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The Beauty of Broken Things
United by tragedy, can two broken souls make each other whole?
After the tragic loss of his wife, Helen, Luke Hansard is desperate to keep her memory alive. In an effort to stay close to her, he reaches out to an online friend Helen often a reclusive photographer with a curious interest in beautiful but broken objects. But first he must find her—and she doesn’t want to be found.
Orla Kendrick lives alone in the ruins of a remote Suffolk castle, hiding from the haunting past that has left her physically and emotionally scarred. In her fortress, she can keep a safe distance from prying eyes, surrounded by her broken treasures and insulated from the world outside.
When Luke tracks Orla down, he is determined to help her in the way Helen wanted by encouraging her out of her isolation and back into the world. But Orla has never seen her refuge as a prison and, when painful secrets and dangerous threats begin to resurface, Luke’s good deed is turned on its head.
As they work through their grief for Helen in very different ways, will these two broken souls be able to heal?
After the tragic loss of his wife, Helen, Luke Hansard is desperate to keep her memory alive. In an effort to stay close to her, he reaches out to an online friend Helen often a reclusive photographer with a curious interest in beautiful but broken objects. But first he must find her—and she doesn’t want to be found.
Orla Kendrick lives alone in the ruins of a remote Suffolk castle, hiding from the haunting past that has left her physically and emotionally scarred. In her fortress, she can keep a safe distance from prying eyes, surrounded by her broken treasures and insulated from the world outside.
When Luke tracks Orla down, he is determined to help her in the way Helen wanted by encouraging her out of her isolation and back into the world. But Orla has never seen her refuge as a prison and, when painful secrets and dangerous threats begin to resurface, Luke’s good deed is turned on its head.
As they work through their grief for Helen in very different ways, will these two broken souls be able to heal?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
1509 people are currently reading
3094 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Connelly
67 books510 followersVictoria Connelly grew up in Norfolk before attending Worcester College where she studied English Literature. After graduating, she worked her way through a number of jobs before becoming a teacher in North Yorkshire.
In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!
Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.
Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.
The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.
In 2000, she got married in a medieval castle in the Yorkshire Dales and moved to London. Five weeks after their wedding, her husband, a television news cameraman, was sent to Israel. Convinced something terrible would happen to him, she came up with the idea for a novel about a young widow who starts seeing angels on her desk at work, but was scared to write it in case she tempted fate. It was only years later that her husband admitted to having a bullet graze his shirt sleeve whilst filming in Israel!
Although having had articles and short stories published, it was only when Flights of Angels was published that Victoria was able to realise the dream of becoming a professional writer. Published as Unter deinem Stern in Germany, the novel was made into a film for television by award-winning Ziegler Film. Her second novel, The Unmasking of Elena Montella (Wenn es dich gibt), was published in 2007 and her third, Three Graces (Wohin mit der Liebe), was published in 2009. All three magical romantic comedies are now available as ebooks.
Her first novel to be published in the UK – Molly’s Millions – came out in 2009. This was followed by a trilogy about Jane Austen addicts: A Weekend with Mr Darcy, The Perfect Hero (US title: Dreaming of Mr Darcy) and Mr Darcy Forever.
The Runaway Actress was published in April 2012 and she is currently working on another romantic comedy, Wish You Were Here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 243 reviews
May 21, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 9 June 2020
The Beauty of Broken Things is one beautiful novel. The story is so very relatable and all of us are really beautifully broken. The story shows how fear can disable us and lead us to miss out on life‘s simple joys and pleasures. The author’s gentle touch and sweetness of style take such a tragic occurrence and helps the reader see beyond it. This book really puts things into perspective and I highly recommend it.
The Beauty of Broken Things is one beautiful novel. The story is so very relatable and all of us are really beautifully broken. The story shows how fear can disable us and lead us to miss out on life‘s simple joys and pleasures. The author’s gentle touch and sweetness of style take such a tragic occurrence and helps the reader see beyond it. This book really puts things into perspective and I highly recommend it.
November 24, 2020
Luke Hansard was devastated after losing his wife, Helen, in a tragic accident and he was desperate to keep her memory alive. He decides to reach out to an online friend whom Helen had mentioned numerous times, but locating this woman would prove to be more challenging than Luke imagined.
Orla Kendrick lives alone in an isolated Suffolk castle where she hides away from everyone and everything, including her past that left her with physical and emotional scars for life. When Luke finally found Orla, he wants to help her just as Helen wanted to. He does all he can to try and encourage her out of the life she’d been living and see that there was another world beyond the walls of her Suffolk castle. Just when Luke thought he was starting to make progress with Orla it seems to come to an abrupt end. In time would Luke and Orla be able to heal one another or would they remain two broken souls?
This was an amazing story of friendship, love and loss which I thoroughly enjoyed. A captivating, emotional and powerful story that I absolutely loved. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
Orla Kendrick lives alone in an isolated Suffolk castle where she hides away from everyone and everything, including her past that left her with physical and emotional scars for life. When Luke finally found Orla, he wants to help her just as Helen wanted to. He does all he can to try and encourage her out of the life she’d been living and see that there was another world beyond the walls of her Suffolk castle. Just when Luke thought he was starting to make progress with Orla it seems to come to an abrupt end. In time would Luke and Orla be able to heal one another or would they remain two broken souls?
This was an amazing story of friendship, love and loss which I thoroughly enjoyed. A captivating, emotional and powerful story that I absolutely loved. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
June 11, 2020
Powerful and emotional. Victoria Connelly gave me all the feels with this spellbinding story. This was a beautiful story about grief and healing. Luke is devastated after his beloved wife Helen dies. When he runs across an item Helen had for an online friend Orla, he is determined to get it to her. Orla is living an isolated life in a remote castle. She has been scarred both inside and out and is content with her solitary existence. When Luke meets Orla he is determined to help her heal, and in doing so perhaps he will heal himself.
A touching story infused with a great deal of heart and hope. Both Luke and Orla were very sympathetic characters and I wanted them to heal themselves. Find the silver lining, if you will. I loved the strong friendship that grew between Luke and Orla. I was really hoping this book did not take a certain direction and so thrilled when it didn’t. This is a book that will make you feel, so be sure to have that box of Kleenex handy.
*** Big thank you to Lake Union for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
A touching story infused with a great deal of heart and hope. Both Luke and Orla were very sympathetic characters and I wanted them to heal themselves. Find the silver lining, if you will. I loved the strong friendship that grew between Luke and Orla. I was really hoping this book did not take a certain direction and so thrilled when it didn’t. This is a book that will make you feel, so be sure to have that box of Kleenex handy.
