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Finally Unbroken #1

Finally Unbroken

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"A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks." -Richard Bach I'd known my soulmate, my best friend, my sister, forever. No span of distance nor time would ever change that. Even as I trudged through my colorless life. Loneliness and isolation snapping at my heels. I always had her as my North Star. Now I know I’m going to lose her—my soulmate—and I have to learn to lean on the only man I’ve ever loved. The one who pushed me away… just to survive. The life I once dreamed about has been washed away in a sea of regret. People from my past are appearing in my present, hoping to remain in my future. Each day I draw strength from my history. I have to learn to live again, to have hope again and to love again. She wants me to trust him. He wants another chance. I just want the strength to move on with my new life. All I have to do now is take my hands off the safety bars... and have a little faith.

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2016

21 people are currently reading
167 people want to read

About the author

Maria Macdonald

31 books372 followers
Maria Macdonald is an author who writes sometimes, but mostly procrastinates.

She's a serial Netflix watcher, an avid reader (often meaning she burns the dinner) and occasionally she'll throw a book out to her readers. She also likes tea and chocolate!

She writes Paranormal YA, romantic suspense, Coming of Age, MM, New Adult & contemporary romance.

Originally from London, she now lives in South West England.


You can catch up with her at - https://www.facebook.com/authormariam...

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Displaying 1 - 29 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,290 reviews1,778 followers
March 18, 2016
Favorite Quotes:

“Life takes you on all kinds of journeys, but that’s okay, as long as you know the destination’s worth it. You should be someone’s destination, my sweet daughter. The man that’s meant for you should be striving to get to his destination. He should be trying to get to you because you’re all he needs.”

“But can’t you look at me and see time is precious honey. If there is one thing… just one, that I want you to take from me, it’s to savor every moment, good and bad. They all help make us who we are, they shape us, but they don’t define us. We do.”

“Remember, life is short. We have but one, that we know of. The good Lord may grace us with more, but while we don’t know, we have to live this one like there’s no other.”

My Review:

Oh the angst, which is not among my favorite things, but I surprised myself with this one. Initially, I had serious doubts I would be able to enjoy this story, as the beginning was so intensely angsty, and had a main character that was annoying me to an agonizing level with her weak nature and apparent missing spine. However, I was soon hooked as the story slowly unfolded. I began to care deeply for the characters and despite the crushing sadness to the tale, the spark had flickered and the fire ignited. I adored this moving and emotive story of second chances, and I quickly fell in love with Danny Quinn. Though I admit to having a few ugly cries before hitting that heart-warming and oh so satisfying epilogue, I promise you the destination was well worth the journey. I have followed Ms. Macdonald’s writing from her first Goodreads listing of Love Reflection and her talent just keeps expanding and developing as a storyteller. That being the case, I cannot wait to see her next offering.
Profile Image for Mary Ruth .
222 reviews51 followers
August 29, 2016
"I wonder if he has that love. That same one I do, the one that sits dormant in my heart unused, because the person it was truly meant for left and has never come back. "


Now, I don’t want to pick favorites among Miss Maria’s books, they’re all divine. But I have to admit, Finally Unbroken moved unknown realms in me. This story had me good. It reached so deep in me and drew out emotions that I rarely feel in a book. It was more than just a love story. It was heartbreak and hope personified.

The story started out with a streak of heartbreak. If there was something Anabel knew well, it was loss. She breathed it, lived it, and survived it. What I found absolutely stunning about Anabel’s character was that she was a damsel-in-distress but also a woman strengthened by her experiences. I felt with her, hoped with her, and lost with her.

“This is going to be slow. This isn’t sex. I’m not going to fuck you, Bel. I’m going to love you.”


Danny knew his life was viewed to be completely perfect. But no else can feel the gaping hole a certain girl has left when they were young. Most would probably see a standard rich alpha male in meeting Danny but in a deeper level, he is what I viewed the hope in this book. He was a source of strength even in times when he was breaking. He was what was constant in this roller-coaster ride of events.

