A Little Broken by Juli Valenti
5 Stars|ALB on Goodreads|ALB on Amazon
Amy's Review:
I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this debut novel by Juli Valenti. The synopsis had me super excited to dive in and read all about Jessie and her journey.
Jessie is an everyday mom and wife with a seemingly average life, until her bubble pops and her life falls apart. I felt her pain, deep in my bones, as a mom I felt it. I was crying by chapter 2, blubbering actually while trying to watch my daughter at ballet class ... it was not pretty. Jessie went through the emotions anyone would after losing a loved one: denial, grief, sadness, longing, but most of all guilt. Her guilt ultimately forces her to flee her life, leaving everyone behind, and starting over. She lives in an even smaller, made of metal bubble in her new life. No one knows of her past, no one is allowed. I wanted to hug her and tell her it's not her fault. I fell in love with her character and the raw emotions she possessed.
Eventually life was so overwhelming that cracks started to build in the metal bubble she had created. Enter Dominick. Nephew of her boss and a wonderfully caring man. He can sense that Jessie has skeletons in her closet and never pushes her to show what is destroying her. Dominick becomes something light in her darkness. Through friendship Jessie realizes she is not ruined, just A little Broken. Perfect title to this book.
This story was beautifully written. Character development was amazing. I am not sure who could read this without a tissue close by, without getting fully engrossed in the story, without falling in love with Jessie and her journey.
I am so excited to see what Juli has in store for her next novel and I for one will be first in line wanting a copy. Great job Juli .. amazing book!! xoxo
This quote ... I just loved it.
"It was like with him, her past wasn't as vivid. Sure, it was still there, still haunting her thoughts and her soul, but it was faded, like an antique photograph."
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Synopsis:
Jessie Braden thought she had it all. A husband, a new baby – her life was on course, exactly what she always wanted…Until one day, she loses everything. Ruined and broken, she’s left alone to pick up the pieces of her life. Unable to cope, she spontaneously packs up and moves across the country, hoping that new scenery will help. Once in sunny Florida, she finds an apartment and a job but while Jessie is surviving, she isn’t living…until one night she meets someone. Dominick. Desperate for an escape from the pain of her memories, she relents to his unerring determination and agrees to spend time with him. Through his patience and understanding, she will learn that she’s not ruined…she’s just a little broken. ALB on Goodreads ALB on Amazon