Zero three zero nine.Four little numbers … four little words. They might be random and insignificant to anyone else, but they meant something to us. No, they meant everything to us. Until they were ripped away.That was the day our lives took a different course. One we had no control over. One that others puppeteered and mangled into a cluster so big, it left us with emotional scars lined with … with emotional scars lined with resentment and venom toward each other.
All because I’m a Montgomery and he’s a Barrett.
Now, Trig’s back and he hates me with more hostility and rage than ever … and I’ve learned to do the same. But when the world comes crashing down and the stakes couldn’t be higher, I can’t run and I can’t hide.
I need the help of the one person whose loathing for me runs deeper than blood and colder than his icy-blue stare.
I need Trig.
I need him more than I know.
more
Holy Amazaballs!!! Zero Three-Zero Nine (Once you delve in this will make sense)
Broken Halo is the 2nd book in the Mongtomery series, we met Ellie in past books, Athica Lane and Bad Situation, we get a brief glimpse of Easton (Trig) Barret also in Bad Situation. Now we get to meat and bones of these two.
There are not enough stars for Broken Halo! I freaking loved Trig and Ellie, they were so good together, and how Trig is with Griffin, he loved him as his own, and that makes him an even hotter Hero. It has to be my absolute favorite second chance romance, they usually are my first go to, but Ms. Asher has changed my way of thinking. Getting to hang with Eli and Jenn again was so much fun.
Everything about this book will have you on the edge of your seat, the twist, turns and secrets had me reading it in two days, I had to know that end. Broken Halo has all the feels, sad, happy, pissed, biting your nails, sexy times and wanting to go back in time and kick some ass, but most of all it will make you believe that you can get everything you want. Love can conquer all!! And that Epilogue, holy cow, it couldn’t have been better. I love getting a glimpse into the future years down the road.
Broken Halo should be the next thing in your TBR list, drop everything else and read these release day. As always with Brynne Asher, you won’t be disappointed.
This was a really good book, as per usual with this author, and I was all set to give a 4½- star rating. But then, the end! A nice surprise and then, before you know it, serious drama! I love it. Great book, and I can’t wait to read more of this series. 5 stars
Broken Halo is book two in The Montgomerys series by Brynne Asher. Prepare yourselves everyone. Prepare yourselves to fall in love, to meet a new Hero that is going to trump all previous book boyfriends. Prepare yourselves for Trig Barrett.
Ten years previously, Ellie Montgomery was just over eighteen years old. Trig worked for her family’s ranch. He was a few years older but I can’t remember by how much. But they were madly in love.
Now in present time, Trig is back in Dallas. Ellie’s older sister is now running Montgomery Industries and has hired Trig as lead legal council. Ellie had a disastrous marriage. Her husband is now dead but she does have a beautiful baby boy, Griffin, who stole my heart. This little guy takes adorableness to a whole new level!
Trig came back to Dallas to take care of his sick mother. But she’s gone now. Not only does he have to deal with the heart breaking loss of her, he finds himself face to face with the woman he hoped to never face again, the woman who first stole his heart, and then shattered it.
It’s been four months since everything went down with Ellie’s awful husband. She’s trying to take care of her son, and get her dance studio ready to open. She’s barely hanging on as it is, but then the bottom falls out of her world all over again and what she holds most dear is threatened. The last person she wants to come to her rescue is Trig Barrett but in her desperation, she has no choice.
In the ten years that have passed, Trig tried to make himself hate Ellie. And Ellie tried to do everything in her power to forget Trig. But their memories were always there, overshadowing everything.
Trig is trying to handle all of his responsibilities with his job. At the same time, he is trying to investigate what is happening with Ellie. I honestly don’t know how he handled everything. But he did.
This book consumed me. First, we get quite a bit of Jen and Eli from the first book so I loved seeing how happy they were. Then, there is Trig. I am in love with him. This man! Despite everything, he made something of himself. I sighed, I swooned and I gasped. This book has sweet romance, sizzling sexy times, and nail biting suspenseful times. There were so many twists and turns, so much is happening. These types of romances where the couple has suffered so much makes my heart pound. I both wanted and needed them to be together. These two took up my every thought during the two days it took me to read the book. I couldn’t think of anything else. So, thank you, Brynne Asher, for this fantastic book. She tells us that the series will continue with a third book. I can’t wait to see who the next one will be about.
