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Shattered glass. Red drops falling. A rustic scent, mixing with the smoke until it’s all I can smell. The loss of the only person that ever gave a shit about me.

My reality.

What I caused because I couldn't be what the rest of the world needed me to be. For letting the selfish part of me win and allowing myself to fall in love.

I've been running as fast and as far away from the memory of that night as I can get, but no matter how far I go, I can never escape it.

The last thing I want is someone new coming along and forcing me to do what I’ve spent the last two years ducking and dodging at every turn.

Feeling, or even worse. Loving.

Isaac Crawford is toxic and it has nothing to do with his inability to speak.

He threatens everything I’ve spent the last two years trying to bury. His resemblance to my past is undeniable, bringing what should remain buried, alive again. And no matter how deep the urge is to flee, the need to stay fights back harder. Making the untouchable one impossible to turn away from.

One look—one chance meeting in a conference room was all it took for him to get under my skin and now that he’s done it, there’s no turning back.

The untouched is creating the unbroken.

383 pages, ebook

First published November 20, 2014

2 people are currently reading
247 people want to read

About the author

Melyssa Winchester

32 books241 followers
Mother, Sister, Daughter, Best Friend, Avid Book Reader, Author, Overall Crazy Person.

I'm Melyssa and I was born and raised in what is now known as the mega city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I'm the country girl stuck in the city girls body and anytime I can get away from the big city lights and settle somewhere far more slower is always such a treat.

I'm a mother to probably the four most amazing kids on the planet. (Yes that's a typical mom answer isn't it?) They have brought so much joy to my life and without them I'm not entirely sure where or what I'd be doing. They've taught me so much that I only hope I can do the same for them as they grow.

When I'm not with them I'm doing one of two things. Either curled up with my e-reader and as many books as I can handle or watching marathons of Supernatural, Sons of Anarchy or Veronica Mars.

Lastly, I'm always on the lookout for my next book boyfriend, even if I have to create him in my own stories. can't go wrong with a good book boyfriend. :)

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Melyssa Winchester.
Author 32 books241 followers
May 30, 2020
Unbroken in terms of the Count On Me Universe takes place between the final chapter and Epilogue of Dillon’s continuing story Here & Now.

It is a love story that features the characters of Isaac from All My Heart (Count On Me #4) and Ryder from Here & Now (Count On Me #5).

It’s a coming of age romance that delves into the NA realm due to the characters ages and some of the events that they go through and experience throughout the story. It’s about learning to love oneself again after suffering the unimaginable and also learning what it takes to love another.

Like some of the other Count On Me stories (not all of them), it does feature bullying, but where this one differs is that it’s bullying based around a person’s right to choose who they love because essentially love is louder than prejudice, hate, gender and ignorance.

These characters do not have an easy journey to happiness, but they do have a very real journey even though they are created fictionally.

This being a m/m romance, I am walking into this knowing that it will not be for everyone, but it is my hope that it at least touches one person out there that may be struggling with the same issues as these characters do and gives them some form of hope and strength to keep fighting when often times it feels as though there’s nothing worth fighting for.

With most of the things I write, even if it's not always clear, my final message is always hope and to attempt to be, at least in a fictional setting a voice of change so that maybe for the next generation, life won't have to be quite the way it's been thus far. It is my hope that this book speaks to you in much the same way it did me, but if it doesn't, at least I know I tried and it was worth every second spent.

If you take the chance on this book, whether the reception for it is good or bad, please know from the bottom of my heart that it means the world and I will do my best to thank each and every one of you. If I do not though, I am saying it here. Thank you for taking this journey, not only with me but with Ryder and Isaac as well.

-Melyssa Winchester

LOVE is LOUDER <3
Profile Image for Cheryl.
12 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2014
I recieved an ARC of this book from the author, and I'm here to post a spoiler free, honest review.

I've known this awesome writer for years, and she's my amazing friend. She's an amazing writer and one HELL of a writer. When she told me about this book, I knew that she was going to make this something special. Having recieved my copy, I marathon read this, and all I can say is amazing.

