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Broken Dreams
Can she show him true family is more than an image?
Corporate attorney Nathaniel Storm’s exclusive world is thrown into a tailspin when his cheating ex drops off the son he didn't know he had. Being an instant dad and handling the care of a special needs child, isn’t something he’s comfortable with.
Under the dark makeup and piercings, Darcy Marx has a heart of gold, but she’s spent her life trying to dig herself out of one misfortune after another. Bad decisions and heartbreaking choices in the past won’t stop her from creating a better life.
When the two are paired together in a wedding, Darcy connects with Nathaniel’s son in a way he can only hope for. Yet this bold as brass sprite with the saucy mouth taunts him at every turn. When Nathaniel looks past Darcy’s non-traditional ways, he finds a determined woman who can work miracles, but he wonders if she’s strong enough to jump start his disconnected heart.
Corporate attorney Nathaniel Storm’s exclusive world is thrown into a tailspin when his cheating ex drops off the son he didn't know he had. Being an instant dad and handling the care of a special needs child, isn’t something he’s comfortable with.
Under the dark makeup and piercings, Darcy Marx has a heart of gold, but she’s spent her life trying to dig herself out of one misfortune after another. Bad decisions and heartbreaking choices in the past won’t stop her from creating a better life.
When the two are paired together in a wedding, Darcy connects with Nathaniel’s son in a way he can only hope for. Yet this bold as brass sprite with the saucy mouth taunts him at every turn. When Nathaniel looks past Darcy’s non-traditional ways, he finds a determined woman who can work miracles, but he wonders if she’s strong enough to jump start his disconnected heart.
- GenresContemporary
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2020
9 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 11, 2020
Once in a lifetime, if you are lucky, you will find an author who’s writing “speaks to you” on all levels. Kari Lemor is that writer for me and her newest book, BROKEN DREAMS, The Storms of New England book 4, is simply another reason I adore her writing.
Told in a 2 person rotating POV, BROKEN DREAMS tells the story of 2 broken people who, through a child, learn how to love one another.
Nathaniel Storm’s life is turned upside down when his ex wife shows up on this doorstep with a 3 year old in tow and claims the child is his and not the man whom she left him for. With no parenting skills, Nate’s life changes dramatically, especially when he realizes the child is autistic. While going through the learning stage of how to deal with a special needs child, Nate is a groomsman in his cousin Sara’s wedding, where his partner is the unconventional Darcy Marx.
For some reason Darcy and Nate’s child, Tanner, have a connection that he hasn’t been able to gain for himself.
While his house is remodeled so it can be child-proofed, he takes the summer and visits with his cousin Sara and her new husband TJ on the Cape, where Darcy works in Tj’s bookstore. Realizing the young woman may be an answer to his prayers, he hires her to help him with Tanner and at the end of the summer she becomes his nanny.
Darcy has her own tragic backstory that I won’t go into here, but suffice it to say, this girl deserves anything good than comes her way, and Tanner and Nathaniel are two very good things!
With care, knowledge, and understanding, Ms. Lemor treats the subject of a having and dealing with a child with autism perfectly. As someone who has family on the spectrum, I was so pleased how perfectly she described the everyday problems and issues that come up, from eating, to sleeping, even calming behaviors, that many find unusual. Brava for that, because it’s rare you read a novel that you can actually learn from, and I hope Ms. Lemor’s readers gain valuable knowledge in how to interact with a child with autism. You can actually feel Tanner’s pain and suffering through his behavior and what precipitates it and you want to help him cope with all your heart.
At it’s core BROKEN DREAMS is a love story between Darcy and Nate. But it's really a love letter to the importance of family, understanding, parental love, and the knowledge that families are made up of all kinds of wonderful people.
5 well deserved stars to this lovely and heartwarming addition to the series. I was given an arc of this book prior to publication from the author for an honest opinion of the work. I can honestly say I loved it
Told in a 2 person rotating POV, BROKEN DREAMS tells the story of 2 broken people who, through a child, learn how to love one another.
Nathaniel Storm’s life is turned upside down when his ex wife shows up on this doorstep with a 3 year old in tow and claims the child is his and not the man whom she left him for. With no parenting skills, Nate’s life changes dramatically, especially when he realizes the child is autistic. While going through the learning stage of how to deal with a special needs child, Nate is a groomsman in his cousin Sara’s wedding, where his partner is the unconventional Darcy Marx.
For some reason Darcy and Nate’s child, Tanner, have a connection that he hasn’t been able to gain for himself.
While his house is remodeled so it can be child-proofed, he takes the summer and visits with his cousin Sara and her new husband TJ on the Cape, where Darcy works in Tj’s bookstore. Realizing the young woman may be an answer to his prayers, he hires her to help him with Tanner and at the end of the summer she becomes his nanny.
Darcy has her own tragic backstory that I won’t go into here, but suffice it to say, this girl deserves anything good than comes her way, and Tanner and Nathaniel are two very good things!
With care, knowledge, and understanding, Ms. Lemor treats the subject of a having and dealing with a child with autism perfectly. As someone who has family on the spectrum, I was so pleased how perfectly she described the everyday problems and issues that come up, from eating, to sleeping, even calming behaviors, that many find unusual. Brava for that, because it’s rare you read a novel that you can actually learn from, and I hope Ms. Lemor’s readers gain valuable knowledge in how to interact with a child with autism. You can actually feel Tanner’s pain and suffering through his behavior and what precipitates it and you want to help him cope with all your heart.
At it’s core BROKEN DREAMS is a love story between Darcy and Nate. But it's really a love letter to the importance of family, understanding, parental love, and the knowledge that families are made up of all kinds of wonderful people.
5 well deserved stars to this lovely and heartwarming addition to the series. I was given an arc of this book prior to publication from the author for an honest opinion of the work. I can honestly say I loved it
August 10, 2020
I was hooked from the first sentence. I knew I would "like" the book as I have never read one of Kari's books that I did not like but this one just grabbed me at the start and never let me go. I read the first 20 chapters the first night I received the advanced reader copy* and had to force myself to get some sleep. I finished the book the next day and the ending made me laugh but I was also sad that the story was over.
This is book 4 of the series but can also be read as a stand-alone as there is enough back story to give what is needed for the background story without being too over the top for those of us that devour the book the day it comes out.
Warning: Once you start reading you will not want to put it down and you lose all track of life outside of this story.
* I did receive an advanced copy for an honest review which I gave but I also bought a copy for the Kindle to support this very talented author.
This is book 4 of the series but can also be read as a stand-alone as there is enough back story to give what is needed for the background story without being too over the top for those of us that devour the book the day it comes out.
Warning: Once you start reading you will not want to put it down and you lose all track of life outside of this story.
* I did receive an advanced copy for an honest review which I gave but I also bought a copy for the Kindle to support this very talented author.
September 2, 2020
You really can’t judge a book by its cover.
Broken Dreams by Kari Lemor is the fourth book released in her Storms of New England series. The readers are introduced to Nathaniel Storm, a corporate lawyer whose ex-wife informs him that he is not only the father of a 3-year-old with special needs, but that she no longer wants to raise him. He meets Darcy Marx, a secondary character introduced in True Dreams, at a Storm wedding and they are as opposite as day and night. At first sight, Darcy appears no more than black clothes, dark, heavy makeup and multiple piercings. Nathaniel is work, money and image obsessed to the point where he has pushed his family away. They have an immediate connection with sassy banter, but both never would imagine ever being in a relationship let alone loving or being loved by the other.
Lemor does a fabulous job taking 2 characters who on the surface are black and white, but as the book evolves the reader learns why Darcy hides behind an armor of makeup and how a child can bring out the true Nate Storm. This book also focuses on children on the spectrum which many parents can relate to.
Although Broken Dreams is part of a series, it also can be read as a stand-alone. Readers will fall in love with the Storm family and will be begging Lemor to release her next book ASAP as each book not only introduces a new Storm family member, but also gives glimpses at what the characters already introduced in her prior books are doing.
Broken Dreams by Kari Lemor is the fourth book released in her Storms of New England series. The readers are introduced to Nathaniel Storm, a corporate lawyer whose ex-wife informs him that he is not only the father of a 3-year-old with special needs, but that she no longer wants to raise him. He meets Darcy Marx, a secondary character introduced in True Dreams, at a Storm wedding and they are as opposite as day and night. At first sight, Darcy appears no more than black clothes, dark, heavy makeup and multiple piercings. Nathaniel is work, money and image obsessed to the point where he has pushed his family away. They have an immediate connection with sassy banter, but both never would imagine ever being in a relationship let alone loving or being loved by the other.
Lemor does a fabulous job taking 2 characters who on the surface are black and white, but as the book evolves the reader learns why Darcy hides behind an armor of makeup and how a child can bring out the true Nate Storm. This book also focuses on children on the spectrum which many parents can relate to.
Although Broken Dreams is part of a series, it also can be read as a stand-alone. Readers will fall in love with the Storm family and will be begging Lemor to release her next book ASAP as each book not only introduces a new Storm family member, but also gives glimpses at what the characters already introduced in her prior books are doing.
August 20, 2020
Such a roller coaster of emotions evoked by this book.
Darcy was a secondary character in True Dreams and while her sassiness was evident in that story, Broken Dreams explains soooooooooooooo much about why she's so sassy to others. Nathaniel, aka Nate by the end of the story, is a product of his schooling. This made for an amusing story as he tried to retain some of that while realising that there are more important things in life.
I love how this series continues to allow glimpses of the family members that already have their HEA.
After the epilogue, I want to see how life is for Nate, Darcy and others when we get an opportunity in future books.
Looking forward to Greg's story in Lost Dreams.
