A Love That Broke Us (The Chicago Series Book #3)

by Erin Cornia

Alley Evans has never met anyone like Jensen Adams. He’s confident, funny, and makes her feel like a million bucks. She falls fast, and hard. In no time, he becomes her favorite person. Her safe place. The man she wants forever with.

Jensen Adams never expected to meet the girl of his dreams while coming out of anesthesia, but life’s weird like that. He can’t stop thinking about her. So when he runs into her again at a coffee shop, he knows he won’t make the mistake of letting her go twice.

Their love story is easy. Effortless.

Until one day, it’s not.

Now, five years later, they’re fighting for the love that once held them together, and now threatens to break them apart.

A Love That Broke Us is a raw, emotional story about addiction, resilience, and what it means to fight for a love that once came easy—and what it takes to let go. Because sometimes, you have to lose the thing you love most to save yourself.


This is Book One of a duet and ends on a cliffhanger.

A Love That Broke Us is Book One in The Broken & Bound Duet. The conclusion, A Love That Saved Us, is Book Two of this duet.

This duet is interconnected with the Chicago Series (ALTBU is Book Three).
The Chicago books are complete standalones and do not need to be read to enjoy A Love That Broke Us, though the crossover characters may enrich the reading experience.

Recommended reading orders can be found on my website.



Content and Trigger warnings: strong language, Explicit romance scenes, on page drug and alcohol use, on page anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Addiction, Emotional, Found Family, Mental Health

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2025

About the author

Angsty, emotional romance author delivering all the feels—laugh, cry, and the kind of tension that keeps you turning pages way past bedtime.

I’m a lifelong book lover and unapologetic romance enthusiast who believes good men exist outside of fiction, and I'm lucky enough to be married to one.

I’ve always loved writing, telling stories, and scribbling poetry in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.

When I’m not writing, you can find me lost in a good book, brainstorming my next story, or planning my next vacation.

Thanks for joining me on this beautiful, wild journey.

Reviews

[Kaila.Books]

Goodreads says this is Book 3 in a series but its actually BOOK 1 in a duet. You don't need to read the other associated books (I didn't).

How does this book have less than 1K reviews on Goodreads???? I AM SHOOK. I am SHAKEN to my core. I compare it to Joey in Saving 6 because you really feel the struggle of a man so in love that is rocked by addition. I hope this book gets all the love it deserves. UGH what a love story.

[Lia]

4.5 ⭐️
This love broke me too 💔

[Siobhan Davis]

Phenomenal. Loved every single second of reading this book and struggled to put it down. So incredibly well written. You can tell the author poured her heart and soul into it, and after reading the note at the end, it's clearly very personal for her. I felt all the emotions and my heart broke for both MCs. Very thought-provoking. I kept thinking about what I would do in Alley's situation. If you love angsty, emotional romance, I highly recommend you pick this one up.

[Marissa.Reads]

I expect this level of emotional devastation from Erin at this point, but somehow it always catches me off guard. I don’t think I’ve had a book resonate with me more, watching some of my childhood memories unfold on the page, while knowing this was a personal story of Erin’s (the authors note broke me) was truly an emotional experience. Erin has a way of writing stories that unfortunately a lot of readers can feel deeply connect to, but she gives them the hea they deserve.

This book has a strong addiction representation, and the true reality of how easily it unfolds. You get past and present chapters of Jensen and Alley’s love story from the beginning, as well as the trauma of their reality. It’s truly an emotional roller coaster knowing the man Jensen was when Alley met him, and how one accident changed the course of their future.

This is the third book of Erin’s I’ve read and she’ll always be an auto-buy author for me. If you love emotional love stories that are real and raw Erin’s books are an absolute must read! Don’t worry she does give us a HEA but it’s a journey to get there.

Thank you so much to Erin Cornia for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.

[Nikki MacDonald]

5 heartbreaking stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had me from the very first page. I truly couldn’t put it down. The love between the characters felt so real and all consuming — it practically leapt off the page. I didn’t just read it, I felt it. And just as deeply as I felt the love, I felt the heartbreak.

