Chelsea Fine

"By turns humorous and heartbreaking, Best Kind Of Broken has become one of my favorites!" -- Cora Carmack, New York Times bestselling author SOMETIMES MOVING ON MEANS MOVING IN Pixie Marshall wishes every day she could turn back time and fix the past. But she can't. And the damage is done. She's hoping that a summer of free room and board working with her aunt at the Willow Inn will help her forget. Except there's a problem: the resident handyman is none other than Levi Andrews. The handsome quarterback was once her friend-and maybe more-until everything changed in a life-shattering instant. She was hoping to avoid him, possibly forever. Now he's right down the hall and stirring up feelings Pixie thought she'd long buried . . . Levi can't believe he's living with the one person who holds all his painful memories. More than anything he wants to make things right, but a simple "sorry" won't suffice-not when the tragedy that scarred them was his fault. Levi knows Pixie's better off without him, but every part of him screams to touch her, protect her, wrap her in his arms, and kiss away the pain. Yet even though she's so close, Pixie's heart seems more unreachable than ever. Seeing those stunning green eyes again has made one thing perfectly clear-he can't live without her.

Best Kind of Broken

b.andherbooks

**Review based off a free ARC received from www.netgalley.com**

Pixie and Levi were friends since childhood, but a tragedy tore them apart. But, will living at the same inn during their summer break break down their walls?

This wasn't terrible! In fact, I rather enjoyed it. Finally a New Adult title that doesn't focus on a personal sexual tragedy for the lady (whew breath of fresh air); instead the tragedy affects them both equally (I won't spoil it here). Bonus, Levi is a steamy handyman and really truly cares about Pixie, and Pixie's dedication to art, work, and friends is laudable. I really wanted these two to work it out.

Also, I must add I keep seeing heroic Levi's in a lot of the books I'm reading...interesting.

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I enjoyed Best Kind of Broken so, so very much. I love stories that throw together two characters in ways they can't necessarily escape. It's even more fun when they share a history and a TON of sexual tension like Pixie and Levi do. 

Pixie and Levi were childhood friends. Then something happened and they weren't anymore. We spent a good portion of the book finding out exactly what happened to bring these characters to where they currently are. The book is told from both Pixie and Levi's POVs and it was really well done. I felt like I got the full story and they each had a very strong, clear voice. There were feels aplenty and some very sexy scenes. Not only did Pixie and Levi share a ton of chemistry, they both had some very real feelings for the other. They both went through something devastating when they were younger and their guilt led them to distance themselves from the other. It was lovely to watch them try to find their way back to each other. Until they did, there were some hilarious moments between them as well. 

  
    "Sexual tension is like a ruthless pigeon. Feed it once and it will follow you around forever. It never tires or goes on vacation. It just lingers. And it's lingering all over me every time I'm around Pixie."
  

Pixie was spunky and sassy and I absolutely loved her. Levi was sexy and protective and a genuine good guy, not the athlete stereotype I see so much in new adult lit. He made me all melty. The two of them together were incredible. They absolutely won my heart. Their chemistry jumped off the page... and so did the sexual tension. Even the side characters in this book were fantastic. Minus Pixie's evil bitch monster of a mother. I'd like to forget she was in the story at all. What a hateful, horrible woman. 

  
    "I love you," I yell, thunder echoing my words, rain drenching my clothes. "I love you when you're Pixie and when you're Sarah and when you're messy and when you drive me crazy and when you scare the hell out of me. I love you, Pixie. And I know you're scared." I step closer so I no longer have to shout, and cup her wet face. I look into her eyes. "But you have nothing to be afraid of. I will never leave you again. Never."
  

This book was the total package for me. I connected with the characters. I laughed and cried. It dealt with some heavy issues, but did so in a way that didn't feel too burdensome. I felt all the feels. All of them. It didn't feel cliche and the characters were complex, likable and relatable. I was left with a huge, goofy grin on my face and it was quite welcomed after the tears I shed. I can't wait to read more from Chelsea Fine. The excerpt from Perfect Kind of Trouble was amazing. It doesn't come out until June, so I'll be chomping at the bit until I can get my hands on it. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from the review copy and might not be present in the final version.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

This book was jointly reviewed by myself and my co-blogger, Becca!

