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Broken Hero
He was once the golden boy. Now he’s an ex-Marine struggling with PTSD.
Oliver Morris was the absolute last thing I needed. He’s brooding and angsty, with commitment issues and a temper. He’s the reluctant king of this small town.
To make matters worse? He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. All callused hands and cheekbones and deep-blue eyes.
I jump at the chance to work as a massage therapist at his ranch, now turned hotel. It’s a way back to my profession and I desperately need a job.
What I don’t need is Oliver Morris as my boss—a demanding boss who wears a baseball cap and a constant scowl and still manages to make my knees weak.
Oliver goes after what he wants, and somehow, that includes me. I know it’s a bad idea from the start, but there’s no possible way I can resist those eyes. Or those abs.
But it quickly turns out that I’m not the only one running from my demons.
Oliver has scars of his own, and they run far deeper than mine.
Can love heal?
There’s only one way to find out.
Oliver Morris was the absolute last thing I needed. He’s brooding and angsty, with commitment issues and a temper. He’s the reluctant king of this small town.
To make matters worse? He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. All callused hands and cheekbones and deep-blue eyes.
I jump at the chance to work as a massage therapist at his ranch, now turned hotel. It’s a way back to my profession and I desperately need a job.
What I don’t need is Oliver Morris as my boss—a demanding boss who wears a baseball cap and a constant scowl and still manages to make my knees weak.
Oliver goes after what he wants, and somehow, that includes me. I know it’s a bad idea from the start, but there’s no possible way I can resist those eyes. Or those abs.
But it quickly turns out that I’m not the only one running from my demons.
Oliver has scars of his own, and they run far deeper than mine.
Can love heal?
There’s only one way to find out.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2019
125 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Hayle
32 books3,377 followersHi there! I'm Olivia.
I write romance with billionaire heroes (despite never having met one in person). They're strong, ambitious, they don't need love... until they meet the women who change their minds.
I love witty banter, smart heroines, big cities and perfectly tailored suits. You'll find all four in every one of my books! 💜
➡ Explore the bonus content: https://oliviahayle.com/bonus-content
➡ Visit https://oliviahayle.com
READING ORDER
You can read any of the books as standalones, because each book follows a new couple. But if you ask me? This is my personal preference...
The Connovan Chronicles
- Best Enemies Forever
- The Perfect Mistake
- One Wrong Move
New York Billionaires
- Think Outside the Boss
- Saved by the Boss
- Say Yes to the Boss
- A Ticking Time Boss
- Suite on the Boss
- 12 Days of Bossmas
Seattle Billionaires
- Billion Dollar Enemy
- Billion Dollar Beast
- Billion Dollar Catch
- Billion Dollar Fiancé
Brothers of Paradise
- Dark Eyed Devil
- Ice Cold Boss
- Red Hot Rebel
- Small Town Hero
Standalones
- Arrogant Boss
- Look But Don't Touch
- The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door
- How to Honeymoon Alone
I write romance with billionaire heroes (despite never having met one in person). They're strong, ambitious, they don't need love... until they meet the women who change their minds.
I love witty banter, smart heroines, big cities and perfectly tailored suits. You'll find all four in every one of my books! 💜
➡ Explore the bonus content: https://oliviahayle.com/bonus-content
➡ Visit https://oliviahayle.com
READING ORDER
You can read any of the books as standalones, because each book follows a new couple. But if you ask me? This is my personal preference...
The Connovan Chronicles
- Best Enemies Forever
- The Perfect Mistake
- One Wrong Move
New York Billionaires
- Think Outside the Boss
- Saved by the Boss
- Say Yes to the Boss
- A Ticking Time Boss
- Suite on the Boss
- 12 Days of Bossmas
Seattle Billionaires
- Billion Dollar Enemy
- Billion Dollar Beast
- Billion Dollar Catch
- Billion Dollar Fiancé
Brothers of Paradise
- Dark Eyed Devil
- Ice Cold Boss
- Red Hot Rebel
- Small Town Hero
Standalones
- Arrogant Boss
- Look But Don't Touch
- The Billionaire Scrooge Next Door
- How to Honeymoon Alone
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 27, 2019
Lucy is a massage therapist who left Dallas because one of her clients asked her for sexual favours, she refused, and then got fired, and she caught her boyfriend having sex with her best friend. Oliver is an ex-marine suffering from PTSD. He is running his parents' ranch in the small town of Claremont as a bed and breakfast. Oliver and Lucy have an instant attraction to one another when he comes to pick up an order at the bakery she is working at. She can't find his order and he is very gruff with her.
When Oliver's sister discovers that Lucy is a massage therapist, she convinces Oliver to set up a spa in one of the unused cabins on the property. The side business is very successful, and soon Oliver and Lucy succumb to their attraction for each other. There are a few misunderstandings that cause brief rifts between the two lovers. The steamy scenes are well written. Olivia Hayle's fans will be pleased with this story about two broken, unhappy people who find love and a better future - together.
