What do you think?
Rate this book
Broken: Macy's Story
Macy’s past won’t let her forget. Macy Elmsworth has found herself in a mess. The 18 year old pastor’s daughter got in trouble with the law, nearly died, and in the process, damaged her relationship with her family. She now needs to fulfill community service hours. As a last resort, she moves in with her grandparents, where they need a housekeeper at the small motel they own. Feeling broken and defeated, Macy counts down the days her community service hours are over. Until she meets others at the motel. People a lot like her. People with questionable pasts and bleak futures. As friendships are forged, Macy begins to come out of her shell and help her new friends. It is through these new relationships that she begins to repair the broken relationship with her family. But her past isn’t about to go away, and Macy is going to have to turn to God for the complete restoration she needs.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 24, 2020
59 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 28, 2020
Heartwrenching
Each character had a story, each dealing with their own pain and heartache. Macy's story touched me to my soul. I downloaded this book off Amazon for free and I'm so glad I did. It's a fantastic read and I hope I can have the chance to read the second book, Hannah's Story.
Each character had a story, each dealing with their own pain and heartache. Macy's story touched me to my soul. I downloaded this book off Amazon for free and I'm so glad I did. It's a fantastic read and I hope I can have the chance to read the second book, Hannah's Story.
February 28, 2020
Broken: Macy’s Story, captured me from the opening lines. Janice Broyles has woven together a fabric of which many young adults face today. 18 year old Macy Elmsworth gets herself into some serious trouble and it almost ends her life. She’s been feeling like a fifth wheel for a long time in her dysfunctional family. Her sister wants her out of the picture as she prepares for her wedding, and since Macy has a community service sentence, her parents decide to send her to her grandparents in Manistee to help at their motel. At first Macy’s frustrated and angry, but after arriving at her grandparents and feeling the love and acceptance they have for her, she begins to let go of it. When one door closes, another one opens, and the Manistee Forest Motel becomes Macy’s learning ground. She learns about acceptance, true friendship, and how helping others really helps one’s self in return. I rejoiced at the ending but dreaded it at the same time as I didn’t want to close the book on Macy’s future. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
March 20, 2020
Broken...and Mending…
North Carolina author Janice Broyles earned her degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University, having experience in teaching high school English and drama, and is now on the faculty of the local college in Salisbury, North Carolina teaching English and Communications. To date she has published four books – NO LONGER REJECTED, THE SECRET HEIR, THE RUNAWAY HEIR and now BROKEN: MACY’S STORY.
The author’s in depth training in Psychology adds to the level of insight into the characters she has created for this very fine novel. In creating the young adult title persona of Macy, Janice has inserted the themes of family, both genetic and community, and the process of mending broken lives with friendship, love, and spiritual growth as significant factors in the self-discovery that pivots coming of age.
Keeping the tenor of story in a manner that young adult readers can appreciate, the story opens with an emotional conflict that serves as the drawing board on which this novel is painted. ‘This didn’t work as planned. I should have stopped drinking the schnapps yesterday when my stomach started flipping. My body gave me a warning, but I didn’t listen. I only wanted to forget for a minute who I was. Or who I wasn’t. So, I kept drinking. And today, I paid for it. The heart monitor beeped beside my bed while the blood pressure cuff squeezed my arm. I heard my parents talking out in the hall in hushed whispers. There’d been a steady stream of church folk stopping by. Not to see me, but to be there for my parents. They’re the ones who had to deal with a supposed rebellious – now suicidal – daughter.’ So much of the progress of this tale is generated in that opening.
The plot is well condensed by the author – ‘Macy Elmsworth has found herself in a mess. The 18 year old pastor’s daughter got in trouble with the law, nearly died, and in the process, damaged her relationship with her family. She now needs to fulfill community service hours. As a last resort, she moves in with her grandparents, where they need a housekeeper at the small motel they own. Feeling broken and defeated, Macy counts down the days her community service hours are over. Until she meets others at the motel. People a lot like her. People with questionable pasts and bleak futures. As friendships are forged, Macy begins to come out of her shell and help her new friends. It is through these new relationships that she begins to repair the broken relationship with her family. But her past isn’t about to go away, and Macy is going to have to turn to God for the complete restoration she needs.’
