What do you think?
Rate this book
Unbreak You
If she stayed she would be dead...
Starting over is never easy. Starting over in a place where no one knows who you are is even harder. In a place like St. Barnabas Sound, second chances are the way of life. Audrey Delaney stepped off the train in the seaside village ready to start fresh. Armed with nothing more than frail hope, thirty-six cents and a determination to survive. Audrey and her infant son make this seaside Maine village their home. Haunted by a past that left its mark, Audrey learns to trust again.
Benjamin Brewer is fresh from the worst year in his life. Wanting nothing more than to cook in the family restaurant, raise his daughter the best he knows, he is unprepared for this girl his sister brought home. Ben sees in her the same pain he has seen. Together they embark on learning how to unbreak each other.
Starting over is never easy. Starting over in a place where no one knows who you are is even harder. In a place like St. Barnabas Sound, second chances are the way of life. Audrey Delaney stepped off the train in the seaside village ready to start fresh. Armed with nothing more than frail hope, thirty-six cents and a determination to survive. Audrey and her infant son make this seaside Maine village their home. Haunted by a past that left its mark, Audrey learns to trust again.
Benjamin Brewer is fresh from the worst year in his life. Wanting nothing more than to cook in the family restaurant, raise his daughter the best he knows, he is unprepared for this girl his sister brought home. Ben sees in her the same pain he has seen. Together they embark on learning how to unbreak each other.
- GenresRomance
ebook
First published April 22, 2025
About the author
Michaela Kuntzmann
2 booksMichaela Kuntzmann would much rather be at Disneyland. When not rathering to be at Disneyland, Michaela works as an in-home caregiver. She credits her parents with instilling a love of reading and books in her life. When asking her what her favorite book is, Michaela is likely to tell you a different book every time. It's actually Jane Austen’s Persuasion. She lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband, two dogs, and rabbit.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 29, 2025
Utterly heart wrenching story of healing, love and deliverance.
This book had me from the first page. The FMC seeking safety and shelter for herself and her newborn baby absolutely gripped me. As she heals and finds a new found family, the reality of the ups and down of healing is not lost in this book. This is not a fairy tale but a painful and sometimes heartbreaking look at the effects of DV. I found myself deeply caring for her and rooting for her healing and moments of profound self discovery.
The MMC was not obvious to me from the get go and as he revealed himself, I could feel the tug and pull between the MCs. A man with his own wounds and trauma who is still so willing to hold space and move at whatever pace the FMC needs. You will love him.
This book had a lot of dramatic twists and turns that sometimes left me fuming on the MCs behalf.
The mini MCs also stole my heart and left me in tears more than once.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be thinking about it for days to come.
Please check your trigger warnings.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me from the first page. The FMC seeking safety and shelter for herself and her newborn baby absolutely gripped me. As she heals and finds a new found family, the reality of the ups and down of healing is not lost in this book. This is not a fairy tale but a painful and sometimes heartbreaking look at the effects of DV. I found myself deeply caring for her and rooting for her healing and moments of profound self discovery.
The MMC was not obvious to me from the get go and as he revealed himself, I could feel the tug and pull between the MCs. A man with his own wounds and trauma who is still so willing to hold space and move at whatever pace the FMC needs. You will love him.
This book had a lot of dramatic twists and turns that sometimes left me fuming on the MCs behalf.
The mini MCs also stole my heart and left me in tears more than once.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be thinking about it for days to come.
Please check your trigger warnings.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2025
✨Book Review✨
Unbreak You by Michaela Kuntzmann
⭐️ 3/5 | 💔 5/5 on emotions
Please check trigger warnings before reading!
This book hit me hard. I didn’t want it to end, and I’m still struggling to find the words to describe how deeply it impacted me. It’s an emotional journey full of pain, healing, and hope—with a stunning portrayal of found family and a male lead who is endlessly patient and kind.
While the emotional depth was incredible, I did wish for more development in the romance. There were some big time jumps and fast shifts in the relationship between the MMC and FMC that left me wanting more connection and buildup.
That said, the story truly shines when it comes to personal healing. It beautifully shows how healing within yourself is necessary before you can fully connect and heal with others.
A raw and heartfelt read that’ll leave you thinking long after the last page. 🖤
Unbreak You by Michaela Kuntzmann
⭐️ 3/5 | 💔 5/5 on emotions
Please check trigger warnings before reading!
This book hit me hard. I didn’t want it to end, and I’m still struggling to find the words to describe how deeply it impacted me. It’s an emotional journey full of pain, healing, and hope—with a stunning portrayal of found family and a male lead who is endlessly patient and kind.
While the emotional depth was incredible, I did wish for more development in the romance. There were some big time jumps and fast shifts in the relationship between the MMC and FMC that left me wanting more connection and buildup.
That said, the story truly shines when it comes to personal healing. It beautifully shows how healing within yourself is necessary before you can fully connect and heal with others.
A raw and heartfelt read that’ll leave you thinking long after the last page. 🖤
April 21, 2025
This story was beautiful! The absolute heartbreak and healing behind Audrey's story made me feel sadness, joy, anger, frustration, outrage, fear, and finally happiness.
This story is such a great example of how individuals react to their trauma, and how healing is not linear. It is also a really great message of how healing takes a village.
I enjoyed reading this story, and getting to have insight into Audrey and Ben's story. The writing was super engaging and I was easily drawn into the story.
Rating 3.5 because at times, the timeline was difficult to follow, and some of the characters seemed to not to their original design.
overall: recommend
This story is such a great example of how individuals react to their trauma, and how healing is not linear. It is also a really great message of how healing takes a village.
I enjoyed reading this story, and getting to have insight into Audrey and Ben's story. The writing was super engaging and I was easily drawn into the story.
Rating 3.5 because at times, the timeline was difficult to follow, and some of the characters seemed to not to their original design.
overall: recommend
May 12, 2025
Outstanding story of growth, loss, recovery, and finding home.
This book pulled me in and made me feel like a part of the family. I was invested in Audrey's story so quickly. While there were early hints about how things could end up, from a romance perspective, it didn't feel like a guarantee, which I appreciated. Audrey's growth as a person throughout the book was both impressive and also realistic. And the "supporting" characters were also well-written and full people, not just names in passing. I'm hoping there are future books so I can fall even more in love with them.
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book; opinions expressed here are my own.
This book pulled me in and made me feel like a part of the family. I was invested in Audrey's story so quickly. While there were early hints about how things could end up, from a romance perspective, it didn't feel like a guarantee, which I appreciated. Audrey's growth as a person throughout the book was both impressive and also realistic. And the "supporting" characters were also well-written and full people, not just names in passing. I'm hoping there are future books so I can fall even more in love with them.
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC copy of this book; opinions expressed here are my own.
April 4, 2025
4.5⭐️
This book was an emotional read for me that I didn’t want to end. I can’t even find words to explain how good this story was. This is a beautiful example of found family, with a man that is so patient and kind.
However, I cannot emphasize this enough: READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS! and remember that your mental health matters.
This book was an emotional read for me that I didn’t want to end. I can’t even find words to explain how good this story was. This is a beautiful example of found family, with a man that is so patient and kind.
However, I cannot emphasize this enough: READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS! and remember that your mental health matters.
July 20, 2025
Emotional Roller-coaster
The story is well written, but hard to read. Nothing good happens to these people it's just one bad after another. Until about 96% of the way through the book. I mean if anything ANYTHING negative triggers you DO Not read this book.
The story is well written, but hard to read. Nothing good happens to these people it's just one bad after another. Until about 96% of the way through the book. I mean if anything ANYTHING negative triggers you DO Not read this book.
August 25, 2026
This story is just so heartbreaking but warming at the same time. Check your trigger warnings please. This deals with domestic violence & there are children involved.
There is so much raw emotion here. So much depth. I cried a few times. I just didn’t know where the story was going to go. Each character was unique in their own way.
