Shattered Dreams

by CJ Warrant

I fled my hometown at sixteen after a traumatic event that cost me my virtue. Years later, living under a new name, fate throws me back into the path of Decker Moss and Krew Gatlin—my childhood best friends and the two men I once loved.

Now we’re on the run, hunted by killers eager to cash in on the bounty on our heads. With danger closing in, old feelings resurface and tensions flare. I must confront the tangled emotions I’ve buried long ago—and a dark secret that could shatter us all.

Can the truth set me free to love again? Or will it destroy the fragile bond I share with Decker and Krew—along with our lives?

Genres: Dark Romance, Amazon

330 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2025

Reviews

[Becky Aks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams by CJ Warrant left me breathless and chomping at the bit for book two. In one day, the dreams of three high school best friends—Regina, Decker, and Krew, are shattered, and the friends are torn apart and thrust separately into the world. In the Prologue, we feel the trauma experienced that day by Regina, which sets the stage for Chapter One, when the tale picks up ten years later as their lives unexpectedly intersect. While this story is mostly Regina’s, the breadcrumbs Warrant provides about what has happened to Decker and Krew mean that the tension barely lets up. The characters are flawed, complicated, morally gray, and have had mistrust beaten into them—which only made me root harder for them. The action is fast, dark, and steamy with plot twists that kept me riveted. And the sprinkling of Regina’s diary entries throughout the book was an effective way to deliver the backstory, each one providing just enough context to expand the story while keeping the reader in suspense. From its first words, the story grabs the reader and just doesn’t let go. While many issues are resolved, it is not what I think of as a stand-alone novel—the ending reminds us of still-open issues and dangles new conflicts in front of us. Cannot wait for book two!

[Alyssa J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark romance yes

Ooo this was so good but omg the ending!!! I can't wait to read book 2. I typically do not like a mfm but this was good. It was intense.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, the beginning of the book left me heartbroken. No one should go through that. Ever.

Regi is trying to survive when her two childhood best friends come back into her life.

Now all three have to survive and heal through so much trauma. Trauma and love. Two strong forces, for sure.

I finished this book in a couple hours because it had me hooked.

It is such an emotionally charged book and I need the second like yesterday. I have a feeling we will get more answers in that one.

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m ready for the next book in this series. Ms. Warrant gave readers characters that we could emotionally connect with. I wanted to jump in the book and give them a hug. Regina Morton, Krew Gatlin and Decker Moss were childhood friends. That childhood friendship developed into more as they got older. They all wanted to be together. One night changed all their lives. This one event threw wrench into their plans for a future together. After ten years apart, they are all conveniently in the same place at the same time all for different reasons. Are they going to take this chance for granted? Will their past force them to let this opportunity to reconnect slip through their fingers? This book definitely pulls at readers’ heart strings. They are so young and have been through so much. This book has a mystery as well. A mystery that does not get completely resolved in this book. I hope book 2 of this series is almost ready to go. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

[Christie Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams by CJ
💚MFM Romance
🖤Forced Proximity
💚Multiple POV
🖤Friends to Lovers
💚Shared Pasts
🖤Why Choose

This is a why choose about 3 childhood friends finding their way back to each other after all of them have experienced trauma and heartache over one single event that forced them apart in high school. Now they are all on the run, hits are being put out on their lives and Regina is holding her secret close to her heart since the person who caused all her trauma, is the sibling to one of these men. Book 2 needs to happen NOW :)

[sycokittykat - Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three friends seperated and believing the best had happened to the other two.

This book starts out with the absolute worst that could happen. This one night shattered the dreams of three friends. This left everyone to find a new normal due to the actions of others.

Now the three have been trust back together to discover what is going on and who is pulling the strings.

I was hooked right from the begining. There are so many things going on and each of the main characters thought the other two had found each other and were happy together. It was a lot of lies and untold truths that seperated these three for so long.

The secrets are starting to unravel but there is still so much unknown. I devoured this book and keep looking for more pages. I need to know more immediately.

[tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so good I'm reading it a second time the story line has a good flow i highly recommend this book

[Megan Key-Holliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There are some very heavy themes, so please check the TWs before reading. The story itself was good. The ending felt very abrupt to me. There are a lot of questions left unanswered. The spice level is fairly low in my opinion (of course, everyone will rate this differently).

[Alexis Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read that I couldn’t put down. The tension, the angst, the heartaches, the betrayals, everything made this story so special and so well written. I loved seeing these three back together and trying to stay alive. The spice was good and the twists and turns that kept appearing were great. The ending definitely left a lot unresolved and can’t wait to see where this story goes

[Sylena Douville · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW Good Story line- characters are fairly relatable especially our FMC there are some
Issues where the characters seem to be wishy-washy in terms of their thoughts . In one paragraph saying they are staying away and then the next pissed because there’s distance which takes me out of the plot a bit. It also ends on a half cliffhanger of sorts with no real satisfying result which was a bummer

The males though are HAWT and completely devoted which sign me up and gimme

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. I don't like that there were some key details that weren't explained, but I'm hoping they'll be covered in the upcoming books. I also didn't like how abrupt the ending of the book was either. Something big happened and then there was only a chapter or 2 after that. I did love the tension between all 3 of the main characters and was captivated with the slow-burn throughout the book.