Well written and delivering a sensitive message, this is a book that may be focused for the YA audience, but the message is universal – one that bears revisiting often. Recommended.
North Carolina author Janice Broyles earned her degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University, having experience in teaching high school English and drama, and is now on the faculty of the local college in Salisbury, North Carolina teaching English and Communications. To date she has published four books – NO LONGER REJECTED, THE SECRET HEIR, THE RUNAWAY HEIR and now BROKEN: MACY’S STORY.
The author’s in depth training in Psychology adds to the level of insight into the characters she has created for this very fine novel. In creating the young adult title persona of Macy, Janice has inserted the themes of family, both genetic and community, and the process of mending broken lives with friendship, love, and spiritual growth as significant factors in the self-discovery that pivots coming of age.
Keeping the tenor of story in a manner that young adult readers can appreciate, the story opens with an emotional conflict that serves as the drawing board on which this novel is painted. ‘This didn’t work as planned. I should have stopped drinking the schnapps yesterday when my stomach started flipping. My body gave me a warning, but I didn’t listen. I only wanted to forget for a minute who I was. Or who I wasn’t. So, I kept drinking. And today, I paid for it. The heart monitor beeped beside my bed while the blood pressure cuff squeezed my arm. I heard my parents talking out in the hall in hushed whispers. There’d been a steady stream of church folk stopping by. Not to see me, but to be there for my parents. They’re the ones who had to deal with a supposed rebellious – now suicidal – daughter.’ So much of the progress of this tale is generated in that opening.
The plot is well condensed by the author – ‘Macy Elmsworth has found herself in a mess. The 18 year old pastor’s daughter got in trouble with the law, nearly died, and in the process, damaged her relationship with her family. She now needs to fulfill community service hours. As a last resort, she moves in with her grandparents, where they need a housekeeper at the small motel they own. Feeling broken and defeated, Macy counts down the days her community service hours are over. Until she meets others at the motel. People a lot like her. People with questionable pasts and bleak futures. As friendships are forged, Macy begins to come out of her shell and help her new friends. It is through these new relationships that she begins to repair the broken relationship with her family. But her past isn’t about to go away, and Macy is going to have to turn to God for the complete restoration she needs.’
Well written and delivering a sensitive message, this is a book that may be focused for the YA audience, but the message is universal – one that bears revisiting often. Recommended.
June 3, 2024
I loved Broken: Macy’s Story, written by Janice Broyles. Eighteen-year-old Macy has made a few mistakes. At eighteen, who hasn’t? Misunderstood by her family, Macy is sent to live with her grandparents after an evening with Schnaps goes wrong.
I was captivated from the first page. One of four siblings, Macy, the second eldest, has a complicated relationship with her older sister, Hannah, who’s engaged. Hannah is perfect, seemingly just like her mum, and Macy is not. A pastor’s daughter, Macy has tried to fit in, but grapples with her reality, hence the Schnaps. She’s struggling to fit in with a family who don’t seem to understand her or want to figure out why.
A coming-of-age story that is poignant, heartfelt and sincere. The characters are relatable, the scenes, realistic. Macy is a wonderful person: funny, warm, and believable. I loved that whilst working at her grandparent’s motel, she meets like-minded people and realises she’s not alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading Broken: Hannah’s Story, next.
I was captivated from the first page. One of four siblings, Macy, the second eldest, has a complicated relationship with her older sister, Hannah, who’s engaged. Hannah is perfect, seemingly just like her mum, and Macy is not. A pastor’s daughter, Macy has tried to fit in, but grapples with her reality, hence the Schnaps. She’s struggling to fit in with a family who don’t seem to understand her or want to figure out why.
A coming-of-age story that is poignant, heartfelt and sincere. The characters are relatable, the scenes, realistic. Macy is a wonderful person: funny, warm, and believable. I loved that whilst working at her grandparent’s motel, she meets like-minded people and realises she’s not alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading Broken: Hannah’s Story, next.