I would rate this well-written small town romance a 3.5 out of 5. I see that other reviewers rated this higher. This author writes very well, but there were certain portions of this novel that could have been fleshed out - there wasn't much action happening. It was a sweet slice of life story in the middle, but was a bit rushed in other sections. This could easily have been a 4 or a 5 star read but for those sections that needed work. The "misunderstandings" were also a bit contrived and weakened the narrative.
My thanks to the author, the publisher and BookSirens for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When Oliver's sister discovers that Lucy is a massage therapist, she convinces Oliver to set up a spa in one of the unused cabins on the property. The side business is very successful, and soon Oliver and Lucy succumb to their attraction for each other. There are a few misunderstandings that cause brief rifts between the two lovers. The steamy scenes are well written. Olivia Hayle's fans will be pleased with this story about two broken, unhappy people who find love and a better future - together.
I would rate this well-written small town romance a 3.5 out of 5. I see that other reviewers rated this higher. This author writes very well, but there were certain portions of this novel that could have been fleshed out - there wasn't much action happening. It was a sweet slice of life story in the middle, but was a bit rushed in other sections. This could easily have been a 4 or a 5 star read but for those sections that needed work. The "misunderstandings" were also a bit contrived and weakened the narrative.
My thanks to the author, the publisher and BookSirens for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2025
Oliver & Lucy
October 21, 2019
Lucy comes back to her home town to lick her wounds and to try to start her life over. Oliver, former marine and ranch owner, keeps to himself and deals with his PTSD all on his own. A brief encounter brings the two together. Can a new romance be exactly what they both need to get beyond the baggage in their pasts? I was locked into this story from the opening pages. The characters were beautifully written and instantly the reader becomes vested in the romance. Add in the quirky sister and small girls and you get a family dynamic that just adds so much more to the story. I cannot wait to read more in this series!!
March 8, 2020
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
Broken hero is a cute story, I liked the characters well enough, but the book was just kinda boring to me. It may be a personal thing because I like lots of drama and angst, and those aspects of the story were wrapped up too quickly and easily.
Lucy moves to the super small town where her aunt and uncle live after some issues in her life. Oliver has always lived in the super small town apart from his time in the Marines. All the people who live in the super small town are simple and ignorant, almost unrealistically so. There is a ranch, some personal problems worked through, then love. And that's it.
It's not a bad book at all, just not exciting enough for me.
Broken hero is a cute story, I liked the characters well enough, but the book was just kinda boring to me. It may be a personal thing because I like lots of drama and angst, and those aspects of the story were wrapped up too quickly and easily.
Lucy moves to the super small town where her aunt and uncle live after some issues in her life. Oliver has always lived in the super small town apart from his time in the Marines. All the people who live in the super small town are simple and ignorant, almost unrealistically so. There is a ranch, some personal problems worked through, then love. And that's it.
It's not a bad book at all, just not exciting enough for me.
March 12, 2020
A small town, a beautiful ranch, a bakery, a "broken" veteran, a misunderstood masseuse, lots of miscommunication and, of course, a romance. This was such a cute, heartwarming romance story. Not much depth to it, but cute nonetheless. I warmed to the characters instantly, really enjoyed the setting, and appreciated the fast paced plot.
November 15, 2019
I really enjoyed Oliver & Lucy's story. Good characters. This was a fun & relateable read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
March 24, 2020
If you like a contemporary romance, this one is pretty good. It is more or less what I expected. The tropes are Damaged Ex-Marine and Sensitive Healer. It also takes place in Mayberry Part Two, Electric Boogaloo, the little town where everybody knows your name and is up in your business.
February 14, 2020
Can I start by telling you that I’m a sucker for a book with a wounded hero? Saw too much, is a little too hurt and love is the catalyst to help him get better. Sign me up.
This book was definitely feel good - both the hero and heroine have serious issues they are working through, but they are definitely peripheral to their relationship and the main plot in the book.
I expected to see more conflict between the main characters (that they would of course work out before the end of the book) because that’s the ‘normal’ formula but really I’m happy with how it was.
I’d say one of the best parts about the book is the characters act like adults and actually seem to have a healthy relationship. They’re pretty quick to resolve their conflicts and one of them always comes around (relatively quickly) to talk things out. It’s nice to read something that doesn’t feel toxic.
Check this book out if your looking for:
- a happily ever after that feels good along the way
- The chance to see a bully get what’s coming for him
- A heroine who has self control around sweets (from my perspective this means it HAS to be fiction)
- A character who recognizes they need help with their mental health and asks for it
Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a love story that will make you smile.
This book was definitely feel good - both the hero and heroine have serious issues they are working through, but they are definitely peripheral to their relationship and the main plot in the book.
I expected to see more conflict between the main characters (that they would of course work out before the end of the book) because that’s the ‘normal’ formula but really I’m happy with how it was.
I’d say one of the best parts about the book is the characters act like adults and actually seem to have a healthy relationship. They’re pretty quick to resolve their conflicts and one of them always comes around (relatively quickly) to talk things out. It’s nice to read something that doesn’t feel toxic.
Check this book out if your looking for:
- a happily ever after that feels good along the way
- The chance to see a bully get what’s coming for him
- A heroine who has self control around sweets (from my perspective this means it HAS to be fiction)
- A character who recognizes they need help with their mental health and asks for it
Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a love story that will make you smile.
November 19, 2019
"Broken Hero" by Olivia Hayle started off kind of slow IMO, and I was a bit frustrated with all of the mystery surrounding the main characters' pasts. It's one thing for the main characters not to reveal all of their secrets to each other at first, but it's always nice for the author to give readers a few details early on to sustain interest in the story. In this case, however, it seemed like the author chose to hold a lot of details back until very late in the book. For example, while there were some hints dropped along the way, we did not learn the exact circumstances behind Lucy, the female lead's, firing from her job in Dallas until almost 3/4 of the way through the book.
Despite that small frustration, I really liked the main characters, Lucy and Oliver, and thought that their relationship developed at a nice pace. Oliver, the titular "broken hero" of the story, didn't seem to be very "broken" to me for about the first third of the book; he came across as kind of moody, but that was all. It wasn't until he ventured out to the crowded town fair that his PTSD really started to manifest. After it did and it became apparent that it was causing problems in his growing relationship with Lucy, I really appreciated that Oliver made the decision to seek therapy on his own, and didn't need to be pushed into it. I also liked how hard he tried to be more open with Lucy, and thought it was incredibly sweet that Lucy made the effort to learn more about his condition so that she would know how to be a supportive partner for Oliver.
In some ways, Lucy seemed to be more "broken" than Oliver. She certainly had a hard time letting go of what happened with her job in Dallas, and as a result found it next to impossible to ignore town gossip about her and Oliver's relationship, even when it turned out that most of the gossip was not as bad as she thought it was. To be fair, her trauma was fresher than Oliver's, but it still seemed to me like she might benefit from therapy just as much as Oliver did.
In addition to Oliver and Lucy, the secondary characters were a lot of fun and added interest to the story. I especially enjoyed Oliver's matchmaking sister, Sarah, and her young daughters, as well as receptionist Mandy and Oliver's Marine buddy, Logan. I would definitely be interested in reading more about Mandy and Logan's relationship. Based on the epilogue, there's obviously a lot more to their story!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. There were some minor frustrations for me, but the likeable characters and nicely paced relationship development were more than enough to make up for those.
*ARC provided by the author via BookSirens. All opinions expressed are my own.
Despite that small frustration, I really liked the main characters, Lucy and Oliver, and thought that their relationship developed at a nice pace. Oliver, the titular "broken hero" of the story, didn't seem to be very "broken" to me for about the first third of the book; he came across as kind of moody, but that was all. It wasn't until he ventured out to the crowded town fair that his PTSD really started to manifest. After it did and it became apparent that it was causing problems in his growing relationship with Lucy, I really appreciated that Oliver made the decision to seek therapy on his own, and didn't need to be pushed into it. I also liked how hard he tried to be more open with Lucy, and thought it was incredibly sweet that Lucy made the effort to learn more about his condition so that she would know how to be a supportive partner for Oliver.
In some ways, Lucy seemed to be more "broken" than Oliver. She certainly had a hard time letting go of what happened with her job in Dallas, and as a result found it next to impossible to ignore town gossip about her and Oliver's relationship, even when it turned out that most of the gossip was not as bad as she thought it was. To be fair, her trauma was fresher than Oliver's, but it still seemed to me like she might benefit from therapy just as much as Oliver did.
In addition to Oliver and Lucy, the secondary characters were a lot of fun and added interest to the story. I especially enjoyed Oliver's matchmaking sister, Sarah, and her young daughters, as well as receptionist Mandy and Oliver's Marine buddy, Logan. I would definitely be interested in reading more about Mandy and Logan's relationship. Based on the epilogue, there's obviously a lot more to their story!
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it. There were some minor frustrations for me, but the likeable characters and nicely paced relationship development were more than enough to make up for those.
*ARC provided by the author via BookSirens. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 6, 2019
PTSD and Small-Town Gossip Threaten Contemporary Romance
It’s a standard romance formula - a woman is cheated on and loses her job, so she moves home to a small town where she meets a great guy. The twists here are that he’s an ex-soldier with PTSD, and she’s a massage therapist dealing with the profession’s negative reputation- that sometimes massages come with “happy endings”.
It’s cute, sweet, and has some good laughs and steamy sex scenes. I liked the characters both main and secondary, especially their maturity. Misunderstandings were handled pretty quickly by talking them out. I loved the banter between them. They come out with some zingers. They aren’t perfect but grow with the story, working on their issues. PTSD is realistically shown as something that requires ongoing treatment and self-awareness. It has relapses with good and bad days, months, and years. This issue isn’t a major focus of the story but is part of the greater theme of self-acceptance and learning to ignore the haters in life.
Overall, I enjoyed this but was heavily distracted by grammar mistakes. I’d probably have given it a 4 but must knock it down to a 3 due to this.
1st person present tense with a few slips into past tense. Chapters from alternating main characters.
