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Fragments of Love #1
Shattering Her Illusion
He was silent.
My life was full of whispers—insidious and ugly, convincing me that I wasn’t enough. When Dillon came into my life, he earned my trust and convinced me those whispers were all lies. He gave me a glimpse into a world where I could be happy, building a family based on unconditional love and zero expectations.
Except maybe one.
When the moment comes for Dillon to speak up and defend me, he doesn’t say a word…and reality comes crashing down. He’s not the man I thought he was, but I’m not the same girl he fell in love with either.
I'm stronger now. I know I deserve better, and when I walk away…
He’ll be the one left picking up the pieces
My life was full of whispers—insidious and ugly, convincing me that I wasn’t enough. When Dillon came into my life, he earned my trust and convinced me those whispers were all lies. He gave me a glimpse into a world where I could be happy, building a family based on unconditional love and zero expectations.
Except maybe one.
When the moment comes for Dillon to speak up and defend me, he doesn’t say a word…and reality comes crashing down. He’s not the man I thought he was, but I’m not the same girl he fell in love with either.
I'm stronger now. I know I deserve better, and when I walk away…
He’ll be the one left picking up the pieces
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
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February 27, 2026I tried. I really tried but every page of MMC's POV just kept enraging me to the point that I just couldn't take anymore of this crap. Stopped pretty much at 20 or 30% to get my sanity back.
March 5, 2026
It was so emotional and angsty. Having your faith in people built only to be shattered from the same ones that considered safe. The heroine having confident issues due to her toxic family felt the betrayal of overhearding the mean words of her boyfriend's friends and then the silence from the said boyfriend whereas he should have been defending her. On the other hand the hero had his own issues from his toxic family, though that doesn't justify his actions or words, recognises his fault and his issues and try to become a better man. The road was quite painful and reading his inner thoughts were bringing all the feelings (and the tears).
I gave it 4 stars because I'm not sure how I feel about the grovel. Yes I believe the hero changed, but I think the heroine gave in far too easy imho. Thought it felt satisying reading it, I felt that it missed some grovel.
I gave it 4 stars because I'm not sure how I feel about the grovel. Yes I believe the hero changed, but I think the heroine gave in far too easy imho. Thought it felt satisying reading it, I felt that it missed some grovel.
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March 12, 2026DNF, I’ve read this plot before only the fmc found her husbands group chat with his college bffs. I can’t remember the name of the book but it gave me way more angst. I found this book to be bland. I’m just not feeling any angst or any connection between the mc’s. In skimmed to the end.
February 26, 2026
I enjoyed this.
Hero and heroine have messed up family background which affects their relationship.
Heroine overhears Hero and his friends, who are pretty toxic talking about her. He doesn't defend her.
She walks away.
He gets therapy.
They get back together.
HEA
Hero and heroine have messed up family background which affects their relationship.
Heroine overhears Hero and his friends, who are pretty toxic talking about her. He doesn't defend her.
She walks away.
He gets therapy.
They get back together.
HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2026
Charlie and Dillion have been together for two years and living together for six months. When she hears his friends talking badly about her she waits for Dillion to defend her but he doesn’t.
When she confronts him he goes on the attack. Done with him at that point she walks away with her head held high. Charlie tires to move on but Dillion is unable to. What follows is a journey of self discovery for both Charlie and Dillion who both have traumatic pasts due to their families.
This is a truly a great read at time you are going to love it.
When she confronts him he goes on the attack. Done with him at that point she walks away with her head held high. Charlie tires to move on but Dillion is unable to. What follows is a journey of self discovery for both Charlie and Dillion who both have traumatic pasts due to their families.
This is a truly a great read at time you are going to love it.
March 9, 2026
Charlie has been dating her boyfriend Dillon for a couple of years and they are now living together.
Her backstory is that her parents like to berate her for being fat and useless. It's really OTT. They're like cartoon villains.
Also, Dillon's friends are assholes. On this particular evening, they are celebrating a friend's promotion. The group sits around shit talking the woman who didn't get the promotion. Charlie doesn't like what they're saying, and she's starting to wonder if the real Dillon is a misogynistic asshole like his friends.
Charlie comes back from the restroom and hears them saying Dillon shouldn't date Charlie, he should date Marissa, a girl in the friend group. They're calling Charlie a fat gold digger. Dillon just says, "I don't need your opinion," he doesn't tell them to fuck off, and he doesn't say he's not interested in Marissa. Charlie leaves without revealing that she overheard.
(TBF, Marissa doesn't seem interested, the instigator is a bitch named Bliss.)
Charlie decides she has to break up with Dillon, because the trust is gone.
The next morning she goes with her Guy Best Friend Barrett to move her stuff out. She tells Dillon about the overhead conversation. He goes back and forth between blaming Charlie for leaving, saying horrible stuff in anger, and begging her not to leave.
Charlie asks him if he ever had feelings for Marissa. He eventually admits he had a crush, and they hooked up in college but didn't date.
Charlie thought they had only been friends, like herself and Barrett. Instead they've been hanging out together for years without Charlie knowing the truth. This confirms to Charlie that she can't trust Dillon at all.
Then Marissa asks to talk to clear the air. Which was pointless because Charlie's problem isn't with Marissa, it's with Dillon. When they talk about the secret fuck buddy relationship, Marissa just says, "I thought you knew." OK, but I mean, so what? This talk didn't solve anything. It's just Charlie divulging personal info to her boyfriend's ex fuck buddy. What good does that do anyone?
Then Marissa goes to Dillon and gives him a pep talk to get Charlie back.
The author really beat us over the head that Marissa isn't the evil OW, but I just wanted Marissa to stfu and mind her own fucking business.
Dillon admits to Marissa that he's jealous of Barrett, because he and Charlie are so close and talk about their relationships. Dumb Ass, you're doing the same thing with your fuck buddy right now! 👿
So, a couple of weeks after the breakup, Marissa calls Charlie, asking for a ride home from a party. Charlie goes to help her in case she's being raped or something - Sisters Before Misters! It turns out Marissa is dating a new guy and took him to this party, and the guy hooked up with Bliss at the party. (And the party is supposed to be professional adults having a housewarming. But it's like a frat party, with people having sex in the bushes and shit. It's ridiculous.)
One of the friend group (Jack) calls Dillon to rush to Marissa's side, so he shows up while Charlie's there.
Dillon asks to talk to Charlie, she says no, because he only came here to help Marissa, and is only standing up to Bliss now because Bliss did something to Marissa.
It skips forward a bit, and Dillon is in therapy. Basically, how he treated Charlie is the way his asshole dad treated his mom.
One day Dillon meets Jack at a bar, and Jack reveals he took a video of Bliss and Marissa's man. He wants to use it to get Bliss fired because Bliss works with the guy. (A revenge plot.) But Jack doesn't know if that's legal.
Barrett ends up overhearing and says they could maybe dig up some other dirt on Bliss and not use the sex video. (The enemy of my enemy is my friend.) And Barrett has the pleasure of telling Dillon that Charlie is dating someone else. 😁
Bliss gets fired and Marissa moves to another State, so that's the end of the Marissa and Bliss show.
The story skips forward about another 4 months, six months after the party. Charlie and the other guy (Alec) were just FWB. But at this point, there are no more benies, they're back to being friends, because she's still hung up on Dillon. 🙄
In the meantime, Dillon and Barrett have been hanging out without Charlie, which makes zero sense.
So, anyway, Dillon runs into Charlie's mother at the grocery store and stands up to her for being such a bitch. Charlie goes to a family dinner and finds out that he stood up for her, so that was nice.
So Charlie goes to his apartment, and thinks it's a big deal that nothing has changed in the apartment. I mean, she makes such a big deal about it. But what was supposed to change? My apartment looks the same as it did 6 months ago, so what? But anyway, it's enough for them to suddenly get back together. (It was weird to, it reads like it's the first time they've had oral sex? Like she can't believe he'll be able to SEE her Lady V! 😮)
Her backstory is that her parents like to berate her for being fat and useless. It's really OTT. They're like cartoon villains.
Also, Dillon's friends are assholes. On this particular evening, they are celebrating a friend's promotion. The group sits around shit talking the woman who didn't get the promotion. Charlie doesn't like what they're saying, and she's starting to wonder if the real Dillon is a misogynistic asshole like his friends.
Charlie comes back from the restroom and hears them saying Dillon shouldn't date Charlie, he should date Marissa, a girl in the friend group. They're calling Charlie a fat gold digger. Dillon just says, "I don't need your opinion," he doesn't tell them to fuck off, and he doesn't say he's not interested in Marissa. Charlie leaves without revealing that she overheard.
(TBF, Marissa doesn't seem interested, the instigator is a bitch named Bliss.)
Charlie decides she has to break up with Dillon, because the trust is gone.
The next morning she goes with her Guy Best Friend Barrett to move her stuff out. She tells Dillon about the overhead conversation. He goes back and forth between blaming Charlie for leaving, saying horrible stuff in anger, and begging her not to leave.
Charlie asks him if he ever had feelings for Marissa. He eventually admits he had a crush, and they hooked up in college but didn't date.
Charlie thought they had only been friends, like herself and Barrett. Instead they've been hanging out together for years without Charlie knowing the truth. This confirms to Charlie that she can't trust Dillon at all.
Then Marissa asks to talk to clear the air. Which was pointless because Charlie's problem isn't with Marissa, it's with Dillon. When they talk about the secret fuck buddy relationship, Marissa just says, "I thought you knew." OK, but I mean, so what? This talk didn't solve anything. It's just Charlie divulging personal info to her boyfriend's ex fuck buddy. What good does that do anyone?
Then Marissa goes to Dillon and gives him a pep talk to get Charlie back.
The author really beat us over the head that Marissa isn't the evil OW, but I just wanted Marissa to stfu and mind her own fucking business.
Dillon admits to Marissa that he's jealous of Barrett, because he and Charlie are so close and talk about their relationships. Dumb Ass, you're doing the same thing with your fuck buddy right now! 👿
So, a couple of weeks after the breakup, Marissa calls Charlie, asking for a ride home from a party. Charlie goes to help her in case she's being raped or something - Sisters Before Misters! It turns out Marissa is dating a new guy and took him to this party, and the guy hooked up with Bliss at the party. (And the party is supposed to be professional adults having a housewarming. But it's like a frat party, with people having sex in the bushes and shit. It's ridiculous.)
One of the friend group (Jack) calls Dillon to rush to Marissa's side, so he shows up while Charlie's there.