*** Big thank you to Lake Union for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
May 21, 2020
The Beauty of Broken Things is one beautiful novel. The story is so very relatable and all of us are really beautifully broken. The story shows how fear can disable us and lead us to miss out on life‘s simple joys and pleasures. The author’s gentle touch and sweetness of style take such a tragic occurrence and helps the reader see beyond it. This book really puts things into perspective and I highly recommend it.
June 16, 2020
When he loses his wife in a terrible accident, Luke tries to find closure, by helping Helen's mysterious online friend. Orla has done a good job of hiding herself away from the world; so good in fact, that she may never have to see another person again.
I received a free copy from the publisher and Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
After he loses his wife Helen in a train accident, Luke struggles to go on. He feels smothered by everyone's pity and good intentions; and plagued by the thought that Helen wasn't as happy as she made out.
After discovering that her passion for photography had grown from a hobby to a professional ambition, one that was sadly never achieved; Luke decides to reach out to the mysterious BB, Helen's online friend and fellow-photographer.
Orla is a hermit, hidden in a remote castle. Since she moved there two years ago, she's hid behind the walls and refused to see anyone. Scared of people in general after a horrific incident, she finds beauty in broken porcelain, and has quite the online following.
When Luke shows up on her doorstep, she begrudgingly starts to accept the outside world; and in return she can hopefully help heal Luke.
I loved the setting in this book - the castle and the Suffolk countryside are as important as any character in the story.
It really is beautifully written and easy to read, despite the dark parts of Orla and Luke's history being the factor that brings them together.
I liked Orla's passion for photography, and her interest in how damage gives a history to delicate and beautiful porcelain.
There is a real emphasis on the importance of friends. I thought it was refreshing that the story remained focussed on the pure friendship that existed between Orla and Luke, and the rest of the villagers.
The not-so-good.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of Luke. As someone who is a complete introvert, and struggles to deal with social situations, I personally thought he was a bit of a dick in how he kept pushing Orla and not taking no for an answer.
Luke is using this jaunt away from home to hide from reality, so I thought he should have some empathy for Orla. He's constantly trying to push her to make huge leaps, because he knows best. I honestly wanted Orla to throw a teapot at him.
Overall, this was a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I liked the author's writing and would be interested in reading more of her work.
I received a free copy from the publisher and Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
After he loses his wife Helen in a train accident, Luke struggles to go on. He feels smothered by everyone's pity and good intentions; and plagued by the thought that Helen wasn't as happy as she made out.
After discovering that her passion for photography had grown from a hobby to a professional ambition, one that was sadly never achieved; Luke decides to reach out to the mysterious BB, Helen's online friend and fellow-photographer.
Orla is a hermit, hidden in a remote castle. Since she moved there two years ago, she's hid behind the walls and refused to see anyone. Scared of people in general after a horrific incident, she finds beauty in broken porcelain, and has quite the online following.
When Luke shows up on her doorstep, she begrudgingly starts to accept the outside world; and in return she can hopefully help heal Luke.
I loved the setting in this book - the castle and the Suffolk countryside are as important as any character in the story.
It really is beautifully written and easy to read, despite the dark parts of Orla and Luke's history being the factor that brings them together.
I liked Orla's passion for photography, and her interest in how damage gives a history to delicate and beautiful porcelain.
There is a real emphasis on the importance of friends. I thought it was refreshing that the story remained focussed on the pure friendship that existed between Orla and Luke, and the rest of the villagers.
The not-so-good.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of Luke. As someone who is a complete introvert, and struggles to deal with social situations, I personally thought he was a bit of a dick in how he kept pushing Orla and not taking no for an answer.
Luke is using this jaunt away from home to hide from reality, so I thought he should have some empathy for Orla. He's constantly trying to push her to make huge leaps, because he knows best. I honestly wanted Orla to throw a teapot at him.
Overall, this was a 3.5 out of 5 for me. I liked the author's writing and would be interested in reading more of her work.
June 9, 2020
A heart wrenching, broken into a million pieces, book yet so beautifully heart warming, join those pieces back together. This was one of a kind. Author Victoria Connelly's words had emotions seeped into it where every broken thing had an alluring beauty. Damaged souls healed together in the plot by the strength of the tapestry that weaved them together by the author. The prose left me awed.
Luke lost his wife Helen in a train accident, and Orla had a secret haunted past. Both Helen and Orla followed each other on the photography app Galleria. Helen had bought a gift for Orla, and Luke brought it to the old castle that Orla resided in. This was their journey of healing and finding life's simple joys.
My first book by this author, and WOW!! My breath got caught in my chest when emotions choked me. The two characters, struck down by life and its sudden incidents, had me longing to hug them. There was pain in their voices, I hoped they would heal soon. Landscapes lyrically described, the other characters brought out the gentleness of the story. Each page added to the richness of the plot, an understanding to life.
The author's brilliant hand with the warmth in the story brought me nearly to tears while making me smile. Every moment spent in the book was a journey into the beauty of broken things.
Simply brilliant.
Luke lost his wife Helen in a train accident, and Orla had a secret haunted past. Both Helen and Orla followed each other on the photography app Galleria. Helen had bought a gift for Orla, and Luke brought it to the old castle that Orla resided in. This was their journey of healing and finding life's simple joys.
My first book by this author, and WOW!! My breath got caught in my chest when emotions choked me. The two characters, struck down by life and its sudden incidents, had me longing to hug them. There was pain in their voices, I hoped they would heal soon. Landscapes lyrically described, the other characters brought out the gentleness of the story. Each page added to the richness of the plot, an understanding to life.
The author's brilliant hand with the warmth in the story brought me nearly to tears while making me smile. Every moment spent in the book was a journey into the beauty of broken things.
Simply brilliant.
June 15, 2020
Heartbreaking, hopeful, and absorbing!
The Beauty of Broken Things is a moving, sensitive tale set in the idyllic Suffolk countryside that takes us into the lives of Orla Kendrick and Luke Hansard, two strangers whose budding friendship helps them learn how to support, heal, grow, take chances, start anew, and grieve the tragedies they’ve each endured.
The prose is emotive and smooth. The characters are vulnerable, scarred, and compassionate. And the plot is a captivating tale full of love, loss, family, tragedy, courage, community, contentment, anxiety, and unconditional friendship.
Overall, The Beauty of Broken Things is a pensive, tender, evocative tale by Connelly that reminds us that life can be unpredictable and full of curveballs, but it’s how we approach, handle and survive all these messy, complicated, highs-and-lows that truly make all the difference.
Thank you to Victoria Connelly and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
The Beauty of Broken Things is a moving, sensitive tale set in the idyllic Suffolk countryside that takes us into the lives of Orla Kendrick and Luke Hansard, two strangers whose budding friendship helps them learn how to support, heal, grow, take chances, start anew, and grieve the tragedies they’ve each endured.
