Flawed, I am.Cracks, I have and they run deep.But I refuse to accept that I’m damaged.
Six years ago, I turned my life around; moved to a new country, and started from fresh leaving behind the demons and shame that once haunted me. Forgetting the worst moment of my life was impossible but without constant reminders, it was easy to pretend that it never happened.
But then a man surfaced out of … happened.
But then a man surfaced out of the ashes and awoke all those memories from where they’d been stowed. In an instant, the walls I built around myself started crumbling and I was forced to face the past I wanted so hard to forget. But would he be able to pick up the broken pieces, or would I lose my chance at true love?
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Flawed by Lym Cruz is a debut novel. After reading Flawed, I believe this new author showed very much promise. I will look forward to her next book. This was book #1 in the Imperfectly Perfect Series. It is a standalone novel, with the next book featuring a couple we met in this novel.
Melissa Alford has moved to a new country, trying to turn her shameful past of 6 years ago, far behind. She has a promising future and good friends. Yet leaving the worst time of her life behind was much harder then she thought. Running into Andrew Malcom after six years, brought her past into her future. If Andrew only knew he had saved her life that night six years ago. She had the urge to run when he showed up in her new life. But he was here now, and she couldn’t run every time he showed up. Eventually they would need to talk. She was flawed but not damaged. She was cracked but not broken. She intended on staying in one piece. If she had to deal with Andrew Malcom, then she would!
Andrew was shocked to see Melissa again especially here. He thought when he left that night, he would never see her again. Throughout the years, he had thought of her. Now he would get the answers to questions he never had asked. He found out her mother was Brazilian and her father was British. She had this rare beauty. They had a strong pull to each other, but so many issues and roadblocks would stand in their way to any kind of future. There are more twist and turns to this story that a roller coaster. Personally I felt Melissa was too stubborn and created most of their problems. Andrew was a dream boyfriend.
They had no idea where their life was going to take them, but he wanted Melissa by his side. She was imperfectly perfect! As you read this story, you will wonder if they will ever have their HEA.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Warning, while I try my best to make sure there are no spoilers in my review, there is always a chance that something any review says could count as a spoiler for you. If you want to just know my overall opinion on the book, and if I recommend it, please skip to my Overall and Would I Recommend It section.
Perfection seems to be the thing we always want to achieve. It’s the one thing that we seem to want more than anything, and yet we also see perfection for what it is, boring. It’s in the imperfections that we see rainbows and beauty. It’s in the cracks that run along dishes and paintings that we see life. It’s also true that we see the most interesting and deep people in those who have flaws, cracks in their otherwise pristine mask that lets us see true beauty.
Flawed was a bit of an odd mix of emotions for me. The book starts off with our hero, Andrew, running into a woman he met, and fell for, six years ago that he thought he would never see again, Melissa.
Andrew was a really interesting character to me. I loved how well rounded he was. He has his very dominant traits and is an alpha male for sure, but he is also a very loyal man who has a very sweet side. He wants nothing more than to make those around him happy, but he also knows that to fully do that he needs to be happy, so he winds up having to make some hard decisions that are really heart melting.
Melissa is very confused. I felt that she was actually running towards the future she never thought she wanted, yet deep down it was all she wanted. There is a large hesitation to how she approaches the situation she finds herself in with Andrew that was, at times, both frustrating and confusing. However this heroine had a fire in her that was amazing. She had no problem telling people how it was when push came to shove. With what happened in her past, I really loved that character growth. Melissa’s back story was really heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. It takes quite a great deal of strength and courage to do what she does in order to survive. The way she pulls herself back together is really remarkable as well.
The thing that kept me from fully loving this book was the frustration of how the secret of Melissa and Andrew’s past is hinted at. It is one center focus from the start yet not fully revealed for quite some time. While I do understand keeping that a secret, when it’s hinted at to the extent and way in which it is hinted at, wrong concludes can and were made. At times, it had me wondering if she had brain damage, and at other times I was wondering if Andrew was actually a bad guy. This caused a lot of confusion and frustration for me at the beginning of the book. I am glad I pushed through that though and got the rest of the story.
This book has some insanely well done heated scenes too. I loved how Andrew approached the situation of winning Melissa’s heart and how he approached the sensitive subject of sex with her. The way he woos her was heart-melting, and the wait for the full steamy scenes was well worth it.
Overall:
Flawed is a read with characters that you can relate to because they are not all perfect specimens. I loved how each of them had their little cracks and problems that they worked through. However, there are some rough parts to this book that caused frustration and does drag it’s rating down a bit.
Would I Recommend It:
It would depend on your reading preference. So I’d have to say maybe on this one.
This story is intense and travels to some shadowy places that we often don’t wish to traverse. But Lym Cruz handles the curves with an elegant and graceful storytelling ability.
The story of Melissa and Andrew pulsates with a depth of soul and remains with you long after you’ve read the final page.
Her attention to detail is extraordinary and enables readers to visualize every scene with the clarity of a Hollywood movie.
Lym Cruz shows that love is not a shiny and perfect toy but a living and breathing entity with as many challenges as triumphs.
Melissa is a young woman trying to forget about her past. She has moved to another country, made new friends and things are going well. She runs into Andrew, a guy she knew from six years ago that will make things difficult to forget. Andrew is stunned to see Melissa in the law office after leaving her in the hotel room. He’s never forgotten her and thinks about her. This is a story about being flawed and learning to deal with regrets and the past. A good read.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
I can’t believe this is Lym’s debut novel!
“Flawed” but likable characters in this multi-layered, complex love story take you on a wild ride for sure! I LOVE strong female leads, and Mel did not disappoint! I could have done without the constant “mom and ex-girlfriend” drama (which made me roll my eyes a few times) – but this was definitely a book full of steamy bits, suspense and a movie-like HEA. Well done!
(I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion)
I got this as an ARC for an honest review.
This is my first read by this author.
THISSTORYPEOPLE!!! Gahh if you love a steamy, sexy but suspenseful story with twist and turns, then look no further!
I will say Andrew started off a little rocky with me but boy did he win me over! I felt bad for him with how unhappy he was wit his life, job and family. He was trying to make his parents happy but they never thought about his feelings. They had his life planned out for him but never wanted his opinion on it. Then he runs into the one girl he never thought he would ever see again.
Melissa thought starting over in a new country would help her forget her past but we all know how well that goes. She might have been able to forget it but she was well on her way to getting over it. She had wonderful friends and was almost done with school. Then she sees those same caramel eyes she could never forget, even after 6 years, they still haunt her dreams but in a good way.
Loved everything about Andrew and Melissa! Their story was so different but had such a passion about it what just drew you in!
I cannot wait for the next in the series.
5⃣ and a % recommendation!
4.5 stars
Snapshot-
Trigger warning: sex trafficking
Ideal reader: someone who likes darkish romances
My review:
1) What worked for me:
-I liked Andew and Melissa as individuals and as a couple
-there were exciting twists and turns
-the steamy scenes were good
2) What did not work for me:
-the sex trafficking subject matter was difficult to read (but it didn’t go into great detail)
Lym Cruz debut book was a phenomenal read. It was a semi-dark, story with a beautiful touch. It had all the emotions you could ever ask for in a book. The story will make you walk an emotional journey between right and wrong. . I love how this story shines a light on morals and values behind powerful people. The characters well written and nothing left you questioning. The supporting characters well a joy to read and the villains The book was unpredictable and action packed. This is one debut book that you need to read. I can’t wait to see what Lym Cruz comes out with next.
Let me start with I was NOT ready for this book! Melissa comes to the states to get away from her mistakes. After 6 years she sees Andrew, a man who knew what she used to be. Andrew’s life has been all about keeping his parents happy since his sister left. Until he sees Melissa then he realizes what he wants in life. The turmoil of their love has ups and downs. Money and skin color could tear them apart. Parents with secrets. Does the past stay in the past?
From start to finish Lym has your attention. The story is fast paced from beginning to end, and it’s a long ride. I recieved an ARC for my honest opinion and my opinion is this… you want to dive into this story! Andrew and Melissa’s love is intense.
I really liked the flow of this book. It drew u in from the start.
The plot was well developed. The characters had chemistry and were well thought out..
I really enjoyed reading this book.
Melissa is a different person than she was 6 years ago. She’s turned her life around and is moving forward. When she runs into Andrew Malcolm, the past she was trying so hard to forget is brought back to the forefront. Andrew could never forget that night 6 years ago, now that he’s seen Melissa again, he refuses to let her go. The problem is, Andrew is a reminder of the life Melissa wants to forget, but he is also someone she can’t stop thinking about. As the two get to know each other and spend more time together, it’s clear they have chemistry. The question is, when their pasts come roaring back into their present, can they make it work?
This is Lym Cruz’s debut novel but with the way she writes, I would have never guessed that. She setup this book beautifully, from the characters to the plot everything about this book was spectacular! I really loved that this wasn’t just a second chance type of book, there were so many other facets to this book, and it was truly so well rounded. From laughter, to suspense, to joy, to sadness, you name the emotion and this book will make you feel it! I love when books make me feel so many emotions, and make me feel like I’m just as much a part of the story, and ‘Flawed’ did just that. This book was amazing, and I am so ready to for book 2!
Wow what a rollercoaster of emotions in this book! It was a well written story of Melissa & Andrew. A chance meeting 6 years ago saved Melissa’s life, little did she know they would meet again and he would no longer be a blurred fantasy in her mind! She encaptured his heart and he wasn’t about to let her go no matter what it took. I cannot wait for what is next by this author
The good character and storyline development kept me totally engaged from start to finish! This was the first book that I have read from this author and it definitely will not be the last!
Wow!! This story gripped me from the first chapter! The pacing and character development were phenomenal. The story unfolds slowly keeping you hooked ready to find out more.
Melissa, a Brazilian beauty, has moved far away from a past mistake that still haunts her. The pain she endured is one she does not share.
Andrew, the wealthy lawyer, plays a role in her past and wants to be part of her future.
The instant attraction and connection between these two is amazing. But like every good love story, it doesn’t come easy. So many things are trying to keep them apart.
A fantastic read!!!
Andrew is caught in a family of very rich, very hard, very superficial people. When he sees the one woman he has never forgotten all he can do is dream of a future together. Although her memory of the encounter is flawed as is her idea of his view of her, their attraction still rages on after all this time. Getting her again will be hard, but getting his family on board may be impossible. This is a good romance. A story of true love and the battle to overcome racism and snobbery to be with the one you love.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved Melissa and Andrew’s story! It is a heart wrenching emotional roller coaster ride full of betrayal, deceit, secrets, lies, judgement, moving on, love, second chances, friends, family, loyalty and so much more.
They met by chance under odd circumstances 6 years ago and over the years neither of them have forgotten the other. When Andrew see’s her again after all those years he’s surprised and becomes infatuated but Melissa is stunned and terrified since he knows about her sordid past. They have a second chance but with his family against them, her past haunting her and coming to disrupt the present their building and the secrets that stay hidden their journey is a rocky one. Buckle up and hang on!