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Broken Lives #4
Love Drunk
Dante walked back into my life like he’d never left it.
But he had.
Nine long years had passed since I’d been thrown into prison for loving Dante Rata.
Nine torturous years where he’d forgotten all about me, about us, the car accident robbing me of his love.
Though, his dark eyes told me he wanted to remember—and in ways I wasn’t sure I could handle. He was no longer the boy I fell in love with. He was a man. Tall, imposing, tattooed, and so damn hot he left me a quivering mess every time I saw him.
And I wanted him with every fibre of my soul, a soul he’d shattered so long ago.
But would he be able to piece it back together again, or leave me broken, wishing I’d never met him?
But he had.
Nine long years had passed since I’d been thrown into prison for loving Dante Rata.
Nine torturous years where he’d forgotten all about me, about us, the car accident robbing me of his love.
Though, his dark eyes told me he wanted to remember—and in ways I wasn’t sure I could handle. He was no longer the boy I fell in love with. He was a man. Tall, imposing, tattooed, and so damn hot he left me a quivering mess every time I saw him.
And I wanted him with every fibre of my soul, a soul he’d shattered so long ago.
But would he be able to piece it back together again, or leave me broken, wishing I’d never met him?
ebook
Published March 7, 2018
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About the author
Marita A. Hansen
100 books855 followersSOME 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...
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...
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April 11, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Love Drunk, book 4 of 4. Dante & Clara’s cross paths nine years later!
“Fuck, you’re wet,” he said. “Maybe I can finger fuck you instead, cos I don’t really wanna taste my cum.”
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 1-3 Dante met his new English teacher, Clara Freja Hughes(-Hatton), Mrs. Hatton. They were off to a rough start dealing with schoolwork and boundaries while both fighting an intense and forbidden attraction… Book 1 was their forbidden affair, book 2 their impossible love, book 3 the fall and penance and book 4 the long road back.
Love Drunk, book 4 opens up after nine years of separation. It’s a rebirth of friendship, lust and their against-all-odds love on the long road of truth, forgiveness and healing while faced with danger, jealousy, vengeance and traitors.
“I swallowed at the sight of his cock hanging between his powerful thighs, Dante beyond impressive. Although it was soft, he was even bigger than what I’d remembered. He’d not only grown in height and muscle, but in girth and length.”
Dante Ivan Rata has captivated me from the start. He is still a combination of blunt and vulnerable, but also immature for his age. Seven words to describe him: cocky, uninhibited, self-sabotaging, reckless, volatile, unpredictable and unforgettable. His uncanny beauty still a blessing, but mostly a curse.
Clara Freja Hughes’ life both ended and begun the moment she met Dante. Six words to describe Clara: Caring, reflective, naïve, immature, misguided and meek.
Love Drunk, told from multiple POVs, is rich on drama, unique characters and dialogue. And it’s the suspenseful whirlwind conclusion to Dante and Clara’s impossible, yet inevitable love.
“Camera flashes went off, everything so fucking bright...”
***
Hero: ★★★★1/2
Heroine: ★★★★
Plot: ★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★1/2
Sexual tension: ★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★1/2
Story ending: ★★★★
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Darkness: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Humor: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Kink: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | HIGH FOCUS |
Thank you to the shhluts on Shh… for our ARC(F)BR this week: Timitra, Dayna, Myla, warhawke, Mer, CC, Loyda & Lu Reads
ARC provided to me by author Marita Hansen in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2018
Genre: Romance
Type: Book 4 of 4 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
It's been nine years since Clara Hughes' world turned upside down. She left her old life while slowly picking up the pieces. As a counselor at a rehab center, she enjoyed her job and the daily routine, until her past threatened the quiet stability.
Dante Rata was the boy who changed everything. Now he's all man and sinfully so. With his talents and good looks, he was on the fast track to stardom. But before that could happen he must face his demons or risk destroying his future.
