Broken Beautiful Hearts

This story was so heartbreaking and awful to begin with but it transforms into a beautiful tale of family and friendship and love.

Peyton is an amazingly written character. She is still not over her father's death from an year and a half ago and Reed's attack just makes her feel more helpless. When even her closest friends don't believe her, she is very upset but she doesn't let it all drown her. She picks up the pieces of her life and tries to deal with it all with her head held high and never backs down from the truth. She may have her issues to work through, but she always stands up for herself and takes no bullshit. She is ambitious about her career and despite her injury, is ready to give it all to achieve her dreams.

I absolutely adored her family. Her mom is a total badass who is fully supportive but also takes a very no-nonsense approach while dealing with Reed's stalkery tendencies. Uncle Hawk is very sweet and loving and gives her all the help and space that she needs to recover. Her cousins Cameron and Christian are totally adorable and bring so much humour to the story. They are also very protective and caring, though their attempts usually end up embarrassing her.

Owen is definitely a very strong swoon worthy love interest. Though their case was a little like instalove, I enjoyed every interaction between them – the silent stolen glances, the almost touches and kisses, the way Peyton fights their connection but Owen doesn't let go – I could really feel their bond through the pages and I loved it. The way the author makes us see the similarities as well as differences between Reed and Owen was very well done.

This book is definitely about Peyton's journey to face her fears, come to cherish her father's memories and learn to trust again, but it is also about how manipulative/abusive partners can happen to anyone and its possible that not everyone will believe the victim. But the truth is the truth and one should always standup for it (as much as one can do so safely) and not let the abusers define the future.

The Author's note was definitely a shock because I didn't know Kami Garcia's background and I commend her for finding the strength to tell her story through Peyton. This book is a must read for any YA contemporary lover.