Praise

Be prepared for this to make you feel allllll the feels! Kate and Jaxon are the perfect couple…. Or so it seems. Struggling to have a baby, nothing is quite what it seems behind closed doors. Nothing Kate does is ever good enough! Jaxon is the ultimate character that you love to hate. Her stepdad Bill and her ex Kel are so well done, and her dog Kenz is so sweet! While this is most definitely not a love story, maybe by the end Kate will learn to love herself, and isn’t that the best love story anyway?

– Kim P

4.5 *
This book had me gripped from the start, and I finished it very quickly. Only a short read. But it’s very powerful. Jax is on my top 5 most hated book men! What an absolute bell end.
I found this book well researched on all topics that was discussed in the books. And is definitely a heart breaking but an empowering story to be told.
Well done on a great short story

– Zoe

I absolutely loved this! It was a quick, easy read that kept me wanting more so I’m so glad to hear that there’s another book in the series on the way! The story revolves around Kate and Jaxon, who have been together 8 years and are trying for a baby through IVF. Jaxon seems like the perfect guy to the outside world; good looking, charismatic, hardworking… but looks can be deceiving. Behind closed doors, he is cold and heartless towards Kate and treats her like an inconvenience, only useful to him for keeping the house clean, cooking his tea, and satisfying his needs. The IVF appointments are an eye opener in many ways. The authors clearly know a lot about the subject and deal with it in a very thought provoking, respectful way. Through Kate’s perspective we see how much the invasive procedures are breaking her, and how she is going through all this pain and heartbreak for Jaxon because she loves him so much and just wants to make him happy. Jaxon on the other hand plays the doting, caring husband in front of the admiring nurses and then shows his true colours later, abandoning Kate and leaving her hungry and in pain when she needs him the most. I won’t write any spoilers but I will say that if you think Jaxon sounds like a despicable character now, just wait till the end! Kate is such a likeable and relatable character and Jaxon is a true devil in disguise, but will Kate ever be strong enough to leave him for good? And of course the real question is, will Jaxon let her??

– Emma M

Im not one for writing actual reviews because I find books to be deeply personal and what works for one person, isnt guaranteed to work for another however this deserves a written review.
This book is powerful, its raw and its real.
Im privileged to know one of the authors personally and I see them and their reality come through in the plot and the characters but that just evidences how well its written.
It reads almost like a diary, you are given access to the event, to the feelings, the very real reality of abuse.
Its worth noting that I havent hated a male character in quite this way since I was introduced to Caleb in A Little Life, its the kind of hated you feel in your bones, a hatred you can taste but again I think that speaks volumes about how well hes written.
The ending is beautiful, its everything I wanted it to be, it embodies the hope you had for Kate from the beginning.
I loved it, I sobbed, I smiled.. I loved it ♡

– Kerry W

This book was an absolutely incredible read from start to finish. The plot is gripping and well thought out, with twists and turns that kept me constantly engaged. I genuinely didn’t want to put it down—it’s the kind of story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

From the very first page, I was completely hooked. The pacing is perfect, and each chapter leaves you wanting more, making it impossible not to keep reading “just one more.”

What really stood out to me was how deeply I connected with the main character, Kate. The writing is so powerful and emotive that you truly feel every high and low alongside her. Her journey is raw, relatable, and incredibly moving.

If you’re looking for a book that takes you on an emotional roller coaster, this is definitely the one for you. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve finished the last page.

– Jessica L

To anyone who has been in an abusive relationship, be it verbal or physical this one will resonate with you and stay with you after you put it down. Kate is like most in this situation, hoping for the best and just waiting for the "him" she fell in love with to return. When betrayal turns into heartbreak there is only one thing you can do; and that is survive. And that my friends, is exactly what Kate does. Jaxson went from bad to the worst and the spiral was something that actually living thru personally, was written so well and I felt it in my bones. This was a great emotional and quick read. I highly recommend if you're looking for a tug on your heart strings.

– Becky O

I was hooked from the start! I couldn’t put it down.

I became so invested in the FMC. Katie! I was waiting to see if she would finally leave Jax! He definitely didn’t value her as a person.

I loved the scene in the Dr.s office when Jax had the audacity to say it’s not me I’m good ! Then the dr stated they may just not be medically compatible! That was great!! She was try to nicely put him in his place!