I absolutely love Dante in book 1. His irreverence and playfulness, paired with his vulnerabilities were what charmed me. Now as an adult he was still as playful as ever. The things that came out of his mouth were highly entertaining. However, I wish by now he would evolve when it comes to his vulnerabilities because it started to feel redundant.
I like how we get to see snippets of Clara's trying time. Seeing her regrets and accepting responsibilities, helped made her understandable. But there were times when her "innocence" was out of place with what she had been through.
What I like the most about this book (and series) is the characters have difficult but interesting lives. I also appreciate the amount of diversity it has. Unfortunately, towards the end of the book I feel the story lost its focus and I had hard time keeping up with what were significant and what were not.
Love Drunk is the conclusion of the dramatic and controversial Broken Lives series. The book and series would appeal to readers looking to immerse themselves into the hard lives of living on the other side of the track.
Book in the series:
💋 ❣ 💋. . . (F)BR With The Shhluts . . . 💋 ❣ 💋
Twinsie CC, Loyda, Mer, SuSu, Timi, Dayna, Myla & Lu!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Book 4 of 4 from Broken Lives series
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
It's been nine years since Clara Hughes' world turned upside down. She left her old life while slowly picking up the pieces. As a counselor at a rehab center, she enjoyed her job and the daily routine, until her past threatened the quiet stability.
Dante Rata was the boy who changed everything. Now he's all man and sinfully so. With his talents and good looks, he was on the fast track to stardom. But before that could happen he must face his demons or risk destroying his future.
"I wanna remember loving someone who didn’t lie or hurt me.”
I absolutely love Dante in book 1. His irreverence and playfulness, paired with his vulnerabilities were what charmed me. Now as an adult he was still as playful as ever. The things that came out of his mouth were highly entertaining. However, I wish by now he would evolve when it comes to his vulnerabilities because it started to feel redundant.
“You moved on with your life, but I never did. You ruined me, not because I got sent to jail, not because of the horrid things people say about me, but because I can’t have you. You ruined me.”
I like how we get to see snippets of Clara's trying time. Seeing her regrets and accepting responsibilities, helped made her understandable. But there were times when her "innocence" was out of place with what she had been through.
What I like the most about this book (and series) is the characters have difficult but interesting lives. I also appreciate the amount of diversity it has. Unfortunately, towards the end of the book I feel the story lost its focus and I had hard time keeping up with what were significant and what were not.
Love wasn’t always enough. I’d learnt that the hard way.
Love Drunk is the conclusion of the dramatic and controversial Broken Lives series. The book and series would appeal to readers looking to immerse themselves into the hard lives of living on the other side of the track.
Book in the series:
💋 ❣ 💋. . . (F)BR With The Shhluts . . . 💋 ❣ 💋
Twinsie CC, Loyda, Mer, SuSu, Timi, Dayna, Myla & Lu!
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
April 5, 2018
4.5
Raw,gritty,edgy,fantastic writing....
Review soon.
Raw,gritty,edgy,fantastic writing....
Review soon.
April 11, 2018
3.5 Stars!
Continuing in the Broken Lives series, nine years have passed in the lives of Dante Rata and Clara Hughes. For Dante, he is on the cusp of a becoming a rockstar with a pending debut record deal but before he can move to the next level, rehab is a requirement. Agreeing to such terms, Dante is ready to move forward and try to cast his demons aside, but nothing is ever straightforward in his life.
Clara is adjusting to her new life as a rehab counselor, and given her record, she is grateful for the opportunity. While she’s paid for her mistakes, her love for Dante hasn’t waned over the years. Not expecting to ever have the chance to see Dante again, it all changes very quickly.
As Dante’s path crosses with Clara, it brings a slough of controversy and causes many feelings to surface. With Clara trying to protect Dante, she tries to keep her distance but Dante continues to make it hard for her. Though his doesn’t have precise memories of his time with Clara, the sensation of a connection is present as he tries to discover the truth. When an unexpected development occurs, Clara and Dante make the decision to help each other despite their vulnerabilities.