The prose is emotive and smooth. The characters are vulnerable, scarred, and compassionate. And the plot is a captivating tale full of love, loss, family, tragedy, courage, community, contentment, anxiety, and unconditional friendship.
Overall, The Beauty of Broken Things is a pensive, tender, evocative tale by Connelly that reminds us that life can be unpredictable and full of curveballs, but it’s how we approach, handle and survive all these messy, complicated, highs-and-lows that truly make all the difference.
Thank you to Victoria Connelly and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in an exchange for an honest review.
June 16, 2020
I LOVED this beautiful heartbreaking novel The Beauty of Broken Things, by Victoria Connelly. The beautiful setting in the Suffolk countryside brought the story to life for me as did the characters that were relatable and that I enjoyed reading about. The story is about the harrowing loss of someone we love and how we go on as survivors after a painful and tragic loss. The story is also about hope and moving on, about new friendships and moving towards healing after a painful past and tragic traumatic events.
I found the writing beautifully expressed and I really enjoyed the pacing and the introduction of the characters as they go through moving forward and the hope for healing. As someone who has experienced loss, I was able to relate to the difficulties and how the painful events can either lead to a spiral downhill, or learn to navigate the new and hopeful tomorrow. This book did just that in a beautifully told story.
I recommend this book for an emotionally engaging read you will not be able to put down once you start.
I look forward to reading more from author Victoria Connelly.
I found the writing beautifully expressed and I really enjoyed the pacing and the introduction of the characters as they go through moving forward and the hope for healing. As someone who has experienced loss, I was able to relate to the difficulties and how the painful events can either lead to a spiral downhill, or learn to navigate the new and hopeful tomorrow. This book did just that in a beautifully told story.
I recommend this book for an emotionally engaging read you will not be able to put down once you start.
I look forward to reading more from author Victoria Connelly.
June 7, 2020
The Beauty of Broken Things is a fascinating story about unimaginable suffering and heartbreaking grief.
Helen and Orla were cyber friends on an app called Galleria, an Instagram of sorts focused on artistic pictures.
Despite never having met in real life, the two women shared a genuine love for photography and became very close.
When Helen died in a train crash, her husband, Luke, found a gift Helen had bought for Orla and decided to deliver it in person. He did not expect to find out his wife's friend was a recluse living isolated in an old castle.
The story is very touching. Orla suffered significant trauma and retreated from the world. Luke's broken heart could reach her in ways that others could not.
What started as an awkward meeting evolved into a lovely friendship. Two people in their lowest low sticking together and helping each other.
The little coastal town of Lorford was a picturesque setting, and the side characters were adorable. My favorite was One Ear, the dog.
The heaviness of the theme was lightened by the sense of community and friendship. The book focuses on the characters' achievements, and the bonds created rather than their pain.
The Beauty of Broken things is an inspiring and captivating read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 06/22/2020 as part of the book's blog tour*
Helen and Orla were cyber friends on an app called Galleria, an Instagram of sorts focused on artistic pictures.
Despite never having met in real life, the two women shared a genuine love for photography and became very close.
When Helen died in a train crash, her husband, Luke, found a gift Helen had bought for Orla and decided to deliver it in person. He did not expect to find out his wife's friend was a recluse living isolated in an old castle.
The story is very touching. Orla suffered significant trauma and retreated from the world. Luke's broken heart could reach her in ways that others could not.
What started as an awkward meeting evolved into a lovely friendship. Two people in their lowest low sticking together and helping each other.
The little coastal town of Lorford was a picturesque setting, and the side characters were adorable. My favorite was One Ear, the dog.
The heaviness of the theme was lightened by the sense of community and friendship. The book focuses on the characters' achievements, and the bonds created rather than their pain.
The Beauty of Broken things is an inspiring and captivating read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 06/22/2020 as part of the book's blog tour*
February 11, 2021
Beautiful
Such a lovely, gentle story about overcoming grief and fear through friendship. Was exactly what I hoped it would be!
Such a lovely, gentle story about overcoming grief and fear through friendship. Was exactly what I hoped it would be!
January 26, 2022
United by tragedy, can two broken souls make each other whole?
Helen Hansard is happiest when she’s not shackled to her 9 to 5 administrative job. Instead, she prefers spending time on her favourite social media site, Galleria, as it gives her a platform to express her love of photography.
One night while travelling home from work, Helen contemplates giving up her tedious admin role and instead resolves to take up photography full time. She smiles as she takes a photo of a stunning oak tree from her window. It turns out to be the last one she’ll ever take. The train she’s commuting on, crashes shortly after.
Several weeks pass and her widowed husband Luke struggles to come to terms with his loss. When he happens upon a gift that Helen had purchased for an online friend a few weeks before her death, Luke resolves to track her down and deliver it personally along with the news of Helen’s death.
Tracking down Helen’s mysterious friend proves to be no easy feat, however - particularly as they don’t want to be found.
Orla Kendrick lives alone in the ruins of a remote Suffolk castle, hiding from a troubled past that has left her physically and emotionally scarred. In her fortress, she can keep a safe distance from prying eyes, surrounded by her broken treasures and insulated from the world outside.
When Luke tracks Orla down, he is determined to help her in the way Helen wanted to: by encouraging her out of her isolation and back into the world. But Orla has never seen her refuge as a prison and, when painful secrets and dangerous threats begin to resurface, Luke’s good deed backfires in unexpected ways. As they work through their grief for Helen in different ways, will these two broken souls break free from their cycle of grief, fear and despair?
The Beauty of Broken Things is a poignant, heart-warming and emotional tale about courage, loneliness, heartbreak, and hope that is guaranteed to resonate with readers. It's a novel about healing, facing up to one’s past and finding the inner strength to embrace second chances.
I did fear at one point that the author was straying in a romantic direction with both characters which I felt would have taken away the overall message of the book. I needn’t have worried however and I was satisfied with the way the book ended.
The writing style was fluid and despite some of its dark themes such as death, grief, obsessive love disorder, stalking, agoraphobia, social anxiety etc - Luke’s crippling grief and Orla’s palpable fear of strangers and venturing outside comes to mind - this is nevertheless an uplifting story infused with a great deal of heart and hope as well as community and the importance of friendship.
The setting of the book off the Suffolk coast was a definite highlight. The sense of history that surrounded the ancient castle and the seaside village with its charming bustling community - I could practically hear the sights and sounds of the remote windswept beach where Orla walked her dog One Ear.
