Jagged Pill

Broken Lives #3

by Marita A. Hansen

What was happening couldn’t be real. I couldn’t be on the run from the police and gang members. I was, or had been, a strait-laced high school teacher.

Nor could I be sitting next to one of my students, a boy from my English class. And he definitely couldn’t be the love of my life, since I was married.

But it was all very real.

I was in love with Dante Rata, a teenage gang member from the wrong side of town. I’d ruined my marriage for him. Destroyed my career for him. Left my safe middle-class world behind, risking my freedom, and even my life, just to be with him.

And despite all of that, I was living my happily-ever...

For now.

Because when the after part came, I would lose everything.

Including Dante.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Forbidden Love, Contemporary Romance, High School

ebook

Published April 29, 2017

About the author

SOME FACTS ABOUT ME:

I'm a New Zealander from Auckland, with dual citizenship (NZ and Croatia). I've also lived in Kerikeri, Singapore and Papua New Guinea.

CAREER PATH: I started off as a Graphic Designer, then went to Auckland University, where I got a BA degree in Art History and Italian Studies and a post-graduate Honors degree in Art History. I worked in the Art History field, then became a full-time artist, doing commissions. I eventually lost all of my senses and gave it up to be a self-published writer, publishing my first book in 2011. Though, earlier in 2023 I returned to art, shelving being a writer since book pirates made it impossible to earn a living from my work, excessively pirating my books. They basically broke my spirit. However, a very nice reader spurred me on to try again, so I'm attempting to revive my writing career.

BAD HABITS: I'm a major procrastinator, I stay up way too late, and I get distracted far too easily unless it's doing something I love. My mind never stops racing, can't turn ADHD off.

SPORTS: As a teenager my favourite sports were karate, badminton, and running. I also did unarmed combat and played in a touch rugby team (my gym teacher made me do the last one!) As an adult, I've couched soccer and have completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and one 30K run, though I stick to the gym now, hanging up my running shoes.

STATUS: Married to my high school sweetheart (which he hates me calling him). We have two kids.

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marita-A-Han...

Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2! Jagged Pill, book 3 of 4. Dante & Clara’s ultra-forbidden & reckless affair is tested!

Books in Broken Lives series should be read in order:
Book 1: Broken English
Book 2: Shattered Poetry
Book 3: Jagged Pill
Book 4: Love Drunk

The Broken Lives series follows student, drug dealer and poet, Dante Ivan Rata from the age of fifteen into adulthood as he copes with family, life, school, drugs, women, sex and more sex. Born and raised into violence, drugs, gangs and crime, but underneath the rough exterior is a complex and reflective young man marred by the devastation of murder, helplessness of drug addiction and unspeakable secrets.

In book 1-2 Dante met his new English teacher, Clara Freja Hatton, Mrs. Hatton. They were off to a rough start dealing with schoolwork and boundaries while both fighting an intense and forbidden attraction… and a cocky Dante set out to seduce his teacher.

Jagged Pill, book 3 is, to date, the darkest part of their story dealing with the aftermath of scandal and tragedy. Though their reckless romance is burning strong their affair is set on a downward spiral; A love doomed from the beginning. As a bonus, we also get the developing scorching hot m/m affair between Dante’s father, Tane and Killer.



This is the part of story where Dante Ivan Rata grows into a man from cocky, uninhibited, self-sabotaging, reckless, brave, volatile, unpredictable, vulnerable, blunt and broken teenager. His uncanny beauty still a blessing, but mostly a curse.



Clara Freja Hatton, Mrs. Hatton’s life both ended and begun the moment she met Dante. Six words to describe Clara: Caring, reflective, naïve, immature, misguided and meek.

Jagged Pill, told from multiple POVs, is another tumultuous chapter in a forbidden, impossible yet inevitable love. It ends as explosively as it started. I cannot wait to read book 4, Love Stoned for the conclusion of their epic saga.

Addicting! Forbidden! Reckless! Tragic! Inevitable! !

