Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Lea and Andrew’s story continues in this sequel to My Lea. From the city of San Francisco, the tale journeys on to the other part of the world: Jakarta, Bali, and Tokyo.

It’s been five years since Andrew walked out of his apartment and left Lea in America. Five long years without any single contact.

Andrew is now a twenty-eight-year-old man who just inherited his father’s business empire and is about to marry the granddaughter of the wealthiest man in Singapore.
At twenty-four, Lea is in the early process of sorting out her life and career back in her home country.

When Andrew’s father passed away, they are reunited again for the first time since America.
Like it or not, they are forced to revisit their past and deal with their unfinished business. For most people, love is the answer to everything. But Lea and Andrew’s love is far from ordinary. Theirs is tainted by sin and guilt. And anger. Lots of anger.

What happened five years ago that made Andrew leave?

What happened after Twin Peaks?

What happened to their baby?

Told in both past and present events, I Won’t Break tests the limit of love when faced with grief and heartbreak, discovers the true power of forgiveness, and explores the meaning of second chances.

I Won't Break is the sequel to My Lea (A Broken Love Story series) and cannot be read as a standalone.
Due to mature theme and content, this book is not suitable for readers under 18.

342 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2016

1 person is currently reading
477 people want to read

About the author

E. Mellyberry

10 books127 followers
Melly Sutjitro is a Chinese Indonesian author who lives in Jakarta with her husband and two teenage kids. She spent a few years living in San Francisco while completing her Master degree. After spending a decade in corporate offices, she decides to pursue her love of storytelling through writing. She has nine Picture Books and three romance novels published under the pen name e.mellyberry.

When she’s not stressing over the plot in her manuscripts, she enjoys reading all sort of books (as long as they’re not horror) and documenting her thoughts on her Instagram page. Occasionally, she would spend her time cooking, doing Pilates, and watching the re-runs of Friends, The Big Bang Theory, and Ted Lasso.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
17 (60%)
4 stars
9 (32%)
3 stars
1 (3%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Pearl Angeli.
719 reviews976 followers
July 2, 2016
"Love was so pale compared to his internal volcano of feelings, but until someone came up with a new word for what this was, he guessed love would just have to do."


4 Crying Stars!

Without a doubt, this is one of the best and well-delivered finales in a romantic duology. My tears were proof of that.

description

I Won't Break is the second and final book of A Broken Love Story series. The story picks up where My Lea left off. Just like the first book, there was a third person POV narration, but this time, it goes back and forth between past and present. I won't be giving anything away by describing the things that happened here since it will be a spoiler, but the storyline and the series of events were so emotional and heart-wrenching. There was enough angst to keep me glued to the pages all night.

Both Lea and Andrew were amazing in this sequel. There was certainly a remarkable character development. For one thing, I noticed that their chemistry was growing stronger scene by scene. I just wished that I could change one scene, though. The part where Andrew flew to Jakarta after that particular event that changed their lives. For me it was a cowardly move, but anyways, I think that scene was the one that brought out the beauty of this finale so I couldn't really complain. :)

"You're my monster and I love you."


There was this particular scene with Andrew's dad that also touched me and broke my heart. That conversation was a game-changer and I think it was one of the huge reasons why Andrew became man enough to face his monsters. E. Mellyberry, therefore, is a talented storyteller. She has a way with words that could provide her readers a good emotional experience. She can make you cry in one scene and make you swoon in the next. I believe she deserves much more recognition. As a whole, I Won't Break was a poignant and heartwarming sequel. It gave a kind of conclusion that I won’t soon forget.

"Because when you finally find the one against all odds, you give him your best and let the magic of the world carry the rest."


(A copy of this book was provided by the author E. Mellyberry in exchange for an honest review.)

Pearl's Book Journey (1)


description
Profile Image for Cyndi Becker.
1,386 reviews11 followers
February 4, 2016
After the turmoil experienced by Lea and Andrew in My Lea, I Won’t Break is a magical finale. It’s such a moving story, told through flashbacks and present day in both Lea and Andrew’s perspectives. This story left me aching for this couple, experiencing spontaneous tears and subsequent relief. In My Lea, we are left to question how the characters are going to move past a mound of hurt and betrayal. In I Won’t Break, E. Mellyberry doesn't shy away from strife and again we are left wondering if and how things can be made right.

