Every Single Broken Piece

by Michelle Heard

A tattooed, touch-averse alpha becomes the sunshine to a grieving woman’s darkness—but the secret connecting him to her family’s brutal murder could destroy the love that’s healing them both. From USA Today bestselling author Michelle Heard.

Kelcie

After losing my entire family in a brutal attack, I’m drowning in grief. The only bright spot? My mysterious new neighbor, Levi—a tattooed bestselling author who somehow understands my pain.

He’s grumpy, he’s damaged, and he hates being touched. Except by me.

Levi

I moved next door to Kelcie for one to make sure she’s okay after the tragedy that took her family. A tragedy I know more about than I should.

She’s the only person whose touch doesn’t make my skin crawl. The only one who makes me want to be whole again.

But I’m hiding a devastating secret—one that connects me to the worst night of her life. And when she discovers the truth, it could destroy the fragile love we’ve built from our broken pieces.

Genres: Romance, Dark Romance, Audiobook, Found Family, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Dark

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Michelle Heard is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon #3 Bestselling romance author.

She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with a whole lot of Mafia & Romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters.

Before becoming an author, Michelle had a career in banking. She lives in South Africa with her son, Sheldon, who's also her right-hand man when it comes to all things publishing, and her daughter-in-law, Tayla, who's her best friend.

Reading Order on AMAZON


STANDALONE NOVELS:
***Mafia & Bratva Romance (in order)***

THE SAINTS SERIES:
Merciless Saints - Damien Vetrov
Cruel Saints - Lucian Cotroni
Ruthless Saints - Carson Koslov
Tears of Betrayal - Demitri Vetrov
Tears of Salvation - Alexei Koslov

THE SINNERS SERIES:
Taken By A Sinner - Nikolas Stathoulis
Owned By A Sinner - Liam Byrne
Stolen By A Sinner - Gabriel Demir
Chosen By A Sinner - Luca Cotroni
Captured By A Sinner - Viktor Vetrov


THE CORRUPTED ROYALS SERIES:
Destroy Me - Misha Petrov
Control Me - Nikolai Vetrov
Brutalize Me - Armani De Santis
Restrain Me - Maxim Levin
Possess Me - Alek Aslanhov


SERIES (In Order):

ENEMIES TO LOVERS SERIES:
***College & New Adult Romance***

Heartless - Carter & Della
Reckless - Logan & Mia
Careless - Jaxson & Leigh
Ruthless - Marcus & Willow
Shameless - Rhett & Evie

TRINITY ACADEMY SERIES:
***College Romance***

Falcon - Falcon & Layla
Mason - Mason & Kingsley
Lake - Lake & Lee
Julian - Julian & Jamie
The Epilogue

THE HEIRS:
***College & New Adult Romance***

Coldhearted Heir - Hunter & Jade
Arrogant Heir - Jase & Mila
Defiant Heir - Kao & Fallon
Loyal Heir - Forest & Aria
Callous Heir - Noah & Carla
Sinful Heir - Tristan & Hana
Tempted Heir - Christopher & Dash
Forbidden Heir - Ryker & Danny


SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES:
***Suspense Romance***

The Ocean Between Us – Aiden & Emma
The Girl In The Closet – Cole & Birdie
The Lies We Tell Ourselves – Alec & Reece
All The Wasted Time – Wyatt & Scarlett
We Were Lost – Zac & Chloe


OTHER STANDALONE NOVELS:

Not My Hero - Dark YA Romance

Reviews

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was an emotional rollercoaster read and so much different from every book i've read from this author. Both main characters were likeable and had so much depth to them. Though i did see all the plot twist coming a mile away i still did enjoy the story immensely.

[Camii · Rating 5 out of 5]

No eres solo mi musa. Eres mi milagro, mi recompensa por sobrevivir treinta y tres años de oscuridad"

Michelle Heard siempre me termina sorprendiendo con sus libros porque últimamente sentía que no me terminaban de gustar sus libros y este fue todo lo contrario y me encanto todo de Kelcie y Levi ♥️😭 (preparen sus pañuelos)

Fue muy triste leer este libro porque al inicio la vida de Kelcie es tan linda y llena de calidez por parte de su familia y la manera en la que perdió su hogar y lugar seguro fue muy fuerte para ella porque después de un año de estar en duelo la diferencia entre su vida pasada y presente en enorme 💔. Ella tiene una depresión muy grande y le es imposible comenzar una vida sin las personas que ama y así es como la conoce Levi quién siente un instinto protector muy grande con ella y a pesar de odiar el toque de la gente y ser muy introvertido se da cuenta que estar con Kelcie se siente bien.

La verdad es que la relación de ellos es muy bonita y el crecimiento que tienen juntos es enorme, además el amor entre ellos fue creciendo de a poco y al principio solo tenían una amistad hermosa donde ambos iban compartiendo su dolor conforme crecía la confianza mutua que tenían porque se dieron cuenta que cuando compartían sus recuerdos dolorosos estando juntos se sentían protegidos y seguros. Kelcie fue un amor con Levi y la verdad es que con el pastel llore mucho 😭 el solo necesitaba ser amado y ella lo amor tal y como necesitaba, y lo mas lindo es que siempre todo fue mutuo porque ambos daban lo que recibían y por esa razón funcionaron tan bien que pudieron dejar atrás eso que tantos les dolía y formar recuerdos nuevos donde no existía el dolor y podían vivir siendo libres en su nuevo hogar ♥️🥺.

ACTO DE AMOR ENORME fue el de Levi en los capítulos finales porque la decisión que el tomo hablaba de amor que sentía por su mujer quién era su lugar seguro y le dio una nueva vida 😭 LO AME

[Sophie✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this book would be emotional, but I wasn't prepared for how deeply it would affect me.

It’s a story about learning how to live again after believing your life ended with your loss. From the very first chapters, there was this quiet heaviness that never left me. Instead of relying on constant drama, Michelle Heard lets the emotions speak for themselves, and somehow that makes every moment hit even harder.

The novel centers on Kelcie, who is shattered by the brutal loss of her family, and Levi, a mysterious, touch-averse author carrying wounds of his own. Their connection unfolds through shared grief, quiet support, and trust, rather than instant declarations, making their bond feel intimate and believable.

Kelcie completely broke my heart. Watching someone who used to be full of warmth slowly try to remember what it feels like to actually live again was incredibly moving. Her grief wasn't written as something that magically disappears. It stayed with her shaped her and became part of every decision she made.

And then there's Levi.

He isn't the loud over-the-top protective hero. Everything he does is quiet. He watches, he notices, he shows up exactly when she's falling apart. The way he cared for Kelcie without trying to force her to heal made me love him more with every chapter. His own trauma was just as heartbreaking, and seeing two broken people become each other's safe place felt incredibly special.

One of my favorite things about this book was the pacing. Nothing felt rushed. Their relationship grew through conversations, shared silence, small acts of kindness, and moments where they slowly let each other inside walls they thought would never come down. Those little moments meant more to me than grand romantic gestures ever could.

I also loved that the suspense wasn't forgotten. Levi's secret kept me constantly wondering how everything would come together, and when the truth finally came out, it completely changed the emotional weight of the story without taking away from the romance.
Readers and reviewers often highlight this balance between emotional healing and the mystery surrounding Levi's past as one of the novel's strengths.

Lick deserves his own appreciation because every scene with him somehow made my heart a little lighter.

This book is painful, hopeful, tender, and beautifully written. It reminds you that healing isn't about forgetting what happened, it's about finding someone who makes carrying the weight a little less lonely.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Michelle Heard for the ARC

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

different from authors norm

Hmm 🤔 not sure about this book. This author usually writes suspense mafia romance.

This is a little out of her wheelhouse. This is small town, trauma, slow burn. There’s Family home invasion and murder and the one girl who survived. The mmc was severely abused physically as a child. This book is them mostly just being in small town vibes and becoming each others safe space and helping each other heal from trauma.

It honestly wasn’t really for me. I finished it but it was just kinda two people trauma dumping/sharing. Then 2 people sort of self isolating and being absorbed with each other.it just didn’t feel like there was a plot. Like them discussing their trauma was the plot. This one wasn’t for me. Even though I love a lot of Michelle heards other books

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had so much promise. In the beginning we see a very traumatic event happen where the FMC’s family is attacked and she’s the only survivor. We’re then introduced to the MMC who is a best selling author who has a big secret related to the attack and is drawn to the FMC. And for me that’s where the story stopped being interesting. I was just so bored and everything felt rushed and too slow at the same time. It was really weird.

[Andreea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Every Single Broken Piece by Michelle Heard begins! Right when I started wondering where this calm beginning of the story was heading, everything suddenly started to spiral.

Kelcie is a warm person who loves surrounding herself with people and helping them, but her trauma turns her into someone withdrawn, lonely and numb. Levi is similar in many ways — quiet and reserved, uncomfortable with being touched. He’s also a mysterious character and I was really curious to learn more about who he is, what brought him to Verona and what connection he has with Kelcie.

I often find myself getting attached to the male characters Michelle Heard creates, so it’s no surprise that I quickly grew attached to Levi. He tries to keep his distance from Kelcie and I was really curious why, but his attempts to stay in a safe zone also add a lot of emotion. The attraction between them is undeniable, so I loved the tension that builds, waiting breathlessly for the moment when one of them would take a step toward something more.

They truly complement each other perfectly, being exactly what the other needs in their life. It was so easy for me to believe in their relationship. Levi is incredibly attentive and caring toward Kelcie. Every glance, every gesture, every word filled my heart with joy. The bond that forms between Kelcie and Lick, Levi’s dog, was also so sweet. It felt like Levi understands just how much she needs that connection, and it made me appreciate him even more.

I also liked that the story isn’t overly dramatic. Kelcie manages to stay realistic while still prioritizing her feelings. There’s no unnecessary drama, just natural emotions and insecurities, handled with maturity. I really appreciated that.

Thanks to NetGalley, Michelle Heard and Montlake for this ARC!

[Darlene I read WAY to many books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle books have been putting me in a crying mood and this one made me cry but not ugly cry. We have Kelcie who has a loving family until they were attacked and Murdered infront of her. So its been taking her awhile to grieve and she deserves that time. So I did get annoyed with her brother wanting her to move away and heal faster.
And don't get me started on the town. 😒😒😒 most were assholes some were amazing. And then we meet Levi a famous author who moved next door with his doggie and slowly bonding with Kelcie and letting her grieve take her time and give her something amazing friendship and a relationship.
These two were so good together always defending one another him helping her with her panic attacks. ❤️

Levi did fight it because he does have a secret that would ruin the friendship. And it does come out and it does ruin them for awhile. And he did give her space but always there to make sure she's okay. We all know and can guess what that secret is.


Low angst, no ow/om drama, no cheating, Drama, sexy time, no virgins

Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Sadness-😢😢


Slowburn
Age gap
32mmc/24fmc
Home invasion
Murder
Seperation few weeks
Grief
Praise kink
Mental and physical abuse
Ptsd
No condom
Hea
Epilogue

[Zoreads_ox · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Michelle and it will not be my last,
I loved everything about this book, sucked me in right from the beginning!
The book was heavy emotional but also so beautifully written too! The characters were so easily likeable Levi and kelcie (the main characters) are my favourite!
This story will stay with me for a long time & I absolutely will be purchasing a physical copy when it’s released.

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Michelle for letting me ARC read this book!

[KDRBCK]

Every Single Broken Piece by Michelle Heard published by Montlake is a full length, stand alone.
An emotional read, heartwrenching, raw and gritty, gives all the feels.
The characters Kelsie and Levi are through a lot, become neighbors, become friends maybe.
A mafia romance that gives pretty goosebumps, 4,5 stars.

[Aurora Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars

Okay, so first things first...

📢 THIS IS NOT THE MICHELLE HEARD BOOK I WAS EXPECTING.

When I pick up a Michelle Heard book, my brain automatically prepares for danger, obsession, suspense, morally questionable men, and enough drama to keep me glued to the pages at 2 a.m.

Instead, I got trauma therapy: The Romance.

And honestly? I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it.

💔 Kelcie and Levi have both been through absolutely horrific things. Like, every time one of them shared a new piece of their past, I was sitting there thinking, "Damn... can somebody please give these two a break?"

The emotional weight of this story is HEAVY.

Like HEAVY heavy.

Like "I need a fluffy rom-com after this" heavy.

The book is basically about two broken people finding comfort in each other and becoming one another's safe place. And I can absolutely appreciate what the author was trying to do. There were some genuinely touching moments that hit me right in the feels.

But...

And this is a big but...

At times it felt like the entire plot was:

✨ Trauma.
✨ Sharing trauma.
✨ Thinking about trauma.
✨ Processing trauma.
✨ More trauma.

Repeat.

I'm being slightly dramatic, but not by much. 😂

There were multiple points where I found myself waiting for something significant to happen, only to realize that the emotional conversations WERE the plot.

If you're someone who loves deeply character-driven stories, you'll probably eat this up.

Unfortunately, I kept waiting for another layer that never fully arrived.

🐶 HOWEVER.

Can we all agree that Lick was the real star of this book?

I would happily read 400 pages from Lick's point of view.

Give me:
Lick's thoughts.
Lick's daily schedule.
Lick judging the humans.

I'd read all of it.

Best character. No notes. 🏆🐾

As for Levi...

I actually really liked him.

The poor man desperately needed a hug.

Well... technically he desperately DIDN'T want a hug.

But you know what I mean. 😭

His trauma shaped so much of who he was, and I found his chapters far more compelling than I expected. He was awkward, withdrawn, protective, and surprisingly sweet underneath all his emotional armor.

That said...

There were parts of his character arc that required me to suspend my disbelief a little.

I'm not saying it couldn't happen.

I'm just saying my eyebrow spent a good chunk of the book permanently raised. 🤨

Especially when certain issues seemed to resolve much faster than I personally expected.

Kelcie was easy to root for too. My heart broke for her. The way grief consumed her life felt realistic and honestly one of the strongest parts of the book.

One thing I really appreciated was that the story doesn't treat healing like a straight line.

People don't just wake up one day and decide they're fine.

Trauma changes you.

Grief changes you.

And this book does a good job showing that reality.

🌻 My biggest issue was the pacing.

The first 70% felt incredibly slow.

Then suddenly the final stretch showed up like:

🚨 PLOT HAS ENTERED THE CHAT 🚨

And all the action, reveals, drama, and chaos started happening at once.

The problem was that I saw most of it coming.

Every time the book tried to shock me, I was over here like:

"Yep."
"I knew that."
"Called it."
"Been expecting that for 150 pages."

The twists weren't bad.

They just weren't surprising.

Also...

Can we talk about Colby?

Because every time that man appeared on page, my irritation levels increased by approximately 500%.

The walking embodiment of "she said no but I'll keep trying anyway."

Sir.

Please.

Read the room.

Read the county.

Read the entire state.

The answer is STILL NO. 🙄

By the end of the book, I was invested enough to finish and I did enjoy seeing Kelcie and Levi get their happy ending.

I just never became completely obsessed with them the way I wanted to.

I liked them.

I rooted for them.

I wanted them to heal.

But I never got that feeling where I wanted to scream into the void about how perfect they were together.

Overall, this was a good book.

Not a bad book.

Not a great book.

Just a solid read that didn't fully click with me.

⭐ If you love:
🐾 Adorable dogs
💔 Trauma healing
🏡 Small-town settings
❤️ Emotional intimacy
🐢 Very slow-burn romance
🫂 Broken characters finding comfort in each other

You'll probably enjoy this much more than I did.


Final thoughts:

Lick deserved more page time.
Colby deserved worse
The plot needed more plot.
The emotions were emotional.
And while this wasn't my favorite Michelle Heard book, I'm still glad I read it.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Every Single Broken Piece is the newest Standalone release from author Michelle Heard.
The story has us following Kelcie Woodruff and Levi Graye through their dual POVs, in this Age-Gap, Neighbours to Lovers, Found Family, Mystery, Suspense Romance.

The story packed major punches from being super emotionally charged, given the journeys Kelcie and Levi find themselves navigating upon.
Considering they were not only venturing upon their own individual paths, which happened to be full of ups and downs and highs and lows. Given all that they were dealing with in their own personal lives.
Particularly for Kelcie, due to all that she endured and suffered through with trauma and heartbreak. All of which we see and learn through her inner monologue that has her expressing as much within her POV chapters.
Resulting in paving through the many emotions Kelcie and Levi faced and tackled through.

There was also the journey that caused their paths to intertwine with one another, bringing Kelcie and Levi together.
Seeing as they were both broken, author Michelle paved a story that had us seeing them slowly but surely connect through their shared brokenness and navigate through the ride that not only brought them closer together.
But also had them working their way through the suffering they were still dealing with by helping one another, given the heaviness of their own personal ordeals. Eventually bringing each other back to life, while leading each another to come out stronger on the other end and that too together.
Something that was always brought forth and expressed within their POV chapters.

Just going to preface this by saying while I absolutely love Michelle Heard’s book, seeing as they never fail to deliver, having always thoroughly enjoyed all the books of hers I have read thus far.
But with that said, Every Single Broken Piece did fall short for me considering the issues I had and just couldn't get past.

One issue for me came from Kelcie and Levi’s relationship.
IMO it did seem a little too fast with how quickly things were able to develop between the two.
It would’ve been nice to see more development showcased within the growth of their relationship, especially since there didn’t seem to be enough for my liking.

Another came from how quickly Levi was able to overcome his touch aversion with Kelcie.
Considering how long he had been dealing with the issue, which was still ongoing, the fact that with Kelcie it seemed to be over with so quickly just didn’t make sense or add up to me.

The story development in regards to the plot and subplot of which included secondary characters towards the end seemed a little rush to me.
Not only with how fast it all occurred, but the way it ended without any real thorough development or explanation showcased, resulting in a swift ending.
It ended up being something I just wasn’t the biggest fan of, since it would’ve been nice to see it play out a little more and thoroughly too instead of speeding through.

All in all, Every Single Broken Piece made for a good read despite my issues, allowing for a deeply heavy emotionally story.
Not only from all that took place, but with the heavy themes and topics, that paved the way for an emotional whirlwind.
And for that I say author Michelle Heard did a good job in how she managed to write it when it came to Kelcie and Levi’s story.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelcie had what seemed like a perfect family and perfect life, but one night changed everything and left her a shadow of who she used to be. A year later, she’s barely functioning when she meets her new neighbour who seems just as broken as she is. He’s an antisocial introvert, who can’t stand to be touched, but somehow doesn’t recoil from hers. As she begins to find herself again in his arms, she starts to hope for the first time in a long time.