Told in dual POV with candid dialogue that propels the plot, circumstances offer twists and challenges that bring Clara and Dante closer. The cast of secondary characters is vast and also full of diversity, which is unique to this series. Tane and Killer were definitely the highlight for me along with L. While others added to the various ongoing peripheral plotlines, I wanted more emphasis on the development of Dante and Clara as a couple and individually, as it started to feel like Dante hadn’t matured nor were the complexity of his issues truly resolved. While this author can certainly craft a multifaceted storyline, this one lost it’s way for me.
Love Drunk and the entire series is about taking responsibility and staying true to one’s beliefs. These characters make many mistakes which makes them human, but above all, their bond to family and friends always prevails.
The Broken Lives series:
💋(F)BR with the Shhluts: Twinsie Hawkey, SueBee, Loyda, Timi, Dayna, Lu, Myla and Mer! 💋
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Continuing in the Broken Lives series, nine years have passed in the lives of Dante Rata and Clara Hughes. For Dante, he is on the cusp of a becoming a rockstar with a pending debut record deal but before he can move to the next level, rehab is a requirement. Agreeing to such terms, Dante is ready to move forward and try to cast his demons aside, but nothing is ever straightforward in his life.
“He continued, “I wanna know everything we did together, and you’re gonna help me remember it all. Cos if I get more memories as good as that one, my life isn’t as shit as I’d thought it wuz.”
Clara is adjusting to her new life as a rehab counselor, and given her record, she is grateful for the opportunity. While she’s paid for her mistakes, her love for Dante hasn’t waned over the years. Not expecting to ever have the chance to see Dante again, it all changes very quickly.
“He was so perfect it made my heart ache, and so beautiful it made my memories stir. In that moment, I could see innocence in him, of the boy I’d fallen in love with.”
As Dante’s path crosses with Clara, it brings a slough of controversy and causes many feelings to surface. With Clara trying to protect Dante, she tries to keep her distance but Dante continues to make it hard for her. Though his doesn’t have precise memories of his time with Clara, the sensation of a connection is present as he tries to discover the truth. When an unexpected development occurs, Clara and Dante make the decision to help each other despite their vulnerabilities.
“Like now. Because he still gave off that aura of vulnerability every time he spoke of his tragic past. It was such a conflicting trait of his, clashing with his intense sexuality, the man a paradox.”
Told in dual POV with candid dialogue that propels the plot, circumstances offer twists and challenges that bring Clara and Dante closer. The cast of secondary characters is vast and also full of diversity, which is unique to this series. Tane and Killer were definitely the highlight for me along with L. While others added to the various ongoing peripheral plotlines, I wanted more emphasis on the development of Dante and Clara as a couple and individually, as it started to feel like Dante hadn’t matured nor were the complexity of his issues truly resolved. While this author can certainly craft a multifaceted storyline, this one lost it’s way for me.
Love Drunk and the entire series is about taking responsibility and staying true to one’s beliefs. These characters make many mistakes which makes them human, but above all, their bond to family and friends always prevails.
The Broken Lives series:
💋(F)BR with the Shhluts: Twinsie Hawkey, SueBee, Loyda, Timi, Dayna, Lu, Myla and Mer! 💋
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
April 10, 2018
Rated 3.5 Stars
Love Drunk continues the saga that is Dante and Clara's story. While I found parts of it enjoyable even funny there were things about it that just did not work for me. Dante's treatment of some of the female characters annoyed me to no end. I disliked the way he spoke to and about them. Another thing that didn't work for me was the immaturity of the characters both main and secondary, their words and actions were more suited to teenagers rather than adults. There's a scene where Tane, Dante's father is taunting a police officer about not getting anymore Rata dick. He's a grown man, I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
Although enjoyable this book just didn't fully work for me.