The way in which the story unfolds makes this a mesmerizing read. It doesn’t pick up at the end of My Lea. We are suddenly five years and apparently many tears in the future. Told in eight parts, we flow back and forth in time and slowly but surely we come to understand what drove the story line to now be set thousands of miles and continents away. From the first lines of the prologue,it became a mystery read to me. We learn about the loss Lea and Drew faced and I spent a good part of the story with my nerves on end. It's not just how it's plotted though. The writing is truly lyrical and soulful. I write a lot of reviews and I rarely use those terms, when I do I don’t do so lightly.

Mellyberry uses clever descriptions across the story line that maintains what we know of Lea and Andrew and puts us in the frame of mind of our characters. Lea might be one of my favorite young heroines. There were times I could so clearly hear her voice as she muses “She didn’t want to go back. She’d chosen sugar, damn it, not lemon.” But she doesn’t always get what she wants. I liked her for being sensible and strong and I felt the ache in my throat as she mummers how she feels and insist they stop making assumptions about each other. Lea broke me and left the caregiver in me wanting to grab her and hold on tight. She faces down her past and tries to move forward. I was so engrossed in the story that I never stopped to consider any other options for her life. She was destined for one man and now needed closure, an explanation at the very least. There are points where I found that it was all I could hope for. Odd for a romantic like me.

Now as for Andrew, well I found Andrew very perplexing. There were times, in the segments in the past, that I was quite frightened for and of him. His behavior is erratic and he shows signs that appear to be related to PTSD. He was a tortured soul without an idea on how to make peace and took the immature way out. In the present, I was a bit more worried about Andrew then I could have anticipated. He is pretty much stewed in heartbreak and grief and much of his behavior is driven by things he can’t change. I felt so much sympathy for him. He’s not a cruel man, but faced with his past he finds himself saying cruel things. Ones that linger in the mind. It’s only when he realizes that he’s just drawn the final line in the sand that he starts to grow and his relief is palpable. Yes, I felt quite a bit of elation on the change in circumstances.

Mellyberry is a very skilled storyteller. The character observations are poignant and the inner dialogue gives a well rounded perception of the characters. Lea and Andrew are surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family members. One thing I really enjoyed was how the story describes the Asian culture and familial expectations. It helps to establish parameters but doesn't overwhelm them as individuals. I Won’t Break is a stunning read and probably one of my favorite second chance love stories. More than once I found myself with tears falling down my cheeks, both sad and happy. I’ll end with a quote or 2 that left me feeling warm and fuzzy:

“Out of so many people in this world, she found him. Out of seven billion people in this world, she, one tiny human being, found her one. If this is not magic, then she doesn’t know what to call it.” ~Lea

“He sees it now. A second chance is faith, hope, and determination rolled into one. It’s pretty straightforward.” ~ Andrew


5++ #MagicSugar Stars and recommendation.
Profile Image for Rachmi .
929 reviews74 followers
February 3, 2016
ARC was provided by the author in exchange for honest review.

I Won't Break takes place 6 years after the ending of My Lea. Now Lea and Andrew are older and more mature. They are trying to live their life without each other and not knowing where they are. Andrew has finally found his soulmate, or so he thought. And Lea is trying to let Andrew's memory go.

The book's still told from both Lea and (mostly) Andrew's perspective from third person POV, just like in previous book. It alternates between their past and present time. I really liked the way the author writes both past and present time. It's like she tells their past layer by layer without reveal too much, before intertwine it with their present time. Each chapter both in the past and present time always left me wanting more. In My Lea first part of the book is quite boring while second part hurt my heart. But here the sad and happy moments are tangle each other.

I think the series's title, A Broken Love Story, couldn't be more perfect, because Lea and Andrew's story is indeed a heartbroken one, for me at least. My Lea left me furious with both Andrew and Lea. As much as I understand why Lea did what she did, I want her to act just like what Andrew wants . As for Andrew, as much as I feel sorry and sad for his past, there's a part of me that don't believe that he's capable of loving her and won't hurt her again. Not with his temper and mood swing. I think he's bad for her and she's too kind for him. But she made her choice and I respect her for that. And he's hunted by his mistakes and I think he can learn from them. And they did learn.

