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Little Hope Series #3
Broken Souls
“You are bad for my sanity.”
Alicia:
The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to forget what happened that night so I could move on with my life. An impossible feat, considering the demons of the past refuse to let me go. Jumping head-first into the unknown seems like a good place to start.
So I move out of my childhood home and away from the pain lurking around every corner.
It would have been a great start if not for my new next-door neighbor, who slightly resembles a Yeti. His attitude does little to convince me he’s not.
Mark:
The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to help those unable to help themselves. Something I’ve had a lot of experience doing ever since childhood. A simple life without drama is all I yearn for.
And I almost had it…
That is, until my new neighbor moves in next door. The one that screams in the night, hides bodies in her backyard, and bewitches my beastly dog. Ignoring her is the best option.
So how come I find myself saving her every single night?
A firefighter who dedicates his life to saving lives with no one around to save his, and a writer desperate to create worlds where her demons can’t touch her. What’s common between them? The pain they hide.
They say you shouldn’t let the past define you. But when the past becomes all you are, sometimes you just need a blank page.
.
.
.
This slow-burn, strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is a standalone filled with angst, yearning, and finding peace. Each book contains a story about a different couple. No cheating. No cliffhangers. HEA.
TW: SA in the past (not from MMC). Strong language.
Alicia:
The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to forget what happened that night so I could move on with my life. An impossible feat, considering the demons of the past refuse to let me go. Jumping head-first into the unknown seems like a good place to start.
So I move out of my childhood home and away from the pain lurking around every corner.
It would have been a great start if not for my new next-door neighbor, who slightly resembles a Yeti. His attitude does little to convince me he’s not.
Mark:
The only thing I’ve ever wanted was to help those unable to help themselves. Something I’ve had a lot of experience doing ever since childhood. A simple life without drama is all I yearn for.
And I almost had it…
That is, until my new neighbor moves in next door. The one that screams in the night, hides bodies in her backyard, and bewitches my beastly dog. Ignoring her is the best option.
So how come I find myself saving her every single night?
A firefighter who dedicates his life to saving lives with no one around to save his, and a writer desperate to create worlds where her demons can’t touch her. What’s common between them? The pain they hide.
They say you shouldn’t let the past define you. But when the past becomes all you are, sometimes you just need a blank page.
.
.
.
This slow-burn, strangers-to-enemies-to-lovers, contemporary romance is a standalone filled with angst, yearning, and finding peace. Each book contains a story about a different couple. No cheating. No cliffhangers. HEA.
TW: SA in the past (not from MMC). Strong language.
Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2022
595 people are currently reading
6219 people want to read
About the author
Ariana Cane
14 books569 followersAriana Cane is the queen of sizzling slow-burn romances that blend heart-pounding chemistry. A die-hard Disney fan, she sprinkles a touch of magic into her stories, keeping readers hooked as her characters navigate their way to happily-ever-after. 💖
Forget insta-love—Ariana’s all about crafting damaged alpha heroes with layers of depth and complications that unravel like a perfectly plotted fairy tale. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her dreaming up new ways to torture her characters (and readers!) with a cup of decaf coffee or striding the Disney parks because it’s her happy place.
Writing about herself in the third person? Let’s just say it’s as tricky as convincing her characters to kiss and make up before the final chapter. 📚
Forget insta-love—Ariana’s all about crafting damaged alpha heroes with layers of depth and complications that unravel like a perfectly plotted fairy tale. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her dreaming up new ways to torture her characters (and readers!) with a cup of decaf coffee or striding the Disney parks because it’s her happy place.
Writing about herself in the third person? Let’s just say it’s as tricky as convincing her characters to kiss and make up before the final chapter. 📚
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
November 1, 2022
I didn't expect Broken Souls to be so raw and emotional. Have tissues on hand. You will need them. Broken Souls is Mark and Alicia’s story. I’m tearing up just writing this.
If you have read the Little Hope series. You have a small glimpse of Alicia’s back story. So going in, I knew emotions would be on high alert.
Mark instantly judges his new neighbor, Alicia. He slowly realizes his first assumptions were incorrect. Alicia decides it is time to live on her own. What she finds is one challenging time after another. I’m in complete awe of her strength and determination. Mark is the hot firefighter whom you can’t help but fall in love with.
I sat and waited to write this review to ensure I did justice to this review. It’s been almost two weeks since I read this book; it still loves rent-free in my head and will be for a long time. . So far, this is not only one of my top reads but my favorite in the series. Brown Souls not only touched my heart, but it also touched my soul. It's a must-read.
If you have read the Little Hope series. You have a small glimpse of Alicia’s back story. So going in, I knew emotions would be on high alert.
Mark instantly judges his new neighbor, Alicia. He slowly realizes his first assumptions were incorrect. Alicia decides it is time to live on her own. What she finds is one challenging time after another. I’m in complete awe of her strength and determination. Mark is the hot firefighter whom you can’t help but fall in love with.
I sat and waited to write this review to ensure I did justice to this review. It’s been almost two weeks since I read this book; it still loves rent-free in my head and will be for a long time. . So far, this is not only one of my top reads but my favorite in the series. Brown Souls not only touched my heart, but it also touched my soul. It's a must-read.
December 13, 2022
Trigger Warning: Sexual assault in the past
Synopsis:
Twenty-six-year-old Alicia still lives with her parents and relives the nightmare she had to face years ago. But it's finally time for this popular author to move out and live on her own, to put her past and fears to rest.
Thirty-three-year-old Mark is a firefighter and it's an emergency on the very first day his new neighbour moves in. Not the best of ways to be making acquaintances but she intrigues him and he’s attracted to her.
Review:
I think I finally know what makes me choose these books, maybe trying to find something in them that makes me heal. I haven’t faced what the female protagonist has faced (and may no one have to go through it), just that at some point, we're all trying to heal in some way or the other.
The common factor between the firefighter and the writer in this story is what made me go for this one when I haven’t yet read the previous books in the series.
The author’s note itself has my heart. Ariana Crane’s writing is like a balm to the hurting soul. Set in a small town in Maine, Broken Souls is a story of how Mark and Alicia let go of their past demons and move forward and build a life together.
Narrated from the dual-person perspective, there was so much to love about the story. Alicia is a writer and it was exhilarating to read about some of the inner workings of a writer’s mind. I was howling with laughter, seeing how observational Alicia is, especially when she needs material to store in her mind for her books.
Mark has a German shepherd, Ghost, and I wanted it to be a talking dog; he seems to have so many secrets to share.
The story moved forward slowly but in a beautiful way, as Alicia and Marl explore each other, emotionally and physically. A mysterious character though makes his presence felt, acting like a bridge between them.
It has a soulful ending, but not without some justice that needed to be meted. Broken Souls ends with a beautiful epilogue, which is a fitting end to the story.
Thank you to Candi Kane PR for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Synopsis:
Twenty-six-year-old Alicia still lives with her parents and relives the nightmare she had to face years ago. But it's finally time for this popular author to move out and live on her own, to put her past and fears to rest.
Thirty-three-year-old Mark is a firefighter and it's an emergency on the very first day his new neighbour moves in. Not the best of ways to be making acquaintances but she intrigues him and he’s attracted to her.
Review:
I think I finally know what makes me choose these books, maybe trying to find something in them that makes me heal. I haven’t faced what the female protagonist has faced (and may no one have to go through it), just that at some point, we're all trying to heal in some way or the other.
What's common between them? The pain they hide.
