From NYT bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan, continues a brand new series where second chances don’t come often, and overcoming an unexpected loss means breaking everything you knew.Harmony Wynham has been many things in her life: daughter, friend, student, lover, wife…and now, widow. Getting past those labels and finding who she could be without them was the hardest thing she’s ever done.Then … done.
Then she became friends with Brendon.
Every time she looks at him, she sees a past, she sees a present, and she’s afraid if she looks too hard, she’ll see a future.
Brendon Connolly has known Harmony since before she got married. Before she lost everything. He didn’t know that one day she wouldn’t be just his friend but the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Only he don’t think that can happen.
Not when every time she looks at him, she sees what she lost, and he can only see what he can’t overcome.
He loves her, even though he shouldn’t. Somehow, they need to find a balance.
Because if they don’t, walking away will be the hardest thing she’s ever done—even if it’s the only thing he should do.
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This book had me bawling at times. It hits on some really tough points but is done in a way that makes you can’t help but love the story. We met Brendon and Harmony in the first book in this series, but I didn’t realize how deep their connection went. Their connection was strong, not just because of the foundation as friends they had, but because they also experienced the loss of someone so important to them together. As tears were streaming down my face I was rooting so hard for this duo. I loved this story.
4 Stars
Shouldn’t Have You is the second title in the Fractured Connections series. It’s both a heartwarming, yet heart wrenching friends to lovers story of finding love after loss.
Harmony is a young widow dealing with the loss of not only her husband, but also one of her best friends. The only good thing to come from loosing Alison is that she reconnected with the Connely brothers, and rekindled her friendship with Brendon.
Brendon is a successful businessman, who is loyal and loving to the family of his choosing, but he’s damaged by the events in his past.
Both characters are endearing, complex and quite vulnerable and scared to put their hearts on the line, and loose their friendship.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and emotional tale, and look forward to the next title in the Fractured Connections series.
Book #2 in this series is about Harmony and Brandon.
Possible SPOILERS
Since her husband been gone (dead) for awhile she has decided that it is time to try dating but after some really crappy dates Harmony starts to think that there might be something wrong with her standards. She does have a good male friend in Brandon Connolly but he was also her husband’s friend and coworker.
Words for wisdom from people who love Brandon have pointed out that it’s time to take things to the next level with Harmony…it’s time to tell her how he really feels
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book
Hope you have your tissues handy for this one folks because you will need them!
Next up in our Fractured Connections group is Harmony and Brendon.
Harmony, at such a young age, has now dealt with two huge losses; the sudden death of her husband and now the death of one of her best friends.
Brendon and Harmony were friends in school, her husband was his business partner, and they are learning to be friends again.
Brendon is someone who did not have a great home life until Jack and Rose and even though he had a better life after those early years did a number on him.
Harmony has started dating again, much to her dismay, and is only happy with her dates when she talks to Brendon afterwards.
Brendon has secret feelings for Harmony but feels that he is not good enough for her for several reasons of which I will not go into because you gotta read the book!!! LOL!!!
Both characters are very well written and makes you have tons of feelings for them. I love the way they develop from friends to more than friends, its something for her that is just like “there you are, where have you been”. For him it was like “ I love her but she can do so much better,” yes he had feeling for her but they didn’t come about until after the death of her husband
There is sooooo much to say about this book but I really don’t want to spoil it for anyone.
Ryan has once again wrote a beautiful story grounded in real life.
If you know anything about Carrie Ann Ryan you know this one hit close to home, but as she says in the Author’s note this is not her story this is Harmony’s and I think Harmony, Brendon and Moyer justice.
Shouldn’t Have You is Book 2 of the Fractured Connections series by Carrie Ann Ryan. It stands perfectly fine on its own although we do meet the characters in Book 1 along with the backstory. So while it’s not necessary, I highly recommend reading Book 1 so you can understand the full dynamic of their relationship.
We had gotten a teaser into the spark between Brendon and Harmony in Book 1 and this story certainly did not disappoint. This story pulls at the heart as Brendon struggles after witnessing with his friend’s death (Harmony’s husband) and both of them try hard to deny the connection between them.
Overall this was an amazing story of learning to love again after a devastating loss.
Broken Souls who find their friend that can give them the happily ever after! Ashley @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Harmony is dealing with love and lose of not only her husband but also her best friend can she find love again with someone who is already part of her circle? Brendan is a broken man who’s childhood was a rough one and who watched his best friend die. Will Brendan and Harmony see whats in front of them and follow their hearts? Carrie Ann does a wonderful job with this love story! Can’t wait to see what is in store for the next Connolly brother.
