Book review: THINGS THAT BREAK US, by Michelle Heard

A beautifully devastating, tender, cathartic punch to the heart, Michelle Heard apparently wanted to give my tear ducts a strong workout.  She delivered a story that cracked me open in the best possible way. This book isn’t just emotional—it’s the kind of emotional that settles into your bones, squeezes your heart, and somehow still leaves you grateful for the ache.

Nova is the kind of heroine I always root for: bruised by life but still soft, still giving, still showing up for the people she loves even when she’s running on empty. Her loyalty to Rachel is the beating heart of this story, and watching her drop everything—literally everything—to be at her best friend’s side felt so raw and true. Their friendship is the kind of love story we don’t talk about enough.

And then there’s Easton. The best brother, all he ever did was work to give Rachel the best life. Grieving, and suddenly thrust into the kind of pain that strips a person down to their most vulnerable self. The way he leans on Nova, the way her presence steadies him, the way their connection shifts from long‑buried affection to something tender and inevitable… it’s slow-burn perfection. Not flashy. Not dramatic. Just two people finding solace in each other amidst the desolation.

Rachel’s storyline is heartbreaking, yes—but it’s also full of warmth, humor, and those tiny, luminous moments that make grief bearable. Her love for Nova and Easton and Lainie radiates through every page. Her “go out with a bang” funeral request? Somehow both devastating and delightfully her.

Lainie is a scene-stealer in the best way—a little girl crying for her mother, and me crying with her. Her bond with Nova is precious, and the cookie‑sale‑turned‑seizure scene absolutely gutted me. This book captures the way grief and joy can coexist in the same breath, the same day, the same family.

Nova and Easton’s romance is gentle, moves softly. It’s built on shared loss, shared history, and the quiet ways they take care of each other. The attraction simmers under every touch, every lingering look, every moment Easton reaches for her because she’s become his safe place. Their chemistry is undeniable, but it’s the emotional intimacy that makes this love story unforgettable.

By the time the proposal rolled around—cheesy, sweet, and exactly what these characters deserved—I was fully gone.

This book is for readers who want found family forged in grief, a heroine who loves with her whole heart, a hero who is not afraid to be soft, a romance that grows out of shared healing, and yes… a full box of tissues

Things That Break Us doesn’t just break you—it puts you back together with tenderness, hope, and a love story that feels like a warm hand held through the dark. Absolutely five stars!

Purchase links

https://geni.us/k5ova

About the author

Michelle Heard is a Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author who loves creating stories her readers can get lost in. She resides in South Africa with her son where she's always planning her next book to write, and trip to take.

 

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Website: https://michelleheardauthor.com

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Book review: LYRICS REMAIN UNCHANGED, by Claudia Burgoa

Heartbreak Mixtapes #2

Eddie & Cleo & Barret

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A tender, riveting, emotionally intelligent throuple romance, Claudia Burgoa delivers one of those stories that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go. Lyrics Remain Unchanged is a beautifully layered, emotionally charged romance that balances darkness, healing, and devotion with remarkable care. It’s the kind of book where every interaction hums with tension—not the loud, dramatic kind, but the intimate, silent kind.

Cleo’s journey is written with such compassion that you feel every tremor of fear, every flicker of hope, every inch of her reclaiming herself. Eddie and Barret? They’re a masterclass in devotion—messy, flawed, fiercely protective, and learning right alongside her. Their dynamic isn’t just spicy (though trust me, the chemistry is volcanic); it’s thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in genuine emotional work. Therapy, boundaries, communication—Burgoa doesn’t just sprinkle these in, she builds the entire relationship on them.

What I loved most is how the story honors Cleo’s pace. She’s never pushed, never rushed. She’s given choices—windows or doors open or closed, lights on or off—and those small freedoms become monumental. Watching her inner backbone strengthen is incredibly rewarding.

Eddie and Barret are messy, protective, vulnerable, and absolutely devoted. Their dynamic with Cleo is sensual, intentional, and grounded in real emotional work. Therapy, boundaries, communication—this relationship is built on all the things that make love sustainable, not just swoony.

And the Wilder family moments? Pure gold. The tenderness, the protectiveness, the humor—it all adds warmth to a story already rich with feeling.

This book is riveting, sensual, and full of heart. But above all, it’s a story about reclaiming your voice, choosing love that feels safe, and building a future with people who see every fractured piece of you and stay anyway.

My only frustration—and the reason I kept going back to the beginning to search for clues—is that a few plot threads never quite get the closure they deserve. The book hints at deeper motives and machinations behind Cleo’s captivity, Arthur Bradley mentioned how Dorian took control over all aspects of Cleo’s life but we don’t get any information on what he aimed to achieve, and those answers never fully materialize. I also found myself wanting more clarity on how the rescue was carried through. These aren’t deal‑breakers, but they did leave me wishing for just a bit more connective tissue.

A beautifully resonant read that left me full—even if I’m still side‑eyeing those unanswered questions.

Purchase links

https://geni.us/LyricsRemainUnchanged

About the author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. 

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watches shows or movies with her equally geeky husband.

Connect with Claudia Burgoa:

https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/links/ 

Book review: A THOUSAND PERFECT LIES, by Monica Murphy

A twisty, addictive dark‑academia ride, Monica Murphy absolutely surprised me with this one. I knew she could write great romance, but I didn’t expect her to deliver such a gripping, atmospheric mystery on top of it. This book hooked me from page one and never let go. It’s the kind of story where every character feels like a suspect, every conversation feels loaded, and you’re constantly second‑guessing yourself—in the best way.

Billie Vale is the beating heart of the book, and I adored her. She’s tough, vulnerable, and so deeply loyal to her baby sister that you can’t help rooting for her as she steps into a world that was never meant for her. The elite boarding school setting is deliciously tense—full of secrets, privilege, and the kind of toxic dynamics that make you want to scream warnings at the page. Murphy builds that environment so well that you feel the pressure closing in on Billie right alongside her.

And then there’s the slow‑burn connection that develops along the way… tender, aching, and exactly the emotional counterweight the story needed. It never overshadows the mystery—it enhances it.

What impressed me most is how layered the plot is. There are so many moving pieces, but they all click together in a way that feels logical. The reveals land. The tension builds. And by the end, I was fully invested not just in the truth, but in the characters’ healing.

If you love dark academia, messy secrets, complicated families, and a romance that sneaks up on you, this one is absolutely worth your time. A standout read.

Purchase links

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4sLPBtj

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Purchase the deluxe limited edition hardcover today!

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About the author

Monica Murphy is a New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling romance author. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and have sold over two million copies worldwide. Both a traditionally published and independently published author, she writes young adult, new adult and contemporary romance.

A native Californian, she lives on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere with her husband, son, their goofy dog, and three cats. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. Or reading. Or binge watching something.

 

Connect with Monica

Website: http://monicamurphyauthor.com

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Book review: WHISPER SWEET NOTHINGS, by Laura Pavlov

Rosewood River #6

Archer & Winnie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Whisper Sweet Nothings is the kind of finale that feels like being wrapped in a quilt sewn from every reason we fell in love with Rosewood River in the first place. It’s tender, funny, a little chaotic in the best family‑way, and full of that Laura Pavlov magic where love looks like everyday devotion.

This book shines because of its emotional warmth. Archer’s quiet steadiness and Winnie’s sunshine resilience create a dynamic that feels both comforting and electric. Their connection builds through routines, small kindnesses, and the kind of domestic intimacy that sneaks up on you. It’s a slow burn that rewards patience with genuine payoff.

Melody, as always, is the beating heart of the story. Her sweetness and open heart bring out the best in everyone around her, and watching her bond with Winnie is one of the loveliest threads in the book.

The group chats are still hilarious. Bridger is now a reformed guy, controlling the grumpy, who knew? Beefcake’s swagger and wisdom are a running thread all through the series and have me wanting to read his story when he’s older. There’s a running joke that had me cackling every time it resurfaced (Japanese toilet, anyone?) and the banter and heckling across the entire siblings/ cousins keeps the story funny even when emotions run deep.

This book understands healing, built in the quiet courage it takes to trust again. Both Archer and Winnie carry old hurts, and the way they navigate them feels grounded and real. Their growth is as satisfying as their romance.  I got a kick out of the story within the story: Winnie is a romance author writing a book about a single dad. 

The found family element is as strong as ever. This world has always thrived on community, and this final installment celebrates that beautifully.  I loved how all the men in the family accepted Winnie, and the women embraced her and rejoiced in her books, reading them ferociously, and celebrating all her successes. 

This is a finale that feels earned. It’s heartfelt, funny, and deeply romantic, embrazing the cozy charm of the series. I’ve loved Rosewood River, and this book feels like coming home one last time — and leaving with a full heart.

Purchase links

FREE with #kindleunlimited

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Audiobook: https://geni.us/WSNAUDIO

Narrated by: Sebastian York & @savannahpeachwood

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48WD6lz

About the author

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

 

Connect with Laura

Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/

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