❤️MFM Romance
❤️Forced Proximity
❤️Multiple POV
❤️Friends to Lovers
❤️Shared Pasts
❤️Why Choose?

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Jamie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book drew me in right from the start and wouldn’t let me go. What these three went through was trauma no one should ever have to face, let alone kids. I loved Regi, Krew, and Decker so much. You could feel the connection between all of them even through all of the tension. This book was full of action, drama, and some really great spice. I can’t wait for book two to find out what happens next!!

[Clary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was soooooo good I devoured it in one sitting. It was impossible to put it down. I loved how the plot of this story takes you through so many twists and turns while also taking you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, pain, love, trauma and lust. I felt for Regi, Krew and Decker. They all went through so much trauma and pain but the chemistry between all three is undeniable. Even when they've been separated for so long, the love they have for each other never dwindled. I loved the steamy scenes, as well as having such an action packed story. I cannot wait for book 2.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It was a short read with twists I wasn't expecting and definitely dark.
I was immediately being shattered in the beginning by what happened to Regi. No one should ever have to endure what she went through especially not at the hands of someone you know.

This is a why choose about 3 childhood friends finding their way back to each other after all of them have experienced trauma and heartache over one single event that forced them apart in high school.
They each live very different lives but because of the actions of others around them they are forced together again and have to struggle with their long time feelings for each other will overcoming their trauma.......oh and trying to stay alive.

The bond that is between these characters was something I admired. They have been separated for years not knowing what happened to each other but they still loved each other. Regi has been through an extreme situation which causes her to push them away just like all those years ago, but who could blame her? I loved seeing their bond grow again and be together how they always wanted. Lots of intense feelings and action that come with the plot of the book. If you like why choose and friends to strangers to lovers with secrets you'll enjoy this read.

[Nikki B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams was a great story. It grabbed my attention right from the beginning starting off with us following Regina, in one of the worst, most terrifying moments of her life. Now, 10 years later, Regina is running into Decker and Krew, who are basically her childhood friends. Now they are all on the run, hits are being put out on their lives and Regina is holding her secret close to her heart since the person who caused all her trauma, is the sibling to one of these men.
The chemistry between these three is intense. They have all gone through so much trauma over the years and now they're all trying to figure out how to navigate being on the run, together, while all keeping secrets and trying to stay alive. I loved Regi's character for her strength and courage. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next!

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this book 4.5 stars. It is an reverse harem where everyone shares a past history.
Regina, Krew, and Decker were once childhood best friends. Something drew them apart. They're all living away from their hometown. When Regi sees Decker and Kruz after more than 10 years apart, she's scared. Regina still doesn't tell her secret. Which, by the way, is a huge life changing monumental secret! Regi isn't the only one with a secret though. They're all changed in ways but maybe not for the better.There are a lot of on the edge of your seat scenes. The ending was kind of abrupt making me wonder will there be more to this story? I enjoyed it regardless.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

"But my heart? My soul? They still wanted Krew and Regina.

[Crystel Pettit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our main characters Regi, Krew and Decker were best friends growing up and were falling in love with each other until one terrible night tore them in different directions leading to them not seeing each other for years. When fate brings them back together, they instantly realize that they can’t live without each other. But tragedy from their past and current are keeping them from the HEA that I want them to have. This story includes trauma, spice, sword crossing, betrayal, mental health representation, and danger all wrapped up into a beautifully addicting story. I could not put this book down and am looking forward to the next book.

[Chante Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this started with a bang and ended with a bang, and I really want book two now!


Man, the three main characters definitely have a problem with communication.  Regi went through hell, and instead of speaking up, she ran. Drew and Decker were just as bad, with each other and with her.


This book has it all, heartbreak, trauma, so do check the trigger warnings, spice and an ending that left me hanging for the next book.

[Ginabobina Smite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three characters with a single, tragic incident in their past that scatters them until years later they find themselves thrown together in the most unusual and chaotic way.

Hitman, friends turned lovers, and layers and layers of emotions.. Get ready for a steamy, wild ride as these characters strive to survive.

[MsRoman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shattered Dreams By CJ Warrant. Regina , Decker , Krew they have been separated due to different circumstance. Unfortunately, many years after they reconnect but will they survive the threat , the lies. Freaking great read

[❀ Jamie ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

💥No Spoiler ARC Review💥

If you want a smutty why choose MMF dark romance this is it! Just be sure to read trigger warnings since there are some big ones. I felt so bad for Regi, but I hope in the next book she will get her redemption.

I loved Regi, Krew & Decker together. The smut was amazing, but their love for one another was enduring. The plot was also interesting since they’re trying not to get k!lled and rekindling an old flame with their relationship. I’m looking forward to the next book!

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️


💞Thank you cjwarrant for the ARC copy - I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. 💞