Broken Dove

Dance of the Dead #2

by C. Lymari

Welcome to The House of Silence

I lived my life with darkness all around me.
Everywhere I went, I needed constant guidance.

I listened.
And obeyed.

I learned to dance so I could be freed from my gilded cage.
A dove who could not find its way home.

Then one day, I met Luke.

He made me feel happy—safe. Mending my wings so I could soar once again.
All the while biding his time to rip me to shreds.

Because, at one time, I belonged to La Casa Del Silenzio.
If their whores weren’t blind, they were mute.

Too bad for everyone, I could still speak the truth.

With him at my side, I could conquer my past.

But I don’t think either of us expected my wings to finally snap…

Genres: Dark Romance, Dark, Romance, Abuse, Suspense, Contemporary, Forced Proximity

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2023

About the author

Claudia lives in the Chicagoland suburbs, and when she's not busy chasing after her adorable little spawn, she's fighting with the characters in her head. After not being able to keep up with them, she decided enough was enough and wrote her first novel.

Claudia writes both sweet and dark romances that will give you all the feels. Her other talents include binge watching shows on Netflix and eating all kinds of chips.


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Reviews

[Yas · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC review*
Broken Dove is a mysterious and dark Romance set in the same world as Swan Song. I'm obsessed with how C. Lymari incorporates poetry in her writing and creates such a unique reading experience.

"I was her guardian, her protector, and yet I wanted her as I had never wanted any woman before."

Luke wasn't what I expected. I never fully knew him and what he would do next. Especially one scene had me grinning and shouting "What the fuck" repeatedly at 1 am (it's not a funny scene - my sense of humor is just messed up 😅) --> I'm talking about the spoon scene 😂 - fun times 'hmmm god soup'

I also really liked Summer’s character. She went through hell and back, and I admired her strength and how she kept going. I was missing more of her dancing/ being a Ballerina, though.

"You close your eyes so you won't see, but those demons don’t come out in the dark. They exist, even if you don’t blink."

I could feel their chemistry, but I wished there would've been more of a build-up. It sometimes felt like something was missing - a scene that got accidentally cut or as if I skipped a few pages.

However, I really enjoyed the suspense and mystery surrounding both characters. It builds up throughout the story, and the little clues are very subtle, so you have to pay close attention.This kept me engaged and made me finish the book in almost one sitting.

Swan Song will stay my favorite, but Broken Dove was a good addition to the series, and I'm excited to see what may come next!

🗂Genre: Dark Romance
📕Type: (Interconnected) Standalone

🏷Tropes:
- Guardian x ward
- Suspense, mystery
- Scarred, tortured FMC
- Creepy mansion
- Forced proximity
- Trauma & dark themes
- Hurt/comfort
- Insta lust
- Revenge
- Blind FMC

⚠️Safety: loosing eysight & blindness, torture & murder, sexual abuse*, abuse of minors*, sex trafficking, grooming, kidnapping, extortion (*sexual abuse not described in detail)

📖Format: 1st person, dual POV

🎧Theme song: I Wanna Be Yours, Melanie Martinez - Bittersweet Tragedy

📚If you loved this, check out: Swan Song, Kill Switch

•••Dance of the Dead Series•••
#1: Swan Song - 5★
#2: Broken Dove - 4★

[freyleyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very addicting and engaging! Some things were a little hazy or out of place, and I didn’t feel the deepest connection of love, but I did really enjoy it!
This storyline was pretty unique too. I firmly believe this series is C Lymari’s best!
Thank you to the Claudia and Grey’s Promotion for the ARC!
4/5⭐️
3/5🔥

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4,25 "Little dove!!!" stars***



"Benvenuto nella Casa del Silenzio..."

I have loved so much the Swan Song and when I 've read a handful of chapters of this new story set into the same world in the "Silent night anthology", I was so excited to read the full story!!!
Claudia is known for her dark and very intriguing plots and her incredible characters!!!
In here, we got a beautiful haunting story with a beautiful background... a story that was at the same time kind of creepy, but very intriguing!!!
The plus was a disabled heroine that had won my heart over from the very first moment!!!
Also, the poetry between the chapters was making my heart melt!!!

"I may be timid, but I'm not weak.
I may whisper, but I can still speak.
I might have been broken, but my pieces still fit.
I've reinforced them, so you better watch out for me."

Summer's story was a tragedy with all the meaning of the world!!!
Now, she is wandering blindly in a life that she had never chosen... and her path is bringing her under Luke's roof!!!
Luke is a mystery to her, but she is finding herself drown toward him...
But nothing is as it seems into their world and soon, they will both realize it!!!
He is out of revenge, she needs some peace... Can they both exist into the same vicinity???

"He was a monster in my eyes.
I was a traitor in his mind.
All we had was half-truths and an ocean of lies."

Honestly, I can not reveal too much about this story, other than it was a very complicating story full of many twists!!!
From the very first moment, I was engrossed by Summer and the way I was seeing through her blind eyes!!!
Luke was a beautiful soul too whom had managed to do much for his little dove, but he had ulterior motives that could clip Summer's newfound wings for good!!!
Will their feelings be enough in a world full of hidden, catastrophic secrets???

"Doves are smart.
It doesn't matter the distance.
They always find their way back home."

I enjoyed this story very much!!! I liked how the author twisted it, even though it was heartbreaking to witness Summer's tragedy!!!
And I loved Luke's presence very much!!!
I just wish that we had explored a little bit better the feelings and connection between these two...
I believe that their love story was put second in the revelations of everything else that is happening around them!!!
Other than that, it was another one fantastic story by Claudia Lymari!!! I would love to see another one story into this world!!!

"You're not fragile, nor are you broken. Your jagged pieces are waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**

[queen_of_the_books_18 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doves are smart. It doesn’t matter the distance. They always find their way back home.

I don’t think C.Lymari’s writing has been more beautiful than it was in Broken Dove. Summer, is blind after an incident in the past and C.lymari immersed us into her world perfectly and made you appreciate the things around you, that everyone takes for granted, just a little bit more.

Luke and Summer were a slow burn but watching them fall in love was magical. Immerse yourself in the world of the Dance of the Dead and get lost in a hauntingly epic dark romance.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was good. I liked the poetry between chapters. Some of the chapters were pretty short, but I liked the dual pov, and even though this was book two in a series, and I didn't read the first one, I wasn't lost. It's a different couple than book one. Summer was so brave, after everything she has gone through. I like how she holds her head up and doesn't just cower to everyone. And Luke obviously has secrets, but I like how he's so good to her, and helping her be independent. Also, there aren't like a TON of dark parts in here, but the ones that are, sneak up on you and then it's like WHOA. Like seriously, at one point I had to set the book down in shock!

I haven't read this author before and I liked Broken Dove, so I'll be looking out for the next book in the series.

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Dove is book two from author C. Lymari’s Dance of Dead series.
This Standalone follows the story of Summer and Luke through their dual narrative.

Having first read a sneek peak last year in Silent Night Anthology, Claudia had me super excited for the release of the full novel to come.
And now after reading the whole story, it’s safe to say she did not disappoint one bit!

Just like Swan Song, Claudia came through in the delivery of Broken Dove.
From the get go, this story had you enthralled in what turned out to be a hauntingly beautiful, dark and twisted, Age Gap Romance.
Filled with many twists, turns and some shocking surprises, it paved way for a plot that had you navigating through the labyrinth that was Summer and Luke’s story.

The suspense alone had you on the edge of your seats in anticipation of what was around the corner.
Simultaneously trying to figure out the puzzle itself, considering the many mysteries that had yet to be uncovered, due to the many secrets that were alluded too.
If it wasn’t one, then it was another which had you hanging on for dear life from awaiting the results of the revelations to come to light.

This real page turner had you gripped with experiencing the delivery of a narrative that completely blew you away.
The way Claudia poured her heart and soul into not only telling the story, but also developing such multifaceted characters within Summer and Luke. You couldn’t help but fall down the rabbit hole that was Broken Dove.
Filled with tragedy, trauma, deception from the betrayal and lies, the pages seemed to pour out countless deep emotions, hitting you hard within from feeling all the pain and suffering Summer and Luke were experiencing.
At the same time there was also moments of warmth, tenderness and affection too, which was all thoroughly showcased in this very in-depth whirlwind journey they were set upon filled with both darkness and light, representing the two sides.
Ultimately resulting in a well layered storyline that was filled to the brim from the extensive details included.