April 12, 2020
Macy made several bad choices and now she must reap the consequences. Frustrated over a love that was not meant to be, she steals some liquor and drinks it while sitting in her sister’s car in the garage. She awakens in the hospital. While trying to drown her sorrows, she failed to realize the dangers of running a car in a closed garage. She had almost inadvertently herself. To top it off, the store owner is pressing charges for the theft of the liquor. She wonders how she ended up such a mess.
I enjoyed reading this story. It is a coming of age story that deals with tough life situations. The moral of the story is that even though we are all broken in some way and we make bad choices, there’s always a path that leads to hope. This is a clean story free of curse words and sex scenes. There is underage drinking depicted and some discussion of adult situations. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading clean romance.
I enjoyed reading this story. It is a coming of age story that deals with tough life situations. The moral of the story is that even though we are all broken in some way and we make bad choices, there’s always a path that leads to hope. This is a clean story free of curse words and sex scenes. There is underage drinking depicted and some discussion of adult situations. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading clean romance.
March 24, 2020
18-year-old Macy is the local pastor’s daughter, but some questionable life choices have gotten her in trouble with the law as well as her family. Sentenced to serve community service time, Macy moves into her Grandparents house to help them at their motel. While working at the Manistee Forest Motel, she gets to know the customers and discovers that many are as unique as she is. They are complex, some coming from broken pasts filled with bad decisions. This gives her new insights into her own life and she attempts to rebuild her life and her relationship with her family.
Well written with developed characters, the author doe a good job in making Macy relatable even with her bad choices and deplorable attitude she suffers from at times. We get to see Macy growing into herself as a young woman who starts to take responsibility for her actions which was very heartening.
Well written with developed characters, the author doe a good job in making Macy relatable even with her bad choices and deplorable attitude she suffers from at times. We get to see Macy growing into herself as a young woman who starts to take responsibility for her actions which was very heartening.
February 26, 2020
This author has me hooked. I attempt to patiently wait for her next writing whenever I finish one of her novels. I’m just one of those people that my attention needs captured within the first few pages or at least the first chapter. If my attention isn’t captured, then I tend to lay the book down or pass it on without finishing. I have always completed her books & anxiously await the next one!!
Broken: Macy’s Story is so raw with believability! You can really feel/see the different character’s struggles, victories and emotions throughout the story. You sympathize with Macy’s deep hurts, love her tenacity and you can’t help but root for her in all areas of life! Beautifully written! Looking forward to Book 2!!!
Broken: Macy’s Story is so raw with believability! You can really feel/see the different character’s struggles, victories and emotions throughout the story. You sympathize with Macy’s deep hurts, love her tenacity and you can’t help but root for her in all areas of life! Beautifully written! Looking forward to Book 2!!!
March 20, 2020
Real struggles with emotions and feeling alone
This is Macy’s story and it will grab your heart and attention from the first page as you follow her journey of loneliness and despair. When she finds herself in trouble, her parents send her off to live with her grandparents further convincing Macy of her unimportance to her family. As she is doing her community service hours, she meets some people
and finds that she is not alone in the world and develops some key friendships. As she begins to blossom, past demons rear their ugly head and she must turn to god for salvation. This is a great read with devolved characters and storyline that will hold your attention til the end. Very relatable characters and events had me turning the pages to see how things would end up for Macy. Check this one out folks it is a fun spirited read.
This is Macy’s story and it will grab your heart and attention from the first page as you follow her journey of loneliness and despair. When she finds herself in trouble, her parents send her off to live with her grandparents further convincing Macy of her unimportance to her family. As she is doing her community service hours, she meets some people
and finds that she is not alone in the world and develops some key friendships. As she begins to blossom, past demons rear their ugly head and she must turn to god for salvation. This is a great read with devolved characters and storyline that will hold your attention til the end. Very relatable characters and events had me turning the pages to see how things would end up for Macy. Check this one out folks it is a fun spirited read.
September 19, 2020
Excellent heart wrenching novel well worth reading
This is a great book and I would recommend it to readers from teen to senior adult. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it especially during this time of my life. I was glad to see this young woman’s story ironed out and her broken life mended and put back together again.In reality though I know that not all lives end up so well all of the time. Sometimes all we can do is just trust God to pick up the broken pieces and help us put them back together again. When this young woman was honest with herself and others that’s practically what happened and what is happening with me I could relate to this woman even though I am older so I could identify with this story. I’m sure many other people can as well when they read this book.
