Taking Laura

A Broken Heart #3

by Vi Carter

This world breeds monsters in the form of men. There is no justice or revenge or higher power that will intervene. The only thing you can do is walk away and leave everything you know and love behind...

So that's what I did.

Laura signs herself into a psychiatric ward. All she wants is to sleep at night and not fear what was to come. To her, the high gates and security means safety. That is until she meets Craig.

Craig is a recovering addict who has been clean for a year. The walls of the hospital offer him safety. He knows that when he leaves, he might not survive. His group of friends and everyday routine becomes his salvation. That is until he meets Laura.

Thrown together in a group assignment they must learn about each other, but they soon learn a lot about themselves and the picture isn't always pretty.

Can you truly fix something that wasn't just broken but shattered?

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2018

About the author

When Vi Carter isn’t writing dark romance books that feature the mafia, are filled with suspense, and take you on a fast-paced ride, you can find her reading her favorite authors, baking, taking photos or enjoying long walks in the Irish countryside.

Vi’s biggest selling series, Young Irish Rebels, is available in Audio, English and Dutch.

Married with three children, Vi divides her time between motherhood and all the other hats she wears as an author.

She has declared herself a coffee & chocolate addict! Do not judge. 

Subscribe to Vi’s newsletter for a free book to follow her down a dark path alongside the Mafia!



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Reviews

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original review

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Vi Carter!

Taking Laura is the third book in the A Broken Heart series and tells the story of Laura and Craig.

Taking Laura was such a good book and I think that this one if the best book in this series so far. Taking Laura is so different compared to Saving Grace and Claiming Amber, but in a good way. I think that this book is the best one so far because it deals with mental health, addiction and abuse, and is not just a romance book but so much more.

We all know Craig from Saving Grace and Claiming Amber, but we don’t know the Craig we’ve seen in this book. We get to know a different side of him thanks to Laura. I really liked the way Craig changed and that he dared to be honest with her. Laura is a new character who’s been through so much and learns how to deal with everything. I think that they bring out the best in each other and that’s something beautiful.

Taking Laura was amazing, fast paced and so well written. I really liked the story and I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know what was going to happen to Craig and Laura. I think that if I had the time, I would’ve finished it in one day.

I cannot wait to read more books written by Vi Carter because she’s an amazing author and I love all her books!

[Treasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breathtaking!
An incredibly strong emotionally gripping read that will take every thing from you as it wedges it's way into your heart demanding a space to fill the empty void this beautifully written read instills within you! Moving, intense, edgy, a strong myriad of emotions, shock rendering twists and heartpounding turns! A searing must read that will take everything from you but give you so much more in return!

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't get enough of Laura & Craig's story. It was a very intriguing read & I loved the characters. I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review for a copy of the book via booksprout.

[CS · Rating 5 out of 5]

As we are introduced to Craig and Laura, there's an edgy feeling of insanity in the way the facility they are interned in, is run. Daily therapy sessions with the damaged teens roaming freely and interacting in their own maladjusted way. Craig's POV shows his disdain for the life he now leads and plays mind games with everyone he meets, peers and counselors alike. He is confident and cocky in his sex appeal and uses it to his advantage. He immediately discounts the new girl, Laura. She's nothing special in his eyes, and doesn't really waste his time thinking about her. When they are paired together for an assignment for their therapy group, he lets her know that he will not be needing to spend any additional time with her. Her surprising acceptance of that has him confused. She doesn't try to engage him or win him over as most people do, and that bothers him. Laura has her own deep issues. Her POV exposes her OCD tendencies and her will to control herself and her dark thoughts. Both Craig and Laura are smart, and somewhat normal compared to the rest of the damaged, mean spirited bunch they have to interact with.

We learn later that they are in an psychiatric hospital. The heart wrenching and descriptive snippits of abuse that appear in Laura's POV as memories are nightmarish and I had to stop reading at times because it was so painful. The author paints a horrible picture of long term abuse that goes unchecked to the point of madness. How Laura and Craig can even function (although they are barely functioning) is a miracle. In the beginning, Craig does not open up to the horrors of his history. Clever enough to mask his pain, he lies his way into everything. His POV reveals a deep sensitive caring for the other psychiatric inmates, but his behavior is the opposite. The hurt and damage caused by their parents is horrendous, and it is an epic journey filled with strength and hope as they make it back to healing together.

This story is filled with emotional drama as Laura struggles with her abusive past and tries to find hope in her relationship with Craig. This was a dramatic, compelling and intense story that focused on two broken souls that were able to heal and hope together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautifully written story, so much depth, heartbreak and pain. You really feel for Laura, the trauma’s she has received at the hands of her family are terrible. She find joy in talking and communicating with Craig, another member of the clinic, he has also gone through his own troubles.

Together they find a light at the end of the tunnel.

This book is really deep and heart wrenching, a real insight into sufferers. A must read if you like a book with a bit of grit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MaLoBe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, emotional, fantastic!

I was trying to find the proper words to express what I felt during and after I read this fantastic book. It is hard to describe it in few sentences. This book is written in a perfect manner, beautifully. It has so much depth, heartbreak and pain all the raw emotions emerge from the words. Two beautiful, troubled souls and two equally broken hearts with dark and troubled past. People who went through traumatic experiences just to find themselves in one another. Heartbreaking but also heart-warming story. I loved it! Perfect, intense and emotional. Must read!

[Maria Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was intense. The twist and turns had me on edge. The suspense was great. The emotional rollercoaster the characters went through was strong. The bonds that are formed show some healing. The struggles and turmoils are so hard. It was well written. It was a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written story it is book three in the A Broken Heart series a book I enjoyed reading. Craig and Laura's story is highly moving, with a lot, these two have to overcome, with pain, heartbreak, and turmoil. But they find a shoulder to lean on in each other this is a very strong, emotional story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J. Ockenhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura and Craig are 2 very broken people who have such an intense and powerful story to tell.

It finds a way not only into your heart but your brain as well. It's emotional, intense, hold on to the edge of your chair twists and told so well that you feel as though you are seeing these characters through your window.

Overall, it's an incredible journey that shouldn't be missed. My words won't even remotely do this book justice. I received an ARC for an honest and voluntarily review.

[Siyka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the different points of view, the way the relationships - all of them, are presented and the hope that they can help each other heal with their love and their will to heal.
I like the style and the story - it touches and sounds very close to home.
It helps to think that no matter what happens people still can heal and become their better versions and overcome the pain and the helplessness.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sometimes haunting and sometimes sweet and sometimes sad. All the characters come to life in this story. They are interesting and none are trite stereotypes. Laura and Craig are extremely likeable. The epilogue is a little short, but otherwise this is a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Jessica CW · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Vi Carter is amazing at crafting characters who have the potential to be good, to shape their flaws with triumphs and turn tragedy into growth.

This story is very different from the previous two stories of Grace and Amber. It's harder on the soul.

Craig battled neglet, an addict mother, and life without direction and so much more that he became an addict himself and ended up hurting more people then he ever wanted. We finally get to see the deeper side of Craig, the person who is good.

Laura- she has suffered so much, and then suffered again as she tries and remembers. This story contains a massive twist and it breaks your heart and makes you want to protect her.

Laura and Craig are broken but together they help mend each other to be full again.

*trigger warning, this story mentions without detail abuse. It mentions suicide too.

This story is about growing, moving forward and putting their tragedies to rest.

In this story I am not to impressed with Emmett- I understand but hate his lack of compassion now that Craig is whole again baffles me. Yes he could of done worse but still. I wonder how Amber is doing and wonder if they both know how far Craig has come. Glad to see a brief appearance from Grace.

This story doesn't have the steam that previous stories have although it's implied- I am curious how she handled sex after her abuse. Did it take her time? Or was it much simpler because she has come so far?

The chemistry between the two is an incredible blend with them both becoming whole individuals.

Lastly the story needed an epilogue. With both having been so broken I am curious how they whether through life post healing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story. It was well written and fast paced. The chemistry between the characters was sizzling hot. This book has everything you need to keep you turning pages hot sexy men, steamy scenes and some conflict thrown in. I cannot wait for what this author writes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angelica Larsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quite a different story than I thought it would be but it was a good one. Enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Loved Laura and Craig. Loved the humor.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elizabeth Presley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the book from the start it is a nice add to my library
Thanks again for the opportunity to read this book and to review it

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has had enough so she books herself into a psyc ward. He is a recovering addict and he feels safe behind the walls. He meets her and they form a friendship which may become more. He starts to see his life as it really is. See if they can help each other

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, emotional read. Pulls you in and makes you feel like you are of part of the book. Making you feel a connection to the characters. It is fabulously written. Has a great storyline. It is a must read. I recommend it to all. I received it from booksprout and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I was exhausted after reading. Laura and Craig are beautiful broken people and together they start healing together. It is petrifying to realize later in the book what both of them went through to end up where they did, but something truly magnificent came from the rubble. I went through a whirlwind of emotions while reading this book. I loved it!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this third book in the Broken Heart series they have all been very enjoyable reads. She is looking for a way to have peace and safety and checking in to a mental ward she thinks she is going to get it until he comes along. He is a recovering addict who uses the ward as a way to be safe and survive. Thrown together what will they learn and get out of this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jacqueline Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written suspenseful storyline that kept me turning the pages. The characters go through emotional ups and downs. This is the third book in the series and will have you feeling for the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, the characters were well written and the plot moved really well. I found myself sucked into the story right from the beginning

[Petra Kralj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! It was an emotional roller coaster. Laura and Craig are two very broken people but they manage to heal each other as well. The things they had to go through in the past...OMG. I loved the humor and their connestion.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Miss Piggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book however all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
I loved this! It grabbed me from the first page, kept me til the last and enthralled me in between. Well worth your time to read it.

[poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read but it will put you through the wringer as t is quite an emotional read at times. Laura and Craig were wonderful characters and you cannot help but like these two. This was a great read I was pulled right into the story and did not want to put it down

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional rollercoaster that is well written is this emotional and intense story. It includes strong characters that form bonds that shows healing with hard struggles and turmoils. I loved the suspense and twists that kept me on the edge.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the 4th book I’ve read written by Vi Carter; she has done a great job at writing a good book. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

[Nadea Croix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story that will keep you flipping pages throw in some surprise twist and turns to really be able sink in one sitting.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was gripping, well written & the chemistry between the characters sizzled throughout this wonderful read.

Well done Vi. I look forward to more!

[Kim]

Review to follow

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a definite emotional roller coaster story with some angst! I really liked it and the characters were great. It's an emotional story that also has some suspense, drama and romance. I really liked Craig and Laura! What an amazing conclusion to this story!