Just like Ofelia and Nico’s relationship, you could see there was something truly special about Summer and Luke’s relationship too.
Even more so when it came to seeing the development of the characters themselves. Alongside the exploration within their budding relation which had Luke helping Summer come out of her shell more. And in doing so, he was able to help her break free of the cage she had herself in and become even more independent.
While it was truly heartwarming and touching to see them blossom alongside their relationship that had their attraction growing for one another, from their shared chemistry that had sparks flying.
It was also steamy AF, given the spice factor that Claudia included.
You could see Summer and Luke’s attraction was physical too, having them lose themselves in their Red-Hot, Sizzling, Passion when it came to getting down and explore their lustful desires for one another.

The little sub breaks that Claudia occasionally included before chapters complimented the story well. Although short, it still gave you all that you didn’t know you wanted.
From the effortless flow of words, it truly captured the beauty and empowerment behind the poetry. The intrigue enticing you from within trying to make sense and/or figure out what it could mean at times.

C. Lymari had me devouring the story of Broken Dove Summer and Dark Prince Luke in this hauntingly beautiful and deeply emotional read that was Broken Dove.
Delivering another dark beauty from Dance of Dead series, it has me hoping this isn’t the last we have seen to this world, with hopefully more still yet to come.




*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This story is filled with plot twists. You really need to pay attention to the details and have patience as all the pieces slowly unravel and click into place. In fact, we are still guessing until the very end of the story as to what happens. I definitely enjoyed the poetry we got between chapters and the bomb shells we got, and the author does a good job leaving us in the dark trying to understand what is happening. Yet there were times where it felt there were leaps in the narrative at crucial times and we didn’t get the story until several chapters/pages later and it felt more tell than show at that point. I also liked our main couple—Summer and Luke have an instant draw to each other, and while Summer proves to Luke that she is anything but fragile, Luke also shows a sweetness to Summer that helps her feel secure. Yet Summer is also hiding from her past, and Luke is also keeping secrets tied to Summer’s past. There were times I was puzzled why Summer was attracted to Luke due to the lack of background we got of who Luke is (though it does make sense once we get the climax and this is one of those mind-blowing bombshells). I also hadn’t read the first book in this series, which focuses on a different couple and I think having that background might be helpful. Overall, this was an engaging read and I wonder what may come next.

[hopelesslyinlovewith_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting to read. Summer is blind so we are navigating through most of this book in her POV. Living through this trauma enriched story through her touch, smell, and hearing. Luke has been looking for Summer for a very long time, she holds secrets that Luke needs but seems to want to protect Summer, keep her safe and help her flourish. But he has many secrets that he’s keeping from her. And enemies at every turn both known and unknown. I really enjoyed this book. The plot and plot twist was on point. I definitely recommend! I can tell C. Lymari worked hard to make Summers character the best she could be and it shows.

[mars · Rating 3 out of 5]

mixed feelings. at times, the plot line was confusing, and you couldn’t easily understand what was happening.
but she was blind, so she was already kind of an unreliable narrator.
but overall, good plot. 👍

[Christy Davisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Dark, Emotionally Raw, Twisted Stories..then this is A Absolute Must Read! Check TW if you need it because this is a dark romance.

You have only had a little glimpse into the life of Summer from her time as Nico's ballerina dancer, and now it's her time to show how she came to be in the Home of Silence along with how she became blinded. Her story is raw and full of melancholy but gives great detail of how she has survived being sold and shipped from one caged life to another as she learned to deal with her blindness as a young child all alone. Her story makes you feel as if you are sensing the world through her eyes and even though it's a dark world you gain and appreciate how the author brings it to life as only she can. You follow her struggles and how she's being used for information with her keeper Luke. As she starts to lose the numbness and begins to feel for the first time, will it all come crashing down once she tells her story to the only man she has come to find a connection to finally?! For a girl who lost her sight and has had her body defiled in unspeakable ways only makes her become a woman that learns to fly once again with the unconventional help of a man who wants only revenge or so it seems.

Luke is a man who needs answers and at the time doesn't care how or who he needed to use to get them. Unfortunately, once he sees Summer he has a slight change of heart. He's leery of how or when to get his answers because he battles his attraction to her and why he can't let her know who he is just yet. He slowly fights his urges when it comes to Summer which leads to more questions of who and what he is to her and what will happen once she discovers his secrets. Luke is a man on a mission he needs Summer to relive her tragedies to unlock the answers he seeks. Unfortunately for Luke he only wants Summer to feel the love she lost, but will she once she figures out exactly who he is now? Can they find a HEA from the darkness that has consumed them for so long?!

