Pain is something Bailey knows all too well, having endured it since she was a child from those who were supposed to protect her. Escaping one form of Hell, she finds another with the man she marries. After years of heinous abuse, tragedy strikes, and Bailey has no choice but to flee. Jaded Hollow was supposed to be a temporary stop. A place to take a deep breath after months on the run. What … deep breath after months on the run.
What Bailey didn’t count on were the people welcoming her with open arms. Making her feel safe and protected for the first time in her life.
Especially Jaxon Walker. The tattooed bar owner who’s determined to get under her skin and force her to reveal her deepest secrets. Even if it puts everyone she cares about in danger.
Just when Bailey finds the love she’s been searching for her whole life, her past blazes its way into the dream world she’s been living.
Will Jaxon save Bailey before it’s too late? Or will the evil that is her husband finally finish her off?
DISCLAIMER: Intended for readers 18 years and older due to abusive situations, sexual content, and adult language.
This title was previously published as Shatter Me, The Jaded Series, Book One. The content is still the same.
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This book sat on my kindle awhile before I built up the nerve to read it. I knew from the original cover and blurb that it would finish me….and it nearly did…….and I don’t know what the hell I was thinking? I couldn’t review right after reading it because I was still too emotional! Bailey has been through unspeakable traumas when she ends up in Jaded Hollow, a close knit community. She is low on funds and needs a job before moving on, when she meets Jaxon. Jaxon owns the bar where she goes to get a job………..and that’s all you’re getting because I don’t want to give anything away! Jaxon melted my heart, this book took my heart, shattered it and put it back together. The chapter before the epilogue finished me!! I am off to one click the next one now! Fantastic job Alex!
Bailey has lived through unspeakable abuse at the hands of the people who raised her and the one person she thought she could trust, her husband. This same person betrayed that trust by violating her both physically and emotionally until it was getting worse and landing her in the hospital where she mustered up the strength to flee with the help of her only best friend.
Bailey is now on the run from that life before it killed her when she stumbles upon a small town in search of a job when her cash flow runs out. Things fall into place when she lands a job at the local pub and meets the owner, Jaxson.
Jaxson is a protector. He is drawn to Bailey. He sees the fear in her eyes. His past demons make his need to keep Bailey safe something he cannot control. The other thing he cannot control is his heart and the feelings he so quickly develops for her.
The story is a great combination of dark, emotional, gritty, and yet romantic at the same time. Even though there is a beautiful love story, this is not your typical hearts and flowers romance, not even close, but the relationship between them was beautiful as their layers were peeled away exposing the abuse, the fear, and the thoughts that haunts them. The added suspense of knowing when Bailey’s past would catch up with her keeps you on edge making you flip the pages wanting more. Everything comes to a head and you will hold your breath and be shocked at the special kind of crazy that Bailey is running from rears its ugly head and turns Jaded Hallow upside down.
Awesome, It kept me on the edge of my seat, very emotional, I want more books like this one!!
****Warning this book contains scenes of rape and violence ****
Wow !! Alex Grayson I was totally blown away with this book and can’t believe this is your FIRST. I really don’t want to give spoilers. You MUST read and experience for yourself….
The main character has been through hell and back again. By chance, she finds herself in a small town and meets a lovely young man, that wants to help her….
I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much while reading. This was one very emotional and captivating story, that will leave you pacing the room and wanting to throw your kindle. That been said, this book is not all dark, it does have light, happiness, love and laughter. I was left thinking about this book long after I finished and can’t wait to read more by this author…
I struggled with whether or not to read this book because of the subject matter. I will say- if you are aware of the violence, it is “easier” to read it. I know some people won’t be able to handle it, but the majority of the violence are flash backs and oddly I found that comforting. Maybe it will be enough for you to read it too!
Shatter Me will break off pieces of your heart. You may not get them all back. I suspect you will be looking for a machete before the book is over to cause damage to at least one person. Rest assured, you are not alone. This book (and probably the series- when I get to read the rest) is hauntingly real. It happens in real life and too many people think its fun for books. I appreciate the realism. The fact that just because you find a hunky guy that your issues aren’t over. I might come off jaded but there’s a time for realism in your fiction and time for rainbows. As much as you always want rainbows…that’s not real.
