I Was Never Broken

by Hazel Anthony

A broken plan, a forgotten past, and a summer that changes everything.

Cedar Springs, Mississippi, 1997. Poppy Turner had her future mapped out: college degree in hand, a new job waiting, and a boyfriend ready to share it with. Then, life unraveled in an instant. Instead of moving forward, she's driving down a dirt road to her aunt's farm in the middle of nowhere, in search of a place to breathe and a way to forget.

What began as an escape has turned into something unexpected. Days on the farm bring quiet strength, a job sparks new purpose, and two brothers up the road who remind her what it feels like to hope again. Then, Poppy is given a box of love letters that had been tucked away in the attic; forgotten words from grandparents she never knew, brings a tale of devotion and resilience that bridges generations.

As summer stretches on, Poppy must confront the heartbreak and secrets she's been running from. Because sometimes, the only way forward is to look back.

Tender, heartfelt, and unforgettable, this coming-of-age story is about second chances, family ties, and the courage to open your heart again. Perfect for fans of small-town romances and emotional journeys that linger long after the last page.

324 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2026

Reviews

[Lizzy Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a rare occasion I find this kind of depth and development in a romance novel as I have found in I Was Never Broken. The writing is so authentic, with beauty and heartbreak, that it transported me back to the Deep South in the 1990s. Growing up in small-town NC in the 90s, I know that no amount of research can truly grasp the dialogue, mannerisms, and setting like a Southern writer. Hazel Anthony does all of this and more. And yet, with themes of domestic violence, assault, and healing, her voice is universal. If it were up to me, this story would be shouted from the rooftops to women everywhere.

From cover to cover, Anthony drew me in with well-timed action, cinematic setting, and brilliantly crafted non-linear timeline choices. I fell in love with these characters!



For the full review, see Reader Views

[abigail runion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the incorporation of the old letters, into the storyline and the type set for the letters was even better
Enough detail to help the reader develop image of the characters and setting, but did not get hung up in too much detail, making the storyline drag
It was well written the story flowed nicely. The chapters were short enough that if you needed to, even though I didn’t want to, put it down, you could. Relatable, characters, and scenarios.

[Jennifer Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was desperate for a relatable heartbreaking read, and this delivered.
The complexity of this novel is underrated.
This is one of those stories that you feel in your chest and warms your soul.
I very much enjoyed it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

When someone you love keeps telling you that you’re not enough, criticizing how you behave, controlling who you see, even deciding how you should dress, it leaves a mark. It chips away at your sense of worth until you start questioning yourself instead of the situation. But often, the problem isn’t you at all.

That’s where we meet Poppy. She’s a shadow of who she once was, worn down by constant emotional pressure, and when the abuse turns physical (again), she finally reaches her breaking point. She leaves, returning to the place she grew up, giving herself the chance to breathe, to rebuild, and to reconnect with childhood friends, one of whom becomes more than just a friend.

This is the story of Poppy realizing she was never the issue (broken). She was always enough. Watching her rediscover herself, explore what she truly wants, and slowly open up to love again is a journey I genuinely enjoyed. The 90s setting adds a charming touch and reminds us of a time when staying connected meant actual conversation, not constant notifications.

