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Fate and Circumstance #1
Falling to Pieces
How do you repair a broken life?
Home is a dark place of anguish and pain for seventeen-year-old Bree Jacobs, forced to endure emotional and physical torment daily at the hands of a violently unstable mother. Bree’s only escape is high school, particularly her history class taught by young, handsome, kind and caring Axel Taylor. Mr. Taylor becomes Bree’s dearest friend, a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on, and soon their shared affection grows into something greater. But by reaching out to protect her—to mend her breaks and soothe her wounds—Axel has crossed a dangerous line, resulting in two shattered lives instead of just one.
Six years later, they will meet again: Bree, still battling the demons that continue to possess her, and Axel, reduced to taking work as a substitute teacher wherever he can find it. Once again he will feel compelled to rescue her. But this time it will be different, because now the yearnings of a loving heart won’t be silenced by suspicious minds. And now there’s more than one life that desperately needs saving.
*Standalone full length novel
Home is a dark place of anguish and pain for seventeen-year-old Bree Jacobs, forced to endure emotional and physical torment daily at the hands of a violently unstable mother. Bree’s only escape is high school, particularly her history class taught by young, handsome, kind and caring Axel Taylor. Mr. Taylor becomes Bree’s dearest friend, a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to cry on, and soon their shared affection grows into something greater. But by reaching out to protect her—to mend her breaks and soothe her wounds—Axel has crossed a dangerous line, resulting in two shattered lives instead of just one.
Six years later, they will meet again: Bree, still battling the demons that continue to possess her, and Axel, reduced to taking work as a substitute teacher wherever he can find it. Once again he will feel compelled to rescue her. But this time it will be different, because now the yearnings of a loving heart won’t be silenced by suspicious minds. And now there’s more than one life that desperately needs saving.
*Standalone full length novel
462 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2015
152 people are currently reading
1226 people want to read
About the author
Leddy Harper
35 books1,308 followersLeddy Harper had to use her imagination often as a child. She grew up the only girl in a house full of boys. At the age of fourteen, she decided to use that imagination and wrote her first book, and never stopped.
She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.
The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. Most importantly Leddy wanted to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.
She often calls writing her therapy, using it as a way to deal with issues through the eyes of her characters.
The decision to publish her first book was made as a way of showing her children to go after whatever it is they want to. Love what you do and do it well. Most importantly Leddy wanted to teach them what it means to overcome their fears.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
November 20, 2015
3.5 Stars
Full review posted:
Trying to rate this book has kind of stumped me. I really liked the first half which is six years in the past. Bree and her new American history teacher’s friendship and fall into love was well written and well done.
”He was my only friend. He was the only person who ever cared about me. I couldn’t lose him so soon.”
When Axel shares his feelings for Bree the lines of friendship try to stand tall but their connection just continues to grow.
”Tell me why you’re happy, Bree.” I didn’t need to think of the answer, and I had not one ounce of hesitation.
“Because I’m in love with my best friend. And I think he loves me, too.”
Halfway in the story, we fall six years into the present where their paths cross again. Axel saves Bree’s life after a fall into a lake. (Seriously, totally seemed like a suicide attempt to me- but whatevers.) SPOILERISH:
Like I mentioned, the writing is strong in the past scenes but there are the random corny, over dramatic, ones as well.
"She could deny it all she wanted, but Bree was my she wolf. She huffed and puffed, and she blew me away with her love."
I just love a good student/teacher read and this had the added level wherein the heroine is being abused at home and has no friends and finds so much in her twenty-four year old teacher. Thereafter, when the story takes us to the present their reunion and all events that followed were so anticlimactic that I pushed through just in case the author added in a surprise. Sadly, for my entertainment there wasn’t one.
”I love you more than history.”
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Full review posted:
Trying to rate this book has kind of stumped me. I really liked the first half which is six years in the past. Bree and her new American history teacher’s friendship and fall into love was well written and well done.
”He was my only friend. He was the only person who ever cared about me. I couldn’t lose him so soon.”
When Axel shares his feelings for Bree the lines of friendship try to stand tall but their connection just continues to grow.
”Tell me why you’re happy, Bree.” I didn’t need to think of the answer, and I had not one ounce of hesitation.
“Because I’m in love with my best friend. And I think he loves me, too.”
Halfway in the story, we fall six years into the present where their paths cross again. Axel saves Bree’s life after a fall into a lake. (Seriously, totally seemed like a suicide attempt to me- but whatevers.) SPOILERISH:
Like I mentioned, the writing is strong in the past scenes but there are the random corny, over dramatic, ones as well.
"She could deny it all she wanted, but Bree was my she wolf. She huffed and puffed, and she blew me away with her love."
I just love a good student/teacher read and this had the added level wherein the heroine is being abused at home and has no friends and finds so much in her twenty-four year old teacher. Thereafter, when the story takes us to the present their reunion and all events that followed were so anticlimactic that I pushed through just in case the author added in a surprise. Sadly, for my entertainment there wasn’t one.
”I love you more than history.”
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
November 18, 2015
★★ 2.5 Stars ★★
I am so disappointed that I didn't love this book, because this author has talent and I really did try to see all the positives in this book but in the end I have to be honest and say that it really didn't work for me at all, even though it started off really well.
Bree is a sixteen, almost 17 year old high school student who lives with her abusive mother and is a loner, extremely lacking in confidence but mature for her years and very bright.
Axel Taylor is her 25 year old history teacher, and they immediately form a connection. Mr Taylor seeing through Bree's facade and noticing that something is not quite right, makes it his mission to help Bree become the strong woman she is meant to be.
They form a friendship, trying so hard not to cross any inappropriate lines, but as they become more and more familiar with each other, things are bound to spiral out of control.
This book is told in two parts, the first half is dedicated to the past and told from Bree's point of view, and the second part brings us into the present, told from Axel's POV.
Personally, I preferred the first half but even that was full of far too much wordy dialogue between the pair, I just wanted more action and less talking.
In the second half, Bree felt to me like she hadn't matured at all, in fact it was as if she regressed. I didn't really warm to the woman she grew up to be in the six years since their separation.
I felt the plot was a bit weak and the fade to black scene which later turned into a plot twist that was meant to be shocking, just made me confused and quite frankly turned me completely off this story.
I quite liked Axel, but there wasn't anything in particular that stood out to me, and again, in the present he was even less appealing. A bit of a limp lettuce.
I am sure a lot of readers will enjoy this book, but unfortunately for me it wasn't a winner.
This is a standalone forbidden romance, told in dual POV.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
I am so disappointed that I didn't love this book, because this author has talent and I really did try to see all the positives in this book but in the end I have to be honest and say that it really didn't work for me at all, even though it started off really well.
Bree is a sixteen, almost 17 year old high school student who lives with her abusive mother and is a loner, extremely lacking in confidence but mature for her years and very bright.
Axel Taylor is her 25 year old history teacher, and they immediately form a connection. Mr Taylor seeing through Bree's facade and noticing that something is not quite right, makes it his mission to help Bree become the strong woman she is meant to be.
They form a friendship, trying so hard not to cross any inappropriate lines, but as they become more and more familiar with each other, things are bound to spiral out of control.
This book is told in two parts, the first half is dedicated to the past and told from Bree's point of view, and the second part brings us into the present, told from Axel's POV.
Personally, I preferred the first half but even that was full of far too much wordy dialogue between the pair, I just wanted more action and less talking.
In the second half, Bree felt to me like she hadn't matured at all, in fact it was as if she regressed. I didn't really warm to the woman she grew up to be in the six years since their separation.
I felt the plot was a bit weak and the fade to black scene which later turned into a plot twist that was meant to be shocking, just made me confused and quite frankly turned me completely off this story.
I quite liked Axel, but there wasn't anything in particular that stood out to me, and again, in the present he was even less appealing. A bit of a limp lettuce.
I am sure a lot of readers will enjoy this book, but unfortunately for me it wasn't a winner.
This is a standalone forbidden romance, told in dual POV.
ARC gratefully received from the author in exchange for an honest review
October 30, 2015
**༻Complimentary Copy༺** Provided by the author "Leddy Harper" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Falling to Pieces
AUTHOR: Leddy Harper
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 18th 2015
MY RATING: 4 STARS
I have to be honest I don't think I've read a teacher/student book before (shocker right)!! Soooo I don't really know what to expect..Ekkkkkk
Home is a dark place of anguish and pain for seventeen-year-old Bree Jacobs, forced to endure emotional and physical torment daily at the hands of a violently unstable mother.
I typically suffered from mental pain by her words that cut like razors to my soul, not physical pain inflicted by her hand.
I have no one. ~ Bree
With no friends,and an abusive and unstable home with no family she can confide in she slowly opens up to Axel her teacher who is only a few years older than her but they seem to have a connection..
No one could help me...It only made things worse...
Her mother had a hell of a lot to answer to when it came to Bree's insecurities..
He was my teacher, I was his student. His underage student. And he was seven years older than me.
Slowly you can see Axel crossing those forbidden lines into taboo territory, especially when she falls sick with the flu, he takes her home, cooks, goes and grabs medication making sure she takes it and is back again with notes from the classes she missed the next day after telling her not to come to school..
A teacher who cared too much
The hardest part was having to remind myself that he was my teacher, that he was seven years older than me, and these butterflies had no business taking root in the pit of my stomach. ~ Bree
A slow moving story about forbidden love between a teacher and a student, what was an innocent man's need to protect a student within his care that was getting abused at home progressed into so much more..This was so beautifully written you forget that you are entering into taboo territory, I thought I would feel uncomfortable and that is only because this is the first book I've read that's focused on a teacher/student relationship..But when you look at the slight age gap shit that in this book was bound to happen..
I have no idea how to care for a student that's going through the kinds of things you are. And I'm sure you're not used to a teacher care so much. ~ Axel
TITLE: Falling to Pieces
AUTHOR: Leddy Harper
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: November 18th 2015
MY RATING: 4 STARS
I have to be honest I don't think I've read a teacher/student book before (shocker right)!! Soooo I don't really know what to expect..Ekkkkkk
Home is a dark place of anguish and pain for seventeen-year-old Bree Jacobs, forced to endure emotional and physical torment daily at the hands of a violently unstable mother.
I typically suffered from mental pain by her words that cut like razors to my soul, not physical pain inflicted by her hand.
I have no one. ~ Bree
With no friends,and an abusive and unstable home with no family she can confide in she slowly opens up to Axel her teacher who is only a few years older than her but they seem to have a connection..
No one could help me...It only made things worse...
Her mother had a hell of a lot to answer to when it came to Bree's insecurities..
He was my teacher, I was his student. His underage student. And he was seven years older than me.
Slowly you can see Axel crossing those forbidden lines into taboo territory, especially when she falls sick with the flu, he takes her home, cooks, goes and grabs medication making sure she takes it and is back again with notes from the classes she missed the next day after telling her not to come to school..
A teacher who cared too much
The hardest part was having to remind myself that he was my teacher, that he was seven years older than me, and these butterflies had no business taking root in the pit of my stomach. ~ Bree
A slow moving story about forbidden love between a teacher and a student, what was an innocent man's need to protect a student within his care that was getting abused at home progressed into so much more..This was so beautifully written you forget that you are entering into taboo territory, I thought I would feel uncomfortable and that is only because this is the first book I've read that's focused on a teacher/student relationship..But when you look at the slight age gap shit that in this book was bound to happen..
I have no idea how to care for a student that's going through the kinds of things you are. And I'm sure you're not used to a teacher care so much. ~ Axel
Want to read
November 20, 2015What is wrong with you???!! I'm addressing the person who wrote the book blurb. Seriously, what is wrong with you? Spoilers much?
I was actually considering reading this when I read the first half of the blurb. But then "six years later" blah blah.
So after six years apart, they meet again and he finds out that she got pregnant, had a kid and didn't tell him. Good to know, I feel like I've just read this book.
I was actually considering reading this when I read the first half of the blurb. But then "six years later" blah blah.
So after six years apart, they meet again and he finds out that she got pregnant, had a kid and didn't tell him. Good to know, I feel like I've just read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2015
✯✯✯1/2 Stars
‘We had the power to save each other…yet we also had the ability to bring the other to their knees. When you have love as strong as ours, it can be amazing, powerful, life-changing. It can also be devastating, crippling, and destructive. It’s all in how you take care of it.’
One thing’s a definite; Leddy Harper sure can write a beautiful story. There were many parts of Axel and Bree’s journey that had us so compelled and caught up in the emotional heart tugging moments which were so vividly written. We love our student – teacher romances; the forbidden and secrecy element quite intriguing. After all, this is fiction not real life where perhaps we wouldn’t be as understanding.
‘I’d fallen for a man, only to realize it too late.’
Whilst we love Leddy Harper’s natural talent for writing we did sadly find Falling to Pieces very wordy and at times very slow and repetitive. A large part of this story was told to us rather than shown and we are readers who like to be shown a story to prevent that consequential barrier to rise between the pages and our emotions. At times we struggled to truly feel, connect and understand which impacted our overall enjoyment of Falling to Pieces. This saddens us immensely as we know that Leddy Harper is naturally capable of drawing out the intensity of emotions through her writing from us resulting in beating hearts and tears. Yes, there were moments where she did have us completely immersed but they were not consistent throughout.
I was the girl he couldn’t protect. And he was the guy I couldn’t touch.’
Bree hasn’t got it easy; what with a professionally powerful yet sporadically abusive Mum and no close connections to peers or family. She’s a Seventeen year old –almost- recluse who’s never formed any strong bonds. She knows not of love nor friendship.
“I want to be seen. I want to be loved. And it’s hard not to grow attached to the only person in my entire life giving me all that.”
For us, her behaviour and attitude came across as almost a purposeful intent to be a loner as we never ‘heard’ or got the impression of her trying to change this. Well until Axel. We found it very hard to connect to her; yes we sympathised and felt incredibly sorry for her but overall we found her moroseness, her sullenness and lack of oomph quite tedious and failed to fully believe in her or feel much generally for her.
“…if you allow every possible scenario to dictate what you do, then you’ll miss out on so much. Because when you factor in other people, the consequences are endless.”
Sadly, Aubrey was the main reason for why we struggled with fully loving Falling to Pieces. We never felt that she was truly happy or genuinely loving; rather she questioned absolutely everything and we were wondering who she was trying to convince in the end. For a girl going through hell any ray of sunshine would surely breathe a breath of fresh air into her?
“They say time heals. Great things come with time. I’ve never believed it until now.”
Axel is the new twenty-four year old substitute teacher. He’s compassionate and confident – gorgeous and affectionate. He immediately picks up on Bree’s situation and is there for her any way he can be trying to help and protect. The friendship that quickly forms turns into something much more thus crossing that dangerous line from merely student-teacher now involving intense feelings and hearts. We strangely felt incredibly sorry for Axel on the whole and at times wanted him to run for the hills. However, we ended up rooting for this all to work out!
‘I had to learn to live again. I had to learn to love again. And I had to do that alone.’
We loved the timeline of past and present, the fact that we got both POV’s as well as a twist we DID NOT see coming. A twist which we loved and had us tearing up, compulsively reading to see how it was all going to end and even how it came to be. We just wish we’d been allowed to experience more of the characters together in the beginning in order to silence doubts over the intensity of love and connection. Falling to Pieces was a story we did enjoy but just didn’t love –sadly- despite loving the beautiful writing of Leddy Harper.
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January 3, 2016
3 1/2 Stars
‘We had the power to save each other…yet we also had the ability to bring the other to their knees. When you have love as strong as ours, it can be amazing, powerful, life-changing. It can also be devastating, crippling, and destructive. It’s all in how you take care of it.’
One thing’s a definite; Leddy Harper sure can write a beautiful story. There were many parts of Axel and Bree’s journey that had us so compelled and caught up in the emotional heart tugging moments which were so vividly written. We love our student – teacher romances; the forbidden and secrecy element quite intriguing. After all, this is fiction not real life where perhaps we wouldn’t be as understanding.
‘I’d fallen for a man, only to realize it too late.’
Whilst we love Leddy Harper’s natural talent for writing we did sadly find Falling to Pieces very wordy and at times very slow and repetitive. A large part of this story was told to us rather than shown and we are readers who like to be shown a story to prevent that consequential barrier to rise between the pages and our emotions. At times we struggled to truly feel, connect and understand which impacted our overall enjoyment of Falling to Pieces. This saddens us immensely as we know that Leddy Harper is naturally capable of drawing out the intensity of emotions through her writing from us resulting in beating hearts and tears. Yes, there were moments where she did have us completely immersed but they were not consistent throughout.
I was the girl he couldn’t protect. And he was the guy I couldn’t touch.’
Bree hasn’t got it easy; what with a professionally powerful yet sporadically abusive Mum and no close connections to peers or family. She’s a Seventeen year old –almost- recluse who’s never formed any strong bonds. She knows not of love nor friendship.
“I want to be seen. I want to be loved. And it’s hard not to grow attached to the only person in my entire life giving me all that.”
For us, her behaviour and attitude came across as almost a purposeful intent to be a loner as we never ‘heard’ or got the impression of her trying to change this. Well until Axel. We found it very hard to connect to her; yes we sympathised and felt incredibly sorry for her but overall we found her moroseness, her sullenness and lack of oomph quite tedious and failed to fully believe in her or feel much generally for her.
“…if you allow every possible scenario to dictate what you do, then you’ll miss out on so much. Because when you factor in other people, the consequences are endless.”
Sadly, Aubrey was the main reason for why we struggled with fully loving Falling to Pieces. We never felt that she was truly happy or genuinely loving; rather she questioned absolutely everything and we were wondering who she was trying to convince in the end. For a girl going through hell any ray of sunshine would surely breathe a breath of fresh air into her?
“They say time heals. Great things come with time. I’ve never believed it until now.”
Axel is the new twenty-four year old substitute teacher. He’s compassionate and confident – gorgeous and affectionate. He immediately picks up on Bree’s situation and is there for her any way he can be trying to help and protect. The friendship that quickly forms turns into something much more thus crossing that dangerous line from merely student-teacher now involving intense feelings and hearts. We strangely felt incredibly sorry for Axel on the whole and at times wanted him to run for the hills. However, we ended up rooting for this all to work out!
‘I had to learn to live again. I had to learn to love again. And I had to do that alone.’
We loved the timeline of past and present, the fact that we got both POV’s as well as a twist we DID NOT see coming. A twist which we loved and had us tearing up, compulsively reading to see how it was all going to end and even how it came to be. We just wish we’d been allowed to experience more of the characters together in the beginning in order to silence doubts over the intensity of love and connection. Falling to Pieces was a story we did enjoy but just didn’t love –sadly- despite loving the beautiful writing of Leddy Harper.
Come say hi and follow us at:
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✦ TB on Facebook
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November 19, 2015
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Full review to come later...
+++3 Stars+++
Full review to come later...
+++3 Stars+++
October 11, 2015
OMG. I am soooooo in love. I'm in love with Axel, I'm in love with this story. I can't wait for everyone to be able to one click November 18th.
This story pierced itself into my heart and has no intention of ever leaving. It is one of those books that gets all of your emotions flowing and keeps you turning the pages. Luckily for you guys you get the entire book all put together. I on the other hand was tortured between every few chapters.
Bree is a beautiful soul, purely genuine who doesn't give herself any credit. Her mother is to blame. Axel is her reason for change.
Axel well he's just damn freaking hot. Not only physically but his super hero complex makes me melt. All he wants to do us protect Bree because he sees her pain. There's only one problem.........
He's her teacher!
This is officially my favorite book of Leddy's. Until the next one which is already a WIP.
Mark your calendars for 11/18/15.
This story pierced itself into my heart and has no intention of ever leaving. It is one of those books that gets all of your emotions flowing and keeps you turning the pages. Luckily for you guys you get the entire book all put together. I on the other hand was tortured between every few chapters.
Bree is a beautiful soul, purely genuine who doesn't give herself any credit. Her mother is to blame. Axel is her reason for change.
Axel well he's just damn freaking hot. Not only physically but his super hero complex makes me melt. All he wants to do us protect Bree because he sees her pain. There's only one problem.........
He's her teacher!
This is officially my favorite book of Leddy's. Until the next one which is already a WIP.
Mark your calendars for 11/18/15.
November 20, 2015
Bree is a seventeen-yr-old who is completely friendless and alone. She suffers neglect and both physical and mental abuse by the hands of her mother. When Axel arrives at school he seems to be the only person in her life who shows this sad girl any care. They form a tentative friendship that slowly begins to evolve into something more with Axel repeatedly crossing the teacher-student line. When their secret gets out, Axel loses everything and Bree is left alone again.
The book is told in parts. The first half of the book is about the two forming their relationship and ultimately crossing the line from friends to lovers. There was all the angst and sexual tension you’d expect from a forbidden relationship and while some moments had me smiling to myself, others had me frowning.
The second part starts off six years later when they find each other again. Each one is harbouring their own set of feelings of abandonment and betrayal as each has a different experience of the event leading to their separation. Once they meet up again, they need to get to know each other again and deal with the baggage each collected in the six years they were apart.
Although this was a well written and very sweet story of forbidden romance and second chance love I had some issues with it. I love a good angsty story but in this case it felt like a lot of needless drama with all the lies and half-truths flying around. I had a very strange relationship with Bree myself, sometimes completely understanding her and other times finding it difficult to connect with her. I felt the two were a lot more honest with each other in the first half of the book and I really missed that in the second half of the book.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
The book is told in parts. The first half of the book is about the two forming their relationship and ultimately crossing the line from friends to lovers. There was all the angst and sexual tension you’d expect from a forbidden relationship and while some moments had me smiling to myself, others had me frowning.
The second part starts off six years later when they find each other again. Each one is harbouring their own set of feelings of abandonment and betrayal as each has a different experience of the event leading to their separation. Once they meet up again, they need to get to know each other again and deal with the baggage each collected in the six years they were apart.
Although this was a well written and very sweet story of forbidden romance and second chance love I had some issues with it. I love a good angsty story but in this case it felt like a lot of needless drama with all the lies and half-truths flying around. I had a very strange relationship with Bree myself, sometimes completely understanding her and other times finding it difficult to connect with her. I felt the two were a lot more honest with each other in the first half of the book and I really missed that in the second half of the book.
(ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review)
November 20, 2015
I have to say this book started off strong and then just fell flat. The first half kept you wondering what was going on/happen then blah. You could feel the chemistry also in the beginning and that to feel flat.
This book had so much potential but just didn't pull it off.
This book had so much potential but just didn't pull it off.
November 21, 2015
I LOVE LOVE LOVE teacher student romances. I was so thrilled to start reading this one but I realized rather quickly that this book was not working for me. I struggled with connecting with Aubrey, I found her completely unrelatable, often obnoxious and overly dramatic. That combined with how wordy the book is and the excessive inner monologue, I found myself skimming just to get through. The dialogue between Aubrey and her teacher lacked believability from their very first interaction. I'm a reader that needs believable, authentic dialogue, even in fiction. Unbelievable exchanges tend to lose me pretty quickly and unfortunately, I struggled with connecting because of it.
As the story evolves, a picture is painted that Aubrey connects with her teacher because he shows her the attention and concern that no one else has. I had a really hard time sensing authentic romantic chemistry, instead I felt a vulnerable abused girl gravitating toward a person who showers her with the attention and affection she's been starved of. Thats not a sexy situation. I don't think that was Leddy Harper's intention, but that's how I felt it came across. The author's decision to make Aubrey this abused, neglected, isolated character makes this story feel wrong. The teacher student romance dynamic is only an attractive one when you have two mentally strong characters entering into it on a somewhat level playing field. The relationship is already wrong, but in a sexy forbidden way. It crosses the line into unacceptablre when one character is so damaged and abused courtesy of her shitty home life, that she becomes easy prey. That also makes the teacher a predator, not sexy boyfriend material. Its a slippery slope but its been done well time and time again. It wasn't executed well in this situation.
The only redeeming quality I found was Axel Taylor who seemed like a genuinely good guy as the story evolved. I liked him. But the overly dramatic course of events and my inability to connect with Aubrey just didn't allow me to invest in this storyline. I hope other readers can feel the chemistry and connection with this book that I, unfortunately, did not.
As the story evolves, a picture is painted that Aubrey connects with her teacher because he shows her the attention and concern that no one else has. I had a really hard time sensing authentic romantic chemistry, instead I felt a vulnerable abused girl gravitating toward a person who showers her with the attention and affection she's been starved of. Thats not a sexy situation. I don't think that was Leddy Harper's intention, but that's how I felt it came across. The author's decision to make Aubrey this abused, neglected, isolated character makes this story feel wrong. The teacher student romance dynamic is only an attractive one when you have two mentally strong characters entering into it on a somewhat level playing field. The relationship is already wrong, but in a sexy forbidden way. It crosses the line into unacceptablre when one character is so damaged and abused courtesy of her shitty home life, that she becomes easy prey. That also makes the teacher a predator, not sexy boyfriend material. Its a slippery slope but its been done well time and time again. It wasn't executed well in this situation.
The only redeeming quality I found was Axel Taylor who seemed like a genuinely good guy as the story evolved. I liked him. But the overly dramatic course of events and my inability to connect with Aubrey just didn't allow me to invest in this storyline. I hope other readers can feel the chemistry and connection with this book that I, unfortunately, did not.
November 28, 2015
Title: Falling to Pieces
Series: Standalone
Author: Leddy Harper
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 450
Genre: Taboo Love
Age Group: New Adult
Characters: Axel Taylor, Bree Jacobs
Point of View: First
Happily Ever After: Yes
Release Date: November 18th, 2015
Date Read: November 22nd, 2015
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
This is my first novel I've read by Leddy Harper and I enjoyed it. I'm not really surprised, I love forbidden love novels and this was just what I needed to get me out of my book funk. I loved the writing. This book did make me tear up some. I felt really connected to Bree but when it came to Axel I felt nothing, I couldn't even feel the connection between the two in the first half of the novel.
