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Broken
Gabriel Creed, a former architect lost everything when his wife passed away suddenly three years earlier. When the house he built on the land of their vacation home for his wife’s writing binges ends up on the wrong side of a property line dispute, fate threatens to take even more from him. The new owner of the home rents out the small cabin and Gabriel must bide his time as he seeks a way to get the property back. In the meantime, Norah Murphy has just moved in, and her presence is a direct insult to his wife’s legacy. He wants nothing to do with her, but she has other plans.
Norah has found her way back to Aden Brook after attending a life changing writer’s workshop there three years ago. It’s what inspired her to try her hand at novel writing in the first place. When inspiration escapes her, she turns to a writing prompt from the workshop to spark inspiration. She’s going to be the sunny counterpart to her grumpy neighbor and see what inspiration their interactions ignite.
Just when Gabriel has had enough of his new neighbor’s shenanigans, Norah discovers the reason behind his cold and reclusive behavior. When she falls apart under the weight of his heartbreak, he does the exact opposite of what he’s wanted since she arrived. He asks her to stay.
Norah has found her way back to Aden Brook after attending a life changing writer’s workshop there three years ago. It’s what inspired her to try her hand at novel writing in the first place. When inspiration escapes her, she turns to a writing prompt from the workshop to spark inspiration. She’s going to be the sunny counterpart to her grumpy neighbor and see what inspiration their interactions ignite.
Just when Gabriel has had enough of his new neighbor’s shenanigans, Norah discovers the reason behind his cold and reclusive behavior. When she falls apart under the weight of his heartbreak, he does the exact opposite of what he’s wanted since she arrived. He asks her to stay.
- GenresRomanceEnemies To Lovers
339 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2022
7 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Shawn Maravel
8 books254 followersIt is my hope to provide motivation for fellow authors who continue to polish their voice and work on their craft. I want to inspire as many writers as I can to view their work as an ongoing journey. You never know which step you are on in achieving your dreams, all you can do is to keep pressing forward. Looking back shows you how far you've come, and looking ahead gives you direction, but the most important part of the journey is where you are right now. Never stop striving, live without regret, and use both your experience and your dreams for the future to shape what you're doing right now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 5, 2022
“𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕 𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.”
guys, this one is so special. i absolutely adore norah and gabriel…and smokey, too. their story is full of heartache, grief, angst, hope, endurance, forgiveness, acceptance, friendship, love, family, and so much more.
all the things i loved:
•super grumpy gabriel
•maine coons named smokey
•writing cabins
•norah and charlie’s banter
•staged meet-cites
•”Truce?”
•left, right, center
•a string of coincidences
•”Look who got caught under the mistletoe.•
•pankakes
•karaoke
•gabriel’s family
•movie marathon sleepovers
•the hot tub
•when norah gets an eyeful
•cozy bonfires
•he can sing and cook
•”I promise to only give you what you deserve.”
guys, this one is so special. i absolutely adore norah and gabriel…and smokey, too. their story is full of heartache, grief, angst, hope, endurance, forgiveness, acceptance, friendship, love, family, and so much more.
all the things i loved:
•super grumpy gabriel
•maine coons named smokey
•writing cabins
•norah and charlie’s banter
•staged meet-cites
•”Truce?”
•left, right, center
•a string of coincidences
•”Look who got caught under the mistletoe.•
•pankakes
•karaoke
•gabriel’s family
•movie marathon sleepovers
•the hot tub
•when norah gets an eyeful
•cozy bonfires
•he can sing and cook
•”I promise to only give you what you deserve.”
May 31, 2022
"Hate gave him comfort."
-Broken
I squealed when this ARC showed up in my inbox last week. Being that it is one of my most anticipated reads this year, I did not hesitate to dive in and devoured it in two sittings.
Like anything Shawn Maravel writes, Broken takes you on a deep journey of love and reconciliation that will make your heart ache for these fictional people. Each character is woven together with quirks, humor, grief, heartbreak, and will make you root for them until the end.
Brief synopsis: Gabriel lost his wife and is angry at the world. When Norah arrives in the cabin next to his house, he wants nothing to do with her. But she has other plans.
Read if you love:
▪︎Charlie Hunnum
▪︎Grumpy/sunshine
▪︎The wood cutting guy on Tiktok
▪︎Redemption love stories
▪︎Writer MCs
▪︎Second chance love stories
▪︎Romance that makes fun of the tropes
▪︎A standout best friend
▪︎Snow storms
▪︎Embarrassing sexual encounters
▪︎A cabin in the woods
At certain points Gabriel gave me male-version Tabitha vibes from Sixteen Summers and I thought maybe in another world, they could end up together. lol.
-Broken
I squealed when this ARC showed up in my inbox last week. Being that it is one of my most anticipated reads this year, I did not hesitate to dive in and devoured it in two sittings.
Like anything Shawn Maravel writes, Broken takes you on a deep journey of love and reconciliation that will make your heart ache for these fictional people. Each character is woven together with quirks, humor, grief, heartbreak, and will make you root for them until the end.
Brief synopsis: Gabriel lost his wife and is angry at the world. When Norah arrives in the cabin next to his house, he wants nothing to do with her. But she has other plans.
Read if you love:
▪︎Charlie Hunnum
▪︎Grumpy/sunshine
▪︎The wood cutting guy on Tiktok
▪︎Redemption love stories
▪︎Writer MCs
▪︎Second chance love stories
▪︎Romance that makes fun of the tropes
▪︎A standout best friend
▪︎Snow storms
▪︎Embarrassing sexual encounters
▪︎A cabin in the woods
At certain points Gabriel gave me male-version Tabitha vibes from Sixteen Summers and I thought maybe in another world, they could end up together. lol.
June 8, 2022
"It might kill her, Norah decided, but what a way to die."
What a WONDERFUL story. I was invested from page one. Couldn't put it down. Enjoyed it SO much. I'm in love with Gabriel. Loved seeing his growth as well as Norah's throughout the story. All in all, it's a wholesome read, which is expected from Shawn's work.
Thank you for trusting me with your work, Shawn, and letting me read this beautiful story in advance. Congratulations to you and Erika! This is my favorite of yours so far!
What a WONDERFUL story. I was invested from page one. Couldn't put it down. Enjoyed it SO much. I'm in love with Gabriel. Loved seeing his growth as well as Norah's throughout the story. All in all, it's a wholesome read, which is expected from Shawn's work.
Thank you for trusting me with your work, Shawn, and letting me read this beautiful story in advance. Congratulations to you and Erika! This is my favorite of yours so far!
September 28, 2022
“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙞𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙣𝙤𝙬, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚.”
A beautifully written story full of emotion, love, friendship and family, healing from loss and being consumed by grief. There’s also plenty of cozy, lighthearted and hilarious moments to put the pieces back together with a surprise twist of fate.
———
After finding out the cabin he built his late wife does not actually reside on his property, Gabriel is forced to play nice as the new owner rents it out.
Norah has left the ‘city life’ to the small town of Aden Brook, NY. She’s an aspiring author determined to write a rom-com.
Upon meeting her very rude, viking neighbor..Norah decides (mostly with a pep talk from her bestie, Charlie) that Gabriel might just be the perfect inspiration for her book.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙅𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙮, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙣𝙮 𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙟𝙖𝙘𝙠’𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙…𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣,” 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙙.
Let’s talk about Charlie. He is definitely more like family than best friend. He brings so much life and laughter to this entire book. He becomes such an important part of both Gabriel and Norah’s connection. I love him! 🥲 Also, Gabriel’s family is just perfection! I adored Grayson, Beth and Ingrid. 🥹
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙙. “𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩.”
This slow burn romance will melt your heart and their HEA ending is so perfect for them. I seriously need more Gabriel AND Norah AND Charlie!! 🫠😍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A beautifully written story full of emotion, love, friendship and family, healing from loss and being consumed by grief. There’s also plenty of cozy, lighthearted and hilarious moments to put the pieces back together with a surprise twist of fate.
———
After finding out the cabin he built his late wife does not actually reside on his property, Gabriel is forced to play nice as the new owner rents it out.
Norah has left the ‘city life’ to the small town of Aden Brook, NY. She’s an aspiring author determined to write a rom-com.
Upon meeting her very rude, viking neighbor..Norah decides (mostly with a pep talk from her bestie, Charlie) that Gabriel might just be the perfect inspiration for her book.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤 𝙅𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙮, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄’𝙢 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙬 𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙣𝙮 𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙟𝙖𝙘𝙠’𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙…𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝, 𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣,” 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙙.
Let’s talk about Charlie. He is definitely more like family than best friend. He brings so much life and laughter to this entire book. He becomes such an important part of both Gabriel and Norah’s connection. I love him! 🥲 Also, Gabriel’s family is just perfection! I adored Grayson, Beth and Ingrid. 🥹
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙙. “𝙉𝙤𝙬, 𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩.”
This slow burn romance will melt your heart and their HEA ending is so perfect for them. I seriously need more Gabriel AND Norah AND Charlie!! 🫠😍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 16, 2022
Book Review 🍁 Broken by Shawn Maravel
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A million times yes to this lovely romance! ❤️ What stands out to me the most about @shawnmaravelauthor writing is that everything flows so perfectly that it feels like you have a window seat into the characters lives. She isn’t kidding when she says her stories are character driven. Her characters are the best part of the story. They are incredibly relatable, I find myself connecting to each one in both this novel and her other book The River House. Broken is such a wholesome and heart warming romance. I especially love the holiday scenes! You won’t be disappointed reading either Broken or The River House. Both are now my go to romance recommendations 😍 💕 Mark your calendar for the release date of Oct 8, 2022!
.
A million times yes to this lovely romance! ❤️ What stands out to me the most about @shawnmaravelauthor writing is that everything flows so perfectly that it feels like you have a window seat into the characters lives. She isn’t kidding when she says her stories are character driven. Her characters are the best part of the story. They are incredibly relatable, I find myself connecting to each one in both this novel and her other book The River House. Broken is such a wholesome and heart warming romance. I especially love the holiday scenes! You won’t be disappointed reading either Broken or The River House. Both are now my go to romance recommendations 😍 💕 Mark your calendar for the release date of Oct 8, 2022!
October 10, 2022
Here’s what I loved about Broken:
• Gabriel is ever so very dreamy
• the fall/winter vibes
• it mixed emotional, hopeful, and laughter so well
• the cabin in the woods setting
• Norah is so patient and I love that she isn’t insecure when it comes to Gabriel’s first wife
• the chemistry was off the charts 🔥
This book made me smile, laugh out loud, and cry. It was a beautiful testament to second chances and finding love after loss.
If I had to compare it to something else, I would say it feels like Safe Haven, with themes and feels from The Simple Wild. It broke me and I’m unwell.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: fade to black, some detailed scenes
TW: past death of a spouse, invasion of privacy through a camera installed in a home
Swipe for synopsis and aesthetic
• Gabriel is ever so very dreamy
• the fall/winter vibes
• it mixed emotional, hopeful, and laughter so well
• the cabin in the woods setting
• Norah is so patient and I love that she isn’t insecure when it comes to Gabriel’s first wife
• the chemistry was off the charts 🔥
This book made me smile, laugh out loud, and cry. It was a beautiful testament to second chances and finding love after loss.
If I had to compare it to something else, I would say it feels like Safe Haven, with themes and feels from The Simple Wild. It broke me and I’m unwell.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: fade to black, some detailed scenes
TW: past death of a spouse, invasion of privacy through a camera installed in a home
Swipe for synopsis and aesthetic
April 17, 2023
Oh my wow! This book gave me all the feels. Going into the book I read the synopsis so I knew it would be about grieving his wife but it was just so beautifully written. There were moments my heart really ached for the characters. I truly felt the connection and cried along with them. I loved it and cannot wait to read more from this author.
May 26, 2023
This was such a moving and wonderful story about two broken people who find love. I really enjoyed it!
May 29, 2022
I was blessed to get a chance to be a beta reader for Broken, and I was blown away. Shawn Maravel has a way of writing that brings you right into the pages. The opportunities to laugh and smile are endless and at the root of the story itself you are not disappointed. The characters are relatable and raw, fleshed out in a way that allows you to really feel each scene as it plays out.
This read will be the perfect fall book to anyone who loves a story that brings together all of the missing pieces in a way that couldn't fit any other way. While making sure that the good guy always gets the girl in the end.
This read will be the perfect fall book to anyone who loves a story that brings together all of the missing pieces in a way that couldn't fit any other way. While making sure that the good guy always gets the girl in the end.
September 23, 2022
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Shawn has spun gold and artfully laced it into the pages of this novel.
In a few words, Shawn’s upcoming novel 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 is gorgeously descriptive, elegantly emotive, thoughtfully constructed, deeply creative, incredibly intimate and the kind of effortlessly seamless that requires an 𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 of heartfelt effort.
The amount of care and attention paid to this story shines through every element of its composition (development of characters, writing style, chemistry, tension, narrative structure, diction, flow, setting, etc.) and blissfully wraps itself around your heart.
Broken is immensely captivating because, in an incomparably Shawn way, it is heavily character driven…and let me tell you, Shawn makes you fall 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅-𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓-𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 for her adorable, lovable and relatable characters. She engages readers from the onset of the novel and works hard to keep you invested in their story.
I adore multi-timeline tales and how they elevate the reading experience. Shawn writes flashbacks into the story so well, both in terms of as a narrative device providing specific details, intriguing readers to infer and investigate potential outcomes, as well as for the purpose of the story’s emotional depth and development. Just brilliant.
The characters…oh, the characters. I can’t believe these characters don’t 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 exist in a cozy cabin in the woods, snacking on moon cookies and curling up in the luxurious home of their creation. Norah is compassionate, fantastically funny and kind spirited with a depth to her personality and past that is equal parts compelling and endearing. You feel her feelings as sincerely as if they originated in your own heart. Gabriel is the pinnacle of book boyfriends — he is a loyal, devoted, tender, tough, protective and passionate viking of a man with a hardened heart — and you will 𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬 for Norah reigniting a fire within its stoned walls. The secondary characters are equally rewarding to read because they are so thoroughly developed and contribute meaningfully to the story.
Her writing is illustriously immersive. Shawn brings the story to life with: beautifully integrated descriptions of the setting paying attention to meaningful details that bring tangibility to the story’s surroundings; patiently delivered character backstories that keep you interested throughout; character emotions and states of mind that bring you intimately into their heads and hearts; and real, relatable and mature dialogue with touches of cute banter.
Addressing themes of self-discovery, personal growth, grief, overcoming loss, vulnerability, trust, true love, faith and courage, Shawn writes with a special genuineness and authenticity that make you feel like you’re right there in the beautiful wilderness with the characters.
This brilliantly touching story will leave your heart feeling full, your spirit joyful and your mind at peace. I cannot highly enough recommend you indulge in this escapist story that feels as cozy as curling up with a fluffy blanket, as comforting as warm tea in your palms and as heart-warming as a good book on a crisp Fall day.
✨⛰ 🌾 🍃🍂 ☀️ 🌻☀️ 🍂 🍃 🌲 🌾 ⛰✨
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘. 𝑾𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒘𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.
Shawn has spun gold and artfully laced it into the pages of this novel.
In a few words, Shawn’s upcoming novel 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏 is gorgeously descriptive, elegantly emotive, thoughtfully constructed, deeply creative, incredibly intimate and the kind of effortlessly seamless that requires an 𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 of heartfelt effort.
The amount of care and attention paid to this story shines through every element of its composition (development of characters, writing style, chemistry, tension, narrative structure, diction, flow, setting, etc.) and blissfully wraps itself around your heart.
Broken is immensely captivating because, in an incomparably Shawn way, it is heavily character driven…and let me tell you, Shawn makes you fall 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅-𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓-𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 for her adorable, lovable and relatable characters. She engages readers from the onset of the novel and works hard to keep you invested in their story.
I adore multi-timeline tales and how they elevate the reading experience. Shawn writes flashbacks into the story so well, both in terms of as a narrative device providing specific details, intriguing readers to infer and investigate potential outcomes, as well as for the purpose of the story’s emotional depth and development. Just brilliant.
The characters…oh, the characters. I can’t believe these characters don’t 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 exist in a cozy cabin in the woods, snacking on moon cookies and curling up in the luxurious home of their creation. Norah is compassionate, fantastically funny and kind spirited with a depth to her personality and past that is equal parts compelling and endearing. You feel her feelings as sincerely as if they originated in your own heart. Gabriel is the pinnacle of book boyfriends — he is a loyal, devoted, tender, tough, protective and passionate viking of a man with a hardened heart — and you will 𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬 for Norah reigniting a fire within its stoned walls. The secondary characters are equally rewarding to read because they are so thoroughly developed and contribute meaningfully to the story.
Her writing is illustriously immersive. Shawn brings the story to life with: beautifully integrated descriptions of the setting paying attention to meaningful details that bring tangibility to the story’s surroundings; patiently delivered character backstories that keep you interested throughout; character emotions and states of mind that bring you intimately into their heads and hearts; and real, relatable and mature dialogue with touches of cute banter.
Addressing themes of self-discovery, personal growth, grief, overcoming loss, vulnerability, trust, true love, faith and courage, Shawn writes with a special genuineness and authenticity that make you feel like you’re right there in the beautiful wilderness with the characters.
This brilliantly touching story will leave your heart feeling full, your spirit joyful and your mind at peace. I cannot highly enough recommend you indulge in this escapist story that feels as cozy as curling up with a fluffy blanket, as comforting as warm tea in your palms and as heart-warming as a good book on a crisp Fall day.
✨⛰ 🌾 🍃🍂 ☀️ 🌻☀️ 🍂 🍃 🌲 🌾 ⛰✨
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒘𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘. 𝑾𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒘𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.
May 20, 2023
There was something about the hollow look in his eyes that, despite how uncomfortable he made her, gave her pause to leave. He looked like a hostage, and she wasn’t quite convinced that she was the one holding him captive. It felt more like she’d pulled him away from the thing that trapped him in this constant state of misery.
My thoughts:
This story hooked me from page 1. I loved everything about Gabriel and Norah’s evolution, both individually and together. I could not get enough of broken Gabriel. His deep love and loyalty for his deceased wife was heartbreakingly beautiful. But healing Gabriel, as he began to realize who he’d become in his wife’s absence, took my breath away. When he loves, it’s all-consuming, selfless and unyielding.
Norah was Gabriel's sunny counterpart, but she struggled to see her worth. She'd never been treasured by the men she dated in the past, and she had to fight the urge to dismiss Gabriel when he tried. Why would a cinnamon-roll, Viking of a man like him want to be with her? But Gabriel saw her like no one else ever had. She showed him that he wasn’t as dead as he felt. That he could be a better friend, son and brother, and that he had space in his heart to love again.
This is a beautiful story about finding love after a devastating loss. About discovering and appreciating the person you’ve become and the people who had a part in that journey. It’s about deep, unwavering family bonds and friendships and embracing the unexpected.
READ THIS STORY! It’s special in so many ways. Shawn's writing is beautiful and flows in a way that does this unique, heart-wrenching and soul refilling story justice. Thank you, Shawn, for blessing us readers with something we’ll never forget.
My thoughts:
This story hooked me from page 1. I loved everything about Gabriel and Norah’s evolution, both individually and together. I could not get enough of broken Gabriel. His deep love and loyalty for his deceased wife was heartbreakingly beautiful. But healing Gabriel, as he began to realize who he’d become in his wife’s absence, took my breath away. When he loves, it’s all-consuming, selfless and unyielding.
Norah was Gabriel's sunny counterpart, but she struggled to see her worth. She'd never been treasured by the men she dated in the past, and she had to fight the urge to dismiss Gabriel when he tried. Why would a cinnamon-roll, Viking of a man like him want to be with her? But Gabriel saw her like no one else ever had. She showed him that he wasn’t as dead as he felt. That he could be a better friend, son and brother, and that he had space in his heart to love again.
This is a beautiful story about finding love after a devastating loss. About discovering and appreciating the person you’ve become and the people who had a part in that journey. It’s about deep, unwavering family bonds and friendships and embracing the unexpected.
READ THIS STORY! It’s special in so many ways. Shawn's writing is beautiful and flows in a way that does this unique, heart-wrenching and soul refilling story justice. Thank you, Shawn, for blessing us readers with something we’ll never forget.
October 8, 2022
🪵🪵🪵🪵🪵/5
This book is one you read and immediately know will stick with you forever once you flip the last page.
