Where I Found You

Heart's Compass #1

by Brooke O'Brien

How do you protect your heart?

Build a wall.
Lock it away.
Let no one in.

Everyone should have a childhood worth remembering. Only I remember mine for all the wrong reasons. Starting over in a new town is hard enough. When you are running from your past, it doesn't get any easier.

I was ready to say goodbye to the burdens I have carried. The pain I’ve experienced is more than anyone should have to face.

Then I met him...

He takes my breath away. I can’t ignore the way he makes me feel. I know he has the power to destroy me.

And that's what scares me the most.

Author's Note: This is Book One in the Heart's Compass series. It can be read as a standalone and has a HEA. Due to strong sexual content, coarse language and mature subject matter, this book is not suitable for under the age of 18.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Amazon, Abuse, Small Town Romance

282 pages, ebook

First published May 8, 2017

About the author

Click the FOLLOW AUTHOR button to be notified of Brooke's new releases!

USA Today Bestselling author Brooke O'Brien writes steamy and swoon-worthy new adult romances. She's best known for her sports and rock star romances.

Brooke believes a love worth having is worth fighting for, and she brings this into her stories where her characters risk it all for love.

When she isn't writing or falling in love with a new book boyfriend, you can find her spending time with her family, cheering on her favorite sports teams, listening to ASMR, or binge-watching the latest true crime documentary. She loves rockin' a comfy hoodie with leggings and believes the best days include a good nap.

If you're new to Brooke and are wondering where to start, visit authorbrookeobrien.com/booksbybrooke and download the reading order guide.

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Brooke O'Brien is represented by Two Daisy Media. For all subsidiary rights, please contact Savannah Greenwell at info@twodaisy.com.

Reviews

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Brooke O'Brien book and I can see what everyone is talking about. I loved Where I found You! It was heartbreaking yet heartwarming at the same time. Loved it! I devoured this book in one sitting..I feel in love with Ellie and Callum!
Ellie... *clapping* I admire her individuality and her strong will.
Callum... I need a Callum in my life. enough said right?





For more reviews and giveaways follow my blog at www.jemimajamir.com

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (5/5/2018)!💝

Blurb:
How do you protect your heart?

Build a wall.
Lock it away.
Let no one in.

Everyone should have a childhood worth remembering. Only I remember mine for all the wrong reasons. Starting over in a new town is hard enough. When you are running from your past, it doesn't get any easier.

I was ready to say goodbye to the burdens I have carried. The pain I’ve experienced is more than anyone should have to face.

Then I met him...

He takes my breath away. I can’t ignore the way he makes me feel. I know he has the power to destroy me.

And that's what scares me the most.

[Melissasfandomworld · Rating 5 out of 5]

RE-READ October '18;
Just as enamored with this book as I was the first time around. It's such a beautifully written story and especially knowing it's a debut novel; I'm in awe.

---

Every once in a while you happily discover a new author who steals your fangirl heart away. Brooke O'Brien became that author for me. Coming across Where I found you made me want to read it so badly and then I got the opportunity to read and review the book, which is so awesome! I didn't wait long before reading it and well, bottom line; I got blown away and found myself a new author to add to my auto-buy list!

For all the romance readers out there looking for a new read; don't search any longer. WHERE I FOUND YOU is what you seek! Warning ; this is a one-sitting book. Once started, you can't put it away! I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. 



 


STORY-LINE DEVELOPMENT
Ellie is leaving town to have a new start like she promised her grandmother. While on the bus she meets a handsome man, Callum -And their first encounter is such a joy to read about. I really loved reading that scene and everything that followed after. There is something about him that pulls her in. Callum is heading home after a horrible visit with his brother and father. When he literally runs into Ellie he is immediately drawn to her.

When they get to their final destination Callum and Ellie go their separate ways. We then jump ahead a few months where fate steps in and Callum and Ellie come face-to-face at a bar and find they share the same friend. How could she have been so close and he not realize it? He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since the bus ride. And from here on they get more involved with each other, which is the start of a slow burn, but really intense, sexy and heart wrenching romance.

