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The Broken

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Matthew Honey's life has never been the same since his wife died in a hit and run. His only comfort is his daughter, Eve, and the corporate empire he built with his wife, which now sustains them both.When Matthew meets Jess, he isn't sure he's ready to bring another woman into his life - especially as Eve finds this hard to accept. But Jess is irresistible, and he quickly falls for her charm and wit, eager to bring some normality back to his family life.Soon hallucinations begin to plague both Matthew and his visions of a dark, dangerous entity that comes at night. Matthew starts to question his sanity, while Eve begins to feel strange.Will the Honeys find a way to fix their broken hearts and make their family whole again? Or will they be torn apart forever? It's time to find out what cards fate has dealt them...

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Published February 1, 2021

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About the author

A.L. Frances

5 books9 followers
A.L. Frances is a thirty-two-year-old British author.

The Broken is set to be a four-part series and marks A.L. Frances’ debut in literary fiction.

Born in Wythenshawe, South Manchester, she is the product of a broken home. Her formal education was cut short before she could gain any qualifications and she became a mother to three children by the time she was just twenty years old. At twenty-one A.L. Frances suddenly finds herself cast in the role of a single parent, destined to repeat the cycle of her own difficult upbringing.

Determined to give her children a better start in life, she moved to the countryside village of Hollingworth, and eventually settled into a career in law. It was during this transition that she found herself on a journey of self-discovery. Attending multiple mindset enhancing seminars in England, America and Canada, she was exposed to the tutelage of inspirational speakers such as Bob Proctor, Tony Robbins, and Mel Robbins among others. A.L. Frances was eventually introduced to Peggy McColl, a New York Times Best Selling Author. Standing on the stage, Peggy said the words that would inspire her into action. Peggy said, “Everyone has a book in them.” as she pointed into the crowd. It was at this point that A.L. Frances fell in love with the idea of writing her own book and telling her own story; one that would address one of her biggest fears: the vulnerabilities of broken homes.

At the age of twenty-nine, A.L. Frances decided it was time to start the next chapter of her life.

What follows is the start of her journey…

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Erin Callaghan.
138 reviews5 followers
August 31, 2020
The Broken Book 1 by A.L.Frances 📖 ❤️

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! The characters are very likeable from the first page and the storyline kept me guessing throughout.

As someone, who regularly experiences sleep paralysis, this book definitely made me look over my shoulder a few times 😂.

It is filled with an eerie, yet terrifying storyline that grips you from the beginning.

Matthew Honey is a single father to precious, Eve Honey. Lauren, his wife, died three years ago as she was heartbreakingly hit by a car, killing her instantly. Eve blames herself but Matthew believes this was premeditated murder.

Troubled by their horrible past, they struggle to move on, but having each other is what keeps them going.

Eve is inconsolable when her Father brings a new woman into their life. However Matthew is drawn to Jess immediately and nothing can stop him from falling for her.

Matthew begins to experience what he believes to be sinister hallucinations after meeting Jess and soon after these occur, a series of events unfold leaving Eve in danger.

Is it too late?

Can Matthew save his daughter?

And what is really happening to the honeys?
Profile Image for Susan Keefe.
Author 11 books58 followers
January 8, 2021
Charismatic and handsome Matthew Honey seems to have it all, an impressive seaside home, a successful business and a beautiful daughter Eve. Yet although this is in part true, those who know him understand that this immaculate, accomplished man is hiding behind a façade. Years ago he lost his beautiful wife, Eve’s mother, Lauren, in a tragic accident. Self-preservation mode has become his way of life, and his only reason for living, his lovely daughter who is now sixteen.

However, as we all know, life can change in an instant, and his world is turned upside down when he meets the alluring Jess. Captivated, and immediately under her spell, he finds himself obsessed by her. Eve, although originally terribly hurt by another woman seeming to usurp her mother, seems eventually to warm to her too.

Yet, although their daytime hours are happy, Mark and Eve’s nights are consumed with terror. Matthew, is even questioning his sanity. Is he just feeling guilt for daring to love again, or is there some other, far more sinister reason for his nightmares?

As this intriguing horror story unfolds, the author takes her readers on a terrifying journey deep into Matthew and Eve’s psyche. There, we discover a place where an evil entity dwells. But what does it want?

This incredibly absorbing horror story captured me from the very first page. The first book by this young English author, it is the first of a four part series. Born in South Manchester and now a mother and living in Hollingsworth, A.L. Frances decided to write her first book at the age of twenty-nine, and I can’t wait for her next one! Highly recommended!


Profile Image for Christeena  Thomas.
256 reviews8 followers
March 20, 2021
The Broken is the first book in the broken series penned by A L Frances.

💔The story hovers around Matthew Honey, a single parent and his daughter Eve. After the mysterious death of Lauren, Matthew's and Eve's world shrink to each other. Eve believes she was behind her mother's death, though her father thinks it was not. Everything was going normal, until Matthew falls head over heels for a lady named Jess. There after story turns into a terrifying tone and some events take place that put poor little Eve's life at stake. Is there something mysterious about Jess? How did Lauren die? What will happen to Eve?

💔The gripping and powerful storyline will make you flabbergasted even after the novel ends. My mind is filled with lots of questions and I feel sad for poor Eve. I can't wait to know how the story unfolds and what will happen to her. I was so hooked to it that I never knew when this 167 pages long novel ended.Its been a while I read such a book that almost made me stop breathing!!

💔 Recommended to all who wants to read something that shakes you. The beautiful writing style of the author is an added advantage ❤ Do pick this up and trust me, you won't regret. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for _sassy_39.
2,576 reviews156 followers
December 3, 2020
The Broken by A.L. Frances is a story that will hook you right from the first page. It is a story of a father and a daughter. Forty seven years old Matthew Honey lives in a three-storey home with his sixteen years old daughter Evelyn Jade Honey. He is a widow who lost his wife Lauren in a tragic car accident. He has to continue living without her beautiful wife. Eve and Matthew lifted each other's soul to come out of their grief. Matthew and Lauren weren't that rich in their initial days. They built their empire together discussing ideas at the Sunnyside Up Café. Now, Matthew doesn't have Lauren but the empire they built is with him and he can afford luxuries now.

He met a beautiful and elegant woman Jess at the same cafe. Matthew had immediately fallen for her. He asked Jess to join for drink at the same table on which Eve was sitting. Eve got frustrated and she bursted with anger when Matthew invited Jess for dinner. Eve felt powerless and broken with the fact that his dead gonna date Jess. Eve considers herself as the reason of her mother's death as her mother saved Eve from the accident by running in front of the car.

Grab this book and read the story to know what will happen further in Eve and Matthew's life. Storyline is intense. I enjoyed this novel to the most. Narration is so smooth that once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. Cover photo is nice and title is apt. Story is full of different emotions and Matthew's deep love for Lauren made me welled up.
This story reminded me a little about the movie "Sleepless in Seattle". I like to recommend this book to my fellow readers.
Profile Image for Shannon Burton.
310 reviews10 followers
December 7, 2020
Matthew and Eve Honey (father and daughter) suffer a Tragic loss, leading to Matthew meeting a new woman and ending up with hallucinations and Eve’s life in danger all wrapped up in one.

I will admit this book gave me chills, I am not one for horror or paranoia and this book had me reading with my lights on while I read it.

It definitely is written very well and it is every readers dream to feel apart of the story. You definitely will feel caught up in this one.
Profile Image for Renee Marski.
Author 93 books80 followers
November 27, 2020
Talk about mind trippy. This story introduces you to the Honeys, a daughter/father duo who has suffered the most epic loss. Then in drops Jess, a stunner that steals Matthew Honeys breath. But she's out to steal more than just that and you suddenly find yourself being pulled into her games with a nursery rhyme playing over and over again in your head.