Now you’ve probably given up reading this long review because I come off sounding like Debbie Downer, but know that it is a tragically beautiful story that needs to be read. I am cautiously optimistic about the rest of the series, however Jaded it is.
So what to take away from this dreary review:
Its a beautiful story that has some tragically realistic violence.
The second characters will make anything better (be on the look out for Andrew’s t-shirts- they caused me to snort a vinaigrette dressing)
There is an HEA for some.
Tissues are a very strong suggestion, maybe some one to snuggle with afterwards as well.
Book received in exchange of an honest review. Reviewed on behalf of Once Upon An Alpha
Love anything by Mrs. Grayson
Wow!! Shatter Me is so raw, dirty, twisted, and oh so damn good!! The emotional journey of Bailey’s story not only shattered me, but absolutely wrecked me. This was one hell of an emotional roller coaster, but one that was well worth the ride.
This is a dark read and may not be for everyone, but if you are a fan of dark reads, I highly recommend.
Happy Reading Everyone!!
Shatter Me is dark, disturbing, and hopeful. That sounds like a strange combination, but those most accurately describe the overall feel of the story for me. Bailey’s story starts when she’s on the run from a truly vile man, one who is also her husband. Throughout the book, we get flashbacks, mostly in the form of nightmares, of the horrendous abuse and torture that she suffered at Steven’s hand. Add to that the abuse she endured during her childhood, and many parts of this one are absolutely heart-wrenching. The hope comes in when she lands in Jaded Hollow, Ohio and quickly becomes enmeshed in the lives of the people there.
There were a few things that require a certain suspension of belief, like how she so easily trusts Jaxon and how no one ever questioned Steven’s actions, but this is fiction, after all, and some liberties can be allowed to keep a story moving along.
Shatter Me is very emotional and those emotions do come across vividly. The characters are interesting and well-written, stirring feelings that make you want to root for them or see them get their just desserts, depending on the character.
Overall, the author has painted a picture of small-town, America, with people that are willing to help others. Jaxon and his friends and family give Bailey that hope that she so desperately needs in her life and I will be checking out the next book in the series – I’m dying to know what’s up with Mia and Mack.
Just wow. So heavy. This book was painful. It had me in tears numerous times for the suffering Bailey has been through. Especially at the hand s of those who should have protected her. Her crappy family and then someone who should have protected and loved her. Only to not only abuse but allow others to hurt her as well. After running she ends up in this small town where everyone knows everyone and meets Anna, Jaxon and Mia. Siblings. She gets a job and starts to try to save up to stay on the run. But is drawn into the protective fold of Jaxon and his family. He is instantly drawn to her and wants nothing but to help her and protect her. Jaxon is the total package. Ripped, tattooed and bad boy exterior with a soft gooey center. (The piercings just put him over the top good god ). Then her last comes back with a vengeance. Ugh such a horrible excuse for a human Being and he never seemed to have a shortage of low life friends willing to join in on the torture. Such a horrific and sad ending but then a bitter sweet HEA.
4*
Bailey is running from Steven her abusive ex husband, finding herself in a new place shes wary about people and who she can trust.
Jaxson can’t help how protective he feels towards Bailey and knows that there is more to the beautiful scared woman.
I loved how Jaxon was so gentle and seemed to know her more than she knew herself.
Baileys characters really drew you in to the reality of what some people unfortunately live with.
I thought the book was well written and with understanding of fear, trust etc.
Great story
Hardcore savagery. Unthinkable tragedy and heartbreaking. Happy ending but….
It was a heart breaking story. I am glad you gave a happy ending with a baby for the couple. It is hard to believe that those things happen in our world. But they do. God chose me to help others, so I know a little about this subject. Katie
This book was so good I want to read it again
I was totally caught off guard – dark but at the same time could not put it down.
This story has it all.
If sexual abuse is a tigger for you, you should try something lighter.
All I want to ask the author is why? Why Anna?
This story hit so many emotions. You feel the how the characters feel. Wow! This one had all the highs and lows. Could not put it down.
Title: Shatter Me
Series: The Jades Series #1
Author: Alex Grayson
Publisher: Alex Grayson
Edition: Kindle
Amount of Pages: 241
Genre: Dark, Romance, Suspense
SPOILERS
Cliffhanger: No
HEA/HFN: HEA
Cheating: No
Triggerwarnings: Rape, Sodomy, Abuse, Still born child (well it was basically child murder, Baileys husband throws her down the stairs and beats her when she is 8 months pregnant), Miscarriages (caused by her husband by beating her etc.), Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, child abuse, Most of this happened to Bailey in the past but she relives it in vivid detail. She and her friend Anna do get raped and beaten in the ‘current time’ as well. Anna dies because of the injuries inflicted to her during her captivity.
Bailey was sexually assaulted when she was a child, it happend more than once. Her parents where drug addicts that did nothing to protect her and if I recall correctly they got off watching people assault her.
Love Triangle: No
Insta Love/ Insta Lust: No
Single Parent/Kids/Pregnancy: There is a pregnancy in the epilogue.
END SPOILERS
Date Read: 11-02-2020
Favorite Quote: “Each story needs to be heard.”
Review:
This book was intense. You definitely need to be in the mood to read this. And you have to be mentally prepared for this book. I felt so bad for Bailey reading what happend to her. And the thought that this happens to so many women out there is, well it gets you to think.
This book handled terrible issues so well. It shows that problems don’t go away in a heartbeat and that it takes time to overcome trauma.
What is this book about:
Bailey didn’t have it easy growing up. Her drug addicted parents never cared for her and certainly didn’t look after her or love her. She thought things would get better for her when she met her husband at collage. She hoped she’d get the love she always hoped for. But she is mistaken. After they got married he started to change. His behavior started to get worse and worse. See the trigger warning spoiler if you want more details. It is terrible what happend to her. After one terrible event she got the courage to get out with the help of her friend. She ran away from him.
On one of her stops, she gets a bar tending job in order to get some money so she can move on. She didn’t count on staying in this small town. She didn’t count on meeting people that would grow to become her friends and family, and she certainly didn’t count on the hot, charming, and protective owner of the bar, Jaxon, to be interested in her. But more importantly she didn’t count on being interested in him as well? She didn’t know what it could feel like to be loved and respected and not be afraid of a man.
Sadly, the dark cloud that is her husband is still hanging over her, she knows with his connections it’s only a matter of time that he will find her and this time she won’t get out of it alive.
What did I like/love:
I loved Jackson, he was such a perfect man. He was respectful and respective and protective of the people he loved. He has been through his own fair share of pain in the past but it made him who he is. And the way he is with Bailey is just perfect.
I loved Bailey as well, she went through so much and my heart went out for her, I wished I could have jumped in the book and help her.
The supporting characters where great as well. I really want to learn their stories was well.
What did I dislike/hate:
/
Rating:
5 Intensely amazing stars
This was such a hauntingly good read! Bailey is running from her abusive husband when she stumbles into small town in Ohio. Jaxon owns the bar where she gets a job. Their story is hard to read sometimes. Bailey has suffered horribly and is skittish around people. Jaxon knows she is hiding secrets and wants her to trust him. He has his work cut out for him though. Bailey doesn’t trust anyone. This book won’t be for everyone but I think you are missing out on a wonderful book if you don’t read it.
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Amazing book
*Sigh* It was a really good book, but I just couldn’t finish those last couple chapters. I was completely and utterly devastated. Not only did Bailey go through hell, but ANNA! Nooooooo! I’m so sad! But only because this book was so well written and you get really attached to all the characters. Except Steven, never Steven.
This book nearly killed me! It’s emotional, haunting, brutal and painful to read about a woman being brutalized by the one person who is suppose to love her unconditionally. With that being said, Alex Grayson writes of a woman shatter but not broken, never broken. Gives one hope. Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.