I KNEW HE WOULD RUIN ME FROM THE MOMENT WE MET. Everything about the man screamed confidence. Sensuality. Intelligence. Worldliness. But it was how he saved me that ruined me most. Through him, I learned to end my path of self-destruction. I no longer needed to numb the pain with mindless one-night-stands and drunken blackouts. He made me feel worthy. Treasured. Optimistic about my future. Here I … Treasured. Optimistic about my future.
Here I stand four years later, in a coffee shop a world away, still broken…but beautifully so. My scars no longer hold me back. Instead, they give me strength and enrich my appreciation for the good things in life. I have hopes and dreams…faith that anything is possible. I am no longer the lost little girl fighting for survival. I have direction. I have courage. I am not without possibility.
I’ll always have Gavin to thank for that—Mr. Cooper, I remind myself. That’s who he is to me now: just a former teacher. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry. I was eighteen when we first met. Legally, we did nothing wrong. Morally? Well, I guess that depends on how flexible your morals are.
My name is Kat and this is my story.
“From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, get ready to be inundated with ALL. THE. FEELS! They flow deep and they flow hard.” READ & SHARE BOOK REVIEWS
“There is nothing about this book that I would have changed. Every tear, every burst of pain in my chest for these characters was worth the incredible roller coaster ride that Lee put me on.” Southern Vixen Book Blog
“This book is amazing! Words can’t describe how good it is. I love student teacher books but this book is so much more than that. Definitely a top 2016 read!” Summer’s Smexy Book Reviews
“Gritty, Steamy, Sexy!” Socially Awkward Book Nerd
“This was such a different read than what’s out there. This is a book that will stay with you, even long after you’ve finished it.” The Literary Vixen on behalf of Nerd Girl
more
Beautifully Broken is a heartbreaking read. I found myself having to pause reading just to catch my breathe. From start to finish it moved me. If you have any triggers this may not be the book for you. Laura has written this book that is covered in tragic circumstances and thrown in a hot forbidden love that will give you pause, but also hope. Two people born to love one another.
This book is told almost entirely from Katherine (Kat’s) POV. The epilogue is told in Gavin’s.
Kat is starting her Senior Year of high school. She is intelligent, driven, and deeply damaged. She has spent her life in and out of foster care because her mother is an addict. She decides to celebrate her eighteenth birthday at a bar in her hometown. She meets a sexy stranger, who scares her with the way he makes her feel, and gives her the best sexual experience she has ever had.
Gavin relocated to Oregon from San Francisco after his marriage ended. And, he is very drawn to Kat too. Unfortunately, for both of them, Gavin turns out to be her AP English teacher. They agree for both of their reputations and futures to not pursue anything further.
After being with Gavin, Kat finds herself unable to return to the way she used to cope with her reality. She does what she needs to do to survive her life as it is, so she can graduate and go off to college. But, handles her life with a clearer view.
Gavin and Kat begin to navigate a relationship because the truth is they don’t want to be apart. They begin to make plans for what’s next, but a trip to San Francisco and a run in with his ex-wife has Kat doing what she never thought she could. Gavin’s love has shown Kat that she is worthy of love and respect. And, what it means to love someone so much that their happiness means more than your own.
Beautifully Broken was a heartbreakingly beautiful read that hooked me from the first page and squeezed my heart tight until the end.
Kat was a resilient and truly beautiful soul who had been through so much at such a young age. In spite of everything she faced she was determined to make something of herself. Gavin though his background was a bit similar to hers was blessed to be raised a bit differently than Kat. He was protective, caring and pushed Kat out of her comfort zone.
Though their relationship wasn’t quite conventional I loved how they each were there for the other and wanted the best for one another always. These two had me alternating between feeling heartbroken and outright swooning.
If you love forbidden romances brimming with all the feels then Beautifully Broken will give you just that and so much more.
Beautifully Broken by Laura Lee is a steamy and angst-filled student/teacher story with so many feels. Kat broke my heart. She is lost and shattered from a hard past and finds comfort in casual sex. Until she meets Gavin. Their attraction is instant but forbidden, though they did not know that at the start. Their journey was not easy and at some points I wanted to throw my e-reader, but I was captivated from start to finish.
Happy reading!
Forbidden, emotional, beautiful. Beautifully Broken hooked me from the start and took me through a journey of emotions from the first page.
Kat has not had an easy life, but despite everything around her she is still working hard at making a better life for herself. She’s experienced more than most people ever will and I love her determination, however, she is a broken woman who is just seeking love and someone to be on her side. Gavin comes from a rough background, but unlike Kat, he had a different upbringing, but his past has always stuck with him.
The moment Kat and Gavin met there was a connection. He pushed her beyond her normal limits and comfort zone and she craved it. Their chemistry was undeniable and even when they know they shouldn’t continue anything they couldn’t stay away. They were drawn for each other. I loved how they were there for each other, I loved that they could support each other, even if it may have broken their hearts in the process. Their story took me on an emotional rollercoaster and there were parts the just completely broke my heart and parts that were swoony.
If you’re looking for a forbidden student/teacher romance that will bring out so many emotions this is one to read.
4.5 Stars for Beautifully Broken
Laura Lee is a fairly new author to me but with each book I pick up I’m left wondering why she hasn’t crossed my radar before now. I was intrigued by the blurb but once I dived in I realised this book was very different to what I was expecting but Kat and Gavin’s romance captivated me, it drew me in and it didn’t let me go until I had read the final word.
Gavin meets Kat when she is out celebrating her 18th birthday, she is looking for one night to forget everything that’s going on with her life but Gavin wants more than just one night…..
I fell hard and fast for Gavin, he is everything we dream of in a man, caring, hot and totally swoon worthy whilst Kat is a strong, brave survivor so what more can you want in hero’s and heroines well this story has so much more and it certainly touched me on so many levels for me. Can this couple put their pasts behind them and become stronger together …..
Beautifully Broken will keep you on the edge of seat as you negotiate the love, the twists and turns and the heartbreak in this beautifully written romance. Great story and I highly recommend you adding this to your TBR list.
4 Star Review Beautifully Broken by Laura Lee
Laura Lee is a relatively new author to me; this book was not what I was expecting. Kat has had a hard life, being forced to grow up and be responsible way before she should have had too, something many people can relate too.
I don’t normally read Teacher/Student stories but here I am. Kat and Gavin meet on her eighteenth birthday when she is looking to forget her life for just one night, while Gavin is looking for more.
I really liked Gavin, not only was he smoking hot, but he is protective, caring and swoon worthy, while Kat was such a brave woman, a survivor. These two have been broken by their pasts but together they can put one another together and make each other whole.
This was a well written story that tugged at my heart strings. There were some twists and turns that surprised me and I was invested in Kat and Gavin’s story.
Can Gavin show Kat the love she deserves is within her reach? One click and find out.
What a read! This was definitely a Beautifully Broken story that will grab you from the start. A journey of Katherine “Kat” Kennedy making the best of herself after having to live a life that has been constantly testing one to self-destruction. That all seem to change when a night of celebrating officially into adulthood comes in the form of Gavin Cooper.
Gavin and Kat has a push and pull relationship and that is all due to the secrets and the needs to lay low that Kat prefers to live under. She had to grow up sooner than others which makes her life experiences always questioning and testing her. Gavin is the one constant that is telling her that she is worthy of more for herself and is determine to have Kat see herself in a new light.
The feels and emotions come out strong especially when it comes to Kat. You cannot help but want more; however, the thought has you wondering if it is possible and how. Two people who are forbidden in the public eye but connected in a way that only they can understand one another. Get ready for your heart to ache and burn with the hopes of a second chance.
I loved this student/teacher story!! What I loved even more was that the heroine wasn’t some meek innocent little girl that hasn’t experienced anything, Kat is the complete opposite, she’s seen way to much Things a young girl should never be exposed to and it has her looking for comfort where she shouldn’t and leaving scars that are deep! You can’t help but be drawn to her. When Kat and Gavin meet they have no idea one intense night would change so quickly when the truth comes out about who Kat is! This is one of my favorite books in this genre
I loved everything about this book! It was incredibly heartbreaking and touching and romantic. Kat was so strong to have endured everything she did and I loved Gavin the moment I was introduced to him. They were such a perfect match! Laura Lee really put a different spin on the typical student/teacher romance and it worked so well!! I honestly loved everything about this book and can’t believe it took me so long to discover it!
I love a good sordid, taboo story. This book was so much more than I was expecting. I have been in a book funk and this book was just what I needed to bring out of that. It did start out a little slow but not to the point that I lost interest or got bored.
It’s not your typical student-teacher romance. Kat and Gavin’s love story is more than the sex, there is an connection. Two souls that were meant to be loved but never getting what they deserve in life; more so Kat than Gavin. It’s angsty and exhilarating, sexy and sweet, somber and beautiful. I didn’t want to like Kat, Gavin was too good for her but considering the amount of crap she was dealt in her life, the immaturity and inexperience was explainable. Gavin was everything Kat needed and then some but of course they are met with a brick wall each direction they turn. I don’t like doing a play by play or giving away too much of the characters traits but the synopsis is pretty spot on.
I truly enjoyed every moment of this book and did not want it to end. I loved the twists, the ending, the characters – the good, the bad, and the every ugly moment. It is the perfect length and well worth every penny spent. If you’re on the hunt for a good standalone taboo romance book I definitely recommend checking this one out.
What an amazing story! Sometimes people cross your paths and help to mend your scars. Sometimes those same people begin to tear down the wall you have built around your heart and life. Sometimes its OK to be beautifully broken. This story is told from the perspective of Kat, a girl who has been through a lot of pain and trauma in her short eighteen years of life. Her life has lead her to believe that she will never be truly “fixed” nor is she sure she deserves it that is, until Gavin comes into her life. Their relationship is not conventional by any means seeing as it is a teacher/student romance. This story is proof that we don’t choose who we fall in love with! This is a really great story of love, strength, relationships, friendships and sometimes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I had a hard time putting this book down. It was also my first read from this author and definitely not my last, glad I found this gem.
This story is intriguing. Even though it deals with a forbidden romance, it’s more than that. There are moments where I was questioning what was going on and felt upset at the characters and then others where everything made sense. Kat goes through unbelievable growth, which I loved. But I didn’t feel connected to her at times. Overall, I did enjoy this and felt for the characters.
This is the first time I have read any of this authors work. When Kat meets Gavin in a bar on her eighteen birthday, they have a fantastic chemistry between them. Kat has had a sad past, and has her own way to deal with these issues, which Gavin tries to support her with, to the point of breaking her. I enjoyed how Kat matured throughout this story.
The only down side for me was that the story appeared to run out of steam, and slow down half way through, to the point of becoming repetitive. However, that does not take away the fact that this is an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book!
I love the forbidden element that comes with a teacher student romance so this book was right up my street. The thing I love about this genre is the taboo connection between the characters the waiting for them to give into the temptation. Whilst I like the pace of the story and enjoyed aspects of the angst and drama that is inevitable with these stories I just wasn’t convinced by them as a couple as I didn’t feel the chemistry that I need. I can’t put my finger in what but there was just something missing for me. The ending felt rushed to me and I would have liked a little more content in the last few chapters.