Fractured Pieces

Chapel Falls #2

by N. Thompson

He’s never been in a relationship.
She’s on the run.
Is their love strong enough to survive the unknown?Ace

Everyone knew me as the life of the party. No one knew that I hid behind jokes and women to cover up the emptiness that lived within me. I wanted more out of life; I wanted what my older brother had. But I’ve never trusted my mind long enough to believe that I deserve someone’s love.

Until my dream girl shows up in my small town.

I’ll do anything to be the man that deserves someone like her.



Dahlia

I was doing everything right. Honoring my mother’s last wish and going to college. Between classes and work, there wasn’t much time for anything else. But somehow, along with my diploma, I left college fearing for my life. I’ve been going from one place to the next, trying to stay one step ahead of my stalker. Only, it never works. I want to stop moving around, looking over my shoulder. I want to be swept off my feet and fall in love. And when I find the only man that could do that, the fear isn’t far behind.

I finally found the one that my soul calls out to…

But my stalker won’t let me go.

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2025

About the author

N. Thompson is a contemporary romance author living in the Midwest. She writes about small towns that have captured her heart since childhood.
If she isn't writing, she can be found with a book in her hand and her Italian Mastiff at her side. In her spare time, she likes to drag her husband to antique stores.

Reviews

[Linz_loves_books (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author blew me away once again!
Book two in the Chapel Falls series and it is just as amazing as the first one! I honestly can't figure out which book or characters I love more. The author does such a beautiful job at building a community where you just love and connect with all of the characters.

In this story, we are following Dahlia and Ace. Ace is the middle brother of King who we met in book one. Dahlia has somehow gained the attention of a stalker, forcing her to move from place to place every six months. Her dad sends her all over the country staying with different friends of his to keep her safe. He finally sends her to Jack who is the father of Ace and King. She is supposed to come and help work at the local hotel in exchange for a room to stay in but Sparrow, our FMC from book one, isn't having it and invites her to stay at their house. Ace, our MMC, in this book is a man with a lot of heart but he battles with anxiety and depression. He keeps living up to the family screw-up that his family thinks he is but there is so much more to him below the surface. When his eyes land on Dahlia he knows she is the reason his heart still beats, and she knows that there is more to Ace then the eyes can see. Can Chapel Falls help another woman start a new life or will her past stalker find her when she least expects it.

What to Expect
🖤Small town romance
🖤Romantic Suspense
🖤He Falls First
🖤Protective MMC
🖤Found Family

There were so many aspects of this book that I really enjoyed. First this story is told in three povs, Dahlia, Ace, and the Stalker (Unknown). I love that the author added this aspect to this book giving us a way to see into the thoughts and mind of this unknown character. Secondly, I love that we continue to see the characters from the first book and are able to still see their character growth in the second one. This author is a genius at character growth and development really letting us connect with the characters. I have fallen in love with every single one of these side characters and anticipating when their story will come to life. I honestly don't know how you couldn't fall in love with the little town of Chapel Falls.

Pre-read review: I loved the first book so much that I instantly had to jump into the arc of the second one!

[* Crissy * crissys_book_addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the Chapel Falls Series. This book was so good. Dahlia is constantly moving due to her stalker and finds herself living with her dad’s friend in yet another part of the country. Here she meets Ace. Not only do they fall hard and fast for each other but she finds herself part of the family as well. They are so fiercely in love and protective of each other. This book has all the feels. The characters are so well written and I’m so happy to keep getting more of them. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My gosh do I wish Chapel Falls and Ace were real. The last book focused on King and Sparrow coming together again and forming their family. In this book we see the next progression and it is Ace’s turn. When Jack (the boys dad) offers to help a friend protect his daughter Dahlia shows up and Ace instantly falls for her. Throughout the story we learn about Ace’s mental health struggles, his secret talents and hobbies, and what a passionate man he is. Dahlia is a sweet woman who fits in so well with the family and has been on the run from an unidentified stalker. Ace and Dahlia develop a beautiful connection and support system healing family wounds and helping each other grow. There is of course a little spice to keep things interesting which the author always writes so well without going overboard. I loved this book from beginning to end. If you are looking for a love story I highly recommend the Chapel Falls books as they are a wonderful read!

