Every Broken Piece: A slow-burn romantic suspense with a grumpy hero, a broken heroine, and the danger that brings them together

by Sharon Cullen

Sometimes, the most unexpected love is the one that puts you back together

Gabe
I’m not looking for love—especially not from the perky virtual assistant my brother assigned to me.

Tess James is too bright, too soft, too… everything I’ve tried to avoid.

But email by email, text by text, she begins to unravel me. I’m falling for a woman I’ve never even met.

Then her past shows up, and it’s worse than I imagined.

She says she doesn’t need saving. But I’ll be damned if I let her face it alone.

Tess
I don’t do attachments. No friends, no boyfriends, just quiet anonymity behind a screen.

But when Gabriel Strong is assigned to me as a client, I’m determined to get past the gruff exterior to the soft-hearted single dad beneath.

I was never supposed to meet him. Never supposed to want him.

Then one terrifying moment shatters everything, and suddenly, he’s not just a voice on the other end—he’s at my side.

He gathers up every broken piece of me like I’m worth saving.

And for the first time, I want to believe him.

But love like his comes with a price… and the man I’m running from has no intention of letting me go.

Two guarded hearts. One unexpected connection. And a chance at something they both stopped believing in.
Every Broken Piece is a slow burn, closed door romantic suspense featuring a grumpy billionaire single dad and his sunshine virtual assistant.

Content This story contains references to drug abuse, suicide, and emotional trauma. Sensitive themes are all off-page and wrapped in a protective love story with a guaranteed happily ever after.

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2025

About the author

After earning a degree in journalism from Ohio University, Sharon found the stories inside her head were more interesting than what was going on in the world around her. Yet, it wasn’t until years later that she decided to pursue her secret dream of writing a romance novel. Since then she’s been published in romantic suspense, paranormal romance and contemporary romance and historical romance.

Sharon’s other job descriptions include chauffer, laundress, cook and mediator to her three very busy kids, her husband and two dogs. She lives in southwest Ohio with her brood although her dream is to someday retire to St. Maarten and live on the beach.

If you’d like to find out more about Sharon and her books, you can visit her at her website. She’s addicted to social networking so you can find her on Facebook and Twitter. Friend her! Like her! Follow her! She’d love to hang out with you and talk about her passion—books.

Reviews

[Cassondra Balbierz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this in just over 24 hours which is impressive for me lately. I really loved the story. The pacing. The writing. However - I’m not a closed door romance fan at all. Docked a star for that and won’t read this author again.

[Amanda Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Broken Piece was such a satisfying emotional journey. Tess and Gabe are total opposites—sunshine and grump, virtual assistant and billionaire single dad—but their connection builds beautifully, message by message, until you’re rooting for them to find their way to each other.

Tess’s trauma and Gabe’s guarded heart make for a story that’s more than just romance—it’s about healing, trust, and learning to accept love when it’s offered freely. The writing is heartfelt, the pacing steady, and the emotional payoff is worth the wait.

I knocked off a star only because the buildup was very slow at times, and I found myself wishing for a few more moments of in-person chemistry before the final act. But the ending was lovely, and I appreciated the balance between sweetness and suspense.

Perfect for fans of grumpy/sunshine, single dad tropes, and emotional slow burns that close the door but open the heart.

[Patricia Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page-turner book by Sharon Cullen. I became a fan of her writing with the first book of hers that I read. Every Broken Piece will stay with me for a long time. I wasn't sure at the very beginning of the book if I was going to like Tess. In true Sharon fashion, she developed the character to make us fall in love with her. Tess's story made me cry, smile, and love her. And Gabe....I immediately fell in love with Gabe, even at the beginning when he was a grump! The way she wove the suspense into Tess and and Gabe's developing relationship had me forget everything else I was doing because I had to finish the book before I did anything else.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner by Sharon Cullen! Tess and Gabe are two broken souls who heal each other! Growing up in a broken home, Tess never thought she could love or be loved. Gabe had love until his wife was in an accident. They both have baggage, but these two are just what each other needs! So much love between all of the main characters that just added to the dynamics. So many emotions packed in this book.

[Maligator15 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way this book had me in a chokehold is insane! I loved every moment. The long distance portion was sweet and funny and everything I needed it to be and then the turn is just UGH I can’t even find the right word to express how on the edge of my seat I was!!! Sharon is one of my favorite authors and she continues to scratch an itch in my brain that only her writing satisfies!!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another eloquently written novel by Cullen. Her stories never fail to disappoint. Tess and Gabe’s story is no different

[Jenna Legg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book combined two of my favorite things-- romance and crime drama! It kept me reading from the very beginning!