In a way, this book isn't as emotional as My Lea, for me. I didn't cry (but almost), unlike when I read My Lea. But it's easier to relate to Lea and Andrew. Maybe it's because I'm not furious to them anymore, or maybe it's because I finally accept that they are only human who make mistakes and need second chance. Either way it's so easy to be with them in the story. Too many times I thought that I've been in their shoes before and what happened with them are too close to home. They are that real for me.

One thing that I love the most is both Lea and Andrew make mistakes, huge mistakes that cause their life and their loved ones. She isn't as kind and perfect girl as Andrew and I thought before and Andrew suffered from her mistakes. Each one of them contributed for the failure of their relationship. I love the idea that Lea isn't always white while Andrew isn't always the cause of Lea's pain. That way they know that they have to forgive each other, learn from their mistakes and accept who they really are. After all, it's what life is, right?

---

Argh...all the feels!





What an awesome story to begin the new year! Review to come closer to the release date.

Profile Image for Cassandra (Thebookishcrypt).
589 reviews55 followers
April 11, 2016
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
6 stars!
"She hates that he calls her name as if his tongue has been making love to it all his life."
E. Mellyberry is a force to be reckoned with. This woman has undoubtedly tore my heart out of my chest too many times to count. More times than any author has before. Her storytelling is beyond magnificent and I would have been missing an important part of my life if I hadn't stumbled upon her work.
"How many times can a heart break before it kills you?"
This is the sequel to My Lea and it follows Andrew and Lea, five years after the last book. We still get point of views from both of them and it adds so much depth to the story that I can't get over it. Both books were incredibly powerful and pack earth-shattering punches. This love story is by far one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It is significantly brutal to the core as well as immensely heart-felt.
The flashbacks in this story were incredibly sweet... but the present events were plain torture. There was so much raw pain and suffering in every page that I couldn't contain my sobs from cover to cover. It has been almost two months since I read this and I am still reeling with heartbreak over it. It was terrifying to witness how much things between Lea and Andrew changed in the five years we were absent. Every word was an unbelievable blow to my sanity and just when I thought they couldn't destroy me any more than they already have, I was proven wrong time and time again. I even had to take a couple sobbing breaks in the middle of reading this.
I was not ready to continue this story. At all. I was still falling apart over the first book when this book broke me even more. To be honest, I would have never been ready, but I HAD to know what happened to two of my favorite people. These two were so insanely realistic to me. So much that I feel as if they were my own blood. All of their actions tore emotions out of me and I couldn't do anything about it. I wanted the best of the best for them and it hurt like nobody's business when the plot line went an entirely different way from that happiness. When the trust between two of your favorite characters is broken beyond repair, there is no coming back from that.
Such a painful reading experience should be illegal in all states. I absolutely lost it in the end; I loved it so much. But no matter how high my heart was with happiness, the other side of me remains broken.
E. Mellyberry sent me into one of the most brutal, unforgettable, and unforgivable emotional roller coasters of my life. I love this woman's storytelling but I am also beyond terrified of it. I also loved how this book included insight into other traditions that I haven't read about.
This book is not suitable for readers under 18.
Profile Image for TLBC.
550 reviews12 followers
February 10, 2016

I Won’t Break (ARC provided)
4.5-5 stars!

Well she’s done it again, wow this book was great! I read the first book in this series and was just torn (My Lea review). I had to know what happened between Lea and Andrew’s tragic love. Let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. The author did such an amazing job of wrapping their story up. I absolutely loved the way she wrote this book. It jumps from past to present but flows so easily, not leaving you confused. The broken up parts were perfect to keep the readers understanding but did not blur the timeline. I also loved getting a glimpse of both the hero and heroines perspectives. I think in this particular story it was almost essential to get both sides.

Did Andrew redeem himself? YES!! I believe he truly did. He was still cocky and said some hurtful things but he has matured immensely in this book. He is broken and is trying to live with his decisions but he has grown so much. He is doing the best he can to move on from his past but when something unexpected happens he runs right back to it.