Now. Other than the rekindling of Bel and Danny’s love for each other (and my god, was that sensually hot), there was also a rekindling of friendship and old emotions. I might have prejudged Amanda and Reuben as secondary characters but they both brought an unforgettable depth in the story. Miss Maria wonderfully channeled the exact emotions of the characters. She caught me off guard with how she tied this story up. It made me experience the rawest of emotions I’ve ever felt through any form of media. Definitely a must-read!
Profile Image for Yvette (Booksandbandanas).
476 reviews111 followers
March 25, 2016
Maria truly outdid herself in all aspects when it comes to this gut wrenching,life changing, book.
When Maria sent me this book, I had read all of her books I was up to date on her work, but this this I couldn't believe what I was reading. This is a beautiful and at times soul bearing journey. I had to walk away many many times. The characters in this story will bring you to your knees, they will make you want to scream and shout (trust me, I did this multiple times) but they will leave you wanting to live beautifully, and look at what friendship & second chances mean.

This story is utterly heartbreaking but it made my soul feel utterly happy.
Profile Image for Morgan Terry.
103 reviews7 followers
March 6, 2016
*** may contain spoilers***

Finally Unbroken is an unbelievably exquisite story that I found I was unable to put down. If you're a fan of Maria's work, or someone just picking her book up for the first, Finally Unbroken is by far my favorite of Maria's books. And that says a lot because the Entwined Hearts series was amazing! This book is beautifully written, the depth and emotion poured into every word is heartfelt and profound, and each chapter begs you to continue to sink your teeth into the story line even more. It's truly remarkable how Maria wrote such an amazing book that captured my soul and tugged at my heartstrings. In a word, this book is simply magnificent.

While the book is told from Anabel and Danny's POV, the story wouldn't be complete without Amanda and Ruben's storyline as well. The foursome were all friends in school but as they got older and went their ways, they grew apart. Anabel is stuck in a dead end marriage, verbally abused, and unhappy, but she's also a courageous fighter. It takes her best friend, Amanda, coming home for Anabel's dull world to lighten up.

I love how Anabel becomes alive again with her best friend. Maria definitely showed us how your soulmate is not necessarily the love of your life, but the love of two friends closer than any blood sister will be. She's happy and care free. When Danny unexpectedly comes back into her life, and by extension, Ruben, Anabel takes a chance on love with the man she should have always been with.

When Amanda finally reveals her terminal cancer diagnosis with the group, the other three try their hardest to help her live out the remainder of her life to the best of her ability. And that happiness includes Ruben himself. The two fall in love in that deep, soulful way that a forever love should be. And even though their forever is just weeks in length, their love proves to be powerful.

While Amanda lives her final days, Anabel fights. She fights to keep her courage and strength for her best friend, she fights for Danny and their absolute second chance at love, and she even fights for Ruben and his future. Even through all of the sadder parts of the story, the happier elements always shine through in the midst of it all and it makes it all worth while!

While Finally Unbroken is a book that will take you on one of the best emotional journeys in a very long time, it will also send your heart soaring at the love and light at the end of the book. It's not just a book about the ultimate second chance but one that tells us to always love, live your life as if it's your last day and to take that leap of faith. Just make sure you have tissues handy because Maria does not hold back.
Profile Image for Sarah Queen.
226 reviews9 followers
March 18, 2016
Finally Unbroken – Maria Macdonald.

Given in exchange for an honest review.

“The strongest love, the love that was meant to be, that’s the kind of love that will stand the test of time. That’s the love that will still sit in your heart fifty years from now…even if it’s a dormant love, remaining useless and unused. It will still be there and will always exist throughout time.”

First of all, I love Maria Macdonald’s books and this one doesn’t disappoint. This a beautiful, heartwrenching story of second chances, love, friendship and finding your one true soulmate.

Anabel and Amanda have more than a friendship, after knowing each other since they were 5 years old, they’re more sisters than friends, they’ve been through everything together. They are two parts of one soul. But what happens when one part of your soul is about to be tore away from you in the worst possible way…

“I think you are brave, but remember, when you aren’t feeling it then tell me, I’ll give you my strength. I’ll be strong enough for you.”