The author portrays addiction with such raw honesty — how it can break us, distort us, and turn us into versions of ourselves we barely recognize. The scenes where Alley unravels — the door banging, the screaming — were so vividly written I could see and hear it all. It was devastating in the most powerful way. This is a powerful story. Check triggers. It reminds us that addiction is an illness, and the author captures its realities with compassion and intensity. Can’t wait to jump into the next.

[Bree]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has my whole heart and ruined me at the same time! It captures that magical, all consuming feeling of finding your person and finally having the life you dreamed of, only to watch how addiction can slowly creep in and tear it all apart.

I adore Alley and Jensen. Their connection feels so real, their chemistry is off the charts, and their banter had me laughing out loud!! Their story is heartbreaking yet deeply authentic, with moments that hurt but also heal. Some parts are tough to read, but the writing is so powerful that every emotion lands exactly as it should. Experiencing both of their perspectives adds an extra layer of honesty, making the story feel raw, emotional, and unforgettable. You can tell the author poured so much into this story and it absolutely shows. I think I felt every possible human emotion while reading this book💔🥹

Definitely check the triggers, but if you are ready for something emotional, heartbreaking, and unforgettable, this is it! And I need book two, like, now!

Highly recommend this book, every painful, beautiful moment of it!

🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sarah Bell]

Ughhh this left me feeling SO much. I genuinely couldn’t put it down and I have no idea how this isn’t all over TikTok because it deserves the hype.

Finishing and immediately heading into book two because I have to know what happens with Jensen and Alley. I’m still rooting so hard for them 😭 especially Jensen common!! Their love at the beginning had me smiling nonstop - the boner part continuously making its way through the book LOL.

I loved the dual timeline and dual POV — it kept me invested start to finish, literally the main issue with “ok just one more chapter”. But this book isn’t just a cute romance. It shifts into something heavier & deep .. battling trauma and addiction and how it impacts relationships/family. This book I felt was raw, real & a great book for someone who wants romance but real life scenarios vs the typical fluffy cheesy romances.

HIGHLY recommend.

[Stefanie Shuttleworth]

I couldn’t put this down. I was instantly pulled into Jensen and Alley’s love story and felt so many emotions throughout the book. I loved the way this book was written - it had so much depth and real, raw emotion throughout. I really enjoyed that it portrayed addiction by humanizing the person who is addicted while still showing the gravity of their illness and how it affects every single person around them.
The love these two have for each other is beautiful and I am rooting for them. HIGHLY recommend.

[Hannah Rhodes]

Wow…just WOW!!😭😩

[Brittani Fleming]

This book made me feel everything.

It was heavy in a way that felt almost too close to home at times. There were moments I genuinely wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish it because it hit such a raw, personal nerve.

I did have a couple issues. The rekindling of her relationship with her father felt rushed and skimmed over after years of deep hurt, which was disappointing given how much emotional weight that storyline carried. I also really struggled with the way the multiple timelines were laid out.. it pulled me out of the story more than once.

That said, the love story itself was beautiful from the very beginning. What truly stood out was the portrayal of addiction. It felt real, messy, and painful, in a way that was refreshing. It wasn’t romanticized or magically cured by ✨ love ✨, a quick detox or a quick stint in a rehabilitation centre, like I’ve seen in other books.

I really want to dig into the next in the series but think I’m going to need a day or two to digest this one.

[Leah Richmond~ Chapterbooks_andcoffee]

I was privileged enough to beta read this story for Erin. Erin's writing is emotional, real, raw, and beautiful. Alley and Jensen's story is no different.
The book pulls you in from the very beginning, and a beautiful love story grows right before your eyes. The friendship that they build and the passion they have for one another will make you swoon. Their chemistry is electric.
When their love is tested and trust is broken from the ugliness of addiction, your heart will break. It shows the strength that it takes to fight for your love but also how much stronger you need to be to fight for yourself, even if it means walking away. I will say that it left my heart hurting because I believe in Alley and Jensen's love story. But the vulnerability that Erin shows and that she puts in this story leaves me knowing that in the second book, my heart will heal.
This is book 3 in her Chicago series, and book 1 of a dualogy where the HEA comes in book 2.

[Peek]

A Love That Broke Us tackles a heavy, emotional subject, and I genuinely appreciated the depth of the story itself. Erin Cornia clearly wasn’t afraid to explore difficult themes, and the plot kept me interested. That said, the writing style didn’t fully click for me. Certain moments that should have hit harder ended up feeling a bit flat, and I had trouble connecting with the characters the way I hoped to. Overall, it’s a meaningful story, but the execution just wasn’t quite my style.

[Sheree Funk]

Wow! My 3rd 5 star rating for Erin! This book was so layered with raw emotional depth. A love story that was beautifully built and had me hooked from the very beginning. Alley and Jensen’s love story is captivating! Their undeniable attraction, flirty banter, and chemistry was like none other. And The spice 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️
Their love story stole my heart and kept me rooting for them throughout the entire book.
Their downfall was painfully accurate to read and consumed me in a way that I didn’t think was possible from a book. 💔 the authors note at the end is a must!! Her vulnerability was the healing I needed at the end!
Goodness, I fell hard for these characters and cannot wait for book number 4!!

[katapolt13]

ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

Wow… this book hurt me, and I need book 2 in this duology pronto. For anyone looking to read this, make sure you check the trigger warnings. I’m not sensitive to many things, but I could see this being an issue for some readers.

I was immediately pulled in from the very first scene. Jensen was smitten right away, and I was totally here for it.

This book ends on a cliffhanger, but we are assured there’s a HEA coming. I’m all in on this story. Alley and Jensen’s chemistry is off the charts. That’s what made this book hit so hard for me. Watching things derail felt like witnessing a catastrophe and not being able to stop it.

✨ What to Expect:
👨‍👩‍👧 Found Family
💘 Meet Cute
💍 Marriage in Crisis
⚡ Opposites Attract
😍 He Falls First
📖 Dual POV

[Libraryat44]

Ugh I was unprepared for how emotional this book would be. The way Erin writes addiction is so raw and real and god it hurt. My heart broke for Jensen and Alley. I was sobbing mess by the end of this. Also the fsct it was based on Erin's own Experiences made it hurt that bit more. Defo recommend jumping into this one! But be prepared it's heavy! I need book 2 to heal me!

[Ashley Rider]

Book club read: Alley and Jensen’s love story had me HOOKED! I was invested with their journey and couldn’t put it down. It was so much more than a romance, diving into addiction and past trauma which was completely unexpected for me. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[Claudia]

This is the first book in a duet and tells the story of Ally and Jenson. Although it’s technically part of a series, it can easily be read on its own. Other characters are mentioned throughout the book, but their stories don’t really overlap with this one.

The story begins in the present on Ally and Jenson’s anniversary. Ally is waiting for Jenson at a restaurant, but he never shows up. After waiting and realizing he isn’t coming, she goes home and completely breaks down. From there, the story begins switching between the present and the past.

The first half of the book focuses on how Ally and Jenson met and how their relationship developed. They meet when Jenson injures his knee and ends up in the hospital where Ally works as a nurse. Their connection is immediate and it feels very much like a meet-cute. Their relationship moves quite quickly. After only a few weeks they start officially dating, within a couple of months they move in together, and after about two years they are engaged and eventually married.

Their relationship is portrayed as almost perfect. They hardly argue and seem completely devoted to each other. Jenson comes from a comfortable, well-off family, whereas Ally grew up with very little. Her mother died from cancer and she and her brother had to rely heavily on each other while dealing with their alcoholic father, who she no longer has a relationship with. The only real argument mentioned in their relationship happens during a ski trip with Jenson’s family, when he gets extremely drunk and ends up being sick on her. This triggers painful memories for Ally because of her father’s alcoholism, but they talk things through and resolve it.