***
Hero: ★★★★★++
Heroine: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★+
Sexual tension: ★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★
Story ending: N/A
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | HIGH FOCUS |
Humor: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Kink: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Romance: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | MEDIUM FOCUS |



Thank you to the shhluts on Shh… for our ARC(F)BR this week: https://goo.gl/5jJJA9

ARC provided to me by author Marita Hansen in exchange for an honest review.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ Stars.Loved it.One of my top reads this year.

Life was hard.It had no smooth edges,only rough ones,like a jagged pill.It cut our throats on the way down,making us bleed out one moment,then soar to the heavens the next.It was a paradox,something we either swallowed down or choked on.

This is the third book in the series and definitely my favourite.This series just gets better and better.I'm keeping this review deliberately vague,plot wise.....because you really don't want any indication about what's going to happen....trust me.




Told from three Pov's....Clara,Dante,and Tane (yes,Tane....more of him later ),the story picks up straight from where book two ended.Dante and Clara find themselves on the run and are forced to go into hiding after their relationship became public knowledge while Tane is faced with dealing with the aftermath of events from the previous book.

I didn't really like Clara much in book two but I've done a massive U turn here.Yes,her actions might have been wrong but I really felt for her here.It's a bit like watching a head on collision in slow motion....you can see what is going to happen but you can't quite believe it.

While this story/series is primarily about Dante and Clara we also get an insight into Tane's life and to say I was happy about this is an understatement.
Tane....happy sigh,I mean a really happy sigh.Every time I saw a chapter was from his Pov I'm sure I had a huge smile on my face....

He is an unapologetic,manwhore,sex god,I honestly couldn't get enough of the man.As we know,from previous books Killer has got quite a thing for him-even breaking into his house to watch him sleep.But Tane's as straight as an arrow....right??

Either way, Killer had no interest in the bitches eye -fucking him, since the shithead was too busy eye-fucking me. I clenched my hands, white-knuckling it, annoyed with my thoughts more than him. Because I wanted to fuck the shit out of the hot sonofabitch. I didn’t understand why, since I was completely straight. Up until meeting Killer, I’d never been attracted to a bloke before. He was the first and only dude to ever make my prick stand to attention. I just wasn’t willing to do anything about it.(...)


I didn’t answer, his amazing body short-circuiting my brain. Fuck! He was hot. Lean, all muscle, not one ounce of fat on him. I didn’t even fucking care he had a massive package in his briefs, because that body could tempt the straightest guy, and I was fucking straight as an arrow.

Believe me,I'd LOVE to say more about these two men but I'm not.

Marita A. Hansen has created a truly compelling series here.The writing is gritty,the characters are wonderfully flawed and I just can't get enough of this story.

A highly recommended series....

This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: General Fiction/Romantic Suspense
Type: Book 3 of 4 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:




After escaping the mess of the club and the school fallout, Clara Hatton and Dante Rata knew their lives would never be the same again. They thought their love could survive anything, but sometime life forced people to veer off course.

"This ain’t Wera High, this is the real world, where I’m your partner, not a student. So, stop treating me like one.”

Like in previous book, Dante and Clara had to go through plenty of obstacles to keep their relationship alive. However, I feel like I didn't learn anything new about them or their relationship. I wanted something that could make me see them in a different light.

Sex was my drug right now, a taste of ecstasy.

While Dante and Clara are still the main characters in this book, his father Tane also got his own spotlight. And I have to say I mostly prefer his parts especially that there were plenty of scorching scenes. While he might not be a respectable character, I like seeing how much he tried to be a better father to Dante.

"I’ve lost both a brother and a sister this year, and now I feel like I’m losing myself too.”

This book is fast pace - which is something I appreciate with plenty of thing going on that kept my attention. However, I feel like several things that were brought up, but never properly addressed. One of it is an issue that involved a few characters, but more specifically regarding one particular character. It was something significant with the potential of added mystery/suspense, but it felt more like an amusing trivial issue.



Also, there were several scene jumps that gave me a whiplash. I don't have problem with scene jump in general, but in this book some lacking a transition and felt like it came out of nowhere. And even though I like the happenings towards the end, I feel detached due to this issue. This series being a spinoff might also be a contributing factor because I'm not familiar with the original series.

Jagged Pill is the third book of the explosive Broken Lives series. Even with the mentioned issues I had in this one, I'm looking forward to the series conclusion next.

Books in the series:



💔 💊 💔 . . . (F)BR With The Shhluts . . . 💔 💊 💔





For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Lo Bookfrantic · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★★★Stars

Genre: General Fiction/Romantic Suspense 
Type: Book 3 of 4 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person – Multiple

"Life was hard. It had no smooth edges, only rough ones, like a jagged pill. It cut our throats on the way down, making us bleed out one moment, then soar to the heavens the next."

This book opened up so promising with Tane's point of view and I will be honest I freaking had to fan myself so many times with his dirty mouth and Killer. I think their relationship was super-hot and I needed more of them.  Tane is Dante's father you will find him appealing from the beginning of the series. I love that he was so damaged and with his damage mind he was still trying to redeem himself for his family and had to work hard to be there for them after everything bad he had put them through. 

 "I'd let the rest of my family down, but today, I wasn't going to let Dante down."

Dante Rata and Clara Hotton's story continue here. I honestly was hoping for something different and sadly I ended being annoyed with the both of them.  I liked how the author made Clara suffered and paid for her mistakes. However; I feel we were missing the details of her pain (I know I know I am evil I wanted to actually see it happened haha). Also, we got these two love birds and so much happened here that sometimes I felt I lost the focus on them. By the end of the book I was hoping for deep feels and honestly I was more frustrated and conflicted with the aftermath. 
 

One of my favorite parts of this book was Dante's poem; I felt him on this quote. He truly was looking for his true love and somehow he thought it was not possible.

 

"I didn't give you my heart

Another did

You didn't give him your heart

Because I stole it"

"I was just Clara Hughes. A broken woman who wanted her forever back."

Overall; I liked this third installment of the series I think I enjoyed Tane and Killer better though which I found it conflicting because I really wanted to love Dante and Clara but I just couldn't connect.  I really hope that the last book in the series has more feels I want to be able to connect more with these two characters and feel their pain.  I like that they are now older and hopefully their ending will end up being a great unforgettable love story.  As for Tane and Killer I hope to get more into their hot relationship and that they find their true love as well.  There were some characters I felt sad for and others I wished they were dead (whatever) just saying haha.  For readers looking for a unique story full of turns and twists they have found a great series in the broken lives series.

 

Book Series Order:


★★This was a F(BR) with SHHLUTS★★


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[CC · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the storyline continues without interruption, Dante Rata and Clara Hatton are seeking refuge while all the blowback from their relationship and club affairs settle. During this time, Dante and Clara continue to learn more about each other’s personalities but it also becomes clear how different they are despite their shared love. With Dante’s lifestyle, there are no easy answers but following his heart is all he knows. For Clara, it’s time she must face the repercussions of her decisions despite feeling like her heart is shattering.

“You didn’t give him your heart.
Because I stole it.”

In addition to Dante and Clara, the plot parallels the experiences of Tane Rata, Dante’s father. In previous books, there was hinting that one of their fellow club members named Painkiller was attracted to a very straight but highly sexed Tane and getting more of these two was pure catnip. Tane is a hard man who lives a harder life by choice and lot. Upon Killer’s advances, Tane is resistant but the chemistry between these two is combustible and what ensues is hot and unrestrained!

“Some chicks pushed back, some rode the hell out of me, but with Killer, he didn’t just push back, he owned my cock.”

Getting a more in depth feel for Tane is definitely welcome, especially how he is trying to do right by Dante and his club. With the loss of his best friend and a club that is in the midst of war, Tane accepts who he is and doesn’t hold back in any way. As for Killer, he is a complicated character as well and hopefully more will be revealed about him.

With a swift pace full of action, there is never a lull in these characters’ lives. As time elapses, Dante is older but hasn’t broken completely free of his own demons. However, the image of a slightly more mature Dante along with his possible career path just adds to his sex appeal. Hopefully as his story progresses, his heart will heal as well.

Getting into the minds of these characters felt effortless as Marita Hansen lures the reader with her realistic storytelling skills. Feeling the weight of their problems, there is never an easy way for Dante or Tane but they still persevere. As for Clara, her resolve is continues to be tested in unexpected ways.

For me, Jagged Pill felt like two distinct parts with a separate focus on Dante and Clara and then Tane and Killer. While there was some progression with Dante and Clara, it paled to Tane’s story and POV. Perhaps, it’s because this series is a spinoff, but I wanted more of an emotional pull for Dante’s situation and Clara’s choices. As for Tane, that man is sex on a stick and I couldn’t get enough of him. In rating this book, I would assign 3 stars to Dante and Clara and 4 stars to Tane and Killer.

Being fully invested in the Broken Lives series, I am looking forward to the final conclusion in Love Stoned. For those who enjoy being immersed in a tumultuous world with characters that stretch morality, I recommend Jagged Pill.



Broken Lives series:




*A gratis copy was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.*



*This was an ARC (F)BR with the Shhluts!





For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Myla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the continuation of Dante and Clara's forbidden affair. The fear of being caught is ever present, particularly to Clara since she's the adult in this relationship, although at some point, I question her maturity.

In this book, we got to see more of Dante's dad Tane and his "attraction" to Killer and vice-versa. The scene between these two in undeniably hot! I'm intrigued about the "personality change" of Killer when he became Pain. What triggered him to be Pain or Killer? Because Tane is also confused who's in front of him and so am I.

I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this series and I'm curious to know after all they have been through in this book, will there be a happy ending to Dante & Clara?

***Note: ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Marita Hansen]

Who I think Killer looks like (Carlos Freire):



Here's a bite of Tane Rata's POV, It's from JAGGED PILL (Broken English #3) He's Dante's father. Though, please note these are unedited lines. I'm just popping them up because I was asked for a teaser:

I snatched up my keys and wallet, knowing I had fuck all in it. Which meant I had to find a female dealer, so I could pay with the only currency I had—sex.

I went to grab my bike helmet, but stopped as the bedroom door opened. Killer emerged from it, looking half-asleep. His eyes were also a touch bloodshot, probably from crying. He’d gone straight to his room after we’d come back from the hospital, too upset to talk.

He ran a hand through his mussed-up brown hair. He was practically naked, the briefs he was wearing barely covering his junk. His gaze landed on the helmet in my hand, his expression going from half-asleep to wide awake within the blink of an eye.

“You’re leaving?” he said, looking upset.

I didn’t answer, his amazing body short-circuiting my brain. Christ! He was hot. Lean, all muscle, not one ounce of fat on him. I didn’t even care he had a massive package in his briefs, because that body could temp the straightest guy, and I was fucking straight as an arrow.

“Answer me!” he yelled, red blazing across his bronzed cheeks.

I turned to leave, just needing to get the hell away from him, because this attraction to Killer wasn’t right. Not right at all.

[Mirjam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life was hard. It had no smooth edges, only rough ones, like a jagged pill. It cut our throats on the way down, making us bleed out one moment, then soar to the heavens the next. It was a paradox, something we either swallowed down or choked on.

Jagged Pill is the 3rd installment in the Broken Lives Series and starts where Shattered Poetry ended with Dante & Clara on the run and Tane bailing out Killer from kissing a cop.



While I loved Dante & Clara’s struggles to be together in the previous book, in this one I could not connect with them. The time they spent up north dragged a bit. I hope we get to read more about Marino & China in the next book, or is it really done for them?

Throughout the time Dante & Clara are hiding out and thoroughly getting to know each other, Tane is left to handle the aftermath of the horrors from the attack. Trying to honor Hemi, Tane takes care of Jasper and Killer.



Taking care of Killer proves more difficult than he thought. I wanted to fuck the shit out of the hot sonofabitch. I didn’t understand why, since I was completely straight. As a fucking arrow.
I loved the dynamic between Tane and Killer, enjoyed their banter, Tane’s denial and his ultimate surrender. I’m looking forward to them having their own book or novella, since I feel that there are some issues that need to be addressed and dealt with.

Jagged Pill is told from different POV’s alternating between Dante, Clara & Tane. It’s fast paced which I appreciated very much but a lot happens in the war between the Skin & Devil’s Crew and blood is flowing freely. Even a unsuspected character from the previous book makes an appearance and does some very surprising things.

The book ends nine years later with Dante being a 24 years old grown up and I am very much looking forward to book 4.



He was the man I loved. And would always love. But I had to resist him. Because he wasn’t mine to love anymore. No matter how much I wanted him to be my forever.



This book is part of the Broken Lives Series and has to be read in order:




ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

by author Marita A. Hansen.

[Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Tane and Killer’s chapters were definitely my favorite, I loved seeing them together, the push and pull of their burgeoning relationship. There were definitely some hot scenes between the two, and I liked that we got to see more of Tane. Clara and Dante's chapters were not as enjoyable for me. The both of them continued to be immature and knowing this was the last book for them during this time in their lives, I had hoped they'd grow up a bit during this story.

But who would protect me from him?

I do have to say I did love the ending, it was nearly perfect in my opinion. I haven't read the Behind the Lives series yet, so I couldn't be certain about the type of ending that was coming but I had a hunch and I think it was a good ending for the characters at this point.

There's definitely a lot of craziness in these books, if you think the characters are maxed out on participating in, or having insane things done to them, you're wrong. I've learned to always be prepared for more craziness around the corner. Aside from not enjoying Dante and Clara's story as much as I'd hoped there were a few other issues I had with the story.

Life was hard…It was a paradox, something we either swallowed down or choked on.

I felt like Tane and Killer's POV were added in lieu of a fully developed Clara/Dante story and the result seemed to shortchange all the characters. I'm not a big fan of time jumps, and there were quite a few toward the end of the story. If those scenes had been further explored it could have made for a more emotional read. I understand why the time jumps were necessary here but I would have liked fewer, or more time adjusting to each shift.

**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book

(F)BR with the Shhluts!

[Timitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3.5 Stars

I'm very conflicted on how to rate Jagged Pill on one hand I enjoyed things about it, like Tane and Killer, provided I didn't love everything that went down between them but I was fully invested in them and their story while on the other hand I wasn't as invested in Dante and Clara which is weird since they're the main characters. I felt like Clara was immature so was Dante but he acted more mature than her. I also found it a bit repetitious. That said I am interested to see how this all ends.


ARC provided by author in exchange for a honest review

[Chesca (thecrownedpages)]

BLURB POSTED! BLURB POSTED! Check out the book's page!

[Kay (❦ ᴗ ❦ ✿) BooksandMe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating:

“Because he wasn't mine to love anymore. No matter how much I wanted him to be my forever.”

This book has gutted me.

I've read this book, actually a BR with the Shhluts, sometime back, but I couldn't really put myself into adding more words to what my first sentence is. I've struggled and pushed myself everyday to write it but I am not sure of my feelings and my thoughts. So rather than continue being vague, here is a run down of my thoughts and sorry if it will probably be more vague or will be chaotic for you.

I love the taboo side of the series. Although Teacher-Student trope is kind of something I try to avoid, there are still exceptions that makes me fall in love with it. The first and second book had sucked my soul and consumed me, my love for Dante and Kara undeniable and their struggle with themselves and the people around them, without so much as a respite nor a foreseeable future for them makes a good conflict and such is the reason why I've loved it so.

Jagged Pill started so promising with Tane's (Dante's father) POV and seriously, I was at a loss at first, but nevertheless, I didn't mind because OMG Tane! He made a serious impact and his character just screams to be noticed. However, much as welcoming as his POV is, I felt I'd rather read a separate book for him. It's because the transition to Dante was hard, when all my thoughts and emotions are clamoring for more Tane and Killer.

I actually have no qualms with time jumps, but the events leading to that moment feels like a whirlwind that I am just being carried by the currents and it was hard for me to keep up but that I still does somehow, and then bam! Just like that! The emotions, the gravity of the situation, my conflicting thoughts and wants of whose POV I'd like to read was just too much for me that suddenly I felt detached and lost and just at that moment where I don't know what to feel or think.

I felt frustrated because all my feels was for Kara, and damn, I was in that what-in-the-ever-loving-fuck just happened.

I think I just made myself more confused with my emotions. But one thing is for sure, I need the next book for this because I cannot be left with that ending! And seriously, I needed Tane and Killer's story more than ever!


Books in the series:


ღ . ღ .ღ. (F) BR with the Shhluts! .ღ. ღ . ღ




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[EMILY · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW THAT WAS A ROLLERCOASTER OF EVENTS AND EMOTIONS. MARITA HAS DONE IT AGAIN WITH THE THIRD BOOK IN BROKEN LIVES SERIES.
WITH THE DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEWS I HAD A HARD TIME TO RELAX BECAUSE IN EVERY CHAPTER SOMETHING SHOCKING WOULD HAPPEN. I CAN DEFINITELY SAY THAT I DIDNT SEE ANY OF THAT COMING WHICH IS A GOOD THING FOR THE ANTICIPATION.
PAINKILLER AND TANE WERE SO LOVELY. I ENJOYED EVERY SCENE. A PERFECT SPIN OFF IN MY OPINION.
DURING THE LAST CHAPTERS I CAN SAY THAT I WAS SAD BUT NOT DISAPPOINTED WITH THE OUTCOME BECAUSE I TRUST MARITA AND I AM SURE THAT THE LAST BOOK WILL BE EVEN BETTER THAN THE PREVIOUS .THOUGH IT BROKE MY HEART FOR CLARA SHE HAS GONE THROUGH SO MANY EMOTIONAL MOMENTS BUT THIS ONE WAS THE MOST DEVASTATING.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!!

[Marah · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I loved Dante and Clara's Pov's in Jagged Pill, Tane was my favorite in this particular story. He's such a complex character. He's brutally raw and intense. What I loved most about Tane's character is the fact that he isn't perfect nor do he claim to be. He's man enough to recognize his strengths and weaknesses. He doesn't try to sugarcoat his mistakes, he owns them.

I liked how the author let the reader’s journey through Tane's eyes, letting us get to know him as a character. After all, he's the father of Dante. We got to know Tane's character on such a personal level and the writing that went into creating his character was beautifully done. I fell in love with him, I could easily see why the author had so much fun delving into Tane's character.

What also made Tane my favorite from Jagged Pill was his fascinating relationship with Killer. Killer is Hemi's younger mentally unstable brother. The sexual chemistry between Tane and Killer was exceedingly hot in my opinion. I just loved the way these two just clashed, their roughness gave me chills. Killer has always been attracted\in love with Tane, and Tane is in denial about his feelings for Killer. Tane goes through a struggle, he's struggling with the fact that he might not be straight, that he could in fact be gay.

I just adored the love that Tane and Dante share for one another. Tane is very protective of his son and Dante is the same when it comes to his father. Dante is still suffering from the war that happened between his dad's gang and the Devil's Crew. He's still mourning the death of Hemi as well as being scared for Jasper, who is still recovering from his gunshot wound.

Even though Clara and Dante are finally a couple, they are still dealing with issues with themselves as well with one another. The relationship between Clara and Dante has never been an easy one, no matter how much these two love one another. It doesn't matter if they run away to stay with other members of Dante's family, their problems continue to follow them wherever they go. Dante and Clara are always fighting to be together and it is no different in Jagged Pill.

Jagged Pill by Marita A. Hensen was a great read and I loved it. I didn't want it to end. It was well-written, so much so I was sad about the ending but also hopeful about what is in store next for Dante and Clara. I won't give it away, but for my Dante and Clara lovers, our forbidden couple are giving a reset and I think this unexpected dynamic is going to make us fall in love with them even more than the first time around.

[Dirty Dayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Broken Lives series.. that I have literally inhaled. I think as time goes by this book gets better and it could be the author also maturing. This book goes in all the places you never expected and it touches all the delicious taboo notes.
1. We know there is a student teacher affair
2. We know Dante is below the legal age of consent (pedophilia in essence)
3. Tane and Killer become loves which is both MM and taboo since its not fully accepted especially since they are different ranks in the gang.
4. We have rape/incest from aunt to child
5. We even have a doctor who wants her patient… but is she really a doctor?
This book continues the first taboo and puts the couple in more risk areas and a different city….but we don’t see them at a better or different light.. if anything taboo #2 keeps screaming its ugly head at me.. but Dante’s poetry is so perfect

"I didn't give you my heart

Another did

You didn't give him your heart

Because I stole it"

But what we do get is a different look at Tane, Dante’s father, and he is more than that dad off sleeping around.. he becomes a person… and has HAWT dirty sex scenes..but we also hurt and feel for him and what he is gone through.
“Some chicks pushed back, some rode the hell out of me, but with Killer, he didn’t just push back, he owned my cock.”


Let me just keep thinking of Tane’s POV in this.. its probably my favorite POV in the whole series and I never even thought I needed it!
The book was filled with new characters, adventures , obstacles, deaths and changes that at times made me super bored and other times had my full attention. Initially when I read this book I thought I was reading 2 books. But what I now feel I read was 2 book and 2 spinoffs.
1.We have Dante and Clara
2. Tane and Killer(Painkiller)
3. That entire family away from Wera High
4. A completely different level of emotion portion that ended with He was the man I loved. And would always love. But I had to resist him. Because he wasn’t mine to love anymore. No matter how much I wanted him to be my forever.
And since my two favorite moments are line 2 and 4 I cannot wait for book 4.

I would say the addition of Tane and the ending of this book made the book a 4 overall and without it I think the rating would have been a 2. I just know book 4 is going to be my favorite one… I think the entire series has gotten better with every turn of the page

[Nairi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this third book better than the first one.....don't get me wrong, I liked them all for all the reasons I explained in my review for Broken English! But I really loved this one because I wanted more of Tane and, boy, did I get some........His turn to Killer was not as unexpected, since I rooted for them to get together!
And , while I didn't like Clara in the 1st book, thinking it all wrong, what she went through somehow redeemed her in my eyes! I know, it's fiction, but I got a bit judgemental when it came to her!
So, Jagged Pill picks up on the plot where the 2nd book left but it all happens in a short amount of time and, at times, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the abundance of talk and events! Clara and Dante are on the run but the rolling ball of bad turns gets to everyone! Some characters are gone and others spring in the book. Killer, the gorgeous crazy brother of Hemi, was definitely my favourite character along with Tane. But things go from bad to worse in no time and I wonder how much these people can take. A lot, apparently, because on his way to see his father, after having hidden up north, an accident happens and Dante and Clara go on separate ways, forced to stay apart. However, nine years later, Clara and Dante find themselves in the same spot. And my heart goes breaking again for them since nothing has changed when it comes to the women in Dante's life. He still abuses any addiction but hopefully , the fourth book will allow Dante to be loved and taken care of, as he deserves.
So, if I haven't made myself clear yet, don't miss this Broken lives series! It is the best fictional rollercoaster ride of your life!!!!

[Azusa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 star's

[Bubu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ceritanya ribet tapi kece.
Jadi... Harus nunggu berapa lama lagi buat buku ke empat? 😭

[krissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUCKING LOVED IT! Review to come

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget about what you know about our previous student teacher relationship, she goes to jail and he is in an accident that causes him to lose his memory. The mejirity of the book is his fathers story, who is attracted to his biker friend but fights it all the way, until he doesn’t. The most unexpected mm book I’ve read in a long time! Looking forward to more of this crazy couple. They are perfect for each other.

[Viona Zharku]

What the hell????? What the hell???? No. No. No. No way. Why did you do thiiiis????? I neeeed the next book ASAP.

[Carolina Semeria L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro !!!! y recomiendo que lean la serie de behind the lives a partir del 2do. libro están buenisimos, si les gusto Dante, en estos libros no sabrán escoger su personaje favorito, aunque el mío siempre será Dante.

[Tracie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dante and Clara have ran off to the North, 5 hours away, to stay with his cousin to hide away from the DC who still suspect Dante of the McDonald murders. Jasper was shot and is in critical condition. Killer, Hemi’s brother and Jasper’s uncle, needs someone to look after him as he’s extremely distraught and has mental health issues (multiple personalities). Tane volunteers for the job out of loyalty for Hemi. What he doesn’t envision is falling in love with Killer himself. Since the Skins are out of a club, the prez has secured a place for them to stay- at Craven’s nieces mansion- Sierra. In payment, Tane has to be her whore, but he’s still so distraught over Hemi’s death he can’t perform. Sierra drugs Tane which causes him to OD and end up in the hospital. Word gets out to Dante that his dad is in the hospital so he and Clara are on their way back when they’re in a car accident too. This accident leaves Dante in a coma for a few months. When he awakes, he has no recollection of anything since January- including Clara. Clara ends up going to trial and is sentenced to 3 years. When she’s freed, she goes to see Dante and realizes that he still doesn’t know who she is. It’s now 5 years after that and Dante is thrown into rehab. Who is working at this rehab? None other than Clara herself. I’m excited to see where book 4 leads but don’t want this series to be over!

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't quite what I expected. It's written in 3 different point of views and seems to have two storylines, or maybe it's one with a subplot. Though I would've thought that Dante's and Clara's would be  the main one, I felt like it was Tane's. His story had my attention, it pulled me in more than his son's. Tane is a character that demands your attention. I actually found myself skipping chapters to read his. At at least for the first half. The second half picks up and focus a bit more on Dante and Clara. The last few chapters fast forward a few years. We get a glimpse of Dante as a man. Looking forward to reading about him.

Jagged Pill is well written, filled with broken and a bit dysfunctional characters. It was a joy and sometimes frustrating reading about them.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karma has come for Clara, in the form of the rival gang/cops. Dante and Clare escape up to his family up north to lie low from the DC but that ends up being all for naught. Running back to Auckland because Dante's dad was drugged and in the hospital, Dante and Clara are in a serious car accident and Dante is in a coma and Clara meets her maker...the cops.

Tane and Killer/Pain explore themselves in this book and that was a yummy little something something. Those two are seriously f*ck up, and getting to 'perv' in on their doings was an interesting treat.

Guess we'll find out in the next book how Clara fares in prison and if Dante will come out of accident with any lasting issues...

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite

I enjoyed the first 2 in this series not this one. Clara was not sounding like she was older than Dante but younger sometimes to me. Also possible spoilers.........



I understand that I was worned about the sex in the book and having M/m, but since this was to be about Dante and Clara I expected some more sex scenes with them. The description of the m/m was not my cup of tea.

I will still read the next story and others books by this author, I just didn't enjoy this one as much.

[Eva Bold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terminei esse livro sem chão.... como vou fazer para esperar a continuação. O livro 3 na minha opinião foi o melhor da série... amei o relacionamento homo que surgiu na trama, literalmente me deixou de ressaca.

[mejmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tane and Killer <3 They stole the limelight for me in this story, and I'm not complaining one bit!

I hope they get their own story some day soon... :)