The common factor between the firefighter and the writer in this story is what made me go for this one when I haven’t yet read the previous books in the series.
The author’s note itself has my heart. Ariana Crane’s writing is like a balm to the hurting soul. Set in a small town in Maine, Broken Souls is a story of how Mark and Alicia let go of their past demons and move forward and build a life together.
Narrated from the dual-person perspective, there was so much to love about the story. Alicia is a writer and it was exhilarating to read about some of the inner workings of a writer’s mind. I was howling with laughter, seeing how observational Alicia is, especially when she needs material to store in her mind for her books.
Mark has a German shepherd, Ghost, and I wanted it to be a talking dog; he seems to have so many secrets to share.
It’s warming something besides my frozen bones. It goes deeper. Melting icebergs of forgotten emotions and sensations. Of feelings I dreaded.
The story moved forward slowly but in a beautiful way, as Alicia and Marl explore each other, emotionally and physically. A mysterious character though makes his presence felt, acting like a bridge between them.
It has a soulful ending, but not without some justice that needed to be meted. Broken Souls ends with a beautiful epilogue, which is a fitting end to the story.
Thank you to Candi Kane PR for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
December 24, 2022
Description pulled me in - couldn’t wait to finish what I was reading to enjoy this one. What a disappointment - unreadable. At 30% I couldn’t stand any of the human characters. Frank the moose was the final straw - just ridiculous. Ghost was the only character I wanted to see developed and even he couldn’t keep me interested after Frank.
Not one interaction between Mark & Alicia (in the 30% I read) was believable. Not one. And leaving standing water after a burst pipe to sleep at a strangers house? Not just because, duh - water on a wood floor? but her history? In real life no one would do that. No one. And Alicia not calling landlord for repairs that were no fault of her own?! Insulting to my intelligence as a reader.
Not one interaction between Mark & Alicia (in the 30% I read) was believable. Not one. And leaving standing water after a burst pipe to sleep at a strangers house? Not just because, duh - water on a wood floor? but her history? In real life no one would do that. No one. And Alicia not calling landlord for repairs that were no fault of her own?! Insulting to my intelligence as a reader.
May 20, 2023
Honestly I'm shocked that I didn't DNf this one. I have no idea what kept me reading because I knew at 14% that I would hate this book. Let's break it down.
I absolutely hate the that at least half of the first chapter is just an info dump rehashing previous books for characters we won't need to know about later. This is a continued theme throughout the ENTIRE book where everything stops so we can have long internal monologue about side characters and what they're doing, what happened in their past, and many other things not relevant to the story.
At 23% we're sitting there while something that happened in a previous book is resolved between characters I don't care about because it's not relevant to this book. This is intended to be a standalone, but I now know more about every side character than I do about the two main characters......
Ok with that aside, WHY IS SHE SCREAMING?!!!
There's a fire in her home and she's hysterically screaming and crying instead of doing something about it or, like, getting out of her house? Then there's a water leak the next day and she just sits down and screams bloody murder and stares into the distance while the water continues spraying out until her neighbor hears and snaps her out of it?
I would not be inviting this girl to sleep on my couch after she acted unhinged like that two days in a row, but the plot must go on, right?
And let's be honest, no matter how safe you feel with someone you just met, is there not one part of you that keeps you even a little wary? After her horrible experience that was the main theme of the entire book, where she couldn't even move from home or be around people for 8 long years, can't even stand human touch, and has nightmares she wakes screaming from, she's ok sleeping in a stranger's house and bed (with him on the couch)???? She even is proud of herself because she doesn't feel the need to lock the bedroom door. Make it make sense.
Also who has an inch of water covering her kitchen floor and just thinks, "it's not going anywhere," and leaves it overnight to ruin her floors? Smh
And let's talk about this paragraph where she enters the stranger's room and feels greatful she got the chance to witness its bounty:
"I kneel on the bed and touch the carvings, tracing the symbols with my finger. Its smooth, lacquered surface speaks to my skin. It’s gentle and sexy and calm and passionate. I feel like I’m reliving the days the carver had. Closing my eyes, I feel how their callused fingers moved along the edges, smoothing it with every stroke. I’m overcome with the urgency to sniff it, so I bring my nose to the wood and breathe in."
Why is she having a moment with this guy's headboard? 😭 We find out way later that he made all the furniture in his house so I guess this is supposed to be her appreciating it before she knows he made it or something, but no sweetie, this is just weird.
Oh and there's the many times she just stands there shamelessly checking out the flex of his muscles while we suffer through more inner monologue. He fixes her door and she sits there creepily watching every movement he makes to store mentally until he outright tells her she doesn't need to stay and keep watching him. She's so cringey.
Things are told to us when we need them and not a moment earlier like how it's not until 67% that we find out she's been talking to her mom on the phone daily, and her brother has been calling twice a day.
They have this pseudo push pull thing going on that we don't really get to see because most of it is told in past tense after stuff happens. Then they finally get together once (which btw most of the few sex scenes are either FTB or very close to it) and we get a recap of the first three weeks of their relationship where they supposedly start acting like a couple that lives together. At some point they fall in love and tell each other but we don't SEE it happen, it just does sometime in those days we glossed over. Then suddenly it's the third act breakup and they're telling each other they love each other (and no one's surprised so it's not the first time they've said it) and they go on with their "painful" breakup. I don't know why it's painful though because I'm still stuck back at where they could hardly speak to each other civilly before the entire story jumped ahead.
Anyway, at some point in their three weeks of love she opened up to him and gave him info about her rapists. That's used to get them back together after they supposedly both work on themselves (we get hints that it's happening but again, we don't see it happen). Then they get back together and they're both healed and ready to move in together.
Ok.
Lastly, wtf is up with the random chapter from a third character we've never seen before in the story? I'm guessing this guy will be the MC in the next book, but why is there a random chapter in this one? Once again, I still know more about characters from other books than the main characters from this one.
I want the time I wasted reading this back.
I absolutely hate the that at least half of the first chapter is just an info dump rehashing previous books for characters we won't need to know about later. This is a continued theme throughout the ENTIRE book where everything stops so we can have long internal monologue about side characters and what they're doing, what happened in their past, and many other things not relevant to the story.
At 23% we're sitting there while something that happened in a previous book is resolved between characters I don't care about because it's not relevant to this book. This is intended to be a standalone, but I now know more about every side character than I do about the two main characters......
Ok with that aside, WHY IS SHE SCREAMING?!!!
There's a fire in her home and she's hysterically screaming and crying instead of doing something about it or, like, getting out of her house? Then there's a water leak the next day and she just sits down and screams bloody murder and stares into the distance while the water continues spraying out until her neighbor hears and snaps her out of it?
I would not be inviting this girl to sleep on my couch after she acted unhinged like that two days in a row, but the plot must go on, right?
And let's be honest, no matter how safe you feel with someone you just met, is there not one part of you that keeps you even a little wary? After her horrible experience that was the main theme of the entire book, where she couldn't even move from home or be around people for 8 long years, can't even stand human touch, and has nightmares she wakes screaming from, she's ok sleeping in a stranger's house and bed (with him on the couch)???? She even is proud of herself because she doesn't feel the need to lock the bedroom door. Make it make sense.