HEA, graphic sex scenes, no OW/OM drama, very little foul language.
Grammar: tons of missing commas mostly between two independent clauses, but they weren’t all missing. So it wasn’t a conscious style choice. Missing comma count: 150. Other error count: 36 - Wrong or missing punctuation marks. Missing, wrong, and misspelled words. Dialogue separated from action sequences which identified the speaker. Missing dialogue tags where needed, so I couldn’t tell who said some things. Mixed tenses.
Least Favorite Quote: “Mandy leans closer t me.” T with no O. It makes me 1) wonder if even Word’s simple grammar check was run and 2) want to cry.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
It’s a standard romance formula - a woman is cheated on and loses her job, so she moves home to a small town where she meets a great guy. The twists here are that he’s an ex-soldier with PTSD, and she’s a massage therapist dealing with the profession’s negative reputation- that sometimes massages come with “happy endings”.
It’s cute, sweet, and has some good laughs and steamy sex scenes. I liked the characters both main and secondary, especially their maturity. Misunderstandings were handled pretty quickly by talking them out. I loved the banter between them. They come out with some zingers. They aren’t perfect but grow with the story, working on their issues. PTSD is realistically shown as something that requires ongoing treatment and self-awareness. It has relapses with good and bad days, months, and years. This issue isn’t a major focus of the story but is part of the greater theme of self-acceptance and learning to ignore the haters in life.
Overall, I enjoyed this but was heavily distracted by grammar mistakes. I’d probably have given it a 4 but must knock it down to a 3 due to this.
1st person present tense with a few slips into past tense. Chapters from alternating main characters.
HEA, graphic sex scenes, no OW/OM drama, very little foul language.
Grammar: tons of missing commas mostly between two independent clauses, but they weren’t all missing. So it wasn’t a conscious style choice. Missing comma count: 150. Other error count: 36 - Wrong or missing punctuation marks. Missing, wrong, and misspelled words. Dialogue separated from action sequences which identified the speaker. Missing dialogue tags where needed, so I couldn’t tell who said some things. Mixed tenses.
Least Favorite Quote: “Mandy leans closer t me.” T with no O. It makes me 1) wonder if even Word’s simple grammar check was run and 2) want to cry.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
October 20, 2019
Featuring a former Marine who is struggling with life as a veteran, this sweet yet sexy book finds our (broken) hero with a second chance at happiness. A promising new author, Olivia Hayle’s writing is solid and the characters are easy to like. I really enjoyed Oliver and seeing him come back to life once our heroine enters the picture.
The story follows Oliver, a man who has returned to his hometown after years in the Marines. He was once prom king, a sports star who was liked by all - but he’s not that guy anymore. He’s given up on having a real relationship, but when Lucy comes to town, it’s hard to ignore the attraction that sparks between them. Something about her makes it easy to flirt and smile, and Oliver likes the man he becomes when she’s around. But Lucy has her reasons for coming to town, and she’s struggling to rebuild her own life.
It’s a pretty laidback and sweet romance that features a few sexy times. The story is much more about these two finding their place in life and slowly falling for each other. Oliver is a great guy who has seen a lot, and that means building a relationship with him is complicated. Overall, it’s a light, well written book - though honestly I wished there was a little more grit to the story. The only real angst comes from these two fumbling through the early stages of their relationship; Oliver doesn’t question whether he wants to pursue Lucy for long. He’s definitely more hesitant than broken, but I liked the story as a whole. Looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story follows Oliver, a man who has returned to his hometown after years in the Marines. He was once prom king, a sports star who was liked by all - but he’s not that guy anymore. He’s given up on having a real relationship, but when Lucy comes to town, it’s hard to ignore the attraction that sparks between them. Something about her makes it easy to flirt and smile, and Oliver likes the man he becomes when she’s around. But Lucy has her reasons for coming to town, and she’s struggling to rebuild her own life.
It’s a pretty laidback and sweet romance that features a few sexy times. The story is much more about these two finding their place in life and slowly falling for each other. Oliver is a great guy who has seen a lot, and that means building a relationship with him is complicated. Overall, it’s a light, well written book - though honestly I wished there was a little more grit to the story. The only real angst comes from these two fumbling through the early stages of their relationship; Oliver doesn’t question whether he wants to pursue Lucy for long. He’s definitely more hesitant than broken, but I liked the story as a whole. Looking forward to seeing what this author writes next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 3, 2020
This is the second book that I have read by Olivia Hayle and I wasn't disappointed.
Lucy Rhodes , a massage therapist had escaped from the heartache of her old life to a new life in the small town of Claremont. Lucy was to live over the bakery shop owned by her Aunt Claire and Uncle Phil and help out in the shop whilst trying to set up a small business treating sports injuries etc.
Lucy's boyfriend had cheated on her with her best friend and she had lost her job at a prestigious spa because of unsubstantiated and untrue reports to the owners.
Oliver Morris, an ex marine, is the owner of a large ranch and since being injured he now runs with the help of his sister Sarah and his ex colleague Logan. The ranch presently does bed and breakfast but Sarah has big ideas for bringing in more customers and they include a opening a spa treatment centre that hopefully Lucy would agree to run.