My only struggle was with how long the chapters were. I wanted to DNF due to that reason alone.
There is so much raw emotion here. So much depth. I cried a few times. I just didn’t know where the story was going to go. Each character was unique in their own way.
My only struggle was with how long the chapters were. I wanted to DNF due to that reason alone.
April 10, 2026
please make this a movie
I could not put this book down after having it recommended for a trip! The characters are all good but flawed people that gives the book a "realness" so it's not too perfect to take you out of the story. There were a few times conversations felt a little redundant but overall was a great read.
I could not put this book down after having it recommended for a trip! The characters are all good but flawed people that gives the book a "realness" so it's not too perfect to take you out of the story. There were a few times conversations felt a little redundant but overall was a great read.
March 18, 2025
I had the extreme pleasure of receiving this book as an ARC, all opinions are my own.
No spoilers in this review.
This book has been well written and is mindful of depicting the struggles of surviving domestic violence. The story shows how DV affects your self worth and how small triggers can start a relapse in thinking. Both of the MC's have their stories and "unbreak you" is an apt title for this book.
This story is a journey of love and hope, this may be a tough read for some and please read trigger warnings before reading.
I highly recommend and will definitely read more from this author
No spoilers in this review.
This book has been well written and is mindful of depicting the struggles of surviving domestic violence. The story shows how DV affects your self worth and how small triggers can start a relapse in thinking. Both of the MC's have their stories and "unbreak you" is an apt title for this book.
This story is a journey of love and hope, this may be a tough read for some and please read trigger warnings before reading.
I highly recommend and will definitely read more from this author
March 26, 2025
Thank you Michaela for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Get your tissues ready because this book had all the feels 🥲
emotional roller coaster + heartbreakingly uplifting
Audrey escapes an abusive relationship with her preemie son and takes the time to heal in a small town in Maine. There were a few points in the story that I was VERY concerned about the twists and turns that were happening but ultimately, I felt that all sensitive topics were handled with care
CW: intimate partner violence, child abuse, child abduction, sexual violence
emotional roller coaster + heartbreakingly uplifting
Audrey escapes an abusive relationship with her preemie son and takes the time to heal in a small town in Maine. There were a few points in the story that I was VERY concerned about the twists and turns that were happening but ultimately, I felt that all sensitive topics were handled with care
CW: intimate partner violence, child abuse, child abduction, sexual violence
May 5, 2025
This was a cozy read with lots of moments where people are just living their lives with joy and loving their family and friends
But make no mistake it will also break your heart - please read the trigger warnings
I was rooting for Audrey all the way along her healing journey and Ben was perfect (as in he wasn't perfect and had his own issues)
Really enjoyed this book
But make no mistake it will also break your heart - please read the trigger warnings
I was rooting for Audrey all the way along her healing journey and Ben was perfect (as in he wasn't perfect and had his own issues)
Really enjoyed this book
Read
May 21, 2025dnf at 25% I could not get into this book at all. aside from the constant head hopping where I never really knew who's thoughts were who's (sometimes in the same paragraph), we didn't even get the mfc name until halfway through the first chapter. The book had a good premise but omg just not for me.
March 26, 2025
Thank you Michaela for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Get your tissues ready because this book had all the feels 🥲
emotional roller coaster + heartbreakingly uplifting
Audrey escapes an abusive relationship with her preemie son and takes the time to heal in a small town in Maine. There were a few points in the story that I was VERY concerned about the twists and turns that were happening but ultimately, I felt that all sensitive topics were handled with care
CW: intimate partner violence, child abuse, child abduction, sexual violence
emotional roller coaster + heartbreakingly uplifting
Audrey escapes an abusive relationship with her preemie son and takes the time to heal in a small town in Maine. There were a few points in the story that I was VERY concerned about the twists and turns that were happening but ultimately, I felt that all sensitive topics were handled with care
CW: intimate partner violence, child abuse, child abduction, sexual violence
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews