Struggling to mend a broken soul can be more painful than leaving it shattered. Just ask Tori Blair. To most people, Tori has the perfect life. She has a great job, great friends. But looks can be deceiving. Behind closed doors, she battles the demons haunting her from a previous relationship. No matter how hard she tries to break away from the past, it keeps holding her down. Chandler Ashby thought joining the army to follow in his dad’s footsteps was what he wanted. After realizing military life wasn’t for him, he left and became a firefighter. A new career in a new city was exactly the fresh start he was looking for. But a chance encounter reunites him with the high school sweetheart he left behind. He soon realizes that the carefree girl he once loved is now a woman fighting to overcome fear and anxiety caused by another man. Will Chandler be able to save Tori from her demons, or will they both go down in the fight?
Reviewed by: Akeisha Shattered Pieces is the debut novel from Christie Corbin and I must say it was a very good first novel. Honestly, if I didn't know this author I would think she has written a number of books before this one. From the first few pages there is no way you are not going to say out loud ”WTH” or “ What's happening?”. Christie does a good job in grabbing your attention from the get go and I didn't want it any other way.
A little about the characters: Tori the lead heroine in this book goes through a lot in this story. She is broken, afraid, has anxiety and just trying to get her life back after everything her ex-boyfriend put her through. A night out with friends reunites her with a person from her past.
Chandler Ashby, just the sound of this name makes me swoon. If I remember correctly this is my first firefighter story and I think I am in love with them. Chandler is loving, kind, caring and an all round sweetheart.
The only thing I would say about the story that I was disappointed with was the peak of the story. I think Christie did an awesome job in building the suspense with Liam lurking around. She took me on a ride but I felt that I was left on the top of the roller coaster wanting so much more. I wanted the story to Liam(without giving away too much) to have a more of an impact. It was very safe.
Overall, for a debut novel the author did a really good job. I would recommend this book to anyone. The story has a good flow to it, characters are very well develop and complete each other. I enjoyed reading how each character had a connection to another. Shattered Pieces gave you that family and loving feel to it. I honestly really like it.
It's hard for Tori Blair to trust a man enough to want to pursue a new relationship with, especially after her last boyfriend left her emotionally and mentally scarred by how he treated her. No way would she expect someone to have to help her deal with her nightmares when she can barely handle them herself. At least with work keeping her busy and help from amazing friends, the only time she has to deal is when she's home alone. But now, her friends want to see her enjoying life again, and what a better way than for her to meet the new fireman in town.
It's been years since Chandler Ashby last saw Tori. But he's never forgotten his high school sweetheart, and now he's back in her life to see if it's possible for them to have a second chance at happy ever after. However, he knows something haunts Tori, and he'll do anything to chase the darkness away. But if he's to succeed, he's going to need to take things slow between them and show her that she can trust him just as she used to years ago.
Although I was surprised by the direction that the plot took in this book, and that the dilemma with her ex was resolved earlier than I thought it would be, I've got to say that Ms. Corbin has penned a good novel. Encompassing a heroine determined to fight for her independence while seeing if she can ever put her faith in men again; and a hero determined to win back the only woman he's ever loved, even knowing his mission won't be easy after learning what she's suffered at the hands of her ex.
The dialogue was intense and entertained me from start to finish due to the main characters back stories, and the obstacles this couple face to achieve their happy ever after. Will Tori ever be free of her ex? How will her ex drive her insane, so she realizes how serious he was about his final words before she left him? I felt sorry for Tori. Her ex is a nasty piece of work, and deserves to be locked up. Yet, it seems she can't escape him. However, her friends are a godsend the way they circle around her, offering her their support and love and showing her that she doesn't have to go through what she's going through alone.
I really liked both Chandler and Tori, as well as the secondary characters. Rachel and Josh are kind and caring and would do anything for Tori. Really, she's lucky to have the wonderful couple in her life. Then again, what are best friends for. But even though they're worried about her, they're willing to accept any decisions she makes about her future. Because they realize, as much as they want to protect her, they also want her to live her life without fear again. To re-discover that there are men in the world that are the total opposite to her ex. Men such as Chandler.
Both the main characters go through a lot within this story, and I liked how they handled each obstacle they faced. Tori is strong, brave, and determined. I liked that she wasn't about to let her ex win. Seeing Chandler again is such a big surprise, but definitely a nice one. Because not only did she know him, but he made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time. Does that mean she didn't love her ex like she thought? Was she with him all because she didn't want to be alone? Her ex makes things difficult throughout this story, yet I thought Tori handled things quite well.
While Chandler, he's strong, tenacious and protective of Tori. He'll do anything to make sure she's safe, even if he has to intimidate her ex to make him realize that Tori will never be his again. What he does could have gotten him into big trouble, so I was glad that he escaped the punishment he could have received from any direction. Whether it be from his boss, the police, or from someone else if her ex decided to make a complaint. Certainly, his connection to Tori makes him a target. It wasn't as if he shouldn't have expected some sort of threats aimed towards him once he and Tori started getting close again. Her ex is a whole lot of psycho.
Overall, this was a good book where nicely-detailed sex scenes heated up the pages, and illustrated the strong chemistry Chandler and Tori had from the moment they came face-to-face for the first time in years. But what I liked most about their growing relationship is that Chandler didn't rush Tori. The way this story ended was wonderful, but there were a few tears that I needed to flick away due to what happened to Chandler when he risked his life to save Tori. He definitely proved how much Tori meant to him by what he did, even if it did almost cost him his life. I would recommend Shattered Pieces by Christie Corbin, if you enjoy second chance romances, especially where high school sweethearts are reunited.
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Christie Corbin for the release of her debut novel, Shattered Pieces. I know that she’s been working on this book a very long time and I’m happy that all her hard work has paid-off. I was fortunate enough to be offered a copy of the book in exchange for a review and I’m happy to report that this novel was a nice change of pace after all the books I had been reading. Although it starts off a little dark, there is that light at the end of the tunnel that we have to remember to hold onto. With time things will eventually get better, but it doesn’t hurt to have amazing friends as your support team and to have an old flame come back into your life.
Nightmares aren’t the only things haunting Tori at night. People can be just as frightening as nightmares – only they’re real. Liam, Tori’s ex-boyfriend is completely head over-heels obsessed and in love with her. He took their relationship too far by being too overprotective and now Tori wants nothing to do with him. Even the restraining order against him wasn’t enough to stop him. She’s stuck in this pit and doesn’t know how to climb out, or if she’ll ever be happy ever again. But with the encouragement from her friends, Tori ventures out again and at a gathering runs into an unexpected man – Chandler Ashby, the one that got away. They were high school sweethearts who thought they’d be together forever, but unfortunate circumstances sent him away. Meeting again years later is finally giving them a chance to get back together and rekindle the flame. But because of Liam, Tori is more than just hesitant to start something with Chandler, even though she knows he’s probably the best thing to ever happen to her.
At first I was alarmed at how dark the book started off. Having someone be that obsessed with you that you had to get a restraining order against them is a very serious thing. It made me wonder what direction the book was going to go. I felt genuinely concerned for Tori but was glad that she had an amazing friends (Josh and Rachel ) to be there for her like a family would. It’s important that they took care of her when she needed it and encouraged her when they felt she was ready. Because if it wasn’t for them she may not have found someone she could be happy with.
The book was very well-written and very simple to understand. It flowed nicely and thankfully has a happily ever after, because you know how I feel about books with cliff-hangers. #nothappy
I wouldn’t say this is the kind of book you take on the beach with you because it does get quite serious at times…but perhaps an easy and quick night-time read.
I don’t find Tori weak at all based off of everything she’s been through, but I do find Chandler a bit too much of a Prince Charming…maybe just a little. It just didn’t seem like he had any flaws that made him more human. I mean the guy WILLINGLY went to the movies to see a click flick with his girlfriend and maybe it’s just me but I don’t know a lot of guys that would willingly go… It just seemed too easy. Maybe women like reading factious characters like that, but I like to read about men and relationships that have a bit more realism to it. Other than that, Chandler was sweet, caring, kind, and the kind of guy you just wanted to cuddle with. I mean he’s a fireman for crying out loud! That’s HOT! No pun intended.
I enjoyed reading Christie Corbin’s debut novel, Shattered Pieces and look forward to any other novels she decides to write. It was a pleasure to read and a nice reminder that even in all the bad there will be a way to find the good if you take a step out and live life again.
I was given this book for an honest review 4 stars
I am so happy I got to read this talented author. I liked how she brought these characters to life. From the prologue, I can say wow. The prologue is pulls you in and you want to read more about Tori. You want to know how everything is going to turn out. How she moves on, if she can move on. Can Tori overcome this and become a better person for it. Tori is a very strong female lead. She shows her vulnerability through out, but then she shows you how much growth her character gets throughout, but at times you are not sure if she will be strong enough to cope. I loved Ashby, as soon as he was introduced into this book. He was written so well for Tori. Tori need and Alpha male, but also needed someone that can show that weak side also. That vulnerability with an alpha is great to see also. In addition the two best friends, Josh and Rachel, they are the best friends you wish you had. Dependable, one that calls you on stuff, ones that you have a shoulder to cry on, and also ones that will tell you straight. I think these four characters have a lot of love for each other and that makes a good read, one that you want to finish the book. The book is one of those straight forward books, you see everything you need to, there is no hidden agenda with the book, a little bit of drama, and of course you see how you can reconnect with people from your past. I wished there was an epilogue for this book, I would love to see what happened down the line, because I liked to see it all the way through.
The story was very enjoyable. I loved finding this author and only with her the best. I would recommend this book and this author. I hope to read more from her, because I can see her continually growing as she writes her next books
Attention grabbing first pages. They draw you in and keep you moving forward. Excellent debut with feeling, heart, and more. You are captured by the introduction to the story. You will continue to read because the writing compels you onward to see the progress. You will finished because the you have no desire not to know how the destination will give that lasting piece of . . .
Tori and Chandler have meet before. They have a shared past, but now in this new city at this new point in time. Life has changed. Dramatically. Tori had demons on her door. She has fear, anxiety. She was truly shattered. The pieces of her life have been scattered to the wind. She needs more than a simple hero to help her rebuild what she had lost.
Chandler was the quintessential loving, strong, caring, sincere man that Tori needed in her life once again. He was a firefighter, ex-army. He was just that kind of man that could not sit back and watch someone suffer. He also had the protect gene.
Christie Corbin has a good debut on her hands. With well written character and an attention grabbing introduction you will find the read fulfills something within. I did find a disappointment but that was my perception and could work just fine with other. Overall, I had a good read and look forward to more from Corbin. **This ARC was provided via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
"Shattered Pieces" by Christie Corbin tells the story of Chandler and Tori. Chandler is yummy! A sexy firefighter whose only desire is Tori and to keep her safe. I liked Tori as well. She is working hard at moving on after a bad relationship. She is strong yet understands the need to lean on others at times. It always bothers me when heroines feel they don't need anyone else and try to do it all on their own. I didn't quite understand some of her decisions, though, especially when it came to the "gifts" she was receiving but still, I admired her willingness to move forward, even if it was difficult. While, at times, I thought the details of some scenes were a bit much, it did help put the reader into the scene and understand the thoughts and actions of the characters. The flow and pace of the story is good, although, a time or two, was a tad bid slow for me. Ms. Corbin covers some serious issues throughout the book and I found she did an admirable job. Being this is Ms. Corbin's debut, I was pleased with the result and will certainly look to read future works by her as she develops and grows as an author. (received copy for honest review)
Amount of sex -3 / 5 How explicit -3 / 5 Romance -4 / 5 Overall: -4 / 5 Shattered Pieces, the debut novel from Christie Corbin, tells the story of Tori and Chandler. Tori is currently living with her best friend Rachel and her husband Josh. Tori has been having nightmare, anxiety, and panic attacks due to a controlling and abusive ex-boyfriend, Liam. Rachel knows some, but not the full extent of Tori’s issues. Josh is a firefighter and invites the newest fire fighter, Chandler, over. Surprisingly, Tori and Chandler used to date in high school before his family moved away.
Chandler is the perfect character for Tori. He was in the military and currently a fire fighter and very protective of Tori. Even though this is true, he was surprising very patient with Tori and waited for her to be ready for the next step.
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes a little suspense and drama mixed in with a smoking hot firefighter! **ARC recieved from Tasty Book Tours in exchange of an honest review**
Loved this book! Read it in one sitting! Chandler and Tori's story crept into my heart at the first few pages! Tori has just recently gotten out of a horrible relationship...the kind she had to keep looking over her shoulder and always staying on alert. Her Best friend Rachel and Tori have been friends for a very long time and are now teachers. Rachel is married to a fireman named Josh. Through Josh Tori meets Chandler....again at a party. Come to find out Rachel, Tori and Chandler went to high school together Chandler and Tori dated all 4 years but Candler had to move with his parents to Germany because his dad was in the military. Sparks still fly with these two but with Tori's baggage they have to fave obstacles. Chandler has such a big heart and has Tori's best interest at all times! Very enjoyable read! The Author keept the story flowing and interesting. I highly recommend this book!
Shattered Pieces was a page turner to the very end, it drew me & I just couldn't but it down. I just fell in love with Chandler he was the most caring, considerate loving man,my new hero & book boyfriend. He has been in love with Tori since highschool & you can just feel how much he truly cares & loves her. When he comes back into her life, he thinks it was bad timing when they reunite but oh was he so wrong, he was the right person to help Tori fight her demons. Tori goes through so much in this book you just feel her pain, joy, anguish; you just want to reach into the book & give her a big hug. Shattered Pieces shows love can destroy you & that love can save you, this was such an emotional book at times but also a few laughs. Congratulations to Christy Corbin on an amazing debut book, I recommend this book to everyone!!