Beautiful but broken

by Lira Darkwaters

392 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 13, 2026

Reviews

[Anitaloves_her_books]

First and foremost I wanna thank Lira Darkwaters for choosing me to be a part of her book.
However small or big it might be to some people I was chosen. She chose me.
I am not bragging I am simply saying for the the first time in my life someone chose me.
I wanna thank you from the bottom of heart for taking that invisible weight off my chest and letting me breathe again.🫶🫶


"To all the girls who are second choice to their dads."

You will need to read the novella BROKEN. This book will give you a prequel of what's to come up in this book BEAUTIFUL BUT BROKEN..

Gigi and Cassi grew up in a home where a parent has a mental illness. The father tried the best that he could . Until he couldn't. He took Cassi and left Gigi.

Over time things got WORSE. ( insert make sure you read TW warnings ⚠️)
Eventually she got out.
She ended up going to a home where she met Eli.

This is not going to be an insta love. This is not easy. This is going to be hard. Its going to make you laugh , cry, sob, and your heart will break. Seriously.

. "You are not special. You are hard to love. That is why people always leave you. You are nothing without me. And I am tired."

When you hear words like that. You feel shame and wonder why me. What did you do wrong?

BUT the thing about Lira Darkwaters books is that while you go through all these emotions and take this journey with these characters. You feel like your seeing everything through their eyes for the time and feeling EVERY EMOTION they go through. You wil feel broke and alone. You feel angry and sad. Then you feel happy and grateful. Then all of a sudden . Its gone


"I will fight a thousand wars for you," he said. "And I would win every single one if it meant coming home to you. You are just so fucking breathtaking. Beautiful." He breath



These characters show a strength in love and friendship and build you up. They found love... They found connections outside of family. They found Home

I connected with this book in so many ways especially with Gigi's character. I love the way she can smoothly bring in characters so effortlessly and leave a profound statement from each character that will leave you wanting more.

This book is not for the faint of heart.

Its for the little girl that got left behind and just when she thought nobody chose her.
Someone did. HOME

[Samantha Alejandro]

This is now my third book by Lira Darkwaters, and somehow she still manages to surprise me.

You think you know where the story is going. You think you’ve figured it out. And then Lira throws in another twist, another surprise, another “wait… WHAT?” moment.

And I think that’s what I love most about her books.

Over this past year of reading, especially with how many ARCs I’ve been fortunate enough to read, I’ve realized something about the kind of books that really hit home for me. It’s the books written with simplicity.

The ones that don’t need a million words or dramatic scenes to tell you what a character is feeling. The ones where something is said, or sometimes not said, and you have to read between the lines to really understand what’s happening underneath.

Those books have been hitting me hard this year.

And Lira’s books absolutely belong in that category.

Because nothing feels overcomplicated, yet somehow you FEEL everything. Sometimes it’s just a look across a room. Sometimes it’s a conversation. Sometimes it’s a balcony scene between Eli and Gigi that completely breaks your heart.

And Gigi…

Ugh. Gigi.

I hated how much this woman had to endure. The pain, the rejection, constantly being made to feel like she wasn’t lovable or worthy of being chosen.

But watching her keep walking into rooms where she desperately wanted love and approval, knowing these people could hurt her again, and STILL seeing her find that resilience?

That got me.

There is also SO much happening in this story that at times I wondered how it was all going to fit together. But somehow, it does. Every little piece eventually becomes part of something much bigger.

And then suddenly Selena and Lucien Thorne appear in this world and I was like… EXCUSE ME?!

Having familiar characters and connections woven into the story felt like coming home. Honestly, it gave me that hot chocolate on a cold fall afternoon feeling. Warm. Familiar. Comforting.

Lira, you somehow keep making this world bigger and better with every book.

Thank you for sharing this one with me. Your books have officially joined the growing list of ARCs this year that reminded me that sometimes the simplest words can carry the deepest meaning.

And now I’m sitting here waiting for the next three books because apparently I’m committed to this emotional journey now.

[Leanne Friday]

*ARC Read*

This is my third book from Lira and she still manages to surprise me every time.

I knew as soon as I started it, it would be an emotional rollercoaster and that was exactly what it was. My whole heart was with Gigi and I just wanted to give her a huge hug and tell her how amazing she was especially going through what she did as a child. I was in tears reading it and how she still came out the other side as a beautiful human being.

Even though I haven't experienced what she went through as a child, I have experienced the trauma that goes with loving someone who doesn't love you back in the way you hoped and how you try and do everything you can to change that and the constant battles with yourself as to what is missing and what does she have that you don't. I felt all of that.

The twists and turns that happened throughout the book had me absolutely hooked, crying, smiling, laughing and punching the air especially with the appearances of Selena and Lucian Thorne who I loved in the book Second Choice and the foster children that Gigi, Eli and Ryder grew up with.

I am so invested in this series that even though I know the next books will probably break my heart, I also can't wait to read them.

Thank you again so much Lira and you know you have always got my full support ❤️

[Holly Clifford]

ARC Reader 🙋‍♀️

Leaving a general review so I dont give away spoilers!

This book is an absolute emotional rollercoaster!

​The story jumps back and forth between the present and the past, but as it unfolds, every bit of trauma and connection starts making total sense.

That said… I spent half this book wanting to scream at the characters! Chapters 46 to 49 especially had me ready to throw my Kindle across the room!

​Gigi’s dad is hands-down the absolute worst. She has been through pure hell, both growing up and as an adult, so I was thrilled with her ending.

[Karen Boyle]

Oh my god this book was sensational I was laughing at the banter between the characters Gigi, Eli and Ryder breaking my heart over all Gigi went through with her family Im a mass of tears and smiles. So beautiful written and I kept saying one more chapter over and over. Thank you so much for choosing me to arc read this stunning book I’m so grateful for this with every book I get it’s such a privilege. I highly recommend reading this ❤️

[Desiree Hogue]

Gigi and Eli had to go through lots of ups and downs through their relationship, but that definitely makes their ending that much sweeter. Their relationship went through it all, enemies, to friends, to faking and then to real love with their found family and then their own family.
This was an emotional read that made me feel all the feels, but I am so happy I got to read their story and experience their HEA and watch them grow together.

[Charlotte]

A well written interesting story that was a comfortable easy read to relax. There were definitely some twists that I didn't see coming and turns that made you stop and think. The characters were well developed and their interactions felt authentic and real.
Personally I felt the change of heart and the transition to the ending was unnecessarily rushed into, but overall an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks!

[Jennifer S]

Thank you so much to Lira Darkwaters for the ARC of Beautiful but Broken!

Lira, you’ve done it again! Absolutely amazing! So much so I read it in just a few hours!

This book is another masterpiece by Lira!
It made me laugh, and cry (lots of tears since I can relate to being second choice to family).

I can’t recommend it enough…. And I can’t wait for the next one!