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Torn to Pieces
We all crave what we can't have.
Josephine left everything she had ever known when her mother announced she was getting married and was thrust head-first into a new life that came equipped with an instant family. A chance encounter at a backwoods bar leaves her yearning for more, but when she discovers the obscenely hot stranger is her soon to be stepbrother? There was no way she could have prepared for that bombshell, or the intense rollercoaster of lust and love that would soon follow.
This incredibly sexy, mysterious bad boy set her body on fire. With every encounter he lets her see behind those walls he’d built up a little bit more, which only makes her need for him intensify.
As the wedding grows closer the reality of what is happening becomes too much to ignore. This new perfect family is all her mother has ever dreamed of, and this forbidden relationship would crush those dreams.
There only seems to be two choices. Does she break her mother’s heart? Or does she break her own?
Josephine left everything she had ever known when her mother announced she was getting married and was thrust head-first into a new life that came equipped with an instant family. A chance encounter at a backwoods bar leaves her yearning for more, but when she discovers the obscenely hot stranger is her soon to be stepbrother? There was no way she could have prepared for that bombshell, or the intense rollercoaster of lust and love that would soon follow.
This incredibly sexy, mysterious bad boy set her body on fire. With every encounter he lets her see behind those walls he’d built up a little bit more, which only makes her need for him intensify.
As the wedding grows closer the reality of what is happening becomes too much to ignore. This new perfect family is all her mother has ever dreamed of, and this forbidden relationship would crush those dreams.
There only seems to be two choices. Does she break her mother’s heart? Or does she break her own?
194 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2020
28 people are currently reading
656 people want to read
About the author
Harper Ashley
9 books472 followersHarper Ashley is a college student, mother, and romance author who has a unique ability to craft characters and relationships that resonate deeply with readers.
When Harper isn’t writing, she’s working hard towards her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, along with a minor in Political Science.
Her storytelling displays her creativity, often illustrating character-driven narratives that focus on relatability and emotional connections that keep readers asking for more.
Check out my website! www.harperashley.com
https://linktr.ee/HarperAshley
When Harper isn’t writing, she’s working hard towards her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts, along with a minor in Political Science.
Her storytelling displays her creativity, often illustrating character-driven narratives that focus on relatability and emotional connections that keep readers asking for more.
Check out my website! www.harperashley.com
https://linktr.ee/HarperAshley
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 13, 2022
Enemies to lovers
Step-Brother
Taboo
Forbidden Romance
Angst
I absolutely loved this book. It was such a fun quick read. I read it so fast, I couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed the chemistry between Jo and Alec.
This book had it all! There was emotion, there was passion, there was drama, there was spice. I highly recommend it!
Step-Brother
Taboo
Forbidden Romance
Angst
I absolutely loved this book. It was such a fun quick read. I read it so fast, I couldn’t put it down! I really enjoyed the chemistry between Jo and Alec.
This book had it all! There was emotion, there was passion, there was drama, there was spice. I highly recommend it!
April 18, 2024
Good read
Wished the characters had been fleshed out a little more, the story is an easy read.
Wished the characters had been fleshed out a little more, the story is an easy read.
October 25, 2022
Saw this book on tik tok! The chemistry and raw emotions between the main characters was written so well. I’m greedy though and wish it was written in a dual POV. Nonetheless I read in one sitting and thoroughly enjoyed
October 24, 2022
For this being the authors first published work this was SO GOOD. Short, sweet and a step brother romance? Say less
January 5, 2023
Wow.
Wow, wow, WOW. This book sucks you in from the first page. I was not expecting it to be such an emotional read and to fall in love with the characters the way I did. Every character is so layered and you really feel their frustration, their pain and grief, the way they want to move on but are struggling to. And in the setting of a new, broken family coming together - it all just implodes.
But my LORD - the romance between Alec and Jo is on FIRE with the first word. The tension only enhanced it. I found myself rooting for them and really hoping things would work out.
By the end, my face was covered in tears and I laughing and crying, all at the same time.
For a short, succinct, fast paced story, we really take a journey with these characters and see them for who they truly are.
I need more of Harper Ashley's work immediately, because she knows how to pull your heart strings and light you on fire with HOT spice!