The author did a wonderful job addressing the topic of depression. She makes it real, makes you feel their pain as they deal with their loss. The guilt Matthew Honey feels is tangible as he battles within himself. And the fantasy tossed in is just icing on the cake. Definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Harsh Tyagi.
931 reviews21 followers
September 30, 2021
This is the story of Matthew Honey and his young daughter of sixteen years Eve, Evelyn Jade Honey. Eve lost her mom Lauren a few years ago in a hit and run case. The pair of father and daughter is broken, yet live for each other. They both have do not have a desire to continue their lives without the woman they loved, but cannot leave the only connection with her, alone in this world after them. One day while having a father-daughter moment in a beloved café, enters Jess, who somehow has several similarities to Lauren. A woman with a charm, that even attracts Matthew who never thought of another woman coming into his life. He's enchanted on seeing her for the first time and ends up inviting her first to their coffee table and then to their house for dinner. Eve immediately hates the idea as she cannot believe that her father has immediately forgotten the love of his life, his late wife! However Jess isn't as charming or sweet as she appears to be and with an invitation to her, something sinister enters the home of the Honeys. Dark, gruesome and evil, unexplainable things soon begin to occur in their home, both with Eve and Matthew.

The Broken is the first installment of the completed four-part series and therefore ends with a cliffhanger, but I decided to read all four of them. I must say that the story has been narrated very interestingly and is entirely filled with a lot of emotion. Family's love, adoration, sorrow and grief. How a person invites someone else into their home and lives without the consent of the child that's dependent on him, and how that affects everything sinisterly. The story intentionally started slow, and slightly picked up the pace after Jess entering the house! Although a part after that appeared slightly repetitive, where there were nightmares and happy memories. I could guess a part of it in the beginning, and the major revelation was something I couldn't think of. However, it really felt like a Hollywood horror film is going on as I was reading and I could really build up pictures of the events occurring. I sort of felt bad for the father-daughter duo, because they didn't deserve the bad stuff, but that's real life, isn't it?
156 reviews10 followers
April 16, 2021
BOOK REVIEW:- THE BROKEN

AUTHOR:- A.L FRANCES

FORMAT:- EBOOK

MY RATINGS:- 9.5/10

Hello readers it was exactly one year ago when the corona virus hit the world very dangerously, and sadly the second phase of corona has started to inflict some danger, but don't worry keep reading and keep yourself save. This book helped me to stay home and kept me engaged most of the time. I am really thankful to the author that she gave me the opportunity to read this spectacularly written book.

This is the first installment in the book series and guess what i am not able to wait to get my hands on the second part. So what can you expect from the book, the answer to that is this book is a perfect mixture of a story which has suspense, mystery, emotions, with tons of twists and turns. It will not be wrong to say that the presentation of the whole story is classic.
The main character of the story is Matthew and his daughter Eve. They both were in shock because of the death of Lauren ( Eve's mother) , now Eve only had the support of her father. They both tried to find out the reason behind the sudden death of Lauren but couldn't find anything.

Then comes Jess in the whole scene and Matthew is like mad over her, he has a crush on her. This behaviour of Matthew could also leave a bad impact on her daughter as she needs every bit of his attention due to whatever happened with Lauren.

I know i know you guys must be thinking How did Lauren die, why jess came in their life and what role does she has? Sorry but i dont want to be a spoiler so keep this enthusiasm and read the story to find out the secrets.

The book cover is just what the title says , it dark and simple. The best thing about the book is the story, is totally worth the time. I will highly recommend this book to all of you.

I will soon come up with the review of the next book in the series.
1,317 reviews61 followers
January 19, 2021
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: The Broken
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: A.L. Frances

𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
The Broken by AL Frances is a story of Honeys. Matthew Honey is a 47 years old guy and a widow. He lost his wife Lauren in a hit and run accident while trying to save their daughter Evelyn Jade Honey. Matthew has been lost since the day he was forced to say goodbye to his wife.

Matthew and Eve went to Sunnyside Up Café, Honey family’s most treasured place to eat out. It's a family run cafe where Matthew used to discuss business ideas with Lauren in initial days of his career. Now, he is a wealthy man who could afford to visit any cafe but he always comes to this one because of the precious memories of his wife that this cafe holds. What Matthew hadn't expected is that he will fall for a woman Jess here and this would frustrate Eve.

Matthew invited Jess for a dinner but Eve didn't want to be around so she heads to “Lauren’s Garden of Secrets”. Read this interesting story to know more about Honeys life. Cover photo of the book is nice. Title is perfect and goes well with the story. Pace of the story is fine to keep readers engaged in the story. Length of the novel is appropriate and I enjoyed this story. Much curious to dive deeper into Honeys life in the sequel of this book.

𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
Profile Image for bookhaven__.
963 reviews55 followers
February 11, 2021
The Broken
By
A.L. Frances

My Review:
The Broken is the first installment in "The Broken" series. Story features Matthew Honey who once had a beautiful life, a loving family, etc. But now, Matthew and Eve's life has been shattered. Matthew's wife Lauren became the victim of a hit and run accident and she passed away. Matthew and his daughter are in grief since then.

One day when Matthew took Eve to an old cafe, he saw a beautiful woman Jess there. Matthew who couldn't resist himself initiated things with Jess. Seeing her dad with other woman is something that Eve didn't like. She got mad at her dad for this. There was time when Eve felt blessed. She was filled with gratitude but now due to her mother passing, she felt bitter and cursed.

This story of Honeys is really intense. I enjoyed the story very much as I read it. Story is well paced with a good storyline. The plot is really nice and I liked everything about this book. I appreciate author's choice of title as it goes well with the story and the situation of Honeys family.

Do check this book out. It's highly recommended by me!

My Rating: 5/5
Profile Image for Girlwithreality.
27 reviews
May 15, 2021
A.L. Frances' The Broken : 1

A story based on the vulnerabilities of broken homes.
Since his wife was killed in a hit-and-run, Matthew Honey's life has never been the same. His sole solace is Eve, his daughter, and the corporate empire he and his wife built together, which now supports them both.
When Matthew meets Jess, he's not sure he's ready to add another woman to his life, especially because Eve has a hard time accepting it. Jess, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with.He is instantly seduced by her beauty and humour, and he is eager to restore some normalcy to his family's lives.
Soon, Matthew and his daughter are both plagued by hallucinations: visions of a dark, menacing thing that appears at night. Matthew begins to doubt his sanity, while Eve begins to experience weird sensations.

Will the Honeys be able to mend their wounded hearts and reunite their family?
Or will they be ripped apart?
It's time to see what fate has in store for them.
Oh my goodness!!! Definitely an author to keep an eye on!! I couldn't put the book down and am looking forward to reading the next one!! This is a must-read. ❤
My Rating - 4.5/5

6 reviews
April 8, 2021
The Broken is the first book in a series called "The Broken." Matthew Honey, who once had a wonderful life, a loving family, and so on, is featured in this story. Matthew and Eve's lives have now been ruined. Lauren, Matthew's wife, was killed in a hit-and-run collision. Since then, Matthew and his daughter have been mourning.

When Matthew took Eve to an old cafe one day, he encountered a lovely young woman named Jess. Matthew, who couldn't help himself, took the initiative with Jess. Eve didn't like it when she saw her father with other women. Because of this, she became enraged with her father. Eve had a moment when she felt fortunate. She was grateful, but now that her mother had passed away, she felt bitter and cursed.

Honeys' story is extremely gripping. As I read the novel, I was thoroughly entertained. The story is well-paced and has a compelling plot. The plot is excellent, and I enjoyed every aspect of this novel. I like the author's title choice because it suits the story and the condition of Honey's family.

Check out this book. I wholeheartedly endorse it!
Profile Image for Jennifer Harris.
19 reviews2 followers
June 13, 2023
Not my usual genre, but I found myself turning the pages to find out what would happen next.
Profile Image for Elise  W.
47 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2021
The descriptive writing draws you in.

The writing draws in the reader placing them inside the pages along side the characters showing each side of them like a fauceted gem. However it's more of a psychological thriller than it is a "Read with the lights on" horror book. I enjoyed the plot and character mind development, but it wont keep me up at night.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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