Dillon asks to talk to Charlie, she says no, because he only came here to help Marissa, and is only standing up to Bliss now because Bliss did something to Marissa.
It skips forward a bit, and Dillon is in therapy. Basically, how he treated Charlie is the way his asshole dad treated his mom.
One day Dillon meets Jack at a bar, and Jack reveals he took a video of Bliss and Marissa's man. He wants to use it to get Bliss fired because Bliss works with the guy. (A revenge plot.) But Jack doesn't know if that's legal.
Barrett ends up overhearing and says they could maybe dig up some other dirt on Bliss and not use the sex video. (The enemy of my enemy is my friend.) And Barrett has the pleasure of telling Dillon that Charlie is dating someone else. 😁
Bliss gets fired and Marissa moves to another State, so that's the end of the Marissa and Bliss show.
The story skips forward about another 4 months, six months after the party. Charlie and the other guy (Alec) were just FWB. But at this point, there are no more benies, they're back to being friends, because she's still hung up on Dillon. 🙄
In the meantime, Dillon and Barrett have been hanging out without Charlie, which makes zero sense.
So, anyway, Dillon runs into Charlie's mother at the grocery store and stands up to her for being such a bitch. Charlie goes to a family dinner and finds out that he stood up for her, so that was nice.
So Charlie goes to his apartment, and thinks it's a big deal that nothing has changed in the apartment. I mean, she makes such a big deal about it. But what was supposed to change? My apartment looks the same as it did 6 months ago, so what? But anyway, it's enough for them to suddenly get back together. (It was weird to, it reads like it's the first time they've had oral sex? Like she can't believe he'll be able to SEE her Lady V! 😮)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2026
Yeah no. He was horrible to her. His friends were garbage. He lied by omission by sleeping with one of his friends in the past. There was no actual grovel. He laughed at her and tore her down. They didn’t even speak for 70% of the book. He worked on himself. He didn’t contact her. She moved on with OM (thank God) and he stayed celibate (that’s where the stars go). Her mother treated her like trash. It took way too long for anyone to stick up for her. I stopped reading at 85% bc I was just done.
March 9, 2026
Main trope: This is a second chance romance.
Additional tropes:
✅Overheard
Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.
Summary: The FMC is Charlie. She’s living and dating Dillon, the MMC. Charlie is soft spoken and non-confrontational which doesn’t gel well with Dillon’s friend group. But after a couple of years of dating him, she continues to put in the effort to like everyone. One night they all meet up to celebrate a friend’s promotion. As Charlie returns from the bathroom, she overhears some horrible things being said about her. What she doesn’t hear is the MMC defending her or correcting anything being said and she leaves devastated.
The next day she goes back to their apartment to talk to the MMC and things get heated and he lashes out at her saying things she will never forget. She ends the relationship, packing up her belongings and leaves.
Filled with immediate regret, the MMC begins to evaluate his actions and those he hangs around with. He vows to get Charlie back by doing whatever he needs to including cutting toxic people out of his life.
The FMC also works on herself, healing the parts of her that are broken due to years of not having the love and support of caring parents. When Charlie and Dillon reconnect she is able to see the work he has done as well as her self worth to know what she will and won’t accept should they choose to move forward with their second chance.
⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
✋
✋
✋
*The overheard scene is brutal and could be triggering because of the bullying themes and fat shaming.
🌶️: 1.5/5
Final thoughts: Overall, this was a good second chance romance. The overhead scene and subsequent confrontation between the FMC and the MMC were just awful and left me with my mouth open and my heart hurting for the FMC.
While I did find some scenes surrounding the plot and also inner monologues and conversations repetitive, I still recommend this book.
Additional tropes:
✅Overheard
Detailed spoilers/trigger warnings (if any) and final thoughts can be found below. There is a warning right before the spoiler and trigger section so you have the choice to proceed or stop reading.
Summary: The FMC is Charlie. She’s living and dating Dillon, the MMC. Charlie is soft spoken and non-confrontational which doesn’t gel well with Dillon’s friend group. But after a couple of years of dating him, she continues to put in the effort to like everyone. One night they all meet up to celebrate a friend’s promotion. As Charlie returns from the bathroom, she overhears some horrible things being said about her. What she doesn’t hear is the MMC defending her or correcting anything being said and she leaves devastated.
The next day she goes back to their apartment to talk to the MMC and things get heated and he lashes out at her saying things she will never forget. She ends the relationship, packing up her belongings and leaves.
Filled with immediate regret, the MMC begins to evaluate his actions and those he hangs around with. He vows to get Charlie back by doing whatever he needs to including cutting toxic people out of his life.
The FMC also works on herself, healing the parts of her that are broken due to years of not having the love and support of caring parents. When Charlie and Dillon reconnect she is able to see the work he has done as well as her self worth to know what she will and won’t accept should they choose to move forward with their second chance.
⚠️SPOILERS/SPICE/DETAILED TRIGGERS⚠️
✋
✋
✋
*The overheard scene is brutal and could be triggering because of the bullying themes and fat shaming.
🌶️: 1.5/5
Final thoughts: Overall, this was a good second chance romance. The overhead scene and subsequent confrontation between the FMC and the MMC were just awful and left me with my mouth open and my heart hurting for the FMC.
While I did find some scenes surrounding the plot and also inner monologues and conversations repetitive, I still recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2026
Loved the promise but didn’t deliver for me
March 21, 2026
The H was extremely disappointing, even in his character development he was still victimizing himself. first step of healing and acknowledging your mistakes is to stop blaming other people for your behavior which is exactly what he did.
it also did not sit well with me that him and his friend group only decided to stand up against Bliss when Marissa was hurt, not when his own girlfriend was the subject of fatshaming and bullying for months ( which he participated in ).
Imagine how low this man has to be, when his ex had to step in and defend his current girlfriend in his stead because he was too scared of his bully friends.
The h charlie on the other hand was an absolute delight and deserved so much better than him and her family. i wished she and Marisa became bestfriends and moved on together instead of taking Dilan back.
it also did not sit well with me that him and his friend group only decided to stand up against Bliss when Marissa was hurt, not when his own girlfriend was the subject of fatshaming and bullying for months ( which he participated in ).
Imagine how low this man has to be, when his ex had to step in and defend his current girlfriend in his stead because he was too scared of his bully friends.
The h charlie on the other hand was an absolute delight and deserved so much better than him and her family. i wished she and Marisa became bestfriends and moved on together instead of taking Dilan back.
March 18, 2026
No sé cómo Charlie pudo perdonar a ese tarado.
Charlie y Dillon estaban en una reunión con amigos de él. Ella va al baño y de regreso, escucha cómo los amigos se burlaban de ella por su físico y su trabajo, y le preguntan al idiota que cómo puede estar con ella cuando es obvio que en realidad está enamorado de Marisa (otra amiga de él con la que se acostó hace tiempo). Y él en lugar de ponerlos en su lugar (que por cierto, Marisa fue la única que intentó detenerlos), se unió a las risas.
Cuando Dillon se entera de que Charlie escuchó todo, en vez de pedirle perdón o admitir que fue un idiota y que no volverá a pasar, le dice que es una débil y que tal vez sus amigos tenían razón. Al final, es Marisa quien lo regaña y lo hace darse cuenta de su error.
Que J y B sean los mejores amigos de Dillon dice mucho, porque esos dos son 💩. Y también habla de Marisa, porque por muy buena que la pinten, si ese es su grupo, es obvio que al final es igual que ellos.
Los poco hombres de Dillon y J le echan la culpa a Bliss por su comportamiento, como si ella los hubiera forzado. Eso no quita que ella sea una misógina y sea mala.
Lo bueno es que Charlie estuvo con otro durante la separación y el chico se convirtió en su amigo.
Otra cosa buena fue que Dillon fue a terapia y que sufrió viendo a C con otro.
Charlie y Dillon estaban en una reunión con amigos de él. Ella va al baño y de regreso, escucha cómo los amigos se burlaban de ella por su físico y su trabajo, y le preguntan al idiota que cómo puede estar con ella cuando es obvio que en realidad está enamorado de Marisa (otra amiga de él con la que se acostó hace tiempo). Y él en lugar de ponerlos en su lugar (que por cierto, Marisa fue la única que intentó detenerlos), se unió a las risas.
Cuando Dillon se entera de que Charlie escuchó todo, en vez de pedirle perdón o admitir que fue un idiota y que no volverá a pasar, le dice que es una débil y que tal vez sus amigos tenían razón. Al final, es Marisa quien lo regaña y lo hace darse cuenta de su error.
Que J y B sean los mejores amigos de Dillon dice mucho, porque esos dos son 💩. Y también habla de Marisa, porque por muy buena que la pinten, si ese es su grupo, es obvio que al final es igual que ellos.
Los poco hombres de Dillon y J le echan la culpa a Bliss por su comportamiento, como si ella los hubiera forzado. Eso no quita que ella sea una misógina y sea mala.
Lo bueno es que Charlie estuvo con otro durante la separación y el chico se convirtió en su amigo.
Otra cosa buena fue que Dillon fue a terapia y que sufrió viendo a C con otro.
March 10, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
I didn’t really love this one, unfortunately.
The heroine hears the hero’s friends trash talking her and he doesn’t stick up for her at all. It feeds into her insecurities from her crappy family dynamics. She also finds out he had a crush on and slept with someone in his friend group years ago, and she leaves him - yay!
My issue was that they didn’t really have growth together through the book. The hero does therapy and realizes some of his friends are toxic, and the heroine eventually finds her way back to him after hearing about some of these changes. I wish there was more groveling and time spent working together? I’m not sure, but it didn’t really hit the spot for me.
I also usually root for the heroine to move on, but I didn’t really like how it was done here. It’s told after the fact that she sleeps with her best friend’s boss, and they’re still friends. Add that to the fact that the original OW friend might be back around and I didn’t like it. 😂 She’s actually the nicest one of his friends but I would prefer no one was around that these people were sleeping with!
I also feel like her confrontation with her family could’ve been sooner and more satisfying.
So overall, this wasn’t my favorite redemption story but it had some good moments. 🤷🏻♀️
I didn’t really love this one, unfortunately.
The heroine hears the hero’s friends trash talking her and he doesn’t stick up for her at all. It feeds into her insecurities from her crappy family dynamics. She also finds out he had a crush on and slept with someone in his friend group years ago, and she leaves him - yay!