This is a great book and I would recommend it to readers from teen to senior adult. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it especially during this time of my life. I was glad to see this young woman’s story ironed out and her broken life mended and put back together again.In reality though I know that not all lives end up so well all of the time. Sometimes all we can do is just trust God to pick up the broken pieces and help us put them back together again. When this young woman was honest with herself and others that’s practically what happened and what is happening with me I could relate to this woman even though I am older so I could identify with this story. I’m sure many other people can as well when they read this book.
March 25, 2020
Macy, an 18 year old girl that makes some mistakes with a boy, so steals some liquor and almost kills herself, accidently.
Her mother: I seen a mean and hateful woman. Maybe no one else did, but I did. This book hit me hard, because I grew up with a mother just like Macy's. I couldn't please her as hard as I tried. I wish I had had grandparents to go to.
Macy was sent to her grandparent's home to help them at their motel.
While there, she met and befriended some people, who also helped her with her life.
This was such a great story. It would be hard to write just how good it is, without giving so much of the book away. I loved the ending I would recommend this book to anyone.
Her mother: I seen a mean and hateful woman. Maybe no one else did, but I did. This book hit me hard, because I grew up with a mother just like Macy's. I couldn't please her as hard as I tried. I wish I had had grandparents to go to.
Macy was sent to her grandparent's home to help them at their motel.
While there, she met and befriended some people, who also helped her with her life.
This was such a great story. It would be hard to write just how good it is, without giving so much of the book away. I loved the ending I would recommend this book to anyone.
March 13, 2020
Had me intrigued from the beginning. The book flows easily and feels like a quick read. But, there are many issues at play that make for an enjoyable read. This book addresses some of the more typical problems of teens with siblings, even those in the "perfect family." But, there is a secret that no one wants to talk about, and no one wants Macy to discover.
Janice has a talent for writing about real-life issues without needing to use any vulgar or coarse language. Although she is a Christian writer, her writing is not "preachy" and anyone would enjoy reading this book for its content.
Janice has a talent for writing about real-life issues without needing to use any vulgar or coarse language. Although she is a Christian writer, her writing is not "preachy" and anyone would enjoy reading this book for its content.
February 27, 2020
Broken: Macy's Story, by Janice Broyles is a well written story about love, family, friendship, lies and self discovery. Macy is a young woman who after making some mistakes embarks on a path of self discovery and forgiveness. Along the way she meets strangers that play pivotal roles in her journey. Ms. Broyles has written a story that tugs at your heartstrings. I can't wait to read Hannah's story.
February 28, 2020
A must-read!
I was hooked immediately. The story is full of relatable events that remind me of my own broken relationship with my sister. In fact, in the end, it brought me to tears wishing our relationship could be mended. It was a well-crafted story that truly is inspirational. I have had the pleasure of reading several of this author's work and I am becoming a huge fan! You surely won't be disappointed! I look forward to the next book!
I was hooked immediately. The story is full of relatable events that remind me of my own broken relationship with my sister. In fact, in the end, it brought me to tears wishing our relationship could be mended. It was a well-crafted story that truly is inspirational. I have had the pleasure of reading several of this author's work and I am becoming a huge fan! You surely won't be disappointed! I look forward to the next book!
August 20, 2020
Who is your editor?
While I enjoyed the story, I doubt I will look for book #2 because whoever is your editor doesn’t have a basic knowledge of English or spelling: I.e., using they’re when it should’ve been their is just one example. Another example: should have went instead of should have gone. I found errors such as the ones above too many times to have been able to completely enjoy the book. Get another editor!!
While I enjoyed the story, I doubt I will look for book #2 because whoever is your editor doesn’t have a basic knowledge of English or spelling: I.e., using they’re when it should’ve been their is just one example. Another example: should have went instead of should have gone. I found errors such as the ones above too many times to have been able to completely enjoy the book. Get another editor!!