Bel and Danny…. after making the wrong choices back when they were 18 they find their way back to each other, to then fight a bigger battle that has been totally taken out of their hands.

“EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT.”

Danny, Bel, Amanda and Ruben have more like a kinship than friendship.

“Because you were her best friend, her sister, her strength, and her soulmate, because of you, because of your love, she’s finally unbroken.”

This book gets every emotion going, I laughed, I cried, I was happy, sad. This is a tearjerker at its best, so grab a cup of coffee, a box of tissues and read Maria Macdonalds’ best work to date. This story is one that will etch itself into your heart and will stay with you forever
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I didn’t think she could beat the Entwined Series but she totally blew me away with this story. She gets better with every book she writes. This book like the others is told in dual POV and is a standalone novel.

This book is AMAZING and a definite must read, one you don’t want to miss!
5 beautiful heartwrenching stars!!
Profile Image for Jenny Prose.
746 reviews10 followers
March 18, 2016
Finally Unbroken by Maria Macdonald

ARC given for honest review.

This book was amazing! It has me on a roller coaster ride with highs and lows. I laughed, I got angry, I cried and I feel in love!

We have a great story that shows us Anabel and Danny. These two were friends in High school but Anabel had a boyfriend. While things almost took off between the two the just never got together. Anabel's life has been anything but happy. Her marriage is horrible. She's treated like a servant who is mental and verbally abused by her husband who is a lazy drunken jerk. She has lost both her parents, along with their ice cream shop. Anabel retreats the the still closet shop to remember. This book switches pov and does flash backs. Danny comes back home and he is a billionaire looking to open another restaurant. He secretly bought Anabel's family ice cream shop and hasn't done anything with it.

This story takes use along a ride with Anabel. She regains a sense of pure and gain her life back after deciding to leave her husband. Then Amanda, her bff from HS is coming back to town after ten years in Paris! These girls have so much going on until we learn about Amanda's terminal cancer diagnosis. Rubin, another friend is called back home by Danny. These four great such an amazing story about love and loss.

It's so beautiful written, with such depth and character development. This book is on par with Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts and Nicholas Sparks. You will not be disappointed with this amazing story.



Sent from my iPhone
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rachel Hendry.
360 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2016
My first ever read by this author and boy what a way to start!
After being warned I would need tissues I went into this book with trepidation, tearjerker absolutely but it was always much much more.
Anabel & Amanda, the very best of friends, soul sisters if you like, knew their time was limited and this story was really about their friendship and how do you cope with losing a part of you?
Anabel found herself perhaps relying on the one person that she never thought she could or would again, and here we found another very enthralling aspect of this book.
A terrific story, well written, the story flowed beautifully and I devoured every page of it...my only problem was I couldn't always see the words through my tears!
So a solid 5 star read for me and I will look forward to reading more from Maria Macdonald in the future.
Profile Image for Analia Almonte.
488 reviews12 followers
September 16, 2016

This is one of my favorites author and she don’t even disappoint me. In the other books she did it and in this book she nailed it. This story blows me away in so many ways. The emotions that this story brings to you are beyond static. The story although is between Annabel and Danny is so much more, because she have to love herself first and accept the other thing to be happy forever. This book breaks me because life is full of choices that you need to be strong to be able to accept and be happy. Maria you demonstrated again that you have a gift that you have a beautiful heart and soul and you are willing to give it to us. I’m so proud of you, this book definitely will be in my heart forever.
Profile Image for Amanda.
193 reviews12 followers
March 28, 2016
I absolutely was captivated by Finally Unbroken and the characters that Maria wrote so beautifully. Truly her best work to-date. So many emotions and just one of the most beautiful, well written stories to capture my heart and soul. I loved the lead characters ehich is told in dual POV (Yay) and even loved the secondary characters just as much. Maria, you BLEW me away! I will never forget this beautiful story.
Profile Image for Johnaka- Amity Book Blog.
1,158 reviews16 followers
April 26, 2017
Finally Unbroken by Maria Macdonald
“Life changing, real life, 4 stars”