This is a pensive, tender and evocative tale that reminds us that while life sometimes throws us curveballs, it’s our capacity to find the hidden strength within ourselves to overcome those highs and lows that makes all the difference.
Victoria Connelly's writing seems to go from strength to strength and I look forward to delving into other works.
Jan Cramer’s narration was clear and concise with excellent pacing. I felt that her voice was perfect for the tone of the novel.
Helen Hansard is happiest when she’s not shackled to her 9 to 5 administrative job. Instead, she prefers spending time on her favourite social media site, Galleria, as it gives her a platform to express her love of photography.
One night while travelling home from work, Helen contemplates giving up her tedious admin role and instead resolves to take up photography full time. She smiles as she takes a photo of a stunning oak tree from her window. It turns out to be the last one she’ll ever take. The train she’s commuting on, crashes shortly after.
Several weeks pass and her widowed husband Luke struggles to come to terms with his loss. When he happens upon a gift that Helen had purchased for an online friend a few weeks before her death, Luke resolves to track her down and deliver it personally along with the news of Helen’s death.
Tracking down Helen’s mysterious friend proves to be no easy feat, however - particularly as they don’t want to be found.
Orla Kendrick lives alone in the ruins of a remote Suffolk castle, hiding from a troubled past that has left her physically and emotionally scarred. In her fortress, she can keep a safe distance from prying eyes, surrounded by her broken treasures and insulated from the world outside.
When Luke tracks Orla down, he is determined to help her in the way Helen wanted to: by encouraging her out of her isolation and back into the world. But Orla has never seen her refuge as a prison and, when painful secrets and dangerous threats begin to resurface, Luke’s good deed backfires in unexpected ways. As they work through their grief for Helen in different ways, will these two broken souls break free from their cycle of grief, fear and despair?
The Beauty of Broken Things is a poignant, heart-warming and emotional tale about courage, loneliness, heartbreak, and hope that is guaranteed to resonate with readers. It's a novel about healing, facing up to one’s past and finding the inner strength to embrace second chances.
I did fear at one point that the author was straying in a romantic direction with both characters which I felt would have taken away the overall message of the book. I needn’t have worried however and I was satisfied with the way the book ended.
The writing style was fluid and despite some of its dark themes such as death, grief, obsessive love disorder, stalking, agoraphobia, social anxiety etc - Luke’s crippling grief and Orla’s palpable fear of strangers and venturing outside comes to mind - this is nevertheless an uplifting story infused with a great deal of heart and hope as well as community and the importance of friendship.
The setting of the book off the Suffolk coast was a definite highlight. The sense of history that surrounded the ancient castle and the seaside village with its charming bustling community - I could practically hear the sights and sounds of the remote windswept beach where Orla walked her dog One Ear.
This is a pensive, tender and evocative tale that reminds us that while life sometimes throws us curveballs, it’s our capacity to find the hidden strength within ourselves to overcome those highs and lows that makes all the difference.
Victoria Connelly's writing seems to go from strength to strength and I look forward to delving into other works.
Jan Cramer’s narration was clear and concise with excellent pacing. I felt that her voice was perfect for the tone of the novel.
June 21, 2020
While I did enjoy the read, I felt the women's fiction story could have been so much better if better written. The author has done plenty of research into emotional issues reflected in the book, but none into photography. Unfortunately her writing style has 'it-itis' - six its in the first page of the prologue, it frequently beginning paragraphs or sentences. And where one it is used, more appear. Plenty of theres as well.
"It had been several weeks since the accident, but it still all felt so raw. May had arrived along with the first swifts, the apple tree had burst into blossom and the woods had turned hazy with bluebells. Luke cursed it all because Helen wasn’t there to see it."
Victoria Connelly. TheBeautyOfBrokenThings (Kindle Locations 259-261). Kindle Edition.
"There was also a tiny chest of drawers in there. It was the only place Helen could have put the vase, Luke thought. Sure enough, as he entered the room, he saw it. He walked towards it, picking it up carefully"
Victoria Connelly. TheBeautyOfBrokenThings (Kindle Locations 322-323). Kindle Edition.
The author could do herself a favour, in my opinion, by getting an editor who will help her to improve her writing. Or just doing a search in Word for it and there, and removing almost all instances. Find a noun to do the heavy lifting. It, and there was, are lazy and weak.
A widowed man - we first get to meet his pleasant and creative wife, so we share his loss - puts aside his building work and goes off to find a seaside castle house where he believes a reclusive photographer lives. This lady was the online friend of his late wife. The English class system has left marks so when the new owner of the castle doesn't want company, the gardener just gets on with work for years without seeing her. The scene does feel stretched, but maybe the Suffolk coast works this way.
I thought the builder sitting outside in his van for so long wasn't realistic - he would have said his mission from outside the door, not expected to be invited into the house. And why would the recluse not have called the police? Otherwise the tale moves on smoothly with both broken individuals finding some relaxation from company and an easing of internal tensions.
Some nice scenes are included, and we get a deep understanding of social anxiety, agoraphobia and what has caused them. I like the inclusion of gardening as relaxation and therapy.
Photographers talk and think about their camera makes and what lenses they use, the aperture, f-stop, exposure time and ISO. They don't just point and take. Well, sometimes they do, but they've picked up the right equipment in the first place. They use light meters and light baffles or reflectors. They talk about the air being clean, hazy or dusty, depth of field, and neutral density filters. They crop for different versions. They run a shot through Lightroom before sending it to the Web. Not in this story, they don't. This photographer is just arty. And self-obsessed.
I was sent an ARC by Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
"It had been several weeks since the accident, but it still all felt so raw. May had arrived along with the first swifts, the apple tree had burst into blossom and the woods had turned hazy with bluebells. Luke cursed it all because Helen wasn’t there to see it."
Victoria Connelly. TheBeautyOfBrokenThings (Kindle Locations 259-261). Kindle Edition.
"There was also a tiny chest of drawers in there. It was the only place Helen could have put the vase, Luke thought. Sure enough, as he entered the room, he saw it. He walked towards it, picking it up carefully"
Victoria Connelly. TheBeautyOfBrokenThings (Kindle Locations 322-323). Kindle Edition.
The author could do herself a favour, in my opinion, by getting an editor who will help her to improve her writing. Or just doing a search in Word for it and there, and removing almost all instances. Find a noun to do the heavy lifting. It, and there was, are lazy and weak.
A widowed man - we first get to meet his pleasant and creative wife, so we share his loss - puts aside his building work and goes off to find a seaside castle house where he believes a reclusive photographer lives. This lady was the online friend of his late wife. The English class system has left marks so when the new owner of the castle doesn't want company, the gardener just gets on with work for years without seeing her. The scene does feel stretched, but maybe the Suffolk coast works this way.
