What Becomes of the Broken Hearted

by Lisa Hobman

'Heartwarming and uplifting' Heidi Swain

Poignant and uplifting, this is a story to remind hopeless romantics that you never know when true love might strike... Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Heidi Swain, Laura Kemp and Holly Martin.

Cassie Montgomery can remember a time where her life seemed pretty perfect. By day she was setting up her own little business in her sleek penthouse apartment, and by night sleeping on gazillion-count Egyptian cotton sheets next to her fiancée, once reputed to be Glasgow's most eligible bachelor.

And yet one ordinary, fateful day, Cassie uncovers a secret that shatters her heart into tiny pieces, and changes her life forever...

Escaping to a rural and idyllic coastal village, Cassie finds a cottage that, from the moment she steps through the rose-surrounded door, feels instantly like home. And then there's Mac, the cool surf teacher, who makes her question what really makes her happy – and makes her wonder if maybe, she might already have found the answer...

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

445 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2018

Reviews

[Kimberly Carrington-Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

No le pongo menos valoración porque el punto de partida y la intención son buenos pero el modo de desarrollarlos es bastante torpe. Esta mujer crea historias en las que los personajes sufren mucho para acabar siendo felices pero creo que no ha llegado a acertar casi en nada de lo que aquí escribe (salvo en el protagonista, que es un amor). Lo que parecía interesante acaba siendo una historia plana, simplona, muy previsible y, a pesar de la gravedad de las cosas que ocurren, tontona. Además, la he notado esta vez más plana escribiendo, muy mecánica, fallando a la hora de transmitir los sentimientos y recurriendo al facilón "se le saltan las lágrimas" (si eres uno de sus personajes, prepárate a llorar). En fin, que no es terrible pero tampoco merece la pena.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via Netgalley

I wish this book was not so long. It had too much ex-drama (he was a psych..., he didnt understand “NO”).
I almost DNF, but at 30%, when the heroine got some balls and left him, it was more interesting. But then too much, drama. This drama ruined everything. I liked more if there were more sex scenes, LOL.

The girl was not strong. Yes, a bit strong after she left her bf, but not strong enough for me. The hero was good, all my 3 stars goes to him.

[Hristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly solid read. It's well written, and there's a lovely sentiment to the story. But the inciting incident came a little later than it should've, the beginning felt like it was dragging on for ages. The characters we're well developed, and the plot was well paced. But I couldn't take another minute or mention of Cassie's ex Seth, and that took away a lot of my impression of the book - the story focuses on her moving on and dealing with the past, it's understandable why he's heavily featured. I guess it wasn't the right time for me to read the book, considering I enjoyed many aspects of it, but I can't bring myself to love it. I'll give it a shot again soon.

*Rating: 3/5 stars
*Copy received through NetGalley

[Sally Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie at the start of the book has everything, her own business, finance Seth and amazing penthouse flat, so when everything goes wrong she runs away to a little cottage by the sea to lick her wounds. Can the wounds just be healed though or will she find that life can be better than what she thought was her perfect life in a much simpler way...... especially with the lovely surf teacher Mac!

Another lovely book by this writer, a good storyline with interesting characters,..... even the horrible ones like Seth...... and I fell in love with the village and wanted to move there!

[Deborah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.
This is not the book for me. Cassie needed therapy, not a new boyfriend. I didn't feel any real connection between Cassie and either of the men with whom she was paired. Seth's attitude and increasingly erratic behavior was so over the top, all it was missing was a twirling mustache.

[Crystal Aliases · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kept me reading, but talk about a frustratingly dim h! Nice hea - warms the cockles. Would recommend.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, The most heartwarming and feelgood novel you'll read this year,  Lisa Hobman

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  Women's Fiction, Romance

Gah! Once more “women's fiction”, and as usual I have to have a quick moan – why do we do this – cut off potential readers? Who says men won't/don't read romance, they certainly write it, so why exclude them this way?