Every avid reader has an author they follow that continually suprises them with every new release. I admit that I follow several authors that manage to blow my mind every release day, Maria Macdonald is one of them. Macdonald has a way with making you fall in love with not one but all of her characters. None of them are ever the same and its fantastic. I honestly cannot tell you which one of her Heros is my favorite, and Unbroken added two more to the roster of posibilities.
Finally Unbroken is about Anabel finding who she is again. She is a woman who tried to do the right thing by marrying a man she didn't really love right out of high school and blocked out the memory of her first true love. When your marriage is beyond the point of saving do you make the decision to leave or be miserable because you made a vow in the house of God?
For Danny leaving his hometown at eighteen was the only way to save himself. Being in love with a woman who is in a relationship with someone else isn’t the easiest or brightest thing to do. But sometimes when you return home you find not all is what it seems. Some people are lucky enough to get their second chance. Is Danny lucky enough to finally get Bel?
Amanda has always had eyes for one guy, but it never seemed to be mutual. She finds herself going back to her home town to spend her final days with her best friend. Only to find a surprise in the form of her favorite man. Amanda has experienced more pain and heartache then most people should be allowed. In her final days will she experience all the things shes ever wanted?
Rubén has wanted one girl for as long as he remembers. Now that he has her will he be able to hold onto her? Will he be able to make there dreams come true? Sometimes time is not on your side. How will he handle the final outcome?
You have two sets of friends that make the perfect duo. You can’t help but feel the grief roll off of all of them. They just got each other back and are about to be torn apart. Danny and Rubén are two of the strongest male characters I’ve read about lately. They both know what the end game is and dont care, they just want to take care of the women. They were completely swoon worthy. Bel is silently strong and Amanda is resigned to her fate.
This is one you must read. You will laugh. You will cry, but the knowlege of what happens is worth the tears. Here are a few favorite quotes:
‘The strongest love, the love that was meant to be, that’s the kind of love that will stand the test of time. That’s the love that will still sit in your heart fifty years from now… even if it’s a dormant love, remaining useless and unused. It will still be there and will always exist throughout time.’
“She’s so beautiful— inside and out. Her light should remain here. If she has to leave… knowing she’s burning bright for everyone to see. Eternally watching over us all. It’s all I have to cling on to .”
“I think you are brave, but remember , when you aren’t feeling it then tell me, I’ll give you my strength. I’ll be strong enough for you.”
Plot-4/5
Charcters- 4/5
Heat- 4/5
Writing style- 4/5
Overall- 4/5

**I reseved an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. SBR**
383 reviews18 followers
October 23, 2018
4.5 stars
I love Maria's style of writing and enjoyed this story, the friendship that spanned the miles and years between Anabel and Amanda, the second chance romance that should never have ended the first time around between Anabel and Danny, Ruben's unwavering love for Amanda when she needed it, even Keith's eventual redemption.. though i still didnt like him you could see maybe why he had never truly felt he had Anabel's love.
Full of angst and a tear jerker this book takes you on one hell of a journey.
I would have expected a little more drama when Anabel did eventually leave Danny.. It seemed over a little too quickly. But overall a solid 4.5 stars from me and looking forward to reading What's Left of Me
Profile Image for Ann .
1,699 reviews17 followers
September 4, 2021
*4 stars*
This was my first read of this author and I loved reading this beautiful but emotional read. I got tears in my eyes 'cuz I could relate. Some things that at one time everyone in their lives will either go through or see someone else struggle with. I also believe that in this life, we all have a soulmate. either it's in friendship or in love. and to be able to have the chance or a second chance is what you wish for. Really liked the way this story was written and you could feel the emotion. At night seeing the stars, is one of those gifts of life (I think so). this one is definitely worth the read and a try-must :-)
Profile Image for Laura Jane.
220 reviews
January 21, 2018
Omg! The title needs editing to ‘completely broken’ because that’s exactly how I’ve felt reading this book. The pure emotion written in the pages is something of beauty. I can honestly say I’m not a crier. I’ve cried at like 3 books in total. This book however has completely wrecked me! If you’re reading through reviews before you start this book, then here’s a heads up.... stock up on tissues, and plenty of them. Every word,every sentence and every page has had me hooked. Thank you for writing this book Maria, I’m not thanking you for all my tears though. Beautiful and a must read
Profile Image for Sian davies.
168 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were times where I found it corny but a book that manages to make me cry so much can only have 4 stars.
Profile Image for Dani Readsalot.
144 reviews2 followers
September 8, 2017
This book!!! I have no words! I was a sobbing mess a lot of the time but it was so worth it!! Just amazing!
Profile Image for Kaylene Osborn.
394 reviews24 followers
March 16, 2016
Loved Finally Unbroken, great book...

