Branch McGuireHot, arrogant and life of the party … high-profile status. The only nod to my roots is my annual trip for a celebrity spotlight fix, but when I receive a call that forces an impromptu return home, everything I left behind comes barreling to the surface.
Ragan Prescott
Determined, resilient and born of a drug addict …
From the outside, my life was that of a free-spirited girl who grew up in a normal household, yet nothing normal happened behind the doors of a house I came to hate.
Breaking away from the family dysfunction, I embark upon the life I’ve always wanted in Blue Ridge. But when I fall prey to the charms of a silver-tongued devil, it becomes a life I have to escape.
Will a small town hero be my only chance at survival? Will my broken soul mend his?
Can our Shattered Beginnings become the fragile pieces from which love is made?
**Book One of the No Longer Broken Duet.
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This book rendered me speechless for the better part of it. Starting with its prologue and moving on chapter through chapter I was overwhelmed with emotions with every turn of each page. It is without a doubt a book that speaks to your very core as a person. It makes you wander, think, feel, cry all in the spam of its pages..
Shattered is indeed the state I was left.. Because of the story line, the characters, their beginnings and their lives as they progress in front of my eyes….
Lilly Wilde was from her first books my absolute favorite author. She has obliterated any other author with this book.. The writing, the way it progresses through their day to day lives… So vivid and full of raw emotions, so true… Just wow… Wow…
I’m blown away with emotions and the feals of this book! It’s fabulously written. I’m trying to write this review and I just can’t put into words of how fantastic it is. I have to keep pausing to think of what I want to say and there’s just nothing there my mind is reeling with thoughts of the characters and the story. If you you need a good read I’m telling you this is the one you HAVE to read!!
I love this book! I read her untouched series and I wasn’t sure if she could top that but was I ever wrong. This title is such a perfect fit for this book. Ragan and Branch are so different but yet have more in common then they know. Both from broken homes, same town and even same school. Who knew a sexy famous hot football player would be after a waitress whom isn’t sure how to trust anymore. Will these two be able to find their way together or will their past define their future.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started. The characters, the writing, it was so great and I loved every bit of it. The banter between these two characters is something. I love how they are both so strong willed and yet you can feel their sexual chemistry bust through the pages. Hot!
Wow what an amazing story about Branch and Regan. I was hooked from the start, a great read. I Loved hearing about Branch and Regans story more in detail, what great writing by Lily Wilde. This is definitely a must read, I can’t wait to hear more.
This book is definitely a one click book. I loved Shattered Beginnings. I was sucked in immediately. There are only a few authors that write books I can’t put down and this is one of them. This book is well written and edited. I look forward to Book 2
Two people who couldn’t be more opposite cross paths and something begins to brew. As you read you learn why the characters are the way they are. Both characters had different upbringings but thru were both filled with pain. I’m excited to see what going to happen next.
This is book 1 of a duet so you will definitely need to read book 2 once it comes out. It is packed with so many emotions and heart-wrenching scenes. You can’t help but feel for these characters and what they’ve had to go through. This book is a bit different – the author tells us in detail what Branch and Ragan go through in their pasts. They are both living their own nightmares with their families. They actually do not meet until later in the book, during the present time. Their pasts need to be explained in detail and not flashbacks because it is what makes them the people they are today.
Branch is the town’s hero – famous football player, arrogant, womanizer. He prefers to leave his past behind but a phone call from his little brother has him on a plane back to his hometown, a place he doesn’t ever want to go back to. Ragan has had a horrific childhood. She has never experienced unconditional love from a parent. She is now a single mom working in the local diner. Branch and Ragan meet when he and his friends go in the diner to get something to eat. Ragan remembers Branch from high school, but she knows he doesn’t remember her. They have a not-so-friendly encounter. He is used to women drooling over him and wanting any kind of acknowledgement from him, so he is baffled and confused as to why Ragan is giving him the brush off. She doesn’t have time for his games or to be his plaything for the night so she does what she can to diffuse any kind of interaction. And even though she is physically attracted to him, the most important person in her life is her daughter, Cecelia.