So, this story...I'd loved Lisa's A Year of finding Happiness, the only other book of hers I'd read, and was hoping for something similar, romance, with a solid story and some drama. I did get it but...in a much more muted way.
I couldn't see why Cassie ever thought she was in love with Seth in the first place, he was clearly so arrogant and supercilious, and when he's caught out his reaction is exactly as you'd expect. I also wondered why Seth was with Cassie. Did he ever love her or did he just want a complaisant wife he could mould, as he clearly was already shaping Cassie's day to day behaviour. I like to think he loved her at the start at least, and just maybe it was Cassie's low self esteem that let her stay with him when clearly he was trying to change her.

Then That happens, and Cassie's off. Wow girl, you go! I was cheering her on even while I could feel her heartbreak, and up til now things kind of went as I expected.
When she reaches the new home though she's really a first class b itch to Mac, she's hurting I know, but it wasn't Mac that hurt her. They have a few not so good interactions, but slowly she opens up, and Mac tries for a fresh start and to help her. He's a genuinely kind man, one of the good guys, and for all Cassie's rudeness he sees she's hurt and still looks out for her. I loved Mac. And his uncle Rab, they felt like people I'd love to know. Cassie – well, I so felt for her at first but she was so outright rude to Mac I got cross with her. I hate plain rudeness.

Looking back at A Year of ….I can see what I enjoyed about that, and its the drama and the unpleasant ex that topped the story for me. We've both of those here, but Seth somehow didn't engender the same feelings. I guess I felt the drama in the later part of the book just didn't fit the character I felt he was, whereas in A Year of it was exactly what I would expect Alice to do. The actual drama itself was fine, added to the story, and worked to move things forward.

I adored Rab, was so emotional over him, the village setting and characters were perfect, Mac was just wonderful, Cliff gets a special mention, and an extra helping of imaginary dogs treats ;-) I guess its just the Cassie/Seth relationship and the actions that sprung from it that didn't work so well here for me. Its a good read, but unlike a Year of, it was one I could, and did, put aside at times for other things. I did love the ending, kitsch, but still just perfect and left me feeling a little choked. The magic moment all we romantics dream of!
Its a perfect beach read, or one for those times when you need a story you can pick up and put down for a while, but it wasn't a must-keep-reading five star for me.


Stars: Three and a half, some really great elements let down for me but a few things that felt out of place. As ever though, that's just one opinion, it will be perfect for others.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and Publishers
 

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book I have reviewed by Lisa Hobman after A Seaside Escape and A Year of Finding Happiness. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted focuses on Cassie Montgomery, who had a priveleged life as the fiancé of Seth, a Glasgow bachelor. That was, before a secret had her packing her bags and leaving him. She does what many of us do and flees. Post-breakup, nursing a latte and a cookie, she is advised to close her eyes, point to a place on a map and go wherever it points to. I did like this spontaneity and was rooting for her and boping she found happiness.

She ends up in a cottage in a small village and meets Mack. Is he the one for her? Much of the book is taken up with arguments between her and Seth, and she is hostile towards Mack at times. The book's plot is not as involved or detailed as in her other books, and there is some word repitition and a lot of clichés and some predictability but I did enjoy the way Cassie stood her ground and did not let people get to her. She was very angry for much of the book but was great when she was in a good mood.

The book lacked some description in surroundings and setting and much of it has arguments and there are a lot of feelings flying around. Despite that, there are some romantic parts but they come a little late.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to Lisa Hobman and Aria for an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review as well as a chance to participate in the blog tour for this title.

[Oriana Blyth (_head_in_a_book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve just finished “What becomes of the broken hearted” and I really really enjoyed it 😊

💫Synopsis💫

Cassie Montgomery can’t believe her luck. She’s building up her small business and has a wonderful boyfriend and living the life of luxury. Then one day, after discovering an awful secret, her whole world comes tumbling down around her.

She decides to move away and make a fresh start for herself, and finds a cottage in an idyllic little town, and soon discovers this is where she has belonged all along. She also discovers that it is never too hard to let people back in to her heart and life, and learns to trust again.

💫Review💫

I really enjoyed this story and, although I predicted some parts of the plot, there were certain twists and turns that I had not seen coming, therefore keeping me on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next.

The description of the lovely little town that Cassie moved to was wonderful and I could picture myself walking along the beach, admiring the cute little beach huts. When she meets Mac, the owner of the cottage, I instantly fell in love with him, and his aloofness.

All in all a really addictive read, with the right amount of humour, romance, intensity and an ending that had me sobbing like a baby. I give this book a well deserved 4.5 ⭐️ stars 🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and Aria Fiction for approving me to read and review this book before its release date

[Grass monster · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blurb :
Cassie Montgomery can remember a time where her life seemed pretty perfect. By day she was setting up her own little business in her sleek penthouse apartment, and by night sleeping on gazillion-count Egyptian cotton sheets next to her fiancée, once reputed to be Glasgow's most eligible bachelor.
And yet one ordinary, fateful day, Cassie uncovers a secret that shatters her heart into tiny pieces, and changes her life forever...
Escaping to a rural and idyllic coastal village, Cassie finds a cottage that, from the moment she steps through the rose-surrounded door, feels instantly like home. And then there's Mac, the cool surf teacher, who makes her question what really makes her happy – and makes her wonder if maybe, she might already have found the answer...

My Thoughts :
We meet Cassie Montgomery, after finally leaving her fiance Seth who is just a horrible, manipulative person and doesnt deserve her she moves to a lovely little cottage far away to start afresh.
Cassie then meets Mack and at first isnt very nice to him but slowly she opens up but can she ever mend her broken heart!?.
I didnt like Seth atall and much of the first part of the book was of their arguments which I felt dragged a bit but overall a nice read with a few twists and turns trown in along the way. A lovely setting with a few supporting cast.
Looking forward to Lisa Hobman’s next release.

[Sylvia Clail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie has what most girls dream off. A man who has wealth and appears to treat her like a piece of gold. However, Seth's need to control soon gets to Cassie.

Cassie is a strong independent female who quickly sees the control and states 'if he is controlling me this much before we're married how will it be after?'

The author has showed so much insight into how what appears to the outside world as a lovely relationships is in fact a controling one. It sets the tone for what could become an abusive situation. Abuse isn't always about the physical but the mental and emotional stuff that plays on your wellbeing in everyway. The manipulation to the victim making them feel guilty for even considering something is wrong.

Then there is Tadgh. He is the local surfing teacher who appears so carefree. When Cassie and him meet explosions go off but not the happy, tingly type.

I loved this story and don't want to give any spoiled away but the ending with the roses is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever read.

The writing style reminds me of Sophie Kinsella or Mariam Keyes. This author is a one click or one purchase. I will definitely be reading more.

[Tasha Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

::..Reviewed for Red's Midnight Reader..::

I was very kindly offered an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I have given this story 4 stars.

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted is another wonderfully lovely story from the talented Lisa Hobman. It was a fun read, that was incredibly heart-warming as Cassie learned to find herself again after a heartbreaking discovery.

As always it was well written, well paced and the characters were pretty well developed and I found myself really enjoying it. I despised Seth so much but Lisa can sure write a bad guy, good! And I actually looked forward to the interactions with Seth, he was so over the top, it was great! The love story between Mac and Cassie was so sweet, I was rooting for them from their first meeting. They complimented each other so well.

The only thing for me is that I am not a fan of sickly sweet pet names and there was plenty to be had in What Becomes of the Broken Hearted but it doesn't really really effect the story, especially when you have as much trouble as the leading lady pronouncing a certain name - It was all great fun!

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the dark side of romance; Cassie thinks she has everything and is prepared to ignore her lover's controlling personality. When he lets her down, she runs and tries to rebuild her life in a coastal village on the Scottish borders, but he hasn't finished with her yet.

Cassie's lack of self-esteem is symptomatic of someone in an abusive relationship and makes her story believable. Even though she leaves Seth, her life is plagued by his influence making even friendships difficult. Mac's caring personality, lets Cassie believe in a future again but she still doesn't believe in herself.

This is a realistic love story, which highlights abuse and how difficult it is to escape from. The community in the coastal village provides a source of hope and support in this story and finally helps Cassie live her life again.

I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for netgalley for giving an arc of this book!

I unfortunately didn't like this one this much ,I thought I would end up loving it so much but only loved some parts of it
It was fine I just had too high hopes so maybe its because of that.
I couldn't stand Seth,literally the worst: a cheater,a control freak, and he told Cassie she had no life without him ? What an asshole. I'm so glad Cassie left him.
But Mac,I love him so much and when he proposed to Cassie?I cried ,they are so good for each other so because of him and cassie I enjoyed this book more and I ended giving it 3 stars.


"And she knew without a doubt that what was once broken was now , and would forever be, fully mended. Tiger and Pebble forever."

[Kerry - Readkerryread · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I was quite disappointed with the lack of backbone of Cassie, or her lack of being able to decide anything for herself. Her fiance is manipulative, though seems sweet on the surface.

Drama unfolds and Cassie tries to start over in a seaside town, finding that it more suits her. Needless to say she hasn't changed much and lessons seem to still be learned. Mac is a welcome addition but she doesn't let him in very quickly.

The second half of the book was more enjoyable, the first half a little slow. I liked their connection and the small town appeal. The ex makes a surprise return and makes Cassie's fresh start a little rocky.

I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweetly told story which begins with Cassie living her dream - engaged to a man she adores; a successful, well known and wealthy man. Everything is going along swimmingly when Cassie returns to their apartment earlier than previously scheduled and finds her fiancee in bed with her very good friend. Cassie leaves the relationship and the city to live in a little beach town and recover from the betrayal. As she heals she finds that there are still decent people in the world, including handsome young men.

A well written and delightful read. Strongly recommend. Hoping for a sequel!! Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a review copy. This is my honest opinion.

[Traceys · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 heartwarming star

Loved this book, was easy to read, with an interesting array of characters.

Cassie is a pleasant young woman swept up in a 'perfect romance' with the not so perfect Seth. I found myself talking to my kindle, telling Cassie to see him for what he is.

If I was gonna start afresh I would choose a quiet seaside town, so Cassie's choice is agreeable with me. Her new friend isn't so bad either.

The storyline was engaging, and I liked the pace of Cassie and Mack's developing relationship.

This is a warm and engaging romance with a tad of angst to keep us on our toes. The ending was perfect, I had tears in my eyes. 💜

Recommended read, whether on the beach or cosy on your sofa.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always with a Lisa Hobman book we get such a heart felt emotional story and this one is no different to that.
So Cassie is living the high life with boyfriend Seth... but is it really the life she wants? She feels pushed along in a direction that just isnt for her and then when she gets a huge shock when arriving home early one day ot gives her the courage to open up.
Moving from the city Cassie finds a place to stay that is more up her street... but she struggles to let anyone new into her life.
From say one in the new place she has Mac.. hilarious.. fun filled..friendly Mac.. but he is the last thing that she wants... or so she thinks!
This story is full of highs lows truths and even has a psycho ex thrown in.
Fab easy to read story that I demolished in one day.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story. The setting was a fun treat along with the Scottish slang. Seth was horrendous and evil. There is a lot of drama in this tale, so many sad and crazy things happen. It all wraps up to a HEA which I like but considering what had gone on in it may be a bit too tidy. As for the solution to Seth, that would never happen to a person like that... The epilogue was cute but a bit over the top. I believed she was walking into her wedding and I thought for a second “Seth number 2 much??” . This story had some good bones, setting, characters, dialogue, drama just maybe a tad too much...still quite enjoyable!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie Montgomery has everything she thinks she needs – a successful business, a wonderful boyfriend and a great life.  Until one day, she discovers a secret which brings her world crashing down.  Wanting a fresh start, Cassie moves to a little village where she finally begins to feel like she belongs somewhere.  But can she learn to trust people again?

This was a lovely romantic story which grabbed me from the beginning.  I liked Cassie’s character, but probably warmed to her more as I moved through the story.  She obviously has huge trust issues, (who could blame her), and her self-esteem was at rock bottom.  The first half of the book, Cassie did come across as quite an angry person but when she meets Mac and begins to learn to trust people my heart just melted for her.

The location of the book was just absolutely perfect, and the author described these scenes beautifully.  The characters within the new village where Cassie moves to were delightful and they showed true community spirit in welcoming Cassie and taking her in as one of their own.    This is not just a story of abuse and heartache though, it’s so many more things.  It brought tears to my eyes at times, and made me laugh at others.

A heart-warming read teaching us that we can learn to live and love again.  Would definitely recommend.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in return for my honest review. It was a good chick lit. Why hadn’t she realised that her dad would never intend for her to lose her sense of self? She’d been so busy trying not to be the usual clumsy, haphazard Cassie Montgomery that she had in fact changed almost everything about her personality; her dress sense, her musical tastes, her free will as if doing so would make Seth love her more. He was a dominating overbearing blow heart, which thought he was entitled to every skirt in his path. I’m glad Cassie woke up. Pippa can have him.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seth is a really rotten guy, which Cassie FINALLY realizes. When she moves out, she moves to a small village and, of course, meets another guy, Mac, who is a good guy. I would have liked this better if there had been less drama and more self examination. And I would have liked more atmospherics from the town. There's a whole genre of this sort of novel- woman leaves man and finds a future elsewhere- but this isn't one of the better examples. Sorry about that. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Gea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie Montgomery lacks for nothing, but seemingly with no power to decide anything for herself - not even her wedding dress. But she can only make one decision when she walks in on her fiancee with another woman. She picks a place by the coast to retreat and build a new life for herself. It takes her some time to open her heart to the new people around her, but discovers that love is possible again.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. A story of romance, friendship and new beginnings. I loved the relationship between the main characters. Well written, well paced a lovely easy read. Heartwarming. Gorgeous Scottish location - sounds like somewhere I would like to live.

Highly recommended - a must for lovers of happy endings. A perfect summer holiday read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

A tale of how love friendship and trust turned to betrayal. Cassie leaves a domineering and controlling fiancee after finding him in bed with her friend. She realises that Seth is dangerous and ensures he doesn't know where she is. She begins her new life making new friends but Seth finds her and makes it his mission to ensure it be can't have her no one can. Really enjoyed this story as it evolved and the plot did thicken.

[K.M. Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good!

After being an avid reader of Lisa's work it was good to jump back into one of her newer titles. I really enjoyed this book. Being from Scotland it's always nice to read the lingo in books. I really liked Cassie and Mac. I hated Seth from the opening pages. I was glad he got his comeuppance. If you like contemporary romance you'll enjoy this heart warming story.

[Nicola Burbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star read

Well what can I say I have another new bbf . Sexth didn't like him but tiger well..... He is the kind of man you need and the one you'd letting daughter marry! Another great read from Lisa...... Yes I will give you a hug in leeds. Lisa you are a fantastic author xxx

[Lisa M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this story but found it had quite a bit of melancholy to it that I wasn't expecting when I started the book. The characters were strong and Lisa's writing kept me interested, especially the idyllic Scottish coastal setting. But I think it took me by surprise and I was in the mood for a lighter read.

[Lethmi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok but very predictable and the character of the ex husband was almost farcical in its one dimension. It was nice enough and I got to the end but the speech in particular was often painfully scripted. I wanted to like it more because I could see the writer worked hard, and I definitely couldn’t do better but it wasn’t my favourite.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One star off for Cassie being quite naive (stupid). You'll know exactly what I mean when you come to it (various degrees of nativity but Seth is master manipulative bastard so most instances I forgive).

I like Mac and Cliff. The seaside town sounds so lovely too!!