Brynne Asher never ever fails to write the most gripping stories, like always her book are emotional, heart breaking and most important flawless. There is not a second from start to finish do you wanna skip or rush.
These are the kinda of stories that stay with you for forever… its a story line that happens in reality way to offen. So this book may just those like Trigg and Ellie some kind of hope.
It’s that beautiful and That Inspiring.
Its very hard to give you a review without any spoilers. So first I would like to say please read Bad Situation if you haven’t read it. Although they are standalones. They are connected…
This is a story about Ellie who we know is Jen’s sister and Trigg. Their story is utterly heartbreaking and so sad. There was happy tears and sad tears.
Ellie and Triggs are a second chance love story. Their hearts and Soul are so in sync. Their chemistry is off the charts, their love is strong and unshakable. Trigg is so easy to fall in love with and Ellie falls head over heels for him again…
They both are protective of each other and would move heaven an earth for each other.
It’s an absolute must to mention that their sex scenes are fucking hottttt….
Grab this book and be wowed its a Beautiful Love Story….
Enjoy!!!!!
So damn good! I absolutely can not get enough of Brynne Asher’s books. Every book she writes is my new favorite and this one is no exception. I love how she tells a story and how her characters come to life on the pages. I get so lost in the story that when I come up for air I have to think about where I am and that what I am reading isn’t real. The twists and turns and secrets in this book left me turning pages way past my self imposed “put your book down and go to sleep” time. Trig and Ellie’s story is one of perseverance, sacrifice, strength and undying love. 5 stars doesn’t seem like nearly enough….I’d give it 10 if I could!
Second chance, single parent; these are two of my favorite tropes. Ellie’s life certainly isn’t what she expected it to be. All her dreams were stolen from her and all she has left with is her baby boy, Griffin. Trig never thought he would be back in Texas an d he certainly didn’t think he would ever work for the Montgomery’s again. When life gets breathtakingly rough for Ellie, as the Montgomery’s lawyer he has to see her. Thrown together, Ellie cannot bear to be around him as it hurts too much. The emotion that bleeds off every page made my chest hurt and throat ache. I felt so much for Ellie, she has her sister at her back but essentially she is all alone as is Trig. These two have been through so much and deserve their happy ever after. I love these characters and this book so much, I didn’t want to see it end. Sheer bloody perfection, I adored every word! Brynne Asher is a gem; if you love contemporary romance, you need her books! All the stars for Ellie and Trig.
Broken Halo contains everything I really enjoy in a romance – single parent, second chance romance, dual POV, and that little bit of suspense running through the storyline that makes you wonder what exactly is going to happen next.
Emotional turmoil probably best describes what Ellie and Trig have gone through, both in the past and the present. Their relationship has been plagued by misunderstandings, tension, frustration, love, hate, grief and loss, decisions made in haste, the impact of lost time – talk about putting my heart through the wringer!
I really loved how all the plot twists came together to a rather epic conclusion that somehow managed to tie everything all in together. Broken Halo was a great read, I’m pretty excited about who I think the next main female character will be in The Montgomerys #3.
This is a book about young soulmate love, the kind of love that defines and shapes us for the future. The kind of love with all the emotional raw passion of youth, that is so pure and real that it grips your heart with everything it has and holds it in an unbreakable bond. That’s the kind of love in this book.
We first read these two in Bad Situation and I know that your curiosity was just as peaked as mine, and their book did not disappoint. It is such an emotionally heartfelt story, which slowly pieces the puzzle together for you, to get the whole picture of a powerful love story. It will tug on your heartstrings and make you feel like you are a part of their story. These two get their well deserved hea with two wonderful epilogues. Thank you Brynne Asher for a wonderful book.
A magnificent book that will break you only to ensure you’re healed by the end.
I’m not going to tell tales, this book was incredibly hard, but oh so beautiful. No one should ever have underestimated the dancer and the cowboy.
A love story of heartbreak, miscommunication, forced proximity, and sheer beauty. Trig and Ellie have survived more than most people their age, but that’s all they’ve done – survive.
The pure pain driving this beautiful story had me in tears for many pages, but in between the tears were small moments of love and laughter between Ellie and Jen. Huge moments of triumph whenever Trig had the smallest victory.
