Hunter

Damaged Hearts

by Skylar Heart

A New Adult Bad Boy Romance

LIZZY

I should have known he was trouble when I watched him drive his motorbike onto campus, leaving a trail of people whispering as he made his way into the Art Building.
Word around here is, he doesn’t date. So why do his eyes keep roving over me? Why does he want to talk to me?
Rumor has it, Hunter’s good at two things: making art, and getting into fights. I love art, but I can’t stand violence. I’ve been on the receiving end of it too many times.
My life is simple, it needs to be if I want to graduate and keep my eating disorder at bay… I sleep, I eat, I go to class and I definitely Do. Not. Date.

So why do I want him to hold me in his strong arms and cradle me to his broad chest?


HUNTER

She’s like a spooked little mouse. Not my type at all. Until she looked up at me and I was caught in her azure eyes.
But I won’t let her get close. In the last four years, I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved. I will never trust anyone ever again. The second I do, I’ll find myself alone again. So, what’s the use?
So I create big metal installations, I go to class when I feel like it, I drink and get into fights at the bar.
I have to stay away from Lizzy, because my darkness will only make hers worse. I know I have to, but that isn’t what my heart wants. When I see the pain in her eyes, I can’t resist her. I want to help her, touch her…

Own her.


This is a standalone full length New Adult romance with a bad boy and a girl who battles anorexia, but they're still able to get their Happy Ever After (and no cheating).

Genres: Romance, New Adult, College, Contemporary Romance, Mental Health, Contemporary, Adult

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2016

Reviews

[Paula D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful, heart wrenching story! Hunter and Lizzie both living in darkness. What happens with they meet and there darkness becomes light? I really don't wanna spoil anything but you will love this book no it's not all romance and hot sex but it's a perfect amazing story that brings two people together that need each other desperately to go on living. You never know someone unless you dig down deep inside and they reveal there true self. 5/5 live stars ❤️I received this book for a unbiased review

[Adele Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how the story builds up gradually and you don't know much about what each character is going through within a few chapters. It helped you feel more connected to them as you felt like you was going through the process with them. To see the change in lizzy and hunter throughout the book was emotional at times and heartwarming at other times.

[pucksbookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shattered
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Randomly picked up this book the other day and it was an okay read!

The writing style is super accessible and I flew through the story really fast. The book reminded me of a Wattpad fanfiction, because it was really predictable and cringy at times. Especially the spicy scenes made me so uncomfortable lmao.

I think the romance was a bit rushed. Literally a quarter through the book the two main characters were already helplessly in love with each other. I would’ve loved to see more of a build up.

However, I thought the two main characters were worked out really well. They both had their past traumas and dark secrets that the usual novels try to avoid. (Please check trigger warnings before reading!) The dark topics did create a rather depressing ambiance, and I wasn’t very motivated to keep reading because of it.

In the end, the book wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it did keep me entertained and I enjoyed it for what it was. It’s a quick story, I just wouldn’t put it at the top of your tbr. I’m starting the second book soon so I will definitely keep you updated on that!

[Inès]

DNF

[Jessica Dillema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dat ik gek ben op New Adults weten jullie inmiddels volgens mij wel. Dat ik af en toe eens wat minder bekende auteurs uit probeer, dat weten jullie ook. Soms bevalt dat heel goed, zoals bij Suzanne Peters en Marina Folkers. Dit keer kwam de uitnodiging van Skylar Heart – ik ga er vanuit dat het een pseudoniem is. Of ik interesse had in het lezen van Shattered; een New Adult die volgens haar het midden treft tussen Carry Slee en Colleen Hoover. Over verlies, anorexia en een voorliefde voor kunst. Tsjah, het klonk gewoon goed.

De cover
Toch pakte ik het boek niet direct op toen ik het ontving. Ik vond de cover er een beetje amateuristisch uit zien. Het beeld heel flets en het lettertype net niet pakkend genoeg. Ik vreesde voor de inhoud. En dat klinkt heel extreem, maar een stunning cover zorgt er nou eenmaal voor dat ik een boek sneller oppak. Liefde op het eerste gezicht zal ik maar zeggen.



Meer dan oké
Gelukkig bleek de inhoud méér dan oké. In het begin had ik eventjes moeite met erin komen, maar dat was echt maar een paar pagina’s. Daarna kon ik het boek niet meer wegleggen. Als er meer uren in een dag hadden gezeten had ik het in één dag uitgelezen. Ik wilde weten hoe het verder zou gaan. Uiteindelijk las ik het boek in twee dagen uit.

Lekker vlot
Ik lees tegenwoordig meer Nederlands dan Engels, maar vroeger las ik heel veel Engels. Het Engels dat in Shattered gebruikt wordt is makkelijk te lezen; ze gebruikt weinig moeilijke woorden en schrijft lekker vlot (op wat redactiefoutjes na). Daarnaast verveelde het boek mij geen moment. Je lees vanuit het perspectief van Lizzie en van Hunter en daardoor is genoeg afwisseling in het boek. Daarnaast zijn er ook diverse andere personages die een prominente rol spelen.

Shattered - Skylar Heart

Nederlandse en Vlaamse markt
Als ik dan toch een minpunt moet noemen dan is het dat hier en daar wat herhaling plaatsvindt, maar ikzelf vond het eerlijk gezegd niet heel erg storend. Ik leefde mij helemaal in in de personages en hun verhaal. Ik vind de problemen van zowel Lizzie (anorexia) als Hunter (verlies) goed in beeld gebracht. En het is prachtig om te zien hoe ze samenkomen door hun liefde voor kunst. Shattered is overigens speciaal voor de Nederlandse en Vlaamse markt. In het buitenland is het boek Hunter getiteld en heeft het een andere cover. En over de cover gesproken, dan ga ik toch liever voor de cover die nu in mijn bezit is.

Conclusie
Shattered is het eerste deel in een serie, en afgaande op wat ik hier heb gelezen kan ik niet wachten op een vervolg. Niet over Lizzie en Hunter, hun verhaal is wat mij betreft afgesloten, maar over bijvoorbeeld Lizzies zus. Haar verhaal heeft namelijk nog wat open eindjes. Er is echter nog niks bekend over een tweede deel, dus ik wacht af. Ik heb genoten van de personages, de fijne schrijfstijl en het goede verhaal. Bedankt dat ik kennis met je boek mocht maken Skylar Heart.

Deze recensie verscheen eerst op mijn blog Reviews & Roses. Per 1 november 2024 bestaat dit blog niet meer.

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for an honest review and I'm not really sure where to start with this book, but thank you very much Skylar Heart for making me cry at work.

Wow what a book this one is going to stick with me for a long time, that is one thing I can be certain about.

I love an author who just gets into the nitty gritty of illness's and grieving. This book takes on the story of a girl who has anorexia and a guy who has lost too much in his life. The fact that I have had trouble with food and still have a bad relationship with food this book really hit home and I loved it.

Both characters were nothing short of admirable and the angst throughout the book just kept you so interested.

When a book really takes you on a ride and you get so many emotions from reading the book I think the author has done her job and done it magnificently.

This book was fantastic and certainly a big 5 star read for me.

Your stuck with me now Skylar Heart you have got a huge fan for life now, well done and can't wait for more.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for an honest review.
This is a new author to me, so therefore, I was unsure of what to expect, but I need not have worried. This is the story of Hunter and Lizzie, who both live in darkness, and need each other in order to survive.
This author has done an amazing job on witting this storyline. It is an emotional and gritty novel, dealing with an awful illness. This story takes us on a rollercoaster of a journey, which intrigues, captivates, and endears the reader throughout.
I cannot wait to read more from this author, and will be adding her to my favourites and 1-click lists. Congratulations on a wonderful story Skylar, I will be recommending your work to all!

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* read.
When I read the blurb it grabbed my attention but at the time I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy the story. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and although it was definatly an emotional and tear jerking read in places I really enjoyed Lizzie and Hunter's relationship and watching them develop as characters both together and seperate. Both are dealing with their own problems and as a reader you emotionally go on their journey with them.
Can't wait for more from this author.

[Lilith Darville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar Heart sent me a review copy in exchange for an honest review. If you love a well-written new adult without sexual content, you'll love this book. I approach any romance that handles mental illness with trepidation. Skylar handles the demons Lizzy and Hunter battle with sensitivity and clarity. I quickly immersed in their world and couldn't put the book down. If this book is any indication of what is to come, I'll put Skylar top of my New Adult reading list. Good read!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was a touching story about two severely broken individuals finding happiness and healing through each other. Lizzy and Hunter were just existing until their paths crossed. Old wounds were opened up but subsequently closed due to their desire to be better.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Hunter and Lizzy were perfect for each other they complimented each other well. I liked the reactions Hunter could get out of Lizzy, "there are huge scratch marks going down my back. Whoops. The door opens behind me and Lizzy steps in. Her eyes meet mine in the mirror and she blushes deeply. “Sorry about that.” I enjoyed this book.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunter and Izzy both had their pain to deal with in this book. I liked them together as a couple. A beautiful, good read about the pain of life and second chances.

I received an arc and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janna ♥ I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore ♥]

dnf but I think it's me not the book

[Maura (Taylor’s Version) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an okay read. I’m not allll that enthusiastic about it since it was a weirdly set up book, but I did enjoy reading it. I just found the storyline and the development of the relationship between Lizzie and Hunter confusing and unrealistic. They went from kind of enemies to friends to being intimate to friends to being intimate again etc etc. It was chaotic. Some moments were cute though. Hunter caring so much about her and the way they comforted each other with all the bad times going on for example. Other parts were predictable and made me cringe.

In my perspective, the character development was well written. Lizzie going from an insecure girl absorbed in her illness to a somewhat fearless woman and Hunter going from being broken by grief and guilt to being free of most of that pain was really special to read about. Not to mention it being realistically paced. The writer did well with that!

But as I said, the relationship between Lizzie and Hunter was confusing. I was reading it at some point, thinking they were good again after some trouble went down, but then Lizzie had some problem again. This continued and continued and that makes it a repetitive pattern.

Generally speaking, this book is a fine read. There’s nothing too special about it. I will read the other parts in this series because even though I’m not a nr. 1 fan, I am quite curious.

So go read it too!

[Deborah G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunter & Lizzy, two people that initially come together through their love of art. Both are returning to college after a much needed break the previous year.

Lizzy suffers from anorexia, is timid, quiet & freezes when touched by most. Her art is what soothes her & in spite of this comfort she struggles greatly with her illness daily.

Hunter, also a talented artist, is haunted by the loss of two loved ones. His art dulls his pain, eases the guilt & stifles his bouts of anger.

As an onlooker, these two couldn't find a worse match for each other. The few in their circle see it & although Lizzie & Hunter have felt connected from their first meeting, they also see that spending time together can be a danger to their wellbeing.

This story is very much a slow burn. It's gloomy, depressing & when you think a character has sunk to their lowest, something triggers a glint of hope. I must admit, even though I enjoyed the story, I did struggle at times, much like the characters. The author illustrated the depths one can sink to while coping with grief & also portrayed how an eating disorder, that many of us do not completely understand, can affect someone's life greatly outside the sheer necessity to eat.

A somber book, a slow pace but in spite of these things, I enjoyed this story.

[Jess Sutherland · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

I hadn’t heard anything about this book, it was just something that caught my eye on stuff your kindle day so I gave it a go.

For me I feel like this storyline had so much potential to be something amazing, unfortunately i just couldn’t connect with the writing style. At times it took me back to early secondary school days when being made to write a story and I think that’s why it took me so long to finish rather than just blaming it on a slump. However I decided to not DNF it purely for the fact that I was interested in the storyline.

I also feel like the ending was so rushed. I LOVE a slow burn, but if it’s not done correctly it can really make or break a book and for me, once the MC got out of the slow burn phase, the book was practically over.

[Gladys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very powerful, emotional story. Hunter and Lizzie are both deeply wounded people. The pain that they live with causes them to react in different ways. Hunter stays detached, drinks, and gets into fights. Lizzie suffers from an eating disorder and self harms. This is a very intense book and as such is not always easy to read. A solid storyline, strong emotions, and complex characters create a very beautiful and emotionally moving romance. I'm posting a totally honest, voluntary review after reading this book.

[LostinDreams13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of your typical teen fiction Wattpad story, which the author tries to avoid by going more into depth by adding Lizzy her sickness and Hunter's past. However, due to the lack of emotional development and details during the important/character development parts, the story remains nothing more than easy-to-read teen fiction. Though, there is nothing wrong with that occasionally.

[Tmara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it kept me interested and I wanted to keep reading.
I do think a trigger warning wouldn't be a bad idea. Lizzy her eating disorder could be quite triggering for some people.
But it's also really interesting to read about it, to see how it can effect the person herself and the people around her.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐝, 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐧'𝐭.


2.5⭐️ 1 🌶 ⚠️Check TW⚠️
First time I’ve given a book such a low rating, it kinda makes me sad because I had high hopes for it but it is what it it.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🔹Insta like/love
🔹Art students
🔹Collage romance
🔹Mental health/illness rep

[˚•—S—•˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is destroyed.
This was such a hard and painful story of two people habing their own issues and how they can both make each other worse and better at the same time. Absolutely beautiful.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/16/2023)! 🎁

[Charlene Yogis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this author. I enjoyed the interaction between characters.

[Simone Goodner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I had a really hard time getting into this. Maybe, I'll retry at another time.

[Julia Winther · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for Me

For me, this story was a weird romanticism of eating disorders. While there was a lot of potential, the character development was poor.

[Aliaha Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book. The spicy scenes were awkward and there was actually only 2 scenes so.. mostly it was her fighting her feelings the entire book.

[Lisette Davelaar · Rating 1 out of 5]

veel te veel seks
ik heb nog hoop voor het andere deel

[fauve · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m very confused by the average rating because this has to be one of the worst written books I’ve read in a good while.

[Pascalle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the book jumped a bit too quick that Lizzy and Hunter got feelings for each other. There wasn’t really a built up or events that happened beforehand. I think it was good to see how people with anorexia struggle and the people around them and the feeling of losing someone close to you. I did think it was a bit toxic that they both thought they weren’t good for the each other in the beginning but still continued their “friendship”. It did end good tho. 3 stars because it wasn’t the best book I’ve read but it wasn’t bad.

Genre: YA romance
Series: Damaged Hearts
Relation: Classmates to “friends” to lovers
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Fluff rating: 💗💗💗
Tear rating: 💧💧
Humor rating: -

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lizzy en Hunter zijn beide gebroken door verschillende gebeurtenissen. Zo heeft Lizzy al jaren een eetstoornis en Hunter heeft zijn vriendin verloren door een motorongeluk. Beiden zijn ze ongelukkig maar langzaamaan lijken ze voor elkaar te ontdooien en elkaar gelukkiger maken. Maar is dat ook echt zo? Kunnen deze twee gebroken mensen elkaar helpen?

Al vanaf de eerste pagina wordt je meegezogen in het verhaal. We lezen hoe Lizzy voor het eerst weer naar college gaat en hoe eng ze dit eigenlijk vindt. Hier ontmoet ze Hunter, een jongen waar ze meteen geïntrigeerd door is, maar ook een jongen die niet goed voor haar is. Hij raakt vaak dronken in de bar, raakt in gevechten terecht en zit vaak onder de blauwe plekken. Lizzy wordt toch door hem aangetrokken, ondanks deze donkere kant van hem. Doordat je als lezer met zowel Lizzy als Hunter meeleest krijgen beide personages zoveel diepgang. Je begrijpt zowel de keuzes die Lizzy als die Hunter maakt. De karakters zijn ontzettend realistisch beschreven en ook de eetstoornis van Lizzy weet de lezer te raken. Je ziet haar struggles met eten en je begrijpt ook waar dit vandaan komt. Anorexia is zoveel meer dan een fysieke stoornis, het is bovenal een mentale stoornis.
Als lezer merk je al snel dat je aan beide karakters gehecht raakt. Je hoopt zo dat Lizzy over haar eetstoornis komt, dat Hunter het verlies van zijn vriendin weet te verwerken en bovenal dat deze twee karakters samen komen.

Wanneer je eenmaal begonnen bent in Shattered, kan je het niet meer wegleggen! Dit is een boek die je in een ruk door wilt lezen en je op het puntje van je stoel kan houden. Ondanks dat er geen spectaculaire gebeurtenissen of grote plottwists in het verhaal zitten, weet het boek continue interessant te blijven en de aandacht van de lezer te trekken. Zo erg zelfs dat je het boek niet weg kan leggen! Dit is bijzonder knap gedaan door de schrijfster. Daarnaast is de ontwikkeling die zowel Lizzy als Hunter meemaakt ontzettend mooi opgebouwd. Beiden maken enorme veranderingen door in het boek, maar dit is zo mooi en langzaam opgebouwd dat je de veranderingen niet merkt tot je aan het eind van het boek bent en beseft wat voor een grote ontwikkeling deze karakters hebben doorgemaakt.

Ik had nog niet eerder een boek van deze schrijfster gelezen, maar na dit eerste deel van de Damaged Hearts serie te hebben gelezen weet ik zeker dat ik in de toekomst nog veel meer van deze schrijfster wil lezen! Dit boek krijgt van mij 5 sterren.