Finally Unbroken is the first book in the Finally Unbroken series by Maria Macdonald and what a great start it is.

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Heartbreaking, emotional and wonderful, these are the words that describe this beautiful story. Finally Unbroken is probably one of my favourites from this author.

Told from Anabel and Danny's POV, this story is about friends going their separate ways discovering life along the way. Anabel learns to live again when she leaves her long time destructive marriage to live with her friend Amanda.

Then life crashes again for the group of friends as they explore a cancer diagnosis. This is a sad tale, but there are some lovely parts that shine through with just how much the group of friends love and care for each other.

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This book is a lovely example of friends who explore their lives, and their loves, and how they deal with life going forward after a tragic event.

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Awesome, heartfelt and tragic, I loved it and cannot wait for more from this author. This was an excellent five-star plus read for me.

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Profile Image for Itsy Bitsy Book Bits.
699 reviews50 followers
March 18, 2016
I started reading this book with a pre-conceived notion of what it was going to be about and I was partially correct. What I did not fully expect was the heartbreak. I underestimated the power of the pen when Marie MacDonald wields it. I will not make that mistake again.

Anabel is not happy in her marriage and seems like she never will be happy again. That is, until she gets the strength to remember who she used to be and leave her husband. She gets that strength from her best friend, her chosen sister, her soul mate Amanda. Amanda moves back from Paris to deal with a personal tragedy. Since Anabel's parents died years ago, Amanda is the only "family" she has, so when faced with the possibility of not having Amanda around just when she got her back, Anabel finds the strength she needs, enough for both of them. Then we meet Danny and Ruben, the old high school crushes that got away. Annabel and Danny were in love, but he thought he was protecting her by leaving. Ruben was the player that was too scared to play for Amanda. Making up for lost time and picking up where they left off many years ago, the two couples find that love does really conquer all, well almost.

The other theme to this book, which I found uplifting, is the stars, when you look up at the sky and the stars are shining down, do you make a wish? Do you ever speak to them as if they were the loved ones you lost? Have you ever just needed a sign, an answer? I have and especially after this I will continue to do so.

Without giving too much away, this is a story about friendship, soul mates, and never giving up. It is about loss and how we handle it, but most importantly it is about love. Everyone goes through a tragedy or two in their lifetime, this is about the people that are there during that time and what you do for each other in that time of need. This hit me hard. This made me feel every emotion in such a short time that I am still reeling. I find this book to be both inspiring and truly heart breaking at the same time. I feel angry and relieved for having experienced this roller coaster ride of emotions, but I know that I am a better person for it.
Profile Image for Laura Nelson (Tangents and Tissues).
771 reviews72 followers
March 29, 2016
"I'm broken," I whisper
.......", I'll fix you."

This book broke me and put me back together, but I don't think I'll ever be the same again. I can't count the number of times I sobbed, laughed hysterically while reaching for the ever present box of tissues. It was without a doubt one of the most beautiful & heartfelt stories I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The story centres around two relationships; Anabel & her best friend, her soul mate Amanda who she hasn't seen for ten years and that of Anabel and the boy who stole her heart as a teen, Danny.

Trapped in a loveless marriage to her high school sweetheart, Keith, and a shadow of her former vivacious self, Anabel is yearning to break free. Never a truer word has been spoken when Mrs. Wilson tells Bel:

"Dreams can become reality, Anabel. For some of us they just take a while longer to happen."