Gavin Whittaker, the owner of the local handyman stor,e had always been envious of Oliver, right back to their school days, and he delighted in spreading the rumour that Lucy's massages included sexual favours.
This story follows the journey of Lucy and Oliver falling in love although both were hiding secrets from their past.
Would Oliver believe the rumours ? Could Lucy trust him with her heart ? Would the close knit community of Claremont believe the lies that Gavin was spreading after all, Lucy was still new to the town.
This is a lovely story of a blossoming romance and the love and trust between two people against adversity. A really enjoyable read. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Lucy Rhodes , a massage therapist had escaped from the heartache of her old life to a new life in the small town of Claremont. Lucy was to live over the bakery shop owned by her Aunt Claire and Uncle Phil and help out in the shop whilst trying to set up a small business treating sports injuries etc.
Lucy's boyfriend had cheated on her with her best friend and she had lost her job at a prestigious spa because of unsubstantiated and untrue reports to the owners.
Oliver Morris, an ex marine, is the owner of a large ranch and since being injured he now runs with the help of his sister Sarah and his ex colleague Logan. The ranch presently does bed and breakfast but Sarah has big ideas for bringing in more customers and they include a opening a spa treatment centre that hopefully Lucy would agree to run.
Gavin Whittaker, the owner of the local handyman stor,e had always been envious of Oliver, right back to their school days, and he delighted in spreading the rumour that Lucy's massages included sexual favours.
This story follows the journey of Lucy and Oliver falling in love although both were hiding secrets from their past.
Would Oliver believe the rumours ? Could Lucy trust him with her heart ? Would the close knit community of Claremont believe the lies that Gavin was spreading after all, Lucy was still new to the town.
This is a lovely story of a blossoming romance and the love and trust between two people against adversity. A really enjoyable read. I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
May 26, 2020
This story touched on past trauma and PTSD-- a subject I am interested in so the introduction to the book caught my attention. I appreciated the author's attempt in taking the stigma out of reaching out for mental health support when a person is struggling.
I am glad the characters acknowledged they needed to work on speaking with each other and the importance of communication but through the whole story it felt like they ran away too quickly yet returned to each other just as quickly... it actually came across to me as very immature behavior. I liked that they cared enough to work it out... but they seemed to get over everything way to easily without really working anything out.
The very first intimate scene was awkward. I think some reworking is necessary in that area. The progression to their first time together made me cringe yet the author did a significantly better job in future intimate moments.
I wish author's in general would reduce the use of stereotypical macho scenes where a male tries to solve a problem with his fists. There was only one in this book but I felt it took away from the character. I prefer if they are able to use their brains and outsmart their opponent and only use fight scenes when they are relevant to the progress of the story... not just because the main character's opponent says something he doesn't like so he hits them.
Overall, an enjoyable read that has the potential to be a really good story with some reworking.
I received an ARC through VRO for review.
I am glad the characters acknowledged they needed to work on speaking with each other and the importance of communication but through the whole story it felt like they ran away too quickly yet returned to each other just as quickly... it actually came across to me as very immature behavior. I liked that they cared enough to work it out... but they seemed to get over everything way to easily without really working anything out.
The very first intimate scene was awkward. I think some reworking is necessary in that area. The progression to their first time together made me cringe yet the author did a significantly better job in future intimate moments.
I wish author's in general would reduce the use of stereotypical macho scenes where a male tries to solve a problem with his fists. There was only one in this book but I felt it took away from the character. I prefer if they are able to use their brains and outsmart their opponent and only use fight scenes when they are relevant to the progress of the story... not just because the main character's opponent says something he doesn't like so he hits them.
Overall, an enjoyable read that has the potential to be a really good story with some reworking.
I received an ARC through VRO for review.
January 13, 2020
The characters in this book are very appealing. I absolutely loved Oliver, as I connected to him on a personal level. He has PTSD and I suffer from it too. Also, he is a retired Marine and my husband is currently an active duty Marine.
The story is interesting, but it has a few issues. At the beginning of the book, the sentences are a little choppy but they pick up within ten pages. So if you start and have a little trouble, just keep reading. Also, the first sex scene starts off a little cringy. After they actually start "going" though it gets a lot more interesting.
I did really like this book. I don't think I would read it again; it's just not that kind of book for me. I would recommend it to Marine wife friends or other sufferers of PTSD. It's a light read that you can still connect with, without being forced to think about your own condition. It also subtly invites you to seek help. That part is really well done.
This is my first Voracious Readers Only review. I am writing this completely of my own free will and am not being paid for it. I got a free copy of the book to read and review.
The story is interesting, but it has a few issues. At the beginning of the book, the sentences are a little choppy but they pick up within ten pages. So if you start and have a little trouble, just keep reading. Also, the first sex scene starts off a little cringy. After they actually start "going" though it gets a lot more interesting.
I did really like this book. I don't think I would read it again; it's just not that kind of book for me. I would recommend it to Marine wife friends or other sufferers of PTSD. It's a light read that you can still connect with, without being forced to think about your own condition. It also subtly invites you to seek help. That part is really well done.
This is my first Voracious Readers Only review. I am writing this completely of my own free will and am not being paid for it. I got a free copy of the book to read and review.
April 28, 2020
once again, i find myself wondering why i don't live in a small town, doing yoga and falling in love with hot guys.
broken hero is about lucy, who returns to small town claremont in an attempt to escape her past, and oliver, the hermit-like veteran who runs a ranch/hotel in the town. this is SO cute and talks about issues i don't normally think about, which was interesting for a romance. it handles ptsd and the difficulties that come along with returning home from war. it discusses the problems women working in massage therapy face when it comes to prejudices from those who don't know better.
these characters had really interesting perspectives, and i came to care about both of them so much.
also, i gotta say someone bringing the gruff recluse out of their shell is one of my favorite tropes in romances. this was SO CUTE. especially the epilogue. wow.
please read this if you like sweet, caring romance accompanied by some nice sexy scenes and just a general feel good atmosphere. such a good book.
i was provided a copy of this book by the author via voracious readers only.
broken hero is about lucy, who returns to small town claremont in an attempt to escape her past, and oliver, the hermit-like veteran who runs a ranch/hotel in the town. this is SO cute and talks about issues i don't normally think about, which was interesting for a romance. it handles ptsd and the difficulties that come along with returning home from war. it discusses the problems women working in massage therapy face when it comes to prejudices from those who don't know better.
these characters had really interesting perspectives, and i came to care about both of them so much.
also, i gotta say someone bringing the gruff recluse out of their shell is one of my favorite tropes in romances. this was SO CUTE. especially the epilogue. wow.
please read this if you like sweet, caring romance accompanied by some nice sexy scenes and just a general feel good atmosphere. such a good book.
i was provided a copy of this book by the author via voracious readers only.
March 8, 2020
I really enjoyed Oliver and Lucy's love story! The military trope is one of my favorites and Oliver did not disappoint. One of my other tropes is small town romance, which is also part of this book.
In some parts of the story, I had a hard time connecting to the characters and to the places. The dialogue was short, very proper and immature in some instances. It made it a little hard for me to follow and connect sometimes. I also felt like I was lacking history and the build up to the story. Details were hard to come by, I wanted to hear about why Lucy spent so much time with her aunt growing up, the bad blood with Oliver and Garrett and how it affects them today, I wanted to read when Ollie and Lucy said I love you for the first time. The sex scenes were warm, the author did a decent job.
Although there were things that I felt could have been done a little better, I really like the story and the ending was everything I could have asked for. I would read this author again!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In some parts of the story, I had a hard time connecting to the characters and to the places. The dialogue was short, very proper and immature in some instances. It made it a little hard for me to follow and connect sometimes. I also felt like I was lacking history and the build up to the story. Details were hard to come by, I wanted to hear about why Lucy spent so much time with her aunt growing up, the bad blood with Oliver and Garrett and how it affects them today, I wanted to read when Ollie and Lucy said I love you for the first time. The sex scenes were warm, the author did a decent job.
Although there were things that I felt could have been done a little better, I really like the story and the ending was everything I could have asked for. I would read this author again!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2020
Received this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only for an honest review.
Broken Hero is a contemporary romance about Lucy, a woman who's looking for a place to start over, and Oliver, an ex-Marine fighting PTSD and trust issues. Attraction is instant and together, they navigate through their struggles of their past so they can have a future.
In complete honesty, I did like it. I liked Lucy. I liked Oliver. I liked that they helped each other overcome grief and and pasts that come back to haunt them, and I even liked their little town full of nosy but (mostly) well-intentioned folks. But that was about it.
Broken Hero is a slow burn - a little too slow burn for me. I understand the immediate attraction between Lucy and Oliver, but with all the build-up, the ending felt rushed, and some of the conflicts felt forced. Sex scenes were well-written and very respectful, yet the in-between scenes could have been more fleshed out. All in all a sweet and cute novel about finding love, but some scenes could have been better thought out.
Broken Hero is a contemporary romance about Lucy, a woman who's looking for a place to start over, and Oliver, an ex-Marine fighting PTSD and trust issues. Attraction is instant and together, they navigate through their struggles of their past so they can have a future.
In complete honesty, I did like it. I liked Lucy. I liked Oliver. I liked that they helped each other overcome grief and and pasts that come back to haunt them, and I even liked their little town full of nosy but (mostly) well-intentioned folks. But that was about it.
Broken Hero is a slow burn - a little too slow burn for me. I understand the immediate attraction between Lucy and Oliver, but with all the build-up, the ending felt rushed, and some of the conflicts felt forced. Sex scenes were well-written and very respectful, yet the in-between scenes could have been more fleshed out. All in all a sweet and cute novel about finding love, but some scenes could have been better thought out.
April 22, 2020
This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed reading it. The characters were well developed, and it had a good storyline. It was fast paced, easy to get lost in, and I loved every minute of it.