When Liam heard about the tragedy involving Kelcie’s family, he couldn’t resist tracking her down, and ended up moving into the house next door to her. Convinced that he was only there to make sure she was alright, he resigned himself to keeping his distance, until the day her brother introduced himself and everything changed. Now she’s the only one whose touch he welcomes, and he knows he won’t survive without her, but if she finds out the secret he’s keeping, he might be forced to.

I was lucky enough to immersive read this book early, courtesy of @netgalley and I absolutely loved it! I purposely didn’t read the synposis after I received it, so I didn’t remember the storyline before I dove in, and let me tell you, this one left me rattled. Watching Kelcie’s life shatter in real time was devastating, and seeing her struggle to move past it even harder, but the way Liam loved her back to life was absolutely everything. I loved that Kelcie was the only one able to touch Liam, as if it was a physical manifestation of their deep emotional connection. While I can understand why Liam kept his secret (although I began to suspect what it was early on), the way it was ultimately revealed to Kelcie was cruel, and left them both in pieces. This couple’s road was rocky at the best of times, but I know they will stick with me for a long time.

[Cataa (Taylor's Version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Le iba a poner 1,5 pero me parecio bien tierno el final y hoy estoy de buen humor asi que lo dejo como esta. Para mi es super raro Leer un libro de Michelle que no sea mafia romance, definitivamente se siente diferente y en mi caso lastimosamente no en el buen sentido.

Kelcey perdio a sus papás y hermana por un asesinato entrando en una etapa de depresión que la atormentaba y se nos presenta a Levi que es un escritor que al parecer está relacionado con el asesinato pero no nos dicen de qué forma como hasta el 50% porque todo ese proceso es solamente ver como se enamoran bien insta love y forman confianza y el con esos pensamientos conflictivos internos en los que decia “oh no puedo estar con ella” y no digo que no haya sido fácil de leer porque hablando claro, Michelle tiene una pluma bastante fácil pero cuando se desvelo el misterio fue bastante predecible e incluso el conflicto sentimental de la protagonista fue bastante extraño porque ella llegó a la conclusión de que realmente siempre habría vuelto a él y que en esas páginas en las que no estuvieron juntos fueron solo un descanso para pensarlo.

Y ahí casi por el final entraron en un lapsus en el que estaban bien y de la nada llegaba gente a hacerles daño y así otra vez (y en eso consistió el otro 50%) lo cual me dejo con un sinsentido porque creo que el libro fue más largo de lo que debió haber sido y eso que de hecho es “corto” pero no, no fue mi tipo de lectura, sin duda falto mucha exploración en varios temas pero bueno.

[Ghaz]

What to expect:
- [ ] Forced proximity
- [ ] Grieve
- [ ] Love/heal
- [ ] Protective MMC
- [ ] Found family

This story is emotional, heart wrenching, and gritty.

Every emotion, trauma in this book is written so beautifully that you will feel it same as the character is feeling.

I love a strong welled FMC and you will find her in this book and will love her as much as i did. All the things in her life , she went through and still stayed strong, I found it very inspiring.

The MMC brings that intense, protective, touch her and die, kinda a vibe and i am here for it. I love a good morally grey MMC and Levi is 100% is the one you will love him.

Overall, this is gripping, emotional read. Character development is amazing, emotions are very well portrayed. This story is one of those which will stay with you.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love angst, you'll love this book.

Kelcie is living the life she loves when it all falls apart in a single night.
She lost her entire family in a brutal home invasion. And now, almost a year later, she is still drowning in grief. She mostly keeps to herself until she meets her new neighbor Levi.
He's grumpy, damaged, and doesn't like to be touched except by Kelcie.

When Levi heard what happened to Kelcie, he moved next door to make sure she was okay. And to ease the guilt he feels. But what shocks him the most is that her touch doesn't make his skin crawl.

They're both helping the other heal, but Levi worries that his secret will destroy the fragile love they've been building.

Thanks so much to the author and Candi Kane PR for this ARC to review.

[Sundy Tr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Levi (33) & Kelcie (25).

I wasn’t expecting such an intense, emotional start and it had all my attention.

Both MCs have serious issues due to trauma and they are perfect for each other. I liked both of them and how their relationship developed. The pace was amazing until 70% where it changed a bit and it was less exciting. And I think the last incident was pointless.

Did I mention it’s veeery emotional? I suggest not reading it when you’re feeling down.

I enjoyed it a lot and had a great time overall.

The cover has nothing to do with the book btw, the model does not even have tattoos!

-Dual 1st person POV
-Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

Overall: 4/5 ⭐️ for me.

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Available on KU!
Kelcie and Levi had to go through so much for her happily ever after😩 Levi doesn’t like to be touched by anyone but her 🥹

[Alina-Madalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Kourtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just…wow. 🙃

[Caroline F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, painful, and life-affirming. Fabulous read. Full RTC

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Levi and Kelcie have endured more trauma than any two people should, so it seems almost magical that when they find each other, they are EXACTLY what each need. This is wish fulfilment to the nth degree.

Kelcie survived a horrific home invasion that leaves her with crippling panic attacks, the inability to sleep at night and a deep unwillingness to re-enter her family home. She currently rents a small home nearby, thanks to a tip from a pushy former classmate, Colby. Next door on one side is Jill and her daughter, with whom Kelcie maintains a just friendly enough relationship. Since that night, Kelcie is no longer capable of being her friendly, happy, outgoing self, and it isn't lost on her that in this small town the prevailing thought is that she should get over it already and return to form. But that isn't possible, and in truth, they want her to be done grieving as a talisman for themselves, the way people used to whisper the word Cancer as if not giving it voice would prevent it from finding you.

Next door on the other side, is newcomer to town, Levi. He is mysterious and keeps to himself. In town the word is that he is rude and some kind of thug because he doesn't engage in the daily chit chat that is the beating heart of small towns. This is also amplified by the very jealous Colby, who as a local reporter, has an audience of people willing to listen to his narrative, factual or not.

In Levi's chapters we get an indication that he is keeping tabs on how Kelcie is doing but other than deliberate vagueness we only learn that he is suffering from writers block and has a deep aversion to being touched. His dog Lick gives him the opening to speak to Kelcie, when the pup wanders into her backyard.