Also who has an inch of water covering her kitchen floor and just thinks, "it's not going anywhere," and leaves it overnight to ruin her floors? Smh
And let's talk about this paragraph where she enters the stranger's room and feels greatful she got the chance to witness its bounty:
"I kneel on the bed and touch the carvings, tracing the symbols with my finger. Its smooth, lacquered surface speaks to my skin. It’s gentle and sexy and calm and passionate. I feel like I’m reliving the days the carver had. Closing my eyes, I feel how their callused fingers moved along the edges, smoothing it with every stroke. I’m overcome with the urgency to sniff it, so I bring my nose to the wood and breathe in."
Why is she having a moment with this guy's headboard? 😭 We find out way later that he made all the furniture in his house so I guess this is supposed to be her appreciating it before she knows he made it or something, but no sweetie, this is just weird.
Oh and there's the many times she just stands there shamelessly checking out the flex of his muscles while we suffer through more inner monologue. He fixes her door and she sits there creepily watching every movement he makes to store mentally until he outright tells her she doesn't need to stay and keep watching him. She's so cringey.
Things are told to us when we need them and not a moment earlier like how it's not until 67% that we find out she's been talking to her mom on the phone daily, and her brother has been calling twice a day.
They have this pseudo push pull thing going on that we don't really get to see because most of it is told in past tense after stuff happens. Then they finally get together once (which btw most of the few sex scenes are either FTB or very close to it) and we get a recap of the first three weeks of their relationship where they supposedly start acting like a couple that lives together. At some point they fall in love and tell each other but we don't SEE it happen, it just does sometime in those days we glossed over. Then suddenly it's the third act breakup and they're telling each other they love each other (and no one's surprised so it's not the first time they've said it) and they go on with their "painful" breakup. I don't know why it's painful though because I'm still stuck back at where they could hardly speak to each other civilly before the entire story jumped ahead.
Anyway, at some point in their three weeks of love she opened up to him and gave him info about her rapists. That's used to get them back together after they supposedly both work on themselves (we get hints that it's happening but again, we don't see it happen). Then they get back together and they're both healed and ready to move in together.
Ok.
Lastly, wtf is up with the random chapter from a third character we've never seen before in the story? I'm guessing this guy will be the MC in the next book, but why is there a random chapter in this one? Once again, I still know more about characters from other books than the main characters from this one.
I want the time I wasted reading this back.
January 13, 2023
This is a feeling rating not a rational one. But I am ok with it. I haven’t read a book in one sitting in a long time. Oh but this one got me! I love protective and gentle people even if they don’t think they are gentle. But the simple fact that they care about the others physical and mental well being makes them the most gentle souls ever. And they can talk dirty without being jerks or cringe 😏.
Some parts are scary to read about the fear of rejection because of your insecurities, that makes me tear up a little. Trusting people is hard, specially man.
But this one was really good in all aspects (their relationships, other characters input, things like that) and over all a dreamy experience (I want a hot neighbor 🥹).
And yes it’s 6:45am and I started reading at 10pm from technical yesterday and haven’t gone to sleep yet! I was in need of this crazy ride!
Going to sleep now! Byee 🤭🎄
Some parts are scary to read about the fear of rejection because of your insecurities, that makes me tear up a little. Trusting people is hard, specially man.
But this one was really good in all aspects (their relationships, other characters input, things like that) and over all a dreamy experience (I want a hot neighbor 🥹).
And yes it’s 6:45am and I started reading at 10pm from technical yesterday and haven’t gone to sleep yet! I was in need of this crazy ride!
Going to sleep now! Byee 🤭🎄
April 23, 2023
4,5 stars
"It´s like you were made from all my dreams. Every piece of you. Every single piece calls out to me."
This is a two POV book, told by the POV´s of Alicia and Mark.
Before I start diving into this review, I´m gonna do something that is unusual for me and give a trigger warning beforehand. This book (and hereby also this review) deal with a past rape that is constantly mentioned in the book and that the heroine has to deal with. It is not on page and not caused by the love interest, but for everybody interested in reading this book: it does paint a really realistic picture of the trauma that rape causes and is a constant companion throughout this book.
I really liked Alicia, like mentioned before she has a lot to deal with and she was so brave and strong going through all of it. Mark was literally perfect by her side. Sweet, gentle and patient big hunk of a firefighter. They each have their own bags to carry and I feel like they did help each other figure a lot of things out. I loved their relationship and Alicias healing story.
Ghost was the literal perfect sidekick. He´s the goodest boy and I think I liked him the most regarding side characters even tho he is a dog (or maybe that is especially why). I liked seeing Archie have a chapter in here, it really teased his book in the series which I can´t wait to get to. I loved seeing Freya & Alex and Kayla & Justin from the previous books as side characters in here. This way it´s like their stories also continue as well.
Plotwise we have a slowburn with smalltown vibes and more of a cozy setting. I definitely enjoyed the romance of the book. The only thing that bugged me a little bit was the use of "Daddy" even tho it is just him calling himself that in regards to his dog, but somehow that word is ruined for me.... The pacing was really good, the book neither felt too slow or too quick to me. Regarding the themes this book deals with, don´t go expecting any heavy smut. This book is rather sweet and slow and "trying" if that makes sense. Like already mentioned above, this book shows a really realistic picture of trauma and I appreciate the research that went into the story. Regarding those heavy subjects I just wanted to add that this book ends in a HEA for all characters involved.
Overall it was a great book, that I definitely enjoyed and I look forward to reading the next book in the story.
trigger warnings: rape (mentioned, not caused by the love interest), trauma, domestic abuse (mentioned), attempted rape (not caused by the love interest)
"It´s like you were made from all my dreams. Every piece of you. Every single piece calls out to me."
This is a two POV book, told by the POV´s of Alicia and Mark.
Before I start diving into this review, I´m gonna do something that is unusual for me and give a trigger warning beforehand. This book (and hereby also this review) deal with a past rape that is constantly mentioned in the book and that the heroine has to deal with. It is not on page and not caused by the love interest, but for everybody interested in reading this book: it does paint a really realistic picture of the trauma that rape causes and is a constant companion throughout this book.
I really liked Alicia, like mentioned before she has a lot to deal with and she was so brave and strong going through all of it. Mark was literally perfect by her side. Sweet, gentle and patient big hunk of a firefighter. They each have their own bags to carry and I feel like they did help each other figure a lot of things out. I loved their relationship and Alicias healing story.
Ghost was the literal perfect sidekick. He´s the goodest boy and I think I liked him the most regarding side characters even tho he is a dog (or maybe that is especially why). I liked seeing Archie have a chapter in here, it really teased his book in the series which I can´t wait to get to. I loved seeing Freya & Alex and Kayla & Justin from the previous books as side characters in here. This way it´s like their stories also continue as well.
Plotwise we have a slowburn with smalltown vibes and more of a cozy setting. I definitely enjoyed the romance of the book. The only thing that bugged me a little bit was the use of "Daddy" even tho it is just him calling himself that in regards to his dog, but somehow that word is ruined for me.... The pacing was really good, the book neither felt too slow or too quick to me. Regarding the themes this book deals with, don´t go expecting any heavy smut. This book is rather sweet and slow and "trying" if that makes sense. Like already mentioned above, this book shows a really realistic picture of trauma and I appreciate the research that went into the story. Regarding those heavy subjects I just wanted to add that this book ends in a HEA for all characters involved.
Overall it was a great book, that I definitely enjoyed and I look forward to reading the next book in the story.
trigger warnings: rape (mentioned, not caused by the love interest), trauma, domestic abuse (mentioned), attempted rape (not caused by the love interest)
January 10, 2025
OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶🌶/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Re-Listen/Re-Read: Yes
•Platform: Audiobook and Ebook
•Trope: Firefighter, mental health, next-door neighbors, Grumpy-sunshine vibes, protective hero.
• Thoughts:
Here I am once again picking books based on narrators.. I know, right?! It's not a bad thing. Konda loke going in blind on a book just because of the cover of the book. Yep, I'm guilty on that one as well. In this case, it was narrators, and I am not upset by it. Not only do these narrators deliver a spectacular performance, but the storyline and emotion from this book, ugh, it was beautifully written. And double bonus i just discovered a new to me author.
I will say this can be read as a standalone. However, in my opinion, I think you may get even more of a connection to Mark and Alicia by reading the series in order. I fully intend on going back to the beginning and then listen to Broken Souls again. Infeel all of these characters that are talked about in Broken Souls has a story to share. I am not kidding. I am so curious about each and every one.
Anyways, back to Mark and Alicia. Alicia is a fighter! She is bound and determined to take back her life after a horrific and I mean horrific trauma she went through 8 years ago. Your heart just goes out for this character. She moves into a house next to her hot neighbor who awakens something inside her. She is not afraid of Mark. Now Mark has his own childhood scars, no matter how much he wants to, he simply can not stay away from Alicia. This story is full of emotional healing, taking back your life, and working through trauma. I absolutely loved this story!
This story does touch on sensitive topics. Please check your trigger warnings before reading.
NARRATOR THOUGHTS: Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocca
•Dual Narration
•Listening at a 1.5 speed.
Absolutely a fantastic performance! Jason and Angelina both do an incredible job pulling the emotions from Mark and Alicia!! I already love these two narrators, but hot damn they were finaminal!
•Recommend:
I will always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinion. Happy reading, friends.
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶🌶/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠/5
•Re-Listen/Re-Read: Yes
•Platform: Audiobook and Ebook
•Trope: Firefighter, mental health, next-door neighbors, Grumpy-sunshine vibes, protective hero.
• Thoughts:
Here I am once again picking books based on narrators.. I know, right?! It's not a bad thing. Konda loke going in blind on a book just because of the cover of the book. Yep, I'm guilty on that one as well. In this case, it was narrators, and I am not upset by it. Not only do these narrators deliver a spectacular performance, but the storyline and emotion from this book, ugh, it was beautifully written. And double bonus i just discovered a new to me author.
I will say this can be read as a standalone. However, in my opinion, I think you may get even more of a connection to Mark and Alicia by reading the series in order. I fully intend on going back to the beginning and then listen to Broken Souls again. Infeel all of these characters that are talked about in Broken Souls has a story to share. I am not kidding. I am so curious about each and every one.
Anyways, back to Mark and Alicia. Alicia is a fighter! She is bound and determined to take back her life after a horrific and I mean horrific trauma she went through 8 years ago. Your heart just goes out for this character. She moves into a house next to her hot neighbor who awakens something inside her. She is not afraid of Mark. Now Mark has his own childhood scars, no matter how much he wants to, he simply can not stay away from Alicia. This story is full of emotional healing, taking back your life, and working through trauma. I absolutely loved this story!
This story does touch on sensitive topics. Please check your trigger warnings before reading.
NARRATOR THOUGHTS: Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocca
•Dual Narration
•Listening at a 1.5 speed.
Absolutely a fantastic performance! Jason and Angelina both do an incredible job pulling the emotions from Mark and Alicia!! I already love these two narrators, but hot damn they were finaminal!
•Recommend:
I will always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinion. Happy reading, friends.
November 14, 2022
”We are all a little bit broken, and we are all a little bit messy.”
This was a heartbreakingly beautiful love story that brought out so many emotions from me and at times I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was poignantly written and didn’t shy away from the hard and tough moments a survivor of any kind of assault goes through each day.
Alicia is a survivor and a warrior. She has finally taken the steps necessary to take back her independence and heal from the tragedy that stunted her life. Her journey is not an easy one and she does have a lot of set backs. But I loved her resiliency and determination.
Mark is such an amazing man who is dealing with his own trauma and demons from his past. His instincts to help Alicia and protect her come from his heart of gold, even if he is a bit moody about it.
Alicia and Mark have an hilarious and crazy beginning that you just instantly knew they were perfect for each other. Their back and forth banter continually kept me giggling and the underlying sexual innuendos showed how much the two of them desired each other. There is a constant pull they have that just oozed with sexual tension and was sure to explode at any given moment. I was literally on the edge of my seat with anticipation waiting for that bomb to detonate. These two were giving off some smoking hot vibes!
This story was brilliantly written even with such a heavy topic. This amazing author gave us flawed and damaged characters that we can’t help but love and a storyline that was emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming, sweet, funny and definitely steamy.
I loved every second of it.
This was a heartbreakingly beautiful love story that brought out so many emotions from me and at times I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was poignantly written and didn’t shy away from the hard and tough moments a survivor of any kind of assault goes through each day.
Alicia is a survivor and a warrior. She has finally taken the steps necessary to take back her independence and heal from the tragedy that stunted her life. Her journey is not an easy one and she does have a lot of set backs. But I loved her resiliency and determination.
Mark is such an amazing man who is dealing with his own trauma and demons from his past. His instincts to help Alicia and protect her come from his heart of gold, even if he is a bit moody about it.
Alicia and Mark have an hilarious and crazy beginning that you just instantly knew they were perfect for each other. Their back and forth banter continually kept me giggling and the underlying sexual innuendos showed how much the two of them desired each other. There is a constant pull they have that just oozed with sexual tension and was sure to explode at any given moment. I was literally on the edge of my seat with anticipation waiting for that bomb to detonate. These two were giving off some smoking hot vibes!
This story was brilliantly written even with such a heavy topic. This amazing author gave us flawed and damaged characters that we can’t help but love and a storyline that was emotional, heartbreaking and heartwarming, sweet, funny and definitely steamy.
I loved every second of it.
November 21, 2023
I need to find better books. Another rec. Another disappointment. I'm sorry. A man can't fix your trauma because he's good in bed? Sigh. Maybe I'm just a cranky old lady?
December 11, 2022
This is the first book that I read from this author, I definitely loved it.
It’s heartbreaking, so so heartbreaking, both the main characters have been trough a lot.
As a person who has been trough trauma I wanna point out 2 things I’m very grateful for:
1- the author doesn’t describe how the trauma’s happened. I’ve read books who had complete chapters detailing traumatic events and that’s extremely triggering for me.
2- the way the author so respectfully and accurately describes trauma responses.
The story has been captivating, the writing style is amazing and all the characters have plenty of depth.
I usually hate all the ‘third act drama break up’ shizzle. But this time it fit the story, it made for an enticing read. It made sense. It wasn’t drama for the drama, it was something that HAD to happen. And I honestly don’t really count it as a third act break up as a result.
The only thing I would have liked was a longer epilogue, or a extra epilogue a few years later. Still a 5 star read for me tho :)
This book made me feel seen, and heard. Which doesn’t always happen if a book talks about trauma.
Tropes:
- Neighbors
- Small town
- Sort of strangers to enemies to lovers (I wouldn’t personally call them enemies, they both had some prejudices about eachother tho).
- Protective Male main character (Mark)
- Traumatized yet fierce and very strong Female main character (Alicia)
Warnings:
There are some descriptive sexual scenes.
There is talk about trauma and about trauma responses. Consent is a very talked about thing in the book tho.
There is a small miscommunication thing (the whole prejudices thing).
There is a sort of third act break up.
Other things:
- Adorable dog who was accurately and beautifully written may I add.
- The MMC is constantly making sure he is respecting her boundaries.
- The FMC stands up for herself
- There was some ‘you saved me’ stuff, but it’s a romance novel so I’ll let that slide :p
- Actual trauma representation
- There is some sort of revenge thing in the later part. I won’t spoil anything, but it’s freaking satisfying.
- Happy ending
- A very small age gap (5 years).
- There is no misogyny or sexism
It’s heartbreaking, so so heartbreaking, both the main characters have been trough a lot.
As a person who has been trough trauma I wanna point out 2 things I’m very grateful for:
1- the author doesn’t describe how the trauma’s happened. I’ve read books who had complete chapters detailing traumatic events and that’s extremely triggering for me.
2- the way the author so respectfully and accurately describes trauma responses.
The story has been captivating, the writing style is amazing and all the characters have plenty of depth.
I usually hate all the ‘third act drama break up’ shizzle. But this time it fit the story, it made for an enticing read. It made sense. It wasn’t drama for the drama, it was something that HAD to happen. And I honestly don’t really count it as a third act break up as a result.
The only thing I would have liked was a longer epilogue, or a extra epilogue a few years later. Still a 5 star read for me tho :)
This book made me feel seen, and heard. Which doesn’t always happen if a book talks about trauma.
Tropes:
- Neighbors
- Small town
- Sort of strangers to enemies to lovers (I wouldn’t personally call them enemies, they both had some prejudices about eachother tho).
- Protective Male main character (Mark)
- Traumatized yet fierce and very strong Female main character (Alicia)
Warnings:
There are some descriptive sexual scenes.
There is talk about trauma and about trauma responses. Consent is a very talked about thing in the book tho.
There is a small miscommunication thing (the whole prejudices thing).
There is a sort of third act break up.
Other things:
- Adorable dog who was accurately and beautifully written may I add.
- The MMC is constantly making sure he is respecting her boundaries.
- The FMC stands up for herself
- There was some ‘you saved me’ stuff, but it’s a romance novel so I’ll let that slide :p
- Actual trauma representation
- There is some sort of revenge thing in the later part. I won’t spoil anything, but it’s freaking satisfying.
- Happy ending
- A very small age gap (5 years).
- There is no misogyny or sexism
January 22, 2025
• Firefighter MMC
• Broken, but fierce FMC
• Neighbors to Lovers
• Hurt/comfort
The eagerness I feel to run and binge the rest of this series. Ariana really brought it with this book! And having it narrated by Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocca was such a solid choice! I love every second of listening to these two bring this book to life. Jason played Mark, a gruff and grumpy firefighter with a rough past and an even rougher outer shell to crack. These are my favorite roles to listen to Jason play! Especially a grump! His deep voice was so well matched for Alicia's yeti sized protective man. Angelina played Alicia. And my gosh! She did such a wonderful job voicing every emotion Alicia battled. Alicia was such a beautiful character. And she's a character many will unfortunately relate to. Watching her overcome the battles she faced wasn't easy to listen to and it added to the emotional depth of this book!
I adore a book about two broken main characters who find surprising comfort in one another! The relationship between these two started off very rough with confusing feelings and lots of situations that forced them together.
This was such a beautiful. Tender in the best way. And heartbreaking. Ariana handled topics so wonderfully in this book and I seriously can't wait to listen the rest of this series while I very impatiently wait for the rest of this series to come one in audiobook form!
• Broken, but fierce FMC
• Neighbors to Lovers
• Hurt/comfort
The eagerness I feel to run and binge the rest of this series. Ariana really brought it with this book! And having it narrated by Jason Clarke and Angelina Rocca was such a solid choice! I love every second of listening to these two bring this book to life. Jason played Mark, a gruff and grumpy firefighter with a rough past and an even rougher outer shell to crack. These are my favorite roles to listen to Jason play! Especially a grump! His deep voice was so well matched for Alicia's yeti sized protective man. Angelina played Alicia. And my gosh! She did such a wonderful job voicing every emotion Alicia battled. Alicia was such a beautiful character. And she's a character many will unfortunately relate to. Watching her overcome the battles she faced wasn't easy to listen to and it added to the emotional depth of this book!
I adore a book about two broken main characters who find surprising comfort in one another! The relationship between these two started off very rough with confusing feelings and lots of situations that forced them together.
This was such a beautiful. Tender in the best way. And heartbreaking. Ariana handled topics so wonderfully in this book and I seriously can't wait to listen the rest of this series while I very impatiently wait for the rest of this series to come one in audiobook form!
January 29, 2023
DNF’d at 66% because of the pregnancy trope and the fact that the author brushed over the MMC being accused of r@p€???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2024
2.5 really
Wouldn’t bother
Wouldn’t bother
September 18, 2023
Tutto bene finché non si sono chiamati fenice e yeti reciprocamente
August 13, 2023
I fell in Love with Marc at the very beginning.
There's something absolutely beautiful with his broken soul.
This gorgeous yeti has layers let me tell you. I would read it again to rediscover him.
There's something absolutely beautiful with his broken soul.
This gorgeous yeti has layers let me tell you. I would read it again to rediscover him.
November 12, 2022
This book was more emotional than I initially thought. It comes with a trigger warning, so please check this first before reading this book.
The heroine Alicia had a tragic past and tries to be on her own, escaping the interference of her family. She moves in a cottage next door to the hero Mark, who’s a firefighter and comes to her rescue more than once. Their relationship start as neighbours and enemies to lovers. Mark doesn’t think highly of himself and makes assumptions about Alicia, which may not be true. Alicia is insecure in her own way, which make her confused about how Mark acts hot and cold. I loved Ghost in this book, this dog is the sweetest. Both characters could be more developed, something lacked in my opinion. The storyline is beautiful, but I believe it would’ve worked better as a slow burn romance. Alicia sometimes acted out of character. Mark was more believable to read, although I could’ve done without all the references to his previous lovers/hook-ups. I hate when this happens and it didn’t make him more appealing as a hero to me. Some events didn’t make sense to me, and around the 80% mark the book lost me for a while, becoming a bit unbelievable. A pity, because this book didn’t need this, as it had a strong storyline of its own. This is book 3 in a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I didn’t read the previous 2 books and that was fine. Although I think there is some overlapping with book 2. It only made me more curious to read Justin and Kayla’s story.
Thank you to the author an PR team for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The heroine Alicia had a tragic past and tries to be on her own, escaping the interference of her family. She moves in a cottage next door to the hero Mark, who’s a firefighter and comes to her rescue more than once. Their relationship start as neighbours and enemies to lovers. Mark doesn’t think highly of himself and makes assumptions about Alicia, which may not be true. Alicia is insecure in her own way, which make her confused about how Mark acts hot and cold. I loved Ghost in this book, this dog is the sweetest. Both characters could be more developed, something lacked in my opinion. The storyline is beautiful, but I believe it would’ve worked better as a slow burn romance. Alicia sometimes acted out of character. Mark was more believable to read, although I could’ve done without all the references to his previous lovers/hook-ups. I hate when this happens and it didn’t make him more appealing as a hero to me. Some events didn’t make sense to me, and around the 80% mark the book lost me for a while, becoming a bit unbelievable. A pity, because this book didn’t need this, as it had a strong storyline of its own. This is book 3 in a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I didn’t read the previous 2 books and that was fine. Although I think there is some overlapping with book 2. It only made me more curious to read Justin and Kayla’s story.
Thank you to the author an PR team for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2023
5 fucking stars
It feels wrong to give a spice rating.
T R O P E S
- Small Town
- Neighbors/ Close proximity
- Broody MMC
- He is a firefighter.
- Broken H/h
- He doesn't like her at first
- Slow burn
- Protective MMC
- Strong FMC
- CW: SA (not from the hero), mentions of child abuse (MMC)
T H O U G H T S
This book was so freaking good. You know, the type of books that are so good that you can't even describe it? And the only way to explain all that glory is to read the book? THIS is this type of book. Everything was perfect. I felt SO SO much for the characters and rooted so freaking much too. I loved how they were there for each other and helped each other. This book is about healing and I highly recommend it. I can't express how much this story moved me.
You just HAVE to read it!!!!!
It feels wrong to give a spice rating.
T R O P E S
- Small Town
- Neighbors/ Close proximity
- Broody MMC
- He is a firefighter.
- Broken H/h
- He doesn't like her at first
- Slow burn
- Protective MMC
- Strong FMC
- CW: SA (not from the hero), mentions of child abuse (MMC)
T H O U G H T S
This book was so freaking good. You know, the type of books that are so good that you can't even describe it? And the only way to explain all that glory is to read the book? THIS is this type of book. Everything was perfect. I felt SO SO much for the characters and rooted so freaking much too. I loved how they were there for each other and helped each other. This book is about healing and I highly recommend it. I can't express how much this story moved me.
You just HAVE to read it!!!!!
October 13, 2022
Looking for a sweet, emotional, spicy read? This is it. I was really looking forward to Alicia’s story and I loved it. Mark was a great hero. Strong but an absolute sap for Alicia. There’s some heavy topic floated around in the story, but I thought they were handled well. This broke my heart and then put it back together with great character growth!
I received a ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ariana!
I received a ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ariana!
January 1, 2023
Mark and Alicia
Honestly this book would have been a five star read but the spelling and grammatical errors, missing words and character name errors were too many. Also the ending epilogue could have been a bit better. I did love the story and characters and it was even funny at times. If the author can revise the book and find a better editor I’d be willing to change the rating and even purchase it t reread
Honestly this book would have been a five star read but the spelling and grammatical errors, missing words and character name errors were too many. Also the ending epilogue could have been a bit better. I did love the story and characters and it was even funny at times. If the author can revise the book and find a better editor I’d be willing to change the rating and even purchase it t reread
May 5, 2023
Frank…
October 9, 2023
4.5⭐️ Yesss! I loved it!! This series is reeeaaally good!! So many damaged people finding each other and growing together.
January 11, 2024
2.5
"Me likey" and "It’s me, phoenix. It’s your yeti" told me everything I needed to know
"Me likey" and "It’s me, phoenix. It’s your yeti" told me everything I needed to know
June 19, 2025
"𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿."
This book was just beautiful — raw, emotional, and full of healing. Both main characters come from broken pasts, and watching them find peace, strength, and love through each other’s presence was such a powerful journey.
Let’s talk about Ghost, the German Shepherd 🐾 — easily the true star of the story. He was adorable, loyal, and brought such warmth to the pages.
One thing I loved most was how both characters were clearly drawn to each other, yet hesitant and afraid to let someone in. That emotional push-and-pull was written so well, and I felt every bit of it. 💔➡️💖
The tent scene? PERFECTION. 🌌 It created such an intimate and vulnerable space for them to finally open up, lower their guards, and allow something real to blossom. The sprinkle of spice added just enough warmth to the moment without overpowering it — a gentle, confident start. (Let’s just say… that spice definitely escalates later! 😜🔥)
Now, I’ll admit — the writing isn’t flawless. There are some rough edges, but honestly? I didn’t care. The emotional rollercoaster 🎢 Ariana put me through had me completely hooked. I just sat back and felt everything.
As the final chapters approached, I was seriously on edge — wondering if we’d get that HEA I so desperately needed. Ariana really knows how to keep you holding your breath till the very end.
I’m officially obsessed with Little Hope and can’t wait to dive back into the series. Bring on more firefighters, dogs, angst, and healing. 💕🔥🐶
This book was just beautiful — raw, emotional, and full of healing. Both main characters come from broken pasts, and watching them find peace, strength, and love through each other’s presence was such a powerful journey.
Let’s talk about Ghost, the German Shepherd 🐾 — easily the true star of the story. He was adorable, loyal, and brought such warmth to the pages.
One thing I loved most was how both characters were clearly drawn to each other, yet hesitant and afraid to let someone in. That emotional push-and-pull was written so well, and I felt every bit of it. 💔➡️💖
The tent scene? PERFECTION. 🌌 It created such an intimate and vulnerable space for them to finally open up, lower their guards, and allow something real to blossom. The sprinkle of spice added just enough warmth to the moment without overpowering it — a gentle, confident start. (Let’s just say… that spice definitely escalates later! 😜🔥)
Now, I’ll admit — the writing isn’t flawless. There are some rough edges, but honestly? I didn’t care. The emotional rollercoaster 🎢 Ariana put me through had me completely hooked. I just sat back and felt everything.
As the final chapters approached, I was seriously on edge — wondering if we’d get that HEA I so desperately needed. Ariana really knows how to keep you holding your breath till the very end.
I’m officially obsessed with Little Hope and can’t wait to dive back into the series. Bring on more firefighters, dogs, angst, and healing. 💕🔥🐶
April 3, 2023
Whelp. This time I got 60% of the way in before giving up.
I think what did me in was the- not so much bad, but maybe wishy-washy chemistry between the two characters.
The ML obviously find the FL attractive. Same goes for the FL. But where the FL is unsure of herself and romance with the ML bc of her very physical, very violent assault trauma the ML is holding himself bc of his high sex drive.
And while I can sympathize to an extent that he’s never really felt cared or loved (romantically) before and so is therefore stupidly weary to anything more than slaking bodily needs, it’s still a bit ridiculous he’s fighting “them”.
The FL however is unfortunately annoying. I can never get a solid pulse on her personality and she doesn’t feel tangible to me as a character. Aka, she’s not done yet. And if I’m supposed to have read the first two books in the “stand alone” series to get a better handle of who she is through glimpses and peeks here and there? Forget about it.
She’s been through hell. And I understand that bc that’s what the book is telling me but I’m not FEELING it in the way the book describes it. My heart isn’t pounding in stucco when she’s overwhelmed by everyday people around her, just for being too close, too loud, too normal. My brow doesn’t break out into when she battles herself on her new budding feeling for her neighbor and wrestles with how these emotions both thrill her and terrify her. My spine doesn’t shiver, my blood doesn’t boil, and my heart doesn’t break when she share snippets and details.
And it’s not bc I don’t sympathize with what happened to her. It’s just that, I don’t feel like this is RAW enough, REAL enough for what this book is trying to do. And that experience she has is the entire cornerstone of this book.
So, you have a ML who doesn’t trust himself, thinks he’s a dog, and denies wanting to explore “more” with the FL bc he’s “too messed up”. And you have a FL who jumps from healing, to prissy, sweet, to sour, timid but then the initiator. None of that is wrong but again, her biggest flaw to me is that I don’t care. And I want to. I really, really do.
DNF’ed bc I got sick of getting nowhere while this novel lead me in circles. 😑💢
I think what did me in was the- not so much bad, but maybe wishy-washy chemistry between the two characters.
The ML obviously find the FL attractive. Same goes for the FL. But where the FL is unsure of herself and romance with the ML bc of her very physical, very violent assault trauma the ML is holding himself bc of his high sex drive.
And while I can sympathize to an extent that he’s never really felt cared or loved (romantically) before and so is therefore stupidly weary to anything more than slaking bodily needs, it’s still a bit ridiculous he’s fighting “them”.
The FL however is unfortunately annoying. I can never get a solid pulse on her personality and she doesn’t feel tangible to me as a character. Aka, she’s not done yet. And if I’m supposed to have read the first two books in the “stand alone” series to get a better handle of who she is through glimpses and peeks here and there? Forget about it.
She’s been through hell. And I understand that bc that’s what the book is telling me but I’m not FEELING it in the way the book describes it. My heart isn’t pounding in stucco when she’s overwhelmed by everyday people around her, just for being too close, too loud, too normal. My brow doesn’t break out into when she battles herself on her new budding feeling for her neighbor and wrestles with how these emotions both thrill her and terrify her. My spine doesn’t shiver, my blood doesn’t boil, and my heart doesn’t break when she share snippets and details.
And it’s not bc I don’t sympathize with what happened to her. It’s just that, I don’t feel like this is RAW enough, REAL enough for what this book is trying to do. And that experience she has is the entire cornerstone of this book.
So, you have a ML who doesn’t trust himself, thinks he’s a dog, and denies wanting to explore “more” with the FL bc he’s “too messed up”. And you have a FL who jumps from healing, to prissy, sweet, to sour, timid but then the initiator. None of that is wrong but again, her biggest flaw to me is that I don’t care. And I want to. I really, really do.
DNF’ed bc I got sick of getting nowhere while this novel lead me in circles. 😑💢
December 30, 2024
Broken Souls- Ariana Cane
Narrated by Angelina Rocca and Jason Clarke
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧
I am absolutely loving this series. I kind of wish all the audios were out right now so I can binge them all, but I have binged the first three in the last 24 hours and they are incredible. I love this small town and how the characters are so intricately woven together and how they have their own stories but there’s an overall story and linked past between them all too. Mark and Alicia’s story is so tragically beautiful and them overcoming their trauma is just as beautiful. Are some of the situations in the beginning a little far fetched and unrealistic? Probably, but they are comical and bring our couple together.
I LOVED this audio. Jason and Angelina are two of my absolute favorite narrators and I don’t think there could have been a better choice to voice Mark and Alicia. There was a continuity from book 2 to 3 with some accents which made it confusing who’s pov I was in at one point but once I figured it out and was back on track, all was good.
Narrated by Angelina Rocca and Jason Clarke
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧
I am absolutely loving this series. I kind of wish all the audios were out right now so I can binge them all, but I have binged the first three in the last 24 hours and they are incredible. I love this small town and how the characters are so intricately woven together and how they have their own stories but there’s an overall story and linked past between them all too. Mark and Alicia’s story is so tragically beautiful and them overcoming their trauma is just as beautiful. Are some of the situations in the beginning a little far fetched and unrealistic? Probably, but they are comical and bring our couple together.
I LOVED this audio. Jason and Angelina are two of my absolute favorite narrators and I don’t think there could have been a better choice to voice Mark and Alicia. There was a continuity from book 2 to 3 with some accents which made it confusing who’s pov I was in at one point but once I figured it out and was back on track, all was good.
January 15, 2023
“𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐮𝐠𝐥𝐲, 𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚.”
This book has hit me hard and left me speechless. I literally just read the last word and I’m wondering how I can even write a review to give this book the justice it is so deserving of. Broken Souls is full of so many emotions, pain, trauma, but most importantly it has a message of healing and hope.
We all struggle with something, and this book showed me how beautiful and fulfilling life can be once you step out of the darkness that holds you as tightly as a prisoner, and step into the light and simply start your own healing process.
“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.”
I relate to Alicia so much and sometimes I wish I had that one person who would love me unconditionally to the point where they’d let them go. But isn’t that the point of reading? To immerse ourselves into a fictional world where you can have that person + happily ever after?
Broken Souls is a book not to be missed. Ariana Cane clearly brought her A-game with this well written and well thought out journey.
This book has hit me hard and left me speechless. I literally just read the last word and I’m wondering how I can even write a review to give this book the justice it is so deserving of. Broken Souls is full of so many emotions, pain, trauma, but most importantly it has a message of healing and hope.
We all struggle with something, and this book showed me how beautiful and fulfilling life can be once you step out of the darkness that holds you as tightly as a prisoner, and step into the light and simply start your own healing process.
“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.”
I relate to Alicia so much and sometimes I wish I had that one person who would love me unconditionally to the point where they’d let them go. But isn’t that the point of reading? To immerse ourselves into a fictional world where you can have that person + happily ever after?
Broken Souls is a book not to be missed. Ariana Cane clearly brought her A-game with this well written and well thought out journey.
March 15, 2024
it contains spoilers
No.
Just no.
I decided to not dnf this book just for the eye roll. There is a moose named Frank.
The pet names: phoenix and YETI.
Ok.
You can read this book if you want to shut down your brain. That's it. The sex scene are few and absolutely forgettable. I don't understand why she put them there. They're not even good to show how Alicia grows and get over her trauma, because when she sees his dick she forgot about everything. Only at the end she overcomes the fear of having someone behind her, but it makes no fk sense.
But let's breathe first and describe this thing:
Alicia, FL, was raped 8 years ago. Her life changed and she felt trapped. But then one day she decided to go and live alone to start anew.
Mark, ML, firefighter tall as a fk pole and big as a fk whale (it is said that to enter the door he has to move SIDEWAY, what the hell are you) hate her at the beginning bit after roughly 6 hours wants to have sex with her in all the possible ways. He talks a lot about her boobs and figure because obviously she is beautiful but a little bit on the chubby side (or so she says...) but he adores her and she has a wood mirror at home.
They don't make sense together. As a reader their relationship is boring. She is dumb as a rock. She started a fire because Is dumb. Her pipes broke and she is a double idiot because she doesn't know how to stop the water and just screams. She is a triple idiot because she left all the water on the kitchen floor to go to sleep. She is a dumb idiot because she never calls the owner to tell her that her stupid house is made of plastic.
Then it's unreal that she, a girl that was raped, is able to trust a yeti-man after just 3 days. It's an insult to everybody's intelligence to think that I'd believe it. They don't know each other. She is AFRAID of man. She was so afraid that she didn't move from her room for 8 years. But you want me to believe that this man is so hot that she feels safe after 45 minutes, then proceeds to feel horny after 1.20h and then accepts to sleep in his house after 2 hours?
She wasn't able to touch or even think about man in an intimate way and then you want me to believe that after 6 days she has the courage to ask a man she just met to make out with her and then have sex?
Ok. It's disturbing and fk laughable.
It's also hilarious how she is able to overcome everything just because she found a gentle man that can protect her. (Yes, because it's obv NOT the 1 month therapist sessions that helps her, it's ridiculous). She is not stringe. She is an insult.
Let's talk about the time he got the flu, she nurses him just to be mistreated and insulted by this man. And then? Nothing. Everything forgotten. He doesn't even tell her he is sorry, he just talks to her out of the blue after stalking her windows. And she is totally cool with that.
We also see some side characters that are absolutely irrelevant to the story. The brothers? One goes away I don't know why, the other is a stupid asshole. Kayla? Who is she? Someone with some tattoos. Alex? I read about his scar in one of the last chapters (you met him at the beginning) and I was confused.
They don't have a purpose. They are simply some names and paws for the plot to go on.
The only important characters are Mark and Alicia, but not really. Because their relationship isn't really explained. They fuck then decided to see each other, then we know they have some sort of relationship for 3 weeks (nothing is shown, we just know that they eat together and sleep at his). Then the "break up" comes, they do some healing (I won't even talk about the therapist encounter, it's disgusting how she describes this delicate moment as having some girly talk) and then they go and live together.
Nice.
The only nice thing is that it took me only 1 day to read this shit.
Some random thoughts:
-There are phrases like "don't get me wrong" or "trust me" while the characters narrate, but who are you talking to? The reader? Why. Stop. It reminds me of a child book.
-I don't remember at what chapter, near the end (when Mark decides to go and beat the 2 who raped Alicia), where the author use the word "hand" to describe the dog's paws... Like, are you for real.
-obv the slut shaming is here. In the chapter where she asks him to make out, after she humps him she thinks that only sluts would have done it. Nice, 100 points.
-the author is so fk repetitive. I don't even know how many times I read phrases about "Kayla the fantastic girl that changed my douchebag brother", or "she is so fucking beautiful with all the curves in the right place" (we understood the first time stop), or "I won't control myself, I'm a fucking animal", or also"I'm weak, I'm damaged, I'm broken" blablabla.
-when they decided to go to beat up the two rapists. How tf is it possible that the damn sheriff found them...? How did he know that Justin and Mark were in that spot ready to depart...? How. And why we never know the names of these two dudes. We don't even know what they look like. Or even what really happened! I understand, you don't want to show the triggering part? Then why are you using rape as a plot device? Just because you needed something? We just know that it happened, she felt responsible and broke, she was unconsciously searching for a man to feel safe (uau, so simple to make through trauma) and then found him. End.
-wtf is that chapter from another character we don't even know, it was so cringe and without a sense. He goes and talks with Mark and Alicia but excuse me who you are. Why do people in this city go and tell everyone about their darkest problems.
I won't read ever again a book by this author. (I hope)
No.
Just no.
I decided to not dnf this book just for the eye roll. There is a moose named Frank.
The pet names: phoenix and YETI.
Ok.
You can read this book if you want to shut down your brain. That's it. The sex scene are few and absolutely forgettable. I don't understand why she put them there. They're not even good to show how Alicia grows and get over her trauma, because when she sees his dick she forgot about everything. Only at the end she overcomes the fear of having someone behind her, but it makes no fk sense.
But let's breathe first and describe this thing:
Alicia, FL, was raped 8 years ago. Her life changed and she felt trapped. But then one day she decided to go and live alone to start anew.
Mark, ML, firefighter tall as a fk pole and big as a fk whale (it is said that to enter the door he has to move SIDEWAY, what the hell are you) hate her at the beginning bit after roughly 6 hours wants to have sex with her in all the possible ways. He talks a lot about her boobs and figure because obviously she is beautiful but a little bit on the chubby side (or so she says...) but he adores her and she has a wood mirror at home.
They don't make sense together. As a reader their relationship is boring. She is dumb as a rock. She started a fire because Is dumb. Her pipes broke and she is a double idiot because she doesn't know how to stop the water and just screams. She is a triple idiot because she left all the water on the kitchen floor to go to sleep. She is a dumb idiot because she never calls the owner to tell her that her stupid house is made of plastic.
Then it's unreal that she, a girl that was raped, is able to trust a yeti-man after just 3 days. It's an insult to everybody's intelligence to think that I'd believe it. They don't know each other. She is AFRAID of man. She was so afraid that she didn't move from her room for 8 years. But you want me to believe that this man is so hot that she feels safe after 45 minutes, then proceeds to feel horny after 1.20h and then accepts to sleep in his house after 2 hours?
She wasn't able to touch or even think about man in an intimate way and then you want me to believe that after 6 days she has the courage to ask a man she just met to make out with her and then have sex?
Ok. It's disturbing and fk laughable.
It's also hilarious how she is able to overcome everything just because she found a gentle man that can protect her. (Yes, because it's obv NOT the 1 month therapist sessions that helps her, it's ridiculous). She is not stringe. She is an insult.
Let's talk about the time he got the flu, she nurses him just to be mistreated and insulted by this man. And then? Nothing. Everything forgotten. He doesn't even tell her he is sorry, he just talks to her out of the blue after stalking her windows. And she is totally cool with that.
We also see some side characters that are absolutely irrelevant to the story. The brothers? One goes away I don't know why, the other is a stupid asshole. Kayla? Who is she? Someone with some tattoos. Alex? I read about his scar in one of the last chapters (you met him at the beginning) and I was confused.
They don't have a purpose. They are simply some names and paws for the plot to go on.
The only important characters are Mark and Alicia, but not really. Because their relationship isn't really explained. They fuck then decided to see each other, then we know they have some sort of relationship for 3 weeks (nothing is shown, we just know that they eat together and sleep at his). Then the "break up" comes, they do some healing (I won't even talk about the therapist encounter, it's disgusting how she describes this delicate moment as having some girly talk) and then they go and live together.
Nice.
The only nice thing is that it took me only 1 day to read this shit.
Some random thoughts:
-There are phrases like "don't get me wrong" or "trust me" while the characters narrate, but who are you talking to? The reader? Why. Stop. It reminds me of a child book.
-I don't remember at what chapter, near the end (when Mark decides to go and beat the 2 who raped Alicia), where the author use the word "hand" to describe the dog's paws... Like, are you for real.
-obv the slut shaming is here. In the chapter where she asks him to make out, after she humps him she thinks that only sluts would have done it. Nice, 100 points.
-the author is so fk repetitive. I don't even know how many times I read phrases about "Kayla the fantastic girl that changed my douchebag brother", or "she is so fucking beautiful with all the curves in the right place" (we understood the first time stop), or "I won't control myself, I'm a fucking animal", or also"I'm weak, I'm damaged, I'm broken" blablabla.
-when they decided to go to beat up the two rapists. How tf is it possible that the damn sheriff found them...? How did he know that Justin and Mark were in that spot ready to depart...? How. And why we never know the names of these two dudes. We don't even know what they look like. Or even what really happened! I understand, you don't want to show the triggering part? Then why are you using rape as a plot device? Just because you needed something? We just know that it happened, she felt responsible and broke, she was unconsciously searching for a man to feel safe (uau, so simple to make through trauma) and then found him. End.
-wtf is that chapter from another character we don't even know, it was so cringe and without a sense. He goes and talks with Mark and Alicia but excuse me who you are. Why do people in this city go and tell everyone about their darkest problems.
I won't read ever again a book by this author. (I hope)
January 19, 2024
THIS BOOK ?!?!?!?! im an angst girly okay so miss ariana cane fed me good with books 1-3. with this book tho omg!! i was laying down cozy in my bed until i got to chapter 19 or 20 and i shot up so quick and didnt move until chapter 28😭 i read the second book so long ago so hearing alicia’s story and how its tied to mark my jaw was on the floor. they were too happy before thanksgiving i KNEWWWWW something was going to happen😭 but i ate👏 it 👏up!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
This one made me cry; it was such an emotional rollercoaster. They are so perfect for each other, and I desperately wanted their HEA before the story even got halfway through. Of course, I had to wait, on the edge of my seat, hoping that they would get themselves together enough to see how they had to be together; they needed each other. Honestly, I was so invested in the two of them. But I think Ghost and Frank may have stolen my heart a little too.
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