This story is dark, raw, and heartbreaking at times but shrouded in a mystery that you want to unravel the more you read. There's so much you are given from the past to the present that makes you addicted from the start. It's a definite must read for a dark romance lover, because this author weaves some amazingly intense moments that has you questioning what you are reading along the way.
Absolutely one of my favorite reads by this author. Highly recommend this one as a top 2023 read!

[Lager Lefse Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be safe to say that I am Daddy Nico’s number one fan. So, he and I made peace so I could gush about Luke (and Summer). We are once again in the realm of the Dance of the Dead and it’s a world that I absolutely adore! Claudia, once again, knocked it out of the park.

Summer has memories of dancing in tights and tutus yet is unable to remember her dreams or faces. What she has acquired is a keen sense of hearing and an incredible ear for voices and sounds. You see, Summer is blind, which was a blessing, of sorts, when it came time to perform the duties of the House of Silence.

“Benvenuto nella Casa del Silenzio.”

Luke isn’t considered a good man, yet he has a sense of caring and a keen sense to keep a watchful eye on Summer. He is very protective of her and fights these feelings that are churning within him. Luke and Summer had a relationship, of sorts, from the start. It is full of intrigue and curiosity, but an actual love connection took a little more time to mature. I fell for Summer almost immediately. She has not had the easiest life but has made the best of a crappy situation. With Luke’s guidance, she appears to blossom like a caterpillar into a butterfly. Her character was spot on in terms of being blind and experiencing every little nuance a visually impaired person may encounter.

“You aren’t bait, my little dove….” “You are a trap. I pity the man who underestimates you. You’re not fragile, nor are you broken. You’re jagged pieces waiting for the perfect moment to strike.”

Luke comes from a different perspective, yet still has to face obstacles and challenges. He ascertained Summer for a reason, but he is also trying to fight these developing feelings. He was possessive, over the top, tortured, and kept everything close to the vest. He is everything I wanted in this lead character.Broken Dove is dark, twisted, and angsty, yet eerily beautiful and haunting. Broken Dove is utter perfection. Another aspect I wasn’t aware of with this author is the poetry interspersed between the chapters that she wrote. Ah-Maz-Ing!! Absolutely fell in love.

“Doves are smart. It doesn’t matter the distance. They always find their way back home.”

[Book Life With Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Dove, the second book in the Dance of the Dead series by C. Lymari is a captivating dark romance that is so beautifully raw, angsty and emotional you can’t help but fall deeply into this twisted tale and become absolutely immersed in the story. If you read the little enticing contribution of Lymari in the Silent Night Anthology these character are no strangers to you making this story a definite must read as it’s a continuation of their story—so just grab it now and thank me later! If you didn’t read the anthology, never fear and just read on!

This is the story of our heroine Summer, a sweet, scarred and blind dancer of the Home of Silence who’s essentially captured by her dark prince Luke as he somewhat offers salvation from their dark twisted world, and who quickly finds himself becoming intrigued by this broken little dove. Right away this story will captivate you, grabbing hold of you tightly as it takes you along on a dark twisty suspense filled journey all the way to the very end. Watching Summer slowly escape the boundaries of her past and Luke overcome his own restraints was so beautiful and heartwarming I never wanted the story to end

This was the perfect story of two lost souls finding each other, wrought with intriguing mystery and secrets, suspenseful twists and turns and a blossoming connection between two characters that have each experience pain and trauma and are slowly learning to open up again—if they can manage to get past all the betrayal and deception along the way. Claudia truly has a way with words as the story flowed so beautifully, and the plot so intricately, it was easy to get lost in this dark, twisted, steamy, heartbreaking story what was so hauntingly beautiful and gut wrenching you couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters and their story! Especially with the mystery and intrigues surrounding them and their connection.

Needless to say this story is utter perfection and Lymari once again knocked it out of the park, and if you’re a dark romance, age gap fan that loves growly alphas and broken heroines that slowly grow into their power and mature throughout the story then this is the one for you!

[Maycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Dove is the second book in C. Lymari’s Dance of the Dead series. Although it does give away plot points of the first book, you can read Broken Dove if you haven’t read Swan Song first. This is a dark romance, if you think you might be triggered - Read The Warnings! This book is so freaking good! It’s vastly different then anything I’ve read before. I think it is a testament to the incredible skill Claudia has that we read a book and saw the world through a blind girl’s eyes. Summer is always surrounded by darkness, but she still has a phenomenal ability “see” everything around her. It takes a bit to get used to her perspective, but I think that is what makes this such an enjoyable read. The trauma and horrible things Summer has lived through, and keeps affecting her life is heartbreaking. She has been violated and broken yet still continues to go on, it’s truly inspiring. Luke is such a mysterious character. We see him mostly through Summer’s perspective, and we don’t get a lot through his POV. This really kept the suspense and intrigue high. He has so many secrets and his suffering makes you want to fix him. Claudia is fantastic at writing dark romance with plot twists you don’t see coming. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I would get thrown and I would doubt my thought process. Broken Dove will definitely keep you on your toes. The secrets and lies keep you guessing, the flashbacks will break your heart, but the chemistry and slow burn journey between Luke and Summer will melt your kindle. The plot flows well and is written in a way that you can’t put it down. Broken Dove is a gritty and complex story that will have you glued to the pages and falling in love with the characters! All the stars, highly recommend!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Doves are smart. It doesn’t matter the distance. They always find their way back home.”

Broken Dove was a dark and mysterious story that’s intriguing and keeps you guessing about what will come next. Summer has a tragic past that has left her blind and numb to the world. She’s just trying to survive each day. When she is left with a new caretaker, Luke, her walls begin to crumble and she starts to feel again. Luke is attracted to her, but determined to hold her at a distance because he’s seeking revenge and knows once his secrets are revealed, everything will be destroyed.

“If you let me, I’ll teach you to fly.”

Both Summer and Luke are intriguing characters that are full of secrets. They have both have endured lies and betrayals that have made them who they are. Their sizzling chemistry lights up the pages. I loved watching Summer blossom and begin to live outside of her self-imposed cage. Luke empowers her to break free of her walls and to begin to truly live.

“There was something beautiful about kisses that you felt in your soul. Kisses that tasted like the sea that came from a moment when you felt wrecked, but instead of destroying you, they made you feel whole.”

Full of pain, revenge, deception, and a dark and tragic romance, Broken Dove was a complicated and layered story that kept me engrossed until the last page. The character and emotional development of Luke and Summer was beautiful, and I was rooting for them to find their way out of the darkness.

[Caitlin Audet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broken Dove by C. Lymari is the second book of the standalone series, Dance of the Dead. This is a story that goes between two broken souls who have stayed clung to their pasts in order to survive their present. Both Luke and Summer were interesting characters with severe trauma that never got the chance to heal until both came together and slowly allowed the darkness to leave for good.

I loved sharing all the teasers in anticipation of Broken Dove's release and when I was given a chance to read this story, of course I took it. Despite the trigger warnings at the beginning I felt that the slow burn took away from the real darkness. And although this is a standalone novel I felt a bit confused and wished for more of a backstory, especially for Summer. You only get a sense of what possibly took place in here past and I found it hard to connect with her. Luke was kind and patient, sometimes dominate, but a bit too mysterious for me. There were quite a few riddles and puzzle pieces thrown out by him and I didn't seem to make any connections at all.

The last few chapters of Broken Dove did pick of the pace and get me excited about the story. I wish the beginning started with that pace but I'm guessing this story was meant to be character driven. I wanted to love this story because honestly it has the makings of what I look for when reading. A strong heroine, a dark alpha male who does anything for his girl, and an ending I never saw coming. I still appreciate the chance to read Broken Dove and hope others pick up this story and fall in love with it.

[•Cici• Theory of A Dreamer Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read Swan Song and Ms.Lymari's work many times before i always look so forward to picking up more of her books! As soon as i found out there was going to be another Dance of the Dead book i couldn't wait! I picked it up as soon as i could and got right back into this world. I enjoyed this story so much!

Summer and Luke's journey pulled me in right from the very get go! Summer has been through so much in her life. As Summer's world collides with Luke's, will this lead her to her breaking point? or finally solace from the dark?

From the moment Summer and Luke are brought together these two had me glued to my kindle. I didn't know how things would unfold for them and my heart was racing throughout to see how it'd all play out. There was such strength to Summer and i admired her in so many ways. Luke had layers i wanted to peel back. With every moment between these two they had me feeling so many emotions from beginning to end!

