The Broken One

Heather Ellis is an accountant with her own business, but more importantly, she’s a single mom and can’t imagine her life without her adopted daughter Ava, no matter how much chaos she brings. When Ava’s favorite stuffed animal goes missing Heather’s desperate to get it back, posting a picture and reward on Facebook. Sebastian Romano lost his wife and unborn baby 5 years ago, why did he have to find a stuffed animal on the side of the road on the anniversary of their deaths. Never having really dealt with the grief, Sebastian’s a different man than he used to be, more than ever before his life is about providing for his parents and 3 brothers. With a push from his mom, Sebastian returns the stuffed animal in person and changes his life.

This is the first Ruth Cardello book that I’ve read and I was not disappointed. I really enjoy books where the h is a mom because I can relate so much to all of the struggles, the desperation to find a lost favorite item. I loved that Heather was strong, unapologetic and stood up for herself, didn’t let Sebastian take his anger towards himself out on her. Another aspect of this story that I really loved was that Ava was adopted, that’s an ultimate act of love, to love someone else’s child as your own. I was disappointed in Heather’s dad and his comments towards Ava, I feel like that’s not the last we’ll see of him. Poor broken Sebastian, my heart hurt for him and the loss that he suffered. I love a good sick scene in a story where one character who maybe doesn’t know the other that well takes care of them, it’s such a selfless act. There is such a rollercoaster of feelings, one page you’re so happy for them, the next you’re wondering what happened. There’s a tiny sort-of cliffhanger at the end, and I’m curious to see where this series is going to go. Great book, definitely recommend.

This is my 1st book by Ruth Cardello and I really enjoyed it. I’m super curious for the other stories to come from this series.

Heather is a single mom who’s priorities is her little girl. She drowns herself into work and caring for Ava.

Sebastian has a traumatic incident happen in his life, in which he has become a totally different person. A person who his family is not accustom to and not happy with. All they want is for Sebastian to find his old self and at the same time happiness.

Two people are bought together by fate! Heather the strong minded, independent beauty falls for the handsome stubborn Sebastian who can be absolutely selfish and difficult at times but if you believe in fate then fate will bring these two together!

Great read!

I loved this book and stayed up all night reading it. It’s interesting that it’s two stories in one, loved getting to know Judy Corisi as she’s trying to figure out her family tree. The main story is of how Sebastian finds a stuffed animal ( Wolfie). This leads him to meeting Heather ( and her daughter Ava). But is he broken? He’s still mourning the loss of his pregnant wife. It’s an emotional journey for these two and I loved how they were better with each other, she makes him feel happy again. Loved the sense of family and I had happy tears in the end. I highly recommend this book.

If you love a good man whose heart has been broken and just needs the right woman to put it back together, you’ll enjoy this book. It’s clear from the start that our hero, Sebastian, is a good guy who has experienced a lot of loss, and it’s hardened him in a major way. Seeing him slowly rediscover the man beneath the surface was great, and really the foundation of the book.

The story follows Sebastian, the head of his family business. He was once married with a baby on the way, but a car accident changed his life immensely. Now he is cold and a bit ruthless, providing for his family by being a workaholic. When he finds a stuffed animal on the side of the road, it brings back a lot of bad memories, but he finds himself returning it to its owner. He is immediately taken by the child’s mother, but he’s no longer the guy who wants a wife and child so he messes up their interaction. What follows is a series of run-ins where Sebastian and Heather dance around whether or not they’re going to pursue the attraction that sparks between them – and if Sebastian is ready to move forward.

There’s a lot to like about the story; the writing is solid, the characters are likeable as a whole, and I felt the chemistry. Sebastian definitely got on my nerves a few times, and his whole hot then cold act got old quickly, but I never truly disliked him. It’s a slow burn in that these two take a while to truly move forward. I’m not sure exactly what the plan is for the “Judy” chapters, but it definitely threw me off when beginning the book. I assume we’ll learn more about that as the series continues. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC. I enjoyed reading this new-to-me author and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the first book in a new series by Ruth and if it anything like her normal work it will be good. The only criticism that I had with this book was the the prologue and epilogue didn’t floe that well

This is Sebastian and Heather’s story. She is a single mum and when her adopted daughter loses her beloved stuffed wolf then she does what any mother would do she posts a reward for its return Little did she know the affect it would have on her life Billionaire Sebastian is all work and no emotion since he lost his wife and family in an accident he is only interested in making more money Then he finds a stuffed wolf and see the reward post he doesn’t need the money but for some reason feels the urge to return the toy. This is how he meets Heather the woman that will change his life. He is attracted to her but doesn’t want to open his heart but when business takes him to Italy he realises that she has worked her way into his heart without him even realising Can they have a future together is he ready to live again You will have to read to see.

I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. I fell behind on my reviews and so I am doing my best to catch up. I read this book twice because I originally had it planned to review right away but life happens. I re-read it to give it the best opportunity for reviewing.

The Broken One focuses on Heather and Sebastian. I will say that when I first started the book, the opening threw me for a loop with Judy being the opening chapter. The entire opening had me questioning if I had read the right blurb for the book and if I had the right book to begin with. As the story progressed, I fell in love with the characters.