My issue was that they didn’t really have growth together through the book. The hero does therapy and realizes some of his friends are toxic, and the heroine eventually finds her way back to him after hearing about some of these changes. I wish there was more groveling and time spent working together? I’m not sure, but it didn’t really hit the spot for me.
I also usually root for the heroine to move on, but I didn’t really like how it was done here. It’s told after the fact that she sleeps with her best friend’s boss, and they’re still friends. Add that to the fact that the original OW friend might be back around and I didn’t like it. 😂 She’s actually the nicest one of his friends but I would prefer no one was around that these people were sleeping with!
I also feel like her confrontation with her family could’ve been sooner and more satisfying.
So overall, this wasn’t my favorite redemption story but it had some good moments. 🤷🏻♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2026
A Great Read
Mackenzie Madden never fails to deliver a great story. This is one of my favorite tropes - Overheard. The MMC’s group of friends is basically a “mean girl” clique where the mean girl is always bashing everyone outside her little clique. The MMC’s girlfriend, the FMC, is not part of the clique. Not going to give any spoilers, but since it’s an “overheard” trope, you can probably guess what happens. The story has all the feels. There is a HEA and the mean girl does get her comeuppance. I highly recommend. While I did receive an advance copy, I also read the KU version. I like doing that so I can give an honest review on the latest version. If you like the overheard trope, then this book is definitely for you.
Mackenzie Madden never fails to deliver a great story. This is one of my favorite tropes - Overheard. The MMC’s group of friends is basically a “mean girl” clique where the mean girl is always bashing everyone outside her little clique. The MMC’s girlfriend, the FMC, is not part of the clique. Not going to give any spoilers, but since it’s an “overheard” trope, you can probably guess what happens. The story has all the feels. There is a HEA and the mean girl does get her comeuppance. I highly recommend. While I did receive an advance copy, I also read the KU version. I like doing that so I can give an honest review on the latest version. If you like the overheard trope, then this book is definitely for you.
Did Not Finish
May 11, 2026Not for me
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shattering her illusion
Do you like a heroine that lets her boyfriend hurt her emotionally and forgives him right away? If you do, then you may want to pass on this story. Because, Charlie the heroine, takes a stand and slams the door on her relationship behind her!
Okay for those who do not want to read a lengthy review(sorry 😬) Let me quickly break this down, then I will continue.
Breakdown:
This is the story of Charile and Dillon. They have been together for over 2 years and have been living together for 6 months. They are couple goals until she overhears Dillon not shutting his friends down as they brutally attack her as a person(looks, mannerisms everything) He can even be heard quietly(probably nervously) laughing at what is being said. On top of this when she confronts him on what was overheard, he gets defensive and then goes on the attack by making her feel less then, something her
parents have done her whole life. Plus there is something he has withheld from her about his past relationships. She leaves. And she tries to move on(no celibacy for her). Meanwhile, he has to go on a journey of discovery. He seeks out therapy, and he doesn’t move on because a life without Charlie is not one he wants. They are separated for 6 months before starting to make their way back to each other. Here are some things to look forward to MM’s writing. She gets the emotions and pain out there. You feel it. The sad, the anger, the laughter, the desire….all of it! This story covers all the bases. We also see some people get what they deserve! There are also some surprise alliances made and Charlie’s best friend who always has her back (but never ever wanted her on her back) is a guy! There is also ow drama, but not the romantic kind of ow drama. Just a bitter friend who can’t stand happy people. So if you like a heroine who finds her self worth and strength and a hero who makes the necessary changes to earn her back then this is the story for you. MM will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. I know, because I read this story on 2 separate occasions, first as it was being written on her Patreon account and then as an arc. There was time in-between the two and when I picked it up the second time to read I forgot how much I loved it. I have new stories out there but couldn’t put this down.
Ok now for the longer more detailed account! Slight generic like spoilers included so stop if you do not want any spoiling to happen.
Charlie’s family has done a number on her self worth. They expected a slim, well dressed socialite who could make even more connections for them. Instead, they got average Charlie who manages/works at a locally owned bookstore, never went to college, and has a body typical of most women in the world. She tries to shield Dillon from all the vitriol they heap on their only child so she rarely brings him to the monthly dinners.
There is an early scene in the book showcasing the wild chemistry and Dillon’s affection for Charlie…which makes the betrayal to come heartbreaking. What happens when you finally let someone in, trusting them with loving and caring for you only to find when challenged they fail to support or protect you? Sadly, Charlie discovers( through a brutal overheard with his “friends” )that Dillon is not her knight in shining armor, brandishing a sword, but more of a knife wielding rogue coming out of nowhere who has just stabbed her in the back. Everything her parents have said to her, have been confirmed by the one person who made her feel seen and invincible!
Yet, and here is what you may have been waiting for, Charlie is done! She wasn’t able to choose her family, but she can choose the family she wants going forward! She may be heartbroken and devastated, but she uses that to give her strength to tell Dillon what he can go do with those friends.
Meeting the Characters:
Charlie, grew up in an affluent household where optics was everything. In the case of her family, she was the off brand Lego that didn’t fit. Her mom belittled her every chance she got and her dad sat back quietly agreeing. They actually had a family portrait hanging above the fireplace where the mom insisted the artist make adjustments to Charlie so she would fit the family “aesthetic” . So yeah, our girl has some familial trauma to get through. So, imagine her luck when she met Dillon. Dillon who loves every curve. Dillon who praises her. Dillon who just has to look at her to make her imperfect smile light up her face. Dillon made her feel safe, until he didn’t.
Dillon, grew up in just a normal everyday family, or did he? His family has its own dysfunction..namely his father’s treatment/ verbal degradation of his mother. Dillon found it easier to not speak up, so things would flow easier. He is a “don’t rock the boat” sort of person. He also goes on the defense whenever called out on behavior. So, it is no surprise that among his friend group from college he is often the nodder, the polite laugher. Basically, shrinking himself down, as he had to as a child, so he will fit in. So when his “friends”, specifically Bliss, starts ragging on other people, (Charlie this time) he does his usual nodding and no comment basically showing affirmation for what is being said. This in itself is bad enough…but what he says to her the next day, after she spent the night at her best friend Barrett’s apartment, was the icing on the cake. He was cruel with his words. And she found out he was keeping a huge secret from her. You will be angry at Dillon, but I doubt you will hate him. He works on himself to not only understand his motivation for acting the way he does, but to become a man that may be worthy of Charlie again….because there is no one but Charlie in his heart and soul!
Barrett- Charlie’s best friend since the age of 10. He never lets her down. He has been her rock in some of the worst situations. His closeness to Charlie does give Dillon the green eye of jealousy. So, you may be thinking, why isn’t he the hero? Well, Charlie basically scoffed at the idea of being attracted to the boy she saw picking his nose at 10(yeah but did he eat the booger? Lol!) There has never been anything between them romantically, not even a trial kiss….I wonder if Dillon can say the same about his “girlfriends” ! Anyhoo, Barrett ends up being somewhat instrumental in helping these two get back together. He may have also readjusted Dillon’s nose at one point… but we won’t go into that!
Alec-Barrett’s boss, and Charlie’s, um let me see how to phrase this…escape and entertainment for a little bit during her 6 month separation from Dillon. Sometimes a nice “massage” can work out the anxiety and pain.
Bliss- (she would be considered the ow in the story, but not a romantic ow)Don’t let the name fool you, she is anything but blissful. Bliss is the leader of the little friend group that includes Dillon. She is smart and knows how to keep her subjects in line. No one wants to cross her because she will make them the joke. I am sure back in the college days it was great to have a friend that no one would mess with, it kind of kept them all safe. We are also told she was not always like this. Anyhoo, she was dismissive of Charlie all night, and when Charlie excused herself to the bathroom, she timed her little cruelty spiel to occur around the time Charlie would be coming back. There is no doubt she was hoping Charlie would hear them talk about her. Only one person in the group spoke out against the vitriol, and that was Marissa. Marissa stepped out of line. Bliss didn’t like that.
Marissa- seems to be the only decent person in the friend group. She is very likable and is getting a story! (Already started on Patreon) Marissa sticks up for Charlie and ends up leaving the restaurant. She later meets Charlie for lunch and they have a heart to heart. Later, at a party, Marissa reaches out to Charlie. It seems that Bliss decided Marissa needed to pay for her disobedience, and ends up devastating her. This is also the last time Charlie has words with Dillon before they have their 6 month separation
Jack-another friend in the friend group, is almost as bad as Bliss but not quite. He has some redeeming qualities. His friendship takes a backslide with Dillon once he and Charlie break up.
Amber and Corey- are very minor characters, they are a couple who are only in the friend group because Bliss needs a couple of minions that will never cross her. They do her bidding with a smile on their face. They could never be in the “cool” group on their own merit, so they learned to suck up to Bliss and keep her happy.
Kayla-Charlie’s cousin.. she has a thing for Barrett. She also keeps trying to get Charlie to mend her relationship with her parents so things won’t be so unpleasant
Charlie’s Parents- Wealthy, snobby and terrible people. Never should have been parents.
Dillon’s Parents-His dad is a very unhappy man who takes it out on the woman that loves him, Dillon’s mom. Dillon’s grandma will have nothing to do with him, so family gatherings consists of Dillon, his mom, and his gran!
All of these characters come together beautifully as Makenzie Madden tells us a story about love that gets betrayed. It deals with making mistakes, moving on, forgiveness, second chances, and making the change needed to be a better person. The writing moves the story quickly along for the reader. Each chapter has its place in weaving a story that will engage you farther and farther. I never felt the need to skim and race through it. She includes a couple of smexy times for our couple!(any other smexy times with characters are downplayed. She didn’t use smex and drawn out situations as filler. I think people of romance who like betrayals but not cheating will enjoy this one quite a bit! I know I did! In addition to this certain people in need of a comeuppance get a great one!
Do you like a heroine that lets her boyfriend hurt her emotionally and forgives him right away? If you do, then you may want to pass on this story. Because, Charlie the heroine, takes a stand and slams the door on her relationship behind her!
Okay for those who do not want to read a lengthy review(sorry 😬) Let me quickly break this down, then I will continue.