This story is far from an easy one. I could picture it all so clearly in my mind. My heart went through it with Summer and Luke.

With Broken Dove, Ms.Lymari has created such a good and dark read that kept me on edge, turning the pages and feeling so much! Her writing always hooks me as well as my heart. I can't wait to dive back into this series with the third installment, Black Bird!

Be sure to read the author's note about triggers.


*I volunteered to read and review a copy of this book from Grey's Promotions / the author*

[Stanislava Stoeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎀Book date🎀 📜Broken Dove📜C. Lymari📜
Genre: Dark Romance
Highlights of the story: Heroinе in Danger, Age Gap, Tragic Past, Protector.
She lives in darkness, but love envelops her in colors. His life is a constant battle, but he dreams of touching the sun. They were engulfed in chaos and pain. Until they met where the sun danced between the raindrops. Because even in the darkest darkness, hope comes with the little spark of light.
🥀 I love this book in so many different ways. The story is heavy, but at the same time strong and sweeping, and its main characters are so amazing. It tore me apart as I read it and felt every bit of pain Summer suffered. She is a tormented soul who has been through so much and suffered tremendous pain. But she did not give up fighting and became a strong and very fighting soul. Luke on the other hand. He was like a storm. At first glance distant and cold. But this exterior of his was only armor. Strong, kind, caring and willing to do anything to get revenge on anyone who hurt Summer in the past. I adore him. Each chapter was as much a journey into Summer's troubled past as it was healing her wounds with Luke's help. The beginning of each chapter was beautifully arranged with poetry that fit perfectly into the appropriate place in the story.This is the story of a wounded dove who is healed thanks to a man willing to burn the world down for her and build it anew.
🥀I am extremely grateful to C.Lymari for writing this wonderful book.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.

This is the second book in the Dance of the Dead Series from C. Lymari. You don't have to have read the first book to read this one because it is about a different couple but I highly recommend the first one to you. It was just as good as this one. This is a dark age gap romance. You will want to heed the warnings in the beginning of the book. It will contain triggers for some readers. This is the story of Luke and Summer. She is a girl who has spent most of her life in a gilded cage. She learned to dance to deal with everything that was going on and wrong in her life. But when she meets Luke she knows that she has met the man who can help her put things to rest concerning her past. Luke was able to make her feels things that she never thought she would feel. Happy and safe. I will say that this book has so much going on in it that you really have to pay attention to what you are reading. The small things in this book are very important. I felt like I was a little in dark trying to figure out what exactly I was reading. Now that I have said that, I don't want you to think that is a bad thing. It certainly is not. Filled with twists and turn and bombs just sailing around all over the place, I thought this was a really great book.

[Loreto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blown away!! That ending had me gasping. You never seize to surprise me. Omg! I'm in love with your writing. I soaked this story while time flew by. There are words to describe this story. It's tragic, sad, beautiful, powerful, and spicy in it's own way.

Summer is a woman with a dark past that has forced her to adapt in unimaginable ways. She is the kind of woman who offers the choice before it's taken away from her. Made her feel in control. Her fucked up past has made her numb with emotions and fierce in attitude and all together strong warrior and a survivor.

Luke is intrigued by her in every way and something about her pulls him towards her. Like a moth to a flame he says. He is fascinated by the way she feels the world. Completely different from anyone else. He want to hear her secrets, secrets she has kept from those cages she has been in and he is stalling. Luke hold his own secret that can blow it all away.

The connection is instant for him and she guarded due to her past experiences. She has been in cage after cage. For me he falls first and she quickly catches right behind. She is a fierce warrior who learns to fly because of Luke. He gives her the tools and she takes on. Perfect for one another. No doubt!!

You blew me away! You are a fantastic writer.

[Katie MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the beginning part of this book was released as part of an anthology late last year, and I was hooked. I had to know where Luke and Summer were going to end up. Now, if you have read any C. Lymari books before, you know there is a range of darkness. This book kind of lands in the middle. There is dark theme, dark elements but the actual storyline between Luke and Summer isn’t all that dark. Summer is deeply broken having been physically disabled as a child then sold off. Luke is seeking revenge which the motive behind why he is looking for revenge isn’t really clear until later on in the book. When the moment presents for Luke to take in Summer, Luke jumps on it as he sees Summer as a way to revenge and Summer has no control over her independence. This book, while its linear in chronological progression, it's not clear in the motives of the characters right away. It is written in a way where it is told through poetry, flashbacks and then traditional storytelling. The ending I did NOT see coming and was shocked how it all played out. This whole book is heartbreaking but wow, such a good story in the end.