Wow, wow, WOW. This book sucks you in from the first page. I was not expecting it to be such an emotional read and to fall in love with the characters the way I did. Every character is so layered and you really feel their frustration, their pain and grief, the way they want to move on but are struggling to. And in the setting of a new, broken family coming together - it all just implodes.
But my LORD - the romance between Alec and Jo is on FIRE with the first word. The tension only enhanced it. I found myself rooting for them and really hoping things would work out.
By the end, my face was covered in tears and I laughing and crying, all at the same time.
For a short, succinct, fast paced story, we really take a journey with these characters and see them for who they truly are.
I need more of Harper Ashley's work immediately, because she knows how to pull your heart strings and light you on fire with HOT spice!
November 24, 2022
I love Alec and Jo!!!
One I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this book! So to start it is a step brother romance where they didn’t know they were going to be step siblings when they first met. Alec is a grumpy alphahole who is totally mushy when it comes to Jo. And Jo is a sweet heart who sees the best in him. There are of bumps in their love story but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They are perfect for each other.
One I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this book! So to start it is a step brother romance where they didn’t know they were going to be step siblings when they first met. Alec is a grumpy alphahole who is totally mushy when it comes to Jo. And Jo is a sweet heart who sees the best in him. There are of bumps in their love story but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. They are perfect for each other.
December 7, 2020
I am not a reader by any means but when I came across "Torn to Pieces", something drew me to read it. Once I decided to start it, I couldn't stop. I would highly recommend reading this book even if it's not your typical genre. I have sent this book to many other friends and they love it just as much as I did. The writer did an amazing job.
February 11, 2023
this book was so messy, i loved it😭
June 24, 2023
Dnf it at 60%
Bruuuh, what the hell did i just read💀
Bruuuh, what the hell did i just read💀
November 6, 2022
FMC: Josephine/Jo
MMC: Alec
Spice 🌶🌶
I love how the author get right into the story. this novella was a quick read and was hard to put down.
this is a step sibling romance with a bit of enemies to lovers and Alpha, touch her a catch these hands feel. lol
I like how the MMC evolved and the author delivered a HEA. if you are looking for a quick read definitely give this a read.
MMC: Alec
Spice 🌶🌶
I love how the author get right into the story. this novella was a quick read and was hard to put down.
this is a step sibling romance with a bit of enemies to lovers and Alpha, touch her a catch these hands feel. lol
I like how the MMC evolved and the author delivered a HEA. if you are looking for a quick read definitely give this a read.
January 1, 2023
Omgggg this book was so good! Being the authors first published work it was phenomenal. This was short and sweet story that I just kept wanting more of!! I loved Jo’s character and just how spunky she was. During the end I just wanted to knock some sense into Alec😂but I’m so glad they got their happy ending!!
October 5, 2022
What a forbiddingly delicious book!! This book was honestly one emotional rollercoaster between the two love interests, but I enjoyed every second of it! It’s fast-paced read, one that I quickly devoured, and I absolutely loved the ending! Between brooding Alec and strong-willed Jo, you will quickly find yourself falling in love with these two very fast, and rooting for them the entirety of the book. If you enjoy step-sibling, forbidden NA romances with a bit of spice, this is the book for you! It’s a quick read and perfect to get you out of a reading slump! I definitely recommend !!!
October 3, 2022
This book was great! It’s a short read but full of true emotions. The characters are relatable and one can truly understand their troubles. This is a must read if your looking for a romance that is true to heart!
Want to read
August 7, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/7/2022)! 🎁
October 3, 2022
so good!
This was my first “step brother romance” and I was kind of nervous going into it, but it was so good. I loved the story.
Josephine was a really strong female main character and I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I expected the step sister to be mean and her to be miserable and just kinda thrown with the step brother and was pleasantly surprised NONE of this was the case.
Josephine moves to this small town in Alabama after her mother gets engaged to a man. She’s moving as she’s going into her senior year so she’s obviously not super thrilled. But, she really fits in, she finds a good group of friends which she never had back home. She accidentally met Alec in a bar before she knew who he was and when she found out she was immediately disgusted and Alec hated her.
This seemed to be one of those the more they tried to fight it it, the more attracted they became to each other. And they both did try to fight it.
Watching Alec deal with and overcome his past trauma was really good to see. He had a lot of it that needed to be handled before he could really be with anybody. I was glad he did that.
I also felt like all the characters handled the relationship realistically. I know in some books everyone is just like fine with it, but plenty of people were unsure about it and how it would work. I liked that it felt realistic to me.
The ending was perfect. Could not have asked for a better ending. Overall this book was great. Definitely recommend!!
This was my first “step brother romance” and I was kind of nervous going into it, but it was so good. I loved the story.
Josephine was a really strong female main character and I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I expected the step sister to be mean and her to be miserable and just kinda thrown with the step brother and was pleasantly surprised NONE of this was the case.
Josephine moves to this small town in Alabama after her mother gets engaged to a man. She’s moving as she’s going into her senior year so she’s obviously not super thrilled. But, she really fits in, she finds a good group of friends which she never had back home. She accidentally met Alec in a bar before she knew who he was and when she found out she was immediately disgusted and Alec hated her.
This seemed to be one of those the more they tried to fight it it, the more attracted they became to each other. And they both did try to fight it.
Watching Alec deal with and overcome his past trauma was really good to see. He had a lot of it that needed to be handled before he could really be with anybody. I was glad he did that.
I also felt like all the characters handled the relationship realistically. I know in some books everyone is just like fine with it, but plenty of people were unsure about it and how it would work. I liked that it felt realistic to me.
The ending was perfect. Could not have asked for a better ending. Overall this book was great. Definitely recommend!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2022
Torn to Pieces by Ashley Harper was an absolutely solid romance book. The action got started right away and continued in regular intervals throughout the book.
The plot was a little predictable for me. I kind of figured why the main male character was so broody and withdrawn. I do feel like there were multiple instances where the plot could have been developed better as well as the characters. The main male character had several private conversations with his father about their relationship and I kind of wish we had been brought into those conversations. I wish the female lead and her mother had had more conversations and character development between the two of them as well. A lot of those relationship points were just handed to us when I felt it could've been developed in a subplot. But overall the romance, the real reason I read this book, was definitely there. This is just personal opinion and preference, but I could've gone for a little bit more smutty material. but that's not to say I was disappointed in the romance aspect, because I wasn't. It definitely fulfilled what I was looking for out of a romance novel.
I gave this book a solid 3/5. I would recommend it to people looking for a romance story involving the stepbrother trope.
The plot was a little predictable for me. I kind of figured why the main male character was so broody and withdrawn. I do feel like there were multiple instances where the plot could have been developed better as well as the characters. The main male character had several private conversations with his father about their relationship and I kind of wish we had been brought into those conversations. I wish the female lead and her mother had had more conversations and character development between the two of them as well. A lot of those relationship points were just handed to us when I felt it could've been developed in a subplot. But overall the romance, the real reason I read this book, was definitely there. This is just personal opinion and preference, but I could've gone for a little bit more smutty material. but that's not to say I was disappointed in the romance aspect, because I wasn't. It definitely fulfilled what I was looking for out of a romance novel.
I gave this book a solid 3/5. I would recommend it to people looking for a romance story involving the stepbrother trope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2022
Wow...that was something, to be honest. Even though I am a big fan of forbidden romance, this was simple but hard at the same time. It's like eating something, but hard to swallow.
Stepsibling romance isn't easy at first to read, but I recommend checking this out because it was so easy to understand and fun enjoying the two main characters changing their lives for the better.
The main female was strong, beautiful, and independent. The male lead, of course, was broken and in pain.
Perfect chemistry for romance, love, and forbidden sin.
;)
Stepsibling romance isn't easy at first to read, but I recommend checking this out because it was so easy to understand and fun enjoying the two main characters changing their lives for the better.
The main female was strong, beautiful, and independent. The male lead, of course, was broken and in pain.
Perfect chemistry for romance, love, and forbidden sin.
;)
September 26, 2022
This is such a great and easy read. If you are looking for a sexy book to just lose yourself into this is the book for you!
It has:
-Taboo Relationship
-Enemies to lovers
-Second chances
-A secret relationship
-Touch her and die
The book was a super fast read for me. I read it in a few hours and got lost in Jo and Alec's relationship. Although it was taboo since Alec was her soon to be stepbrother, it was sexy and their relationship worked. The sexual tension was off the charts! If you want a super fun read that will have you getting a cool glass of water, read this book! I give it 5 stars.
It has:
-Taboo Relationship
-Enemies to lovers
-Second chances
-A secret relationship
-Touch her and die
The book was a super fast read for me. I read it in a few hours and got lost in Jo and Alec's relationship. Although it was taboo since Alec was her soon to be stepbrother, it was sexy and their relationship worked. The sexual tension was off the charts! If you want a super fun read that will have you getting a cool glass of water, read this book! I give it 5 stars.
November 9, 2022
I would like to submit a complaint as this book is entirely too short.
I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, the development, the heat, the bad boy, everything. If a holiday novella with these characters happened to exist, or a continuation of the story in anyway, I would LOVE it.
Read it. You won't regret it.
I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, the development, the heat, the bad boy, everything. If a holiday novella with these characters happened to exist, or a continuation of the story in anyway, I would LOVE it.
Read it. You won't regret it.
December 8, 2022
“Torn to Pieces” by Harper Ashley is a coming of age story about a girl named Josephine who meets and falls in love with a boy named Alec… But it is waaay more complicated than it seems…
I couldn’t put this book down. I loved Jo, and Alec is a broody grump… must I say more?
Rating :
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶
Favorite Quote :
"He's not a monster, but he's got a damaged heart.”
December 7, 2020
For a first time author I am impressed. It is a quick and easy read with likeable characters. You get the right amount of angst and drama with a HEA. I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next, I'm a fan.
October 6, 2021
Taboo treat!
This is a captivating enemy to lovers off limits romance with relatable characters. The chemistry between Jo and Alec is so explosive that the pages will practically turn themselves.
This is a captivating enemy to lovers off limits romance with relatable characters. The chemistry between Jo and Alec is so explosive that the pages will practically turn themselves.
November 17, 2022
hot soon to be step brother is ❤️🔥
This book was a page turner. I didn’t want it to end I wanted more of them. But omg still such a great read. The tension, chemistry, and banter was everything. If you haven’t read this do it. So worth it. Check triggers 18+
This book was a page turner. I didn’t want it to end I wanted more of them. But omg still such a great read. The tension, chemistry, and banter was everything. If you haven’t read this do it. So worth it. Check triggers 18+
December 8, 2022
Wrong, but oh so right
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I loved that they met before they were step siblings and that their journey was raw and real. So, so good and loved that they got their happy ending.
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I loved that they met before they were step siblings and that their journey was raw and real. So, so good and loved that they got their happy ending.
January 3, 2023
This was my last read of 2022 and it was such a perfect way to end my reading year! I loved all of the characters so much even though Alec had me losing my mind a little for a hot minute 😂 Other than that the characters were perfection. Allie and V need their own books. Just saying. This book flows so well (unlike this review because I’m a hot mess). It was the perfect length. Not too long where I was wishing they’d just get on with it and not too short leaving me feeling like I needed more. I was completely satisfied when the book was over. I loved the epilogue and how the parents seems with everything. Overall such a sweet book. I loved it so much! 10/10 would recommend!
March 3, 2025
WELL THAT WAS WAY MORE EMOTIONAL THEN I EXPECTED
Like wtf
Also, why tf did I somehow read another step-sibling romance
KMSSSS
But why are they always such a good read
PUT ME IN JAIL BUT THEY WERE SO CUTEEEE
Like wtf
Also, why tf did I somehow read another step-sibling romance
KMSSSS
But why are they always such a good read
PUT ME IN JAIL BUT THEY WERE SO CUTEEEE
January 7, 2022
Loveeeee this book. I just read it again because I found it while cleaning my room and remembered just how good it is. The chemistry between the two is amazing!
August 3, 2022
Ugh. This was so good. It has a HEA but I would LOVE to know what happens next. I loved the characters so much.
August 3, 2022
Very good
If you love raw, broken characters and a fight for happily ever after when everything if fighting against that. Check this one out. It’s worth it.
If you love raw, broken characters and a fight for happily ever after when everything if fighting against that. Check this one out. It’s worth it.
August 8, 2022
Super cute love story
This was a super cute love story! It’s a quick low angst happily ever after which is perfect after reading some heavy books!
This was a super cute love story! It’s a quick low angst happily ever after which is perfect after reading some heavy books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews