Broken to Belong

by Charity Muse

For singer/songwriter Dani Williams, music has always carried her – until now. No longer able to ignore her pain, Dani travels south to volunteer at a safe home for LGBTQ+ youth. While there, she meets Mae, an advisor to the residents whose warmth is contrasted by guardedness and uncertainty. Dani and Mae form a special bond which blossoms into love.

But more than their relationship becomes threatened when an attack is launched against the home, endangering its existence. To help save the home and the authentic love she yearns for, Dani must face heartbreak from her past and use her talents to confront the same prejudice that wounded her. As the strength of their bond is tested, Dani has the choice to walk away and lose everything or stay and redefine love, family, and spirit.

Broken to Belong explores what it means to fight for one another and dares to ask – can we find or create belonging where we least expect it?

This debut novel includes the following elements:
• Southern
• LGBTQ+
• Lesbian Romance
• Found Family
• Spiritual Questioning
• Finding Belonging

Accompanying soundtrack available.

260 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2022

About the author

Charity Muse is an emerging author of lesbian centric women’s fiction and nonfiction works on connection. Broken to Belong is Charity’s debut novel. Her poetry has been featured in the anthology Smitten: This is What Love Looks Like by Indie Blue Publishing. Originally from Chattanooga, TN, she currently lives in Northwest Georgia with her wife and children. For more, please visit her online.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though Broken to Belong by Charity Muse is a novel, it drew me in as if it were a real life situation. The novel focuses on a safe house for LGBTQ+ youth in the rural south and the community conflict from those who are hateful toward such a place. Themes of suicide, hate, rejection by family, struggles with faith and God, grief, were covered in the novel, as well as themes of God’s love, families that loved their kids, found family, lesbian relationships, and how everyone seeks to simply belong. This novel offers insight into making a difference in people’s lives—how we can offer hope and healing to those who have been broken and what we can do by offering our unique and authentic selves to standing up against hate. As a parent, a pastor, an ally, and a member of PFLAG, I found this novel to be hard to put down as I read the stories of parents, families, and friends. I could relate with much of it. There are parts of the novel that were difficult for me—how “Christians” sought to destroy human beings and how they attacked not only people, but property, using scare tactics. Yet, there was redemption in the novel as love won, in more ways than one. There is romance and friendship in this book.
The novel is written through the eyes of two main characters, taking the reader through their experiences. It is well written. Music was woven throughout the novel, playing an important role. There’s even a soundtrack with original music and another listening list that offers the other music listed in the book. You can get more information at charitymmuse.com/brokentobelong.
You can read the novel by yourself or use it in a group. There is a downloadable discussion guide to use once you’ve read the book. By using this guide and/or other questions, you will be able to engage in meaningful discussion on important topics.
As the book ended, I found myself hoping for an updated next novel to continue the story. I recommend this book, recognizing that some of the themes (suicide, faith, hate) might be difficult for a reader. Because these are topics that touch our lives in one way or another, it’s worth the read.

[Tiffany Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a beautiful depiction of love and friendship! It is a great reminder of the need for community, and how you can build that! It is a beautiful reminder of the need for happy endings in LGBTQIA+ stories!

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was lovely! It was a bit slow paced, much like its setting of the deep south. It takes a good, long and hard look at those who live there but are 'othered'. Most of the time when someone thinks of the south their thoughts immediately go to uneducated, racist, etc. but that isn't always the case. The south is home to diversity and people that just want to be treated like their equal even in a location that is very much oppressing them.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story we meet Dani and Mae,
Dani is a country singer, broken after a bad breake-up.
When she meets one of her fans and tell her about Sash in Alabama.
A home for LGBTQ kids whom got kicked out there homes by there parrents.
Whom get all the support they need.

Dani goes to Sash to support the kids, but also for healing her broken heart.

One of the social workers of Sash is Mae, whom herself just got out of a manipulating relationship.
Falls heads over heels for Dani.

In the comunity there is a churchgroup "The Way", whom make the live misarible for Sash, staff and kids.

Dani and Mae, try to save Sash and themselfs.

Charity has a Spotify list with all the songs to this book.
If you check out her website https://charitymmuse.com/
There is a Broken to Belong Discussion Guide

I hope Charity keeps on writing and this one will become a series.
It's a well written debut novel.

[D Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lovely story with great characters.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book that provides insight into the struggles that members of the glbt+ community face specifically in the south, but their stories are often universal. It revolves around reconciling spirituality, accepting one's authentic self, finding family and a sense of belonging despite genetics. Healing, home, and love look different for everyone and often they are found while searching for ways to make a difference for others who are also struggling. The main characters wrestle with their own healing and striving to carve out a meaningful place in a harsh world. It should be noted that the book contains mentions of suicide, attempted suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, and a character who appears to be narcissistic. There are difficult topics, but a thread of hope permeates the journey and there is a happy ending. Additionally, there are original songs and poetry to accompany the book as well as a soundtrack that can be purchased separately. I recommend Broken to Belong by Charity Muse. It is well-written, with beautiful descriptive visuals, character growth, and relevant challenges that are timely for our complex world.

[Pamallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful story of how to learn to trust yourself to love again after so many heartbreaks. Watching these characters drop down their walls they built, to stop from being hurt, was both empowering and scary since it didn't always go right the first time. The love story involved is not your momma's romance novel, but instead is well done and classy. The book focuses on loving, finding our true selves again and becoming part of something bigger than us in order to heal and survive. The story also surrounds a LGBTQ+ community and allows a different light to shine on this community for those involved who suffer at the hands of people who do not know how to handle the situation. It allows for forgiveness on both sides, even if that forgiveness is not accepted. Not my typical selection, but glad I picked it up and read it!!!