I'm not saying this because we're friends, I'm saying this because its true. The story of Isaac and Ryder is a hard, yet beautiful one. It's equal parts heart breaking, tender, and brave. And this amazing author, she weaved it together. She made you feel what both Ryder and Isaac are both feeling. And that is a sign of a talented magician.

That's what she is...a freaking magician. Thank you, Melyssa...for bringing the world your talent. For being brave enough to write this book, and to tell this story the way Isaac and Ryder deserved to have this story told.
Profile Image for Diane Plourde TDC Book Reviews.
1,859 reviews31 followers
October 26, 2014
I was really ecstatic to get an ARC from one of my favourite authors. It was a privilege to be given this chance to read this book before everyone. I've read tons of books over the years. In order to keep me entertained,focus and wanting to finish a book, I need to be impressed and want something new. Well this book did it for me. I admire and respect a writer who can write about real life issues that are still taboo. Being gay and conflicted about it is all too real. Melyssa Winchester nailed it. Her best work yet. The readers need to go in with an open mind. It's about two people falling in love,finding redemption and working through emotional issues. Forgiving themselves to get a second chance at love. A six star book. I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for J.M. Winchester.
Author 4 books85 followers
December 1, 2014
Theres books that are written that I stay away from. Stuff that I know that im just not gonna like or want to waste what lil time I do have on. When I found out that Melyssa Winchester was writing a book about two gay men, wasnt really sure how to feel bout it cus its just not my thing.
I was wrong with how I felt an the way I judged it before even readin it.
Ya, I wrote a book with the girl so that must mean I’m biased or whatever but with me, if I dont like it, I will rip it apart an give u a reason why I dont like it. If I kissed ass to people that I read books for it wouldnt do them any favors. So yeah, I went in judging this off the first page.
By the end, I ate every fuckin judgement I gave this book when I started it an walked away wantin to kick the shit out of myself for at a time in my life bein no better than the other judgemental assholes out there.
This is not a picture perfect book. The main character Ryder is a god damned mess and he screws up as often as he screws girls in this tryin to hide his sexuality. He meets Isaac and still screws up. It aint insta love. Its Ryder getting slammed with something he doesn’t think he deserves, and that reminds him of his past and what he still blames himself for two years after it happened. His struggle as he wrestles with feelin again and what the consequences in his mind will be from that.
He’s a broken mess and Isaac isn’t fairin all that much better. Bullied for not bein able to talk he’s heard it all. The only thing he’s never had to deal with before is judgement for his sexuality cus not speakin means he never has to admit it out loud. Both these guys have been able to swallow down who they are so that the people theyre presenting themselves to be is exactly what they believe about each other.
This is a raw book. It’s not a sweet sugar coated romance. It’s a real look fictionally behind a door that to many people are to afraid to look in because they don’t understand it. Me included.
This isn’t Kayden and Belle so if ur looking for them go back to books 1 and 4. It is romantic tho. It’s emotional and at times it hurts to read it. But like all the other books she wrote in this series, Melyssa nails piecing two broken people together and makin them like the title says…Unbroken.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. That’s the thing I pulled from reading this. Along with acceptance, love, redemption, healing etc.
If ur looking for something that’s raw and real, a different take on whats already out in the genre this falls in and believe in two people no matter what their race, gender, sexuality fallin in love, then read this. it wont let u down.
This book was everythin it claimed to be and more.
Just leave ur judgements at the door cus this deserves better then that.

Profile Image for Pamela Sparkman.
Author 7 books281 followers
November 30, 2014
So, there’s this guy named Ryder Kane. He’s good looking, a football player, and a decent guy, even though he doesn’t think he is. He’s also gay and dealing with so much guilt over something that happened in his past it keeps him torn up on a daily basis. The guilt drives Ryder to deny who he really is and eventually it affects every aspect of his life.

Sometimes you read a book that is so raw, exposing the character so descriptively, that you yourself feel wounded and exposed. This was that book for me. I don’t normally read m/m books. It’s just not my thing, but because I love this author I wanted to read it. And I’m glad I did.

This book is so much more than superficial attraction. It’s RAW and deep and beautiful. It pulled me in and at times I felt bruised by it. From the very first page the reader sees the first signs of Ryder’s battle scars. A man going through the motions of just living every day. It’s not dressed up or decorated with pretty words. It’s laid out in the open from the jump. From there you only get more of what drives Ryder to do the things he does. He needs saving, but he thinks he just needs to do better at burying his emotions. He’s free-falling and well on his way to crashing and burning. Until he meets Isaac Crawford.

This is where Ryder begins to feel things again. It’s also where the beauty in finding someone he could love and where the pain of loving someone he lost intercept. His heart leads him one way, and his head leads him another. Lonely, lost, in love, guilt-ridden, confused, and just all around fucked up, Ryder’s journey is a painful one. It’s also so engaging and beautiful that at times I wanted to reach inside the book and hug him.

To Melyssa Winchester. Thank you so much for allowing me to beta read this book for you. It was my pleasure. Ryder holds a special place inside my heart. And I know I’ve done nothing but talk about Ryder but Isaac is truly remarkable in his own right. You have a way of creating characters that face a massive amount of adversity and a wonderful way of weaving growth and maturity into their story that it leaves me in awe of your ability as a writer. You, my dear, are an exceptional story teller. Well done, Melyssa. Well done.

If you want to read a book that doesn't gloss over tragic events and see inside the souls of very flawed humans, then this book is for you. You may feel broken at times, but by the end Ryder and Isaac will put you back together, just as they put themselves back together, and Unbroken at the end.
Profile Image for Lisa.
332 reviews29 followers
November 25, 2014
6 Hot Stars For My Beautiful Boys xx
Oh holy hell... Pass me a bucket of cold water. Ryder and Issac seriously I am in love. They have to be my favourite couple ever I just cant put into words how much I love those guys and I will never look at a pool table in the same way again.
I love m/m so this was a no brainer for me I had to read it. I love Melyssa and have read every single book of hers so when I found out it was going to be a m/m romance I was one very happy lady and I was not disappointed.
I don't want to say too much in this review because there is so many different issues raised. It was heartbreaking funny annoying {Ryder can be stupid lol} . I loved it from cover to cover . It was really well written it was hot as hell without being graphic but it was also so sad in parts that I had a box of tissues beside me the whole time and they were needed.oh and my man Dillon made quite a few appearances as well. That's amount of hotness in one book should come with a warning. All in all it was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone even if you are not into m/m romance I think this would be the one to convert you.
Profile Image for Ryan Ringbloom.
Author 20 books400 followers
December 11, 2014
FANTASTIC!!! I HEART MW!

Oh boy ...& boy!! Unbroken might be my favorite of the series!! I think I say that every time.

"It's not the places that create the magic, Ryder. It's the person. The magic is wherever you are."

Incredible writing. An incredible story. And I'm not gonna lie MW kinda turned up the temperature a little bit in this book! Wow!! Isaac & Ryder are an amazing couple!!

"Some people call them the calm before the storm, but when you've been through everything that Ryder and I have, there is no storm. You're just left with the calm and it's so simple that it's perfect."

A beautiful story, beautifully told.
Profile Image for Amber.
167 reviews13 followers
January 14, 2015
I'm going to be ignorant when I say I would never usually pick a book like this up but reading Melyssa's previous books I knew I should give it a shot and she didn't disappoint! This book is as magnetic just as the two characters are, Ryder and Isaac. I completely fell in love with Ryder in Here and Now and Isaac was such a mystery in All My Heart. Bringing the best out of each other despite both their pasts. Both Ryder and Isaac's stories were powerful.
Profile Image for Bella.
7 reviews
October 16, 2015
After reading Melyssa Winchester's book: 'The Space in Between' and falling in love with it, I then began her 'Count on Me' series. Such a beautiful and honest collection of books that I could barely ever put down. I loved them all so much, especially Kayden and Belle :) This last book is equally as perfect as all others a before it, and I can't wait for 'Take my Hand'

Thank you Melyssa Winchester, for being a fantastic writer :)
Profile Image for Theresa Troutman.
Author 13 books286 followers
December 4, 2014
A great love story. Two wounded and broken college men meet and help heal each other. Regardless of the M/M perspective, this a one of the best falling in love romances I've read this year. Again Melissa Winchester digs into the depths of broken souls and puts them back together. Well done!
Profile Image for aconstellationoftomes.
622 reviews32 followers
April 6, 2018
"No matter how much I wish it was another way, the world is always going to be filled with the ignorant. The only thing I can do is rise above it." (Isaac Crawford)

I'm a character-driven reader and Melyssa Winchester's books appeal to the side of me that enjoys seeing characters grow and develop while experiencing tons of feels in the process. Her books might have flaws in terms of storytelling and editorially with typos and grammar errors, but it doesn't matter, because I always get two things from her books, heartwrenching and heartwarming emotions.

Unbroken revolves around Isaac, who we were introduced to in All My Heart and Ryder, who we were introduced to in Hear and Now . When Ryder starts failing his classes and gets suspended from the football team, Dillon introduces him to Isaac, a tutor, so that he can start pushing up his grades. It's an interaction that starts off with attraction and chemistry and turns into a full-blown relationship.

Ryder and Isaac's relationship obviously doesn't remain perfect and they have a bunch of internal and external issues that they have to face such as grief, survivor's guilt, homophobia and bullying. I feel that all of these issues are done well and handled realistically without being too heavy handed.

Melyssa Winchester creates characters with disabilities and instead of making them seem stereotypically weak and dependent, they are much stronger than able-bodied people and 'macho men'. This is something that I appreciate. Isaac is now one of my favourite characters in the Count On Me series universe. He is so perceptive and smart, and he doesn't back down from anything. No matter how hard Ryder tries to push him away, he is always there for him. Ryder, on the other hand, is an absolute mess. He uses alcohol and women to forget his very real grief and guilt. When he meets Isaac and starts to fall for him, he realises that he needs to change his ways.
"Things don't have to be the same. Sometimes when things change, you can change with them." (Ryder Kane)

Unfortunately, his past catches up to him and he ends up doing some very stupid things. But just like I understood where Kayden and Dillon were coming from in their respective books, I knew exactly where Ryder was coming from and I could understand and sympathise with what he was going through.

Two people, Isaac and Ryder, who are not much on their own, become an extremely adorable couple. Isaac doesn't speak and because of this, he is able to pick up on Ryder's body language and emotions pretty easily and they are both able to cut through all the guardedness and walls that they have and deal with the core of their relationship. Honestly, that's what I love about this series. The characters cut through all the bull and possible miscommunications and deals with the main issues in their relationship, becoming stronger and sticking together through the ups and the downs.

In Unbroken, the characters are realistic, the trails that they face heartwrenching and the relationships that they have are absolutely adorable.
"The untouched created the unbroken." (Isaac Crawford)
Profile Image for Raj.
750 reviews64 followers
December 13, 2014
I really wanted to like,no love this book because it had a similar theme to Sarina Bowens 'The Understatement of the Year'which soared for me.I discovered nothing new here just the same story line as the previous ones in the series except with gay protagonists which was sad in itself because the first book in this series 'Count on me'is on my top 10 book list of the year.

I felt the book for me dragged on a bit towards the middle & I had to struggle to finish it.I found myself skipping over the sex scenes which I normally would not have done as male on male interactions if worded correctly are highly erotic.The intimate scenes with his previous boyfriend were overdone though I understand the author may have included them in as to indicate why his previous lover's death had such a negative impact on one of the male leads.

Some parts of the book are a total stretch for me to wrap my mind around & which I feel the author did not fully address or resolve regarding Ryder's sexuality as a gay male.Here you have a character that by his admittance has had sex with over a 1000 women in a 2 year period with wild abandon worthy of a porn star judging by some of the response around campus yet still identifies as gay in his subconscious.

He does this all under the influence of heavy alcohol.Is he bisexual?pan-sexual?a sex addict?an alcoholic?some of these conditions requiring heavy counselling but none addressed conclusively... cause no one comes away totally unscathed from behavior foreign to your intended sexuality.His blackouts were never resolved.His sleep walking never addressed conclusively.Was he still trolling & unknowingly having sex with numerous women?Are these questions going to be answered in a sequel?

I cannot say I applaud the author's bravery in writing a m/m novel as many authors are dipping their toes into this market & while it is not as enthralling as the first book in this series,it is still a start in exploring a world that is foreign to many women.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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