Damage recognizing damage, they begin to spend time sitting in her yard talking, eventually exchanging the happy memories of her family that she can't bear to remember, and he giving voice to the hideous abuse he'll never forget.

What made me roll my eyes a bit was when Kelcie has a violent panic attack, Levi reaches out to hold her and give her medication a chance to work, he magically doesn't suffer from her touch. (We were already told that he had to take a Silkwood shower after a chatty salesperson put her hand on his wrist). And I could almost buy that in the moment of heightened adrenaline caused by trying to help Kelcie that it over road his aversion but as she began breathing again, he should have jumped away, not her pulling away and apologizing for touching him. Instead we now get passage after passage about how magically she is the ONE human in the ENTIRE world that can touch him without issue and in fact causing arousal.

And again, I'll allow that if someone is traumatically unable to have anyone touch them, that they would become touch starved and that any little touch could bring the desire for more but as a reader I was disappointed. When someone touches Kelcie's hand, Levi is so repulsed that he has to grab her and wash her off to get the "cooties" off her. I don't believe being that broken inside, is magically healed by the pretty girl next door listing to your sad stories. It would have been more realistic for Levi to tell Kelcie that he wished he could touch her but was unable too. They could still be friends and still could fall in love but his ability to touch her felt unearned.

Kelcie and Levi's relationship begins to change after she tells Colby that she can't date him because she's dating Levi and Levi backs her lie. When Levi learns that she had turned down Colby's advances for years, his reaction is correct, that she should report him to the authorities for harassment but hers is unfortunately the classic response of women who become victims everywhere, it's okay, he's harmless, I've known him forever, it's fine. GIRL, it's not fine!! Fellas, 6yrs of getting told no, isn't an invitation to keep trying, that's a NO. It was NO the first time. Needless to say, Colby's behavior follows form.

The reader and Kelcie learn the worst possible way, what Levi was hiding from Kelcie about how he came to be her neighbor. There traumas link them more than she knew. So now comes the classic romance novel break up which never lasts. Colby thinks this is his chance and when Kelcie tries again to shut him down, he attacks with the classic loser argument, why him, why not me, I asked you first - like you can call dibs on a human being Things get violent and Kelcie tries calling Levi for help. (The aftermath of this incident is where I would have felt his touch aversion with Kelcie dropping would have been more earned) This additional traumatic event makes Kelcie see that she wants Levi in her life even if he kept a secret from her and he had already decided that she was the only human for him.

There is a happily ever after epilogue with a bit of a time jump, indicating that they are both healing more of their traumas, though in Levi's case, it still feels a bit magical that Kelcie 'fixed' him without his getting actual counseling or therapy for his issues.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart-breaking, breath-taking and awe-inspiring

What a truly beautifully heart-breaking book Author Michelle Heard has written in EVERY SINGLE BROKEN PIECE where she shows that a deep and true romantic love can be found even after surviving some of the worst circumstances that a person could possibly experience. For Kelcie Woodruff, it was the home invasion and murder of her family which she alone barely survived and Levi Graye ran from home at 16 after enduring a horrendous childhood. Poignant, deeply emotional and descriptively written, this book was one that I absolutely loved and resented putting aside just to participate within compulsory life responsibilities like attending work!

Kelsie’s life had been perfect until that awful night. Since then she'd been drowning in her sorrow, paralysed by debilitating panic attacks, and as the anniversary ticked over, people around her were expecting her to move on with her life including her loving brother who wanted to help, even as he grieved for the loss of his family, yet didn't understand the violence she'd seen and suffered for herself. The healing and understanding that Levi brought into Kelsie's life was a watershed moment for them both.

Written in my favourite dual POV, Kelcie and Levi revealed to us the damage that trauma had left behind, bonding through care and succinctly but sensitively written ‘memory for memory' trades between them, and I adored the level of understanding they shared that no one else could understand;

“Sometimes you just have to find the right person to talk to. Someone who will listen and not tell you to heal and move on.”

Levi was such an amazing and beautifully written alpha character. Whether any reader would call him a stalker or a romantic character who put his life on hold to watch and aim to be there for Kelcie should she need help in any capacity, Ms Heard wrote him as the perfect man for her. He was excessively reclusive in spite of reaching the pinnacle of success as an author who wrote a book made into blockbuster action movie starring mega-star actor Eastern Rowe, whose story was in THINGS THAT BREAK US. He couldn't bear to be around or suffer the touch of others, so I loved his own journey of self discovery as he got to know Kelcie, even moving out of his own comfort zone. Most importantly, in being there for her, he realised that not only did he not horrifically writhe under her touch, but thrived on it.

Which brings me to the First-Kiss-Scene that was a total stand out favourite for me. Ms Heard nailed it. Levi's alpha-male characteristics, when he finally couldn’t face even the remote possibility that Kelcie might feel rejected by him absolutely OWNED and CONQUERED her with that kiss!!! Hooo-ly cow, it was a kiss that was hotter than hades 🔥🔥🔥intensifying the chemistry between them, leaving them both as stunned mullets, and Levi himself discovering that kissing her was the best thing since sliced bread (well he didn't exactly put it like that!);

“You’re unlike any person I’ve ever met. I love touching you, and kissing you was one of the best things I’ve ever experienced in my life.”

Another favourite part of any book is where the title reveals itself and shortly after the kiss, Kelsie demonstrated her unconditional want to Levi as their rapidly building friendship exponentially moved into a love they hadn't quite acknowledged yet, but was pretty much evident;

“I want all of you. Every single broken piece. The good. The bad. There’s nothing you could do to make me feel any different.”

EVERY. SINGLE. BROKEN. PIECE. Picture me sitting with a *romantic sigh* and a full heart ❤️ Kelcie and Levi were healing together, two broken halves becoming one, but Ms Heard had yet to rip the rug of happy out from under them and me!!! Cue one neighbour thinking he had rightful dibs to Kelcie and one helluva huge and devastating secret that Levi was wanting to keep under wraps, and I wondered how they could move past it all!! What a journey.