An amazing roller coaster ride with twists and turns in the dark, and an ending I never saw coming. While Bad Situation (Montgomery’s Book I) remains in my top 10 of 2018, Broken Halo has stormed into my top 5 of 2019 stunningly. Ms. Asher’s ability to spin a tale of heartbreak and renewal is phenomenal.
With one of the most brilliant epilogues I’ve ever read, I remain on pins and needles for Montgomery’s Book 3! Brynne Asher absolutely slayed with Broken Halo, and it deserves far more than 5 stars!
Trig and Ellie
This book surpassed Bad Situation for me and I loved that book. It’s great to read a series where it gets better and better. Bad Situation is an amazing read but this was knocked out of the park. I tried to read it slowly to savour it but that didn’t turn out so well.
Ellie and Trig had the beginning of a beautiful relationship until it was taken away from them reasons beyond their control. This sadden me so much reading all the things that went down. Just so unfair, Heartbreaking and gut wrenching. When this was all going down they were kept apart. I can’t describe the anger I felt at the hand they were dealt. This is not an easy read at all but it’s a great read.
5 stars! This book was a bit of everything and I just adored it. It broke my heart, put it back together and everything in between! Second chance romances are normally my least favourite trope but this book may have just changed my mind! One of my top reads of 2019 and tied with Athica Lane for my favourite Brynne Asher book, I couldn’t put it down. I already can’t wait to read it again!
Brynne Asher has the Midas touch, to me, anything she writes is gold, and Broken Halo is definitely pure gold.
I’ve been dying to get my hands on this book since I finished Bad Situation, which feels like forever, but in reality was only a short time ago.
I have loved the Montgomery family since Cam’s book, Athica Lane, where we first met Ellie and her adorable son Griffin, and couldn’t wait to see what would happen to Ellie after the explosive ending in Bad Situation. I was also intrigued to see how Easton (Trig) Barrett fitted into the picture as there was obviously history between the pair, both holding onto a hostility that you can only feel for someone you once loved, but were hurt by.
This is a love story that has been 10 years in the making, with many missed opportunities, misunderstandings and other people’s lies getting in the way of this pair having the life they should’ve, together.
A former ranch hand on the Montgomery land, Trig is now all grown up, passed the bar and has come back to town and taken the position as lead council at MI, the company patriarch of the Montgomery family, Kipp, recently gave up reign to, to his eldest daughter Jen. Though there’s no love lost between Trig and Kipp, Jen is in charge now and she is the one Trig works for, much to her sister Ellie’s dismay. Newly single mother Ellie, a former student of Julliard and Broadway dancer, is juggling being a single parent whilst opening her new dance studio. When trouble comes her way, Trig is the one who is sent to help her. As insults and hatred fly so do the sparks as these two remember what it was like 10 years ago.
I loved this book, we got to see a different side to some of the beloved characters from the previous books as well as catching up with Jen and Eli and getting to know Trig and Ellie and the stickiest baby ever, the adorable Griffin. This book was an emotional rollercoaster, bringing all the feels in abundance. I can’t recommend it enough!
4 stars. Broken Halo was a good read! This is Trig and Ellie’s second chance love story. We got a glimpse of their relationship in Bad Situation, but we don’t know details until this book. I don’t want to give away too much of the story so I don’t spoil it. I will just say, Ellie is the youngest Montgomery sibling. Her horrible marriage ends in a spectacular fashion, leaving her cruel husband dead. Now we see the aftermath. Single mom Ellie’s life is in shambles and the last thing she wants is Trig, her first love, back in her life. But when the hits keep on coming for her, life has a way of giving you what you need, not what you want.
Broken Halo is not a light, easy read. There is not a lot of humor. This book is an emotional, angsty story, but not in a bad, stomach-ache causing way. I really enjoyed Ellie and Trig’s journey back to each other. They both dealt with some hard life circumstances and needed to come back together in order to heal each other. I liked both of their characters and felt very bad for them both. I definitely felt that they were soulmates who loved each other deeply and were meant to be together. They deserved every bit of happiness they could get. I also enjoyed catching back up with Jen and Eli from Bad Situation. Jen was a great sister and source of support for Ellie during her heartbreak.
Overall, I enjoyed this book! Trig and Ellie’s story is heartbreaking and emotional, but also full of love and hope. Their journey back to happiness was unforgettable. I remain a big fan of Ms. Asher and look forward to more from her in the future!
Does life give you second chances? If it does, do you take it?
OMG!!! Ellie and Trigg are one of my favorite couples, EVER!!! What an amazing story. I fell head over heels for these two instantly. Every struggle they went through, I felt. Every moment of joy, my heart filled. In true Brynne Asher fashion, she kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire book.
Full of suspense, love, hurt, forgiveness, and passion. Broke Halo will draw you in and glow your mind! An absolute MUST READ!! 6 STARS!!
Let me start this review by saying that if you’re only going to read one book this month (and why anyone would do that is beyond me!) read Broken Halo! This book has everything! I picked it up and only stopped to sleep in the wee hours and dove back in! Broken Halo is my idea of a perfect romantic suspense book. It begins with Ellie Montgomery who we met in Bad Situation attending the funeral of a woman that she adored. She had hoped Faye Barrett would be her mother in law a decade prior but fate had other plans for Ellie. So here she is now paying her respects even though she cannot stand the sight of her former lover, Easton “Trig” Barrett. Trig has equal hatred towards Ellie but everyone knows that there’s a thin line between love and hate. Ellie is now a single, widowed mother and she just wants to be left in peace to raise her son and start up her dance studio but there’s trouble on the horizon for Ellie and Trig gets dragged into it no matter how much Ellie wants no part of him. This story is loaded with secrets. So many secrets and I am not going to give a single one away! When I said that this story has it all, it does; laughs, angst, lust, tension, love and second chances. It’s written from dual POV and stands alone in the series but I recommend reading Bad Situation as well so that you can get to know Ellie’s sister Jensen because she is a force to be reckoned with.
Top 5 things I loved about this book:
1 — Texas — I am a Texan … so when a book features my home-state I am always a bit reluctant that the author will not do our Great State justice. Brynne Asher nails it … she does Texas proud. Thank you for that!
2 — Single Parenting – I absolutely adore a single parent romance.
3 — True Love – because that’s why I read romance, it can break you apart and then put you back together with a smile.
4 — Family (both good and bad) meddling family members, yup, that always adds a nice bit of drama.
5 — The numbers … oh my poor heart can’t handle zero three zero nine.
Believe me I have about a million other things I loved about this book, but I won’t bore with that list.
I’m usually not a big fan of flashbacks but it works for this book. It adds such great understanding and allows the reader to feel the depth of love, despair, and yes, even hate.
Trig is a Barrett; Ellie is a Montgomery. And there’s the problem. According to Ellie’s dad there is nothing more evil than a Barrett. So, when Trig and Ellie fall in love and Ellie only just recently turned 18 years old there will be hell to pay. And boy, do they pay.
Fast forward 10 years Trig is back from California and Ellie’s life is in shambles. Trig jumps in to help Ellie because no matter how hard he tries to stay away he can’t … Ellie doesn’t want his help, but she knows he will fight for her no matter what.
My heart melted reading about Trig and Griffin … chicken nuggets and french fries is the way to a child’s heart; pretty much accurate.
The twist and turns of this book will keep you on the edge of your set. I thought I was getting a second chance romance, but it is soooo much more.
OH. MY. GOD.
There are no words to say how good this book is. I mean, by now I’m always sure Ms. Asher will deliver, but you know… there’s always that tiny sliver of apprehension at the back of your mind saying “it’s possible the next one won’t be able to rock your world too”. Well, rest assured because Broken Halo is simply amazing. Now, let me tell you that the second chance romance is not really my favorite trope, I even avoid it most of the time, but Ellie and Trig’s love story will probably be one of my favorite reads of the year.
We met Ellie at first glance during Athica Lane, and then a bit better during Bad Situation, and I won’t lie: she comes off as a bit of a mess. So her life is one really big, complicated, angsty mess and it just keeps getting worse and worse. One of my favorite things about Ellie was how she could let herself be a mess and lose her shit, while at the same time acknowledging it and just keep moving forward. Watching her come back to life was bliss, and I had lots of fun with all the head-butting she did with Trig. The way she loved her baby boy and the lengths she’d go to protect him was also amazing, but it was really once we get to know her full history, the one shared with Trig that I was completely blown away by the way she loved.
Trig was absolutely perfect. He comes off as a douche at first, but again, once we know where he was coming from it’s all forgiven. More so after witnessing the way he pursued Ellie and baby Griff (every time Trig interacted with him was pure ovaries overload). He was hot and sexy as hell, but he was also sweet, loving and when his alpha protective side came out to play… that was just, yowza!
Broken Halo has intrigue, some suspense, action and lots (and I do mean lots of angst). Trig and Ellie’s chemistry and attraction were almost palpable, and when they were together… off the charts hot. I do have to admit that I would have loved to see some people suffer a great deal more but I can’t say that this story didn’t satisfy me in every way. I can’t wait for Ms. Asher’s next book!!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved Tripp and Ellie’s story. It was heartbreaking and amazing all at the same time. I love second chance love stories and this one didn’t disappoint!!! This storyline sucks you in from the very beginning and is super steamy. I love that we got visits from Eli and Jenson too!! Great read!!!
Usually second chance romance book are not my favorite, but Broken Halo blew me away. This is Ellie and Trig’s book, who we met in bad situation. Trig and Ellie were deeply in love until they were torn apart. Ten years later they are very different people. Ellie is now a single mom and Trig is no longer the boy from the other side of the track. Will they ever find their way back to each other? This book is unpredictable and full of emotion. I absolutely loved it. I really loved Trig and Griffin!
Can’t pick your family…
The Montgomery’s are considered the pillars of society and the Barrett’s are the scum of the earth. This is going to seem weird considering the whole series is about them, but I’m not a big fan of the Montgomery family. The Barrett family are not at all like they’re portrayed…well, 2 out of 3 of the Barrett’s are not the scum of the earth. The other one is an absolute DOUCHEWAFFLE! I think every family has one of those you wish you could disown. Can’t pick your family, though unfortunately.
I don’t hate the Montgomery’s, but I don’t particularly like the way they use their money to get whatever they want. The head of the family, Kipp, is an arrogant, domineering jerk. He loves his family so much that he doesn’t care what he must do or who he must pay to keep them protected and out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, his ideas of “in their best interest” and his family’s differ quite considerably. Ellie, the baby of the family and Trig (aka Easton), Ellie’s first love are proof that he got things wrong…very, very wrong.
Now, the Barrett family has a very bad reputation due to Trig’s father, Ray. For the last ten years, Ray has been behind bars for cooking Meth. With such a bad egg for a father, you would think that Trig might have a tendency towards evilness; luckily, his mother, Faye balanced out the bad with her sweet, caring and protective nature. Trig has spent all his life trying to get away from his tainted name while keeping a firm connection with his mother. With the number of barriers in his way, Trig shows amazing strength and resilience to get where he is. Trig Barrett is my favourite kind of hero.
Broken Halo is the story of young love being broken and never recovered from. Love turned to hate and that hate simmered for ten long years. Both Ellie and Trig attempt to live happy and successful lives without each other but something was always missing. Trig made a name for himself and a career he can be proud of but it’s a lonely existence hanging with all his piles of money. Ellie made a bad decision in marriage but walked away with a beautiful son. It takes time for them to move away from the resentment that festered, and they must learn to listen and trust each other again.
While I enjoyed Broken Halo, I have to admit that Ellie drove me a bit crazy. I find it frustrating when the heroines are constantly crying and falling in a heap as the people around are forced to carry her load. I don’t think this was solely Ellie’s fault though. She has spent years being “looked after” by her family and money can fix most things without having to lift a finger. I do see some strength shine through by the end, but I would have liked to see her take charge of her problems instead of counting on Trig.
I LOVED Trig!! His strength, perseverance and determination to be better than what he was born into made him someone I admired. I am very envious of his ability to hide his emotions and use his intelligence when faced with confrontation. I have been known for blowing my top a time or two and regretting it almost immediately. Maybe one day I can grow to be more like Trig.
I enjoyed reading Broken Halo and getting to know a few more of Brynne Asher’s wonderful characters. I honestly think Trig and Griffin (Ellie’s son) stole the show and an honourable mention must go to Eli (Ellie’s soon to be BIL) because he’s funny…and not a Montgomery, just marrying one.
If you haven’t read a Brynne Asher story yet, I highly recommend giving her a try.
Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.