The real problems begin during their honeymoon. Jenson’s knee injury starts causing him intense pain again. When they return home, he finds an old prescription for oxycodone that he had received after his surgery. At first he only takes half a tablet, thinking it will simply help manage the pain. However, this slowly turns into an addiction.

Over the course of the next year, his addiction spirals. In the present timeline they have been married for two years, meaning most of the second year of their marriage has been overshadowed by Jenson’s struggle with addiction. At first he hides it from Ally, but eventually she finds out. He attempts to detox multiple times, attends AA meetings, and even goes to rehab at one point, but he repeatedly relapses.

As things worsen, Jenson begins stealing money from their savings, using credit cards, and selling items from their home to pay for drugs. He also starts using cocaine. His behaviour changes dramatically—he becomes angry, distant, and their relationship becomes strained. They stop being intimate and the stress of the situation begins to consume both of them.

The addiction doesn’t just affect Ally and Jenson, it impacts everyone around them. Ally becomes very close with Jenson’s sister and they develop a strong friendship, but his sister becomes furious with him over his behaviour. Jenson’s mother had known about the addiction and had been quietly supporting him while hiding it from Ally, which eventually causes a huge fallout between them. Meanwhile, Ally slowly loses herself. She used to be bubbly and full of life, but over time she becomes emotionally detached and exhausted from trying to hold everything together.

The breaking point happens when Jenson misses their anniversary dinner. From his perspective, we see that he wakes up at a party hosted by his dealer. His pants are undone and at first it seems like he may have cheated, but he didn’t—he was simply high and had been smoking something. Instead of going home, he decides to keep using because he already feels like he’s ruined everything.

When he eventually returns home, he is completely out of control—hallucinating and shouting. Ally manages to calm him down and he eventually passes out. However, when she wakes up the next morning, he is gone again, most likely to get high.

At that moment, Ally makes the decision she had promised herself she would make. She had given herself one year to see if things would improve, and if they didn’t, she would leave. She books a plane ticket and goes to Chicago to stay with her brother.

The final chapter is from Jenson’s point of view three days later. Ally is gone and he is no longer even trying to hide his addiction. He is openly using drugs in their house, fully spiralling now that she has left.

I have to admit that the beginning of the book was quite slow for me, and I struggled with the constant switching between the past and present timelines. I think the story would have flowed better if the past had been told first and then moved fully into the present. However, once the addiction storyline really began, I was completely hooked. It was heartbreaking to watch how much it affected not just their relationship, but everyone around them.

Overall, I would give this book 3.5 stars. The slow beginning and the confusing timeline held it back for me, but once the story picked up it became incredibly emotional and difficult to put down.

Despite my issues with the first half, I will definitely be continuing the duet because I need to know what happens next.

[hannahwells.books]

*BETA READ*
A Love That Broke Us

Addiction
Not a HEA
Raw & Emotional
Duet
Cliffhanger Ending

Alley and Jensen have a fairytale love story and are building a life they always dreamed about until addiction slowly and painfully rips them to pieces. A Love That Broke Us is book 1 in Erin Cornia’s duet that showcases the real and raw emotions of drug addiction and what it is like to love an addict.

My thoughts:
A Love That Broke Us.. BROKE ME!

I was pulled into Alley and Jensen’s story immediately with the sweetest meet cute. The relationship that forms is so swoon worthy. These two were made for each other – the playfulness, insane chemistry, and delectable spice had me locked in.

Then the cracks in their foundation start.

Painfully, page by page, addiction slowly unravels a bond that was once unbreakable. I knew going in that book 1 did not have a HEA [that is promised in book 2] and I still was not prepared for the level of heartbreak within this book. This book is real, raw, and packed with emotion. A Love That Broke Us unlike anything I’ve read, if you’ve ever wondered what rock bottom looks like, this is it.

Erin Cornia’s writing is utter perfection. Her writing feels so real and the emotions bleed from the pages. If she writes it, I am first in line to read it.