Breakdown:
This is the story of Charile and Dillon. They have been together for over 2 years and have been living together for 6 months. They are couple goals until she overhears Dillon not shutting his friends down as they brutally attack her as a person(looks, mannerisms everything) He can even be heard quietly(probably nervously) laughing at what is being said. On top of this when she confronts him on what was overheard, he gets defensive and then goes on the attack by making her feel less then, something her
parents have done her whole life. Plus there is something he has withheld from her about his past relationships. She leaves. And she tries to move on(no celibacy for her). Meanwhile, he has to go on a journey of discovery. He seeks out therapy, and he doesn’t move on because a life without Charlie is not one he wants. They are separated for 6 months before starting to make their way back to each other. Here are some things to look forward to MM’s writing. She gets the emotions and pain out there. You feel it. The sad, the anger, the laughter, the desire….all of it! This story covers all the bases. We also see some people get what they deserve! There are also some surprise alliances made and Charlie’s best friend who always has her back (but never ever wanted her on her back) is a guy! There is also ow drama, but not the romantic kind of ow drama. Just a bitter friend who can’t stand happy people. So if you like a heroine who finds her self worth and strength and a hero who makes the necessary changes to earn her back then this is the story for you. MM will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. I know, because I read this story on 2 separate occasions, first as it was being written on her Patreon account and then as an arc. There was time in-between the two and when I picked it up the second time to read I forgot how much I loved it. I have new stories out there but couldn’t put this down.
Ok now for the longer more detailed account! Slight generic like spoilers included so stop if you do not want any spoiling to happen.
Charlie’s family has done a number on her self worth. They expected a slim, well dressed socialite who could make even more connections for them. Instead, they got average Charlie who manages/works at a locally owned bookstore, never went to college, and has a body typical of most women in the world. She tries to shield Dillon from all the vitriol they heap on their only child so she rarely brings him to the monthly dinners.
There is an early scene in the book showcasing the wild chemistry and Dillon’s affection for Charlie…which makes the betrayal to come heartbreaking. What happens when you finally let someone in, trusting them with loving and caring for you only to find when challenged they fail to support or protect you? Sadly, Charlie discovers( through a brutal overheard with his “friends” )that Dillon is not her knight in shining armor, brandishing a sword, but more of a knife wielding rogue coming out of nowhere who has just stabbed her in the back. Everything her parents have said to her, have been confirmed by the one person who made her feel seen and invincible!
Yet, and here is what you may have been waiting for, Charlie is done! She wasn’t able to choose her family, but she can choose the family she wants going forward! She may be heartbroken and devastated, but she uses that to give her strength to tell Dillon what he can go do with those friends.
Meeting the Characters:
Charlie, grew up in an affluent household where optics was everything. In the case of her family, she was the off brand Lego that didn’t fit. Her mom belittled her every chance she got and her dad sat back quietly agreeing. They actually had a family portrait hanging above the fireplace where the mom insisted the artist make adjustments to Charlie so she would fit the family “aesthetic” . So yeah, our girl has some familial trauma to get through. So, imagine her luck when she met Dillon. Dillon who loves every curve. Dillon who praises her. Dillon who just has to look at her to make her imperfect smile light up her face. Dillon made her feel safe, until he didn’t.
Dillon, grew up in just a normal everyday family, or did he? His family has its own dysfunction..namely his father’s treatment/ verbal degradation of his mother. Dillon found it easier to not speak up, so things would flow easier. He is a “don’t rock the boat” sort of person. He also goes on the defense whenever called out on behavior. So, it is no surprise that among his friend group from college he is often the nodder, the polite laugher. Basically, shrinking himself down, as he had to as a child, so he will fit in. So when his “friends”, specifically Bliss, starts ragging on other people, (Charlie this time) he does his usual nodding and no comment basically showing affirmation for what is being said. This in itself is bad enough…but what he says to her the next day, after she spent the night at her best friend Barrett’s apartment, was the icing on the cake. He was cruel with his words. And she found out he was keeping a huge secret from her. You will be angry at Dillon, but I doubt you will hate him. He works on himself to not only understand his motivation for acting the way he does, but to become a man that may be worthy of Charlie again….because there is no one but Charlie in his heart and soul!
Barrett- Charlie’s best friend since the age of 10. He never lets her down. He has been her rock in some of the worst situations. His closeness to Charlie does give Dillon the green eye of jealousy. So, you may be thinking, why isn’t he the hero? Well, Charlie basically scoffed at the idea of being attracted to the boy she saw picking his nose at 10(yeah but did he eat the booger? Lol!) There has never been anything between them romantically, not even a trial kiss….I wonder if Dillon can say the same about his “girlfriends” ! Anyhoo, Barrett ends up being somewhat instrumental in helping these two get back together. He may have also readjusted Dillon’s nose at one point… but we won’t go into that!
Alec-Barrett’s boss, and Charlie’s, um let me see how to phrase this…escape and entertainment for a little bit during her 6 month separation from Dillon. Sometimes a nice “massage” can work out the anxiety and pain.
Bliss- (she would be considered the ow in the story, but not a romantic ow)Don’t let the name fool you, she is anything but blissful. Bliss is the leader of the little friend group that includes Dillon. She is smart and knows how to keep her subjects in line. No one wants to cross her because she will make them the joke. I am sure back in the college days it was great to have a friend that no one would mess with, it kind of kept them all safe. We are also told she was not always like this. Anyhoo, she was dismissive of Charlie all night, and when Charlie excused herself to the bathroom, she timed her little cruelty spiel to occur around the time Charlie would be coming back. There is no doubt she was hoping Charlie would hear them talk about her. Only one person in the group spoke out against the vitriol, and that was Marissa. Marissa stepped out of line. Bliss didn’t like that.
Marissa- seems to be the only decent person in the friend group. She is very likable and is getting a story! (Already started on Patreon) Marissa sticks up for Charlie and ends up leaving the restaurant. She later meets Charlie for lunch and they have a heart to heart. Later, at a party, Marissa reaches out to Charlie. It seems that Bliss decided Marissa needed to pay for her disobedience, and ends up devastating her. This is also the last time Charlie has words with Dillon before they have their 6 month separation
Jack-another friend in the friend group, is almost as bad as Bliss but not quite. He has some redeeming qualities. His friendship takes a backslide with Dillon once he and Charlie break up.
Amber and Corey- are very minor characters, they are a couple who are only in the friend group because Bliss needs a couple of minions that will never cross her. They do her bidding with a smile on their face. They could never be in the “cool” group on their own merit, so they learned to suck up to Bliss and keep her happy.
Kayla-Charlie’s cousin.. she has a thing for Barrett. She also keeps trying to get Charlie to mend her relationship with her parents so things won’t be so unpleasant
Charlie’s Parents- Wealthy, snobby and terrible people. Never should have been parents.
Dillon’s Parents-His dad is a very unhappy man who takes it out on the woman that loves him, Dillon’s mom. Dillon’s grandma will have nothing to do with him, so family gatherings consists of Dillon, his mom, and his gran!
All of these characters come together beautifully as Makenzie Madden tells us a story about love that gets betrayed. It deals with making mistakes, moving on, forgiveness, second chances, and making the change needed to be a better person. The writing moves the story quickly along for the reader. Each chapter has its place in weaving a story that will engage you farther and farther. I never felt the need to skim and race through it. She includes a couple of smexy times for our couple!(any other smexy times with characters are downplayed. She didn’t use smex and drawn out situations as filler. I think people of romance who like betrayals but not cheating will enjoy this one quite a bit! I know I did! In addition to this certain people in need of a comeuppance get a great one!
February 27, 2026
1. The book started when Charlie and Dillon had already been together for two years and living together for six months. I prefer to see the beginning of the relationship and how it develops.
2. I have no respect for adults who allow their family members to treat them like crap the way Charlie did.
3. Dillion didn’t go to therapy for Charlie. He admitted that he went because he “didn’t want to let Gran down”.
4. Why did Charlie completely cut Dillion off for his behaviour but continue to take it from her parents?
5. Charlie said that Dillon had defended her against her mother thinking that Charlie would never know about it. Since her mother knew and Dillon had also told Barrett, I’m pretty sure that Dillon knew the story would get back to Charlie.
6. There was no groveling in this book; Charlie and Dillon barely spoke during the six months they were apart. All Dillon had to do was defend Charlie against her mother and Charlie went to him and said she wanted to get back together.
DNF
2. I have no respect for adults who allow their family members to treat them like crap the way Charlie did.
3. Dillion didn’t go to therapy for Charlie. He admitted that he went because he “didn’t want to let Gran down”.
4. Why did Charlie completely cut Dillion off for his behaviour but continue to take it from her parents?
5. Charlie said that Dillon had defended her against her mother thinking that Charlie would never know about it. Since her mother knew and Dillon had also told Barrett, I’m pretty sure that Dillon knew the story would get back to Charlie.
6. There was no groveling in this book; Charlie and Dillon barely spoke during the six months they were apart. All Dillon had to do was defend Charlie against her mother and Charlie went to him and said she wanted to get back together.
DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2026
SHATTERING HER ILLUSION
FRAGMENTS OF LOVE BOOK 1
MACKENZIE MADDEN
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Humiliation
🚩Body Shaming
🚩Bullying
🚩Parental Neglect
🚩Verbal Child Abuse
Tropes:
💕MF Romance
💕Overheard
💕Betrayal
💕Grovel
💕HEA
💕OW Drama
💕Second Chance
💕Wattpad to Published
💕Part of Series (1st Book)💕
**********************************************************************
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Quote:
He didn't deny it. Any of it.
Summary:
FMC and MMC are in a relationship. Both have issues from their childhoods that they haven't dealt with (verbal abuse). One night while out with MMCs friends FMC overhears them talking negatively about her. She also notices that the MMC does not defend her.
FMC and MMC have a confrontation that leads to words that can't be taken back. Eventual HEA.
Review:
I started following this author when she was writing on Wattpad. I continue to love her books. The pacing of this book was really just right. We start out with seeing how the couple are behind closed doors. We get to see how much they love each other. The story then focuses more on the MMC after the betrayal. MMC begins to see a counselor, etc. The FMC starts to see a counselor as well. Both the FMC and MMC begin to realize they need help to heal.
There is grovel in the book, but it is more about the healing that both parties need. The author keeps you engaged. You want to see the couple coming together but you also need to see the process to get to that point. The side characters (FMCs bestie, MMCs friends) add much to this story. You begin to see the dysfunction of the friendships.
I applaud the author for giving us a well-rounded story. I look forward to the next installment of this series.
BIBLIODARLING | BOOKISH LIFE, TBRs & READING CHALLENGES GROUP (GOODREADS)
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invit...
*****************************************************************************
FOLLOW ME ON:
INSTAGRAM📢
https://www.instagram.com/bibliodarling/
SUBSTACK📢 https://open.substack.com/pub/mterron...
TIKTOK📢
https://www.tiktok.com/@bibliodarling...