Heather is a single, hard-working mom who has a rambunctious daughter, Ava. I just love their relationship and how the author portrays them in the story. Sebastian is a business man alpha male who had a tragedy turn his heart to ice. He doesn’t believe in love or beauty in the world. When Ava loses her favorite stuffed animal, it’s Sebastian who finds it. After some bantering from his family, mainly his mom, he takes it to Heathers to return it.

Heather isn’t looking for love. Her life revolves around Ava. So when the brute of a man Sebastian returns the stuffed animal, she is thrown for a loop at his cold demeanor and ruthless personality. As their story builds and his walls come down, their story becomes one that you can’t help but fall in love with.

I still do not understand the Judy point of views throughout the book, even after reading it a second time and I am hoping that future books help bring that shed some light to that portion of the book so I don’t feel as lost regarding it.

Overall, the love story between Heather and Sebastian is one that leaves you breathless and wanting more. The descriptions and details give you just enough to build the scene in your mind and create the world they are living in. You feel their emotions, and yes, Sebastian had me wanting to throw my kindle a time or two with his brute ways.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book!

The Broken One was a sweet, funny, and heartwarming read. Sebastian, Heather and Ava stole my heart from the start. Sebastian was indeed a broken man just going through the motions when fate in the form of a lost stuffed animal set him on a new path. I loved Sebastian’s first time meeting Ava and how as much as he attempted to guard his heart a chink appeared in his armor. It was fairly obvious there was so much more than meets the eye with Sebastian and the more of his story I learned the more I grew to love his character. The Broken One had a bit of everything I look for in a great romance from captivating characters to a bit of intrigue, laughter, a touch of heartbreak and moments that left me swooning. I enjoyed this engaging introduction to the Corisi Billionaires and can’t wait to learn more about the rest of the family.

This is the first book I have read by Ruth Cardello and I definitely want to read more!
The Broken One is a fabulous start to a series. My heart went out to Sebastian and what he went through. Heather too as she also hasn’t had it easy. Together they bring out the best in each other and move forward. Ava oh my! She was just adorable!!! A fabulous book that had me laughing out loud and shed the odd tear too. I hope you enjoy it as well!
…I’m still trying to figure out how the ‘other’ character fits into the story and am intrigued on the next book. Although from what I have read (looking at previous books Ruth has written), the original series starts with the Corisi family so I think I am going to have to start on that series while I wait for the next book!

I have to admit that when the book first opened I got a bit confused. How does Judy Corisi fit in this story? Yes, I know that this book is Corisi Billionaires but it took me a bit of time to figure out some of where she fit. And she wasn’t mentioned in the book blurb. I have to say that I did like Judy and wanted to know more about her and her family. She is one determined, clever little girl. It made me want to know even more what the big secret is. And it all started from a school project of making a family tree. Her part of the story does show up from time to time giving bits and pieces of her search.
Heather is quite the character and she made me laugh. She was also quite unpredictable when it came to what she would do or say. Not in a bad way but often in smile-worthy ways. Factor in that she also has some clumsy or embarrassing moments too. She had a filter but she was also honest to the bone. She even admits that not everyone could handle her level of honesty. She was kind so she wasn’t out to hurt anyone. The only time she told two lies were tiny ones to help protect someone’s job.
Sebastian was on a long road of recovery from his losses. Only thing is, he isn’t doing too well. How could he when he only allows himself to deal with it on the anniversary of that loss and then he stuffs it back down again.
His family is worried about him. It was emotional when his mother told him that she had loved his wife too. That she lost her first grandchild too. And even worse, on that day she had lost her son (him) as well. That was a attention getter.
The first meeting between Heather and Sebastian started out okay. But after Sebastian says something SO stupid, he ends up with the door slammed in his face. It won’t be the last time. He sent so many conflicting signals but hey, he’s a guy. And he’s still trying to heal.

I wanted to give this book 5 Stars for the humor alone but luckily there was more to the story. Heather’s best friend, Erica was a hoot too. Married with 3 children, she added help, support, spice and often good advice to Heather’s life. And when it comes to talking about sex she isn’t shy. But she is funny! She is also the mother of Ava’s best friend Charlotte.
Ava was well written as well and showed not only the charm of a 4 year old girl but the determination too (and stubbornness).
There is a lot of emotion in this story coming from several different directions but it wasn’t sappy or too heavy.
Just in case you are wondering, there will be some steamy scenes between them but then something happens and *Poof* one of them is off and running again. Not to worry they do get their act together and have their H.E.A. And Heather and Ava gain a loving, welcoming larger family.
And Judy and her family tree secrets? Not completed in this book. Normally, that would irritate me, but no not this time. I got reeled in and want to know more.
Just have to add that the dedication for this book was interesting. Wolfie (Ava’s stuffed toy) being lost and returned was a true story in the author’s real life. And she mentions that you can find out more about that when you visit her at http://www.ruthcardello.com

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
It all started with a stuffed animal, Wolfie.
Heather’s daughter Ava lost her stuffed wolf.
Sebastian found Wolfie, and he returned the stuffed wolf to Heather and Ava.
What happens next is a story of 2 people giving love a chance.
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.