I prefer that the novel was set in the past instead of six years later. Also the author should have just made it into just one point of view than a dual. I just didn't like Axel I'll probably say that more times than one in this review. I did go into this novel not knowing anything.
Will I remember this book from a year from now probably not it really didn't touch me that way like most student teacher romances but I will recommend it though.
Series: Standalone
Author: Leddy Harper
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 450
Genre: Taboo Love
Age Group: New Adult
Characters: Axel Taylor, Bree Jacobs
Point of View: First
Happily Ever After: Yes
Release Date: November 18th, 2015
Date Read: November 22nd, 2015
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
This is my first novel I've read by Leddy Harper and I enjoyed it. I'm not really surprised, I love forbidden love novels and this was just what I needed to get me out of my book funk. I loved the writing. This book did make me tear up some. I felt really connected to Bree but when it came to Axel I felt nothing, I couldn't even feel the connection between the two in the first half of the novel.
I prefer that the novel was set in the past instead of six years later. Also the author should have just made it into just one point of view than a dual. I just didn't like Axel I'll probably say that more times than one in this review. I did go into this novel not knowing anything.
Will I remember this book from a year from now probably not it really didn't touch me that way like most student teacher romances but I will recommend it though.
April 1, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. This has been a book that I wanted to read for such a long time. Finally, I got the chance to read it. At first it was a student-teacher relationship story, but then it becomes a second chance love story and it was really beautiful to watch how they fell back in love with each other. I really liked the characters. I loved Aubrey, and how she fought for herself against the things she has been through, and to see how here character grew during the process. I thought Axel was a great character, but I thought he did do some stupid things as well. I thought them as a couple was really cute and genuine. I am glad that they got their happily ever after. Overall, a great read.
November 5, 2015
Falling to Pieces
Leddy Harper
3.5 stars
So .. I have to be really honest about this book – being a teacher Im just having an issue wrapping my head around this. As a female the thought of finding a student attractive is just no. . . especially a 17 year old boy. HELL TO THE NO! But if that is your thing then this is for sure the book for you.
Bree Jacobs endures abuse at the hands of a violent and extremely unstable mother. Home is the last place she wants to be .. ever especially when her mother drank and it didn’t take much. Bree has no friends to confide in and no one that cares anything about what happens to her. Her teacher Axel brings something out in her. She shouldn’t feel the way that she does but she cannot help it. He seems to care and that is something new to Bree. No one has ever cared before. Axel is seven years older than her .. its not that bad .. is it?
Axel crosses the line repeatedly in this story. When Bree gets sick he cares for her in every way. Im not sure if Axel’s intensions were innocent or not. The need to protect a student from an abusive home is something that would be handled completely different than this. Yes I know its fiction and it’s a story but this being my profession I was constantly finding huge bouts of “oh god no” coming out of my mouth.
Years later the two cross paths again. Bree still is hiding her demons and Axel’s life has changed a great deal. Things are different now and there is more at stake for Bree and Axel. Both are consumed with things that could end up destroying them.
Again if this is your type of reading you should click it up. The writing is good and there are no major flaws there. The characters are well written but I just couldn’t hardly finish as it is totally against anything that I could bring into my life much less want to with a seventeen year old. The channel I would take would be extremely different!
Leddy Harper
3.5 stars
So .. I have to be really honest about this book – being a teacher Im just having an issue wrapping my head around this. As a female the thought of finding a student attractive is just no. . . especially a 17 year old boy. HELL TO THE NO! But if that is your thing then this is for sure the book for you.
Bree Jacobs endures abuse at the hands of a violent and extremely unstable mother. Home is the last place she wants to be .. ever especially when her mother drank and it didn’t take much. Bree has no friends to confide in and no one that cares anything about what happens to her. Her teacher Axel brings something out in her. She shouldn’t feel the way that she does but she cannot help it. He seems to care and that is something new to Bree. No one has ever cared before. Axel is seven years older than her .. its not that bad .. is it?
Axel crosses the line repeatedly in this story. When Bree gets sick he cares for her in every way. Im not sure if Axel’s intensions were innocent or not. The need to protect a student from an abusive home is something that would be handled completely different than this. Yes I know its fiction and it’s a story but this being my profession I was constantly finding huge bouts of “oh god no” coming out of my mouth.
Years later the two cross paths again. Bree still is hiding her demons and Axel’s life has changed a great deal. Things are different now and there is more at stake for Bree and Axel. Both are consumed with things that could end up destroying them.
Again if this is your type of reading you should click it up. The writing is good and there are no major flaws there. The characters are well written but I just couldn’t hardly finish as it is totally against anything that I could bring into my life much less want to with a seventeen year old. The channel I would take would be extremely different!
November 23, 2015
4.5 Stars by Jen Skewes
I love the story of a forbidden romance between two characters and I love second chances at love even more. So of course I was so excited to read Falling to Pieces. This book was a bit different than what I had honestly expected but that is a really good thing. I loved it! It was beautiful, at times emotional and just an amazing story. But it wasn’t the taboo relationship or even the second chance love story that I loved so much. It was the two main characters. It was the passion and love that they had for each other that I loved the most. They were the reason that I did not want this story to end.
Bree is almost 17 years old and has no friends and basically no social life. She lives with her mother who is abusive to her both physically and mentally. She goes to school, comes home and takes care of the household duties. She is so broken from her mother’s actions and the fact that her father left them when she was younger. When she walks into her history class she meets her new teacher for the year, Mr. Taylor and there seems to be this connection that she feels towards him. But as time goes on she realizes that this connection is not one sided at all. Mr. Taylor feels it just as much as she does.
Axel Taylor is a 24 year old history teacher. When he sees his student Bree, for the first time he sees that something is wrong. He sees the sadness in her but he also wonders if there is more going on at home that he should know about. He wants to do everything that he can to protect her. He wants to make sure that she is ok and has someone to talk to if needed. But he also starts to feel something for this girl but he knows that if he crosses that line there will be consequences that can destroy the both of them. But neither one of them can deny the feelings and the connection that they have. As much as they try to stay away from each other they both realize that they don’t want to. But when that line starts to blur, what happens when their world comes crashing down, leaving broken hearts behind?
As you can see from the blurb it is six years before they see each other again. And when they do you feel the anger and the bitterness between them but you also feel the love and passion still burning. I don’t think it ever went away. The love they had for each other six years ago is still there but there is so much that these two have to work through to get to that happy place. It is a struggle and not everything is perfect between them but Axel is determined to prove that everything that they felt when they were younger was real and it is just as strong today.
This is the reason why I loved this book so much. I completely fell in love with these characters. I know she was only 17 and he was 24 but I honestly never looked at it that way. Never once did I think it was wrong because it just felt so right between the two of them. I loved the passion they had, the friendship they built and the love that they had for each other. They needed each other. The love that they had for each other just felt so real, it never felt like teenage infatuation. I hated what Bree went through at home, but I loved that she had Axel to comfort her and to confide in.
I know some may say she is just a teenager and he is 7 years older than her and her teacher. But he gave her something that no one else in her life ever did. He loved her and wanted to care for her and protect her. It never mattered that there was an age difference. If she was 21 and he was 7 years older no one would have questioned it. But Bree was not your typical 17 year old. She was mature and wise beyond her years. She had been through so much more than most people my age have been through. What they had just worked.
This book is told in the past from Bree’s point of view and then goes to the present in Axel’s point of view, which I loved. I am one who loves more dialogue between the characters than inner monologue. This book had both and at times yes there was more of inner thoughts from the characters but Leddy harper gave us their inner thoughts in a way where you are completely captivated by their words. She had me from the very beginning until the very last word. I did not want to put this book down. Yes life got in the way and at times I was forced to put the book aside but all I wanted to do was ignore everyone and everything so that I could go back to Axel and Bree's world. That is how much I loved and enjoyed this story. It was beautiful, emotional, real and just simply amazing. I cannot wait for Sarah’s book.
I love the story of a forbidden romance between two characters and I love second chances at love even more. So of course I was so excited to read Falling to Pieces. This book was a bit different than what I had honestly expected but that is a really good thing. I loved it! It was beautiful, at times emotional and just an amazing story. But it wasn’t the taboo relationship or even the second chance love story that I loved so much. It was the two main characters. It was the passion and love that they had for each other that I loved the most. They were the reason that I did not want this story to end.
Bree is almost 17 years old and has no friends and basically no social life. She lives with her mother who is abusive to her both physically and mentally. She goes to school, comes home and takes care of the household duties. She is so broken from her mother’s actions and the fact that her father left them when she was younger. When she walks into her history class she meets her new teacher for the year, Mr. Taylor and there seems to be this connection that she feels towards him. But as time goes on she realizes that this connection is not one sided at all. Mr. Taylor feels it just as much as she does.
Axel Taylor is a 24 year old history teacher. When he sees his student Bree, for the first time he sees that something is wrong. He sees the sadness in her but he also wonders if there is more going on at home that he should know about. He wants to do everything that he can to protect her. He wants to make sure that she is ok and has someone to talk to if needed. But he also starts to feel something for this girl but he knows that if he crosses that line there will be consequences that can destroy the both of them. But neither one of them can deny the feelings and the connection that they have. As much as they try to stay away from each other they both realize that they don’t want to. But when that line starts to blur, what happens when their world comes crashing down, leaving broken hearts behind?
As you can see from the blurb it is six years before they see each other again. And when they do you feel the anger and the bitterness between them but you also feel the love and passion still burning. I don’t think it ever went away. The love they had for each other six years ago is still there but there is so much that these two have to work through to get to that happy place. It is a struggle and not everything is perfect between them but Axel is determined to prove that everything that they felt when they were younger was real and it is just as strong today.
This is the reason why I loved this book so much. I completely fell in love with these characters. I know she was only 17 and he was 24 but I honestly never looked at it that way. Never once did I think it was wrong because it just felt so right between the two of them. I loved the passion they had, the friendship they built and the love that they had for each other. They needed each other. The love that they had for each other just felt so real, it never felt like teenage infatuation. I hated what Bree went through at home, but I loved that she had Axel to comfort her and to confide in.
I know some may say she is just a teenager and he is 7 years older than her and her teacher. But he gave her something that no one else in her life ever did. He loved her and wanted to care for her and protect her. It never mattered that there was an age difference. If she was 21 and he was 7 years older no one would have questioned it. But Bree was not your typical 17 year old. She was mature and wise beyond her years. She had been through so much more than most people my age have been through. What they had just worked.
This book is told in the past from Bree’s point of view and then goes to the present in Axel’s point of view, which I loved. I am one who loves more dialogue between the characters than inner monologue. This book had both and at times yes there was more of inner thoughts from the characters but Leddy harper gave us their inner thoughts in a way where you are completely captivated by their words. She had me from the very beginning until the very last word. I did not want to put this book down. Yes life got in the way and at times I was forced to put the book aside but all I wanted to do was ignore everyone and everything so that I could go back to Axel and Bree's world. That is how much I loved and enjoyed this story. It was beautiful, emotional, real and just simply amazing. I cannot wait for Sarah’s book.
November 9, 2015
OMG, this was such an emotional and touching piece of writing that at times I had to stop and take a breath. I could feel the MC pain and I could feel the love that they had for each other. I am one of those who loves a teacher/student storyline and when I heard that this is what the book was about, I was all for it. I expected it to be a hot read and this was so different than that. Oh there were hot and sexy moments but really this was more of an emotional read.
Bree Jacobs’s home life was a dark world, one she hated. The only place she found peace and some sort of happiness was when she was at school. Her mother was very unstable. She was horribly violent to her daughter. She had no one to talk to, no friends, no life. Her teacher, Axel takes notice and is the one who listens and pays attention. He is a few years older but they instantly connect like no one else. He wants to protect her , he sees her an someone who is being abused but no one really cares. At first it’s strictly innocent and he is there for her, making sure she knows he is there and listens but when she has the flu, he takes her home and cares for her and that when the boundary is crossed. I won’t go into details but its not tawdry but beautiful. You can feel the love between these two people. The story is told in mainly Axel’s viewpoint but at times we hear Bree’s side of things. We see how their relationship goes on and how they try to hide it so he won’t get in trouble but secrets are bound to come out and when that happens Axel ends up losing his job and leaves Bree behind. Heartbreak ensues and there is a separation when Axel leaves—really he has to because of all the turmoil when everyone finds out that that they have been having a relationship. Axel is a strong, loving man and his love is for Bree. His heartbreak is so deep when he leaves her…but he isn’t aware that he is leaving a piece of him behind. Bree is devastated when Axel leaves her. I cried several times while reading this book because the emotions are so real and raw in this story. Years pass and suddenly they are back in each other’s’ lives again. Bree is not the same girl she was years before. She has had to grow up, and all this time she wondered whatever happened to Axel and Axel has gone back to teaching which is how they end up meeting…without giving too much away, there are secrets involved and Bree is scared and hiding everything inside of her. There are twists and turns but the way the story ended was wonderful. I would love to read more in this story and the cast of supporting characters are great. Bree and Axel’s love story was so heartbreaking at times but the HEA was truly fantastic and will grab your heart and this is one romance story that you will remember and read over and over.
My Rating: 4.8. Stars ****
***A gifted copy was provided by the author for my honest review****
Bree Jacobs’s home life was a dark world, one she hated. The only place she found peace and some sort of happiness was when she was at school. Her mother was very unstable. She was horribly violent to her daughter. She had no one to talk to, no friends, no life. Her teacher, Axel takes notice and is the one who listens and pays attention. He is a few years older but they instantly connect like no one else. He wants to protect her , he sees her an someone who is being abused but no one really cares. At first it’s strictly innocent and he is there for her, making sure she knows he is there and listens but when she has the flu, he takes her home and cares for her and that when the boundary is crossed. I won’t go into details but its not tawdry but beautiful. You can feel the love between these two people. The story is told in mainly Axel’s viewpoint but at times we hear Bree’s side of things. We see how their relationship goes on and how they try to hide it so he won’t get in trouble but secrets are bound to come out and when that happens Axel ends up losing his job and leaves Bree behind. Heartbreak ensues and there is a separation when Axel leaves—really he has to because of all the turmoil when everyone finds out that that they have been having a relationship. Axel is a strong, loving man and his love is for Bree. His heartbreak is so deep when he leaves her…but he isn’t aware that he is leaving a piece of him behind. Bree is devastated when Axel leaves her. I cried several times while reading this book because the emotions are so real and raw in this story. Years pass and suddenly they are back in each other’s’ lives again. Bree is not the same girl she was years before. She has had to grow up, and all this time she wondered whatever happened to Axel and Axel has gone back to teaching which is how they end up meeting…without giving too much away, there are secrets involved and Bree is scared and hiding everything inside of her. There are twists and turns but the way the story ended was wonderful. I would love to read more in this story and the cast of supporting characters are great. Bree and Axel’s love story was so heartbreaking at times but the HEA was truly fantastic and will grab your heart and this is one romance story that you will remember and read over and over.
My Rating: 4.8. Stars ****
***A gifted copy was provided by the author for my honest review****
November 20, 2015
I love a teacher/student book even though many find it taboo but, let me tell you, this was more than that. I loved how I got to see the past as well as the present day, to help me better understand where each one is coming from.
Axel and Aubrey (Bree) had an instant connection. It's not because of the way many think, but because of what Axel saw in her. Aubrey's family life had me cringing but, most of all, my heart was breaking for her because NO ONE deserves to live through what she had to live on a daily basis.
Axel knows Aubrey's hiding something and the more he tries to get it out of her, the more she refuses to share until Axel truly shows her that he cares for her. As I saw their relationship grow, I kept hoping that Bree would share with Axel what she was suffering through.
Forward six years and now secrets are starting to show because it's impossible to keep them hidden. I was hoping they would reunite and live happily ever after, but life is never that easy, is it?! As old feelings start coming back to life, there is lots of explaining to be done on both sides. I will say that Axel and Bree have a lot of catching up to do but will they let their fear of what everyone thinks of them keep them from their own HEA?
This was a very emotional story of love, second chances and not giving a care of what everyone thinks of you. ~ Kara, 4.5 stars
Axel and Aubrey (Bree) had an instant connection. It's not because of the way many think, but because of what Axel saw in her. Aubrey's family life had me cringing but, most of all, my heart was breaking for her because NO ONE deserves to live through what she had to live on a daily basis.
Axel knows Aubrey's hiding something and the more he tries to get it out of her, the more she refuses to share until Axel truly shows her that he cares for her. As I saw their relationship grow, I kept hoping that Bree would share with Axel what she was suffering through.
Forward six years and now secrets are starting to show because it's impossible to keep them hidden. I was hoping they would reunite and live happily ever after, but life is never that easy, is it?! As old feelings start coming back to life, there is lots of explaining to be done on both sides. I will say that Axel and Bree have a lot of catching up to do but will they let their fear of what everyone thinks of them keep them from their own HEA?
This was a very emotional story of love, second chances and not giving a care of what everyone thinks of you. ~ Kara, 4.5 stars
December 28, 2020
The writing was definitely not for me. The whole outline was wrong (imo). The entire flashback part was just too long and dragging. I never liked flashbacks, but for them to be ALL together and occupy 60, 70% of the book?! It was pure torture.
And I really hated how the author wanted us to believe and how it was written like a freaking useless plot "twist"... *eye roll*
This doesn't get 1 star because the things I wanted actually happened (for once, lol), thank fuck.
That being said, I'm curious about her "lighter" books. Maybe she is just not good with angst.
And I really hated how the author wanted us to believe and how it was written like a freaking useless plot "twist"... *eye roll*
This doesn't get 1 star because the things I wanted actually happened (for once, lol), thank fuck.
That being said, I'm curious about her "lighter" books. Maybe she is just not good with angst.
January 27, 2016
This was a 3.5 star read for me. The first half of the book is told from Aubrey's pov. Although it helped me to see everything she was going through and appreciate that she was mature for her age, I still kept thinking of her story from a parents perspective. Having the second part of the book told from Axel's pov really helped me enjoy the book more. It helped me understand his characters thoughts and feelings more and not judge him too harshly. Overall I did enjoy this novel and will continue with the series.
October 29, 2015
I'm just a fan of student/teacher stories. What does that say about me!!! That being said, I really enjoyed this one! It could be a bit wordy at times, but I was okay with that. I hope everyone else likes it too.
November 19, 2015
5 Falling to Pieces Stars.
http://afterdarkbooklovers.com/2015/1...
*An ARC was provided for an honest review.
http://afterdarkbooklovers.com/2015/1...
*An ARC was provided for an honest review.
April 21, 2017
3.5 stars.. This is a forbidden teacher/ student love story. It's heartfelt and full of emotion. I really liked it.
April 16, 2017
4.5 Stars.
November 21, 2015
I received an ARC for an honest review.
Firstly let me star off by saying, I cannot give this five stars even though I couldn't put it down because it's very, very dramatic. So if you don't like books like that, I wouldn't even try reading this. There hero and heroine are constantly fighting, making assumptions and at times it gets a little bit like too repetitive of the fact they can't seem to be happy and get their shit together I guess?
It's a student/teacher romance. She's 17 and he's 24 for the first half of the book, then the second half is six years later after he leaves her and the school and splits town after thinking she was the reason the school board found out about them. Neither confirm this, so there's a lot of assumption and just making a lot of shit up in their heads he becomes an alcoholic and stuff although that's not really explored into that much detail.
Basically in Bree's childhood her mother abused her, mainly mentally and verbally, but during the book it veers off into physical. Now that wasn't a real problem, I think at times I compared it a lot to my own fathers verbal abuse to me, and having seen his physical abuse to my brother in the heat of an argument with alcohol involved, I can say yes it's slightly realistic... But. Yes, there's a but. Reading it the way it was, it felt a little... Off?
I think the abuse wasn't shown in completely the right way... I personally was left guessing if her mother was a psychopath, or if she just hurting and lashing out at the only person she could..? I've seen this kind of abusive parenting in my own home as a child towards a sibling after our mother left and my father accuses her still of cheating and he drank and lashed out when things didn't go a certain way. So I can actually see the things that happened happening, but... There's still moments that go further than that that make it look dramatic that didn't really need to happen, specifically the last time she sees her mother after the hero moves away. Just yeah... I couldn't take some things as realistic I guess. But please I'm talking about the wording and how it played out, not the actions as I believe that itself was realistic.
At the end of the book there's a first chapter excerpt for a sexual about Sarah, Bree's step sister. And it said its due out early 2016. I'm actually thinking about reading it too, because it's clearly about illness or loss from what I gathered in this book and the excerpt and I'm interested! I actually was reading the book and thinking it would be good for more info on the step mom and her 'migraines' so clearly I'll be getting into that so yeah I probably will continue hehe!
I did struggle rating this because of how dramatic it was, BUT, it was written in a way that I felt every emotion and I think it's a little more towards Him than Her, which is odd, but makes more sense after you read it I guess... But yes, VERY emotional, and I hunk I only put it down twice. Once to sleep at 230am, past my bedtime because I forgot to check the time and didn't realise! And the second time to change my sons nappy and feed him some food.... Yeah, I liked it that much, drama included at times.
I'd also like to add, that I DIDNT see things coming until it does. I loved how it was written and I loved that the youth stage where she was broken is in her POV, then later after he's broken, it's his POV. you really see them both pull the pieces together for each other it's beautiful.
Firstly let me star off by saying, I cannot give this five stars even though I couldn't put it down because it's very, very dramatic. So if you don't like books like that, I wouldn't even try reading this. There hero and heroine are constantly fighting, making assumptions and at times it gets a little bit like too repetitive of the fact they can't seem to be happy and get their shit together I guess?
It's a student/teacher romance. She's 17 and he's 24 for the first half of the book, then the second half is six years later after he leaves her and the school and splits town after thinking she was the reason the school board found out about them. Neither confirm this, so there's a lot of assumption and just making a lot of shit up in their heads he becomes an alcoholic and stuff although that's not really explored into that much detail.
Basically in Bree's childhood her mother abused her, mainly mentally and verbally, but during the book it veers off into physical. Now that wasn't a real problem, I think at times I compared it a lot to my own fathers verbal abuse to me, and having seen his physical abuse to my brother in the heat of an argument with alcohol involved, I can say yes it's slightly realistic... But. Yes, there's a but. Reading it the way it was, it felt a little... Off?
I think the abuse wasn't shown in completely the right way... I personally was left guessing if her mother was a psychopath, or if she just hurting and lashing out at the only person she could..? I've seen this kind of abusive parenting in my own home as a child towards a sibling after our mother left and my father accuses her still of cheating and he drank and lashed out when things didn't go a certain way. So I can actually see the things that happened happening, but... There's still moments that go further than that that make it look dramatic that didn't really need to happen, specifically the last time she sees her mother after the hero moves away. Just yeah... I couldn't take some things as realistic I guess. But please I'm talking about the wording and how it played out, not the actions as I believe that itself was realistic.
At the end of the book there's a first chapter excerpt for a sexual about Sarah, Bree's step sister. And it said its due out early 2016. I'm actually thinking about reading it too, because it's clearly about illness or loss from what I gathered in this book and the excerpt and I'm interested! I actually was reading the book and thinking it would be good for more info on the step mom and her 'migraines' so clearly I'll be getting into that so yeah I probably will continue hehe!
I did struggle rating this because of how dramatic it was, BUT, it was written in a way that I felt every emotion and I think it's a little more towards Him than Her, which is odd, but makes more sense after you read it I guess... But yes, VERY emotional, and I hunk I only put it down twice. Once to sleep at 230am, past my bedtime because I forgot to check the time and didn't realise! And the second time to change my sons nappy and feed him some food.... Yeah, I liked it that much, drama included at times.
I'd also like to add, that I DIDNT see things coming until it does. I loved how it was written and I loved that the youth stage where she was broken is in her POV, then later after he's broken, it's his POV. you really see them both pull the pieces together for each other it's beautiful.
November 19, 2015
**Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**
Another five star read from this author!!
This is the second book I read from this author and I have to say that she really knows how to make my emotions go all over the place with her books. I have to say that her writing really hits me right in the heart and her stories are so heartfelt and they hit me deep.
This story is about a girl who feels like she has no one in the world. Her dad abandoned her when she was only 11 years old and her mother never fails to tell her how much she regrets ever having her and always reminding her that she's a failure just like her father. Bree has done nothing but try and please her mother and just wants a little bit of love but she never gets anything other than reproaches and insults. Her mother has always verbally and physically abused Bree but Bree was always too scared to report her because she was an attorney and figured that she would just end up in a worse situation than she currently was at.
Until Bree met Mr. Taylor, the new history teacher in her school. Something about him drew her to him and actually opened up to him since she never had a "real" friend in her life. Mr. Taylor was the type of person who cared about people and the last thing he wanted to see was anyone get hurt physically or mentally and when he saw Bree one day with a bruised cheek, he knew he had to protect her and save her from whatever abusive relationship she was in, whether with a boyfriend or family member.
Bree and Mr. Taylor grew together and became the best of friends but in the process of this friendship, love started to blossom. Bree knew that it couldn't happen and so did Mr. Taylor but neither one wanted to end it nor take it a step further, so what do they do now?????
Apparently the inevitable happened and things got out of hand and Mr. Taylor ended up leaving the school without a word to Bree and just disappeared--just like thin air!
Six years later they run into each other and there are so many unanswered questions that they need to resolve. Bree has lived a good life and feels like she grew and has learned to spread her wings, while Mr. Taylor fell in a deep depression and was drowning in his sorrows throughout these six years. After they meet again, can they resolve their issues and forgive each other for misunderstandings that brought them to where they are now? Can they move forward and actually leave their past in the past and move forward? The main question is, can they make it work again?
This love story really had me in shambles and I have to say that Ms. Harper has a way with twisting my heart and then untwisting it. Her stories really evoke emotions in me that I thought I could never have because these stories are so touching and they are so worth reading. Because these types of situations happen in real life. Her stories find a way in my heart that I can't seem to get out and they stay with me for a long time. I sincerely love this story about a troubled teen and a teacher who has a passion for his students, one in particular of course ;)
If I could rate this higher than five stars....believe me I would give it more
Another five star read from this author!!
This is the second book I read from this author and I have to say that she really knows how to make my emotions go all over the place with her books. I have to say that her writing really hits me right in the heart and her stories are so heartfelt and they hit me deep.
This story is about a girl who feels like she has no one in the world. Her dad abandoned her when she was only 11 years old and her mother never fails to tell her how much she regrets ever having her and always reminding her that she's a failure just like her father. Bree has done nothing but try and please her mother and just wants a little bit of love but she never gets anything other than reproaches and insults. Her mother has always verbally and physically abused Bree but Bree was always too scared to report her because she was an attorney and figured that she would just end up in a worse situation than she currently was at.
Until Bree met Mr. Taylor, the new history teacher in her school. Something about him drew her to him and actually opened up to him since she never had a "real" friend in her life. Mr. Taylor was the type of person who cared about people and the last thing he wanted to see was anyone get hurt physically or mentally and when he saw Bree one day with a bruised cheek, he knew he had to protect her and save her from whatever abusive relationship she was in, whether with a boyfriend or family member.
Bree and Mr. Taylor grew together and became the best of friends but in the process of this friendship, love started to blossom. Bree knew that it couldn't happen and so did Mr. Taylor but neither one wanted to end it nor take it a step further, so what do they do now?????
Apparently the inevitable happened and things got out of hand and Mr. Taylor ended up leaving the school without a word to Bree and just disappeared--just like thin air!
Six years later they run into each other and there are so many unanswered questions that they need to resolve. Bree has lived a good life and feels like she grew and has learned to spread her wings, while Mr. Taylor fell in a deep depression and was drowning in his sorrows throughout these six years. After they meet again, can they resolve their issues and forgive each other for misunderstandings that brought them to where they are now? Can they move forward and actually leave their past in the past and move forward? The main question is, can they make it work again?
This love story really had me in shambles and I have to say that Ms. Harper has a way with twisting my heart and then untwisting it. Her stories really evoke emotions in me that I thought I could never have because these stories are so touching and they are so worth reading. Because these types of situations happen in real life. Her stories find a way in my heart that I can't seem to get out and they stay with me for a long time. I sincerely love this story about a troubled teen and a teacher who has a passion for his students, one in particular of course ;)
If I could rate this higher than five stars....believe me I would give it more
November 8, 2015
***Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.***
Aubrey "Bree" Jacobs is a seventeen year old high school student who has a rough life, she forced on a daily basis to endure emotional and physical torment by the one person in life, her mother the person who's suppose to love and protect you at all her cost. Bree's mother is violent and very unstable.
Bree is a loner she keeps to herself not one to have any friends to confide in, she goes to school and comes home, that's what her life consist of. Her only escape from her mother is school and her history class, why you ask because she has a new teacher Mr. Axel Taylor whom she finds extremely hot, and he's also very young.
With no one in Bree's life that she can turn to or confide in she slowly starts to open up to Mr. Taylor.
"He was my teacher, I was his student. His underage student. And he was seven years older than me. "
Axel is a caring man, he genuinely cares for his students, he may even be considered a true hero in some eyes. In Bree's eyes he most definitely was. The two had a connection from the very start and a friendship soon followed. Axel became her true confident the one she would rely on for everything. When she became ill with flu, who took care of her, Axel, when she needed medication or notes from classes she missed , or when she needed help dressing her wounds her mother inflicted, always Axel, her knight and shining armor.
"You need a friend, Aubrey. You need someone you can count on. Yes I'm your teacher, and yes, I could get in trouble for being here. But you need me, and I won't turn my back on you. "
A slow building friendship that turns into more, a love forbidden between a teacher and a student. A misunderstanding between the two that tears them apart, and after six years apart they find each other again. But things have changed for them a great deal, Axel's life is different now what he endured six year ago has left a mark on him. He's never forgotten about Bree. Bree is a different person now, she's grown up and still carries the weight with her on what happened six years ago. Bree's also hiding a secret from everyone, including Axel something he should know about. A secret that should be revealed by Bree not by another. How will Axel cope once he finds out about the secret, how will it impact all the lives involved. What was that misunderstanding about six years ago? Did fate bring them back together?
Falling to Pieces was a beautifully written story about a love forbidden between a student and teacher. It starts off six years prior and told by Bree's perspective, you need to hear her story and what lead her to fall for her teacher and the choices she made. The present is told by Axel, you'll hear his thoughts and go through all the emotions with not only him but Bree also.
"Without you, I'm nothing but a broken heart, a lost soul searching for its missing piece. I don't want to live like that anymore, I want to live it with you. "
Aubrey "Bree" Jacobs is a seventeen year old high school student who has a rough life, she forced on a daily basis to endure emotional and physical torment by the one person in life, her mother the person who's suppose to love and protect you at all her cost. Bree's mother is violent and very unstable.
Bree is a loner she keeps to herself not one to have any friends to confide in, she goes to school and comes home, that's what her life consist of. Her only escape from her mother is school and her history class, why you ask because she has a new teacher Mr. Axel Taylor whom she finds extremely hot, and he's also very young.
With no one in Bree's life that she can turn to or confide in she slowly starts to open up to Mr. Taylor.
"He was my teacher, I was his student. His underage student. And he was seven years older than me. "
Axel is a caring man, he genuinely cares for his students, he may even be considered a true hero in some eyes. In Bree's eyes he most definitely was. The two had a connection from the very start and a friendship soon followed. Axel became her true confident the one she would rely on for everything. When she became ill with flu, who took care of her, Axel, when she needed medication or notes from classes she missed , or when she needed help dressing her wounds her mother inflicted, always Axel, her knight and shining armor.
"You need a friend, Aubrey. You need someone you can count on. Yes I'm your teacher, and yes, I could get in trouble for being here. But you need me, and I won't turn my back on you. "
A slow building friendship that turns into more, a love forbidden between a teacher and a student. A misunderstanding between the two that tears them apart, and after six years apart they find each other again. But things have changed for them a great deal, Axel's life is different now what he endured six year ago has left a mark on him. He's never forgotten about Bree. Bree is a different person now, she's grown up and still carries the weight with her on what happened six years ago. Bree's also hiding a secret from everyone, including Axel something he should know about. A secret that should be revealed by Bree not by another. How will Axel cope once he finds out about the secret, how will it impact all the lives involved. What was that misunderstanding about six years ago? Did fate bring them back together?
Falling to Pieces was a beautifully written story about a love forbidden between a student and teacher. It starts off six years prior and told by Bree's perspective, you need to hear her story and what lead her to fall for her teacher and the choices she made. The present is told by Axel, you'll hear his thoughts and go through all the emotions with not only him but Bree also.
"Without you, I'm nothing but a broken heart, a lost soul searching for its missing piece. I don't want to live like that anymore, I want to live it with you. "
August 19, 2016
Falling to Pieces has all of the elements that make a student/teacher romance so appealing. With any forbidden romance, we are drawn to the illicit nature of it. We are intrigued by a love story that develops under circumstances that society doesn’t condone. It’s the threat and fear of the couple’s relationship being discovered that keeps us riveted to the pages of their story.
Bree is a character that you can’t help but feel for. Her life has been filled with sadness, loneliness, and abuse. While most seventeen year old girls go to school and hang out with their friends, Bree’s life consists of going to school, cooking and cleaning. She yearns for companionship and kindness.
Axel Taylor is a young, eager, and observant teacher who wants to do right by his students. When he sees that Bree is trying to conceal a mark on the side of her face, he is more than a little concerned. While Bree is adamant about keeping her home life a secret, Mr. Taylor’s kindness and compassion toward her eventually breaks down her defenses and she confides in him.
Since Bree is a lonely girl, she enjoys having someone to talk to. Their interactions begin innocently enough. Axel just wants to know that she is safe. Bree is just happy to have someone caring in her life. But soon enough their feelings begin to evolve into something deeper.
I’m not going to delve into all of the details of their romance, but I will just say that it was impossible not to want them to be together – I didn’t care if it was wrong. There was just something sweet and loving about the two of them together. Did they know that their relationship was wrong? Absolutely. They did try to keep their relationship innocent. It was a valiant effort.
What made this book stand out for me was the way that it was written. It begins in the present day, but then the author takes her readers back six years earlier to when Bree first met her teacher. We get to witness their interactions and watch their relationship unfold. Word by word, we watch them fall in love. I loved getting to see how everything first began for them. When the book goes back to present day, I was able to understand everything that they had lost and what they may have gained in those years that they were apart. While they still had deep feelings for each other, their lives were very different now. Would their love get a second chance?
Falling to Pieces was an emotional glimpse into the lives of two people who weren’t supposed to fall in love. It revealed the aftermath of their forbidden love and how their lives were forever changed.
Bree is a character that you can’t help but feel for. Her life has been filled with sadness, loneliness, and abuse. While most seventeen year old girls go to school and hang out with their friends, Bree’s life consists of going to school, cooking and cleaning. She yearns for companionship and kindness.
Axel Taylor is a young, eager, and observant teacher who wants to do right by his students. When he sees that Bree is trying to conceal a mark on the side of her face, he is more than a little concerned. While Bree is adamant about keeping her home life a secret, Mr. Taylor’s kindness and compassion toward her eventually breaks down her defenses and she confides in him.
Since Bree is a lonely girl, she enjoys having someone to talk to. Their interactions begin innocently enough. Axel just wants to know that she is safe. Bree is just happy to have someone caring in her life. But soon enough their feelings begin to evolve into something deeper.
I’m not going to delve into all of the details of their romance, but I will just say that it was impossible not to want them to be together – I didn’t care if it was wrong. There was just something sweet and loving about the two of them together. Did they know that their relationship was wrong? Absolutely. They did try to keep their relationship innocent. It was a valiant effort.
What made this book stand out for me was the way that it was written. It begins in the present day, but then the author takes her readers back six years earlier to when Bree first met her teacher. We get to witness their interactions and watch their relationship unfold. Word by word, we watch them fall in love. I loved getting to see how everything first began for them. When the book goes back to present day, I was able to understand everything that they had lost and what they may have gained in those years that they were apart. While they still had deep feelings for each other, their lives were very different now. Would their love get a second chance?
Falling to Pieces was an emotional glimpse into the lives of two people who weren’t supposed to fall in love. It revealed the aftermath of their forbidden love and how their lives were forever changed.
November 14, 2015
Review to follow. But WOW this is one read I will never forget!
Ok so here it goes, sometimes there are books that just touch you and move you, books you can relate to and books that you just can't put down. This book my friends is all of the above.
I absolutely fell in love with this book and Leddy's writing. You really Feel the emotions with this book, I laughed, ugly cried and just all in all got lost In this beautiful story.
Falling to pieces is a student/teacher book but what I love about it is how the line is drawn,you will understand both sides of the love story and the emotions and turmoil they both go through.
Bree (Aubrey) Jacobs, isn't looking for a relationship she is too busy just trying to survive the horrible and heart breaking hand she has been dealt in life, her daily life is a battle to survive but not only does she do it without a friend in the world but she also has smarts and sass.
Bree thinks that she is weak but for me her character showed real strength.
Axel Taylor is the young substitute teacher who is not only passionate about providing education but he has a bit of a hero complex.
When Axel finds out about Bree's Awful home life he is drawn to help her but although he feels the need to protect her, they both realize that their feelings run deeper than a saviour and protector relationship and develop into something that neither of them saw coming.
I love how they become best friends before the relationship develops further.
After life intervenes things will never be the same for Axel and Aubrey but what develops is an amazing story of how things change and that when fate has a plan for you it can't be fought!
I will not give anything away in this review as I just want people to read this and come away from it with the same feelings I have.
This book has everything, controversy, abuse, divorce, solid family values and true love, this book has passion and you can really tell that Leddy put her heart and soul into writing this and I thank her for that. This book is one of my absolute top 5 reads of 2015 and after the teaser for the next book at the end left me in tears I know there are more great books to come.
So I will end the review with one of my favourite quotes from the book.
The thought of going to sleep without talking to you guts me. It makes me dread the night. I never want the sun to set, because I don't want to deal with not getting your phone call. - Axel Taylor.
Ok so here it goes, sometimes there are books that just touch you and move you, books you can relate to and books that you just can't put down. This book my friends is all of the above.
I absolutely fell in love with this book and Leddy's writing. You really Feel the emotions with this book, I laughed, ugly cried and just all in all got lost In this beautiful story.
Falling to pieces is a student/teacher book but what I love about it is how the line is drawn,you will understand both sides of the love story and the emotions and turmoil they both go through.
Bree (Aubrey) Jacobs, isn't looking for a relationship she is too busy just trying to survive the horrible and heart breaking hand she has been dealt in life, her daily life is a battle to survive but not only does she do it without a friend in the world but she also has smarts and sass.
Bree thinks that she is weak but for me her character showed real strength.
Axel Taylor is the young substitute teacher who is not only passionate about providing education but he has a bit of a hero complex.
When Axel finds out about Bree's Awful home life he is drawn to help her but although he feels the need to protect her, they both realize that their feelings run deeper than a saviour and protector relationship and develop into something that neither of them saw coming.
I love how they become best friends before the relationship develops further.
After life intervenes things will never be the same for Axel and Aubrey but what develops is an amazing story of how things change and that when fate has a plan for you it can't be fought!
I will not give anything away in this review as I just want people to read this and come away from it with the same feelings I have.
This book has everything, controversy, abuse, divorce, solid family values and true love, this book has passion and you can really tell that Leddy put her heart and soul into writing this and I thank her for that. This book is one of my absolute top 5 reads of 2015 and after the teaser for the next book at the end left me in tears I know there are more great books to come.
So I will end the review with one of my favourite quotes from the book.
The thought of going to sleep without talking to you guts me. It makes me dread the night. I never want the sun to set, because I don't want to deal with not getting your phone call. - Axel Taylor.
December 12, 2015
From the first word thru the last I was captivated by Leddy's spectacular story about a controversial topic between Bree and Axel. Bree is a sixteen year old high school student. Bree is an only child. Bree has no friends. Bree lives alone with her mother.
Bree is trapped in a home isolated with loneliness. Bree's mother treats her like a servant. Bree desperately wants attention since her mother shows none. Bree just wants to feel loved and shown affection.
Bree meets the new young teacher Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor is observant of Bree. He notices how isolated and lonely she appears. They form a friendship of comfort, support, and protection.
This story got my mind working into overtime. This story was constantly on my mind. Leddy your words were so hypnotizing. My heart ached with sympathy and compassion for Aubrey. Abuse whether physical, mental, or verbal is a tough pill to swallow making people feel small, insecure and inadequate.
Leddy challenged herself by tackling this storyline like a champion. The way she presented the seventeen year old student against the twenty four year old teacher was magnificent.
Axel and Bree tried desperately to fight the emotional pull they had for one another by constantly reminding themselves of the student/teacher relationship. Boundaries were set. Guidelines were followed. Temptation tempered by putting distance when necessary. What still remained was how unethical the situation had become due to society placing a label on what they had.
Bree is the girl he could not protect and Axel is the guy she could not touch.
Bree had people who loved her and cared for her but their choices and circumstances keep them away with minimal interaction.
Leddy offers a different take on the forbidden love by adding age, morals, and ethics.
Leddy in the beginning had you focused on the matter of the moral issue between Bree and Axel against the issue of Bree's mother. In your mind you are battling against two morals issues. This is the fight against two unethical issues. As a reader you forget about the age difference, you forget about the student/teacher responsibility, and just get swept away in the innocent growth of love.
Executed in a timely fashion. Leddy revealed just enough to keep you entertained and yet held back enough to give surprises. Leddy crossed lines and pushed limits that were enthralling for the reader.
Bree is trapped in a home isolated with loneliness. Bree's mother treats her like a servant. Bree desperately wants attention since her mother shows none. Bree just wants to feel loved and shown affection.
Bree meets the new young teacher Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor is observant of Bree. He notices how isolated and lonely she appears. They form a friendship of comfort, support, and protection.
This story got my mind working into overtime. This story was constantly on my mind. Leddy your words were so hypnotizing. My heart ached with sympathy and compassion for Aubrey. Abuse whether physical, mental, or verbal is a tough pill to swallow making people feel small, insecure and inadequate.
Leddy challenged herself by tackling this storyline like a champion. The way she presented the seventeen year old student against the twenty four year old teacher was magnificent.
Axel and Bree tried desperately to fight the emotional pull they had for one another by constantly reminding themselves of the student/teacher relationship. Boundaries were set. Guidelines were followed. Temptation tempered by putting distance when necessary. What still remained was how unethical the situation had become due to society placing a label on what they had.
Bree is the girl he could not protect and Axel is the guy she could not touch.
Bree had people who loved her and cared for her but their choices and circumstances keep them away with minimal interaction.
Leddy offers a different take on the forbidden love by adding age, morals, and ethics.
Leddy in the beginning had you focused on the matter of the moral issue between Bree and Axel against the issue of Bree's mother. In your mind you are battling against two morals issues. This is the fight against two unethical issues. As a reader you forget about the age difference, you forget about the student/teacher responsibility, and just get swept away in the innocent growth of love.
Executed in a timely fashion. Leddy revealed just enough to keep you entertained and yet held back enough to give surprises. Leddy crossed lines and pushed limits that were enthralling for the reader.
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