[Booksmadeofvelvet · Rating 5 out of 5]

To begin my review, let's start with the first impression I had when I picked up this book. I must admit, I went into it completely blind, not knowing that the heroine herself was blind. It was quite foolish of me, but it ended up adding an unexpected layer of intrigue to the story.

Summer, , is a character who embodies both bravery and brokenness. She exists somewhere between the warmth of Summer and the chill of Winter, with a depth that resonated with me. Throughout the book, I gained a deep understanding of her struggles and the immense suffering she endured. It was heartbreaking yet inspiring to witness her journey.

Now, let's shift the focus to the hero of the story, Luke. Initially, I had conflicting feelings about him, and to be honest, I didn't trust him entirely. He was an enigma to me, shrouded in mystery. However, as the story unfolded, I realized how truly amazing he was. Luke's sweetness and unwavering care for Summer won me over. He became the support and comfort that she desperately needed in her life.

One aspect that truly stood out to me in this book was the exceptional writing. The author's use of quotes and the overall prose were simply outstanding. The words flowed beautifully, painting vivid pictures in my mind and evoking a range of emotions. The attention to detail and the author's ability to capture the essence of the characters and their emotions were truly commendable.

Overall, I found the book to be amazing. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster, leaving me deeply moved and captivated by the story. The author's skillful use of quotes and the impeccable writing style made it an absolute pleasure to read. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a powerful and beautifully crafted story.

[Lanie ༊*·˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has a hold on me-
—
I was pretty excited to read this book since I loved the first book!

Summer (fc: Bridget Satterlee)
- I love her!
- Such a strong person who doesn’t let the past scare her.
- Love how she knows her worth no matter what!

Luke (fc: Sahib Faber)
- The way he would do anything for Summer-
- The person that makes you feel safe.
- His affection on the inside is so-

-
This book had me on the edge of my seat when we question some the things we read. I love how we read Summer finding herself after everything in her her past.
THE NICO CAMEOS!!! MADE ME GIGGLE AND BLUSH MY GOD IM IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN!!!
The plot twist-
This author knows how to make a plot twist and makes my jaw drop! I look forward to the plot twist and they never disappoint except that one twist
—
Overall a 4.25/5 stars. This was a good read but the first book in the series is my favorite.
Would I read it again? Probably yes?
There’s this one secret that made my rating go low even though it’s not bad but I wish they weren’t what they are and they didn’t have to meet that way but oh well.

[A. Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book is a slow burn novel full of dark, haunting, secrets. Both characters have their secrets and are hiding from them. There's often a reason people keep secrets. There are a lot of things people choose to be blind to. The two main characters are Summer and Luke. Summer is a dancer. She danced ballet for Nico from the first novel. Now, Summer has come to live with Luke. Luke clearly wants something from Summer, he just won't come out and say it. Summer has been living in a cage her whole life. Will she ever get free? I think Luke isn't free either, something is holding him back, I'm just not sure what yet. At the beginning of each chapter there's a poem that foreshadows what the chapter is going to be about. I like that, it's a nice touch. This novel has a explosive ending. I was beginning to see the clues and had some suspicions. I still managed to be shocked by a few things. This novel definitely has dark themes and undertones. Read this novel to see if a broken dove can learn to fly.

[Katslovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story wrecked my in the best way ever!!!

C. Lymari takes us through a broken but beautiful story of survival and finding happiness and justice when you less expected.

Summer's life has been living in life of trauma and injustices since a very young age. Being a blind woman has changed her perspective in life. She'd to relied in her other senses to complete normal task and be able to survived in a dark world where her demons are not just in the shadows until she lands in Luke's hands and she is shown a completely different way of living.

Luke never thought to feel emotions and cared for Summer. For him she was a way to find his revenge but while living together he finds protecting her and trying to give her a life where she can expand her wings and fly.

This slow burn romance is dark, with lots of angst but also painfully beautiful. Luke and Summer are what each other needed and I love how their love progresses in this master piece that is Broken Dove.