Danny has never been able to forget Bel. How do you forget the woman that owns your heart? Haunted by the decision he made as a teen when he left Bel behind, he comes back to town in an effort to lay old ghosts to bed.

"I wanted her to be my first. I wanted her to be my forever."

Ecstatic over the return of her best friend Amanda, Bel never expected to see Danny again. However, this time Danny has no intention leaving Bel behind. He's determined to make Bel his, forever!!

As Bel emerges from her chrysalis she finds the love and support she needs with Danny by her side.

I have to admit every time Danny said "Eyes babe," to Bel I sighed and my heart did a little flutter. He's a keeper!!

I was completely sucked into this story from start to finish and experienced every high and every low. The epilogue had me weeping & laughing at the same time. I just need to know Ruben is settled now but this book made me think: we all need to seize Every. Single. Moment.
Profile Image for Nerdy Dirty & Flirty.
3,985 reviews361 followers
March 22, 2016
description

An author who makes me laugh and cry… sometimes at the same time!

I fell in love with this author’s words in the Entwined Hearts series. The characters and the stories had all the emotions, the love, the laughter, all the incredible feels, I could have wished for. I follow this author, at a safe and respectable distance of course, but I couldn’t have been happier that a new series was coming. You know that wonderful feeling. When a “coming soon” email or pop up arrives, taunting you with an upcoming release of a favourite author and your clicking finger gets twitchy? Yes, that happened. And I’m happy to report, all that anticipation was well deserved. This book is the start of something special…

Life is full of beginnings and endings; choices, large and small. When faced with loss, how do you say goodbye when it’s the last thing you could fathom doing? Anabel and Danny lost each other years ago but had a second chance though the timing couldn’t be worse. Or could it? They both need to move forward and maybe this is an opportunity to work through their past and forge a new future, together. Alternating the story between their points of views, allowed me to understand and feel so many of the emotions they both were going through. Surrounded by friends that were family, together in love and grief, they were going to get through the storm stronger but with their hearts marked forever.

Lives are marked by huge milestones including the time when people you love enter and leave your life. This story eloquently illustrates the joy and grief that comes along with it. I sobbed, I admit it, but the tears were tinged with joy – this kind of love, deserves no less. Awesome!
Profile Image for Sophie.
590 reviews479 followers
March 25, 2016
We all have that one friend right? That friend that means everything. Is your soul mate, knows everything there is to know about you and feels pain when you do? Well Finally Unbroken delves into the depths of that so beautifully it will crack your heart wide open and pack it full of feels before stitching it back together in a devastatingly, beautiful bow.
Finally Unbroken, while being a romance book is actually so much more. Maria manages to pull you into a story that also focuses on friendship, so much so that the romance actually takes a back seat and that's okay, because it works so perfectly in this book, that I didn't miss it. And what romance we do get is written so fluently that it all flows into the story impeccably.
It took me a while to fully connect to Anabel, while I felt sorry for her and could see what she was going through I just wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up and fight.. And man, oh man was I glad when she did. Anabel turned into a sassy strong woman and I immediately loved her. From the start it was clear to see the connection between Bel and Danny and I hoped for their happy ever after.
The main thing I loved about this book though was the unwavering love and loyalty between two friends and their strength and passion for the other.. Yes this book will grip your heart and you'll need a mountain of tissues, because if you're like me, you'll cry a bucket load. But it's beautiful. So utterly perfect that it takes your breath away. I absolutely adore Maria and her writing and I can it wait to read more of her magic!
Profile Image for Zetti.
1,152 reviews24 followers
March 18, 2016

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Maria since she released her second book in the Entwined Heart series and I knew that the moment I had this book that I was going to love it. How can I not?

I started this book in the middle of the night and I fell in love straightaway, that killed my sleeping plan, but sleep is overrated.

It starts with Keith and Anabel being married, Anabel is not happy, Keith is a *insert an insult here*. I just wanted to slap him for being so horrible and mean, and berating Anabel for nothing. It was obvious at the beginning that these two are not happy, Keith treats her horribly and Annabel has no fight in her to stop him.