Since we read this book together as a buddy book, we decided to review it together! Here are our thoughts on Best Kind of Broken. Hint: We both LOVED it!

THE STORY:

Lisa: Romances involving childhood friends is my guilty pleasure. There’s just something about two characters that have known each other for so long, have seen the good and bad of each other, and then when they reach a certain age they start to notice their attraction, both physical and emotional, to the other friend. Such a slooooow burn, and I just love that! Pixie and Levi were fighting this attraction right from the start. You could almost FEEL the sexual tension jumping off the screen! The setting of the inn was just perfect too. Their having to share a bathroom, of all things, really took this story to another level for me. Awkward tension and sexual frustration… check!

Becca: I agree completely about romances between childhood friends! I know some may think it is cliché, but the love between these characters and the total trust and knowledge of one another pulls me in every time! The back and forth between fighting the new passionate feelings to save the friendship or dive into the love head first never gets old for me. Pixie and Levi had all of this, but with the sorrow of loss and regret on top of it. I could definitely feel the sparks flying, their chemistry and sexual tension were driving ME crazy. I was clutching my kindle just waiting for them to give in! I loved the setting at the Inn too! They had to share living quarters and it brought a good dose of humor to the story as they played pranks on one another constantly. This story had it all love, loss, humor and passion!

THE CHARACTERS:

Becca: I absolutely loved all of the characters in this book. Chelsea Fine did an amazing job of developing not only the main characters, but the sub characters as well. I had strong feelings for each character whether it was hate (Pixie’s Mom) or love (basically everyone else).

The two MC’s Levi and Pixie felt like my besties by the end. I became so emotionally invested in them, not only as a couple but also as individuals. Pixie was so soft and vulnerable, but also snarky and cute. Levi was just what every book boyfriend should be, strong, caring, protective…hot :) The colors of emotion that Fine painted these characters with was amazing and I felt each one. Their sorrow, regret, pain, passion, love and especially the chemistry between them were so vivid. I found myself clutching my kindle and cheering them on!

The sub characters were just as essential to this book, Pixie’s best friend Jenna was so cool! I wish I had a friend just like her. She was so strong, unique and totally self assured. She was exactly what Pixie needed. I really liked Levi’s best friend Zach as well, he was so funny and cute. His light humor was so perfect (I mean a goat really?)! Even Pixie’s Aunt Ellen, who I came to love and her Mother who I despised played an integral role in this story. And lets not forget Daren, I both loved and hated him. I cant wait to see what Fine does with him in his own story!

I was thrilled when I saw the synopsis for the next two books in the series! I cannot wait to see what happens with Daren and also Jack and Jenna!

Lisa: Right?! I’m especially excited for Jack & Jenna’s story. Jenna was definitely one of my favorite characters. With her unique sense of style and over-the-top sarcasm and snarkiness, she was the perfect best friend to Pixie. I also adored Zack. He was such a tool and a complete spaz at times, which made me fall in love with him instantly. I really hope his voice gets to be heard at some point in this series. ;) 

And I have to agree with your hatred for Pixie’s mom. I’m right there with ya! I remember our texts going back and forth, along the lines of “Is this chick for real?!” and “WTH!?”, etc. It’s so hard to fathom that parents like that actually exist. 

OVERALL:

Lisa: The depth at which Chelsea Fine builds her characters and story is really amazing. With the flashbacks and memories helping build the story from the past without having to just tell us what happened was spot-on. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about this book. This is the first book I’ve read of Chelsea Fine’s, but I’m happy to say she has jumped to the top of my “must have” authors list! If you enjoy NA romances, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Becca: I completely agree, I would not change a thing either! The story, the characters, the setting and the very real emotions this book elicited were absolutely perfect! After reading this book I cannot wait to see what Fine comes up with next! She has moved to the top of my list as well!

(Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for the review copies!)

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Best Kind of Broken

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