I liked this one even though it wasn't the kind of book that I would normally pick up. I did have some issues with the book but nothing too overwhelming. I have had a review copy of this book for over five years but put off picking it up during that time largely due to the fact that this is the third installment in the Beautifully Broken series and I worried that it wouldn't work well as a stand-alone. I had no reason to worry since this book told its own story and read just fine without any knowledge of the rest of the series.

This was a pretty dark romance. The romance was a lot more erotic than I usually read. I am not opposed to either of those things but this book did take me out of my comfort zone just a bit. One thing that I really don't enjoy in a romance is seeing one of the main characters engaging in sexual acts with someone else. I really do prefer stories to focus on the two main characters and their relationship with each other. I do have to admit that some of the acts in this book left me with a bit of a sour taste in my mouth because I felt like one party was destined to be hurt.

Dominic and Jacey are the focus of this story and they both have dealt with some terrible things in their past. Dominic is a famous actor who refuses to get close to each other but doesn't hesitate to get physical with others when he feels the need. Jacey seems to always pick the wrong guy but she is trying to start over when she meets Dominic.

Dominic and Jacey are forced into a situation that requires them to spend time together. They do have a lot of chemistry together. Their problem is letting each other in and trying to trust each other. As things about their past were revealed, I did understand why they acted as they did. I actually found myself liking this book more and more as the story progressed and I think that was largely due to the fact that I started to understand the characters, although their behavior did also change.

I decided to listen to the audiobook version of this book and I thought both narrators did an acceptable job. I did prefer the female narrator over the male simply because of some of the voices that were used. I did think that they both did a good job overall and I am glad that I decided to listen to the book.

I would recommend this book to readers who like a darker, more erotic romance. I found this book to be a good way to mix up my reading just a bit and try something a little different. I would definitely read more of Courtney Cole's work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley and borrowed a copy of the audiobook from my local library. ( )

Want to know if the whole series is worth reading? Read my overall review of the whole series at seriesousbookreviews.com! Spoiler Free!

I was really curious to see where this book was going to go given the heroine--but it went in a direction I wasn't expecting nor one that I loved.

I really didn't enjoy the relationship between these two at the start and even contemplated not finishing the novel. But I really wanted to find out the backstory of our hero and so I stuck around. I do feel like the story and relationship improved as the story progressed but it could have simply been me becoming accustomed to these characters and their story.

While the tragedy of the past novels is here, the dynamic of this story is so different from the previous books I think. I didn't love the heroine's progression, especially given the events of the past book and I felt like the focus was more on our hero. Which is fine, just not what I really expected. I also felt like their romantic relationship was very unhealthy and I didn't immediately see why they would like each other besides physical attraction. I supposed I just wanted--and expected more from these characters.

Loads of sexual tension (though it did make me uncomfortable at times) and buckets of drama, this book combines elements I've read in other books in a way that is unique but I think will be really hit of miss with its readers.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p3txrs-6w
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I didn't read the first 2 books in the series, but that didn't matter. This is a stand-alone book, and it's not necessary to read the other books first.

This is a very different kind of book. Very angsty, emotional, with graphic "shades of grey" type sex.

I don't really understand why Dom is an actor in the book, but I guess that really doesn't matter. He is a first class jerk, empty on the inside and treats women very badly. He's definitely broken...whether beautifully so or not is up to each reader to decide.

Jacey is sometimes too good to believe. I get that she wants to 'fix' him, and had empathy for him, but I'm not sure there's a woman alive who would let him treat her like he does, and still love him. In the end everything gets resolved, and I must say I was super curious to find out what Emma did or how she died. When that was finally revealed it held a bunch of surprises.

it is a riveting read, emotional, sad, crazy, wild...and epic book. ( )

I didn't read the first 2 books in the series, but that didn't matter. This is a stand-alone book, and it's not necessary to read the other books first.

This is a very different kind of book. Very angsty, emotional, with graphic "shades of grey" type sex.

I don't really understand why Dom is an actor in the book, but I guess that really doesn't matter. He is a first class jerk, empty on the inside and treats women very badly. He's definitely broken...whether beautifully so or not is up to each reader to decide.

Jacey is sometimes too good to believe. I get that she wants to 'fix' him, and had empathy for him, but I'm not sure there's a woman alive who would let him treat her like he does, and still love him. In the end everything gets resolved, and I must say I was super curious to find out what Emma did or how she died. When that was finally revealed it held a bunch of surprises.

it is a riveting read, emotional, sad, crazy, wild...and epic book. ( )

I didn't read the first 2 books in the series, but that didn't matter. This is a stand-alone book, and it's not necessary to read the other books first.

This is a very different kind of book. Very angsty, emotional, with graphic "shades of grey" type sex.

I don't really understand why Dom is an actor in the book, but I guess that really doesn't matter. He is a first class jerk, empty on the inside and treats women very badly. He's definitely broken...whether beautifully so or not is up to each reader to decide.

Jacey is sometimes too good to believe. I get that she wants to 'fix' him, and had empathy for him, but I'm not sure there's a woman alive who would let him treat her like he does, and still love him. In the end everything gets resolved, and I must say I was super curious to find out what Emma did or how she died. When that was finally revealed it held a bunch of surprises.

it is a riveting read, emotional, sad, crazy, wild...and epic book. ( )