Fractured Connections #2, Harmony and Brendon friends since forever, when Harmony’s husband who was also Brendon’s best friend and business partner died they kind of drifted apart. When Harmony’s best friend commited suicide about two years later Brendon came back into her life and their friendship started anew. But this time they were grown up, they were two different people from who they use to be and this time their friendship has grown into something much more.
The emotions in this book are strong, the first half of the book is just basically Harmony and Brendon dealing with their emotions. Normally I don’t read books that are this heavy emotion-wise but this is Carrie Ann Ryan I read everything she writes. It’s a slow burn romance Brendon doesn’t even admit he loves her until past the halfway point until then the feelings are there they are just not admitting them yet or even recognizing them for what they are. Once you get to that part the book starts moving more quickly.
Overall, I liked it, it’s not one of my favorites. Unlike her other books in general this series is very emotion based there is no outside force screwing with them it’s just them dealing with their emotions and healing. All of her books can be very emotional (hello that one book of the Redwood Pack series) but these are so much more heavy and personally I’m not in the right place to be reading something this heavy and fully embrace all of the feels. I can see where writing this one in particular would be very cathartic for Ms. Ryan and I wondered while reading it how much of herself is in Harmony. If you like deeply emotional books with a HEA then this a good book.
Ok, without spoilers…. I laughed and I cried. This book made me cry for the love that Harmony lost and the friend that Brendon lost as well as Brendon’s past. I loved the journey of these two from friends to lovers to HEA.
Once I started this book I was hooked and did not put it down.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Shouldn’t Have You by Carrie Ann Ryan is book 2 in the “Fractured Connections” series. This is Harmony Wynham and Brendon Connolly story.
We read and see that Harmony was widowed 2 years ago when she lost her husband in a tragic accident. Then to top it off, she lost her best friend to suicide a few months back. Harmony is really not having an easy time of late. She is slowly trying to put her life back together which includes dating again. But to say her entrance into the dating scene was something of a disaster was an understatement. Harmony doesn’t want to repeat the experience anytime soon.
Brendon had been good friends with Harmony before she met Moyer and then the 3 of them developed this special connection. When Moyer suddenly died, they grieved separately, yet their friendship ended up falling apart somewhat.
Now 2 years on, they reconnect and the friendship is there but something else is there— in between the talks and easy companionship, a spark builds between them. One that was always there for Brendon but he didn’t act on. He feels disloyal towards the memory of his friendship that he had with Moyer yet he is totally head over heels in love with Harmony. Harmony wants to be with Brendon but is afraid to look past the present because if she looks harder, like looks towards a future, it could implode.
This is a slow burn, friends to lovers romance that is full of feels, rollercoaster ride of emotions and a story that will have you pulled right in from the start. Harmony and Brendon’s love story will be a tempting, breaking and beautiful romance read. I’m looking forward to book 3.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
This is an emotional read. It is full of heartbreaking but there is healing. It tells the journey of Allison tragically losing her husband. She leans on her best friend Brendon. He is there when she needs an ear to bend. What neither one of them knew was they both had feelings that went beyond friendship. Things pop up from Brendon’s past that could interfere with the possibility of a future with Allison. Allison is strong and loyal. She refuses to allow him to push her away. Will they be able to overcome all of the obstacles standing in their way?
This is an emotional story of two people trying to heal after they both suffer great loss. It is a gritty and raw emotional journey. Carrie Ann Ryan did a great job of conveying these emotions. I highly recommend reading this book!
*****ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.*****
Harmony and Brendan are a friends to lovers story. They’ve both felt with large life hurdles and have evolved as people do when they’re going through their trials and tribulations. Brendan doesnt want to overstep with his deceased friend’s (and Harmony’s husband) boundaries. He tries to do the right thing, but sometimes, the right thing is standing in front of you. Read more about this couple and their journey through loss and rediscovery of love. 4.5/5
This book is inspiring, engaging, and emotional. The raw feelings shared between Harmony and Brendon about their past traumatic experiences is refreshing and human.
I truly love this series. I love the characters and the real feel they bring to the story. They have a great chemistry and it truly makes this series so wonderful. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!!!
5 EMOTIONAL STARS!! This story is emotional and will hit every button you have. I loved Brendon and Harmony story, I enjoyed watching it play out. Carrie Ann Ryan definitely takes us readers on the feel train. I highly recommend this book and series.
Shouldn’t Have You broke me and had me crying tears that seemed endless. The words Carrie gives us melts into our soul and you will literally feel the pain and heartache the characters endure. So when I met Harmony and Brendon, I truly thought they were only meant to stay as friends.
As the story progressed, I saw more and a friendship that took on more. Brendon was a protector first, but demons from his past will be his uphill battle.
Harmony was my hero. I loved her endurance for life and kicking it back in the when she needed to. This story hits close to home and for some, it a story they have lived before.
Shouldn’t Have You is waking up from mourning. It is not forgetting the past and pain, its the acceptance and the will to live on. Carrie has brought so much emotion and life to the story, you will be transported into their world. A world that you want to persevere with the rest of the characters. If you have experience loss, whether in death or life in general, you have to have this book om your shelf! MUST READ!!!
Harmony still hasn’t completely healed from losing her husband Moyer two years ago in a tragic accident and now she has lost one of her best friends as well. It is time for her to pick up the pieces and face her future and the first step is to start dating. The only problem is that the attempts she has made so far have turned into experiences she would rather forget.
Brendon did not have an easy childhood but from the moment that Jack and Rose took him in all that changed, and he is now running Connolly Brewery with his brothers. Brendon was great friends with Harmony and Moyer but after Moyer passed away a distance developed between him and Harmony, but they are slowly regaining the friendship they once shared.
As Brendon and Harmony spend time together their friendship starts to evolve into more but is Harmony ready to love a man other than her husband and will Brendon realize that he is worthy of Harmony and love for himself?
This is an emotional friends to lovers story. Both characters are damaged in their own and they will need to open their hearts to each other and heal from the past before they can embrace the future.
I have never experienced a loss like Harmony and Brendon. But, this is so well written you can feel their loss coming off the pages. It is heart wrenching what they individually have been though. It’s so refreshing and rewarding that Harmony and Brendon are friends throughout their lives. They mean something differently to each other through each phase of their lives. At the beginning of the Fractured Connections series, you could see that they might mean more to each other than just friends. They grow as individuals, as friends, as a couple. Even through the painful losses they have both experienced, both have turned into the very best versions of themselves. I was very happy with the way their story ends.
Shouldn’t have You was an emotional story about two people trying to find themselves after trauma. I found myself routing for these two, they both are strong in different ways, both sometimes care more about others happiness than their own.
Brendan Connolly is the oldest of the Connolly clan and feels the weight of trying to make sure his brothers are all ok. They were separated while Cameron was in California and he has regrets about how he handled it, they are trying to be the family that Jack and Rose would have wanted. Brendan had a hard childhood, his mother died when he was very young so he was left with his father. His father, however, was a drunk and a drug addict who often sold his son for drugs. Brendan also had the misfortune of watching his best friend die right in front of him. Plagued by nightmares of his youth and Moyer’s death had his feeling at a loss, like he is a constant failure.
Harmony Wynham was a widow at 25, it was the hardest thing she has ever faced. Harmony feels that she is ready to finally try dating again so one of her friends set her up on a few blind dates that turned out to be disasters! Harmony is having second thoughts or maybe she just is not good at the whole dating thing. She has her charity work and her friends, did she really need to date? If she was honest, yes, she was lonely, she wants companionship, that isn’t to much to ask for. Harmony and Brendan have been friends along time, she leans on him a lot, he is always there for her no matter what.
Through most of Shouldn’t Have You Brendan struggles with his feelings for Harmony, she was married to his best friend for goodness sakes! But he cant help it, he is in love with her. This could end in disaster, what is she didn’t feel the same? what if it didn’t work out? they run in the same circle it could cause a lot of friction.
I loved this story, its raw and full of emotion. the ending however makes it all worth while.
Super emotional best friends to lovers romance!
This is book 2 in the Fractured Connections series and can absolutely be read as a stand alone although I recommend reading the first book so you can understand the relationships between the different characters. This one is about Harmony and Brendon. Harmony and Brendon have known each other since they were young and were always friends. They grew apart after what happened with Harmony’s husband, but with the death of their friend Allison, it has spurred them to become closer than before. Harmony and Brendon have both had struggles but now they have to figure out what they mean to each other and whether to allow their new normal to be what it could be.
I absolutely loved this story. Harmony (and Brendon) have been through so much and this is such a poignant story. Just reading about all the different things that Harmony works through will bring you to tears. I don’t want to say too much because I don’t want to spoil it. But it will definitely make you feel all the emotions and realize just how much people work through when they lose the person who means the most to them. I loved it!!