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is this a reprint?

I’m sure I read this a few years ago. I remember reading the first book about King and Sparrow, and then I read about Ace. At least I thought so. But there’s no review on this, so maybe I’m wrong?

At any rate, I am very sure I read this before, and I remember enjoying this one almost as much as the first book. This is a solid four star read.

Ace and Dream Girl (AKA Dahlia) are somehow perfect for each other. She has been on the run for several years due to a stalker. He’s been beating himself up over Sparrow being kidnapped. But they end up being the right person for each other, and they are just lovely together.

The rest of the family are there too, and that includes his younger brother, father, and her father. And of course the dads know each other because of prison. I love it!

KU read, and I’m off to get the next one. I love River, the youngest brother, and I hope his girl will be a good one!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Bluff boys fall man do they fall hard!

I loved Ace. Seeing his struggle with what happened in the previous book and understanding his mental health struggles just made me want to squeeze him. I was so mad at his family for how they treated him in the beginning but let’s just say Dahlia was amazing for him and I loved how she stood by his side and helped him heal. Dahlia was everything Ace has ever wanted but didn’t think he deserved or earned because of his past and his mental health struggles.

Read this if you like:
Male mental health rep
Found family
Romantic suspense
Reformed playboy
FMC on the run
Insta-connection/love

[Alisa Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

N.Thompson did it again!! Book two of the chapel falls series is just as amazing as book one! I love a damsel in distress and an obsessed man. These brothers know how to love the right woman!! I’m so sad fractured pieces is over for me but I cannot wait for other readers to find this series and love it the way I do!!

[Alyssa J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course this is a 5 star read! It was so good, spicy, intense! I was on the edge of my seat at one point. Absolutely loved it. This series has been amazing so far & I cannot wait to see what’s to come. This book releases august 29th !!!! Thank you NThompson for trusting me with this story & arc reading for you!

[jasminjustreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love romantic suspense stories, this series was made for you! N. Thompson writes them the best.

Ace and Dahlia’s love story is beautiful even through the dark times. The found family in this series is chef’s kiss. And the suspense?? The suspense will have you on the literal edge of your seat the entire time! I’m obsessed and never want to leave Chapel Falls!!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC. I did enjoy this book at the beginning but it just got too corny for me after 50% and the insta love I wasn’t a fan of it. Still a decent read!

[Courtney Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this kind of love

I absolutely love these Bluff men and so wish we could of had a river book, I so wanted to find out more about him and him have a HEA of his own!

[Tammy Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spellbinding

I've read the first two books in this series. Looking forward to the next one. Downloaded the third. Hoping series continues. Would love to read about Seb and Bear

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book fucked me up. Had me legit sobbing at the end. Ace’s character is absolutely my favorite in the series.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fractured Pieces is book 2 in the Chapel Falls series [Broken Promises is book 1] and I can’t tell you which one is more perfect. Ace and Dahlia are tested throughout this book, the suspense was running on high and the ending…well worth the wait. All of the men in this family are protective and will bow for their queens, no matter the cost.
Cannot wait for more!

[Always · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved book #1 so I was thrilled to be back with the gang. The chemistry was great and the found family supported Dahlia as I knew they would. A couple things I would’ve liked to have seen. Dahlia and Ace didn’t talk much about their past together. I feel like some of the spice scenes could’ve been easily removed to show those conversations. We also didn’t get to know much about the stalker and his motivations other than he was infatuated by seeing her once. And lastly there was no thanking Seb who was there for Ace the most. That being said I enjoyed reading it and will read book 3 when released