'These jagged lies I've told myself for the past year have rested comfortably beneath the delicate skin of truth. I can't allow them to pierce through to the surface. I can't allow myself to become a bloody mess again.'

Plot

Claire Nixon is a 20-year old college dropout who carries a secret that she'll never tell. Then she meets Adam Parker, and a seemingly innocent comment starts a bet between them; if Adam can get Claire to tell him why she quit college, she has to go back.

As she's perfected the art of hiding her past, Claire is sure she can win. But she isn't prepared for Adam's relentless pursuit, and she definitely isn't prepared for her first love, rock star Chris Knight, to come banging at her door, bringing her heartbreaking secret out into the open.

My thoughts

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I'd heard a lot of good things about Cassia Leo's books, but hadn't actually got around to reading any myself, so when I saw that the first three books in Cassia Leo's Shattered Hearts Series were available on NetGalley, I didn't hesitate to request all three. Luckily for me, I was approved for all three of them, and I soon started reading the first one.

Claire Nixon is seemingly alone in the world, apart from her best friend Senia. From the start of the book, I could see that she was carrying a dark and painful secret around with her, and as I got into the book, parts of the secret started to unfold. It wasn't until the end of the book however, that the full extent of Claire's pain is revealed. This revelation was a massive shock to me, and I wasn't expecting it at all. In fact, I hadn't really made any guesses about what was going to happen, and just let the story take me on it's ride.

Claire and Adam's relationship is definitely insta-love, so if this is a peeve of yours, then this book might not be for you. Personally, I thought that this was needed in this book, as it wasn't a long book, and it was quite fast paced. The insta-love didn't bother me at all, as when I read a Romance book, I try not to read too much into how long it took them to fall in love, and just let myself enjoy the story.

As I said before, this book wasn't very long, and I managed to read it in a few sittings. Of course, if I hadn't been so engrossed in the lives of Adam and Claire, I probably wouldn't have read it as quickly. As it was, I really enjoyed the story. I enjoyed the romance, the shocks, the twists and turns; everything about this story just added up and made this a great story. Highly recommended. ( )

This was an easy read that kept me from anything productive at work today. I was involved enough in each of the main characters and it made me want to keep reading to find out what it was from their pasts that was haunting them. And although I am considerably older than Adam and Claire, I could understand and relate to their angst without wanting to shake them and tell them to get over themselves as I have done with other authors' characters. Well done Cassia. ( )

Not doing a review view this video:

YouTube -- A shattered heart video that says it all

Claire

Chris Knight


( )

This was a book full of heart and passion.



Claire and Adam meet at the beginning of the book and there is an instant connection. They pursue an angsty relationship and Adam is destined to find out why she dropped out of school. As their feelings grow, secrets become unveiled and parts of the past resurface.



I loved Adam. He was cocky, caring, sexy, witty, and everything a book boyfriend should be. Claire was beautiful, emotionally damaged, and kind hearted. Together their romance pulled me in and wouldn't let me go.



The depth of this book is exquisite. I love a book that can tug on your heart strings and have you trying to guess what will happen next... This one did just that!



The jokes were a cute touch and the banter between the two left me smiling.



My only complaint would be the first few chapters were slow, once I got to chapter 4 I was hooked.

When I finished the book I wanted book 2 immediately. I highly recommend it! ( )

This one was a pretty good read. It's definitely book one to a series (as far as their is a lot more story left to tell) but it doesn't leave you with a cliffhanger necessarily. Or, at least, it didn't in my opinion. (Unless you count the one chapter sneak preview of book two at the end!)

Sweet talking Adam and untrusting Claire. Both with their own secrets, Adam eventually sharing more of himself than her but both trying. I thought I had Claire's secret figured out (which I did) but there was definitely an added twist to it at the end too. So it may not be predictable as it seems as you get into it. Entertaining read, chemistry was good (nothing super steamy but still there.) Characters and storyline were interesting enough as well.

If you are looking for a good new adult read, no reason not to read this one.

I received this book in exchange for an honest book review. ( )