ARC provided by author in exchange for a honest review
F(BR) with my Shhlutty sisters SueBee, Dayna, Warhawke, Mer, CC, Loyda & Lu Reads
Love Drunk continues the saga that is Dante and Clara's story. While I found parts of it enjoyable even funny there were things about it that just did not work for me. Dante's treatment of some of the female characters annoyed me to no end. I disliked the way he spoke to and about them. Another thing that didn't work for me was the immaturity of the characters both main and secondary, their words and actions were more suited to teenagers rather than adults. There's a scene where Tane, Dante's father is taunting a police officer about not getting anymore Rata dick. He's a grown man, I just couldn't wrap my head around it.
Although enjoyable this book just didn't fully work for me.
ARC provided by author in exchange for a honest review
F(BR) with my Shhlutty sisters SueBee, Dayna, Warhawke, Mer, CC, Loyda & Lu Reads
April 13, 2018
3.5 stars
I liked Dante and Cara a lot more on this book than the last one. I did felt there was a lot more extra characters I wasn't familiar with which made me a bit confused. Overall, I enjoyed the way this ended. I did felt a bit disappointed about how D & C actually got back together, I wished he would have gotten his full memory back before they've gotten together idk I feel that was a big deal for me for him to remember.
Will have full review soon.
Reading next with Shhluts! I'll be the top left with short blonde hair.
I liked Dante and Cara a lot more on this book than the last one. I did felt there was a lot more extra characters I wasn't familiar with which made me a bit confused. Overall, I enjoyed the way this ended. I did felt a bit disappointed about how D & C actually got back together, I wished he would have gotten his full memory back before they've gotten together idk I feel that was a big deal for me for him to remember.
Will have full review soon.
Reading next with Shhluts! I'll be the top left with short blonde hair.
Read
March 8, 2018LOVE DRUNK is now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B9YG9L3/...
July 12, 2018
Dante, now a 24-year old young man who’s in rehab for his alcohol addiction and Clara happens to be one of the counselors. Dante, still, can’t remember who Clara is and what they have shared in the past. Clara, on the other hand, remembers everything about Dante. After all, she went through by loving Dante; it’s a struggle for Clara to forget him. But there’s a scene wherein I admire Clara, and her conviction to let go and move on. But can she move on from the love of her life?
After what Dante and Clara's relationship went through, I couldn't ask for a better of ending. It's raw, riveting and a really engrossing final book! I like how it was written and how it moves, at a steady pace, from one scene to another. One thing I also like about this book is that the story isn't just focused on Dante & Clara. Interesting characters from the previous books also make an appearance, much to my delight. There's also a new "couple" I'd like to have their own story written. I really enjoyed this series, Love Drunk is my favorite part. Marita A. Hansen wrote an epic series that I can recommend to anyone who likes this kind of story.
***(f)FR with the Shh... ladies: SueBee, Timitra, Dayna, Warhawke, Mer, CC, Loyda & Lu Reads
***ARC generously provided by the author for an honest review.
November 7, 2018
3 Rata stars
The ending of a series. The farewell to Dante and Clara. A start of a new future and the ending of a decade. Dante is the perfect Anti-hero.
Book 4 is 9 years after the endinging of book 3.
I think its great we see that Clara was jailed for her crimes
And I also like how Dante had his own life within that 9 years as well.
so what did I dislike
Dante as an adult is described soooo hawt
I also feel book 4…
What I did like:
Dante tried to get help for his multiple issues
Painkiller totally progressed and fully developed as a character
We run into two new characters which were unique and brought intrigue.
I see this series continuing or having spin offs
It touches multiple readers with : TABOO, LGBQTI, GANG, DARK, ALCOHOLISM, SEX ADDICTION etc.
June 20, 2021
Noooooo, what am I going to do now?!?! I loved Dante & Clara so much. I was annoyed that Dante had two loves since forgetting Clara. I was pissed there was even one! Especially when she couldn't let him go at all. I was SO sad for her. She was going through life knowing the love of her life didn't know she existed.
She loved me.
Just thinking that blew my mind. She fucking loved me. And it felt like the deep I'd die for you kind of love.