Gabriel, Smokey and Norah’s story is so so so special. This is a story filled with grief, heartache, hope, acceptance, survival, angst, forgiveness, love, family, endurance, and fate. Literally anything and everything that is so raw and authentically human.
Norah and Gabriel speak the truth of living life after loss, trying to fill the holes in their life after years of not knowing what was missing, trying to overcome their pain and mistakes, learning to love again, learning to let someone in, learning that hope is okay and life is for the living, that it is okay to move on even if you don’t know how.
Broken portrays fate, as this thing we can’t tangibly see or feel. But that it is something that effects our lives in subtle ways that have no real explanation. Sometimes life brings someone into your life right when you need them most. Maybe it’s a past loved one swaying two lives together. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, a random occurrence. Or maybe it’s fate.
If you ask me, Gabriel and Norah got exactly what they needed. And their entire journey together is a beautiful and emotional one. One that can only be described as fate bringing their two souls together at exactly the right time.
Everyone needs to read this book at some point in their lives. It’s magical. It’s healing. It’s heartbreaking. It’s transcendent. It’s life changing. It’s a must read!
Moments I especially loved are:
🪵Grumpy Gabriel / Sunshine Norah
🪵Smokey
🪵Norah and Charlie’s friendship
🪵The staged “meet cutes”
🪵The Thanksgiving *moment* (have the tissues ready)
🪵Karaoke
🪵The hot tub
🪵“I promise to only give you what you deserve”
🪵Big bedroom windows (IYKYK)
🪵The wood chomping
🪵The Incident, as Norah calls it
🪵Gabriel’s family
🪵 The moment Gabriel realized “one love had built a man capable of earning the other”
This book is one you read and immediately know will stick with you forever once you flip the last page.
Gabriel, Smokey and Norah’s story is so so so special. This is a story filled with grief, heartache, hope, acceptance, survival, angst, forgiveness, love, family, endurance, and fate. Literally anything and everything that is so raw and authentically human.
Norah and Gabriel speak the truth of living life after loss, trying to fill the holes in their life after years of not knowing what was missing, trying to overcome their pain and mistakes, learning to love again, learning to let someone in, learning that hope is okay and life is for the living, that it is okay to move on even if you don’t know how.
Broken portrays fate, as this thing we can’t tangibly see or feel. But that it is something that effects our lives in subtle ways that have no real explanation. Sometimes life brings someone into your life right when you need them most. Maybe it’s a past loved one swaying two lives together. Maybe it’s just a coincidence, a random occurrence. Or maybe it’s fate.
If you ask me, Gabriel and Norah got exactly what they needed. And their entire journey together is a beautiful and emotional one. One that can only be described as fate bringing their two souls together at exactly the right time.
Everyone needs to read this book at some point in their lives. It’s magical. It’s healing. It’s heartbreaking. It’s transcendent. It’s life changing. It’s a must read!
Moments I especially loved are:
🪵Grumpy Gabriel / Sunshine Norah
🪵Smokey
🪵Norah and Charlie’s friendship
🪵The staged “meet cutes”
🪵The Thanksgiving *moment* (have the tissues ready)
🪵Karaoke
🪵The hot tub
🪵“I promise to only give you what you deserve”
🪵Big bedroom windows (IYKYK)
🪵The wood chomping
🪵The Incident, as Norah calls it
🪵Gabriel’s family
🪵 The moment Gabriel realized “one love had built a man capable of earning the other”
October 15, 2022
I'm not sure how to put this novel in words. What do you say about a book that is so full of emotion and heart? What do you say about a book that touch you in so many ways? This novel was so real, so raw, so.... everything.
Gabriel is still mouring the death of his wife, author Sue Berman - even after 3 years he still wakes up in darkness. It isn't until a property dispute and a.new neighbor where he starts to see his life in a different light.
Norah is the sunshine to his darkness. He is her "grump" and she's set to use him for inspiration for her debut novel. She's determined to make him crack - but when she find out the reason for his grumpiess - she's the one to crack.
Having Gabriel and Norah grow together was absolutely beautiful. Gabriel let her in to his world, tell his in honest truth he's emotions, and what was even more beautiful was thay Norah accepted and waited for him to be ready to love again.
Gabriel is the perfect man, learning from his own grief and experience - he treats Norah with compassion and understanding, giving her exactly what she needs while he's still finding himself. Norah was patient with him as he grew and she helped him find whatever he was looking for.
The supporting characters where amazing as well - adding fun and humor to the deep story.
Shawn was able to transport you, allow you to be there with them, the setting became a character too, you could feel each emotion - raw and real.
A story of love after loss, family, inspiration and finding yourself again. Absolutely stunning and perfect in every way.
Gabriel is still mouring the death of his wife, author Sue Berman - even after 3 years he still wakes up in darkness. It isn't until a property dispute and a.new neighbor where he starts to see his life in a different light.
Norah is the sunshine to his darkness. He is her "grump" and she's set to use him for inspiration for her debut novel. She's determined to make him crack - but when she find out the reason for his grumpiess - she's the one to crack.
Having Gabriel and Norah grow together was absolutely beautiful. Gabriel let her in to his world, tell his in honest truth he's emotions, and what was even more beautiful was thay Norah accepted and waited for him to be ready to love again.
Gabriel is the perfect man, learning from his own grief and experience - he treats Norah with compassion and understanding, giving her exactly what she needs while he's still finding himself. Norah was patient with him as he grew and she helped him find whatever he was looking for.
The supporting characters where amazing as well - adding fun and humor to the deep story.
Shawn was able to transport you, allow you to be there with them, the setting became a character too, you could feel each emotion - raw and real.
A story of love after loss, family, inspiration and finding yourself again. Absolutely stunning and perfect in every way.
October 24, 2023
My heart is officially all warm and fuzzy after reading Broken. Shawn is seriously an amazing author and someone you should not ignore! She has this amazing way to pull you into these slow emotional building stories, make your heart feel all these great things and still leave you fulfilled at the end. I am honestly sad it took me so long to enjoy this story but also so glad I have finally enjoyed it. This follows Gabriel who is a widower struggling to figure his life out after the death of his wife. He is what you expect, grumpy, a loner, unsure how to cope, unsure how to even live life again. Suddenly a new neighbor appears far too close for his comfort, Norah. She is seeking a change, a refresh in life. She certainly wasn't expecting to have to deal with Gabriel next-door. The amazingness that ensues shows you that life doesn't have to stop after heartbreak and that people are meant to come into our life for reasons we don't even know about until they arrive. I promise this story has so many great moments that I don't want to spoil for you because they add so much to the journey. If you enjoy slow burns with great emotional connection, holiday celebrations, a spunky grumpy cat, a grumpy Viking, and a woman seeking joy in her life this is the perfect read for you.
October 19, 2022
I absolutely ADORED this book. I literally want to be Norah’s best friend and have my own Gabriel (officially my new book boyfriend), and get adopted into the Creed family. I mean seriously, these characters are just golden!!
This book is so much more than a romance. While I loved reading as Gabriel and Norah’s love story unfolded, my heart strings were deeply tugged by their heartaches and struggles, and ultimately their growth outside of just their relationship. I can’t help but marvel at how so many very real and relatable hardships were so beautifully represented throughout this book. And not merely represented, but represented in a way that validates the complicated feelings that go along with those experiences, as well as encouraging that healing is possible. These character’s stories felt so real to me and I’m confident will feel just as real to many other readers as well.
Read if you love:
🤍second-chance-at-love stories
🤍slow burn romance
🤍grumpy/sunshine trope
🤍seasonal reads🍂🍁❄️
🤍close family bonds
🤍found family
🤍books dealing with loss/grief
This book is so much more than a romance. While I loved reading as Gabriel and Norah’s love story unfolded, my heart strings were deeply tugged by their heartaches and struggles, and ultimately their growth outside of just their relationship. I can’t help but marvel at how so many very real and relatable hardships were so beautifully represented throughout this book. And not merely represented, but represented in a way that validates the complicated feelings that go along with those experiences, as well as encouraging that healing is possible. These character’s stories felt so real to me and I’m confident will feel just as real to many other readers as well.
Read if you love:
🤍second-chance-at-love stories
🤍slow burn romance
🤍grumpy/sunshine trope
🤍seasonal reads🍂🍁❄️
🤍close family bonds
🤍found family
🤍books dealing with loss/grief
October 17, 2022
A beautifully written heartwarming story.
About grief, family love, hope, friendship, new beginnings, second chances.
A delicious slow burn romance.
A perfect broken man you'll fall in love with.
Shawn Maravel .. with just the first page I knew this will be a story to remember. Felt the embrace in your precious words .. and the way you transmit all the emotions .. chef's kiss👌 .. absolutely perfect ❤
.......
Y ahora en español por que esta historia es hermosa, profunda, llena de emociones que te hará sentirlas a cada hoja leída. Una historia que se queda grabada muy dentro del corazón. La manera en que transmite tantos sentimientos es imposible no vivirlas a flor de piel. Y los escenarios donde se desarrolla la historia simplemente de ensueño. La receta perfecta para un romance perfecto ❤ no lo dejen de leer ❤👌
About grief, family love, hope, friendship, new beginnings, second chances.
A delicious slow burn romance.
A perfect broken man you'll fall in love with.
Shawn Maravel .. with just the first page I knew this will be a story to remember. Felt the embrace in your precious words .. and the way you transmit all the emotions .. chef's kiss👌 .. absolutely perfect ❤
.......
Y ahora en español por que esta historia es hermosa, profunda, llena de emociones que te hará sentirlas a cada hoja leída. Una historia que se queda grabada muy dentro del corazón. La manera en que transmite tantos sentimientos es imposible no vivirlas a flor de piel. Y los escenarios donde se desarrolla la historia simplemente de ensueño. La receta perfecta para un romance perfecto ❤ no lo dejen de leer ❤👌
March 24, 2023
Plot: 4.75
Engagement: 4.75
Characters: 5
Style: 4.5
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Review: Bookish friends, I really, really loved this one!! The trope within a trope is just perfection. Norah, the writer FMC, is both experiencing (with Gabriel) & writing (in the character's own romcom) her own version of the grumpy/sunshine trope in this book, but she wants to do something new and different within the genre. This book, Broken, achieved that with a romance that was original and fresh and relatable and real without being cringy. I loved the characters, their complexities, their backstories and struggles, the sad moments, the twists, the sweet moments. Loved it all. It also covered grief and loss very well. Very highly recommend and I will be looking for more of Shawn Maravel's books to dive into!!
Engagement: 4.75
Characters: 5
Style: 4.5
Overall Rating: 4.75/5
Review: Bookish friends, I really, really loved this one!! The trope within a trope is just perfection. Norah, the writer FMC, is both experiencing (with Gabriel) & writing (in the character's own romcom) her own version of the grumpy/sunshine trope in this book, but she wants to do something new and different within the genre. This book, Broken, achieved that with a romance that was original and fresh and relatable and real without being cringy. I loved the characters, their complexities, their backstories and struggles, the sad moments, the twists, the sweet moments. Loved it all. It also covered grief and loss very well. Very highly recommend and I will be looking for more of Shawn Maravel's books to dive into!!
December 20, 2022
What a fun, sweet, cozy read this was! I could not put this one down. Gabriel and Norah's journey together and separate was so fun to read about. I laughed so much during some parts and my heart broke during some others. So much pettiness in this romance and I love it. Grumpy/Sunshine is a favorite of mine. The way Gabriel treats someone he loves is what every woman deserves. He is so thoughtful!!! The writing had an ease to it that flowed perfectly from one scene to the next. I could picture it all in my head like I had been to Aden Brook. Amazing job with this one! Cannot wait to dive into the others you have written.
🤍🤍
🤍🤍
June 11, 2022
I couldn't put this book down. Similar to Maravel's "The River House" in that you become absorbed in the story and character's lives but different in that this story has an extra layer. A layer of mystery perhaps. Or intrigue. Or unopened doors that get busted through at the perfect moment!
Reading "Broken" was a joy and took me away to an artist's cabin in the woods. Find yourself in a story full of interwoven, real life moments that reflects that God always has a plan--- one that usually doesn't line with our own, but better than we can imagine in the end.
Reading "Broken" was a joy and took me away to an artist's cabin in the woods. Find yourself in a story full of interwoven, real life moments that reflects that God always has a plan--- one that usually doesn't line with our own, but better than we can imagine in the end.
June 20, 2023
Gabriel is a man struggling years after his wife's death. Norah I'd just looking to find her inner peace. When she becomes Gabriel's neighbor he gets anything, but peace from his sunshine neighbor. Over time and some hijinks the two learn about each other and themselves to find what they felt like what was missing.
The plot has cute twists and is the right level of fluff and emotional roller coaster that every love story reader will enjoy. I highly recommend this book!
The plot has cute twists and is the right level of fluff and emotional roller coaster that every love story reader will enjoy. I highly recommend this book!
January 19, 2024
This book was a disappointment to say the least. For one, I felt the writing style fell a bit flat and left more to be desired, but I could have easily overlooked that if it wouldn’t have been for the other content this book held 🤦🏻♀️ There are just some things that do NOT need to be put into books and this book definitely had some of those things along with a fair sprinkling of language. So all in all, not a book I would ever recommend.
October 19, 2022
This was such a great book. Beautifully written. It’s about grief and healing. The characters are on a journey of opening themselves up to love, as well as accepting love they deserve.
Broken is relatable. We have all felt all consuming grief and the struggles of getting to a place of peace with our grief.
Broken is relatable. We have all felt all consuming grief and the struggles of getting to a place of peace with our grief.
January 25, 2024
BEAUTIFUL
This book was so beautifully and heartbreakingly written. If you want a book that will make you feel, this is it!
I felt for Gabriel in this story. I loved the way he found love again and loved Norah the way she deserved. Norah and Gabriel complimented each other and it was written so beautifully!
This book was so beautifully and heartbreakingly written. If you want a book that will make you feel, this is it!
I felt for Gabriel in this story. I loved the way he found love again and loved Norah the way she deserved. Norah and Gabriel complimented each other and it was written so beautifully!
March 20, 2025
This book was such a good read. It made me miss autumn. I really liked Gabriel and his attitude in the beginning. Something about his dismissiveness made me smile. It was fun watching him grow.
Shawn has a way with words. I can't wait to read more from her.
Shawn has a way with words. I can't wait to read more from her.
October 31, 2025
I really loved this one. It was sad at times but also filled with hope and fun moments as well. All the characters were delightful (some a little grumpy) and I loved writing.
May 21, 2024
Gabriel & Norah
Tropes:
• Neighbors
• Second Chance at Love
•Grumpy + Sunshine
Thoughts:
Mannnnn. This book. I don't want to share too much but it has that lazy Sunday morning vibe of being cuddled up on a porch swing drinking something warm. It's more than just cozy. It's one of those books you want to read slowly. The banter genuinely made me laugh and the forced proximity of them being neighbors is the chef's kiss. If you're a mood reader like me and want to read something that's thought provoking that also has a HEA you need to check out this book.
Quote:
"Too often we're unable to even consider such a thing because we're too busy navigating our own trials and tribulations. In the rare case, maybe we are just trying to enjoy a break from the hard times. If there's anything I've learned in the last few years, it's that no one is without pain."
(Dual POV and Fade to Black/Low Spice)
Tropes:
• Neighbors
• Second Chance at Love
•Grumpy + Sunshine
Thoughts:
Mannnnn. This book. I don't want to share too much but it has that lazy Sunday morning vibe of being cuddled up on a porch swing drinking something warm. It's more than just cozy. It's one of those books you want to read slowly. The banter genuinely made me laugh and the forced proximity of them being neighbors is the chef's kiss. If you're a mood reader like me and want to read something that's thought provoking that also has a HEA you need to check out this book.
Quote:
"Too often we're unable to even consider such a thing because we're too busy navigating our own trials and tribulations. In the rare case, maybe we are just trying to enjoy a break from the hard times. If there's anything I've learned in the last few years, it's that no one is without pain."
(Dual POV and Fade to Black/Low Spice)
May 25, 2024
This felt forced and honestly kind of awkward. I didn’t feel like there was any chemistry between Gabriel and Norah and Norah was kind of obnoxious. It just felt like the book was trying too hard to be tragic and relatable and sexy and failed at all of them.
The only part I liked was Gabriel repairing his relationship with his brother.
The only part I liked was Gabriel repairing his relationship with his brother.
December 5, 2022
I devoured it in a couple of days and looked forward to reading it each time. The grumpy/sunshine trope is a fav of mine so I ate up the tension between Norah and Gabriel. Don’t even get me started on Charlie. His character voice was so distinct and dialogue was hilarious. He made for the perfect side character.
Shawn does a marvelous job of creating a solid picture in our minds through her descriptive writing. You can see the scenes in your minds eye without much effort and I love that. Another beautifully told story!
Shawn does a marvelous job of creating a solid picture in our minds through her descriptive writing. You can see the scenes in your minds eye without much effort and I love that. Another beautifully told story!
January 8, 2024
Gabriel lost everything when his wife died, including the writing retreat he built her. When Norah rents the cabin, not knowing it used to be where her favorite author wrote the stories she devoured. The same writing inspiration strikes Norah, including the grumpy super hot Gabriel.
A powerful book of loss and healing paired with just the right amount of steam and humor to keep the pages flipping.
A powerful book of loss and healing paired with just the right amount of steam and humor to keep the pages flipping.
May 6, 2025
Realmente he dudado sobre qué nota ponerle a este libro. Me ha gustado, pero no ha sido todo lo que podría ser.
Gabriel es arquitecto y está casado con Sue, una escritora muy famosa. Viven en la ciudad y compran una cabaña en el pueblo en las montañas de él para desconectar. Sue tiene sus métodos de escritura que conllevan que se vaya durante unos días a un hotel, así que Gabriel decide construir otra cabaña dentro de la propiedad para que ella escriba allí y puedan seguir viéndose. Tras morir Sue, Gabriel descubre que los planos de la propiedad están obsoletos y que la cabaña que construyó para su esposa entra en la propiedad del vecino, que ha decidido alquilarla. Y aquí comienza la historia, con Norah entrando en escena 3 años después de la muerte de Sue.
Mi problema con la historia es que no me la creo. Creo que no se trata del todo mal el duelo por el que pasa Gabriel, pero no me creo sus interacciones con Norah. Sí me gusta que empieza a volver a vivir y que la relación con su hermano mejora, pero que un hombre que lleva 3 años casi recluido en su dolor de buenas a primeras se fije en la vecina, pues no. Tampoco me creo la manera que surge todo entre Gabriel y Norah, porque no es de forma orgánica. Todo muy forzado y rápido. Además, ¿un arquitecto que construye sin permisos y sin asegurarse de que es su propiedad? ¿Y la vecina también es escritora y resulta que conoció a tu esposa?
No sé, muchas cosas que no me llevan a creerme lo que leo. Me ha gustado, pero con ciertos cambios, desarrollando mejor las relaciones y los sentimientos, el libro habría mejorado muchísimo.
Gabriel es arquitecto y está casado con Sue, una escritora muy famosa. Viven en la ciudad y compran una cabaña en el pueblo en las montañas de él para desconectar. Sue tiene sus métodos de escritura que conllevan que se vaya durante unos días a un hotel, así que Gabriel decide construir otra cabaña dentro de la propiedad para que ella escriba allí y puedan seguir viéndose. Tras morir Sue, Gabriel descubre que los planos de la propiedad están obsoletos y que la cabaña que construyó para su esposa entra en la propiedad del vecino, que ha decidido alquilarla. Y aquí comienza la historia, con Norah entrando en escena 3 años después de la muerte de Sue.
Mi problema con la historia es que no me la creo. Creo que no se trata del todo mal el duelo por el que pasa Gabriel, pero no me creo sus interacciones con Norah. Sí me gusta que empieza a volver a vivir y que la relación con su hermano mejora, pero que un hombre que lleva 3 años casi recluido en su dolor de buenas a primeras se fije en la vecina, pues no. Tampoco me creo la manera que surge todo entre Gabriel y Norah, porque no es de forma orgánica. Todo muy forzado y rápido. Además, ¿un arquitecto que construye sin permisos y sin asegurarse de que es su propiedad? ¿Y la vecina también es escritora y resulta que conoció a tu esposa?
No sé, muchas cosas que no me llevan a creerme lo que leo. Me ha gustado, pero con ciertos cambios, desarrollando mejor las relaciones y los sentimientos, el libro habría mejorado muchísimo.
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