WATTPAD📢
BiblioDarling (@BiblioDarling) - Wattpad
INKITT📢
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FRAGMENTS OF LOVE BOOK 1
MACKENZIE MADDEN
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating System (as of 8/14/2025):
⭐: It was a struggle to read. I almost DNF
⭐⭐: This could have been so much better.
⭐⭐⭐: Good/Average
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Great book. I will probably reread it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: I absolutely loved this book.
***********************************************************************
Triggers:
🚩Humiliation
🚩Body Shaming
🚩Bullying
🚩Parental Neglect
🚩Verbal Child Abuse
Tropes:
💕MF Romance
💕Overheard
💕Betrayal
💕Grovel
💕HEA
💕OW Drama
💕Second Chance
💕Wattpad to Published
💕Part of Series (1st Book)💕
**********************************************************************
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥
Spice Level Rating System (as of 9/4/25)
🔥: Clean. Handholding. Kissing.
🔥🔥: Non-Descriptive/Implied on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥: Hot-Descriptive on Page Sex
🔥🔥🔥🔥: So Hot—Do Not Read in Public
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥: Oh My-BDSM. Blood Play. Smut.
************************************************************************
Quote:
He didn't deny it. Any of it.
Summary:
FMC and MMC are in a relationship. Both have issues from their childhoods that they haven't dealt with (verbal abuse). One night while out with MMCs friends FMC overhears them talking negatively about her. She also notices that the MMC does not defend her.
FMC and MMC have a confrontation that leads to words that can't be taken back. Eventual HEA.
Review:
I started following this author when she was writing on Wattpad. I continue to love her books. The pacing of this book was really just right. We start out with seeing how the couple are behind closed doors. We get to see how much they love each other. The story then focuses more on the MMC after the betrayal. MMC begins to see a counselor, etc. The FMC starts to see a counselor as well. Both the FMC and MMC begin to realize they need help to heal.
There is grovel in the book, but it is more about the healing that both parties need. The author keeps you engaged. You want to see the couple coming together but you also need to see the process to get to that point. The side characters (FMCs bestie, MMCs friends) add much to this story. You begin to see the dysfunction of the friendships.
I applaud the author for giving us a well-rounded story. I look forward to the next installment of this series.
BIBLIODARLING | BOOKISH LIFE, TBRs & READING CHALLENGES GROUP (GOODREADS)
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invit...
*****************************************************************************
FOLLOW ME ON:
INSTAGRAM📢
https://www.instagram.com/bibliodarling/
SUBSTACK📢 https://open.substack.com/pub/mterron...
TIKTOK📢
https://www.tiktok.com/@bibliodarling...
WATTPAD📢
BiblioDarling (@BiblioDarling) - Wattpad
INKITT📢
https://inkitt.com/BiblioDarling
March 19, 2026
The rating of this book feels way too high for a story like this. From the start, Dillon doesn’t come across as a strong or even likable main lead. In fact, the way he’s introduced makes him seem so off-putting that I genuinely thought Barrett would be the main character instead.
Dillon is not a likable character at all. What I don’t understand is how Charlie stayed with him for two years and never saw who he really was. There is no way that dinner scene was the first time she witnessed how he and his friends talk about people behind their backs. The way they mocked Rachel was already enough to walk away. People who enjoy tearing others down are not good people. The only difference is that Charlie didn’t care until she became the target.
Marisha being treated like some kind of “saint” is also confusing. You cannot claim to be kind, empathetic, or morally above others while surrounding yourself with people who casually hurt others for fun. She defended Bliss at first, only to realize the truth when Bliss turned on her too. That doesn’t make her insightful, it just means she learned the hard way what was already obvious. Her “calm, wise, perfect” personality feels forced and unrealistic. She wasn’t terrible, but she was unnecessary.
The dynamic between Dillon and Marisha also raises questions. Staying close friends with someone you’ve had a physical relationship with while being in a serious relationship is a clear boundary issue. Once that line is crossed, pretending it’s just friendship feels dishonest. Dillon knew this too, which is exactly why he hid it from Charlie. That alone says enough about his character.
I also don’t see any strong connection between Charlie and Dillon. Their relationship feels weak and unconvincing. If I were Charlie, I would always question whether he was still talking behind my back. The fact that he remained friends with Jack who is openly toxic makes it even worse. Dillon lacks the basic qualities of a solid male lead.
Charlie being with another man was not cheating. If anything, it was necessary. She deserved to move on and experience something better after being disrespected for so long. Why should she stay stuck for someone who never defended her and allowed others to belittle her? Dillon’s mistakes were far worse.
Barrett was honestly the only character I found genuinely likable. He had more presence and depth than the actual male lead, and I would have much preferred to see his story instead.
And where exactly is the grovel everyone talks about? Dillon spending six months “working on himself” is not grovel. Real accountability would have meant publicly standing up for Charlie, cutting off toxic people like Jack, and proving his change through actions. None of that really happened. So the question remains, why did Charlie go back to him? He wasn’t compelling enough to deserve that kind of loyalty.
Overall, the characters feel inconsistent, the emotional payoff is weak, and the hype around this book is hard to understand.
Dillon is not a likable character at all. What I don’t understand is how Charlie stayed with him for two years and never saw who he really was. There is no way that dinner scene was the first time she witnessed how he and his friends talk about people behind their backs. The way they mocked Rachel was already enough to walk away. People who enjoy tearing others down are not good people. The only difference is that Charlie didn’t care until she became the target.
Marisha being treated like some kind of “saint” is also confusing. You cannot claim to be kind, empathetic, or morally above others while surrounding yourself with people who casually hurt others for fun. She defended Bliss at first, only to realize the truth when Bliss turned on her too. That doesn’t make her insightful, it just means she learned the hard way what was already obvious. Her “calm, wise, perfect” personality feels forced and unrealistic. She wasn’t terrible, but she was unnecessary.
The dynamic between Dillon and Marisha also raises questions. Staying close friends with someone you’ve had a physical relationship with while being in a serious relationship is a clear boundary issue. Once that line is crossed, pretending it’s just friendship feels dishonest. Dillon knew this too, which is exactly why he hid it from Charlie. That alone says enough about his character.
I also don’t see any strong connection between Charlie and Dillon. Their relationship feels weak and unconvincing. If I were Charlie, I would always question whether he was still talking behind my back. The fact that he remained friends with Jack who is openly toxic makes it even worse. Dillon lacks the basic qualities of a solid male lead.
Charlie being with another man was not cheating. If anything, it was necessary. She deserved to move on and experience something better after being disrespected for so long. Why should she stay stuck for someone who never defended her and allowed others to belittle her? Dillon’s mistakes were far worse.
Barrett was honestly the only character I found genuinely likable. He had more presence and depth than the actual male lead, and I would have much preferred to see his story instead.
And where exactly is the grovel everyone talks about? Dillon spending six months “working on himself” is not grovel. Real accountability would have meant publicly standing up for Charlie, cutting off toxic people like Jack, and proving his change through actions. None of that really happened. So the question remains, why did Charlie go back to him? He wasn’t compelling enough to deserve that kind of loyalty.
Overall, the characters feel inconsistent, the emotional payoff is weak, and the hype around this book is hard to understand.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Shattering Her Illusion by Mackenzie Madden. If you like betrayal, grovel, second chance romances this one is for you.
**SPOILERS BELOW**
When the story starts, Charlie, the FMC and Dillon, the MMC, have been in a relatively long term relationship (described as not even two years) and have been living together for the last six months. Well Charlie is living in what was originally Dillon's apartment and you get the impression that maybe there's not enough room for all her stuff there. But I digress...essentially at the beginning of the story they are in a loving relationship and all is good.
Then they go out to dinner with Dillon's old friend group and the safety and security that Charlie thought she felt with Dillon is dealt a harsh blow. She comes back from the restroom to overhear one of the women in the friend group, Bliss, saying extremely hurtful things about her - everything from insults to her appearance to how she is not right for Dillon. And that their other friend, Marisa, would be a much better choice. And she does not hear Dillon defend her - even worse she thinks he may have even laughed at something Bliss said.
Now, Charlie could have confronted the evil shrew, but that was not really her personality. Charlie sadly has lived her whole live dealing with the people who were supposed to love her the most - her parents - talking down to her and never really shut it down. So it's not surprising that when it comes to something this stranger is saying she is loathe to have a direct confrontation. Instead, she calls her childhood best friend, Barrett, and he rescues her from the restaurant with no fuss. Charlie not only doesn't set Bliss into her place, she doesn't even tell Dillon that she's left or what is going on.
The next day Charlie goes to her apartment with Barrett and it is the first time she has seen Dillon since the incident. He is understandably concerned since he did not know the reason she left the night before. And unfortunately when Charlie confronts him about what she overheard, instead of apologizing right away and saying that nothing like that will ever happen again he doubles down. Dillon decides that he'd rather make Charlie feel bad for overreacting and says something designed to cause maximum damage. End result - Dillon shatter her illusion even further and Charlie packs up all her stuff and is done with him at this point.
The reality is that both Charlie and Dillon are imperfect people. Charlie will have to learn how to survive and thrive without Dillon, stand up to bullying and confront things like the parents that always make her feel less than. And Dillon is going to have to face that why, when he should have been apologizing and making up with the woman he loved, did he instead decide to say something that would the most damaging when he knew her insecurities? Dillon will have to overcome bad habits ingrained from watching the way his father has treated his mother his whole life.
I feel like there's so much I'm leaving out of this review but I don't want to spoil any more of the story before you read it. There's just a whole cast of side characters that are very vivid and interesting and I'm sure will be getting their own books before too long. Enjoy!
Tropes: Betrayal, Grovel, Bullying, OWD
Note: I received this book as an ARC. However, betrayal & grovel are my favorite tropes and I would have borrowed from KU if I didn't get a chance to read it in advance!
**SPOILERS BELOW**
When the story starts, Charlie, the FMC and Dillon, the MMC, have been in a relatively long term relationship (described as not even two years) and have been living together for the last six months. Well Charlie is living in what was originally Dillon's apartment and you get the impression that maybe there's not enough room for all her stuff there. But I digress...essentially at the beginning of the story they are in a loving relationship and all is good.
Then they go out to dinner with Dillon's old friend group and the safety and security that Charlie thought she felt with Dillon is dealt a harsh blow. She comes back from the restroom to overhear one of the women in the friend group, Bliss, saying extremely hurtful things about her - everything from insults to her appearance to how she is not right for Dillon. And that their other friend, Marisa, would be a much better choice. And she does not hear Dillon defend her - even worse she thinks he may have even laughed at something Bliss said.
