Saving Grace

A Broken Heart #1

by Vi Carter

I’ve tried so hard to bury my past.
But nothing stays buried forever...

It’s been two years since I lost so much. Two years since I started a new life, in a new college, with a new group of friends. Two years, and now my troubles are rushing back.

When Derek walked into my life, he made me feel things I’d hoped never to feel again. The box I hid all my secrets in is opening, and I don’t think I am able to keep it shut this time.

My past is back to haunt me, but Derek is my distraction but I’m not sure he’s enough to keep the ghosts away. I’m not sure if I’ll walk away fully intact this time.  



If you like “The Problem with Forever” by Jennifer L Armentrout or “Hopeless” by Colleen Hoover, then Saving Grace will feed your addiction for a romance with real-life struggles.
 
Buy Saving Grace for a heart-breaking Romance Read Today!

THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE OR AS PART OF A SERIES.


A Broken Heart Series


Book One: Saving Grace
Book Two: Claiming Amber
Book Three: Taking Laura

Genres: College, Contemporary Romance, Romance

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 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

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.

So I totally understand my be series name now as this book is truly an emotional roller coaster. Grace is going to college while dealing with some heavy emotional stuff that she had been through. On top of that all her friends have secrets that okay a role in some way or another. It makes you feel for her and then we get Dylan. With his own secrets they fall in love forever changing things. Great contemporary romance with a heavily emotional twist. I really liked it I give it 4/5 stars.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/6/2019)! 🎁

[Mandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was such an emotional angsty read! It’s a bit confusing at times, with all the characters involved, but it was a nice read none the less!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[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!

Saving Grace tells the story of Grace who’s lost her brother two years ago. She doesn’t want to tell anyone about her past until she meets Derek. Derek seems so perfect, but is he as perfect as he seems?

Saving Grace is such a beautiful book and it was so hard to put down! I wanted to know how the story was going to end and I just had to know Grace’s story. Saving Grace was such a fast-paced read and I couldn’t stop reading.

Grace is such a strong character, she’s been through a lot with her brother and she’s trying to keep all her emotions to herself but once she met Derek, she couldn’t help sharing her story. I think that sharing her story made her even stronger because she finally let someone in and that’s something really brave.

I also like the fact that Vi Carter mentioned in Saving Grace that she wants to give the reader the same emotional ride that she got from reading Colleen Hoover and Jennifer L. Armentrout books. I did get a Colleen Hoover/Jennifer L. Armentrout vibe and those two are my favourite authors, so Vi you did an amazing job!

I really liked Saving Grace and I cannot wait to read the rest of the A Broken Heart Series!

[Rain ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruh, I wanted more !!!!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has hidden all her last behind her but it is about to come crashing back into her life. She meets a great guy but can he help her when her last comes back to haunt her. Will he be able to keep her safe? She knows she can not survive it all again. See if she can

[Colleen Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.

I loved the description of this book. It sounded interesting, full of intrigue and romance. Some of my favourite things! The author's strength is in love scenes. That was where her characters were the strongest and her writing was at it's best. Also being an American, I loved the feel of being in a different country, I wish I could have seen the scenery from the perspective of the main character more.

I RESPECT this author writing her work and getting it out there. She's done a lot and you can tell.

However, I think the book needs a bit more of an editors touch or a good author's group to help her clarify and line out some of her character issues. Derek, for example, shouldn't have had a perspective. Every bit of his dialogue could have been told from the main character's perspective, his perspective either needed to be a whole lot more or none at all. As for all her friends, there are too many and it confuses the reader - diluting the storyline. For her future books, I hope she'll focus on fewer characters and give us much more of them.

She can build a world, she can write, she just needs more fine-tuning. I look forward to more from her.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was outstanding because it has so many layers.The friendship between Grace and Amber would make anyone want a best friend.The loss of Graces brother James will leave you red and swollen eyed from crying. Anyone who has had any loss in life, not just a death will applaud the author Vi on her amazing execution of this. Grace and Derek well oh my, what a love story again I cried laughed and even went a bit red and hot under the collar reading them together lol. There was a lot of different relationships but the ones that stood out for me was Grace and Craig and Grace and Emmett I enjoyed the different dynamics of these relationship s and 100 percent want to read more about these guys .I give this book 5 stars easily and am super excited to read more of Vi Carters books.