I definitely am excited for the next book in the series!

– Jen

I read this book as a ARC review.

This book is a dark romance but it's NOT a love story it's one of survival.
It's raw, powerful and very emotional.
Once I picked it up I couldn't stop.

My heart broke for Kate the FMC, I cried so many times for her.
I absolutely detested the MMC, Jax certainly didn't deserve her.

If you love a powerful book then this one is for you.

This for me is ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A remarkable story.

– Crazy Lady Book Recs

Warning, please read your triggers before going in to this book. For a short story this book really packs a punch.

The authors have taken great care to research such a tough topic and it really hits hard. Hate Jax, love Bill.

Cannot wait to read the next instalments of this story. Need to know what happens next and more about the beginning of this journey too

The pacing is amazing, the story develops at an amazing pace. You become hooked from page 1.

– Kirsty W

I really loved this! It’s a quick read but so emotional, especially around the IVF journey and miscarriage. You really feel the pain, the hope and the heartbreak, and it’s written in such a raw, honest way.
What got me most was how alone she is through it all. Jax seems perfect to everyone else, but behind closed doors he’s cold and distant, which makes everything she’s going through even more heartbreaking.
Such a powerful story!

– Ava T

This book is an exceptional read , with a true to life story , totally compelling , I couldn’t put it down

– Hannah W

This book was captivating and had me hooked from the very beginning. Katie finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship, with Jax manipulating every aspect of her life—from unwanted IVF treatment to controlling her decisions.

The story takes an unexpected turn with a compelling plot twist, and the reappearance of an old flame adds another layer of emotion and intrigue.

I would definitely recommend this book and am hoping there will be a follow-on, as I’d love to see where Katie’s journey goes next.

– Kirsty

I read Broken and from the very first page, I was completely hooked. I honestly couldn’t put it down. The pacing, the tension, the characters… everything pulled me in and didn’t let go. It’s one of those stories that stays with you even after you’ve finished the last chapter.

Such an amazing read, and now I’m already counting down the days until the next book. I need to know what happens next!

– Sandra

I absolutely loved this book and once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. Covering a subject that could have triggers for some it was tastefully and compassionately written and care has been taken to ensure that there weren't any errors in the book. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to their next.

– Rose

Kate… oh Kate. My heart really aches for her. There’s nothing more painful than a woman’s love being used like a toy, her sacrifices being dismissed like they never exist. Nothing hits Kate harder than her tons of regret from choosing the wrong man for eight years.

Jackson is not just forcing Kate to go through a series of medical procedures so they can have a baby. He also verbally abuses and gaslights her constantly, only to follow it with dramatic apologies, as if Kate doesn’t carry the wounds at all. But Kate stays. She endures, thinking he will change, thinking she will finally be appreciated… because it was never like this years before.

This book teaches me to recognize red flags in a relationship as early as possible. See them, and do not be in denial. After that, save yourself before guilt starts creeping in. And women need to be aware… once a man abuses you, the way he does it only grows more and more extreme over time.

Kenz is such a lovely supporting pet character. Though sometimes I wish he would just bite Jackson every time he hurts Kate. And Kate’s parents… they are the clearest water when her world starts to collapse. Kate once pushed them away, especially her mom, while building her own life, but they return that distance with love, washing away her regrets.

– Dhawy

Broken by Maddison Lily & Mazikeen Nieve absolutely wrecked me in the best possible way.
This book had me completely hooked from the very first page and hit me right in the feels. I could not put it down and ended up reading it in just hours instead of the days it normally takes me to finish a book.
What a heart-wrenching, emotional story.
Kate and Jax’s relationship felt terrifyingly real, and that’s what made this book so powerful. The reality of what Kate goes through is sadly the reality for so many women, and reading her journey broke my heart while also making me root for her strength every step of the way.
And Jax? The absolute rage this man made me feel… wow. The narcissistic manipulation, control, and emotional damage had my blood boiling. He’s one of those characters you genuinely despise because he feels so believable.
Broken is raw, emotional, frustrating, devastating, and ultimately unforgettable. This is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
⚠️ Please check trigger warnings before reading.

– What Mrs Dobbs Reads