Dante,
I cried out his name, not caring if people heard me. If anything I wanted everyone to know how much I loved this man. The only man I had ever loved.
Clara,
Just a coupla things... As much as Jasper aggravated me at times, I missed him here. Plus, I wanted to hear more from Marino and China. And what the hell happened with Annabelle & that sexy cop? I was sure more was going to come from them! Plus, there were a slew of characters I knew nothing about, Nike, Corey, L, Ant, Jenna etc... It felt I'd missed a novella with important info. None of these things made me dislike this book AT ALL. They're simply observations. I 💞💞 this series!
Now that I'm finished I don't want to read anything else... Perhaps a new Marita A. Hansen book is what I need. Yes, exactly that.
She loved me.
Just thinking that blew my mind. She fucking loved me. And it felt like the deep I'd die for you kind of love.
Dante,
I cried out his name, not caring if people heard me. If anything I wanted everyone to know how much I loved this man. The only man I had ever loved.
Clara,
Just a coupla things... As much as Jasper aggravated me at times, I missed him here. Plus, I wanted to hear more from Marino and China. And what the hell happened with Annabelle & that sexy cop? I was sure more was going to come from them! Plus, there were a slew of characters I knew nothing about, Nike, Corey, L, Ant, Jenna etc... It felt I'd missed a novella with important info. None of these things made me dislike this book AT ALL. They're simply observations. I 💞💞 this series!
Now that I'm finished I don't want to read anything else... Perhaps a new Marita A. Hansen book is what I need. Yes, exactly that.
March 10, 2018
3.5 stars
April 17, 2018
After being apart or many years, life has push Dante and Clara together once again. He isn't the 15-year-old and she's not his teacher anymore, but their attraction and pull to one another is still strong.
He was still the same person, the vulnerable young boy now a vulnerable man, someone who needed my help not lust.
Dante hasn't changed much aside from his appearance. And neither has Clara. He's still broken, vulnerable, turning to alcohol to forget. Clara is still in love with Dante and one look at him he becomes irresistible to her. I liked that Dante kept his cocky, outspoken personality; saying whatever is on his mind. However, it felt too similar as when he was a teenager. I wish there was a bit more maturity.
I've been rooting for Dante and Clara all along. I've been looking forward to their HEA. I wanted them to work out their problems and find happiness. I felt like this book lost some of that kind focus. I would have liked if there were more scenes with Clara and Dante rekindling their love; resolving their issues.
"You're the only one for me now, babe. No chick can compare to you."
This is the conclusion to Clara and Dante's love story, but I can see a spin-off with some of the secondary characters. I loved L, a very complex and interesting character that I want more of. Ash is another one. I found him intriguing when he appeared in the previous books, but in this one, it made me want to know a lot more about him. I want to know his story. And of course, there's Killer and Tane.
3.9 stars
***ARC provided in exchange for honest review.***
F(BR) with SueBee, Timitra, Dayna, Myla, warhawke, Mer, CC, Loyda
He was still the same person, the vulnerable young boy now a vulnerable man, someone who needed my help not lust.
Dante hasn't changed much aside from his appearance. And neither has Clara. He's still broken, vulnerable, turning to alcohol to forget. Clara is still in love with Dante and one look at him he becomes irresistible to her. I liked that Dante kept his cocky, outspoken personality; saying whatever is on his mind. However, it felt too similar as when he was a teenager. I wish there was a bit more maturity.
I've been rooting for Dante and Clara all along. I've been looking forward to their HEA. I wanted them to work out their problems and find happiness. I felt like this book lost some of that kind focus. I would have liked if there were more scenes with Clara and Dante rekindling their love; resolving their issues.
"You're the only one for me now, babe. No chick can compare to you."
This is the conclusion to Clara and Dante's love story, but I can see a spin-off with some of the secondary characters. I loved L, a very complex and interesting character that I want more of. Ash is another one. I found him intriguing when he appeared in the previous books, but in this one, it made me want to know a lot more about him. I want to know his story. And of course, there's Killer and Tane.
3.9 stars
***ARC provided in exchange for honest review.***
F(BR) with SueBee, Timitra, Dayna, Myla, warhawke, Mer, CC, Loyda
October 24, 2018
This book is part of the Broken Lives Series and has to be read in order:
April 13, 2018
3.5 Stars
Clara's new job is very rewarding for her and as she continues to try to move on with her life she finds herself back in Dante's orbital, unable to stay away. I very much enjoyed the flashbacks of Clara's, it helped me connect with her a bit more and allowed me to empathize with her. There's something about Dante that seems to cause Clara to lose a lot of her sense and independence.
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book
(F)BR with my shhluts!!
Hawkey, SueBee, CC, Loyda, Timi, Dayna, Myla and Lu!
Clara's new job is very rewarding for her and as she continues to try to move on with her life she finds herself back in Dante's orbital, unable to stay away. I very much enjoyed the flashbacks of Clara's, it helped me connect with her a bit more and allowed me to empathize with her. There's something about Dante that seems to cause Clara to lose a lot of her sense and independence.
He was so perfect it made my heart ache, and so beautiful it made my memories stir. In that moment,I have such a soft spot for Dante, we met him when he was so young and he continues to have such a charming combination of vulnerable and vulgar. But while I still love him I feel like he's very much still that fifteen year old boy we first met. He doesn't seem to have matured much or dealt with any of his issues. I would have liked to see him get more out of his rehab experience, for him to heal a bit.
I could see innocence in him, of the boy I'd fallen in love with.
He looked like sin wrapped in denim, a sight I could never forget, or ever wanted to,Clara and Dante have always been a bit volatile together and I was hoping their relationship would move away from that a bit now that they're both older. There's this one scene where they have an argument where Dante works and he's so irrationally angry with her and she falls over herself to pacify him and they eventually settle the argument with sex and this whole scene just felt uncomfortable to me. Both should be more mature at this point, they should be able to talk to each other without their emotions constantly getting the better of them.
the man of my dreams even better in person.
I don't think I needa remember loving you. I think you're gonna make me fall for you all over again.There was a lot going on in this book. Quite a few characters that were new, or maybe they're in Behind the Lives or Graffiti Heaven? But I haven't read either of those series so I was unfamiliar with some of these characters. We lose a lot of time jumping from the end of Jagged Pill to the beginning of Love Drunk and it was sometimes difficult to play catch-up with the characters and what they had been doing during the 9 years we missed. A lot of these new characters came into Dante and Clara's life while we were missing so there are new to us relationships that are already years old for Dante and Clara. That leaves the reader in this weird spot where we're trying to feel out the relationships and how they may have changed the characters during our absence from the story.
**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book
(F)BR with my shhluts!!
Hawkey, SueBee, CC, Loyda, Timi, Dayna, Myla and Lu!
March 10, 2018
I still can't believe that this series is over. Clara and Dante's relationship had so many ups and downs that I wasn't sure where it will lead. I liked that the author didn't focus only on them but gave us the chance to learn and understand more about the other characters. So, in this one we are to the point that Dante is in rehab and Clara is his counselor trying to help him with his addictions. Him not remember her is hard especially when lies come to the surface and she is all alone trying to defend her self and what they had. The way that the author approached the reconcilation was perfect for me as it wasn't too fast or too slow. The fact that Clara didn't give up on Dante even if everything was against them showed how much she loved him which is something that became obvious to him. The action doesn't lack on Marita's books and so this one surprised me and made me anxious as I didn't know who to trust. Of course I loved Tane and Painkiller /Murderer. Their relationshi0p is so complicated that I don't know how this will work out. I hope to see them in a seperate book because it is an interesting couple and it will be fun to see how they drove each other insane. The best ending this series could have had. I highly recommend it.
March 10, 2018
Me encantan los viajes emocionales tan fuertes que provocan está serie y espero no sea el último libro de Dante y Clara, porque jamás me cansaré de ellos.
December 9, 2018
Loved it moor Tain and Killer plus my long awaited Hea i was realy woried things woudnt work out so glad my Otp are tougether with a kid,now im praying nothing ruines it short stories and yea Clara is def the best choice out of Kara and Beth
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2018
A perfect ending to the series.
October 6, 2018
Dante comes to with memory loss and has moved on with his life, being none the wiser about his dalliance with Clara...or that Jasper's Auntie took advantage of him. On the outs with his father and Jasper doing time for club business, Dante has found himself a manager that loves him loves him...and has agreed to sign him to a label if he completes rehab to turn his life around. Addicts to alcohol, sex and drugs have turned his life upside and lands him with a woman that abuses him in every form possible.
Clara out of prison, immediately seeks out Dante and realizes that he's moving on. Fast forward several years and they meet up once again when Dante walks into the rehab center that Clara is a counselor at. Clara is still madly in love with Dante, and Dante doesn't remember anything about his time with her.
An interesting story, with a long coming 'ending'. While it's an HEA...it's not your traditional HEA. Let's face it though, nothing about this series is traditional!
Clara out of prison, immediately seeks out Dante and realizes that he's moving on. Fast forward several years and they meet up once again when Dante walks into the rehab center that Clara is a counselor at. Clara is still madly in love with Dante, and Dante doesn't remember anything about his time with her.
An interesting story, with a long coming 'ending'. While it's an HEA...it's not your traditional HEA. Let's face it though, nothing about this series is traditional!
December 31, 2023
I’m so glad Dante and Clara finally get their Happily Ever After!!!
This book begins with Clara working at a rehab center where Dante just checked in. Obviously, she’s going to be his counselor and things heat up from there. He still doesn’t remember her but he knows who she is and what he means to her. Dante is now a rising music sensation who is living with his manager, Jade. Rehab doesn’t work out because of Clara’s ex managing the place so Jade hires Clara to be Dante’s assistant (more or less babysitter to keep him from drinking). Clara helps Dante remember their past and he ends up falling in love with her again. She gets kidnapped by her crazy ex and Dante has to go save her. In the epilogue, Dante is on tour, living their best life, and they have a son! This series couldn’t have ended any better. Except I would like a Killer/Tane spin-off! I’d love to hear details on their HEA!
This book begins with Clara working at a rehab center where Dante just checked in. Obviously, she’s going to be his counselor and things heat up from there. He still doesn’t remember her but he knows who she is and what he means to her. Dante is now a rising music sensation who is living with his manager, Jade. Rehab doesn’t work out because of Clara’s ex managing the place so Jade hires Clara to be Dante’s assistant (more or less babysitter to keep him from drinking). Clara helps Dante remember their past and he ends up falling in love with her again. She gets kidnapped by her crazy ex and Dante has to go save her. In the epilogue, Dante is on tour, living their best life, and they have a son! This series couldn’t have ended any better. Except I would like a Killer/Tane spin-off! I’d love to hear details on their HEA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2019
So that book begins 9 years after the first one.
And guess what ? There is a HEA for the main characters and you know, as they went so much stuff, they deserve it ! Yeah, the paedophile finally got the love of her life \o/
This is so fucked up. Eveything is wrong un this series.
In the epilogue, the author has a fan of Dante (cuz he’s a rock star in the end - RI.DI.CU.LOUS) saying « i ship Clara and you ». SHE LITERALLY JUSTIFIES THE PEDO RELATIONSHIP THROUGH A RANDOM CHARACTER.
I have no words except do not read this. A 15 years old boy is not a man. HE IS NOT A MAN. And this one has lots of personal issues that makes him vulnerable. The female character grooms him since the first day and it’s sickening.
And guess what ? There is a HEA for the main characters and you know, as they went so much stuff, they deserve it ! Yeah, the paedophile finally got the love of her life \o/
This is so fucked up. Eveything is wrong un this series.
In the epilogue, the author has a fan of Dante (cuz he’s a rock star in the end - RI.DI.CU.LOUS) saying « i ship Clara and you ». SHE LITERALLY JUSTIFIES THE PEDO RELATIONSHIP THROUGH A RANDOM CHARACTER.
I have no words except do not read this. A 15 years old boy is not a man. HE IS NOT A MAN. And this one has lots of personal issues that makes him vulnerable. The female character grooms him since the first day and it’s sickening.
April 17, 2019
I wouldn't have been happy with this ending if there weren't anymore books about Clara and Dante because it didn't tie up all the loose threads to my satisfaction. But overall I loved the book and since Dante's and Clara's story is continued in Facing the Music and the follow up books, I'm ecstatic. I especially enjoyed Smokescreen because I got to see Tane again, and I loved Bottled Up due to where the story is heading. I am so pumped to read Hysteria and Ashes to Ashes. Dante's brother is an interesting character, a tough bastard through and through.
March 12, 2018
I started this series with Broken English and I had no idea Dante was in another series. When Dante would act immature or childish I’d have to remind myself that he was only 15 years old. That being said, I was very disappointed when I read this and 24 year old Dante is pretty much the same as 15 year old Dante. I realized about halfway through that I really don’t like him, and that’s a problem when you hate the “hero” of your story.
March 14, 2018
So much freaking drama and foul lingo
April 14, 2018
3.5 stars
January 10, 2019
Drama, drama, drama
April 30, 2023
2.75.
April 17, 2025
He was 15……. I didn’t even read the whole series. I started from book 4. So I didn’t even know he was 15 when starting. Thought he he’d at least be 18 🤢
April 18, 2018
11/4/18
I only read this book a few weeks ago but after reading all the stuff that happened to Dante in the years that he and Clara were apart in the Behind the Lives series, I needed for him to have a happy ending.
I also should add that this series was a fantastic look at the different cultures in New Zealand. Prior to reading this, despite my dad being a kiwi, pretty much all I knew about Maori culture was the haka, poi balls and the meaning of "kia ora" and the latter only because I fly AirNZ often. While this is more Once Were Warriors urban style, it still gave some insight and had me googling to find out more.
20/3/18
Great ending for the series. I liked how Dante fell in love with her again which cemented that their love story was real and not just a lust crazed teacher falling for the hot bad boy. Great series. The only pitfall in this one was that there is a lot of backstory of what had happened to Dante in the nine years they had been apart. I felt like I should have read those books first. Doing it now.
I only read this book a few weeks ago but after reading all the stuff that happened to Dante in the years that he and Clara were apart in the Behind the Lives series, I needed for him to have a happy ending.
I also should add that this series was a fantastic look at the different cultures in New Zealand. Prior to reading this, despite my dad being a kiwi, pretty much all I knew about Maori culture was the haka, poi balls and the meaning of "kia ora" and the latter only because I fly AirNZ often. While this is more Once Were Warriors urban style, it still gave some insight and had me googling to find out more.
20/3/18
Great ending for the series. I liked how Dante fell in love with her again which cemented that their love story was real and not just a lust crazed teacher falling for the hot bad boy. Great series. The only pitfall in this one was that there is a lot of backstory of what had happened to Dante in the nine years they had been apart. I felt like I should have read those books first. Doing it now.
7-tbr-ooit
March 8, 2018There have been changes to the BROKEN LIVES series. It’s now broken up into two sets (duets). Each set (duet) has a self-contained, standalone story.
Broken English (part 1) and Shattered Poetry (Part 2) are the first set, finishing the high school stage of Clara’s and Dante’s lives.
The next set, books 3 and 4, is a new story, taking their relationship to another level.
Broken English (part 1) and Shattered Poetry (Part 2) are the first set, finishing the high school stage of Clara’s and Dante’s lives.
The next set, books 3 and 4, is a new story, taking their relationship to another level.
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