Lucy’s life had hit bottom and she had to leave Dallas and start over again. She went to stay with her aunt and uncle who own a bakery in a small town. She was a massage therapist but was helping in the bakery until she could decide what to do with her future.
Oliver Morris is an ex-Marine with PTSD who has turned the family ranch into a resort. When his sister presents the idea of having a spa to offer clients, Oliver knew it was a good financial decision but wasn’t sure about having Lucy around a lot. He was attracted to Lucy, but he was bad with relationships. He preferred to be a loner rather than socialize with the people he grew up around. Lucy is slowly able to draw him out and get him involved with life. Can they help each other heal from the past?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lucy’s life had hit bottom and she had to leave Dallas and start over again. She went to stay with her aunt and uncle who own a bakery in a small town. She was a massage therapist but was helping in the bakery until she could decide what to do with her future.
Oliver Morris is an ex-Marine with PTSD who has turned the family ranch into a resort. When his sister presents the idea of having a spa to offer clients, Oliver knew it was a good financial decision but wasn’t sure about having Lucy around a lot. He was attracted to Lucy, but he was bad with relationships. He preferred to be a loner rather than socialize with the people he grew up around. Lucy is slowly able to draw him out and get him involved with life. Can they help each other heal from the past?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 20, 2019
What an amazing read. I loved Oliver and Lucy together. Oliver is not looking for anything, he’s been deemed a hermit by his sister and needs to get out and live a little, but that’s not what he wants. He likes his little life the way it is, structure, no complication until Lucy show up and turns his life and his feelings upside down. Lucy is sweet, beautiful and running from her past and she sparks something deep in him that he thought was long gone. Lucy makes him want more, but always in the back of his mind he’s afraid he’s going to disappoint her somewhere down the line. Will the Marine/Rancher take a chance on love or will his fears keep him from getting everything he’s ever wanted but didn’t know it? I guess you will need to read for yourself. Loved it, and I received an advance copy of this book.
May 4, 2020
Lucy - Lost after losing a job, boyfriend and best friend. Moves to be near relatives and to figure out what comes next.
Oliver - Wounded, Honorably discharged from military service, suffers from PTSD and has turned the family ranch into a B&B.
From the moment these two meet, an obvious attraction starts. With bumps along the way, misunderstandings, and a lack of communication, these two will try to overcome his PTSD, their employer/employee relationship and of course, the town idiot. Will it be enough to find happiness with each other and can they trust one another after the hurt and suffering they have both endured?
The characters and story were well written and I enjoyed reading about them as individuals and how they helped each other to become the people they wanted to be and be seen as.
Oliver - Wounded, Honorably discharged from military service, suffers from PTSD and has turned the family ranch into a B&B.
From the moment these two meet, an obvious attraction starts. With bumps along the way, misunderstandings, and a lack of communication, these two will try to overcome his PTSD, their employer/employee relationship and of course, the town idiot. Will it be enough to find happiness with each other and can they trust one another after the hurt and suffering they have both endured?
The characters and story were well written and I enjoyed reading about them as individuals and how they helped each other to become the people they wanted to be and be seen as.
February 2, 2020
This is the first book that I have read by Olivia Hayle and I am so glad that I tried it out. It was a really sweet read, I really like her writing style even though first person story telling isn't my favourite. Also Olivia writes really strong characters, they are not too perfect or unredeemable, I found both the main characters and the supporting charcters to be really relatable.
But what I loved most about this book was whilst Oliver and Lucy hit some bumps in the road they were grown ups about it, no over the top angst, just relateable misunderstanding that didn't become huge problems. This made the book an easy read.
**In the name of transparency I was given a copy of this book by the author via Voracious Readers Only but these are my own words and feelings.***
But what I loved most about this book was whilst Oliver and Lucy hit some bumps in the road they were grown ups about it, no over the top angst, just relateable misunderstanding that didn't become huge problems. This made the book an easy read.
**In the name of transparency I was given a copy of this book by the author via Voracious Readers Only but these are my own words and feelings.***
April 4, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was thought provoking on the issues some of our soldiers experience when returning to civilian life. It showed that we should be more tolerant of each other, less judgemental and with a little understanding and compassion, people can be helped.
I enjoyed both Lucy and Oliver's characters and the story between them. They were well written and their personalities really came through. I would have liked more on Mandy and Logan's story. It was hinted at throughout the book but you never got to know anything about them.
There were a few spelling and grammar mistakes but it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed both Lucy and Oliver's characters and the story between them. They were well written and their personalities really came through. I would have liked more on Mandy and Logan's story. It was hinted at throughout the book but you never got to know anything about them.
There were a few spelling and grammar mistakes but it didn't detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 22, 2019
Broken Hero is the first book I have read from a selection sent to me by "Voracious Readers Only". I am voluntarily leaving this review.
What a great start to my holiday reading this little gem was. The story was laid-back and very easy to read. The storyline was enchanting although perhaps a bit predictable at times.... a small town romance between two characters who weren't even looking for love. But the main characters were strong, believable and full of passion. There were a few slightly raunchy scenes in the book but they were not over the top.
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of romance fiction. I certainly enjoyed reading it!
What a great start to my holiday reading this little gem was. The story was laid-back and very easy to read. The storyline was enchanting although perhaps a bit predictable at times.... a small town romance between two characters who weren't even looking for love. But the main characters were strong, believable and full of passion. There were a few slightly raunchy scenes in the book but they were not over the top.
I highly recommend this book to all lovers of romance fiction. I certainly enjoyed reading it!
April 26, 2020
3.5 stars if i could - but not quite 4.
Lucy returns to a small county town where she used to spend summers in a bakery with her Aunt and Uncle, but now she comes here for refuge from her unravelling life in Dallas.
Oliver Morris has a last name that is a legacy in this small county town and tries to fly under the radar for most of the time, but there's a new girl in town that is changing everything in his life right now.
The book is enjoyable and an easy quick read. Characters that make you laugh, cringe and swoon, I would recommend it to others needing a light romance read.
Thank you to Book Sirens for the Free ARC for me review.
Lucy returns to a small county town where she used to spend summers in a bakery with her Aunt and Uncle, but now she comes here for refuge from her unravelling life in Dallas.
Oliver Morris has a last name that is a legacy in this small county town and tries to fly under the radar for most of the time, but there's a new girl in town that is changing everything in his life right now.
The book is enjoyable and an easy quick read. Characters that make you laugh, cringe and swoon, I would recommend it to others needing a light romance read.
Thank you to Book Sirens for the Free ARC for me review.
October 20, 2019
Truly enjoyed this book, inspiring characters of both Lucy and Oliver. Great match of these two people who are running/hiding from themselves but trying to find what they lost in their lives. Love the connection and all the support they received from their family and friends in dealing with PTSD and rumors that can hurt, but nonetheless are just words that can be overcome with confidence and strength of character. Wonderful ending to this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2019
Oliver is now turning his family ranch into a successful holiday venue and wedding destination. He is ex military and a doesn’t like to get involved with small town banter.
Lucy has moved from Dallas back to her aunts, she has left a cheating ex and was recently sacked from her job as a masseur.
Olivias sister is determined to get her brother back into society and comes up with a scheme to bring Oliver and Lucy together.
First book ive read by this author, this was really well written and kept your interest throughout.
Lucy has moved from Dallas back to her aunts, she has left a cheating ex and was recently sacked from her job as a masseur.
Olivias sister is determined to get her brother back into society and comes up with a scheme to bring Oliver and Lucy together.
First book ive read by this author, this was really well written and kept your interest throughout.
February 2, 2020
To be honest I liked this book but felt like it moved kind of slowly. I guess I just wanted a little more to happen with the characters. I kind of felt like they kept dealing with the same issue multiple times instead of having it build to a climax and then resolve at the end.
That being said I did like the development of the characters and their relationship. I liked the setting and the issues they were dealing with. Overall I did enjoy the book.
I received an advance readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
That being said I did like the development of the characters and their relationship. I liked the setting and the issues they were dealing with. Overall I did enjoy the book.
I received an advance readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 25, 2020
Lucy is running away from a cheating ex and untrue rumours. Oliver is hiding away on his ranch avoiding human contact.
Until he arrives at Lucy’s family bakery where she is now working. The attraction is instant.
The both have obstacles to overcome but love blossoms - this is a beautifully written story that deals with the PTSD storyline sensitively. It had me gripped from the beginning. First book I’ve read by this author but won’t be my last!
I received a free ARC from BookSirens for my honest opinion and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Until he arrives at Lucy’s family bakery where she is now working. The attraction is instant.
The both have obstacles to overcome but love blossoms - this is a beautifully written story that deals with the PTSD storyline sensitively. It had me gripped from the beginning. First book I’ve read by this author but won’t be my last!
I received a free ARC from BookSirens for my honest opinion and am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 3, 2020
In my opinion, this book had a rather slow start. This is the second book i've read from Olivia Hayle and I must say, other than the slow start, it did not disappoint. This story follows Lucy, a massage therapist, and Oliver, and ex marine. Their journey to love while hiding the secrets of their past. Are the rumors true? Could they trust each other with their hearts? If you like contemporary romances, this is a book for you. I was lucky enough to recieve a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. Im leaving this review completely voluntarily.
June 4, 2021
I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
Maybe I’m just not understanding the “small town dynamic”, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that her life was upended in a big city because of a lie about her job (massage therapist) and she was worried about it happening in the small town as well. Seriously - I’m absolutely sure you could leave the spa you work at and find somewhere new in a big city to work. The whole thing seemed overblown and stupid.
Other than that, I did enjoy both characters and the pace of the story.
Maybe I’m just not understanding the “small town dynamic”, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that her life was upended in a big city because of a lie about her job (massage therapist) and she was worried about it happening in the small town as well. Seriously - I’m absolutely sure you could leave the spa you work at and find somewhere new in a big city to work. The whole thing seemed overblown and stupid.
Other than that, I did enjoy both characters and the pace of the story.
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