Annabel regularly escapes to the old shop that her parents used to own, someone had bought the shop years ago but it had remained empty ever since.

Danny Quinn decides to go back to his hometown, the one place where the woman he loves lives. He meets her and slowly reintegrates himself into her life. I was rooting for Anabel all the way through, as much as I love Danny, I’m #teamAnabel.

However there is another storyline that runs through the course of this book also which initially threw me, as I didn’t expect it nor did I expect the tears to come so fast and I had red eyes, and snotty tissues all around me.

Anabel loses someone so close to her but this story shows that even when loss occurs, rebirth, and life goes on. This story touched my heart, it touched my very soul and I implore you all to get a copy.

Read it and savour each word. It is worth it.

4.5 stars!
Profile Image for Books 2 Blog.
1,494 reviews19 followers
March 1, 2016
I received a gifted ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

One word…tissues; you will need lots and lots of tissues to make it through this book.

This review will be very hard to write without spoilers, but I will try.

Emotions shredded
Heartbroken
Headache from crying

I loved every one of the characters in this book, good and bad, because without them the story wouldn’t have been what it is…amazing.

From the first chapter to the epilogue this book took a hold of me and still won’t let go. There are a few lines at the beginning of the book that for me describe the emotional roller-coaster this book took me on beautifully. 'Sometimes the stories suffocate us. By writing the words for others to read, we let the stories fly free…Allowing us to breathe again.' I drowned in tears whilst reading this book, and although I wanted to stop to get my emotions in check I just couldn’t put the book down without knowing what happened to all the characters.

Favorite swoon line from the book “eyes baby”, once you read it you’ll get it!

The author has done an amazing job with this book; it covers a real hard hitting topic that many of us face every day, and she handled it so well whilst also bringing some much needed happiness to the story with the hope of second chances in love. This was the first time I have read anything from this author, but it won’t be the last.

Definitely a must read, but with tissues to hand.

B2B Lesley
Profile Image for Beth.
61 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2016
I was lucky enough to be a beta this book for this lovely woman.
This author is talented beyond point and I have enjoyed every single one of her stories.
This story however is probably my favourite, the very first emotion I felt when I started this book was heartache. Heartache for the main character Anabel who you can tell isn't living a happy life. When I was reading I wanted to crawl into the book and give her a hug, help her in some way because I hated reading about someone who was so unhappy she thought that was the norm.
As the book went on my heartache and sorrow grew more. There was happy moments that made me smile so wide my cheeks hurt when a person from her past comes back and she finally finds some ray of happiness.
When her whole world comes crashing down around her I'm pretty sure my heart broke, I felt the emotions run through my body to the point where I thought I would break into tiny little pieces. The emotions went from one extreme to the next where I had tears streaming down my face but my smile was to my ears.

Be prepared to have what feels like your soul being ripped out of your body but you love every single moment of it. This book needs to be read and if you don't read it then you are missing out big time!

I take my hat off to this woman for writing such an amazing, beautiful, heart wrenching story!

5 stars isn't enough I give this book 100 stars

Another amazing story!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Breanna  Eichhorn.
1,251 reviews13 followers
March 14, 2016
Keith and Anabel live in a ramshakel hut that used to be Keith's parents. Anabel has wanted to leave him for the longest time. Anabel and Danny have known each other for a long time. When he left the town for college, her whole life changed she wasn't the same person as she was before. When Danny came back seeing him again, brought a whole bunch of feelings back. Anabel's friend Amanda comes home from Paris, they both have a whole bunch of fun together.

Anabel is married to Keith, she is the quiet nerdy girl, her dad died 12 years ago and her mom died 10 months after. She decieded that its time to get a job. Keith is Anabel's husband, he is very rude to her, he used to be a quaterback, he works at a bar two days and nights a week. Danny is Keith's friend left town and became an athlete. He own's a lot of resturants, can't get over Anabel. Amanda is Anabels friend more like sisters, she got her English and French degree from Dartmouth, moved to Paris. Layla is Danny's assistant, she is very good at what she does. Ruben is Danny's friend, has always had feelings for Amanda.

This is my first book by Maria MacDonald and it wont be my last. This book is very well written and the characters are very well developed. I loved that I was hooked from the first page of this book .I loved that I felt very connected to the characters. I found it very hard to put this book down.

Profile Image for Lady Living  In Bookland.
481 reviews19 followers
July 23, 2016
Wow...this book cover had me head over heels but the story was simply stunning. Heartbreaking but perfect too.

We meet Anabel Vincent at one of the lowest times in her life. With her best friend halfway across the world and being stuck in a loveless marriage things seem incapable of changing.

Excerpt:
I've learnt over the years, there are many ways to break someone. So many other ways to pull someone down, to make them bleed, not just on the outside.

But fate will bring Anabels childhood sweetheart back into town and also her bestie Amanda who brings her own mass of emotions.
With some of her dearest friends around her, she finds the strength to do what she's meant to. To realise the true meaning of love...

Excerpt:
The strongest love, the love that was meant to be, that's the kind of love that will stand the test of time. That's the love that will sit in your heart fifty years from now...even if it's dormant love, remaining useless and unused. It will still be there and will always.

Love and life in put into perspective with some more devastating news for the group of friends. And the heartache left me physically hurting throughout the majority of this book.

A beautiful story of love, life, acceptance V's grieving, and most importantly, strength.

I can't wait to read and review the follow on book 'What's Left of Me'.

5 stunning stars
Profile Image for Amo Thomson.
615 reviews
March 18, 2016
When a little girl and you dream of getting married and having the love story that we've always dreamed of, the loving happy ever after kind that no one can break because its husband and wife against the world... Right ?

2 souls destined to be together, and I say souls because we can with out hearts but when your soul belongs to someone else you can't get it back, one time love Heart & soul it should run smoothly when it's that deep..... right???

I loved this book right from the beginning I cried lots & lots but not always out of sadness this beautiful story although the main people are who the books about the secondary characters as just as amazing their journey and presence is as equally important and how they all for in together I thought was written perfectly.

This book will pull at emotions you didn't even know were there I really enjoyed reading this and sometimes I felt like I wasn't going to get put back together, but I'm true Maria fashion she likes to make things a little different.

This book is a delish 5***** also for the writing itself the Growth of the writing from Maria is amazing.

Amo
Profile Image for Betty G..
150 reviews11 followers
June 19, 2016
I honestly don't know what I should say.

I loved this book in its entirety. When I started reading, I thought everything would be about the romance between a man and a woman. What I found was something unexpected.

More than the love between a man and a woman, this story is based on friendship and loyalty. I cried like never before cried when reading.

About the characters? Oh, my God! Well, where to start?

Anabel is a woman whom life has taken everything and yet has managed to stay afloat. I think this is a character that empowers women.

Danny? Oh, Danny boy! This is the sweetest man. I will not say anymore about him.

Amanda is one of my favorites in this story. Her courage despite the circumstances is one of the most remarkable things. Her friendship with Anabel is one of the most genuine I've ever seen/read.

And Rubén? I loved him. I can't wait to read the second book in this series and learn more about him and what happened to him after Amanda.

I don't want to say much to prevent spoilers, but definitely this is a book that everyone should read. It's really amazing!
Profile Image for Cbuckley7.
113 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2016
5 star read

Finally Unbroken by Maria Macdonald will leave you fractured in your heart.

A story of love, friendship, sacrifice and tragedy. Faultlessly written with a fascinating story which will capture you from the first page.

Anabel has been in a loveless marriage for 11 years. Losing her Mother and Father within a short few months completely broke her. She sank into a depression allowing those closest to her to treat her like rubbish. She just carries on each day because she feels there is nothing more out there for her.

As her old friends return to her town, she realises that she is worth more, that her life doesn't need to be lived the way she has been living it and makes decisions to change.

Tragedy then decides to strike. Her life is thrown into turmoil and she needs to find the strength that has been hidden for so many years to be there for those closest to her.

I can't recommend this book enough but beware... You will need a box of tissues or two.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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