"Not Broken," by Meka James

Contemporary romance

Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks

Book Blurb

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger...

Calida Jokobi doesn’t see it that way. Surviving an abusive relationship with a sadistic, manipulative man changed her. She has spent the last two years carefully constructing her new persona with two goals in mind: to keep the remaining pieces of her heart safe and her deepest secrets buried. One man puts it all at risk.

Malcolm has been a part of Calida’s life for as long as she can remember. A friend. Her first teenage crush. Now he's asking for something she swore she'd never give again: her heart.

Calida must decide if she should risk the fragile façade she’s created and give Malcolm the chance he’s asking for.

They say love can heal all wounds…

Malcolm Frankel wants to prove to Calida it’s true. She survived a hell most people couldn’t fathom. He’s been by her side fulfilling whatever role she needs him to play. All except the one he wants most. It took nearly losing her to make Malcolm realize he couldn’t keep denying his feelings.

He knows no one goes through an ordeal like that and comes out unscathed, but the closer they get, the more he learns just how deep Calida’s wounds go.

She’s the only woman he’s ever loved, and Malcolm is ready to put his own heart at risk for a chance at mending hers.

My Review

Whether you’ve read Ms. James’ debut novel, Fiendish, or not, Not Broken is a much-needed light in the darkness. It stands alone beautifully, but for those of us who experienced Fiendish first hand, it is a balm for the ravaged soul. Ms. James is a masterful storyteller, weaving a gripping tale surrounding the hardships of finding oneself in the wake of an abusive relationship, learning to trust again, and discovering strength in the power of love.

[[Fiendish spoilers ahead… skip this paragraph if you haven’t read it!]] Calida Jakobi went through hell in her previous relationship and came out the other side plus one adorable little boy and minus the life of the man who threatened hers—by her own hand. Struggling to deal with her part in her abusive ex’s death, while at the same time trying to wrap her mind around the reality of the life she had led while trapped under his wicked thumb, Calida must also discover how to be a mother… and how to fit back into the world she’d been kept away from for so long. [[End Fiendish spoilers.]]

Enter into the picture Malcolm Frankel, her best friend’s brother… and the first boy she ever kissed. If life had played out differently, Calida could have been happy with Mal… blissfully so. And to her surprise, he’s wanted the same thing from her for just as long. But because life—and a certain now-dead bastard ex—got in the way, Mal has his work cut out for him.

Watching Calida struggle with her past while trying to make sense of her present is beautiful, heart wrenching, and at times, super freakin’ hot. Mal doesn’t disappoint as the perfect balance between good guy, bad boy, and Hubba-Hubba sexy. He is just what Calida needs… but can she get past the demons in her mind to let him in?

You will thoroughly enjoy going on this journey with Calida and Mal and the wonderful cast of supporting characters Ms. James wields to draw you in, take you by the heart, and squeeze until there is nothing left but goo. Happy sighs will abound, I guarantee you.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys happily-ever-after contemporary romance with a broken lead who proves that title no longer fits.

So, what are you waiting for? Not Broken is available as an eBook or print at all the fine retailers listed above (captioned beneath the book). Get out there, buy you a copy, and have yourself a wonderful and happy little read!

But wait… there’s more! A companion novella to Not Broken, entitled The Lists, is available for pre-order or can be purchased for immediate enjoyment on or after its release date, November 23, 2018! I’ll be doing another review after it comes out, but I’ve heard it’s smokin’ hot and just what the sexy doctor ordered! (Did I mention Ms. James writes some of the hottest sex out there? ::drool::)

Be sure to check out more from Meka James at her website and blog! She has some exciting New Releases in the works, so keep your eyes peeled!

Until next time,

E💕