I thought the builder sitting outside in his van for so long wasn't realistic - he would have said his mission from outside the door, not expected to be invited into the house. And why would the recluse not have called the police? Otherwise the tale moves on smoothly with both broken individuals finding some relaxation from company and an easing of internal tensions.
Some nice scenes are included, and we get a deep understanding of social anxiety, agoraphobia and what has caused them. I like the inclusion of gardening as relaxation and therapy.
Photographers talk and think about their camera makes and what lenses they use, the aperture, f-stop, exposure time and ISO. They don't just point and take. Well, sometimes they do, but they've picked up the right equipment in the first place. They use light meters and light baffles or reflectors. They talk about the air being clean, hazy or dusty, depth of field, and neutral density filters. They crop for different versions. They run a shot through Lightroom before sending it to the Web. Not in this story, they don't. This photographer is just arty. And self-obsessed.
I was sent an ARC by Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
April 24, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my Advanced Reader’s Copy. I really hoped to like this one but was disappointed in the author’s writing style and couldn’t get past it. So much of the novel takes place inside the two main character’s heads and the author’s sentence structure is stale and overdone. I thought it would be sweet and easy, but instead I found I wasn’t picking it up to read.
April 16, 2020
Such a beautifully written story, that is ultimately heartwarming and uplifting, despite the incredibly sad and upsetting things that our two main characters have been through. But since meeting and spending time together, Orla and Luke are both perhaps just starting to heal and help each other.
Luke's world was turned upside when his wife suddenly denied incredibly unexpectedly. Orla lives in a castle 3 hours away from Luke, and hides herself away from the world - she is the ultimate definition of self isolation - and the only connection between Luke and Orla is a social media site.
For Luke's wife Helen loved the Galleria site (similar to instagram), and follows Orla's account and they have formed a friendship online without even knowing each others names. Helen sensed something about Orla and wanted to help, but then her life was tragically caught short.
Once Luke tracks down Orla, and they somehow slowly get to know each other, the story really does take on a life of its own.
Orla's account focuses on beautiful objects that have minor imperfections, she loves being able to find and highlight the beauty in broken things, and Helen (who although we only meet her briefly is a huge character in the book), also has started to love finding that same beauty in the imperfect.
What I found really moving, gripping and had real empathy for, was when Orla finally explains to Luke just what happened to make her the way she currently is. I won't tell you any details but its completely understandable that she would now live her life in the shadows as a result of what she went through.
Victoria Connelly's writing seems to go from strength to strength, and as much as I love her lighter hearted Austen Addicts and Booklovers series, this is probably her best book to date. Absolutely loved it!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,.
Luke's world was turned upside when his wife suddenly denied incredibly unexpectedly. Orla lives in a castle 3 hours away from Luke, and hides herself away from the world - she is the ultimate definition of self isolation - and the only connection between Luke and Orla is a social media site.
For Luke's wife Helen loved the Galleria site (similar to instagram), and follows Orla's account and they have formed a friendship online without even knowing each others names. Helen sensed something about Orla and wanted to help, but then her life was tragically caught short.
Once Luke tracks down Orla, and they somehow slowly get to know each other, the story really does take on a life of its own.
Orla's account focuses on beautiful objects that have minor imperfections, she loves being able to find and highlight the beauty in broken things, and Helen (who although we only meet her briefly is a huge character in the book), also has started to love finding that same beauty in the imperfect.
What I found really moving, gripping and had real empathy for, was when Orla finally explains to Luke just what happened to make her the way she currently is. I won't tell you any details but its completely understandable that she would now live her life in the shadows as a result of what she went through.
Victoria Connelly's writing seems to go from strength to strength, and as much as I love her lighter hearted Austen Addicts and Booklovers series, this is probably her best book to date. Absolutely loved it!
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily,.
August 3, 2020
The beautiful cover and a title that intrigued me, I picked this book from Netgalley.
I hadn't read any of Victoria connelly's books and have loved this story so much that I will definitely be reading more of her past titles soon.
The story is about two people, ina very difficult phase of life meeting under peculiar circumstances, through the memory of one person......
Helen, a young lady who works in a not so exciting day job creates excitement in her life through her photographs on a social media site. There she becomes friendly with the account tiltled 'Beauty of Broken Things. They foster a deep online friendship helping each other out in their passion. Tragedy strikes and Helen dies in a train accident. Luke, Helen's husband has this idea of searching her online friend and conveying about Helen and here begins the story of these two broken souls trying to help each other through their grief
A well written emotional contemporary fiction. The story moves along at an even pace with not a single boring moment. As a reader I was completely involved in tbe story. Loved the growth of the characters and thir relationship.
If you love to read heart touching stories about dealing with grief and trauma then this is for you.
I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for approving my Review request. The opinions expressed are entirely mine.
I hadn't read any of Victoria connelly's books and have loved this story so much that I will definitely be reading more of her past titles soon.
The story is about two people, ina very difficult phase of life meeting under peculiar circumstances, through the memory of one person......
Helen, a young lady who works in a not so exciting day job creates excitement in her life through her photographs on a social media site. There she becomes friendly with the account tiltled 'Beauty of Broken Things. They foster a deep online friendship helping each other out in their passion. Tragedy strikes and Helen dies in a train accident. Luke, Helen's husband has this idea of searching her online friend and conveying about Helen and here begins the story of these two broken souls trying to help each other through their grief
A well written emotional contemporary fiction. The story moves along at an even pace with not a single boring moment. As a reader I was completely involved in tbe story. Loved the growth of the characters and thir relationship.
If you love to read heart touching stories about dealing with grief and trauma then this is for you.
I thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for approving my Review request. The opinions expressed are entirely mine.
August 22, 2020
Another freebie (or almost). It was pretty bad. I gave it a second star because there were elements of a decent plot there however disappointingly executed, and the atmosphere of East Anglia was rendered nicely. A good editor might have helped.
March 15, 2021
The reviews were good so I bought the book but i thought it was ok, a nice story but didn’t really grip me
April 11, 2021
Very disappointing book. Boring, a bit dull, very predictable, not believable - just a few things that come to mind.
The main female character (Orla) recovers rather swiftly from a severe form of anxiety (PTSD) and the main male character (Luke) become rather unlikable as the story drags on (at least for me). I didn’t like the way he is pushing Orla to do things and doesn’t take her feelings into consideration. From half-way through the book he just started to annoy me.
Also, some of the descriptions are very repetitive. A dog “shoving its wet nose into someone’s hand” is mentioned a dozen times in the book. Seriously?
Thankfully I got this book for free. I can’t recommend spending money on such a weak story.
The main female character (Orla) recovers rather swiftly from a severe form of anxiety (PTSD) and the main male character (Luke) become rather unlikable as the story drags on (at least for me). I didn’t like the way he is pushing Orla to do things and doesn’t take her feelings into consideration. From half-way through the book he just started to annoy me.
Also, some of the descriptions are very repetitive. A dog “shoving its wet nose into someone’s hand” is mentioned a dozen times in the book. Seriously?
Thankfully I got this book for free. I can’t recommend spending money on such a weak story.
June 19, 2020
Thank you to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for giving me a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The book begins with Helen travelling home from her dull admin role in London. She talks about her love of the photography social media platform Galleria, where users share square images with thoughtful captions and quotes. She has finally decided to take the leap and go self-employed, selling her photographs. Unfortunately, the photo she takes of an oak tree from the train window is the last she'll ever take. The train crashes shortly after. A few weeks later, her widowed husband Luke remembers a gift that Helen had bought for a friend she met through Galleria, Orla. Luke finds Orla's address and goes to visit her, to give her the gift and tell her the sad news.
The Beauty of Broken Things focuses on dealing with tragedy, whether that is the loss of a loved one or an assault by a stranger. Luke and Orla become friends and support each other through their personal difficulties. Orla is terrified of the outside world after surviving a horrific attack, and Luke supports her to find her life again.
It also emphasises the power of friendship. Helen and Orla only knew each other as usernames — yet their friendship was as life-changing and powerful as those with people they knew face-to-face. I really liked this element of the book. I have many friends that I only know through the internet, yet I still consider them to be 'real' friends. Despite the internet being such a big part of our lives, this isn't an area usually mentioned in books, film or TV.
The Beauty of Broken Things is beautifully written, and I enjoyed every page of prose. I loved Victoria's descriptions of Orla's fear of going outside — whether the rising panic as she attempts to walk to Luke's van to go for a drive or the stress of the doorbell ringing. Luke's grief is also described in a sensitive but heartbreaking way. Her writing brought me to tears a few times as I could feel his pain! I loved how Orla and Luke both begin to help each other through their own difficult situations — and begin to live again.
I see myself a lot in Helen. I felt like I knew her so well from the first chapter (written from her POV) and through Luke and Orla's memories of her. I loved the section at the start where she is thinking about going self-employed. "If she didn't do it now then when? Nobody was going to come up to her and offer her a more fulfilling life, were they? She had to go out and find it herself."
Ultimately this is a story of hope. The Beauty of Broken Things is a wonderful book about not letting fear or grief control you, or prevent you from doing what you love. While there were sections in which I cried my eyes out, I also finished the book feeling positive and grateful for the things I have. It's a must-read!
The book begins with Helen travelling home from her dull admin role in London. She talks about her love of the photography social media platform Galleria, where users share square images with thoughtful captions and quotes. She has finally decided to take the leap and go self-employed, selling her photographs. Unfortunately, the photo she takes of an oak tree from the train window is the last she'll ever take. The train crashes shortly after. A few weeks later, her widowed husband Luke remembers a gift that Helen had bought for a friend she met through Galleria, Orla. Luke finds Orla's address and goes to visit her, to give her the gift and tell her the sad news.
The Beauty of Broken Things focuses on dealing with tragedy, whether that is the loss of a loved one or an assault by a stranger. Luke and Orla become friends and support each other through their personal difficulties. Orla is terrified of the outside world after surviving a horrific attack, and Luke supports her to find her life again.
It also emphasises the power of friendship. Helen and Orla only knew each other as usernames — yet their friendship was as life-changing and powerful as those with people they knew face-to-face. I really liked this element of the book. I have many friends that I only know through the internet, yet I still consider them to be 'real' friends. Despite the internet being such a big part of our lives, this isn't an area usually mentioned in books, film or TV.
The Beauty of Broken Things is beautifully written, and I enjoyed every page of prose. I loved Victoria's descriptions of Orla's fear of going outside — whether the rising panic as she attempts to walk to Luke's van to go for a drive or the stress of the doorbell ringing. Luke's grief is also described in a sensitive but heartbreaking way. Her writing brought me to tears a few times as I could feel his pain! I loved how Orla and Luke both begin to help each other through their own difficult situations — and begin to live again.
I see myself a lot in Helen. I felt like I knew her so well from the first chapter (written from her POV) and through Luke and Orla's memories of her. I loved the section at the start where she is thinking about going self-employed. "If she didn't do it now then when? Nobody was going to come up to her and offer her a more fulfilling life, were they? She had to go out and find it herself."
Ultimately this is a story of hope. The Beauty of Broken Things is a wonderful book about not letting fear or grief control you, or prevent you from doing what you love. While there were sections in which I cried my eyes out, I also finished the book feeling positive and grateful for the things I have. It's a must-read!
June 15, 2020
I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for inviting me to take part in this tour and thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I don't usually read much contemporary fiction, but this book surprised me from page one. I was really enjoying the first chapters and then it veered off course and became something else entirely that I hadn't expected and I actually ended up having a lovely time reading it, it was really impactful and inspirational.
We follow Orla and Luke, both of them now lonely and having to come to terms with their lives, being on their own and not knowing how to be happy anymore. The story is mainly about Helen and how she brought these two together, but I really loved seeing their relationship evolve, especially as it was only a friendship, and I think that made a world of difference in me enjoying this book.
Helen and Orla met through Galleria, an online social media hub for photos a lot like Instagram, and they both shared a passion for photography, Helen on the more natural side, and Orla concentrating on items that are broken. This is a really important part of the book because I thought that it carried the message that even though something is broken, it is beautiful. You'll understand more how important this is if you decide to pick this book up.
I loved seeing these two characters get to know one another, but also how they both came together to help one another, how Luke helped Orla get out of her castle and get into the community, to trust herself and others and to find confidence in who she was and her passion. I loved the setting, it was lovely to have a book set in Suffolk as it's just a county over from where I was born, so I definitely felt like I knew the coastline and tiny village that these two spend their time in.
I really found this book to be pleasant and impactful and I really enjoyed reading it, the writing style was fluid and the author's voice was lovely, it was quite simplistic but I thought that it got the message across beautifully. I gave this book 4 stars and I would recommend to people who like contemporary fiction, but to be aware of topics of loss, death, grief, loneliness, illness, hospitals, if you are sensitive to these and feel like picking this one up.
I don't usually read much contemporary fiction, but this book surprised me from page one. I was really enjoying the first chapters and then it veered off course and became something else entirely that I hadn't expected and I actually ended up having a lovely time reading it, it was really impactful and inspirational.
We follow Orla and Luke, both of them now lonely and having to come to terms with their lives, being on their own and not knowing how to be happy anymore. The story is mainly about Helen and how she brought these two together, but I really loved seeing their relationship evolve, especially as it was only a friendship, and I think that made a world of difference in me enjoying this book.
Helen and Orla met through Galleria, an online social media hub for photos a lot like Instagram, and they both shared a passion for photography, Helen on the more natural side, and Orla concentrating on items that are broken. This is a really important part of the book because I thought that it carried the message that even though something is broken, it is beautiful. You'll understand more how important this is if you decide to pick this book up.
I loved seeing these two characters get to know one another, but also how they both came together to help one another, how Luke helped Orla get out of her castle and get into the community, to trust herself and others and to find confidence in who she was and her passion. I loved the setting, it was lovely to have a book set in Suffolk as it's just a county over from where I was born, so I definitely felt like I knew the coastline and tiny village that these two spend their time in.
I really found this book to be pleasant and impactful and I really enjoyed reading it, the writing style was fluid and the author's voice was lovely, it was quite simplistic but I thought that it got the message across beautifully. I gave this book 4 stars and I would recommend to people who like contemporary fiction, but to be aware of topics of loss, death, grief, loneliness, illness, hospitals, if you are sensitive to these and feel like picking this one up.
June 23, 2020
I was immediately attracted to the description of this book. Two broken souls brought together by tragedy and together finding a deep connection that helped them to discover a sense of belonging again.
Orla lives alone in a remote castle, choosing to see no-one, not even Bill who tends her garden. She gets enjoyment from collecting damaged porcelain and photographing them to show off their exquisite beauty.
When a young man calls by she refuses to answer the door and asks him to leave. However, Luke needs to see Orla to explain why her friend Helen (his wife) hasn’t been in touch. He has sad news that her online friend has tragically died and needs to pass on a gift that Helen wanted Orla to receive.
I loved the descriptions of the ancient castle and the remote windswept beach where Orla walked her dog One Ear. The detailed imagery of the delicate china teacups and vases with a hairline crack or tiny chip made me think of the history behind the pieces. Orla saw that a minor imperfection didn’t alter the beauty of the piece. In fact, she cherished the items because they became truly unique. I loved the analogy between damaged porcelain and broken souls, which was exquisitely written.
The connection between Orla and Luke was extremely poignant. They gave each other comfort and helped to restore confidence. There is drama in the plot and relatable characters, especially Bill and his wife Margy who were warm and caring. This is a captivating read that steals your heart. A simple but stunning story, wonderfully crafted by a talented author.
Orla lives alone in a remote castle, choosing to see no-one, not even Bill who tends her garden. She gets enjoyment from collecting damaged porcelain and photographing them to show off their exquisite beauty.
When a young man calls by she refuses to answer the door and asks him to leave. However, Luke needs to see Orla to explain why her friend Helen (his wife) hasn’t been in touch. He has sad news that her online friend has tragically died and needs to pass on a gift that Helen wanted Orla to receive.
I loved the descriptions of the ancient castle and the remote windswept beach where Orla walked her dog One Ear. The detailed imagery of the delicate china teacups and vases with a hairline crack or tiny chip made me think of the history behind the pieces. Orla saw that a minor imperfection didn’t alter the beauty of the piece. In fact, she cherished the items because they became truly unique. I loved the analogy between damaged porcelain and broken souls, which was exquisitely written.
The connection between Orla and Luke was extremely poignant. They gave each other comfort and helped to restore confidence. There is drama in the plot and relatable characters, especially Bill and his wife Margy who were warm and caring. This is a captivating read that steals your heart. A simple but stunning story, wonderfully crafted by a talented author.
July 12, 2020
Okay, so I started and stopped, typed and backspaced so many times when I started writing this review, I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to be left with. I couldn't seem to (and still can't to some degree) quite express the level of beauty that is captured within this work. It truly takes us through the landscape of the heart with all its pitfalls, and passions, letting us be guided by the characters themselves as they attempt to find a level of balance in their lives once again.
My heart broke for Helen, Luke, and Orla, equally in turn. The first for the lack of life she'd have, the second for the heartbreak he experienced along with the what ifs, and the third for her tenuous connection to life that was lost, but also the horrors she still needed to face in her own life. There was so much hurt, so much pain, so much brokenness that one didn't quite know where to look to find some semblance of joy, some light of hope in these very dark times. They say that people come into our lives at exactly the moment they were meant to...no sooner, no later. Well a definite case can be made for that here because for as much sadness as there was to go around, these two broken souls were able to pull each other through to the other side of their great losses, and while they both still have a ways to go, steps forward are still a win toward discovering happiness once again.
So take a chance on this beautiful novel full of broken "things"...and I think you'll discover just how truly human those experiences that made the cracks, and created the chips, really are.
My heart broke for Helen, Luke, and Orla, equally in turn. The first for the lack of life she'd have, the second for the heartbreak he experienced along with the what ifs, and the third for her tenuous connection to life that was lost, but also the horrors she still needed to face in her own life. There was so much hurt, so much pain, so much brokenness that one didn't quite know where to look to find some semblance of joy, some light of hope in these very dark times. They say that people come into our lives at exactly the moment they were meant to...no sooner, no later. Well a definite case can be made for that here because for as much sadness as there was to go around, these two broken souls were able to pull each other through to the other side of their great losses, and while they both still have a ways to go, steps forward are still a win toward discovering happiness once again.
So take a chance on this beautiful novel full of broken "things"...and I think you'll discover just how truly human those experiences that made the cracks, and created the chips, really are.
June 14, 2020
The beauty of Broken Things is a heartwarming story of two people who have both experienced bad things in their lifes but since meeting each other have started to heal.Orla and Luke live not more than 3 miles from each other and only have a connection on social media. Luke's wife has passed away unexpectedly and Orla is a recluse living in total isolation.
The connection is through Orla and Helen (Luke' wife). Helen followed Orla's account and they became friends without even knowing each others name. Luke decides to find Orla and we find that Orla loves beautiful things that have imperfections, the real beauty of broken things.
The story unfolds and eventually Orla retellls the origin of just why she is the isolated recluse she is. This book is uplifting and sad at the same time for me, this immersive story had me in tears. A gorgeous ending for a beautifully written book. With thanks to Rachels Random Resources for letting me be a part of this uplifting and heartwarming books Blog Tour and Net galley for the ARC
The connection is through Orla and Helen (Luke' wife). Helen followed Orla's account and they became friends without even knowing each others name. Luke decides to find Orla and we find that Orla loves beautiful things that have imperfections, the real beauty of broken things.
