‘Broken,’ the first book in the debut Psychological Thriller series by M.A. McNally, centres on the questions many women ask where would I be now if I’d never laid eyes on him and would my life have turned out any differently?
"Jayden was everything I’d ever dreamed of. He was charismatic and sexy with a devilish grin I couldn’t resist. He wanted me and only me. I fell for him, hard… right up until the first punch landed.”
Life’s not been kind to Jesse, but at least she has Lola. Lola’s far from perfect, some would say she’s a terrible best friend, but Jesse can’t seem to picture life without her. Growing up wasn’t exactly a bed of roses for Jesse and Lola is all she has.
This book is incredible! I think its so brave to write something so personal, and it makes the story all the more compelling for the reader. I love the character development, I thought it was so interesting how the story starts with a glimpse into the future, and then goes right back to the beginning of the main characters' lives to give you a really deep understanding of how they grew up and why they came to be the way they are. This really helps to understand their actions and choices as adults, and how difficult it is to break a pattern that's been constructed across an entire lifetime. It makes the protagonist's bravery stand out even more. I can't wait for the next installment!
I was gripped by Broken. M.A. McNally has depicted the pain and trauma of all types of abuse through honest and raw characters. She effortlessly blends pain and trauma with moments of sharp wit and humour. I can't wait to read the next part of the series, a truly inspiring read for anyone who has ever suffered abuse.
Broken is a very hard hitting read and not for the feint hearted. Having said that you become invested in the characters and their lives, putting the book down isn’t an option. This is the first of a series of books, so the lives of these characters aren’t neatly wrapped up in the first book ; if they ever do get neatly wrapped up, which I suspect may not be the case!
I really enjoyed reading this book. The writing was engaging, and the story kept me hooked with its gripping dark suspense. The characters are well developed and the plot unfolds with plenty of tension and unexpected twists. A great read.