“Then there are good guys who made mistakes. I remind myself to always see the good part first, the mistakes second.”

When Lea and Andrew see each other for the first time in six years the reunion isn’t as hoped. Soon the two of them are trying to forget the other but they’ve never let each other go in the first place. They decide to try to make a life together as friends but soon realize that it’s impossible. They say goodbye again once and for all.

People tend to be the most genuine when they think no one is watching.”

My heart hurt for both Lea and Andrew their love was a broken one and they tried so hard to move on from their demons but some were just too hard to move on from.

“I gave my whole heart to someone years ago. When I left, I didn’t bring it back with me.”

I love this quote! Both hearts were left in San Francisco (pardon the pun). ;)

I have to commend Melly for taking a really hard subject matter and making me believe, making me believe in forgiving something that in my opinion isn’t forgivable. Well done!
I recommend but you have to start with My Lea.

Oh and one last thing, you will love the secondary characters!

http://triciaciak.blogspot.com/2016/0...
Profile Image for Sage Nestler.
Author 8 books117 followers
July 13, 2016
I Won't Break is a rare sequel that is not only just as good, but even better, than the first book in the series, My Lea.

The novel follows Lea and Andrew five years after the first novel when they are reunited once again, and one of the best things about this novel was that it wasn't a dreamlike reunion. Instead, it brought about more heartache because they were both forced to confront each other and the feelings that they shared those five long years ago. E. Mellyberry did a fantastic job pouring reality into this novel, and not making it into a fairytale. She knows how people tick and what emotions they experience in any situation, and her insight was amazing. Her books are not just novels, they are stories of you and me, of people living and hurting and forgiving and loving. She doesn't force her novels to be cheerful and entertaining for the reader, she forces her reader to stare at things that they would rather look away from - such as grief and heartache - and feel all of those things along with the characters. The best writer is one that writes about life as how it is, but from a raw and real perspective, and Mellyberry's novels are some of the best of our time. She writes with a knowledgeable and dignified voice, and doesn't shy away from speaking what she feels and sees for herself. It is clear when reading not only I Won't Break, but My Lea as well, that she is writing to speak her voice and get her stories out into the world, and isn't writing to satisfy the reader. Her novels have become a part of my soul, and if you want raw, heart wrenching novels that ring with the timeless voices of some of our greatest authors, such as Harper Lee, then look no further than My Lea and I Won't Break. Her work cannot be categorized because it breaks the mold, and you will be changed upon reading her words.

Profile Image for Billie.
Author 1 book32 followers
February 2, 2016


Wow! OMG! This book.. This book...

Sooooo many feels! This book was so emotional , I was in between sobbing and smiling the entire time. What a perfect closure to Andrew and Lea's story. *sobs* *smiles* <~~ see?!?!

I love watching these two grow and mature as they faced every obstacle and struggles along the way. Lea and her big heart of gold, she could be a saint! I have not met anyone ( even fictional!) as forgiving and accepting as her! Andrew was lucky to have her and I think they were just perfectly made for each other.

There are so many awwww-worthy moments specially between A & L. I was so tempted to enumerate BUT I am an advocate of a spoiler free review! Sooo.. I'll try to be as brief as possible or... you can skip this part?

• The "apple time" with Andrew --- the sexiest!

• Their kiss. Intense! :

"They kiss like they breathe, without the ability to stop. They kiss like they’re in a war, with the intention to conquer. They kiss like they are the only two human beings left on Earth after an apocalypse, desperately clinging to one another for survival.” -- Well?? What's more intense than that??? Loved it!

•THAT one scene :

“....I love you so much I can’t breathe.” --- *major swoon!*

• And so on and so forth! As I have said, spoiler-free review!


Overall, what a great read! If I could give more than 5 stars for this book I'd definitely would!

E. Mellyberry , here's all my WOW's and OMG's! Congratulations and happy release day!






Profile Image for Jona Dauz.
63 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2016
For more than a year that I endured that earth shattering cliffhanger in My Lea, I finally got my hands in I Won't Break and oh boy Melly didn't disappoint! The book's freakin' amazing! This is the perfect ending to Andrew & Lea's tumultuous and very passionate love story. Again it has all the extreme feels from the first book but with more depth and more passion. I totally devoured this book which is fluidly written! I loooovvveeee every word!

"I didn’t think I’d ever b-b-be enough for you,” he stuttered. “M-my heart,” he continued with effort, “isss not…b-big enough to love you. Need millions m-more to love you, Lea….” She kissed his forehead. “I only need one."
"It feels very much like their love, the kind that’s weathered many impossible storms and droughts, but has come back alive with spring and summer."
"It's like watching the other part of your soul come to you; the world shrinks, the sound fades away, all he has is her. With every step closer she takes, his heart aches as if it cannot wait to be made whole."

Need I quote more?! You need to read this!!!
Congratulations Melly! I'm so looking forward to your upcoming books!
394 reviews4 followers
January 14, 2016
5 stars
I am still reeling from the highs and lows of this wonderful book. I have sunk to the depths and soared to the heights of emotions. Isn’t that what a great book does? These characters are multifaceted and so complex it is like peeling and onion layer after layer. I fell in love with the two broken young people and wanted to reach out and hug them so many times. The story of young love lost due to experiences so painful that neither could forgive the other or themselves is such a universal theme that anyone can put themselves into that position and try to understand what drove these two apart. The story is told with immense understanding and compassion. The author deals not just with the human heart but differing cultures. This is one of the most satisfying but difficult reads I have come upon in a while. There is a book before this called My Lea, I did not read it first and there might have been a bit more understanding earlier if I had read it. However, the author has done a wonderful job picking up both the past and present story. I can more than highly recommend I Won’t Break, I MOST HIGHLY RECOMMEND I Won’t Break by E. Mellyberry
Profile Image for Naadhira Zahari.
Author 5 books96 followers
March 27, 2016
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

This book + series is a roller coaster ride of emotions. I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Though, there are a few scenes that are heart wrenching yet beautiful in every other way.

I was saddened to find out that they have not yet found their happy ending but a tragedy occurs upon them at one point. It is a bit unfair, after everything that they have been through.

I still love everything - every single thing about this book. It is so heartbreakingly beautiful even though Andrew and Lea has to go through obstacles after obstacles to go through. They had still found love and each other at the end.
89 reviews
January 28, 2016

4.5 stars

I was given a copy of this book for an honest review free of persuasion from the author or anyone else affiliated with this book.

CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS

Not suitable for under 18.

This book is the very emotional sequel to My Lea. After the events of the first book, how can anyone survive the emotional trauma? More pain and dramatic events take place in this book. Can relationships be repaired? At what cost? After all of this, is "happily ever after" even possible with all of the sadness?

Keep a box of tissues handy.

Profile Image for Jackie O'Donnell.
474 reviews7 followers
Read
June 1, 2016
I had not read the first book but the second one I had no problem understanding how the characters came about. The story was beautifully written about Andrew and Lea. The book is told in various time frames. The book goes back and forth from the present to their past together. Each character gets to tell how he or she saw things both during their time together and apart. I definitely will be reading the first book in this series. I received a free ecopy for an honest review.
Profile Image for Martha Sweeney.
Author 35 books596 followers
February 7, 2017
4.5 beautifully heart-wrenching stars
If a book makes you feel something, especially fierce emotions, regardless if you like which emotions it stirs, then it is a GREAT book! I wasn't sure where the story was going to go, but it was heart-wrenchingly beautiful in all forms. Life does not always play out the way we want and hope, but it just might give you more than you can ever imagine.

1 review
January 19, 2016
What a brilliant story about love, hope, courage and forgiveness.
The feeling that it has created that made me want to cry and laugh at the same time
Profile Image for Luc Dantes.
419 reviews5 followers
November 14, 2023
I just finished this epic journey, and I’m feeling quite speechless, but alas, I prefer writing my reviews while they are still fresh in my mind and in this case heart; so I will try my best to articulate that which is best felt.

The first book (My Lea) was thought provoking, and helped expand my mind in a way, I’d never have guessed in a million years. The sequel, this book (I Won’t Break) had my heart doing somersaults. I felt giddy, anxious, frustrated and so much love. What a great read. If you have read My Lea, you must read I Won’t Break!
Profile Image for Melka Stansah.
Author 2 books28 followers
March 21, 2017
And yet another great book as the sequel to 'My Lea'. The author took the story and the characters development to another level. Especially I loved the part where the mysteries in the first book were addressed in the sequel which made this book absolutely page-turning. I would recommend both 'My Lea' and 'I Won't Break' to those who love angsty love stories with some the special highlight in cultural differences.
Profile Image for Alice.
124 reviews11 followers
December 19, 2017
Heartwarming story and a different way to end the series. I really enjoyed reading this.
Profile Image for Paula  Phillips.
5,697 reviews343 followers
February 1, 2016
This is the sequel to My Lea and takes place five years after the first book finished and readers , if you have not read the first book - you must do so, before attempting I Won't Break as you will be a bit confused as this is a series that is quite full-on and not just because of the angst but also the storyline and characters are very intense in themselves. To give readers a bit of background, in My Lea - Lea met Andrew and he was a manipulative cold bastard that had perfected his life with having no feelings in order for himself not to get hurt and Lea was your sensitive and naive new adult type girl who had just moved to San Franscisco and fell for Andrew who was her brother's best friend. Now Five years later, Andrew is running his father's business as his Dad has just passed away , he met a new girl Emily and they are engaged - life seems to finally be looking up for him. That is until a blast from his past in the form of Lea comes rolling back into his life and the book is then split into different POV's of both past and present moments. Has life given this pair a second chance or actually in this case ,it's more like a third or fourth ? Can the pair who held so much angst ever actually live HEA or are they just dreaming ? Told in both past and present events, I Won’t Break tests the limit of love when faced with grief and heartbreak, discovers the true power of forgiveness, and explores the meaning of second chances and for those who are triggered by emotional disturbances, then this is a book that will drive you insane with all the angst-filled pages. Think Tessa/Hardin's angst from Anna Todd's After Series and a little bit more as they are older - then you have the Angst level in the My Lea series. More pain and dramatic events take place in this book. Can relationships be repaired? At what cost? After all of this, is "happily ever after" even possible with all of the sadness? Find out all the answers to these questions in I Won't Break by E. Mellyberry - a book that will really show readers how strong love can be even when you are tested to the brink of never coming back from the edge.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jo.
1,491 reviews13 followers
February 12, 2016
For me this felt like a book of two styles. I found the flashback sections of the book to be muddled in the explanations of what had happened. Now of course, the author was describing events which had happened to much younger characters, and so that confusion may have been an intentional representation of the struggle the characters were dealing with at the time.

The sections of the book which told the present story flowed much better, although I felt that occasionally the some of the tenses adopted in the narrative felt a little clunky.

Nevertheless, this is a much more accomplished book than My Lea, and the underlying story gives the resolution and forgiveness which both parties deserved.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Bea Flores.
69 reviews
May 3, 2016
I Won't Break by E. Mellyberry is the sequel to My Lea. It follows Andrew and Lea, continuing what they started. Andrew wanted to prove his dad wrong for giving him an advice to always give something a try. Lea wanted Andrew to stay with her so she can have someone to hold on to. Both characters have different ways of thinking which leads them to finding their future. Will they end up together?

I give the book 4 out of 5 stars! It's an easy read yet very entertaining. I like the first book more than ever. I find it very funny, if you would ask. This book is more like a more-mature-lea-and-andrew who grew older.

I love it! I will reread this soon. Definitely recommend it!
Profile Image for Nadia King.
Author 13 books77 followers
April 12, 2016
This almost broke me. My fist was stuffed in my mouth the whole time. It was excruciating; I hardly slept last night, I kept worrying about Andrew and Lea. I wanted to scream at them to stop. It was like watching a traffic accident in slow motion and there's nothing you can do but watch helplessly from the sidelines. 'I Won't Break' was a great second instalment to 'My Lea'. I was spellbound by the Asian culture, by Andrew and by Lea. What wonderful families and what a gorgeously lavish love story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.