Now, Charlie could have confronted the evil shrew, but that was not really her personality. Charlie sadly has lived her whole live dealing with the people who were supposed to love her the most - her parents - talking down to her and never really shut it down. So it's not surprising that when it comes to something this stranger is saying she is loathe to have a direct confrontation. Instead, she calls her childhood best friend, Barrett, and he rescues her from the restaurant with no fuss. Charlie not only doesn't set Bliss into her place, she doesn't even tell Dillon that she's left or what is going on.
The next day Charlie goes to her apartment with Barrett and it is the first time she has seen Dillon since the incident. He is understandably concerned since he did not know the reason she left the night before. And unfortunately when Charlie confronts him about what she overheard, instead of apologizing right away and saying that nothing like that will ever happen again he doubles down. Dillon decides that he'd rather make Charlie feel bad for overreacting and says something designed to cause maximum damage. End result - Dillon shatter her illusion even further and Charlie packs up all her stuff and is done with him at this point.
The reality is that both Charlie and Dillon are imperfect people. Charlie will have to learn how to survive and thrive without Dillon, stand up to bullying and confront things like the parents that always make her feel less than. And Dillon is going to have to face that why, when he should have been apologizing and making up with the woman he loved, did he instead decide to say something that would the most damaging when he knew her insecurities? Dillon will have to overcome bad habits ingrained from watching the way his father has treated his mother his whole life.
I feel like there's so much I'm leaving out of this review but I don't want to spoil any more of the story before you read it. There's just a whole cast of side characters that are very vivid and interesting and I'm sure will be getting their own books before too long. Enjoy!
Tropes: Betrayal, Grovel, Bullying, OWD
Note: I received this book as an ARC. However, betrayal & grovel are my favorite tropes and I would have borrowed from KU if I didn't get a chance to read it in advance!
March 16, 2026
I loved everything about this book except one thing. The OW "drama" wasn't even drama. Not with the woman Dillon had sex with ONE TIME, before he and Charlie got together.
The big overhear is fairly early on. Dillon isn't cheating or anything. He's just an idiot people pleaser with shitty friends. One "friend," the word used as loosely as possible, is named Bliss. Which is an oxymoron in itself because she's the furthest thing from bliss as she can be. She's one of those "hurt people, hurt people" type bitches. Like what happened to her to make her that way? I wanna know. Anywho... Bliss runs her mouth because, as I mentioned, hurting people is her jam. She loves when there's chaos and despair. Charlie overhears her same some really vile shit when she and Dillon are out with his friends one night, and Dillon doesn't defend her. I'd have left too. Dillon further puts his foot in his mouth when he shoots it off trying to make her feel as bad as he doesn't about her leaving. It's the final straw for Charlie. She's spent her entire life making herself smaller for people who are supposed to be unconditionally on her side, and she's fucking done at this point. Well, done with Dillon anyway. She still lets her family shit on her until like the second to the last chapter of the book.
Dillon grovels by giving her the space she needs and working on himself. He's in therapy trying to figure out his daddy issues, because that's what he has. Charlie isn't celibate which I don't know that I liked because of how she acted when she found out Dillon and Marissa had sex years before they knew each other. I get it, Dillon should have told her about it. But that was made to be a bigger deal than necessary. Marissa was nice. Dillon and Marissa both agreed the sex was weird and they had no chemistry. It was "we'll never speak of this again" type sex. But Marissa was made to be the other woman when she wasn't. My issue with all that came at the end when Dillon was made to hang out with Alec, the OM that Charlie tried to move on with. I think they're both being hypocritical here.
I wish more had happened with Bliss. Like maybe she pops back up like a zit ready to wreak havoc again only to get arrested for something this time instead of just fired and blacklisted. Trish for the win though. I need more of her. She was too badass to be a tiny little side character with one page of presence.
The big overhear is fairly early on. Dillon isn't cheating or anything. He's just an idiot people pleaser with shitty friends. One "friend," the word used as loosely as possible, is named Bliss. Which is an oxymoron in itself because she's the furthest thing from bliss as she can be. She's one of those "hurt people, hurt people" type bitches. Like what happened to her to make her that way? I wanna know. Anywho... Bliss runs her mouth because, as I mentioned, hurting people is her jam. She loves when there's chaos and despair. Charlie overhears her same some really vile shit when she and Dillon are out with his friends one night, and Dillon doesn't defend her. I'd have left too. Dillon further puts his foot in his mouth when he shoots it off trying to make her feel as bad as he doesn't about her leaving. It's the final straw for Charlie. She's spent her entire life making herself smaller for people who are supposed to be unconditionally on her side, and she's fucking done at this point. Well, done with Dillon anyway. She still lets her family shit on her until like the second to the last chapter of the book.
Dillon grovels by giving her the space she needs and working on himself. He's in therapy trying to figure out his daddy issues, because that's what he has. Charlie isn't celibate which I don't know that I liked because of how she acted when she found out Dillon and Marissa had sex years before they knew each other. I get it, Dillon should have told her about it. But that was made to be a bigger deal than necessary. Marissa was nice. Dillon and Marissa both agreed the sex was weird and they had no chemistry. It was "we'll never speak of this again" type sex. But Marissa was made to be the other woman when she wasn't. My issue with all that came at the end when Dillon was made to hang out with Alec, the OM that Charlie tried to move on with. I think they're both being hypocritical here.
I wish more had happened with Bliss. Like maybe she pops back up like a zit ready to wreak havoc again only to get arrested for something this time instead of just fired and blacklisted. Trish for the win though. I need more of her. She was too badass to be a tiny little side character with one page of presence.
March 18, 2026
Hice tantos corajes en este libro!!!! Al principio estaba encantada con Dillon hasta que llega el momento donde sus "amigos" hablan pestes de Charlie y él no dice nada, e incluso se ríe!!!! Luego cuando mencionan lo de que siempre estuvo enamorado de Marissa y me dió más coraje. Ella actuaba de buena con Charlie y para mí cuenta como mentira por omisión. Eso de que "no sabía que él no te dijo que nos acostamos" me pareció lo más tonto del mundo y lo siento, pero no empatice ni le tome cariño a Marissa, es decir, en serio creía que Charlie querría que ella estuviera cerca de Dillon sabiendo la historia que compartían? ¿ A qué mujer o persona común, le gustaría que su pareja estuviera cerca y conviviera continuamente "como amigos" con una persona con la que se acostó y tuvo su historia? NADIE. NADIE.
El mismo Dillon sabe que el no permitirá eso sí hubiese sido al revés, el doble moral. 🙄
Por eso no pude querer a Marissa lo siento jajajaja. Me pareció patético que llamara a Charlie para que fuera por ella cuando ni amigas eran, solo convivían por Dillon.
Claramente detesté a Bliss de inició a fin y a sus perritos falderos: Amber y Corey.
Me hubiese gustado ver sufrir descriptivamente a Bliss, que suplicara, llorara, no sé. Ese tipo de personas son odiosas.
Jack también me cayó mal pero se medio enmendó y aunque sigue sin ser mi favorito, mínimo pidió disculpas.
Con Dillon dije: Ok, ya traía coraje pero quería escuchar que decía y salió peor!!!!! La hizo estar cerca de una mujer con la que se acostó y lo peor, utilizó las inseguridades de Charlie para lastimarla, prácticamente le dijo que ella no era nada.
Vemos si separación y me gustó que Charlie, a pesar de que claramente lo seguía amando, siguió adelante y tuvo otra pareja sexual jajajaj Alec me cayó bien, definitivamente amé que Barrett lo sigue invitando a las reuniones y Dillon lo tiene que ver ahí sabiendo que el se acostó con Charlie. JAJAJAJAJA. Una cucharada de su propia medicina. De Barrett no puedo decir más, que es la expectativa en amistad. Defendía y cuidaba a Charlie de una manera que me pareció una persona maravillosa. Kayla: con ella tampoco empatice, me caía mal como se ponía del lado de los padres de Charlie y la sentía medio caprichosa, consentida y mimada.
Claramente la terapia tomo protagonismo en este libro y me encantó eso. Charlie tendría que haber ido antes, pero bueno. Dillon cambió mucho y por eso le perdone que regresara con él.
El mismo Dillon sabe que el no permitirá eso sí hubiese sido al revés, el doble moral. 🙄
Por eso no pude querer a Marissa lo siento jajajaja. Me pareció patético que llamara a Charlie para que fuera por ella cuando ni amigas eran, solo convivían por Dillon.
Claramente detesté a Bliss de inició a fin y a sus perritos falderos: Amber y Corey.
Me hubiese gustado ver sufrir descriptivamente a Bliss, que suplicara, llorara, no sé. Ese tipo de personas son odiosas.
Jack también me cayó mal pero se medio enmendó y aunque sigue sin ser mi favorito, mínimo pidió disculpas.
Con Dillon dije: Ok, ya traía coraje pero quería escuchar que decía y salió peor!!!!! La hizo estar cerca de una mujer con la que se acostó y lo peor, utilizó las inseguridades de Charlie para lastimarla, prácticamente le dijo que ella no era nada.
Vemos si separación y me gustó que Charlie, a pesar de que claramente lo seguía amando, siguió adelante y tuvo otra pareja sexual jajajaj Alec me cayó bien, definitivamente amé que Barrett lo sigue invitando a las reuniones y Dillon lo tiene que ver ahí sabiendo que el se acostó con Charlie. JAJAJAJAJA. Una cucharada de su propia medicina. De Barrett no puedo decir más, que es la expectativa en amistad. Defendía y cuidaba a Charlie de una manera que me pareció una persona maravillosa. Kayla: con ella tampoco empatice, me caía mal como se ponía del lado de los padres de Charlie y la sentía medio caprichosa, consentida y mimada.
Claramente la terapia tomo protagonismo en este libro y me encantó eso. Charlie tendría que haber ido antes, pero bueno. Dillon cambió mucho y por eso le perdone que regresara con él.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mackenzie's work never ever disappoints, what a writer. Second chances are my jam and I loved every second of Shattering Her Illusion. Charlie is not perfect, she is not fearless, she is not magically confident. She is just a girl who has been talked down to her whole life and finally decides she is done letting other people decide her worth.
Dillon was a whole mess, and I mean that in the most honest way. There were moments where I wanted to slam the book shut because of him. He let people walk all over Charlie, he stayed quiet when it mattered, and he acted like he could coast through life without facing anything. But the thing is, the story does not pretend he is some misunderstood angel. He has to sit with what he did. He has to deal with the fallout. And watching him actually put in the work made me soften toward him, even when I did not want to.
The friend group made my skin crawl. Every time they showed up, I felt annoyed on Charlie’s behalf. It made sense though. People raised in toxic families often end up surrounded by more toxic people, and the book did not shy away from that. It showed how hard it is to break out of patterns you grew up with. That part hit harder than I expected because it is so true that you tend to repeat behaviours.
What I really loved was how therapy was handled. It was not a magic fix or a quick montage. It was slow and uncomfortable and full of setbacks. Both Charlie and Dillon had to face things they had been avoiding for years, and the book let them struggle instead of pretending healing is easy.
I did want Charlie to snap sooner, to call people out, to stop shrinking herself. But at the same time, that hesitation made sense for who she was at the start. It made her growth feel even bigger. By the end, I felt proud of her. Not because she got the guy, but because she finally chose herself. The romance was good, the grovel was very satisfying (in a very Mackenzie Madden way – if you know, you know!), but the real win was Charlie realizing she deserved better than the voices in her head and the people who fed them.
It was messy, emotional, and honestly pretty addictive. I enjoyed it a lot and highly recommend it. On top of that, it’s really well written, so it’s a win-win!
Dillon was a whole mess, and I mean that in the most honest way. There were moments where I wanted to slam the book shut because of him. He let people walk all over Charlie, he stayed quiet when it mattered, and he acted like he could coast through life without facing anything. But the thing is, the story does not pretend he is some misunderstood angel. He has to sit with what he did. He has to deal with the fallout. And watching him actually put in the work made me soften toward him, even when I did not want to.
The friend group made my skin crawl. Every time they showed up, I felt annoyed on Charlie’s behalf. It made sense though. People raised in toxic families often end up surrounded by more toxic people, and the book did not shy away from that. It showed how hard it is to break out of patterns you grew up with. That part hit harder than I expected because it is so true that you tend to repeat behaviours.
What I really loved was how therapy was handled. It was not a magic fix or a quick montage. It was slow and uncomfortable and full of setbacks. Both Charlie and Dillon had to face things they had been avoiding for years, and the book let them struggle instead of pretending healing is easy.
I did want Charlie to snap sooner, to call people out, to stop shrinking herself. But at the same time, that hesitation made sense for who she was at the start. It made her growth feel even bigger. By the end, I felt proud of her. Not because she got the guy, but because she finally chose herself. The romance was good, the grovel was very satisfying (in a very Mackenzie Madden way – if you know, you know!), but the real win was Charlie realizing she deserved better than the voices in her head and the people who fed them.
It was messy, emotional, and honestly pretty addictive. I enjoyed it a lot and highly recommend it. On top of that, it’s really well written, so it’s a win-win!
March 23, 2026
This book is based on an explosive moment. The h (Charlie) is out for dinner with her boyfriend (Dillon, H) and his old college friends. She overhears the 'friends' saying vile stuff about her. The 'friends' then go on to say that one of them present (Marisa) was the H's ex-lover not "just a friend" as she'd always believed. It's also implied that the H may still have feelings for this ex. All while the H just sits there and even laughs a little. In response h immediately torpedoes their 'happy' 2 year relationship and moves out.
This was book weird for me. First, the catalyst (mean comments and a passive bf) were too weak to power the plot. And second, the main relationship just wasn't worth fighting for. After the break up the story takes an odd detour. The author starts glazing the assholes that were at the table that night. One (Bliss) is painted as a 'genius supervillain', and another (Marisa) is painted as a 'friendly fuckable damsel', and another (Jack) as the 'social butterfly misogynist'. I have no idea why. All I wanted was drama and tension between the main couple. But they were both strangely… chill???? It felt like “we’re broken up who really cares.” The H becomes a sad ineffective beta who doesn't chase or grovel. And the h becomes a 1D victim who doesn't stand up for herself. In fact, she befriends Marisa god only knows why (to form an MC? ‘Dillon's former cock riders’😭) The H also hangs out alone with Marisa, no shame in his game. Mind you, Marisa isn't the OW but still... weird literary choice. No one yells. No one screams. The only fist that gets thrown is by someone indirectly affected. There's a bunch bad therapy for the H. Pages of mommy and daddy issues. The book is a passive pity party. And then later the h starts screwing someone new... um... so why are we even here reading this? Sure, the H was pathetic and mean. But the h is disloyal and clearly dgaf. Again, I don't get it.
If you want to read better books with 'mean college friends' scenes and solid payback for a bf who actually does something bad, try: Pulled Away by Siena Sloane, or Basil by Maya Alden.
PS. hetero men and women CAN'T be friends I'll die on that hill.
This was book weird for me. First, the catalyst (mean comments and a passive bf) were too weak to power the plot. And second, the main relationship just wasn't worth fighting for. After the break up the story takes an odd detour. The author starts glazing the assholes that were at the table that night. One (Bliss) is painted as a 'genius supervillain', and another (Marisa) is painted as a 'friendly fuckable damsel', and another (Jack) as the 'social butterfly misogynist'. I have no idea why. All I wanted was drama and tension between the main couple. But they were both strangely… chill???? It felt like “we’re broken up who really cares.” The H becomes a sad ineffective beta who doesn't chase or grovel. And the h becomes a 1D victim who doesn't stand up for herself. In fact, she befriends Marisa god only knows why (to form an MC? ‘Dillon's former cock riders’😭) The H also hangs out alone with Marisa, no shame in his game. Mind you, Marisa isn't the OW but still... weird literary choice. No one yells. No one screams. The only fist that gets thrown is by someone indirectly affected. There's a bunch bad therapy for the H. Pages of mommy and daddy issues. The book is a passive pity party. And then later the h starts screwing someone new... um... so why are we even here reading this? Sure, the H was pathetic and mean. But the h is disloyal and clearly dgaf. Again, I don't get it.
If you want to read better books with 'mean college friends' scenes and solid payback for a bf who actually does something bad, try: Pulled Away by Siena Sloane, or Basil by Maya Alden.
PS. hetero men and women CAN'T be friends I'll die on that hill.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mackenzie Madden has written a thoroughly enjoyable second chance romance.
Dillion and Charlie have been in a committed relationship for a while, with Charlie having moved in to what was Dillon's apartment 6 months prior.
Charlie having been raised by critical parents, struggles with self-worth and believes she has found her 'one' in Dillon and that they are happily cruising along life together.
Dillon with his own childhood demons, and a very toxic group of friends, is completely smitten with Charlie. However, during an evening out with these friends, Dillon takes the easy route of not defending Charlie when his friends make disparaging remarks about her, which she overhears. It's at this time that Charlie also finds out that Dillon did have a brief relationship with one of these friends which he omitted to disclose to her!
Charlie breaks up with Dillon and moves in with her cousin Kara. Kara while acknowledging the toxic parents Charlie has, still expects her to attend family functions where she is continually on the receiving end of parental verbal abuse. The only true support for Charlie was her platonic best friend Barrett.
The story takes us through the journey of Dillon, who realises he did wrong by Charlie in his lack of holding his friends to account, his omitting the prior nature of his relation with one of the friend group, and taking the effects of his own toxic upbringing by his father out on Charlie, to where he is fully self-aware and takes steps to change his behaviour for the better. The grovel Dillon does is epic and you end up willing Charlie to acknowledge this.
We see the growth in Charlie throughout the book where Charlie learns to stand up to her family.
The book is full of great character development and the reconciliation of Dillon and Charlie is entirely believable.
This is a second chance romance I will read again and is one I would not hesitate to recomend to readers who enjoy this trope.
Dillion and Charlie have been in a committed relationship for a while, with Charlie having moved in to what was Dillon's apartment 6 months prior.
Charlie having been raised by critical parents, struggles with self-worth and believes she has found her 'one' in Dillon and that they are happily cruising along life together.
Dillon with his own childhood demons, and a very toxic group of friends, is completely smitten with Charlie. However, during an evening out with these friends, Dillon takes the easy route of not defending Charlie when his friends make disparaging remarks about her, which she overhears. It's at this time that Charlie also finds out that Dillon did have a brief relationship with one of these friends which he omitted to disclose to her!
Charlie breaks up with Dillon and moves in with her cousin Kara. Kara while acknowledging the toxic parents Charlie has, still expects her to attend family functions where she is continually on the receiving end of parental verbal abuse. The only true support for Charlie was her platonic best friend Barrett.
The story takes us through the journey of Dillon, who realises he did wrong by Charlie in his lack of holding his friends to account, his omitting the prior nature of his relation with one of the friend group, and taking the effects of his own toxic upbringing by his father out on Charlie, to where he is fully self-aware and takes steps to change his behaviour for the better. The grovel Dillon does is epic and you end up willing Charlie to acknowledge this.
We see the growth in Charlie throughout the book where Charlie learns to stand up to her family.
The book is full of great character development and the reconciliation of Dillon and Charlie is entirely believable.
This is a second chance romance I will read again and is one I would not hesitate to recomend to readers who enjoy this trope.
March 8, 2026
Maya Alden needs to read this to see what a good betrayal, grovel, redemption novel looks like. The first line doesn't grab you too hard like a good hook should but we join the story two years into the relationship.
There aren't many typos or continuity errors ( I mention this because the last series I started by another author -not MA had good bones but so many errors). It jumps out that this has much better editing.
Both main characters are interesting people and their backgrounds aren't just told to you but shown. The toxic friend group is well executed and the side characters are well done and interesting and some of them grow as much as the main characters do. There are two side stories hinted at throughout and it's no surprise who the next storyline belongs to. I assume the other story will come in book three.
I look forward to seeing how this author grows.
I enjoyed that another much older couple's position as the "what could have been" for the main couple, if the personal growth and consequences hadn't happened. I love that the MFC is a soft and kind person but she has a back bone immediately after the event that "Shatters her illusion".
The MMC is believable where he starts and how he gets to where he needs to be. Even as he's messing it all up his internal voice is telling him to shut up! Sadly, he doesn't listen. This is a great example of when " more is caught than taught" when we are kids. As much as we want to be better than our parents, we catch what they do more than what they say to do. Dysfunction will spread if you don't continuously decide to learn to be better. It's good. He goes on to get help understanding why he did what he did. The progress is time consuming and he has to be in the right head space to grow.
The time jumps in the story aren't jarring and they are placed in logical places in the editing. The afore mentioned previous series I started had them literally mid paragraph. Editing matters.
There aren't many typos or continuity errors ( I mention this because the last series I started by another author -not MA had good bones but so many errors). It jumps out that this has much better editing.
Both main characters are interesting people and their backgrounds aren't just told to you but shown. The toxic friend group is well executed and the side characters are well done and interesting and some of them grow as much as the main characters do. There are two side stories hinted at throughout and it's no surprise who the next storyline belongs to. I assume the other story will come in book three.
I look forward to seeing how this author grows.
I enjoyed that another much older couple's position as the "what could have been" for the main couple, if the personal growth and consequences hadn't happened. I love that the MFC is a soft and kind person but she has a back bone immediately after the event that "Shatters her illusion".
The MMC is believable where he starts and how he gets to where he needs to be. Even as he's messing it all up his internal voice is telling him to shut up! Sadly, he doesn't listen. This is a great example of when " more is caught than taught" when we are kids. As much as we want to be better than our parents, we catch what they do more than what they say to do. Dysfunction will spread if you don't continuously decide to learn to be better. It's good. He goes on to get help understanding why he did what he did. The progress is time consuming and he has to be in the right head space to grow.
The time jumps in the story aren't jarring and they are placed in logical places in the editing. The afore mentioned previous series I started had them literally mid paragraph. Editing matters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2026
I love a great toxic friends story and this book dealt with that issue throughout. The betrayal is brutal as Charlie overhears almost everyone in his friend’s group take a shot at her while she is coming back from the lady’s room. Worse yet, Dillon didn’t defend her and might have unknowingly laughed off some of the comments. The group leader is a vicious woman who has grown worse over time and is someone everyone is afraid of getting on the bad side of. Most of the group, including Dillon, thinks it’s best to just ignore a confrontation for any reason to keep the attacks aimed outwards. Only one member of the friends stands up to the head witch and later pays the consequences when she’s targeted.
Dillon makes so many mistakes in the beginning, including an old intimacy secret, that lead to Charlie feeling betrayed and intimidated, doubting the depth and even the truth in his feelings. Most of the story is Dillon digging deep into his soul and finding out how to be a better man for himself and Charlie. Two of his friends also come to realize the errors of their ways and cut ties with the poisonous friends. There is even a good dose of revenge served to the witch based on the facts surrounding the attack on the female friend.
I really liked how the toxic friend problem played a major role in most of the book instead of a one-and-done type incident. Both Dillon and Charlie are dealing with the trauma left over from their childhoods. In fact Charlie’s mother is till bashing her every chance she gets, belittling her for everything. I loved that Charlie kicked Dillon to curb and refused to make herself small to fit into his life.
The time they spent apart growing and finding new ways to believe in themselves is what allowed them to try gain and find their HEA.
Dillon makes so many mistakes in the beginning, including an old intimacy secret, that lead to Charlie feeling betrayed and intimidated, doubting the depth and even the truth in his feelings. Most of the story is Dillon digging deep into his soul and finding out how to be a better man for himself and Charlie. Two of his friends also come to realize the errors of their ways and cut ties with the poisonous friends. There is even a good dose of revenge served to the witch based on the facts surrounding the attack on the female friend.
I really liked how the toxic friend problem played a major role in most of the book instead of a one-and-done type incident. Both Dillon and Charlie are dealing with the trauma left over from their childhoods. In fact Charlie’s mother is till bashing her every chance she gets, belittling her for everything. I loved that Charlie kicked Dillon to curb and refused to make herself small to fit into his life.
The time they spent apart growing and finding new ways to believe in themselves is what allowed them to try gain and find their HEA.
February 25, 2026
Run, Don’t Walk, to Read This Book!!
Shattering Her Illusion is a master class in reaching beyond the scars of your past to become the person you were always meant to be. For yourself and for those you love the most.
Dillon and Charlie have been together for two years and have been living together for about six months. Madly in love and looking forward to a future together. However, Dillon’s friends are toxic and Charlie overhears what they really think about her while Dillon sits there without defending her or putting a stop to their vitriol. Charlie chooses herself and walks away.
Dillon is forced to face the demons from his past and reconcile how they’ve affected his behaviors and decisions as an adult. He doesn’t want to become the man he learned to placate and shrink from. Charlie refuses to allow Dillon to shrink her and make her feel less than who she is, something she’s been forced to do all her life.
Time apart forces each of them to face the realities of what happened between them. They each choose to learn from their past and their mistakes, heal from the trauma, learn healthy ways to behave towards themselves and others, and ultimately find their way back to each other. Both stronger and more assured of the importance of the other in their lives.
This was a beautiful book and the side characters were just as captivating as the main characters! My favorite dialogs were those that included Dillon’s grandmother and her “nothing but the truth” attitude when she was speaking to her family. Her character is simply a gem!
If you’re a fan of non-cheating betrayals, meaningful character growth, soul deep love, and believable second chances, then I can’t recommend this book enough!
Shattering Her Illusion is a master class in reaching beyond the scars of your past to become the person you were always meant to be. For yourself and for those you love the most.
Dillon and Charlie have been together for two years and have been living together for about six months. Madly in love and looking forward to a future together. However, Dillon’s friends are toxic and Charlie overhears what they really think about her while Dillon sits there without defending her or putting a stop to their vitriol. Charlie chooses herself and walks away.
Dillon is forced to face the demons from his past and reconcile how they’ve affected his behaviors and decisions as an adult. He doesn’t want to become the man he learned to placate and shrink from. Charlie refuses to allow Dillon to shrink her and make her feel less than who she is, something she’s been forced to do all her life.
Time apart forces each of them to face the realities of what happened between them. They each choose to learn from their past and their mistakes, heal from the trauma, learn healthy ways to behave towards themselves and others, and ultimately find their way back to each other. Both stronger and more assured of the importance of the other in their lives.
This was a beautiful book and the side characters were just as captivating as the main characters! My favorite dialogs were those that included Dillon’s grandmother and her “nothing but the truth” attitude when she was speaking to her family. Her character is simply a gem!
If you’re a fan of non-cheating betrayals, meaningful character growth, soul deep love, and believable second chances, then I can’t recommend this book enough!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Shattering Her Illusion is a master class in reaching beyond the scars of your past to become the person you were always meant to be. For yourself and for those you love the most.
Dillon and Charlie have been together for two years and have been living together for about six months. Madly in love and looking forward to a future together. However, Dillon’s friends are toxic and Charlie overhears what they really think about her while Dillon sits there without defending her or putting a stop to their vitriol. Charlie chooses herself and walks away.
Dillon is forced to face the demons from his past and reconcile how they’ve affected his behaviors and decisions as an adult. He doesn’t want to become the man he learned to placate and shrink from. Charlie refuses to allow Dillon to shrink her and make her feel less than who she is, something she’s been forced to do all her life.
Time apart forces each of them to face the realities of what happened between them. They each choose to learn from their past and their mistakes, heal from the trauma, learn healthy ways to behave towards themselves and others, and ultimately find their way back to each other. Both stronger and more assured of the importance of the other in their lives.
This was beautiful book and the side characters were just as captivating as the main characters! My favorite dialogs were those that included Dillon’s grandmother and her “nothing but the truth” attitude when she was speaking to her family. Her character is simply a gem!
If you’re a fan of non-cheating betrayals, meaningful character growth, soul deep love, and believable second chances, then I can’t recommend this book enough!
Dillon and Charlie have been together for two years and have been living together for about six months. Madly in love and looking forward to a future together. However, Dillon’s friends are toxic and Charlie overhears what they really think about her while Dillon sits there without defending her or putting a stop to their vitriol. Charlie chooses herself and walks away.
Dillon is forced to face the demons from his past and reconcile how they’ve affected his behaviors and decisions as an adult. He doesn’t want to become the man he learned to placate and shrink from. Charlie refuses to allow Dillon to shrink her and make her feel less than who she is, something she’s been forced to do all her life.
Time apart forces each of them to face the realities of what happened between them. They each choose to learn from their past and their mistakes, heal from the trauma, learn healthy ways to behave towards themselves and others, and ultimately find their way back to each other. Both stronger and more assured of the importance of the other in their lives.
This was beautiful book and the side characters were just as captivating as the main characters! My favorite dialogs were those that included Dillon’s grandmother and her “nothing but the truth” attitude when she was speaking to her family. Her character is simply a gem!
If you’re a fan of non-cheating betrayals, meaningful character growth, soul deep love, and believable second chances, then I can’t recommend this book enough!
March 8, 2026
3 1/2 stars An overheard trope. The h is a curvy bookstore owner much to her parents dismay. They are very vocal in expressing their disappointment with her at their monthly dinners. The h does not defend herself. The h and H are living together in his apartment.
While out for an evening with the H, her boyfriend, and his friends, she returns from the bathroom and overhears cutting, and insulting comments from the group but no defense from the H. In fact it sounds like he is joining in the laughter. She calls her best friend to pick her up and goes back to his place. The next morning, with the back up of her male friend, she confronts the H. The H is angry that she left without telling him. When the h presses him for the truth, he admits that he slept with one of his friends before he met the h. She feels betrayed because the H didn't tell her about the relationship and because the H didn't speak up for her against the friends' insults. He feels ashamed and lashes out at her with his own disparaging remarks. She moves in with her cousin.
The friend who spearheads the nastiness in the group, turns on another one who called her out on her behaviour. She seduces the friend's new love interest at a party and sets it up so that they are caught. The H and another friend set out to take revenge on the nasty friend by uncovering and sharing damaging examples of her work behaviour.
The h and H learn to deal with toxic people in their lives and how to find their way back to each other.
While out for an evening with the H, her boyfriend, and his friends, she returns from the bathroom and overhears cutting, and insulting comments from the group but no defense from the H. In fact it sounds like he is joining in the laughter. She calls her best friend to pick her up and goes back to his place. The next morning, with the back up of her male friend, she confronts the H. The H is angry that she left without telling him. When the h presses him for the truth, he admits that he slept with one of his friends before he met the h. She feels betrayed because the H didn't tell her about the relationship and because the H didn't speak up for her against the friends' insults. He feels ashamed and lashes out at her with his own disparaging remarks. She moves in with her cousin.
The friend who spearheads the nastiness in the group, turns on another one who called her out on her behaviour. She seduces the friend's new love interest at a party and sets it up so that they are caught. The H and another friend set out to take revenge on the nasty friend by uncovering and sharing damaging examples of her work behaviour.
The h and H learn to deal with toxic people in their lives and how to find their way back to each other.
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