If you love stories about personal growth, healing, and falling in love- with a bit of nostalgic 90s flair- this one is absolutely worth picking up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lia Lorimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fighting back
An interesting novel about young adults who are still finding their directions in life. Although the story initially appears superficial with Poppy reluctantly helping her aunt on her farm while re-uniting with her childhood friends, brothers Luke and Joe, to go drinking and partying, the author soon delves into the more serious topics of sexual choices, social bias, and abuse.
Set in a small town in rural Mississippi in the mid-90s, newly graduated Poppy decides to spend the summer with Barbara to escape an abusive boyfriend. Lacking direction, Barbara soon sets Poppy to work on the farm and in the small community they live in.
A box of old letters, her aunt’s confidence in her ability to complete a challenging project, Joe’s friendship and Luke’s gentle respect for, and acceptance of, Poppy’s boundaries all enable her to build greater confidence and begin planning her future.
However, the real test is Poppy’s response to a potential threat, which ultimately helps her to heal from the ‘broken person’ she perceives herself to be.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poppy just graduated college, a handsome boyfriend and a job waiting for her at his fathers company.Sounds like she has everything going for her. Things are not always what they seem for many people and that includes Poppy. Not really wanting to share why she has gone to stay with her aunt Barbara she distracts herself with helping at the farm and reading letters her grandparents wrote back and forth before they wed. Ceder Springs is the town she grew up in and the two boys, now men, next door were best friends to Poppy and her brother. Back in Athens GA, she was in the process of moving in with Spencer. Now that she has broken up with him, she has no car, no apartment and no job. This is a heart warming tale of Poppy's life changes. Hazel Anthony is a 'new to me' author and I intend to read more of her books.

[Rachel Richeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this emotional small town romance about finding the courage to open your heart again. This was an amazing debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.
I really enjoyed the nostalgic ’90s setting and empathized with the FMC, Poppy. Her courage to start over and stand up for herself was inspiring, and I loved how the story incorporated her grandparents’ love letters and the way she connected them to her own life and journey.
Luke was wonderful and such a refreshing male figure after everything Poppy has gone through. I also really enjoyed Joe’s storyline. Overall, this book struck a great balance of romance, suspense, history, friendship, healing, and emotion, making for an engaging and heartfelt read.

Trigger warnings: mental, emotional, and physical abuse.

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healing and sweet. This was a nice change from the high-paced fantasy I've been reading. But, don't get me wrong, the topic is still on the heavy side, yet it's written and handled in a delicate way (which I loved). One of my favourite parts is the letters. I usually don't like things like that in books, but here it is so beautiful and adds a layer of depth and whimsy. Overall, I think this read was well-written, and while not fast-paced, it still managed to keep my attention.

[Cynthia Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing to read. I know the author who is an amazing human. The writing in I Was Never Broken is done in a way that makes it hard to put down. The story of Poppy is one that I know many people will relate to without understanding why at first. The characters are well developed and thought out, and so is the plot line. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun read with some emotional depth. I can't wait for Hazel's next book!

[Kim Territo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was such a great story! I loved the characters you are supposed to love and hated the one you’re supposed to hate. This had it all - a love story, suspense, true friendship, family history, etc. Highly recommend this enjoyable read!

[Merlou Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Was Never Broken is a beautifully written story about starting over when life doesn’t go the way you planned. Hazel Anthony does a wonderful job capturing the emotions of a woman trying to rebuild herself while discovering that sometimes the places we run to are the places where we find who we truly are.

[Lindsay Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and fun story that explores tough traumas and relevant topics in a safe way. You will root for the characters and be taken to another place and time. I can still smell Gap DREAM, and any story that can help stir that memory is a winner to me!! Great Book! I hope there’s more!

[Ronda Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story!!! It is hard to believe that this is Hazel Anthony’s first novel! The past, the present and the future are perfectly woven together! Cheers to Poppy for realizing that she was never broken!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating story! From the first chapter to the last, I was totally engaged. Hazel Anthony has written a page turner and I hope this won’t be her last!

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captures the time frame perfectly. It's so good that you won't want to out it down! Can't wait for more from this author!

[Peggy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engrossing. Brought back some of my old memories. Need more like this.

[Kenneth W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. Loved the story. Kept my interest the whole time. The love letters were an interesting addition and fun to read.

[MitziM Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's to the Poppy in all of us. May we all find our worth and dare to be ourselves.

I Was Never Broken was a perfect read for my book-cation.The story line was direct, filled with hope and promise, and satisfying to the end.

I picked this book because I needed some hope and promise. It delivered. I look forward to Hazel's next book.