EVERY SINGLE BROKEN PIECE was breath-taking and awe-inspiring. Grief and healing from trauma is a part of life that few of us want to experience, but many do and only they can truly understand the difficult path that Kelcie and Levi undertook. It’s a book that I highly recommend and believe everyone who loves emotional and romantic reads should check out. 5-I-loved-every-single-page-Stars 💔✨️•☆

[Rina | booksofthemuggleborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating: 3.75-4 stars!

**ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review.**

This is the second book in Heard’s Montlake Series, and takes you into a slightly darker themed contemporary romance storyline.

Whilst there were some moments here and there throughout the book that had me perking up with interest, it was unfortunately few and far between. I wish it was more consistent as there was definitely some potential with its premise. The story itself, in my opinion, fell a little flat for the most part. I really wanted to like it but had difficulties fully connecting— not only with the characters themselves, but with the overall progression of the story.

Although it’s a relatively fast-paced book and can easily be read in one sitting, on the other hand, I also think it was its downfall, as there wasn’t enough depth in place. Developments were abrupt and choppy, and a lot of the time it felt as if the atmosphere wasn’t being established enough, therefore lacking build-up.

For two people to have gone through intense traumatic life events, I wish their relationship hadn’t developed from platonic, to friendship, to romantic so quickly, as it took away some of the genuineness of their relationship. But in saying that, I do like seeing how they became each other’s support system.

I can’t imagine the pain and trauma Kelcie has been forced to endure. You can’t help but feel defensive over her whenever a memory is triggered or whenever she’s being guilt-tripped into something.

Levi is a little more complex, and the more the story progresses, the more anxious you feel about his backstory. Even though there were a couple of plot twists that I felt were fairly predictable early on in the story, they’re ones you still want to see play out. It’s a subplot that had me turning the pages.

Now, is this one of my favourite stories by Heard? No. But I have no regrets reading it. I’ve read countless books by her and they have all held some intrigue one way or another. Whilst I wasn’t completely sold on this book as a whole, there were still plenty of elements I enjoyed seeing. For one, the friendships and super close-knit familial dynamics were a prominent and positive feature. The bonds exhibited are the stuff of envy. Secondly, if you’re a fan of small-town settings, although this wasn’t exactly cookie-cutter, the contrasting townspeople made for an interesting addition and welcomed literary padding. More importantly, despite personally struggling connecting with the MCs, it’s not to say that plenty of other readers won’t emotionally connect and sympathise with them. They both go through heart-wrenching experiences that mirrors real-life situations for many people.

This is a contemporary romance story with a little bit of angst and suspense thrown in. It broaches on sensitive subject matters that some readers may find disturbing or triggering, so please proceed with caution. It contains graphic violence, familial/child abuse, death, unreciprocated love, touch aversion (verging on haphephobia), reclusive tendencies, and PTSD. It’s intended for readers of age.

This is a complete standalone, but I love the character crossover that interconnects this story with the previous in the series, no matter how minor the detail is. It’s a nice touch and although the first book has a completely different premise and tropes to this one, the books link well together.

Heard is auto-read author for me, and I don’t see that changing in the future. This book may not have ended up being my cup of tea, but I still commend how easily the storytelling was to follow and the heartfelt and touching theme Heard was showcasing. Don’t let my overall star rating deter you. If you like small-town, neighbours-to-lovers romances with secrecy and suspense included, give this one a try. It’s character-driven, emotional, and takes readers on a journey from one’s grief to healing and recovery. It’s therapeutic in a way. Just have tissues handy and possibly a big pillow to hunker down with for comfort.

🚨 Full review on my blog: https://booksofthemuggleborn.wordpres...

[Nany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelcie pierde a su familia y tratando de seguir adelante se muda pero no espera llevarse tan bien con su vecino Levi el cual al parecer es solamente amable con ella pero con los demás no. El ama vivir en el anonimato a pesar de ser un escritor muy exitoso y cuando se muda a Verona (el pueblo) solo busca tratar de reparar los pedazos de Kelcie pero lo que no se imagina es que ambos van a ayudarse mutuamente a superar todos los malos recuerdos que tienen de su pasado.


Opinión:
Levi me gustó pero había algo que no me terminaba de convencer siento yo que fue el hecho de planear todo para poder ayudar a Kelcie pero ocultando la verdad de que tenia parentesco con uno de los involucrados en el caso de la muerte de los padres y hermana de ella. Siento que me puse mas limitada por el hecho de que es de las pocas veces que leo a Michelle como un libro de otra cosa que no sea mafia. Igual a pesar de todo siento yo que el si era el indicado para ella, capaz no de la forma que lo hizo pero ya de por si estaban destinados a estar juntos, lo que si NO ME GUSTÓ fue el hecho de que ambos dependían emocionalmente de la otra persona lo cual lo acepte pero me costo digerirlo y el hecho de que NECESITÉ que a Levi lo hiciera sufrir mas por su error y no lo perdonará tan fácilmente.

Kelcie era un personaje que me causaba conflicto a veces pero después la entendía porque el hecho de vivir un acto tan violento como puedes recuperarte mentalmente de eso? Pero habían cosas en que se aferraba y al final no me mencionaron si vendieron la casa, como fue el proceso de despedida de ella. El hecho de que dejara que le pasaran tantas cosas porque ella creía que en su pueblo no le iban a hacer nada cuando al final se dio cuenta que no era así ya era demasiado tarde. No me gustó tampoco el hecho de que no mostraran mas las amistad con Jill y Waverly o sea simplemente desparecieron.

Me gustó como la autora hizo al personaje fisicamente de Levi pero no se si me distraje pero habían pocas veces en donde describían fisicamente a Kelcie pero bueno, Cuando mencionaban a Lick fue de los momentos en que mas me daban felicidad y como al final si consiguieron otro perro para su perro. Las escenas sexuales siento qué aveces eran totalmente innecesarias al leer pero me imagino que igual la autora quería mostrar el picante de la relación y la conexión que tenían pero simplemente a mi parecer estaban de más. Colby me tenia HARTA pero había que ponerle un limite desde un inicio y eso se vio al final cuando ella al principio decía que el era como algunos perros que mucho ladran y poco muerden, y al final si estaba loquito. Ya no aguantaba un momento mas en donde le hicieran sufrir en ese pueblo pero lo que mas rabia me daba era que ella siempre amo ese lugar pero como se iba borrando poco ese anhelo. Y tengo mucha ganas de leer un libro de Waverly y el oficial de policia (Stone? Idk).

Libro de romance y mucha superación pero obvio no es ejemplo de nada en el buen sentido🤍.

[Cigi cini · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤 Emotional Romance
💔 Grief and Healing
🏡 Neighbors to Lovers
🖋️ Author Hero
🌙 Broken Hero
☀️ Sunshine in the Darkness
🛡️ Protective Alpha
🤫 Hidden Secret
🥹 Emotional Healing
💕 Touch Her and Only Her
🔥 Grumpy Hero
✨ Happily Ever After

Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Every Single Broken Piece is an emotional, heartbreaking, and beautifully healing romance that completely pulled me in from the very beginning. Michelle Heard knows how to write broken characters who feel so real, and Kelcie and Levi’s story is filled with grief, pain, secrets, love, and the kind of healing that slowly pieces your heart back together.

Kelcie’s story is absolutely devastating. After losing her entire family in such a brutal and traumatic way, she is barely surviving. Her grief feels heavy, raw, and all consuming, and my heart broke for her so many times. But even through all of that darkness, there is still a quiet strength in her. She is fragile, but she is not weak and watching her slowly find moments of light again was so emotional.

Levi completely stole my heart. He is tattooed, intense, damaged, protective, and so deeply affected by his own past. I loved that he was grumpy and guarded, but with Kelcie he became something softer. The fact that he hates being touched, yet she is the one person whose touch he can handle made their connection feel so intimate and special. He does not come into her life loudly. He is just there, watching over her, supporting her, and becoming the safe place, she did not even know she needed.

Their relationship is such a beautiful, slow build. It was not rushed, and I really loved that. Both are carrying so much pain, and their love grows through quiet moments, trust, understanding, and the way they see each other’s broken pieces without trying to pretend they do not exist. There is so much emotion between them, and the chemistry is wrapped in vulnerability, which made it hit even harder.

The secret Levi is hiding adds so much tension to the story. You can feel the weight of it hanging over every tender moment, knowing that when the truth comes out, it has the power to destroy everything they have built. It made the story so addictive because I was desperate for Kelcie to heal, desperate for Levi to be honest, and desperate for them to find a way through the pain together.

Every Single Broken Piece is heartfelt, angsty, and beautifully emotional. It is a story about loss, guilt, love, forgiveness, and finding someone who makes the darkness feel a little less lonely. Kelcie and Levi’s love is not perfect or easy, but it is powerful, healing, and so worth the heartbreak along the way.

[Leona T · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memory for a memory. Sounds beautiful, right? That's exactly what this story is.

If you're expecting a typical Michelle Heard novel filled with ruthless mafia drama, this book is something completely different. Instead, it's a deeply emotional story about grief, trauma, healing, and finding hope when you least expect it.

Kelcie's journey broke my heart from the very beginning. The story opens with warm, happy family moments, making everything that follows hurt even more. While my family dynamics are very different from hers, I still connected with her struggle to navigate grief and find a way forward after tragedy. Her emotional journey felt raw, authentic, and deeply moving.

Then there's Levi. A man carrying his own devastating past and a secret that could destroy everything between them. Learning why he struggles with physical touch was heartbreaking, and I loved the way Michelle Heard handled his emotional wounds. Rather than trying to "fix" each other, Levi and Kelcie acknowledge each other's pain and slowly become a safe place for one another.

Their memory-sharing arrangement was one of my favorite parts of the book. Watching them exchange pieces of themselves, build trust, and slowly fall in love was beautiful. The slow-burn romance made every emotional and intimate moment hit that much harder.

I did figure out the major twist before it was revealed, but that didn't lessen the impact. Seeing Kelcie learn the truth still hurt, and the way the revelation unfolded made it even more devastating.

Despite the heavy themes, there are plenty of lighter moments woven throughout the story that help balance the emotional weight. The overall journey from grief to healing felt authentic, hopeful, and incredibly moving.

One quote that perfectly captures the heart of this book:

"I want all of you. Every single broken piece. The good. The bad. There's nothing you could do to make me feel any different."

That line alone shattered me.

For audiobook listeners, Lee Samuels and Summer Morton delivered fantastic performances, bringing every complicated emotion to life and making the experience even more immersive.

This neighbors-to-lovers, dual-POV contemporary romance is packed with angst, healing, suspense, and heart. The dedication broke me. The memories broke me. But the love Michelle Heard wrote into these pages healed something in me, too.

I cried. I laughed. I loved every minute of it.

Highly recommend for readers who enjoy emotional healing romances, wounded characters, slow-burn chemistry, and stories that remind us that even the most broken hearts can find their way back to hope.

[Rachel Arthachinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a Michelle Heard book. This is a thought-provoking story. It is an emotional and sometimes uncomfortable book about two people who have both endured horrific personal tragedies and are able to find a way to heal together. The MMC, Levi, has lived through, at a very young age, countless acts of abuse by people who were supposed to have loved him. These stories and tidbits that he gives throughout the book to Kelcie in what they call “a memory for a memory” are uncomfortable but help to explain the idiosyncrasies that make Levi the man that we know in the book. He hates to be touched. He does not like to interact with other people. He is awkward and comes across as rude. As a reader, at first it seems a little cringe but when you get to know him and understand what he has gone through that makes him that way, you quickly fall in love with him. That is something that I really liked about this book. These characters weren’t necessarily people that I feel like I instantly connected with, but their story is a good reminder that everyone is dealing with something behind closed doors, and some are simply trying to survive.

Kelcie was a happy young woman with her whole life ahead of her but becomes seemingly stuck in her grief after witnessing a traumatic event without a way forward. That is until she meets her hot neighbor and his incredible dog (shout out to Lick the dog, the true MVP of the story). The slow progression of their relationship is beautiful. This is a great romance, but there were a lot of pieces to this story that made me uncomfortable, however not necessarily in a bad way. You are supposed to feel uncomfortable, and that is a great element to this book. I have to admit; at the beginning the writing was a little lacking. There wasn’t the detail I was hoping to find to hook me quickly into the story. I found some of the interactions with Kelcie and her mother and sister to come across as a little disingenuous and cheesy, but all the information that was needed was given to drive the plot forward and I then quickly become engrossed.