March 1, 2020
Broken: Macy’s story hooked me from the start! Macy finds herself in a mess, and as the story unfolds, we get to learn more about Macy’s character and how she reacts to challenging situations. The characters are realistic and memorable. Janice Broyles delivered a heart warming story that encourages forgiveness, trust in God, importance of family, and second chances. I cannot wait for book 2!
March 15, 2020
Janice introduces a young woman, a dysfunctional family, and circumstances that some will never experience. It is eye opening, in that respect. Readers get to see this young woman grow and mature as she forms unlikely friendships and learns what it means to reach out to others and help. This story flows well and has some great characters.
April 2, 2020
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. My husband and I are recovering addicts and about 2 years ago gave our lives back to God. He is amazing and can heal so many broken things. This book really touched me too because I'm adopted and have a daughter I have up for adoption. Keep up the great work and can't wait to read the second book
I really enjoyed this book. My husband and I are recovering addicts and about 2 years ago gave our lives back to God. He is amazing and can heal so many broken things. This book really touched me too because I'm adopted and have a daughter I have up for adoption. Keep up the great work and can't wait to read the second book
March 2, 2020
This is the first book of Janice Broyles' that I've read. I will definitely make it a point to read the rest of her books. From the very beginning of Broken, I just wanted to keep reading. The characters and the story drew me in. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
March 17, 2020
Great Read
You'll love this novel if you enjoy 1st person reads. It's a story of love, loss, and redemption. I was in tears more than once as I felt my heart break. Thank You Janice !! 5*****
You'll love this novel if you enjoy 1st person reads. It's a story of love, loss, and redemption. I was in tears more than once as I felt my heart break. Thank You Janice !! 5*****
June 12, 2020
Great read!
I wasnt sure this was a book I would like but once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down. I read it all in a day! Awesome story line with plenty of action and drama. Cant wait for the next one!
I wasnt sure this was a book I would like but once I started to read it, I couldn't put it down. I read it all in a day! Awesome story line with plenty of action and drama. Cant wait for the next one!
August 19, 2020
no harm no foul
what an inspirational book, the characters are so complex and the story is well written. thank you for an amazing book, lots of twists and turns but a promise of a positive future.
what an inspirational book, the characters are so complex and the story is well written. thank you for an amazing book, lots of twists and turns but a promise of a positive future.
August 20, 2020
Well written
The author draws you into the story so well that you feel the emotions of Macy. Took me a bit, but I did figure out the secret before it was revealed. I will be looking at other books by Janice Broyles.
The author draws you into the story so well that you feel the emotions of Macy. Took me a bit, but I did figure out the secret before it was revealed. I will be looking at other books by Janice Broyles.
August 30, 2020
From heartache to healing
Full of the family dynamics no one wants to admit are part of their family. I really appreciated the honesty that was shared . There were a few errors, but still a great read.
Full of the family dynamics no one wants to admit are part of their family. I really appreciated the honesty that was shared . There were a few errors, but still a great read.
March 31, 2025
Absolutely loved Broken, Macy’s Story! I couldn’t put it down. Janice made it feel like the events happening, were in real life, and like I knew the family. You fall in love with Macy very quickly, such a great read!
Read
October 29, 2025I did not like Hannah. I didn't like her in Macy's book, and I didn't like her in her own. Yes, she developed as a character, but it was at the very end and too little too late. And the mother. Ugh. Her explanations didn't seem to match up with her actions.
March 14, 2020
This book kept me so connected the whole way through! Anyone could relate in some way to this book. Cannot wait for her next book to come out! :)
August 22, 2020
Great novel
Great read about families facing treat life issues. Exquisitely drawn characters with hope abounding. Definitely a book to spend a weekend reading.
Great read about families facing treat life issues. Exquisitely drawn characters with hope abounding. Definitely a book to spend a weekend reading.
August 27, 2020
Couldn't put it down...read in one afternoon.
Being a pastor's kid myself, I could relate to so much of this story.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
Being a pastor's kid myself, I could relate to so much of this story.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book.
September 18, 2020
Amazing story. Young adults read. Great read for any age
August 1, 2023
Great book
I don't review books but I couldn't put this one down. It got me completely involved with all the characters. Just a great story.
I don't review books but I couldn't put this one down. It got me completely involved with all the characters. Just a great story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews