SOMETIMES THE DEEPEST SCARS ARE THOSE NO ONE SEES.Lilah seems to have it all—a great job and a gorgeous boyfriend, but underneath the perfect exterior are bruises left behind by a monster who claims to love her.Damian has a troubled past of his own. He vows to steer clear of love, that is until he meets Lilah—a woman whose secret is slowly consuming her. One look and he knows they’ve met before … secret is slowly consuming her. One look and he knows they’ve met before but he doesn’t know where.
Determined to help her escape the violent relationship she can’t seem to leave, he befriends her, vowing to keep her safe, but protecting Lilah comes at a price.
When their attraction turns into passion and their secrets threaten to tear them apart, will they fight for one another? Or will their demons swallow them whole?
Fragile Scars is a steamy contemporary romance with suspenseful undertones and isn’t suitable for those under 18. It contains strong language, sexual situations and references. It is the 1st book in the Fragile Hearts series. All the books in the series are standalone romances with a different couple, but past couples and characters do make an appearance in later books.
Author Note: Below is a trigger warning for those who may need it. Please stop reading now if you don’t want one. This story contains graphic violence and sexual assault, which may not be suitable for some readers.
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Two beautifully damaged souls work hard to overcome past and present traumas to find connection and love together. It is raw and real and caught me square in the gut. It’s been a long time since a book took me on a personal emotional journey as everything I read seems to be so far from my reality that they are just that, stories. Although I cannot imagine what it would be like to go through everything that Lilah and Damian did, Lilian takes you there and I can personally relate to some of Lilah’s story so it cut close.
This is the first book I’ve read by Lilian and I was really impressed with the writing. I think sometimes it takes a few books for some authors to find their rhythm and style and so in those early books the writing can seem a little immature. That was not the case here. Lilian writes as if she’s been doing it for years even though this was her first published book. There’s a lyrical quality to her writing that at times is almost poetic. The style reminded me of one of my favourite authors who can write the sh*t out of emotional angst (A. L. Jackson). I really hope her other books live up to this one.
Trigger warning :domestic abuse, sexual assault and rape.
This story won’t be for everyone though due to its content, but if you can deal with those triggers it is well worth the read. An emotionally charged story with survival and protection at its core.
Oh my god, I really didn’t expect this one, from the beginning the author had me, I actually read it in a matter of hours, the relationship between the characters made may day and the chemistry was out of this world, you need to be aware of the ups and downs of the books as they may be triggers for some readers, but in my opinion the storyline made the book one of my top favorites this year, as it had you wondering everything and in the end everything turns out perfect, you’ll fall in love with them and the secondary characters, and I can’t wait to read the others story, this is my first book on this author and believe me is not going to be the last.
Before I move ahead with the review, I want to point out the fact that there is a warning in the beginning of this book for a reason. Please if you have triggers of abuse: physically, mentally, and sexually, then please heed the warning and dont read this book. It’s in depth. It’s detailed. Ok…now that that’s out the way…moving on.
Finding a new author and reading their first book is one of my favorite things to so as a reader. I love being there for the first moment. Like watching a baby taking its first steps. It can go 1 of 2 ways, and I love the anticipation of finding out. Well, I have to say, this author did an amazing job for being the debut novel.
Damian grows up like no child should. Abusive father with a mother who wont leave. As if that isnt bad enough, his life takes a turn for the worst. But despite it all, he grows up to be an amazing, strong, determined man. Determined to he nothing like his father. So what does he do? He stays away from love or even the thought of it. Until Lilah.
Lilah finds herself stuck in a life she never wanted or ever thought she would be in. She has become someone she no longer recognizes in the mirror. Shes alone in the darkness that has become her life. Until she meets a stranger who shines a little light.
This is an insta-love kinda story. I’m not an insta-love person, but this one I was ok with. This story was dark and hard. This book had me in my emotions the whole damn time. Hitting on so many heart strings, it was hard to catch my breath. These characters kept getting hit from ever side, at every single moment. It was just….overwhelming. But I loved it. The only thing I did wish this story had, was more of an in depth emotional, mental relationship between the two main characters. The physical was there…ALOT. But there wasnt much of them getting to know each other.
Overall…great start but what I’m hoping will be an amazing author. Keeping an eye out for future work by her.
Oh My Wow! I love loved this book so much!!! I loved everything about it. The characters, the storyline, the writing, just everything. It was so great!
This is Lilians first book, and boy did she set the standards high for herself, and her for her readers.
What a story this was!! An emotional rollercoaster, ups and downs, and just everything else between.
Lilah and Damian meet while out at a bar with their different friends, and HE ends up living across the hall from her! SURPRISE!!!
Lilah is in a relationship, and in one that she shouldn’t be in. She can’t get out of it cause it’ll expose her WHOLE secret to the world. Damian is single and has been for some time now as he doesn’t want to become his father.
Little does he know that Lilah is in the same boat his mother was.
Can he build a friendship with her to get closer to her, and help her?
Can he save her?
Can Lilah take the chance with her secret getting out there if she can get away from her boyfriend?
I really enjoyed the mystery part of it, not really a mystery, but the suspense of it, and just hoping that they could find a way to make things work, cause of her boyfriend, and how he is.
Their chemistry was so strong, you could feel it coming out of my kindle! I LOVED IT!!
I also loved that there was unspoken conversations happening. So one character would say something, and the other character would answer in their head. I know that may not sound right, but it was just so great with this book!
Some of my fave quotes from the book:
1. “You’re just so nice to me, and I gave you the finger, twice.” – Lilah cracks me up!
2. “Oh please, can you go fuck him already? I know you two like each other, so just do it.” – I love Lilah’s friend! She’s so funny!
3. “Bye! See you soon. Try to keep your legs closed on the ride over.” – Lexi at it again! LOL!
4. “It may be sooner than you think.” – OMG! I about died when I read this. YES!!!!!!!!!!!
And then chapter 34 broke my heart so much, and made me cry in public, on the bus on the way to work!!! Thanks Lilian!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it will not be my last! I am in love with the story. There was some delicate topics, but I love when authors incorporate events that could happen in real life. Yes, I read to escape, however, life is life. It’s not perfect and reading perfect stories where nothing is wrong or nothing happens, I’m bored.
So yes, great book! Great author. Ready to read more!
So I was initially supposed to read and review book 4 of this series but I couldn’t just skip to the end obviously. Let me tell you, don’t skip this book! It was INCREDIBLE!! I may have officially fallen behind on my reading schedule but I do NOT care, sorry not sorry.
Damien, UGH my heart!! I adored him! He was such an amazing character, completely selfless and ready to do anything to save the woman he cares about. Lilah was so strong and just did what she felt she had to do to protect herself.
Something I’m seeing in reviews is the speed that these two connected and fell. Here’s the thing, these two didn’t have a lot to go on in regards to a fully functioning relationship. Both of them experienced trauma and distanced themselves from further connections for fear of getting hurt or hurting others. It’s completely plausible that they would recognize that in each other and cling to it. Not to mention other factors I won’t spoil.
The other thing I saw addressed was people getting angry about Lilah’s secret. Something that people need to understand is the power of manipulation that abusers perfect in order to control their victims. They are ruthless and they sever all reason so that their victims feel that they have nowhere to turn. It isn’t going to make sense to someone who isn’t experiencing it. Please go into this with an open mind and remember that these two are survivors of terrible abuse and trauma.
This is a truly fantastic read and I hope you give it a chance!
4 “SHE ISN’T MINE” STARS!!!
“For everyone who’s with an Ash but deserves a Damian. It’s never too late.”
This quote was the first thing I read in this book and it hit me deep. At that point I knew this was going to be a meaningful and emotional story and I was absolutely right. This book deals with domestic violence and how it can affect people’s lives not only while it’s happening but for years to come. Damian and Lilah both experienced it. Him while watching his parents during childhood and her in the every-day life with her current boyfriend.
“She deserves to smile, to be taken care of, and to be loved.”
Lilah was stuck in a loveless relationship where she didn’t know how to get out of. She was sweet but at the same time so strong. To go through what she did is not easy, it was terrible and even though maybe she didn’t always made the best decisions she did what she could with the hand she was dealt with and I truly admired her.
“It’s still hard to believe that the boy who once thought he would never take the plunge, fell so hard.”
Damian was such an amazing hero. He had so many scars from childhood but he never shied away from always being there for her. When he notices the pattern repeating, he does everything to protect and help her. He was so sweet to her and from the moment he saw her across the bar she was it for him. There was no going back.
“I’d never let you fall, not without catching you first.”
From the note till the end their relationship was one of the most beautiful I ever read about. From the get go they were so comfortable with each other, their relationship developed so naturally and I feel like there are such a strong couple because of all the emotions they experienced together in such a short amount of time. This book had amazing characters, great banter, steam, a lot of struggle but then so much healing. I loved this couple from the beginning, but when I learned a specific part of their backstory I was done for!! They were truly made for each other.
“Yep, he is all mine. Even on my dark days, he finds a way to make me smile.”
This was my first book by the author but I’m already in love with her writing. It’s so beautiful and meaningful; I highlighted so many quotes I lost count. Now, I can’t wait to know more about some of my favorite secondary characters.
Fragile Scars is a heartbreaking story. I had so many emotions while reading it. This is Lilian Harris debut novel, and she didn’t disappoint. I really liked her writing style.
Damien has a traumatic past with an abusive father and thinks this will cause him to be alone all his life. The way he saw himself pained me. He is so sweet, sensitive, and hot. I love a man who can show his feelings. Damien is the perfect book boyfriend.
His neighbor Lilah is in an abusive relationship, she is desperate to get out, but her abuser is blackmailing her, so she is trapped. She is so brave and strong. I admired her for getting out of her relationship and fighting for the life she wants.
Damien and Lilah have an instant connection. They learn they can overcome the past together. Damien cares so beautifully for Lilah, it was so sweet.
Fragile Scars is an emotional story about hope, healing, trust, second chances, and desire. The author did a great job of sharing a powerful message. It wasn’t something I usually read, but I enjoyed it and will read the other books in de series.
Triggers Warning: this book does contain graphic depictions of violence and non-consensual sex.
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Lilian Harris was a new to me author with Fragile Scars. First off, this book needs a trigger warning for domestic abuse, Lilian is great about disclosing this, but I wanted to make sure it was also at the start of my review.
Damian has scars from his childhood, scars so deep that he doesn’t let anyone woman close to him, just in case he turns into the monster who gave him life. No woman has even gotten close, until he sees Lilah for the first time.
Lilah has her own demons that haunt her, demons that she doesn’t see a way to get rid of. But maybe Damian is the light within the dark.
Overall this was a really great book, there was a bit of a fated mate type of feel to it that I am usually not the biggest fan of in a contemporary story. But that is my only complaint, and it honestly worked well in this story. The characters were well written and it was a great debut novel by Lilian. I have already started book 2 .
Fragile Scars
(Fragile Hearts #1)
Written by: Lilian Harris
Fragile Scars is the story of Damian Prescott and Lilaha McDaniels, neither one of them are looking to date or even meet anyone. There is something though, that draws them to each other the night they met. Something that seems familiar but whatever that is they can’t put a finger on it.
Damian is a partner in a global security firm and Lilaha works a paralegal. Both enjoy their jobs but Lilaha seems hesitant to even chat to another man. When Damian ends up renting the apartment across from her, Lilaha is afraid now someone might find out about her secret.
Lilian Harris has given readers a well-written story about two people who have experienced abuse in their lifetimes. One witnessed abuse as a child and one is currently in an abusive situation. When you add in secrets that are being kept, a new player who is overprotective and only wants to help, you can see how a person would get trapped in a situation they feel they have no way of leaving.
Harris gives each character a chance to develop from the beginning of the story to the end and shines light on abuse, a subject that needs to continue to be the subject of discussion.
I’m looking forward to book two where I am sure we will see characters we meet in book one.
Wow! This is Lillian’s debut, and she hit it out of the park! Lilah has been lying to herself and everyone around her for so long because she is independent and self-reliant. Now though the walls are closing in around her, and she feels like she is smothering. The man who claims to love her is extremely abusive. Damian is an Ex-Delta Force Operative and now runs a security company with his two best friends. They go to their usual bar to have a drink and run into Lilah and Lexi. Damian feels an automatic attraction to the beauty at the end of the bar, although he has never done relationships because of the fear he has that he will end up abusive like his father was. He asks the bartender to send her a drink and gets a bad reaction from Lilah, who storms off. Lexi goes over to the guys to apologize and explain that her friend is just upset. The following day Lilah gets a surprise when she leaves her apartment and finds Damian across the hall with her super. Damian can’t believe his eyes seeing her again and immediately takes the apartment. Ash is starting to push Lilah to get married and she keeps working hard to placate him in order to keep stalling, but the abuse is getting worse by the day and his dark side is getting darker. Damian now living next door, starts to see why she is so sad and his need to protect her is all-consuming. Ash sees her talking to Damian one day while coming to see her and gets enraged, it ends in more physical abuse. Damian can hear her crying from across the hall and goes over to comfort her. Their feelings start to grow, and Damian is telling her that he knows how this will end if she doesn’t get away from him, but he doesn’t know that Ash is blackmailing Lilah. Her feelings for Damian keep blooming and she realizes after he degrades and uses her for the last time that she doesn’t care anymore if he uses what he has against her she just wants out. Ash lies and tells her he knows he has a problem and is going to get help, so they take a break. Ash finally calls and says he is better and wants to prove himself, Lilah agrees to a date but its a trap and it ends with her in the hospital. Damian is by her side the entire time. Ash gets arrested but is released with an ankle monitor because of his influential family. Lilah is recovering and back home staying with Damian now, and they are finally together as a couple learning each other and things come to light that blows their minds. A couple of weeks later, Damian gets in the shower and Lilah decides to run across the hall to grab something from her own apartment but it turns out to be a living nightmare. Ash is lying in wait having cut the monitor from his ankle. Damian gets out of the shower, realizing she is gone and opens the door to see her apartment door ajar when he pushes it open there stands his love with the maniac that has already terrorized her enough. Damian sees red! He will not let it happen again! HEA!! This story has all the feels!! Great Writing!! Please heed the trigger warnings!!
I was about to say that this is the first book I’ve read by Lilian Harris, which is true, but I found out that this is the FIRST BOOK she’s written. And wow, she did such an amazing job! I devoured it! I love Lilah’s character. She is beautiful, strong, and brave. She’s a survivor. I couldn’t even begin to imagine going through what others in her situation go through. My heart breaks for them. Damian couldn’t have come into her life at a better time. He is sexy, caring, and selfless. He sees what Liliah is going through and he does anything and everything to protect her. They have a strong connection which is sad but also sweet. This book is steamy *fire emojis* and angsty. There is some suspense and some hard to read trigger scenes throughout this book, but I recommend this read! I cannot wait for the others in the Fragile Hearts series! Stay tuned tomorrow for the cover reveal of the second book, Fragile Lies!
Phew! Trigger warnings!! If you struggle with domestic abuse in any form, beware!
I have been blessed to never know what Damian’s mom nor what Lilah have been through. So some of the things Lilah does, I don’t relate to, nor understand. Frankly, even Damian, since he also witnessed abuse.
Some of it felt a bit fast. Kinda insta love. For me, it was too fast of a transition from one man to another.
That being said, this book gives you an emotional ride, for both Damian and Lilah.
Ultimately what I enjoyed about this book, is that you never really know what people go through. It makes you pause and think about signs you missed or chose to ignore when someone needed you.
A fantastic start for an author!!
Lilah and Damian do not have an easy road to happiness. This book is not an easy read. There is rape, mental abuse and physical abuse. Damian’s mother was killed by his abusive father when he was a child. He was so afraid of being like him he stayed away from serious relationships. When he meets Lilah he quickly realizes she is in a similar situation. He is an alpha male. He wants to rescue her. Lilac is trapped and doesn’t know how to get out. The abuse is in your face and hard to read but Lilah proves strong. Good story for a first time author. Characters you want to fight for.
Nice epilogue
This was a new author for me. It came highly recommended by a good friend of mine. Can’t believe this is a debut novel. It was so good! It had me totally hooked from beginning to end, flipping page after page.
Loved Damian and Lilah’s story. I am so looking forward to the next in this series.
Fragile Scars by Lilian Harris is a suspenseful contemporary romance. This is the first book in the Fragile Hearts series. All the books in the series are interconnected standalone romances with a different couple, but past couples and characters do make an appearance in later books.
This book does come with an Authors Note: “This story contains graphic violence and sexual assault, which may not be suitable for some readers.”
This is the first book of Lilian’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. This book will take you on an emotional roller coaster and some scenes can be hard to read. I absolutely loved Damian and Lilah and had to know how their story was going to end. Lilian did an amazing job making me feel all the emotions of both characters. I cannot wait to dive into the next book in the series Fragile Lies to get Lexi and Jax’s story.
I would highly recommend this book if you love contemporary romances or suspenseful romances.
I really did enjoy this book, it was a good story with really solid characters. There are definitely hard moments to read in this book. Moments, for people who have never been in an abusive situation, will have a hard time reading. You will get frustrated with Lilah. You will not understand her thought process, or the things that she does but unfortunately for so many women that is a reality.
Damien, oh my heart broke for him. How much he suffered as such a young child and then to finally find someone and then have to watch her go through what his mother did is unimaginable. He is such a great character though. I loved the side characters too and cannot wait to read Jax and Lexi’s story.
3.5 Stars
Fragile Scars drew me in and held my interest, it wasn’t a easy read, and it might contain some triggers for some. This is this author’s debut story, and I thought she wrote a good, insta-love, emotional story. However there were a couple of times that repetition happened. The characters Dylan and Lillah, were likeable, and they felt a spark towards eachother from the moment their eyes connected. I’m looking forward to the next book from this author.
Fragile Scars is a heart wrenching page turner That completely wrecked me and then put me back together again by the end of the book. Such a powerful, beautifully broken story.
Domestic violence does not discriminate. Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender can be a victim, or sometimes the perpetrator. It can happen to people who are married, living together, or who are dating, and it could go from verbal to physical abuse. u2063
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Each type of abuse is serious, and no one deserves to experience it.u2063
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Fragile Scars by Lilian Harris is a story about Lilah’s abuse, and how even with all the support she had, she couldn’t get out of that circle. u2063
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A good story with a deserved happy ending! The only thing I felt it was missing was Lilah’s healing process, personally, I would have loved to read it. u2063
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Anyway, kudos to the author for touching such a painful subject in her first book! u2063
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If you are a woman or a man in an abusive relationship, it’s important you know that you’re not alone, and you don’t need to suffer in silence. u2063
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