I’m not going to lie, I love a possessive male, and Levi does not disappoint. I really found myself rooting for Kelcie, wanting her to find closure and happiness, but I knew full well once she found out Levi’s secret, (a creepy secret I must add), I knew the story was going to take a turn. This was a good read. I really enjoyed it.

#EverySingleBrokenPiece #NetGalley

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review
Michelle Heard • Narrated by Summer Morton & Lee Samuels.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ALC
Pub Date: July 21

I went into this one completely blind didn’t read the blurb, didn’t skim reviews, nothing. I just liked the title and pressed play. And honestly, that made the whole experience hit even harder. This is romantic suspense with real emotional weight, and once the plot kicks in, it does not let up.

🎧 Audiobook Notes
Summer Morton and Lee Samuels deliver exactly the kind of narration this story needs. Morton captures Kelcie’s softness, her grief, her quiet resilience. Samuels brings that low‑key intensity to Levi the grumpy, touch‑averse author who feels everything too deeply but shows almost none of it. Together, they make the emotional beats land with real impact.

🌤️ Kelcie: Sunshine in the Aftermath
Kelcie is a gentle, creative soul who carves and sells handmade pieces online. She still lives at home because it’s comfortable until one night destroys her entire family and leaves her the only survivor. Her PTSD, anxiety, and grief are written with honesty, and the small town’s “support” feels painfully realistic: they care, but they also want her to move on faster than she can.

Her brother is the only one who truly understands her pace. And her decision to stay in the town because her parents are buried there? Heart‑wrenching.

🖤 Levi: The Quiet Neighbor With a Secret
Levi is the introverted, tattooed, bestselling author next door who doesn’t like being touched except by Kelcie. He’s been quietly watching over her, sending his dog Lick to comfort her, keeping his distance while still making sure she’s okay.

He recognizes her trauma because he carries his own. And the secret he’s hiding ties him directly to the worst night of her life.

Their connection feels tender, fragile, and deeply earned.

🔥 Romantic Suspense That Actually Suspends
The first couple chapters are slow and atmospheric, but once the action starts, it does not stop. The tension, the danger, the unraveling of Levi’s past Michelle Heard knows how to keep you locked in.

💔 Two Broken Souls Finding Safe Harbor
This is a story about trauma, healing, and the strange ways people find each other when they’re hurting. Kelcie and Levi’s relationship feels like a sanctuary quiet, careful, and full of emotional truth.

This was my first Michelle Heard, but it definitely won’t be my last.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG… this book was FANTASTIC! I’m completely obsessed with Michelle’s writing. Normally I’m diving into her mafia romances, but this one steps away from the mafia world while still delivering the dark, suspenseful atmosphere she’s so good at creating.

I was lucky enough to experience this on audio, and WOW. Summer Morton and Lee Samuels absolutely blew me away. The raw emotion they poured into every chapter made Kelsie’s grief, heartbreak, and healing feel so incredibly real. Their performances elevated an already amazing story.

Kelsie is just 24 years old, living at home with her parents while building her woodworking business. Life isn’t perfect, but she’s genuinely happy. When her sister comes home for a visit, Kelsie expects a cozy night of movies and catching up. Instead, tragedy strikes.

While blow-drying her hair, she hears her mother’s scream. Racing into the hallway, she discovers intruders have broken into their home. Her father, mother, and sister are being attacked. Kelsie fights back but is brutally assaulted herself before managing to escape into the arms of a responding police officer.

One year later, Kelsie is merely surviving. Her family is gone, her apartment is nearly empty except for a couch, and visiting their graves has become part of her daily routine. She doesn’t know how to move forward when the people who made life worth living are gone. Her brother who doesn’t live close is trying to get her to sell their parents house. Knowing it’s not healthy to keep it but Kelsie can’t imagine letting it go.

Levi has recently moved to town, hoping a change of scenery will help him write his next novel. After his previous book became a blockbuster movie, the pressure has left him completely uninspired. That changes the moment he meets Kelsie.

Their relationship develops slowly, beginning with friendship before naturally growing into something more. There was nothing rushed about their connection, it felt authentic watching two broken people become each other’s safe place as they slowly found light in the darkness.

But just when it feels like healing is finally possible… Levi’s past comes crashing back into their lives.

This story completely wrecked me. It’s heartbreaking, suspenseful, emotional, and beautifully written. Michelle proves once again that no matter what genre she writes, she knows exactly how to pull readers in and refuse to let go.

Tropes:
Small town
Hurt/Comfort
Dog Dad
Neighbors
Hidden Secret
Suspense

[Jinane Abou Hassan zahran · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐🌙 (4.5 stars)

This is not a book I’d expect from Michelle Heard. To be honest, I’m used to her mafia books… but this one surprised me. It proves that a great writer is great, no matter what genre they write.

Every Single Broken Piece was such an emotional read. I was lucky enough to receive both the ARC and the ALC, and I genuinely lost track of time while reading it and listening to the audiobook.

Kelcie… what she went through was unimaginable. She had the best childhood with the most loving parents and siblings… then her entire world shattered. Her family was murdered before her eyes, and she's left trying to find a way forward after witnessing something so horrific. The survivor's guilt she carries is heartbreaking.

Levi, a famous author, is quiet, guarded, and carrying so much pain that he can't bear being touched. Yet beneath all those walls, he's incredibly caring. Feeling partially responsible for what happened to Kelcie, he moves to her town to watch over her. They slowly grow comfortable with each other. The trust between them built naturally and they became each other's safe place, and Levi becomes so protective. Their relationship wasn't rushed, and the subtle chemistry and sparks between them made every moment so satisfying.

Then the truth came out... and that was painful. Very painful. I honestly couldn't blame Kelcie for her reaction.

Colby was so irritating, and I knew his jealousy would eventually lead him to do something stupid. And Lick, the dog, deserves all the love because he did most of the saving. Seriously, animals in books are basically small children. ❤️

The audiobook was fantastic. Summer Morton and Lee Samuels brought so much emotion to their performances that I could picture every scene so vividly. They truly became Kelcie and Levi, making the whole experience feel like watching a movie. They were great together, and their voices conveyed every emotion the characters felt... so well that they brought tears to my eyes and made my heart race.

A touching story about loss, healing, forgiveness, and finding someone amazing who helps you believe in tomorrow again. Michelle Heard has a way of writing emotions that makes you feel every ounce of her characters' pain as if it were your own. Highly recommended.