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Damaged

Jody Holford (Goodreads Author)

4.13 · Rating details · 55 ratings · 13 reviews

Are Damaged souls broken?
All Maddi Brooks has ever wanted is to move on and away from her past, forgetting about the childhood memories that haunt her. Preferring solitude over the hustle and bustle of single, city-life, Maddi's introverted lifestyle suits her well. But when fate steps in and she comes face-to-face with Noah Evans, her neighbor's laid-back and charming br ...more

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ebook, 300 pages

Published March 2016 by Penner Publishing

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Average rating 4.13 ·

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· 55 ratings · 13 reviews

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Jan 31, 2016 Maegan Moores rated it it was amazing

I just finished reading Damaged last night and I can truthfully say that I loved everything about it. If you're looking for a book that has hot, steamy explicit sex in it, this is not the book for you. A story has to have more than that, it has to have heart, and this one has it in spades.

My new book boyfriend is currently Noah Evans. His quiet determination, his sense of humour, and his deep rooted love, protectiveness and patience with his sister and Maddi endeared him to me.

Then Jody snagged ...more

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Mar 29, 2016 1-Click Addict Support Group rated it really liked it

This was my second Jody Holford book and about two-thirds of the way through I realized something—Ms. Holford has a habit of drawing you into the story in such a way that you don't even realize that you're falling in love…

I actually found myself a little frustrated with the pacing of this story sometimes—but without even realizing it, everything eventually just clicked and, when it did, it completely took my breath away. It's supposed to be slow moving. It HAS to be slow moving, or the story do This was my second Jody Holford book and about two-thirds of the way through I realized something—Ms. Holford has a habit of drawing you into the story in such a way that you don't even realize that you're falling in love…

I actually found myself a little frustrated with the pacing of this story sometimes—but without even realizing it, everything eventually just clicked and, when it did, it completely took my breath away. It's supposed to be slow moving. It HAS to be slow moving, or the story doesn't make any sense. And because it's slow moving, once things start coming together, it's so much sweeter and more meaningful, and normal, everyday things within the storyline become breathtaking.

Another thing I realized is that when you pick up a Jody Holford book, you aren’t just getting a romance. I mean, there is a romance—and it’s sweet and breathtaking, and Lord, you guys, I loved the crap out of Noah—but her stories are so much bigger than all the swoons she delivers. Damaged was no exception. There’s a much deeper story here—about surviving and healing and forgiving, and living the fullest life you were meant to live.

It doesn’t shy away from some pretty sensitive topics—my heart broke for Maddi and Nat, and even sometimes for Noah as he tried so hard to protect these women he loved, to absorb much of their pain. It’s heavy—but not too heavy. There are plenty of lighthearted moments; the banter between Noah and Maddi, for example, was fun, flirty, and occasionally had me giggling out loud. Noah is the truest, most steadfast hero imaginable, and Maddi is so strong and brave in ways she doesn’t even understand or recognize. Their story isn’t necessarily an easy one, but it resonated and left a mark on my heart.

In the end, Damaged was heartbreaking, heartwarming, nerve wracking, and emotional. It was also redemptive and rewarding in such a way that while my heart may be a bit bruised from the journey, it’s so happy to have been along for the ride. ~ Shelly, 4 stars ...more

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Jan 19, 2019 Claire Scott rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I’m a big fan of Jody Holford and this book didn’t disappoint. I loved the character of Maddi, so strong, yet so vulnerable. Her past has shaped who she is, and she has worked very hard to keep her life safe..until the very sweet, sexy and funny Noah knocks on her door to deliver a parcel. Watching them navigate a budding relationship was fun to read, there was also some very tough issues raised but it was handled by Ms Holford brilliantly. A very well written story...with a hero I may have slig ...more

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Dec 15, 2018 Iman rated it liked it

The H as as sweet as the h is annoying 😂

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Feb 25, 2016 Trudy Dowling rated it it was amazing

Sweet romance at its finest. I was excited to receive an Arc of Damaged after reading Falling for Home. Jody has become one of my one-click authors. She adds little things to her stories that make them just a little bit more intriguing, hooking you just a little bit more. Romance isn't about hot and heavy sex. Romance is about the things someone is willing to do for "the one". Damaged is a romance that had me flipping the page, excited for the next great AWWWWWWWW.
Damaged is a story of patien ...more

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Jun 24, 2016 Brenda Dunne rated it it was amazing

Another lovely romance by Jody Holford! I purposely saved this book for a cross-continental trip I had to take, and it was the perfect read for a long and tedious twelve hour journey. Jody drew me in with her believable characters and allowed me space to make my own conclusions about what happened behind closed doors. Noah, Maddi and Nat are written realistically with true-to-life flaws and problems, and I was rooting for them from the beginning.

A wonderful cozy romance for a long trip or a rai ...more

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Mar 26, 2016 InD'tale Magazine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-may, genre-suspense-thriller, rating-3-5-star, steam-3

3.5/5.0

This was a poignant story that had the theme of enduring domestic violence and getting past it.

Read full review in the 2016 May issue of InD'tale Magazine. ...more

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Apr 07, 2019 Garth Mailman rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Noah runs a successful construction company in Denver having left home to escape parental constraints. He has recently moved his sister, Natalie, to a secure apartment in a good part of town to escape her abusive spouse who has left her anxious and insecure. He runs into her next door neighbour Maddie, a child of the foster care system, a loner who eschews social interaction working on her jewelery designs from home.

Maddie is enchanted by the way Noah's T stretches across his broad chest but is ...more

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Mar 08, 2021 Gail rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing story

What an adventure!! This book was so good. A woman who has shut life out and a man who struggles with guilt and helping his sister. These characters were so intense and damaged. But, they all find a way to find and believe in love again. The author did such a wonderful job of writing this story. The layers and depth of this book draws you in and doesn't let you go. I can't wait to read more by this author. ...more

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Mar 12, 2019 Stephanie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was about how things that should keep apart 2 people end up bringing them together. Two women with similar past experiences learn about themselves and and how to deal with their past which helps them open themselves to future friendships and perhaps love. This was a light, fun story.

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Sep 20, 2016 Tara rated it it was amazing

I love a book that makes me feel, but this romance/suspense book won't only make you feel the fall of that first meeting, the butterflies from that cute smile, and the thrill of the first kiss, but you will get caught up in the tension of protecting what's important to you, the struggle of overcoming your past, and the hope in moving forward to a better tomorrow.

You will be clutching the edge of your seat and turning those pages as quick as you can, even when it's two in the morning and you hav ...more

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Apr 09, 2016 Kelly - Kelly's Book Blog rated it it was amazing

4.5 of 5

Copy provided for an honest review.

This is a sweet romance that will break and warm your heart!

Maddie is a smart and strong woman who has and continues to overcome a very difficult past. To survive and move forward she has distanced herself from society and buries herself in her work - making custom designed jewelry that holds deep meaning in her heart. She suffers from various past emotional traumas that she cannot overcome on her own, she needs the strong and sexy man, Noah, who force 4.5 of 5

Copy provided for an honest review.

This is a sweet romance that will break and warm your heart!

Maddie is a smart and strong woman who has and continues to overcome a very difficult past. To survive and move forward she has distanced herself from society and buries herself in her work - making custom designed jewelry that holds deep meaning in her heart. She suffers from various past emotional traumas that she cannot overcome on her own, she needs the strong and sexy man, Noah, who forces her out of her shell more than she knows. I absolutely loved how raw and real Maddie is in this story. Her story is heart breaking yet inspiring. Seeing her “growth” as the story progresses is captivating. She is such well developed and relatable character.

Noah is a strong and supportive man who has always been there for his sister, Natalie, especially after he helps her recover and stand on her own after escaping an abusive relationship. While settling Natalie in her own apartment, he runs into one of the neighbors, Maddie, and is immediately attracted to her. He sees past her strong and unwavering facade and realizes that she too is beautifully broken. Being a compassionate man, he wants to help and will do anything and everything to get to know Maddie.

This story has a strong plot and is filled with great character dialogue/interactions. I felt very much invested in getting to know Maddie, Noah and Natalie. I quickly grew to like them and wanted to know how their stories would progress and where they would end up! I would find it very interesting if another story was written in Natalie’s point of view, I really enjoyed her character.

Although the chemistry is steamy between Noah and Maddie, the sexual content in at a minimum. I would have wanted more but I think it helped to not take away from the main story/plot. It helped to focus on the deep issues of heart break and healing.

Looking for a sweet romance!? Check out this book. I loved Jody’s writing style – I can’t wait to read more! ...more

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Jun 20, 2016 Vickie rated it it was amazing

A fantastic read. Maddi & Owen charmed their way into my heart. As the story progressed and Maddi began to lower some of her emotional boundaries I was there with her. Owen kept showing up and not taking no for an answer, "What is wrong with that guy"? Absolutely nothing. I literally couldn't put the book down. ...more

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