As Branch deals with is family issues he comes into the diner every day and eventually he and Ragan begin to get past the bickering and start talking. She is confused with her feelings for him. She sees something underneath the selfish, cocky person he portrays himself to be. But is she ready to take the time to learn more about him, to unpeel his layers? And is he willing to admit that there might be something more with Ragan? Be prepared this book does end in a bit of a cliffhanger. Can’t wait for book 2!
This isn’t for the faint of heart. It isn’t for those who prefer light romance. It isn’t for anyone who reads romance as an escape.
Branch and Ragan’s story is deep. It’s dark. It’s gut-wrenching. It’s heartbreaking. It most likely mirrors someone’s reality. And no one should ever experience what Branch or Ragan have, fiction or not.
This story isn’t really a romance. It’s non-existent between the main characters. They have a tentative friendship that dangles from weathered ropes that could snap at any moment. That isn’t a picture of their fragile nature; both are far from fragile despite their appearances. This is a picture of how fragile their relationship is. It wasn’t built on the best of beginnings, and anything could be reason enough for it to end.
Branch and Ragan have suffered alot. Abuse, abandonment, uncertainty, helplessness, and their lives at the end of the book are still far from ideal. They’re broken and struggling to deal with life as it continues to throw them curve balls.
And it wasn’t fair.
It wasn’t fair to watch them nearly break because of people who are supposed to love and protect them. It wasn’t fair to watch them struggle to stand under the enormous weight of circumstance. It wasn’t fair to watch them cope alone when they should have had someone to lean on.
This isn’t a story to go into lightly. Issues can be triggers for some readers so proceed with caution. But it’s that darkness before the dawn kind of a read, when all the bad happens now in preparation for the good that’s coming. Good that’s deserved. Good that will be appreciated. Good that will strengthen a fragile bond into one that is unbreakable and will stand strong against the odds.
Is it coming? Yes. Even if this wasn’t part of a duet, as a reader I know it is. There might be more hurdles along the way, more issues to deal with before then, but it’s coming. I know it is.
I can’t wait.
Received from publisher for an honest review
Branch McGuire, the star quarterback, is an unstoppable force. He’s sexy as hell and knows just how to make a women’s panties combust. One would think that he has it all, that the world was his for the taking…but is that really the case? Will his life ever be his to live?
Ragan Prescott, the strongest, bravest person one could know!! She’s survived what could break most, and she’s so unbelievably tough and resilient. Her story brings tears to the eyes and breaks you to the core.
This story of Branch and Ragan will tear your heart out and slowly put it back together. You will experience real raw emotions as you read about these two shattered souls. You won’t be able to hold back the tears that will come. Lilly takes you on this rollercoaster journey of emotions and makes you see the beauty in things even if the world is dark and that no matter how bad life gets, there is always something to be grateful for. Even though this book has tough moments, this story is also full of wonderful characters that will make you laugh out loud, sigh when someone does something sweet and swear and curse when things don’t go the way you want. If you’re looking for that book that will stay with you forever, that you will tell all your friends they must read and a story so unlike anything you have ever read before then Shattered Beginnings is the book for you. Lilly, thank you for this beautiful story of Branch and Ragan, I am definitely excited for book two, Salvaged Hearts and to find out if Branch and Ragan’s story are meant to be forever intertwined.
Shattered Beginnings sets itself apart from the very onset in that it makes no apologies for its emotion, sometimes visceral, connecting to and tugging at your heart. I loved that this is not the typical love story. These characters have been through so much and a glimpse into their childhood experiences shows that they have survived but not without scars. The author doesn’t shy away from the ugliness that life has offered and instead shows their perseverance and survival in such a way that you root for them, even when making mistakes. The story reads with a cinematic feel, allowing the reader to go along for the ride, getting to know each character on a personal level at a real time pace. They’re written so well that even the side character storylines and arcs are engrossing and all consuming.
Ragan is one of the most resilient characters I have encountered in a very long time, her strength is inspiring. I did not like Branch in the beginning, but just as in reality, I got to know him, his ticks and history coloring my opinion and feelings, endearing him to me. I’m rather in love him now. The author peels back layer after layer of their personal truth, hurt and how that created an inability to trust or let people in. You feel as if you know these characters, and they’ve become a part of you. The attraction that emanates from these two is palpable, their banter is witty and the one-liners make you laugh out loud. The journey through their “shattered beginnings” endears these characters to you and you find yourself one hundred percent invested in their outcomes. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and both felt powerless and empowered along the way. I found that I connected on a soul level with this story, these characters. I found myself not wanting it to come to an end; needing more. There are stories you read and enjoy and then there are those rare books that touch your heart and you realize it is special. This is that rare book; it has left its mark and has stayed with me long after the last page was turned.
Shattered Beginnings by Lilly Wilde is an emotionally gripping raw tale of the betrayal and shattered familial bonds of two families. Lilly Wilde has written a book with such raw pain that it may have triggers for certain readers but the journey although not finished is so worth the effort. The gritty realism and angst will keep readers enticed and the need to finish this book in one sitting will be overwhelming. The shattered childhoods of Branch and Ragan are heartwrenching and each of them deals with the pain in their own way and it defines their adult lives. The strength of Ragan will amaze you and you will cheer with each step forward that she makes. Branch while his challenges are different readily admits that he is an a@@hole in his dealings with others. All of his life is a game and he plays it well. This book is part one and does end on a cliffhanger so be prepared to deal with the worst book hang over ever. Wilde captures the emotions accurately and you will each and everyone in your soul. Please read with an open mind to experience this book to the fullest. I had to read it twice to get the full emotional impact of this story. Take the plunge with Lilly and experience her new book.
****10 Amazing Stars from me!****
What can I say that will give Shattered Beginnings the praise that it deserves?!? Lilly Wilde has done it again!!!! I absolutely loved it!! I was hooked from the very beginning. I love that this book gives you so much story about Branch and about Ragan seperately. Makes you feel that you really know them personally. Branch and Ragan have been through so much in their lives already. Shattered Beginnings gives you a glimpse of every emotion out there. I just love the brave, strong person that Ragan is! I also love an arrogant, cocky Branch! Haha. I cannot wait to hear more of their story in Book 2!!
Shattered Beginnings by Lilly Wilde 5 Stars
This is the seventh book by Lilly Wilde, new characters , new locations but all of the emotions I have come to love in Lilly’s writing. This book is the introduction to Ragan and Branch! I fell in love with both of them even when Branch was his arrogant a**hole self. Ragan had a spot in my heart from the minute I met her in this book. Lilly wrote a story that will break your heart but it will also instill some hope.The story is mind blowing in so many ways, it’s compelling and tragic and you embrace that in every way. The one-liners made me chuckle and then chuckle more after I read them to my husband. I’m so looking forward to Salvaged Hearts, the second book in this Duet!
My GR review:
Ever read a book so good you want to hug and befriend the characters? That’s this one for me. This book is the framework of who Branch and Ragan are. The storytelling and breakdown of their experiences is overwhelming, but so necessary. The details will have you hanging on to each page. They’ve both endured in such vastly different ways that has the potential to lead them to a path of great things together. Get to know two people who are sure to be your new favorites.
Impatiently waiting for book two…
The precipice of this book was good, and I did enjoy it. I was just frustrated because it didn’t go anywhere. The majority of the book was the history of Branch McGuire, an arrogant, cocky star quarterback who can and does get every woman he wants at the drop of a hat and Ragan Prescott, the survivor of childhood abuse that continued into a relationship with a significant other. It shows the similarities between both characters as they both had difficult childhoods with struggles that follow them throughout childhood but go in different ways as adults. Branch becomes a successful person who can’t do relationships which, as an adult gets hit with more twists than he can handle. Ragan can’t get a freaking break. From one bad relationship as a child into another as an adult into another when she tries to escape and finds herself under the thumb of another person that should be there as a support system but is just another prime example of disappointment. As soon as the book started to like maybe something was going to happen maybe, it ended with a “The End… Branch and Ragan’s story continues in the sequel Salvaged Hearts.” I would almost have preferred a cliffhanger than ending in mid-thought.
This book grabbed me and never let go. I was captivated by all the characters – they are so much more than you think at first, especially Branch. I found myself crying and laughing and rooting for Branch and Ragan and I couldn’t put this book down. I can’t wait for the next book.