[Bree Dodge]

If I could rate this above 5 stars I absolutely would. Hands down Erin’s best book yet! Jensen and Alley’s story will take you on a journey through all the emotions and will break you in the best way. The vulnerability and raw emotions in this book makes you feel like you’re in the book itself. Broken trust, addiction, love, heartbreak, and let’s not forget the spice 😏. Although this book doesn’t end in a HEA, Erin has promised to put our hearts back together in book 2 of this duology and I cannot wait!

[Shannon Mayhan]

This book is so real and raw. If you have never had a person you love suffer from addiction, then consider yourself lucky. If you have then you have felt everything that Alley felt, and if you haven’t I hope you can read this and experience the heartbreak. I feel like everyone should know this pain so they can sympathize and not judge.

This book is a story of deep love and deep loss. Watching someone turn into another person and there is nothing you can do to help them. No matter how much you want them to get better they have to do it themselves. Reading the authors note and knowing that Erin lived through this herself ripped my heart out. This book ends on a cliffhanger but don’t worry the next one isn’t far away and Erin has promised us a happy ending.

[Tracy Redden]

4.5 ⭐️
I was drawn to this story because it’s not your typical love story. It starts with the most adorable meet-cute between Alley and Jensen—a moment that surprises them both. They fall hard, quickly realizing how lucky they are to have found their person.
But then something shifts. Choices are made. Lives are changed.

“It’s love. A love so deep it hurts. A love shaken to the core. Battered. Bruised. A love that was too good to be true. A love that broke us.”

My thoughts:
This isn’t a fairytale romance. It’s raw. Real. Painful. A reminder that two people can love each other deeply and still lose one another.
That’s the thing about love stories—they don’t always end in happily ever after.
There’s something so powerful about a love story that dives into the emotional messiness—the hard stuff that tests even the strongest bonds. I really appreciated Alley’s strength—her willingness to stand by Jensen, and her resilience to make tough decisions when love alone wasn’t enough.
Sometimes love doesn’t conquer all.
What makes this story even more impactful is knowing it’s rooted in Erin’s real-life experiences. The portrayal of addiction—the way it devastates and reshapes lives—is handled with such authenticity and care. It adds a heartbreaking, deeply human layer to an already emotional story.

Keep in mind, this is a duet novel—Alley and Jensen’s story isn’t over yet.
Can someone truly be redeemed? Can love be restored? Can relationships be mended?
I don’t know the answers yet, but I’m fully invested in finding out in book 2 of this duet.

Definitely Recommend: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to Erin Cornia (author) and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to read and review this novel

[Stephanie Keijzer]

Or how I like to call it "A book that broke me"😭 Oh my! Were to start, were to start? This book was so beautifull, but so devastating at the same time. Couldn't put it down and read it in one go. The story pulls you in from the start till the very end. It is the first one in a duet and has a heartbreaking brutal ending. But there is a small light at the end of the tunnel, because the author promises us a happy end in the second book.

So about the story. The story is about Alley and Jensen. The chemistry and the banter they have from the start is everything. You will fall in love with both of these characters. Hard! Jensen is everything you want in I man. Funny, sweet, a bit naughty and loves his Alley to the moon and back. But after a knee surgery and chronic pain nothing is the same anymore and Jensen is getting pulled in a addiction that detroys everything, even his Alley.

📚 Addiction
📚 Past trauma
📚 Found family
📚 Friendship
📚 Banter
📚 Loss
📚 Love so much love

Favorite quotes📖⬇️

"Of course I remember you. You're the hot nurse who gave me shit about having a boner. How could I forget that?"

"It's the kind of tender moment where sometimes, what he doesn't say says more than anything he ever could."

"You and me. This. It's my favorite thing in the world."

"I can't help the tiny crack forming in my chest, because for the first time, I felt like I was loving him alone."

"Addiction can steal even the purest of souls. It takes them slowly, piece by piece, until they can't remember where they came from, let alone how to get back. Their soul gets buried so deep, they forget where to even start looking."

[My Dark Romance]

A Love that Broke Us is book one in the Broken & Bound Duet.

Well, this hit home. Just like Erin, the author, this is also part of my story. Having to live with someone who’s an addict is the most helpless feeling and draining experience of my life. I related so much to Alley and saw a lot of similarities in my own past relationship. Everyone said we were the perfect couple just like Alley and Jensen in this story. It’s been so long now, I rarely even think about it or him anymore but I had a lot thoughts on this book, which I loved.

Alley and Jensen are the perfect couple that meet when Jensen comes out of knee surgery at the hospital where Alley works as a nurse.
They start dating and fall hard and fast for each other. They get married and set out for a life in bliss. They are the perfect couple until Jensen becomes addicted to painkillers and his personality starts changing. Alley realises what’s going on and even tho she’s a nurse, their relationship starts falling apart no matter how much she tries to help Jensen as he spiralles out of control. She suspects that he is lying and hiding things from her, and they both become a shell of themselves, as they are broken apart and lose everything they have build. Their sense of play and fun banter was so sweet and sexy at the same time.

Their friends and family play a big role in their story as a shoulder to lean on, protectors and supporters.

This is so well written and I’m ready to dive into book two “A Love that Saved us” and the whole series about Alley and Jensens friends, who we all meet in this duet.

This handles addiction, emotional turmoil, betrayal and a marriage in crisis.

[Laurie]

BOOK REVIEW: A Love That Broke Us by Erin Cornia

I will start by saying that this was absolutely a 5⭐️ read for me before I tell you that this book utterly wrecked me.💔😭 I have tears in my eyes right now just thinking about it. This story was real, it was raw and it was just so emotional.

Alley Evans and Jensen Adams have a fairytale love story. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable. They fit together perfectly like 2 pieces of a puzzle. Watching them fall in love will have you giddy and swooning and kicking your feet❤️ Until everything slowly falls apart.

A Love That Broke Us is a beautiful love story. But it is also a story about addiction and everything that comes with it. Helplessness, anxiety, sorrow, despair, fear, heartache and most of all hopelessness and heartbreak💔 Addiction rips lives apart. This book left me totally wrecked😭

A Love That Broke Us is book 3 in the Chicago series by Erin Cornia and also, book 1 in the Broken & Bound duet that ends on a cliffhanger. We will get a conclusion and a HEA in book 4 coming out later this year🙏🏼 Be sure to check trigger warnings before reading this one but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this entire series! (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Thank you to Erin Cornia for the opportunity to read an eARC of A Love That Broke Us. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Tricia~readinginthe262]

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours; it was one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking love stories I've ever read. This story gutted me and I cannot wait to see Erin put the pieces of Alley & Jensen's love story back together in the second part of this book releasing later this year.
Thank you for the advanced copy of A Love That Broke Us....news flash this book low key broke me.

With that being said, if you have triggers, please check the warnings. This one is heavy but I completely appreciate the authenticity the author conveyed.

[Brittany Bolohan]

This book was a ride! I was pulled in instantly. Their love story had me smiling and hungry for more. Their downfall had my heart racing with frustration! I felt like I was apart of their lives witnessing it all. The author did an amazing job of conveying the emotions of each situation for better or worse. The supporting characters were so good 10/10. I highly recommend if you are looking for a love story with serious depth.

[Amanda N.]

DNF 38% - fan vilken tröttsam bok. Det enda de gör är you know what, något har hänt men man får inte reda på något, ingen av karaktärerna är speciellt likeable och nä, kunde inte bry mig mindre bye!!

[Bianka Bartková]

Neskutocna depresia…

[Frederike Rudman]

What a book - this story really hit hard! Even though I've never been confronted with addiction, I just got Alley and why she did, what she did. The love she has for her soulmate Jensen is indescribable.
Living in today's society, it's unfortunately too easy for things to spiral like they did in the book. Very scary. I'm off to the second book.

[Courtney Summers]

Erin does such a great job mixing spice and levity, with real raw emotions. This book hit close to home for me and I LOVED it!!! You won't ever be the same after meeting Alley and Jensen. This book is part one of a duology, so just know that you will get your HEA, you just have to earn it..and I assure you that it's 1000% worth it!!