The connection these two have is off the charts hot. But Callum can sense that he needs to take things slow with Ellie. She is definitely not someone he wants to lose again. Ellie has trust issues so it’s very hard for her to let Callum in and tell him about her past because she's afraid of opening up to him and lose him because she feels not worthy enough - which broke my heart reading about her thinking that way btw.

Callum's struggling with his family issues and Ellie keeps looking over her shoulder, afraid for her past to catch up with her. All of this is leading up to a huge plot twist that shocked the hell out of me and I was soooo scared sdgbdhfjbghdjbfgd .. But well, I don't want to spoil anything so you just have to read for yourself haha. Good luck with that ;)
SUCH AMAZING STRONG, REALISTIC AND WELL DEVELOPED CHARACTERS!
Okay, let's talk about the characters a bit more because they deserve more attention! Ellie's such a strong and amazing character and I'm in awe of her! Really.. This character is so well written and undergoes a tremendous development throughout this book which is sooo beautiful to experience from the reader-side of it. But.. reading about Ellie's childhood was really hard though. It emotionally broke me and had me sobbing quite a few times. It's really terrible to read from time to time but knowing how Ellie fought through it all and came out stronger for it - despite being afraid of commitment - makes the hard times reading it, all worthwhile I think.

And that's why it's also soooo beautiful to see how Callum fits Ellie so perfectly. Callum.. *dreamy sigh* is.just.simply. A-MA-ZING! He comes across as a realistic character and a perfect (book) boyfriend all in one and I was hooked. I fell sooo hard for Callum, damn.

I also fell hard for the side characters in this book. There are a couple of leads put in this one that made me so soooo excited for the next books to come in this series. Just like Ellie and Callum, the side characters are already so well developed I think and I connected to them instantly. I love the different characters and the friendships forming in this book. Yep, I'm a goner..
an AMAZING SLOW BURN, REALISTIC AND HEART WRENCHING ROMANCE, an ANGST RIDDEN-PLOT, and PHENOMENAL WRITING! 

Like I said, there were times when reading this book was emotionally draining and just really hard for me. I'm a bit of a sensitive person and both of these characters didn't have an easy past, for different reasons, with everything that's happened to Ellie especially, being horrific at times even. It broke me and especially my mommy-heart broke tremendously while reading some of the flashbacks... This poor kid :( Reading about Ellie's past through flashbacks and reading about Ellie in present time, being a grown woman, was so sad and beautiful at the same time.I love how the author portrays Ellie's present characteristics. How she's showing us that despite the fact there's a lot of terrible things happening in this world, things that never ever should happen to anyone but especially a child, you can overcome the horrors and try to make something for yourself 'out there'.

I love how Callum helps Ellie's development in this time-period a lot, but that he isn't 'dominating' in her character development, you know? Let me try to explain what I mean - I suck at words sometimes haha. Okay, I mean; that Ellie first and foremost was her own savior when it came to walking away from her childhood home for example and overcome a large part of the horrors from her past by herself - and her grandmother who stood by her by then. She first and foremost fought alone, for herself, for having a future, which I think is one of the things why I love Ellie so much. She's just so incredibly strong and I'm in awe of her, really.. I don't know if I'd be as strong as Ellie is, having had that upbringing.

And Romance-wise Ellie still has a lot to learn though and that's where Callum definitely IS a great influence. She has trust and commitment issues - for which I can't blame her seeing what's happened to her in the past - and it's obvious Callum is a one-of-a-kind guy. If there's anyone who can help Ellie overcome her fears and issues, it's him. It all started with their off-the-charts chemistry a couple of months ago when they first met. And now they have the opportunity to get to know one another better and gosh.. this romance development is just so freaking amazing! It's incredibly well written and feels so realistic, which is really important for me as a reader when reading contemporary romance. First, there was the undeniable attraction and then it all became so much MORE.. Loved it.. Loved it, LOVED it! And well, I'm a big fan of sexy scenes as well and Brooke definitely knows how to write those too, yay! hehehe. Everything was just really well balanced out and I enjoyed it immensely.
MY CONCLUSION OF THIS BOOK
Jeeeez, where to start with my conclusion haha? I mean, First off: I can't believe it's a debut novel because this book is just so phenomenal and I don't often come across debut novels like this one in the contemporary genre, so yeah; praise - a lot of it - for Brooke!! The writing is so beautiful, addictive and I lost myself completely in this book right from the start. Like I said; it was a one-sitting read, so that says it all, right? And well, to spoil things a bit; the second book was maybe even better I think and got a 5-star rating as well. So yeah, Brooke O'Brien made it to my auto-buy list and I'm incredibly happy I got to read this book and its sequel.

This is such a beautiful, heart wrenching and powerful read. Ellie and Callum stole my heart, right from the start. I just couldn't do anything other than fall in love with these characters and losing myself in their story. It was so touching and sad and beautiful and skjgdjhbgfhjdfg - just A LOT OF FEELS, alright? haha I enjoyed every single second of it and I'm craving more, more, more. The angst written throughout the book was really well done and it ends with a sh*tload of feels towards the end where there's a major plot twist that 'knocked me off my feet'. It left me an emotional blubbering fangirl, in the best way possible haha. Everything I could've wanted in a contemporary romance was present!
would I recommend this book? yes
would I re-read this book? yes
would I read future books by this author? yes
Do I need you to buy this book ASAP? YES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES!


 

 

[Veronica (Honey Roselea Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Kind of really predictable but still cute

[Michelle Pavey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where I found you
⭐️ ⭐️
Ellie and Callum both have dark pasts that they are having difficulty moving on from. While it may be holding both of them back from letting people break down their walls, it also keeps Ellie in constant fear of her life!
While this book may have a good concept, I feel that it took a very long time before anything interesting happened. There were a lot of details and prolonged scenes that were unnecessary while the more important, interesting things were less detailed and short. It was a long read.

[Brandy Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where I found you really kicked me in the heart from the first page to the last my emotions were just all over the place . The wonderful characters , heart breaking story line , and the emotions that shown through made a recipe for a marvelous read . I loved how the couple meet it's at a time were they both are having a bad day and once they meet Ellie and Callum can't get the other off their minds . Ellie was a lot of things she grows throughout the book she's sassy , funny , smart , and not a pushover all around great heroine . Now Callum was one favorable hero very inviting with his sexy drawl and muscles . Loved the book can't wait to see what is next for the hearts compass series
copy provided for honest review 
****************************************
hero = 10 heroine = 10 secondary characters = 10
Chemistry = 10 steam = 8 romance = 10 humor = 4
darkness level = 8 enjoyment = 10 angst = 4
action = 2 story line = 10 mystery = 3
character development = 10 pacing = 10 POV = dual
Plot = 10 cover = 10 stars = 5 author = 8
would I recommend this book = yes
would I re read this book = yes
would I read future books by this author = yes

[Mg ♥ The Bookishmedialite · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I’ll start this review by saying this; I liked this book, just didn’t quite loved it. And the heroine didn't help. However, I do want to point out that it’s a very enjoyable read.

Ok, this was all a "ME" issue because I felt the book was well written and paced. It was angsty. It was hot. Callum was the kind of hero I love to read about... but Ellie didn't do it for me. I don't have a reason to dislike her, it was just that there was no feelings between us.

Overall, Where I Found You is a hot, emotional, and well-written romance story about two people trying to create a life despite their past.

I look forward to reading more from Brooke O'Brien in the future.



You can find me here: FB PAGE | INSTAGRAM

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I feel like the minority here. I liked this book, but I didn't love it. It was an enjoyable read. I will read from this author in the future.

Ellie was my favorite character of the book. She had a very difficult childhood; an alcoholic mother, an evil and sexually abusive step-father who was ultimately imprisoned for his crimes. I must say, some details/flashbacks from Ellie's backstory could be triggering for some readers.

With all the trauma Ellie has endured, she was still very much an independent and strong-willed young woman. When Ellie's Grandmother passes away, leaving Ellie essentially alone in the world, she navigates the loss and settles down in a new small town.

Ellie wants to have friends and to be a part of a community, but that doesn't come easy for her. Past experiences have taught Ellie that loving people is risky, that those you care about, those you love, they can hurt you in the most terrible ways.

She runs into Callum along the way, a handsome construction worker with some family drama of his own. Callum also had a difficult family life. His father, was a successful lawyer and drinker, his mother was often abused and Callum and his brother suffered as well. While his parents ultimately divorced, the emotional damage had been done and the family was left divided.

I enjoyed watching the cat and mouse game between Callum and Ellie. It was a tad repetitive, but an enjoyable to read. I wish there had been more emotional breakthroughs in their relationship. I enjoyed the electricity and draw between Ellie and Callum in the beginning. The author is very good at writing a decent sex scene and in depth physical attraction.

However, the attraction was borderline insta-love for me. Callum was way too handsy in the beginning for a complete stranger. I am not a fan of insta-love. But if you enjoy that, you will enjoy this book.

The biggest thing is that I did not like Callum...

I did like him early on, but as the book progressed he became the overly possessive, overly protective caveman to the point that Ellie even called him out on it a few times (Repeatedly buckling her seatbelt, seriously? He ruined forehead kisses for me, he was a stage-four clinger, and way too possessive.) I was waiting for him to wrap her in bubble-wrap and carry her around...

Secondly, I am all for some terms of endearment, but the overuse of 'sweetheart' and 'baby' makes me want to vomit. But if you like that, you will enjoy this book. The repeat use of those words makes it sound very cheesy, in my opinion.

A lot of the dialogue throughout the story lacked purpose. The dialogue wasn't really adding anything to the story or to the development of the characters. I wish Ellie and Callum would have talked more in depth. I felt like Callum was a one-dimensional character. Ellie was the star of the show for me. I also really enjoyed her friendships with the secondary characters.

I would totally read from this author again. I just didn't jive with Callum.

[Michelle Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab...


Where I Found You was a great 5 star read.
I was pulled in right away and couldn’t put it down.

Ellie is leaving town to have a new start like she promised her grandmother. While on the bus she meets a handsome man, Callum. There is something about him that pulls her in. He really should come with a warning label, good Lord!

Callum is heading home after a horrible visit with his brother and father. When he literally runs into Ellie he is immediately drawn to her. I don’t even know this girl’s name and all I can think about is being near her.

When they get to their final destination Callum and Ellie go their separate ways. We jump ahead a few months where fate steps in and Callum and Ellie come face-to-face at a bar and find they share the same friend. How could she have been so close and he not realize it? He hasn’t been able to stop thinking about her since the bus ride.

“I need to feel you,” he says, the words filled with so much need. “I could start a fire with the way my body burns for you.”

The connection these two have is off the charts hot. But Callum can sense that he needs to take things slow with Ellie. She is definitely not someone he wants to lose again. Ellie has trust issues so it’s very hard for her to let Callum in. He has the power to destroy me, and that’s what scares me the most.

There is so much more to this great read. Both Callum and Ellie have family things that they are dealing with besides trying to make a relationship work. I had several teary eyed moments and there is a huge twist that had me sobbing. I absolutely loved how sweet Callum was with Ellie, the tenderness came right off the pages. I loved all of the secondary characters, they add so much more to the story. There is a scene that could be a trigger for some. Brooke O’Brien has done an excellent job with her debut novel, she pulls you right in and you won’t want to put it down until your done. We get a great ending, however I would love to see more from this couple. I can’t wait to read more from this series, there are so many great characters.


I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. Reviewed by MAustin from Alpha Book Club

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an Arc for an honest review**
From what I have read online this is this authors’ first book. She really did very well. I teetered from a 3.5 to a 4.5 throughout the entire book. Her character Ellie has a hard past she is fighting to free herself from and move on to a better future. Ellie learns she has new friends and family in the town she moves into. Callum, seems to be quite the ladies’ man in the first few chapters, although you can really tell the man has a great soul and is much deeper than his looks. This book is a short read, but filled with love, and tests the characters to fight for what they really want, which is each other.

Warning Spoilers Ahead!

Because this was a short read, it left some ideas out there you would want answered. How did Royal track down Ellie? What happened to Ellie's mother? I was picturing in my head her mother: A. coming back to beg her for forgiveness, and maybe rescuing her from Royal. Can you imagine if her mother was tracking Royal when she heard he was out of the pen, and she was the one to put a stop to him? Aka: Dead Royal. Or B. Seeing Ellie stand up for herself in the court room to her mother and Royal? That would have been a great scene. I was also scratching my head thinking what the heck happened to Madison and her conniving butt? A showdown between Ellie and her posse would have been epic. Put the mean girl back in her corner and let her know who the woman of Callum is now! Eh, maybe I’m dramatic, but I wanna feel the drama and be so wrapped up into it I wanna punch the air and shout “that a girl!” My other thought was Callums’ father, Steven, what if he came in guns a blazen and put the bad momma away, or helped the DA prosecute Royal and then win the favor over Callum? Then Callum could start asking questions about how his father is able to be there, and is he still and alcoholic? My last thought was this, what if the Dr. in the end of the story was Callums’ nemesis? Aka: Jeff or Dr. Douche. Jeff could see Callums pain and love for Ellie and help out and mend old fences; or he could punch Dr. Douche and demand another Doctor.
My point in all of this is simple, I loved her book, although some details would have enhanced the storyline. More ideas would have captured my attention and I would have not been unable to put the book down. I really will fallow this author and see where this brand new series and author grows or goes, lol, from here.

[Porch Swing Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where I Found You is Brooke O'Brien's wonderful debut novel. Her writing captured my attention and had me devouring Callum and Ellie's story from the first page. I DEVOURED this novel. When I was busy adulting and unable to read, I was wishing I could hide in a closet and dive into this book. This story will have make your heart break, then make you laugh, then give you the warm and fuzzies. I cannot wait to see what O'Brien's next novel has in store!

[Harris Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This book had a the feels. I was cringing a couple times, because of the abuse, but I thoroughly enjoyed this story

Ellie had it rough losing her dad and her mother became an alcoholic. The mother gets a new man, and things go from had to worse. Everyone around Ellie leaves and she is stuck in her own. She decided to leave a start a new life. She meets the sweetest man ever Callum. Omg I freaking love how sweet and protective he is over Ellie.

[Aim Ruivivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most important things for me when I read a book is the hook IT sends me while I read the first few pages. This book gave that to me. If you are a reader who owns or had at least own any sort of brokenness in life, Where I Found You is simply a book about that and many more… like there’s hope in everything and that time heals all wounds.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the Hearts Compass Series.
Ellie hasn't had an easy life when she finally makes the decision to leave all the hurt and heartbreak behind and try to move on she meets a man at the bus station that will change her life forever.
Callum has pain of his own and while returning to his home town of Arbour Creek he bumps into Ellie a scared young woman who for some reason touches his heart from the very first time he sees her,the attraction,the connection is strong for both of them but he recognises in her the same pain he has…he sees her walls built up high,the pain in her eyes.
When they reach their destination they go their separate ways but fate lends a hand and they meet each other again.Although still scared and still running from her past she is determined to start afresh she builds new friendships and in Callum finds someone she can trust and depend on.Hes determined to make her feel safe and loved,shes determined to keep him at arms length and out of her heart.Slowly but surely Callum peels away each protective layer and love blossoms between them…raw,passionate intense love.When Ellie starts to feel she can finally be set free from the chains of her past it comes back to torment her and destroy her all over again.Will Callum be able to protect her or will Ellie run and leave all she has found in this small town behind??And what of Callum the pain he deals with,his hurt and anger can he also find a way to come to terms with what happened in the past and have Ellie by his side?
This book just blew me away!!You’d never know it s Brookes debut book,the writing,the emotions,the passion its all there.Brooke draws you into Ellie’s world you instantly connect with her and feel her emotions.I love how she has written Callum, sweet and caring but passionate and slightly dominating hes the full package!At times Ellie’s flashbacks are harrowing to read but Brooke handled it with care and sensitivity.The secondary characters were great too and although the story is predominantly about Callum and Ellie, its also about family and friendships, coming to terms with the past and being able to start over and find love and peace when you thought you never could.The story flows well and keeps you invested in the story and the characters so much so I didn’t want their story to end.I cant wait for book 2!!

“I want you to feel me,Ellie.Feel how your body comes alive beneath me.I don’t want you to ever forget all the ways I can love you”

“He broke down all the walls I had around my heart without me even noticing”

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book

Oh my word, this book had me hooked from the first page. I was totally in love with Callum from the minute he was introduced. And Ellie, man my heart hurts for her. I literally read this book from start to finish in a couple of hours.

Ellie left her hometown after the only other person besides her father passed away, her Gran. Now she in on her way to start a new life away from all the hurt and pain she experienced there.



While on her way to her bus she literally runs into Callum. Who is on his way home on the same bus. From the minute they meet they both feel this attraction, but Ellie is doing everything she can to not feel this kindness this stranger is giving her. And she pushes him away.

Callum can't believe this women he ran into. From the second he looks in her eyes he knew she was different from all the other women, but now it seems that he wont see her ever again after this bus ride.

“I need to feel you,” he says, the words filled with so much need. “I could start a fire with the way my body burns for you.”

But fate steps in and Ellie is going to the same town as him and she becomes friends with his best friends' girl

This book is filled with heartache, love and passion and steamy moments that will make you wish you were there to see this happening. But there are obsticles that Ellie and Callum needs to overcome before they can find their happily ever after.

Reviewed on behalf of

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie had a happy childhood until her father died, and then it became the worst nightmare, as her mother couldn't stop drinking. Finally, after the last person she loved died, she gets a new start away from the town that held so many bad memories. While getting on a bus, she meets a stranger that thaws out her frozen heart a bit with the instant connection, but she shuts him down. Imagine her surprise, when they come face to face again through mutual friends in the little town she settled in. That instant connection only gets stronger, but Ellie won't let Callum in, as she believes that her scars will eventually chase him off. When I Found You was a story that I devoured in one sitting, as I loved it. Ellie was a great character, even when I wanted to shake her a few times, and Callum was amazing. Together, they were awesome together, and the sparks flew out of my kindle. The angst was off the charts emotional, and on the flip side, there were well placed humorous moments due to the colorful cast of secondaries that had me laughing. And the frosting on the cake was the twist that had me yelling f-bombs like a crazy woman, and sent my heart in overdrive Brooke O' Brien showed me a talented writing style with her first book that has me super excited to see where she goes next! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

[Nerdy Dirty & Flirty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where I Found You is the first book of the Heart's Compass series by Brooke O'Brien.

Ellie is a broken woman running from an abusive past. Hurting but determined to start over in a new town, her self defense is to build walls not letting anyone in. But along the way on her journey she meets Callum.

Ellie just breaks your heart reading the pain she has endured. She has been betrayed by the very ones that should be protecting her. But her determination and her strength made Ellie a heroine with inner steel.

Callum is one patient man. Not use to having a woman slam the door in the face of his pursuit, he is intrigued by the beautiful Ellie. I loved that Callum was teaching Ellie how to have fun and to live life. He showed her the beauty and passion her life was missing.

This was an intense, emotional, sweet read. The author writes of a topic that can be a trigger for some readers but it is done in a sensitive manner. I am excited to read more from Brooke O'Brien and the Heart's Compass series.

[Jen Zingaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an definite emotional story. I can't believe that this a debut book??? If you like stories with some tragedy in them then this will be right up your alley. I also love the stories that are told between the past and the present as though you are opening up a series of hints until you get to the full story. Ellie basically needs to start over fresh after escaping her home town gossip/drama after her grandma passes away. When she meets a stranger on the bus, the story begins. It was like watching a butterfly escaping the cocoon, watching her set out to find a life for herself. Issues from her past creep up in her new life making her want to run, but she finds herself anchored to the new family she's created. Great amount of suspense throughout this story that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Looking forward to more!

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let go until the very happy ending. Ellie is running from a horrific childhood and trying to rebuild her life while keeping everyone at arms length. What luck that on her way out of town she runs into a handsome stranger who finds a chink in the armor around her heart. Callum (the handsome stranger) sees sadness in the eyes of this beautiful woman who quite literally falls into his arms. When the bus they are on drops them off, it appears that is the end, but we all know that would make for a very short book! Fast forward and Callum and Ellie meet again, and so begins a beautiful story or discovery, love, trust, betrayal and every other adjective you can think off. This story shows the resilience of the human heart, the cruelty of those close to us and the beauty of love from those around us.

[Gianna Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story played with my emotions a little. It broke my heart from the very beginning and slowly, just as it did with the heroine, it put me back together. This is a story about abuse, about dysfunctional relationships, and about brokenness. But it is also a story about overcoming obstacles, taking charge, and deciding to start anew. Ellie and Callum are a prime example that it doesn't matter what you go through, you can overcome it. You certainly won't be perfect when you are done, and things will never be 100% better, but you never give up, you keep pushing. Definitely, would add a trigger warning for sexual abuse at the very start.

An overall really great story about starting over.

[Lore De Leenheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to know Ellie was a blessing, she has been through so much but she is such a strong woman. I was so surprised by how she handled things from her past and just jumped on a bus to start a new life. She went through so much! This book is an incredibly beautiful story, it has some hard topics. These hard topics show that life isn't always sunny but that it has it's dark sides. But luckily there are good people like Callum that make it worth fighting for. This book is a must read! Brooke O'Brien you're an amazing author! Thank you for sharing this amazing story!

[Mary Mccormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest review

I received a copy of this book for a honest review. The things that the heroine in the story has survived in life would bring some people to their knees, but she is incredible strong. Having his own issues growing up Callum is also trying to find his own way in the world. Can they heal each other’s hearts, learn to trust each other, and possibly be there for each other forever? Check this book out you won’t regret it.

[Jenny Hobson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the story but something was missing for me it just didn't keep my interest and I didn't feel invested in the characters

[Marisela M. Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this has been in my TBR for awhile so I’m glad I’m finally dove into Ellie and Callum story. This was a roller coaster of emotions. Ellie has been through a lot and the past has it away of never going away. Callum came into her life at the right time. And let’s just say he made her see that’s it’s ok to live and not run. I really enjoyed this one and i can’t wait to go back to this series. 🩷

[Tara Taillon · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Connection” omg find another fucking word

[Djg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abuse triggers. No cheating or separations.

Hm. It was emotional and there were sweet moments. It was frustrating at times how a scene would end but seem as if more needed to be said. The h was inconsistent, waffling between timid survivor and bad-ass independent. She sent a lot of mixed signals to the H before they finally settled in.

Liked it but found it frustrating too.

[Atlanta Whitlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book of Brooke O’Brien’s that I’ve read and I can honestly say that Brooke did a pretty good job with this book and I found myself really enjoying the story and the characters. I read this in a few hours and I honestly couldn’t believe it when I got to the end as I honestly thought that there was so much more that was bound to happen. Now whilst I really enjoyed the story I do have to say that there was only two small things that I thought could have been thought about a bit more and possibly worked on a little. For example, I found it at times to be a little repetitive as you’d read one sentence and then a few lines later you would find that the one sentence had been repeated again. For me, I didn’t see the need to keep repeating some of the things that had been said. Other than that, I can’t say there was anything wrong with the writing. The one other thing that I thought needed to be looked at was at how quickly Ellie managed to get over her the things in her past and the way she closed herself off to people. You’d think that with the way she had been treated and brought up, that she would have a problem with either being around guys, whether that be them touching her or them being near her in such an enclosed space or the fact that the way she had been running from her past and didn’t want to trust anyone because she was scared to let them in but for some reason it seemed as if she got over all of those obstacles quickly. If that had been me, I wouldn’t have opened up to anyone as quickly as she had done and that being because of the fact that due to what had gone on in the past I would have full on been scared to even open up. So, I don’t think that the way she opened up was thought out properly because if you had been through years of physical abuse and was still scared of the thought of the one person who did it coming back after you, you wouldn’t be opening up as fast as she had. Those are the only two concerns that I have, but otherwise the book was pretty much perfect, it kept me hooked until the very end.

Ellie has been through such a lot in such a short amount of time, she went from having such a loving family to having to watch her back and defend for herself. She had lost the two people that cared about her more than anyone within the space of 10 years, it must not have been easy on her and you would have thought that things would have changed. However, Ellie made one promise to her Gran… That when she could leave, she would go ahead and make a life for herself. Even though she was free, she couldn’t help but keep looking back over her shoulder because she constantly thought that she was being watched. But as she is about to start her journey to where her home will be for however long she chooses to stay, things seem to change whether they are for good or bad…. You’ll have to pick up this book in order to find out what happens with Ellie and to also see if she can escape from the past completely.

[Kendall {Book Crazy} · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I'd had this book on my Kindle since it released, so I have no idea why it's taken me so long to pick it up! I also wasn't sure what to expect from this book because the synopsis doesn't actually give too much away! Anyway, I started reading this book one day when I had some free time from review books and I'm so happy that I did because I loved this book! I was intrigued by the plot from the first chapter and it only took me a few sittings to read! I actually read the first 60% in one sitting lol! The plot also developed at a nice pace and it kept me wanting to read on! The romance was also very beautiful and led to some seriously hot scenes in the plot too! I wasn't expecting so many hot scenes lol, but they were really, really hot! There was a bit of action and suspense near the end of this book too! This added a lot to the plot and made things even more interesting! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Ellie was the main female character, and in this book she had been through a lot in her life, so my heart completely went out to her! It explained a lot about why she was the way she was as well! Ellie started fresh in this book though and she found a group of people that loved her and cared for her! Ellie also found her strength in this book and she showed how far she had come, especially in the action scenes! I loved Ellie in this book and she came a long way! Callum was the main male character and love interest of Ellie! I loved Callum a lot in this book! He was seriously hot and such a sweetheart! Callum had also been through a lot in his life and I could completely understand why he didn't talk to his father and had tension with his brother! Callum learned a lot in this book though and he went through a lot of realisation! I loved the way Callum was with Ellie too! It was easy to see how much he loved her and he was very protective of her too! I loved that this book was written from both Ellie and Callum's point of views! I wasn't sure if it was going to be because the synopsis made it sound like it was only going to be written from the female character's point of view, so I was really happy when Callum's point of view came into it too! It helped me connect and understand both characters more and it allowed for more things to happen in the plot too! I also can't wait to read the next book in this series! I know that it's going to focus on a secondary character from this book and take place at the same time as the plot of this book, but this has me even more excited to read it! I'm really happy that it's already released because this means that I can make it my next read! The cover for this book is also stunning! It definitely drew me to the book and made me want to read the story behind it! The models are also the perfect Ellie and Callum and the cover really suits the book too!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a book that's heartbreaking as well as heartwarming at the same time? A read that you must finish no matter what? Look no more because this is it!

I just couldn't put this book down as it had me so engaged. Brooke, this is the first of your books for me and I can tell it wouldn't be my last after having a peak at your booklist.

So happy I found you💖