[LianaReads blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. Grace is a college girl who has been through so much in her life and still trying to make a good thing of everything. She has lost her younger brother and is having a hard time to pass over it, with the small reminders every day or even the dreams of happy times, having her mother in a hospital for depression and loosing her doesn’t help Grace’s anxiety. She is trying to hide all of her feelings from everyone until she meets Derek, next door neighbour and college friend.
Derek has his own demons to fight and even if he knows he shouldn’t, he still falls for Grace.
I loved how their love story goes through so much before admitting that they can stand up for everything, they learn how to trust and forgive and love each other.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been two years since Grace’s life has been turned upside down and she is still reeling. When her life hit bottom not only did she not have anyone to lean on she had to be the one that others leaned on.

Derek owes a favor which will be paid in full as long as he watches out for Grace and keeps her safe. The only rules are that he doesn’t tell her who sent him, and they can never be more than friends however some rules are meant to be broken.

This is the first book I have read by this author. Full of emotion, drama and romance Grace has more on her shoulders than anyone should have to bear and Derek is just the man to help her heal. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book and Grace's story. Yes it is one of those angst filled reads with tons of emotions and twist in the plot. So much that is unknown until the end and even there after but it's a standalone it's just the family has plenty of secrets some of which we learn as the story progresses. Derek is (deep sigh) well he is what dreams are made of and a victim of circumstances. Everyone has secrets and they aren't easy ones. There is big stuff going on not only for Grace but for most of the people in her circle of friends.

I haven't read this author before but she has definitely got my attention. I love that even though there is plenty going on she doesn't let it overwhelm you and stop you from enjoying the story. Loved it

[Karen Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Enjoyable, Engaging, Must Read Book

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book. I liked this really enjoyable, entertaining book from Vi Carter. If you are looking for a good book to read you want to read this. It has a great, interesting, well written storyline that kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I really liked and enjoyed reading about the lovely, engaging characters, they really kept me interested in this book. I loved their story. Their interaction and chemistry was enjoyable and intriguing, I couldn’t put it down. “Saving Grace” is a Very Enjoyable, Must Read, Romantic Story

[Tracie Simister · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this Book a rating of 4 ✩’s
Title: Saving Grace
Series: A Broken Heart Book 1
Genre: Coming of Age Romance
Author: Vi Carter
Format: Kindle Edition
Published on: Oct 8, 2018

I voluntarily received a Courtesy Copy of this book from Silver Dagger Tours and am choosing to leave a review.
>-< >-< >-< >-< >-<>-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-< >-<
What I liked/Didn’t Like:
Good Storyline. Great Main Characters but the extra characters left me a bit confused. What I loved was this one had a lot more substance than what was expected going in. The main characters were awesome. I am hoping there is a book 2 to clarify some of the questions left unanswered.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for a honest review.

Saving Grace is an well written engaging and emotional read, The book focuses on Grace a college student has lost so much. Its now two years since the loss of her brother James. She has a new life with a new group friends, but is keeping secrets about her past. When Grace meets Derek her next door neighbour she slowly start opening up.





There are plenty of secrets throughout the book. We slowly find different things about Grace and her friends. There were quite a few twists that kept me guessing.



I really enjoyed the relationships between a few characters. Mainly Grace and Amber and Grace and Derek.



Overall this book was very intriguing. It is a emotional read full of drama, romance and secrets



I would give this book 4/5.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the story was well written. A person who enjoys a contemporary romance that is angst-filled, yet one that can have a happy ending will be very happy. Personally, I prefer my romances to have more light than shade. The characters were, for the most part, well developed although, some details that I was wondering about won't be delved into more until further instalments of the series. I am sorry to say that even though Derek and Grace had their HEA I wasn't left feeling happy which I like to feel when I have finished a book. That said, it is no reflection on the author's writing, just on the fact that I really don't like this kind of book. I can still appreciate how well the story was written and that for fans of this trope this could be a firm favourite.

[Christine Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic heartwrenching yet heartwarming story of young woman’s struggle with guilt and grief years after her brother’s death. And a young man’s burden to pay a debt to a family that is not his to pay. What these two find along the way is a love that heals and unites two broken families torn apart by pain and loss. Full of secrets, heartbreak, fear, anger, tears, healing, and love. Saving Grace will have readers laughing, crying, and falling in love with Derek and Grace. A tender love story readers won’t want to put down.

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

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a pretty good read. The characters are intriguing and interesting. The mystery surrounding the plotline and how the author delivered the story in set of memories captured my interest. I did have a bit of trouble with some of the writing. I got lost a few times with how the author expressed certain characteristics then seemingly forgot about them later. Overall a pretty good story. Great start.

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

[Brittania Dancer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written engaging storyline. Grace is still trying to get over her brother's death when she meets Derek during her struggles. Can he help her embrace their future? Characters interesting and developed. Chemistry good. The plot is good but need to be quicker and is filled with drama, romance and self discovery. I would recommend this book.

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

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I happily received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot to this book is a solid one.

Look after a guys sister to pay off a debt.
Have a secret you need to tell her but don't want to tell her but know she will find out about anyway.
Throw in a few interesting friends and you have the makings of a great story.

After the initial scene when Emmett asked Derek to watch Grace, the best place to start the book would have been the fire.
Derek's POV would have benefited from him revealing to the reader why he was repaying a debt to Emmett, his guilt and more of his emotions. From the glimpses we have of him before Grace meets him I almost expected the dreadlocks to be fake.

I have a love/hate relationship with Grace.
I empathise with her loss and I realise everyone grieves differently, but Grace seems to wallow in hers a bit. She doesn't come across as a very good friend. Her support for them seems to depend on if she approves of their actions or has time. She has a surprisingly large group of friends for a girl who basically locks herself away in her room unless Amber almost forces her hand.

The book takes a while to get going; it took until the end of the second chapter for the protagonists to see each other, let alone actually meet. It is well written but I think it could benefit from a last minute proofread or edit. There are some passive sentences, paragraphs and even entire chapters that could be omitted and the story would still stand. There are a few parts with over explanations, like the blow by blow of Grace showering and making coffee, or how the colour of Craig's drink relates to his mood. Shorter, punchy sentences would give more impact to the flow of the book.
The inner thoughts and speech seems kind of formal or much older for college kids, the constant referring to school as 'college' seems out of place and I'm not sure if it is a cultural thing or not but referring to mothers as "Mam" threw me. "Row" as opposed to fight or argument, "place of work" as opposed to job.

I feel like I am a negative Nellie with this review, and that is not my intention. I have an editing background to tend to read with a critical eye.
So that was the not so good, now for the good.
I love Amber. She is the kind of friend I wish I had as a young woman.
I would be furious if my brother had kept a secret this heavy from me and then sent someone connected to it to essentially babysit me.
I am hoping readers get to know the secondary characters well in their own books they all seem deserving of some happiness. They are well thought out, well written and lively. So many at times overwhelmed a scene here and there, but they have set up the series excellently.

[Lisa F · Rating 4 out of 5]

First thing I love this author and am the first to read anything she writes

I don’t want to give away the storyline or any spoilers but I will say this book at times had me laughing, crying ( sobbing ) and sighing.

If you love a good romance with a few little surprises and some tears
This is the book for you.

[Ann Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I would categorize this as a romance, but it is definitely interesting. There is some romance and much more. Most of the characters have been thought out and are as confusing as real life. I look forward to more from Ms. Carter. This is an excellent first book.

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

[Ann Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure I would categorize this as a romance, but it is definitely interesting. There is some romance and much more. Most of the characters have been thought out and are as confusing as real life. I look forward to more from Ms. Carter. This is an excellent first book.

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

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the loss of loosing a brother it is the most heart wrenching experience so I relate with Grace a hell of a lot. Not being able to count on family would have been really difficult I at least had my mom she had no one. Derek walks in and they become very fond of each other. Can he help her past her grief.

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

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story will leave you emotional! Grace has had a hard life and needs to find a way to accept that what has happened in the past is not her fault. I really enjoyed this story, but be prepared if you have a heart it will break before it is put back together again! It has all the feels, anger, sadness, romance and some humor.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Salvation. This was a great book about a woman tortured by her past and haunted by ghosts both living and dead. As the first in a new series, it works well in introducing several characters to play with in the next books while keeping the main focus on this particular book's couple and their story. Great story by itself, and at least as solid a foundation for the new series. Very much looking forward to reading the next books.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story but it is too long, maybe some of the events could have been skipped over. I was 85% through the book before finding out what had happened years before to the heroine's brother. But still good suspense while waiting to find out!.

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

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pulled at the emotions. It was well written, interesting and kept me wanting to see what was next. Grace and Derek are great together. This has family, heat and hea. I received it from booksprout and voluntarily left my review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one in the A Broken Heart Series it is a well-written book that I enjoyed reading. Looking forward to reading the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lisa jung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace

Grace is a college student with her own secrets and pass. But when her brother Emmet sends Derek to watch over her and become friends life takes a turn when the past meets the current and all secrets are revealed. A coming to age book with amazing characters

[Autumn Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for E&A Book Blog

A beautifully written story about a girl trying to hide from a devastating loss, a boy held captive by a secret, and an over protective brother, who wants the best for his sister. I loved this story from beginning to end.