I want all of her; the consequences be damned. I don’t care about the baggage, the fear, the hurt.
I’m determined to prove that I’m different. That this all-consuming energy between us is a once in a lifetime kind of love that would burn forever if we let it.
I’d give her the life that she deserves.
But she keeps digging into a dark secret that’s bigger than me, bigger than us.
I can’t protect her from the truth.
No one can.
Raquel
I don't believe in 'happily ever after', my upbringing didn’t allow me to be that naïve.
Not until him.
For the first time in my life, maybe I deserve forever.
But before I allow myself to fall into fantasy, I need answers so I can let go of my past.
A.L. Woods is an international bestselling author of dark and contemporary rollercoaster romances, caffeine aficionado, and collector of Sailor Moon paraphernalia.
She lives outside of Toronto, Ontario with her 9lb larger-than-life miniature dachshund, Maia.
She believes that burritos should be in their own food group, loves the fall, winged liner, and listening to metalcore at an offensive level.
Another fantastic book by A.L. Woods. You never really know what to expect with a second book in a series that hooks you in, but this one exceeded expectations. It's again well written with great pacing, and the characters are so real you connect with them on a deeper level. I sometimes catch myself thinking of them as real people, amazing. I really can't wait for the next one, and I'm sad it'll be the last!
This is book 2 by Amanda and I’m blown away. Note: You must read book 1, Mirrors, before you read this book and highly recommend it!
Every book hits you differently. Some books provide the long overdue laughter you didn’t know you needed until your laughing. Some books provide the hope you didn’t know you needed until your suddenly feeling hopeful and some books provide the reflection and realization you didn’t know you needed until you’re doing it. For me, it was the reflection and realization. Amanda has a way of writing that is more than just a story. True to her first book title, Mirrors, it’s like looking in a mirror back at yourself. And same as before, we can all see a little of ourselves in Raquel in some way.
In Shattered we learn more about Raquel and Sean. Raquel learns some truths that make her question the past decade plus of her life. She questions her loyalty, her love, and her view of herself. Sean helps her in this process. I didn’t think I could love Sean anymore than I did in Mirrors and then he came in like a storm in Shattered.
I encourage you to read the Authors Note at the end. It’s just as impactful as the story itself and as I mentioned above it forced me to reflect personally which concluded with some realizations and then maybe a few shed tears (maybe). 😏
I can’t wait for Book 3 in this series and I believe it will be released in March sometime. Here’s to another book hangover! 🥂
Shattered is the second book in the Reflection's series & I dove straight in after reading the first book (& may have volunteered my services as an ARC reader so that I don't have to wait too long for the third 🤣🤣).
Raquel & Sean are at odds at the beginning of this story, but Raquel has grown since the start of the first book & she knows that Sean is worth fighting for.
We learn more about Raquel's life; the terrible mother that is responsible for a lot of Raquel's esteem issues for one, & there's a pretty gut wrenching scene in there between those too. If you weren't already aware of how bad Raquel had it growing up, her mother pretty much cements it.
You also get a glimpse into Sean's family life, which in comparison to Raquel's, is like something from The Waltons. It's their warmth that helps to shelter Raquel & is the start of her & Sean getting back on track.
As well as trying to deal with the shit in her own head, Raquel is looking for answers about the past. I have to admit, that I did guess it pretty early on, but Raquel didn't, because who would ever want to believe that you've been betrayed by pretty much everyone in your life?
Raquel's leaving book 2 with her answers, but unfortunately they've only served to give her more demons. The walls, that were coming down have been reinforced & Sean is going to have his work cut out on book 3 - Awake.
So, Sean is my new book boyfriend. I will fight you for him, so bring it. This book has him showing his warm, loving, protective & seriously kinky side 🔥🔥🔥
I was searching for time in the day to get back into this book because it really pulled me in & for that reason (& that @amandalwrites Is a fantastic writer) this one is getting the full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“I was falling, with nothing to catch me, with no chance of anything to soften the blow...”
This book picked up right where the wicked cliff hanger left off. It was full steam ahead from page one. This book did not disappoint. It was engaging all the way from the beginning right through the authors note. So much is revealed throughout the book and about the authors inspiration.
“I know an antique when I see one. These things are one of a kind.” He swallowed visibly. “And when something is one of a kind, you put in the effort to fix them even when they appear broken to everyone else.”
deceptive.guilt.shame.demons.steaminess.
“There are people you encounter in life who you don’t have to even utter a single word to, and yet feel a sense of kinship pass between you.”
Ahhhh ~ it’s not over. We are graced with one more! Awake is next in the trilogy...dare we hope for more?
This was a well written sequel. The chemistry between Sean and Raquel was hot as were the sex scenes and the story left me needing to know what comes next for these two. Would it be too much to hope for the death of Cash? I’m all for the death of a character in the name of love and vengeance. I give this book a solid five stars and will be patiently waiting for the finale.
Shattered picks up where Mirrors left off—on a cliffhanger. The two books flow seamlessly into one another with Raquel struggling to choose between her past and her future. Where Mirrors introduced us to the lives of Raquel and Sean, Shattered explores them in depth.
I don’t want to give away much, but I adore this book. I thought Mirrors was raw and gritty, but Shattered takes it even further. Raquel struggles with past demons as she tries to be open to new opportunities in her future. And Sean…oh Sean…sexy ass Sean…I got my wish of MORE of him in this book. And when I say MORE, I mean MORE in ALL ways. *sigh*
This book was such a good follow-up to the first one. Woods paints such an amazing story between Raquel and Sean. Her words are so carefully chosen that you’ll find yourself reading them slowly to fully absorb them. You can tell she pours her heart and soul into every line written.
It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, but it does insinuate that these characters are going to get ‘a whole lot of messy’, and I am here for it!
I absolutely loved the first instalment for the witty and funny dialogues and introduction of the main characters! And I didn’t think second book was gonna be able to top it off!
😍😍😍😍😍💔💔💔💔💔 Oh how wrong was I! It’s the depth within each character, their demons, and their ways how they deal with certain issues that captivated me and didn’t let go until the last page.
It’s a heavy story but so beautifully written with steamy hot romance which blossoms with every page that you just get totally consumed by it.
Most importantly it’s an eye opener into a world of anxiety which helped me to understand that people might be smiling but deep down fighting their own demons!
I am so glad I waited to read this book until the third one is out so that note I can just go and start reading! See you in couple of days. 🥰
This is the 2nd book in this amazing trilogy, and this story continues straight on from the cliffhanger at the end of Mirrors. Raquel is relentless is seeking out the truth which has her questioning her life, and she is struggling to choose between her past and her present, while haunted by past demons. Sean is firmly by her side supporting and helping her to delve through her past, but will he be able to protect her when the truth is revealed? This is a well written tale which flows seamlessly and is an emotional roller coaster throughout, as well as being raw, gritty, heartwrenching, and is a steamy and all-consuming read, which this talented author has given her heart and soul inti weaving this story, and I look forward to reading more from her and I highly recommend her work.
We are back in Raquel and Sean’s universe… and things somehow got more complicated.
Raquel and Sean have had to fight in every corner to make their relationship work so far. When Raquel’s past mistakes and traumas keep her from moving on, Sean is determined to show her a life they can have together. A life full of love.
These character somehow managed to get more complicated with every twist and turn. We finally got to a MAJOR turn and plot point (which had me in tears 😭). At the end of this book I legit had to close it and throw it across the room… and that’s how you know it was an AMAZING read.
Book 2 of the Reflection series certainly did not disappoint and I cannot wait to finish the series up! So much love for A.L. Woods and her world 🖤
If you thought the ride was over after Mirrors you haven't been paying attention. Shattered was an even bigger rollercoaster. I've come to hate some characters from being plain assholes and others for reminding us too much of the stupidity we do on our day to day. Now let me rephrase about the second one, you end up growing so attached to these characters (is it even a book you're reading if you get too immersed in it you forget it's a book ?) that you can't help but want them to succeed, grow and of course have a smooth ride. The problem is life isn't always smooth and this is portrayed with perfection here.
This book hit me much differently than I expected it to. It caused me to do alot of self reflection about events and people in my life and how I view them, I don't recall a book ever taking me to that place. Raquel and Sean's story picks up right where book 1 left off and just took off from there. We learned many new things about Sean and Raquel that have lead them to the people they are now, it was a roller coaster of emotions for me and what a realization when all the pieces clicked into place. I cannot wait to read book 3 and see how this story plays out. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by a PR company for an honest review.
Raquel is on the hunt to find out who the father of her sisters unborn baby was, the truth will wreck her. Sean is determined to stand by her side and be her knight and shinning armor. In this book we get more of the love between Raquel and Sean. She still pushes him away but in this book Sean grew a backbone and made Raquel work to show her emotions. This book was angst, sad, and more emotional than the first one. The twist did shock me and the ending! Raquel past is better talked about and explained in this book, I felt sorry and understood her more in this book.
The second book in the trilogy is an absolute masterpiece. The writer does so well in putting you in the shoes of the characters that you feel everything. The emotions just pour from the pages.
Raquel and Sean feel like two half’s of the same soul. They have lived their lives in parallel before they were together but have experienced so much of the same things. The kindness, care and love he shows for Raquel is just perfect and their battle of egos brings this book to life.
The ending of this book will really rip your heart out in the best way possible. Definitely my favourite so far.
4.7/5 I probably liked it a but more than the first one and once again Sean gave me major whiplash from the very fist chapter. I did not expect him to do what he did but I also understand why that was his reaction. I appreciate that Woods started off immediately from where we left in the first book. Sean absolutely bae by the way, and love him tremendously. I see myself a lot in Raquel and, while at times frustrating, I cannot help but understand why she is struggling so much to let someone fully in her life. OOOF I cannot to wait to read how it ends.
Raquel’s story just gets more gut wrenching then the first book. In this book she gets the answers that she was looking for but at the same time caused more issues for her. I loved Sean’s family in this book they take Raquel under there wing and help her get back on her feet. He is also the perfect guy for her with his loving and protective side.
This book was packed with emotion and I loved every minute of it.
Shattered was much better than Mirrors, in my opinion. It was action packed and I didn’t want to put it down. Raquel got answers to her questions regarding her sister. And we got to see how Raquel’s and Sean’s relationship developed. The first book was a lot of what led up to them being together. This book full on shows them having a relationship. I enjoyed getting to be apart of Seans family too. I really enjoyed it and I can’t wait to read the next book.
Firstly, my heart absolutely broke for Raquel when she got the answers she’s been after for so long💔. You think rock bottom is the lowest you can get till you sink even lower and I felt that through Raquel in this book. Sean ... wow, I want more of him👀. He has his own troubles that he’s sorting through whilst trying to be there for Raquel and boy it gets messy. This one doesn’t end on a cliff hanger as such but man the ending is something else🤯. Diving straight into the final book.
This book will rip you apart and put you back together. These characters make me want to scream and yell all while holding them and telling them it'll be okay. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The second book to Rachell and Sean was absolutely captivated by all the misery and secrets that would soon come out!!! OMG my suspicion was right... 😱