Unbroken

by Donna K. Ford

Therapist Kayla McC ormick is the quiet, sensitive type who prefers her life orderly and predictable. Kayla has an open heart, but the pain of loss has taught her to avoid risks that could get her hurt. She dreams of family and forever but no longer believes she’ll have her own happy ending.

Jackie Phillips hides her fear and hurt behind fierce independence and impulsive behavior. Raised in an atmosphere of abuse and neglect, she is haunted by the disappearance of her mother when she was a teenager. Determined not to need anyone, she has closed her heart and lets lust drive her encounters.

When their lives converge in a classic case of opposites attracting, will Kayla and Jackie have the courage to embrace love and rewrite their own stories, when that might mean risking all?

Genres: Romance, LGBT

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2017

About the author

Donna K. Ford is a licensed professional counselor who spends her professional time assisting people in their recovery from substance addictions. She holds an associate degree in criminal justice, a BS in psychology, and an MS in community agency counseling. When not trying to save the world, she spends her time in the mountains of east Tennessee enjoying the lakes, rivers, and hiking trails near her home. Reading, writing, and enjoying conversation with good friends are the gifts that keep her grounded. Healing Hearts is her debut into the world of writing lesbian fiction.

Reviews

[Hirdesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for Netgalley and respective publisher.

Romantic novel of woman's love.
Simple writing and easy read.
It comprised normal sort of storyline !
Solitude leads to cajole both of leading character into one.

JACKIE- naughty and callow kind of girl believes in causal relationships.
Kayla- Serious and long and into genuine relationships.

Instances made them close and and turned Jackie's methodology into seriousness by the huge impressions and impressive work-ability of Kayla into their bonding and togetherness.

[Lex Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars. I really enjoyed Ford's last book Love's Redemption. I thought it was great, so I must admit this was a little bit of a let down when you compare them. Once I got to the end of this book, I realized I did enjoy the read, just not as much as I was hoping for.

The story is about Kayla, who is sweet but a little bit meek. She doesn't take many chances and is very careful when it comes to dating. Kayla is looking for a relationship, not a fling. When she meets Jackie, there is an immediate attraction. The only problem is Jackie is the opposite, she is looking for a night fling, not a romance. The closer they get, the more Kayla falls for Jackie. Do they stand a chance together, or will Jackie break Kayla's heart?

To be honest, I did not care for about the first half of the book. I have read so many books about a "player" who meets a "wants to be in a relationship person" and they have chemistry. Will this be the one person that can tame the "player's" ways? I must admit I am so sick of this storyline. Luckily, once the book kept moving, you got to see that Jackie was not really a player, just a hurt individual looking for comfort. Once the book kind of changed, I got more into it. There was also another side storyline that kept me on my toes and made things more interesting. So while this book did start of shaky for me, the more I read, the more I got into it.

Like I said above, Love's Redemption is still my favorite Ford book, and I absolutely recommend it. This book is a little more in the middle, but I think most people will end up liking it too.

An ARC was given to me from BSB, for a honest review.

[Jane Shambler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first and definitely not my last book by Ford. Ford has a really nice writing style which makes the reading better. Ford flows through her story with ease and keeps you hooked all the way to the end.

The two main characters of the book are Kayla who is a therapist with a real sweet nature but struggles to take risks. Jackie who is a physical therapists lives life to the full and takes lots of risks and women. The story at it's basic level has been done numerous times with the shy girl getting the play girl. But it is also different because their issues are not all their own. Kayla's best friend has a substance abuse husband who attacks Kayla's life to get to her. Jackie we discover had an abusive father and lost her mother at a young age. Jackie does not have relationships commitment is not in her make up. Kayla has to step out of her comfort zone to help Jackie.

I really got into the book at about 59%, you know the bit that Kayla catches Heather pawing Jackie. The story seemed to speed up then. It is a very sweet romance and an enjoyable read.

I gave it 3.5 stars because I did like the ending. Yes I would recommend this book. If you love sweet romance this is for you, Enjoy!!

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

[Agirlcandream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to events in her past, Kayla lives a quiet, reserved and lonely life. Dragged to a bar by her best friend Jen, Kayla finds herself in a lip lock with a total stranger. She’s not a woman to act on impulse and here is this woman trying to charm her into a date. Jackie is the charmer, living her life with no strings attached. She makes it her mission to score a date with Kayla. Kayla is not so easily swayed.

This is a story of two women weighed down by personal baggage. Kayla struggles to allow herself to be happy while Jackie embraces all that life offers, smiling on the outside but emotionally guarded. I enjoyed watching these two dance the dance in the early stages of their relationship. Opposites do attract. Kayla is cautious to a fault and Jackie is patient. It was interesting watching Kayla begin to emerge from her shell under the loving attention of Jackie only to have Jackie shut down when faced with adversity.