[Brittany (Brit.tea.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓪 𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓹. 𝓘 𝓹𝓲𝓽𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓷 𝔀𝓱𝓸 𝓾𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾. 𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓻𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓯𝓻𝓪𝓰𝓲𝓵𝓮, 𝓷𝓸𝓻 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓫𝓻𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓷. 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓳𝓪𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓭 𝓹𝓲𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓶𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓲𝓴𝓮.

I devoured Swan Song, which was such a phenomenal book, so when she announced she was coming out with Broken Dove, I was already hooked.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓶𝓷𝓮𝓼𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓵𝓮𝓰𝓼 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓪 𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓬 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓬𝓮 𝓽𝓻𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓹𝓾𝓵𝓵 𝓶𝓮 𝓲𝓷.

Wow, Broken Dove was a heartbreakingly beautiful read, and I couldn't put it down. This story really pulls at your heartstrings.
I just love how she weaves poetry into her books. I am always captivated by the poems that she adds to these stories.

𝓦𝓱𝓸𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓼𝓪𝓲𝓭 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓼 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓪 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓸𝓯 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷'𝓽 𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓵𝓲𝓿𝓮.

My heart broke for Summer. Having to deal with all that trauma and, on top of that, doing it all while being blind—I mean, no one deserves to go through what she went through.

𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝔂, 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓿𝓮.

This book is a roller coaster ride of emotions, with so many twists and turns that I was shocked at one point.

I don't want to give much away. I think it's best to just dive in blind, and trust me, you will love it just like I did.

𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 😻 𝓲𝓼 𝓼𝓸 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝔀𝓸𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷, 𝓫𝓮𝓰𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓶𝔂 🍆.

Black Bird is coming soon. I can't wait to read it!!

[SCBookAddict · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remind me never to get on Claudia's bad side! The things this woman thinks of when it comes to vengeance!

Broken Dove is a dark, haunting story that is full of twists and riddles. Claudia excels at giving us great stories like this.

I don’t think anyone can read this story and not root for Summer. With everything she's been through and endured, she needs a champion and a happy ending.

Luke seems to be that champion that she desperately needs, but even he has an agenda.

The chemistry between them is off the chain!

This book had me reading as fast as I could just to get the answers that seemed so close to revealing themselves and yet it kept evading me.

I read the beginning of this story in the Silent Night Anthology and even then, I was completely hooked.

I highly suggest reading this if you like dark romances. Go in blind. Don't read the spoilers. They WILL ruin the story.

[Carmela Dimattia]

What an amazingly haunting and beautiful book this was by C Lymari. My heart and soul was captured by Luke and Summer and they their story broke me. The heartbreak and trauma that both have lived through have made them both very strong and although they are both broken through their love and determination they are able to find a way to heal. The dual POV was very good as we got a feel of what the characters were thinking and feeling. So many secret that eventually came to light and had me reeling. To say I loved this book would be an understatement as I became obsessed and found it hard to put this book down. Highly recommend. Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster ride.

I received an arc copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[WhiskeyandReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2021 I came across the book that started this series and U knew I needed more. I knew C. held nothing back in her books and this one would be no different. Well, the wait was over and I had to get my hands on this. This book was just as crazy as the first book. This book has things happen that you do not see coming. Twists happen that leave you with wide eyes. Some moments will have you talking out loud. This story truly is crazy but I read every single word and will read it again. I promise you will not see things coming and there will be moments that you won't be able to wrap your mind around. I can't wait to see what happens next with this series.

[Sophie Ruthven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what did I just read.
I could not get enough nor put it down once starting.
It easily went onto my top reads list.
I always enjoy books by this author but this one was special and one I won't forget in a long time if ever.
The female main character stole my heart and earnt my respect. What an amazingly brave and beautiful warrior.
I could almost say the same about the male main character but shutting up because spoilers.
I also won't comment on the plot as the twist is so good you won't see it for a long time. And there are more than one.
I hope this isn't the last time we are in this world.

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brown dove is such a fast paced and an emotional story. Not everything is as it seems to be. With all those twits and turns with the mysteries unrevealed every now and then, it had my toes curled throughout my entire read. I loved the MCs. But I’m in sheer awe of how author has used such a thought provoking yet simple language style. Moreover, the voice of the heroines, their quick wit and sharp mind was had me my mind blown. I quite loved and loved enjoyed how it served with a plot that kept me guessing until the very end.
Plus, I absolutely have a liking of the way Lymari heavily focuses on individual character growth and development, and it is something I very much look forward to.