Darcy was a secondary character in True Dreams and while her sassiness was evident in that story, Broken Dreams explains soooooooooooooo much about why she's so sassy to others. Nathaniel, aka Nate by the end of the story, is a product of his schooling. This made for an amusing story as he tried to retain some of that while realising that there are more important things in life.
I love how this series continues to allow glimpses of the family members that already have their HEA.
After the epilogue, I want to see how life is for Nate, Darcy and others when we get an opportunity in future books.
Looking forward to Greg's story in Lost Dreams.
October 31, 2020
I can't imagine how challenging it must be to tackle the voice of a child with autism, let alone the emotions and pain of the single parent. As a former single parent of a boy with autism, this book was spot on. It was funny, laugh out loud funny. The interactions of Nate and Darcy were hilarious and yet touching. Touching, to the point of tears, not just tears, ugly girl crying. But happy tears. I loved the story, it was so well developed. Kari Lemor is an author you should read. This series totally passed all expectations. WELL DONE!
August 14, 2020
Dear readers,
If you manage not to go googley-eyed at the cover of this book (not as easy as you'd think, it's that gorgeous), you'll find that this chapter of the Storms of New England isn't love at first sight. It's not even attraction at first sight. It's mostly snark at first sight.
Darcy is black makeup, black clothes, and rows of earrings. Nathaniel is a corporate attorney who lives in his suits. Nathaniel is struggling to cope with instant fatherhood to a son with special needs. Darcy is trying to put her past behind her, 0ften with mixed feelings and mixed results. When these two are paired up at Sara's wedding, it's apparent they have nothing in common, but as so often happens in Storyland, appearances can be deceiving. Darcy has a connection with Nathaniel's son that he can't understand. Nathaniel is willing pay for her help, which to Darcy makes him a means to an end. It's an arrangement that works for both of them. And so it begins.
This book is more of slow burn than any of Kari's previous novels. The hero and heroine are two very guarded people, for good reason, so it takes time for them to warm up to each other. But in the meantime, we have fun and sass, sweetness and family, vampire jokes and puppies. It's a wonderful ride to take. And the skill the author shows in the way she handles Tanner's condition is astounding. For a 3-year-old who is only learning to speak, Tanner's voice often seems like the loudest, the one with the most depth. The struggle will bring laughs and tears. So many tears.
Don't miss it!
If you manage not to go googley-eyed at the cover of this book (not as easy as you'd think, it's that gorgeous), you'll find that this chapter of the Storms of New England isn't love at first sight. It's not even attraction at first sight. It's mostly snark at first sight.
Darcy is black makeup, black clothes, and rows of earrings. Nathaniel is a corporate attorney who lives in his suits. Nathaniel is struggling to cope with instant fatherhood to a son with special needs. Darcy is trying to put her past behind her, 0ften with mixed feelings and mixed results. When these two are paired up at Sara's wedding, it's apparent they have nothing in common, but as so often happens in Storyland, appearances can be deceiving. Darcy has a connection with Nathaniel's son that he can't understand. Nathaniel is willing pay for her help, which to Darcy makes him a means to an end. It's an arrangement that works for both of them. And so it begins.
This book is more of slow burn than any of Kari's previous novels. The hero and heroine are two very guarded people, for good reason, so it takes time for them to warm up to each other. But in the meantime, we have fun and sass, sweetness and family, vampire jokes and puppies. It's a wonderful ride to take. And the skill the author shows in the way she handles Tanner's condition is astounding. For a 3-year-old who is only learning to speak, Tanner's voice often seems like the loudest, the one with the most depth. The struggle will bring laughs and tears. So many tears.
Don't miss it!
September 6, 2020
Loved it!
Every one of these stories were like a roadmap to what really matters! Love, family and tuning in to each other! The Storms of New England aren't perfect but, they do finally get to the heart of what really matters so much more than the world's distractions.
Every one of these stories were like a roadmap to what really matters! Love, family and tuning in to each other! The Storms of New England aren't perfect but, they do finally get to the heart of what really matters so much more than the world's distractions.
November 13, 2020
A perfect storm
I'm so glad the Storm family is so big so we can have more Storm of New England books from Kari Lemor. The stories feature well developed characters who pull you into their lives right away. Their quirks and problems only make them seem more real, and Kari Lemor delivers an extremely satisfying reading experience.
I'm so glad the Storm family is so big so we can have more Storm of New England books from Kari Lemor. The stories feature well developed characters who pull you into their lives right away. Their quirks and problems only make them seem more real, and Kari Lemor delivers an extremely satisfying reading experience.
February 7, 2025
Broken Dreams is an amazing read. It has everything from steamy sex scenes to heartfelt honesty. I love when Darcy puts Nate’s exwife in her place at the Halloween party. This is a great book about what families can be like. Nate is an amazing dad who doesn’t think he is doing a good job which relates to a lot of parents out there. The ending is the best to me with it being a happy ending between to people who had it hard to start. Add in the fact that Darcy and Nate are polar opposites just makes the book more realistic. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a steamy romance with a real world vibe. Loved it
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews