought tears to my eyes. Well done. Well done.
There are not enough words to describe the way in which this book made me feel. I felt as though my heart had been ripped out and placed back in only to be held together by a plaster.
Rowan and Cats story is truly an amazing one and I can’t believe I now have to wait for the second book to find out what happens.
This was the perfect combination of a sweet and spicy rom com and the boys of Tommen series ( in an amazing rip your heart out kind of way.
It has a good amount of spice and the perfect about of romance whist always keeping you on your feet about what is coming next.
Cat is an extremely likeable character and Rowan checks all the green flags. #teamrowan
Full of Friendship, flirtation and sexual tension 🤩✨
I have to admit that I’m only beginning to really discover indie authors, but this one is an instant fave and will be added to my auto-buy list. I randomly stumbled across this book and lemme tell you: I was HOOKED! I can’t even believe this is a debut. I’m not totally sure where to start on this review other than: be prepared to have your heart ripped out of your chest. Holy cow, the writing is impeccable. The author really knows how to set a scene and get the reader soooo invested in the characters that by the time the unthinkable happens, you’ll feel as though it’s YOU experiencing all the dang trauma. Slow burn for sure, but oh my god, the tension, the angst, the trauma (scarily realistically portrayed without a hint of glorification) the found fam vibes, the deep first love… 😮💨😭 And then the ending!!!!!!! Man, I need book 2 NOW! Definitely read the TWs, and be prepared to FEEL! 5 freaking ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my! This book is so deep & heavy! Ronan and Cat both go through such difficult things in their lives and have a hard time letting anyone in until they meet each other!
Love at first sight is amazing, until it isn’t and they are tested like they never imagined they would be. AND THE ENDING?!?? Ugh, so ready for book 2. I LOVED the friend group and how supportive they were of each other throughout!
This book made me feel all the emotions and not want to put it down!!
Trigger warnings for domestic violence, abuse, sexual abuse, toxic parents.
Huge shoutout to J.V Reese for the chance to ARC read this awesome book!
This book was absolutely amazing! So beautifully written. It definitely makes you feel all the emotions! You won’t want to put this book down. Love at first site is always amazing.. until it isn’t. 🤫 Definitely deserves a 10 star review ❤️ You won’t be disappointed!
This book takes you on a wild ride with Cat and Ronan. It will have you laughing, crying and mad all at the same time. I couldn’t put this book when I opened it. It’s that’s good. You can’t go wrong with this story.
The emotion train departs immediately and it’s a wicked ride. I laughed and I cried so many times during this book. My heart broke so many times for Ronan and Cat, but particularly for Ronan. This author did an amazing job weaving this story but she gutted me in parts of this story in all the best possibly ways.
I don’t normally pick up YA reads, but am so glad I did and I can’t wait for conclusion of this story!