This is an okay read with more telling than showing thanks to a lot of inner dialogue on the part of the mains. We are told there are sparks between the two but I didn’t feel the connection. The relationship didn’t have enough time to build before it was torn apart. I understand what the author was aiming for, damaged souls finding each other, recognizing that we have different triggers and different responses to those triggers but it all felt a little flat.

eARC received from publisher via NetGalley

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars for me

This is the second book I have read by Donna Ford and it was pretty good. The characters were likable enough although frustrating. I will say that the beginning if the book was actually really good and I thought it was going in one direction but ended up not going in the direction I had hoped...maybe that's why I rated it the way I did. There's not a lot of angst per se but maybe lack of real communication. At one point I got pretty frustrated with Jackie always saying she didnt want to talk about the her past when it's obvious to everyone including her that the past is still very much haunting her. And I was a bit confused about Kayla's past and how that played such a significant role. Anyway, I would have liked more time with the mom in the picture and the after effect of Mike but alas that is not so. This is very much a romance and it's a pretty decent one. I dont know if I didnt have credits on my account toward books if I would splurge on this one but I dont regret the buy and I did enjoy it. Better than a 3 but not quite good enough for a 4 star.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so this was my kind of a book. Very sweet romance with an interesting plot that had me hooked. I liked both characters, Jackie did come on strong initially but really found myself enjoying her as I continued to read. I really liked Kayla from the start I liked her calm strong character.

I really enjoyed how this romance was built and you could just feel the connection on a deeper level between the two. I loved how both had struggled throughout the relationship but found the communication was really good and felt they both were upfront and honest. It was actually really refreshing to read a book with some good drama but found that the character continued to be strong facing their fears and level headed throughout the whole process.

Really enjoyed it would recommend to anyone.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Danni Mladenovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The copy provided by NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books Inc. in exchange for an honest review*

Kayla and Jackie, seemingly two very different women, find themselves very drawn to each other. Each of them has their own reason why not to enter this relationship, because they have troubled past, but it seems they can't help themselves. Both Kayla and Jackie are beautifully written, very real characters, not perfect and yet so mature, so it was a great joy to read a book with such characters.
I loved this book! I have to admit I haven't read anything from this author before, but this book is surely the reason why I will read other books she wrote.

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic combination of the “quiet girl/player” and the “opposites attract” theme, but with an unusual and serious sub plot.



Kayla is a therapist, open hearted and caring but badly damaged by previous loss, she would love to settle down with a life partner, but is too hurt to consider looking. Jackie is the big brash confident and extrovert player.. except underneath it all is a woman scarred by childhood abuse.



When they quite literally collide the attraction is immediate, but Kyla runs a mile. She may think, wistfully, of the attractive woman she met, but she wont allow herself to make that call. Fate, however, has different plans, throwing them back together when Kyla needs a PT after a violent encounter, and the stage is set for a rather tumultuous relationship.



Kayla and Jackie are complex women with recognisable strengths and weaknesses but both wracked by their own fears. As usual Donna K. Ford has created real life women with classic characters that are people we can believe in and relate too. Their fears shape their behaviour and are founded on solid life experiences we can all empathise with.



The main subplot to the romance, of Kayla’s colleague Jen’s problem marriage and drug addicted husband, provides both the action that re-connects the main characters and the cause of their subsequent estrangement. At the same time Jackie is searching for her mum, or at least information about her, and the plot themes intertwine as the story progresses.



The issues of abuse, violence and addiction threads its way through the novel and grounds the romance into something more serious. While the romance remains the core story, the impact of addiction and violence on both women, and Jen and Jackie’s mum, is dealt with strongly as you would expect from Ford, who always intertwines a serious sub plot with her traditional romances.




Well written and expertly handled, the sub plots deepen the emotional integrity of the characters. The romance is slow moving, and the internal dialogue plays an important role, but while there is a lot of angst, it is well founded and well portrayed within the complex emotions of abuse survival.



I always enjoy Donna K Ford’s writing style and the balance she achieves between romance and the more serious issues she tackles, making them feel real for the characters rather than a bolt on for effect. Definitely on my recommended list this is a slow burn and thoughtful read that also has some seriously hot encounters.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

The main story in this book is a romance between Kayla and Jackie. On the surface, the two women are opposites but player Jackie finds herself wanting a relationship and Kayla gradually allows herself to develop feelings for Jackie. I have to admit that I struggled to get into this book and I felt that the central romance became monotonous after a while.

The romance between Kayla and Jackie is slow. Really slow. The story has been told before but maybe not with such intense, reflective characters. There is a lot of angst in this book, a great deal of talking and all the usual miscommunications are here as well. I found the romance plotline a little tedious.

Part of the reason I failed to engage with the romance is that I didn’t warm to either Kayla or Jackie. Kayla is a little bit colourless. Jackie is a lesbian cliche and I didn’t feel she ever became more than a reformed playgirl. Both of these women feel like types rather than unique, interesting women and consequently I failed to fully invest in their story.

There are a few subplots intended to add interest to this story. The first one didn’t work for me. Heather is introduced as a competing love interest for Kayla. Heather’s behaviour (especially in a professional workplace) isn’t terribly believable. And her existence seemed to bring out the worst in A both Jackie and Kayla. A second subplot about domestic abuse manages to add depth to the story and reveals Jackie and Kayla at their best - both as professionals and as people. Like the Heather storyline, it feels exaggerated and sensational but it does add a layer of suspense to this story.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Donna K. Ford has written another winner!

Sweet story about two solitary women, both with good hearts and emotional scars. Kayla takes the path of keeping her heart and body safe. Jackie is a rebel who loves a good time. When they meet, Kayla is cautious and shut's Jackie down, but an unexpected event brings these two characters back together.

There is an abusive husband of Kayla's best friend Jen. This leads to a lot of tension in the book. But it is also a real situation that a lot of people sadly have to navigate.

Overall is a sweet story about maturity, forgiveness, compassion, and LOVE! I adore Donna K Ford and she truly brings back romance!

ARC provided by netgallery for an honest review.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a romance novel. The two main characters are Kayla McCormick and Jackie Phillips. Kayla is a very conservative, quiet counselor and Jackie is a co-owner of a physical therapy business. Jackie is not looking for a long-term relationship and enjoys a very active social life. They meet at a club and have a nice evening of dancing, but Kayla is not looking for a relationship either. Jen, a colleague of Kayla, is a supporting character in this book and plays a rather major role in how Jackie and Kayla end up in a relationship.

The theme is not a new one. The first half of the book deals with Kayla and Jackie meeting and how they eventually get together. The second half of the book involves their handling of a variety of problems.

I felt the book was like a series of short stories thrown together to make a novel. As a result, it seemed disjointed. Usually, Donna Ford’s books are very tight, smooth novels, but “Unbroken” is just an average Ford romance.

I rate this book a 3 stars out of 5.

I was given this ARC in return for a fair and honest review.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This book was a great read about how addiction and ghosts in our closets can impact our lives. It was great to see Jackie and Kayla come together even with the adversity standing in between them. This is a quick and deep romance, enjoy.

[Cindy Stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jackie has been a player for a long time, satisfied with one-night stands, convinced she’s not made for relationships. The book opens with one of those encounters and Jackie’s sudden realization that she’s not getting the satisfaction out of these sexual relationships that she once did. On an outing with her work friends, she meets Kayla, a therapist who dates infrequently and is very cautious about getting involved with anyone, especially thrill seekers like Jackie. Over the course of the book, the relationship develops when the two meet up unexpectedly.

This is a very well written romance that deals with the difficult issues of the effects of childhood abuse and addiction. While Jackie’s emotional arc is significant, Kayla also has some changes to go through. I recommend this book although I wish the author had chosen to describe Kayla as well as she did Jackie. (Actual rating is 4.5 stars)

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of two people not realizing that when you hurt, it is best to not make the journey through life alone. Friendship and even love is a good thing. Jackie Phillips and Kayla McCormick both thought they had found their way to deal with the pain life has dealt them. Although the story layout seemed familiar because of the opposites attract theme, there was much to like about Kayla. What a warm and genuine person. Her interaction and support of her friend Jen is wonderful. She will be placed in a list of one of my most likable leading ladies.

Read provided by BoldStrokes via NetGalley.

[Jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally, I enjoy reading Donna K Ford. However, this book plodded along very slowly for me. The characters were likable enough, but kept circling the same issues for large portions of the book as opposed to moving the plot forward. At least, the writing itself was good.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

* I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed this read. I found both the central protagonists to be down-to-earth individuals. Even when facing their insecurities and fears, they handled them like other well-adjusted people in the real world -- with victories and setbacks in equal measure. This made them likeable and relatable.

I liked it that the author showed the characters' strengths and flaws, and how they complement each other and how they deal with the world at large. I also liked it that there were well-fleshed out secondary characters with a subplot of their own.

I'm not rating this book any more than 3-3.5 stars because while I liked the characters, I found the setting to be too 'domesticated', and thus, a little lackluster. That said, not all stories have to be high drama, and many relationships in fact do center around such a setting as in the story. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel that Kayla and Jackie's relationship could do with a little more spice. Still, a good read.

[isa Simonet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book but not my preferred from this author

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rec'd an ARC from NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books in exchange for an honest review. A beautiful romance with some angst. Kayla and Jackie, each burdened by their past, fight their attraction to one another. Skillfully written. I look forward to more of Ms. Ford's books.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had all of the right components- strong likable characters , a good story and good development but there was something about it that I just couldn't get completely into the story. At times it felt a little repetitive and the struggle the two main characters had was a little too much hinted at without actually saying what the struggle is.

*i received a ARC from netgalley and the publisher for an honest review*

[Chand · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book. Right from the beginning there was too much telling that even the first interaction between the protagonists at the bar felt forced. Didn't have the courage to go on reading.