My best friend, the fun loving, outgoing one.
When she’s gone, taken away entirely way too soon,
I have to learn how to live.
And not just for me, but for her too.I have to live for the both of us.
That means doing things I’d never do, stepping out of the shadows
to join the rest of the world- taking chances, falling in love,
and getting into a little trouble along the way.
Losing my best friend broke me.
And when a person breaks,
They f*cking shatter.
My Review:
Note – I have read and reviewed this novel previously on my site, but just couldn’t resist participating in this book blitz for the fantastic K.B. Andrews!!
F*ucking Shattered has so many layers without being overly complex, and a story line that was fresh and unique. Jovi had always been reserved, not at all social, and basically had no big goals or dreams in life. One constant had been her best friend Katie, who always tried to get Jovi to live a little. After Katie’s death, Jovi decides to finish the bucket list for Katie, regardless of the numerous things that made her insanely nervous. This decision leads to a sexy, funny, emotional, and exhilarating awakening of a young woman. Andrews’ character development is always outstanding, but the slow, descriptive, and significant development of Jovi pulled me in, took hold, and didn’t let go until the last line of the novel.
Of course, I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with River. He is sexy, mysterious, smart, funny – the perfect package. As more of River is revealed throughout the novel, the reader gets a glimpse at a young man that has struggled for most of his life over several different issues. This made me love him even more, but I hated that secrets were kept. The blossoming friendship and relationship between Jovi and River is like a well-choreographed dance with the perfect balance of starts and stops, passion and tears, and of course, romance.
Although a lot of this novel revolves around a road trip, it is truly so much more than that. Andrews has created a captivating story that revolves around friendship, love, and most importantly, living one’s life to the fullest. F*ucking Shattered realistically illustrates the many stages of grieving and what a sudden loss can do to a person. But it also serves as a reminder that despite how difficult a loss can be, it’s important to carry on with our lives and cherish the precious memories that remain.
I always have difficulty labeling K.B.’s novels regarding genre, but I try to do it anyway to improve recommendations for readers. I would say that F*cking Shattered is contemporary romance/new adult romance and the main themes are definitely love, loss, and finding your true self and happy place despite tragedy.
Regardless of your preferred genre, this is a definite must-read. Between the fantastic characters and the phenomenal writing style of K.B. Andrews, this is a novel that will not disappoint. Once again she has propelled me into the story, made me feel that I was a part of it, and left me wanting more after the story was finished.
practically pushes me up to the bar and onto a barstool before motioning for
the bartender.
my purse on the hook under the bar, as he orders us a drink.
look over at him, trying to figure him out and what he wants with me.
seeing me out of the corner of his bright blue eyes.
deal is.”
do I have to have a ‘deal’?”
drinks in front of us. I pick up the glass and take a sip as he slides over
some cash. “I don’t know. We met under these really weird circumstances, and
then we had a random hook up. I never expected to see you again.”
his eyes on me. “Let me ask you this, why did you kiss me yesterday?”
mirror hanging behind the bar. I don’t want him to see me, see that I’m lying. “As
a thank you for the drink.” The lie leaves my lips smoothly. I almost buy it
myself.
hanging open from him calling me out. “It’s none of your business.”
why you felt the need to sexually assault me?” He leans back, amusement written
all over his perfectly sculpted face. His eyes shine bright, even under the dim
lights of the bar.
assault? I don’t think that’s what it was.” I pick up my drink and take another
swig, enjoying the burn it brings and the numbness that accompanies it.
I wanted you to kiss me?”
getting at? “No.”
hold a gleam of wicked amusement. He likes challenging me.
of mine made me this summer bucket list,” I admit a little breathless.
this list said ‘kiss River’?” His voice is dead serious, but the expression on
his face is nothing short of sarcastic.
say, annoyance consuming me as I push my dark hair behind my ear.
why me? What made you decided that I was the stranger you should kiss?”
know. You were there, the list popped into my head. I figured, why not? I had
never seen you before in my life and I figured I never would again.”
challenge, but you decided to play it the safe way.”
want to get up and leave because he pushes these buttons inside of me that make
me want to pull my hair out. It’s like he’s a child that just lives to annoy
me. But something inside of me won’t let me walk away that easy. It’s like I’m
a glutton for punishment, and just have to see what he will say next.
causing his legs to be on either side of mine. Our legs are almost touching and
it causes a tingle to take over. “Okay, this list, I’m assuming, was meant to
get you out of your element, to make you do things you’d never do, and to learn
to live with what comes out of it instead of always playing it safe, right?” His
jaw flexes as he waits for the answer.
are no rules!”
where you’re wrong. Why bother with the list if you’re not going to do it
right? You thought you could cross things off without having to deal with the
consequences. Meaning, you kissed me because you thought you wouldn’t have to
mess with the awkwardness of having to run into me.”
I think it over. But I can’t come up with an argument because he’s right. I’m
not doing this right. I need to put myself out there and learn what it’s like
to be truly vulnerable.
off.
inner turmoil he’s caused in me, leans back, smiling like a Cheshire cat. I
want to reach over and smack that smug look right off his face.
silence, I turn to him. “So what should I do then? Just go up to a random
stranger in here and kiss them?”
pub. “Yeah, go kiss that one.” He nods towards the back corner.
Andrews was born and raised in a small town in Southern Illinois where she now
resides with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a grouchy cat. She spends her
days with her nose in a book or eyes on a computer, working on her newest
story. To stay up to date on new releases and sales, follow on her Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up for text alerts: https://opturl.com/WP4831Z2
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