The story unfolds and eventually Orla retellls the origin of just why she is the isolated recluse she is. This book is uplifting and sad at the same time for me, this immersive story had me in tears. A gorgeous ending for a beautifully written book. With thanks to Rachels Random Resources for letting me be a part of this uplifting and heartwarming books Blog Tour and Net galley for the ARC
June 17, 2020
This is such an emotive read, absolutely fabulous IMHO. It is a story of two people struggling to cope with very different life changing events who are brought together by tragedy and, despite adversity, move on with their lives. They are both emotionally scarred and their wounds are still healing. It is only after meeting each other that they can endeavour to help each other.
The untimely and tragic death of his wife, Helen, is devastating for Luke Hansard. It is only when he discovers a present she had purchased for BB, an online photographer friend, that he has a new purpose in life. He’s determined to deliver the present and to let BB know about Helen’s passing. Discovering just where BB lives is a detective story but even when he finds that out and endeavours to deliver the present he is shocked that BB is actually Orla Kendrick and that she is a recluse. He sets out to follow Helen’s dream of helping Orla get back out into the world little realising just why she has chosen to shut herself away or the danger he is putting her in….
This is a powerful, moving read with well developed characters, a delightful, supportive community and a superb story to escape into. It has elements of mystery, suspense, discover and danger in an enthralling story of supporting and healing. I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it! It is another brilliant story from this talented author and one that I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and thoroughly enjoying doing so.
The untimely and tragic death of his wife, Helen, is devastating for Luke Hansard. It is only when he discovers a present she had purchased for BB, an online photographer friend, that he has a new purpose in life. He’s determined to deliver the present and to let BB know about Helen’s passing. Discovering just where BB lives is a detective story but even when he finds that out and endeavours to deliver the present he is shocked that BB is actually Orla Kendrick and that she is a recluse. He sets out to follow Helen’s dream of helping Orla get back out into the world little realising just why she has chosen to shut herself away or the danger he is putting her in….
This is a powerful, moving read with well developed characters, a delightful, supportive community and a superb story to escape into. It has elements of mystery, suspense, discover and danger in an enthralling story of supporting and healing. I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it! It is another brilliant story from this talented author and one that I have no hesitation in highly recommending.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and thoroughly enjoying doing so.
June 15, 2020
Thank you to the author and Rachel for my copy of The Beauty of Broken Things!
Even though I had signed up for the blog tour, I wasn’t sure about the book. However, my mind was made up by the time I had reached around 23% of the way–this is a beautiful novel about healing, having faith, and the power of companionship.
This should teach me not to have any preconceived notions about a book based on the blurb and the cover.
Through the pain of losing a loved one, Luke reaches out to a stranger (Orla) who gradually becomes a dear friend. Orla’s attempts to reintegrate into the normal world and her transformation from a recluse to a self-confident woman are realistically described.
It is clear to readers just how difficult some commonplace things like answering the door, meeting strangers, or stepping out to the grocery store can be for people who have faced traumatic experiences.
An empathetic, heartwarming story about two unlikely friends helping each other pick up the broken pieces of each other’s soul, work through the trauma, and emerge whole from the experience.
Even though I had signed up for the blog tour, I wasn’t sure about the book. However, my mind was made up by the time I had reached around 23% of the way–this is a beautiful novel about healing, having faith, and the power of companionship.
This should teach me not to have any preconceived notions about a book based on the blurb and the cover.
Through the pain of losing a loved one, Luke reaches out to a stranger (Orla) who gradually becomes a dear friend. Orla’s attempts to reintegrate into the normal world and her transformation from a recluse to a self-confident woman are realistically described.
It is clear to readers just how difficult some commonplace things like answering the door, meeting strangers, or stepping out to the grocery store can be for people who have faced traumatic experiences.
An empathetic, heartwarming story about two unlikely friends helping each other pick up the broken pieces of each other’s soul, work through the trauma, and emerge whole from the experience.
June 18, 2020
I lost myself in this charming book. Shunning the formulaic, the author chose to write instead of friendship and healing. Set on the Suffolk Coast in a castle the colour of honey, two lives are knitted slowly and carefully together after life-altering events. Beautifully written, it made me want to run on the beach with the giant dog, harvest vegetables with the locals, visit the local fair and eat icecream on the quay. That even the most broken of things can be restored and loved was the quiet, reassuring message and I loved every page.
June 15, 2020
A very moving and compelling read
Two strangers are brought together through sad circumstances.
Luke has lost his wife in a tragic accident, and Orla is hiding from the outside world following an assault which has left her scarred.
Can they help to heal each other? This is a very emotional journey for both of them.
A brilliantly written story which had me hooked from beginning to end.
Two strangers are brought together through sad circumstances.
Luke has lost his wife in a tragic accident, and Orla is hiding from the outside world following an assault which has left her scarred.
Can they help to heal each other? This is a very emotional journey for both of them.
A brilliantly written story which had me hooked from beginning to end.
June 21, 2021
Overcoming adversity
This is a story about how two broken individuals meet and how they learn from each other to heal their lives. The story is cleverly linked to the theme of Orla photographing beautiful China objects that are chipped or cracked.
The book examines mental problems that can beset young adults in an empathetic manner which I enjoyed.
This is a story about how two broken individuals meet and how they learn from each other to heal their lives. The story is cleverly linked to the theme of Orla photographing beautiful China objects that are chipped or cracked.
The book examines mental problems that can beset young adults in an empathetic manner which I enjoyed.
May 26, 2025
2.5 Stars
Set in modern-day England. I liked the idea of how Orla lived as a hermit in a castle. The descriptions of it and the countryside made me feel I was there and were enjoyable. Although both Orla and Luke went through horrible events in their life with lots of recovery required, this book was clean and pretty non-traumatic. A little too bland.
Btw, this was not a romance. Although the characters became very close and missed each other when apart, there were never any real deep feelings expressed or shown. The ending is good, but there is no happily ever after for them.
Set in modern-day England. I liked the idea of how Orla lived as a hermit in a castle. The descriptions of it and the countryside made me feel I was there and were enjoyable. Although both Orla and Luke went through horrible events in their life with lots of recovery required, this book was clean and pretty non-traumatic. A little too bland.
Btw, this was not a romance. Although the characters became very close and missed each other when apart, there were never any real deep feelings expressed or shown. The ending is good, but there is no happily ever after for them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2020
Such a beautifully written story!
Such tender, heartfelt moments.
I loved how the characters were able to reach out to each other, helping to heal their pain and to move onwards.
Just delightful ❤️
Such tender, heartfelt moments.
I loved how the characters were able to reach out to each other, helping to heal their pain and to move onwards.
Just delightful ❤️
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