What do you think?
Rate this book
A Love That Broke Us
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. 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.
Content and Trigger warnings: strong language, Explicit romance scenes, on page drug and alcohol use, on page anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.
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. 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.
Content and Trigger warnings: strong language, Explicit romance scenes, on page drug and alcohol use, on page anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2025
138 people are currently reading
2618 people want to read
About the author
Erin Cornia
5 books120 followersSteamy romance author, book lover, and unapologetic romance enthusiast. I’ve always had a love for writing and telling stories, and after years of dreaming, I finally took the leap and wrote my first novel. 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 wild journey—I can’t wait to share more stories with you!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
October 25, 2025
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.
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.
September 21, 2025
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.
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.
September 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
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!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 24, 2025
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.
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.
August 10, 2025
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.
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.
September 20, 2025
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!!
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!!
September 9, 2025
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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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
August 12, 2025
*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.
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.
November 15, 2025
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.
August 11, 2025
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!
September 23, 2025
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
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
September 21, 2025
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."
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."
September 8, 2025
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.
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.
September 10, 2025
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.
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.
November 14, 2025
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!!
December 16, 2025
Neskutocna depresia…
December 15, 2025
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.
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.
July 23, 2025
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!!
November 11, 2025
ALL THE STARS!!
September 12, 2025
OMG 😭😭🫠💔
I can't, I just can't. Erin again stole my heart and this time, my heart is fucking shattered!!
This book completely stole my heart and shattered it all at once. It perfectly captures that intoxicating, all-consuming magic of finding your person, building the life you always dreamed of — and then the heartbreak of watching how addiction can slowly slip in and start to unravel everything.
Alley and Jensen’s story is raw and real. Their connection leaps off the page, their chemistry is sizzling, and their banter had me grinning like an idiot. The journey is both gut-wrenching and healing — full of moments that break you apart and stitch you back together. Some scenes are hard to get through, but the writing is so achingly beautiful that every emotion hits exactly where it’s meant to.
Reading from both of their perspectives makes the story even more powerful — it adds honesty and depth that makes you feel every high, every low, and every ounce of pain and love right alongside them. You can tell the author poured their soul into these characters, and it shows on every single page.
Check the trigger warnings before you dive in, but if you’re ready for something deeply emotional, heartbreaking, and unforgettable — this is the one. And honestly, I’m desperate for book two already!
Highly, highly recommend this book. It’s devastating, beautiful, and everything in between.
I just can't wait for the second book and cry happy tears for their happily ever after 🫶🏻🥹
I can't, I just can't. Erin again stole my heart and this time, my heart is fucking shattered!!
This book completely stole my heart and shattered it all at once. It perfectly captures that intoxicating, all-consuming magic of finding your person, building the life you always dreamed of — and then the heartbreak of watching how addiction can slowly slip in and start to unravel everything.
Alley and Jensen’s story is raw and real. Their connection leaps off the page, their chemistry is sizzling, and their banter had me grinning like an idiot. The journey is both gut-wrenching and healing — full of moments that break you apart and stitch you back together. Some scenes are hard to get through, but the writing is so achingly beautiful that every emotion hits exactly where it’s meant to.
Reading from both of their perspectives makes the story even more powerful — it adds honesty and depth that makes you feel every high, every low, and every ounce of pain and love right alongside them. You can tell the author poured their soul into these characters, and it shows on every single page.
Check the trigger warnings before you dive in, but if you’re ready for something deeply emotional, heartbreaking, and unforgettable — this is the one. And honestly, I’m desperate for book two already!
Highly, highly recommend this book. It’s devastating, beautiful, and everything in between.
I just can't wait for the second book and cry happy tears for their happily ever after 🫶🏻🥹
September 16, 2025
Thank you Erin for this ARC!
This is book three in the Chicago series and the first in a duology. It will be released on September 20th, and the second part of this duet is coming in November 2025.
Before you dive in, make sure to check the trigger warnings. This book tackles heavy topics, and your mental health comes first ❤️
My heart races, and I know, without question, that I'm one hundred and ten percent smitten.
Absolutely falling
In
Love
With
Him.
The story is told in dual POV, following Jensen and Ally. It alternates between past and present, giving you the full picture of their relationship.
From the start, you can’t help but root for their love. You see how it blooms, how they get engaged, how they prepare to build a life together until addiction begins to tear them apart.
The writing is raw and emotional, pulling you deep into their struggles. I especially felt for Ally, who despite everything keeps fighting, hoping for the best outcome and trying to help Jensen as long as she can.
This book does not end with a happily ever after. That part is coming in the second book of the Broken and Bound Duet, which will release in November as book four of the Chicago series.
Tropes:
🥀 He falls first
🥀 Insta love
🥀 Marriage in crisis
🥀 Opposites attract
🥀 Found family
🥀 Big city romance
This is book three in the Chicago series and the first in a duology. It will be released on September 20th, and the second part of this duet is coming in November 2025.
Before you dive in, make sure to check the trigger warnings. This book tackles heavy topics, and your mental health comes first ❤️
My heart races, and I know, without question, that I'm one hundred and ten percent smitten.
Absolutely falling
In
Love
With
Him.
The story is told in dual POV, following Jensen and Ally. It alternates between past and present, giving you the full picture of their relationship.
From the start, you can’t help but root for their love. You see how it blooms, how they get engaged, how they prepare to build a life together until addiction begins to tear them apart.
The writing is raw and emotional, pulling you deep into their struggles. I especially felt for Ally, who despite everything keeps fighting, hoping for the best outcome and trying to help Jensen as long as she can.
This book does not end with a happily ever after. That part is coming in the second book of the Broken and Bound Duet, which will release in November as book four of the Chicago series.
Tropes:
🥀 He falls first
🥀 Insta love
🥀 Marriage in crisis
🥀 Opposites attract
🥀 Found family
🥀 Big city romance
September 18, 2025
Wow, this book put me through the wringer. Jensen and Alley’s story starts off as a fairytale, but with the dual timeline and knowing the tropes, I knew what was on the horizon for them. Jensen was actually the perfect boyfriend and husband, which made me all the more sad for them because I knew it wouldn’t stay that way. My heart actually ached for these two.
Seeing the battle against addiction that they both fought (in different ways) was excruciating - knowing that Jensen is a truly good person that got caught up in something he didn’t mean to happen. And I think it’s all the more sad because this is a very real problem for so many people. Erin had said before that this story is based off her own experiences from her past relationship and my chest hurt for her and for all of the other really good people and their loved ones who battle this disease.
The ending was absolutely devastating - Erin wrote this so well a I truly felt like I was in the room with these characters. I think it’s a great perspective to have when it comes to dealing with these things in real life, knowing that good, honest, hard working people become addicted unknowingly and turn into someone we don’t recognize.
Erin, thank you for writing this incredible book. I am rooting so hard for Jensen and Alley in book 2 and their based on reality story has taught me so much.
Seeing the battle against addiction that they both fought (in different ways) was excruciating - knowing that Jensen is a truly good person that got caught up in something he didn’t mean to happen. And I think it’s all the more sad because this is a very real problem for so many people. Erin had said before that this story is based off her own experiences from her past relationship and my chest hurt for her and for all of the other really good people and their loved ones who battle this disease.
The ending was absolutely devastating - Erin wrote this so well a I truly felt like I was in the room with these characters. I think it’s a great perspective to have when it comes to dealing with these things in real life, knowing that good, honest, hard working people become addicted unknowingly and turn into someone we don’t recognize.
Erin, thank you for writing this incredible book. I am rooting so hard for Jensen and Alley in book 2 and their based on reality story has taught me so much.
September 12, 2025
This book absolutely wrecked me but also made me fall in love with every single page. Alley and Jensen had chemistry that jumped right out of the book, full of banter, passion, and connection that felt so real. I laughed, I swooned, and then I cried when the raw parts hit. The writing felt emotional, and honest, with every word carrying weight. Alley stayed strong and Jensen was both charming and heartbreaking, and together they felt impossible to let go. Writing was powerful, real, and full of vulnerability, and I devoured this book in no time. It left me ruined, but also desperate for the second part. Thank you so much to the author and Luna Literary PR for giving me the opportunity to read the book in advance, I received this for free and I'm leaving an honest review.
September 21, 2025
A L O V E T H A T B R O K E U S
•ARC review•
OUT NOW
read if you love…
✨insta-love turned marriage in crisis
✨he falls first
✨addiction arc
✨angsty reads
✨found family
I don’t even have the words to describe this book, but I’ve truly never read anything like it. this book absolutely W R E C K E D me. Jensen + Alley’s love story seems like something out of a fairytale… until it’s not. some of this book was so dang tough to read, it’s so raw, powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, emotional and real. this is one of those books you don’t forget. infinite stars all the way down. ♾️⭐️
thank you @erincornia_author for an arc🥹 that ending was BRUTAL but I can’t wait for Jensen’s redemption arc in book two!!!! thanks for letting me live in your dm’s the past week heheheheh
•ARC review•
OUT NOW
read if you love…
✨insta-love turned marriage in crisis
✨he falls first
✨addiction arc
✨angsty reads
✨found family
I don’t even have the words to describe this book, but I’ve truly never read anything like it. this book absolutely W R E C K E D me. Jensen + Alley’s love story seems like something out of a fairytale… until it’s not. some of this book was so dang tough to read, it’s so raw, powerful, vulnerable, beautiful, emotional and real. this is one of those books you don’t forget. infinite stars all the way down. ♾️⭐️
thank you @erincornia_author for an arc🥹 that ending was BRUTAL but I can’t wait for Jensen’s redemption arc in book two!!!! thanks for letting me live in your dm’s the past week heheheheh
September 12, 2025
I was blessed with the ability to be an Arc reader for the lovely Erin Cornia and Woah! This review took me a couple of days to write. The emotional rollercoaster that I just went through! (In a great way)! The validated feelings for both Jensen and Alley! Also that cliffhanger! I already want the next book and this one is not even out yet!! I don’t want to give anything away but this was one of my best reads this year! Also Leo coming back and mixing into this one was swoon! I fell in love with Jensen and then the ups and down that he was and is going through! Part of me was yelling at him the other part was bawling at other parts. The emotion I felt in this may have been my empathy coming out but hands down an amazing read! I can’t wait for the next one!
September 17, 2025
5🌟
4🌶
⚠️Check your triggers⚠️
Thank you to Erin Corina for the chance to read an advanced copy of this gut-wtenching story.
This story is unapologetically raw, undeniably real, and it nearly broke me in the best ways. Phenomenal character development, story building and emotional damage. I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2 and see the conclusion of Alley and Jensen's story.
I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
*spice based on #of scenes rather than descriptive detail.
4🌶
⚠️Check your triggers⚠️
Thank you to Erin Corina for the chance to read an advanced copy of this gut-wtenching story.
This story is unapologetically raw, undeniably real, and it nearly broke me in the best ways. Phenomenal character development, story building and emotional damage. I cannot wait to get my hands on book 2 and see the conclusion of Alley and Jensen's story.
I received an advanced copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
*spice based on #of scenes rather than descriptive detail.
September 8, 2025
I don't even know how to put into words how much I loved this book. The raw, unfiltered emotion Erin poured into it, from her own life story was both beautiful and heartbreaking. This is one of those stories that will stay with me forever, the kind I'll always recommend. From the very first page I was completely captured and by the end, I felt just as shattered as the characters themselves. But that's the beauty of love and addiction you don't just get to the top you fight, you stumble, and you climb your way back every single day.
September 15, 2025
This. Book. Wow.
Once I hit the 50% mark I couldn’t put the book down. I had to finish it immediately so I sat for FOUR HOURS and read the remainder of the book only stopping to put my kids to bed and brush my teeth.
The feelings and angst this book invokes is unreal. My heart it pounding. It is broken and splintered for Alley 🩷🩷🩷 uhh I can’t wait for part two…..
Once I hit the 50% mark I couldn’t put the book down. I had to finish it immediately so I sat for FOUR HOURS and read the remainder of the book only stopping to put my kids to bed and brush my teeth.
The feelings and angst this book invokes is unreal. My heart it pounding. It is broken and splintered for Alley 🩷🩷🩷 uhh I can’t wait for part two…..
November 25, 2025
I’m not sure if I liked it or hated it. I want to immediately read the next book so that says something.
September 10, 2025
I loved every chapter of this book! I enjoyed the then and now story line, it’s so well written each chapter keeps you guessing what will happen next. The chemistry between Alley and Jensen moves fast with quick connections! I will say the trigger warnings are there for a reason so please review them. I’m not an avid reader but I know I’m enjoying it when every free moment I’m reading! The sequel to this book can’t come soon enough!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews