Review: Shatter Me by Tori St Claire
Shatter Me
Author: Tori St Claire
Publisher: Entangled Brazen, Brazen Books, Entangled Publishing
Page Count: 250 pages
Format: E-Arc
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat Level: Mildly hot
Release Date: 5/19/2015
Bound by honor, caught by desire…
Former Marine Alex McCray is ripped up inside over the knowledge that his best friend died saving him. Now he’s returned to his hometown to honor a promise he made-to take care of his buddy’s widow. Semper fidelis. “Always loyal.” But Alex’s loyalty is about to be tested, because there’s never been a time when Reagan Sanders didn’t make him burn with desire.
All it takes is one night for Reagan and Alex to give in to the deep, carnal need they’ve denied themselves for so long. But Reagan has secrets of her own. Secrets Alex can never know about her marriage, or the kind of man her husband really was. But one night with Alex isn’t enough. Not even close. Now Alex must choose between his sense of honor…and his heart.
* Arc provided by Publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review *
First Impression: Good writing. Likable, relatable characters. Both Reagan and Alex try to do the right thing, though for very different, very personal reasons, and it’s that dual honorable notion that keeps the characters emotionally apart while also serving to make readers long for them to get together.
I enjoyed this read. I think the two protagonists, Alex and Reagan, are great together and deserved to be happy after everything they’ve both gone through. I have to say, this book is a little more issue driven than the other Brazen Books I’ve read, and the story tends to get a bit boring when the same things are addressed over and over again yet not coming to any conclusion when it easily could’ve much earlier in the book. The sex scenes are good, but they’re not as hot as some books I’ve read in this imprint. It didn’t quite feel like the Brazen Books I’m used to reading really, and that was a bit of a disappointment. But it was a good read, and I liked both Alex and Reagan enough to root for them to overcome their issues and give their relationship a chance.
If you’re looking for a good read with more issues than heat, this is the book for you. It does have some great romantic scenes, and a few heated, descriptive love scenes, but overall, I feel this book is far more issue driven than desire filled. If you read it, or have read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
