Everly is lying to me about my sister's death. I don't know what she's hiding, but I've made it my mission to break her down until I know every last detail. Our broken pieces will match, and she'll know the soul-crushing agony I feel when I look at her. I hate that I want her. Unequivocally, the need I feel for her is stronger than I'll ever be. If she thinks she isn't still mine, she's lying to herself, too.
She used to look at me like I was everything to her. She'll look at me that way again. I can promise you that.
Everly
My best friend is dead, and I can't tell anyone her secret. Patrick thinks I'm protecting myself. But really, I'm protecting him. He's in pain, and knowing I'm the reason is utter torture. The truth will cut him far deeper than losing whatever it is we had. I'll give him what he needs, even if it means he'll hate me forever.
He wants to break me. He's too late. My world shattered the day I chose to lie to him.
Includes a happily ever after, but main plot points continue on to the next book in the series. Each book features a new couple in The Darlington Elite world. This book discusses adult themes and is suitable for 18+ readers.
This book is absolutely amazing and I feel so honored that I was one of the first to read it!! Author Waverly Alexander writes angsty, steamy romance like no other! What surprised me was also that there was humor in it as well! I love when I find a good angsty read with some comic relief! Patrick is so tormented and broody and perfect and I love him!! Something else I enjoyed was the mystery of everything! I feel like this could also be considered romantic suspense along with sports romance. This book honestly has everything in it and I’m anxiously awaiting the next!!!!
This book was so bad i could not stop laughing. How can i unpack the cringe fest in a few short paragraphs..
1. WHY would the author start the book off when the most juicy, angsty and dramatic part of the plot had already happened off-book. We are literally thrust into a murder mystery but the “murder” has already happened off screen and we are not given enough details about it.
2. The heroine. Oh lord. She was a robot. Right from the first page she had 0 reaction to anything. The love of your life shuts you out and accuses you of murder? “She’s so understanding and kind.” You’re being stalked by a psycho frat guy? “She approached this news with understanding.” You find out that said psycho frat guy has been secretly eavesdropping on every conversation you have had and potential naughty times? “She accepted this with a level head.” Need i say more.
3. The hero. Where do i begin? I know the author was trying to toe the line between vulnerable sensitive guy and macho hockey player but man... it did not work. This guy was like a CHILD. I laughed everytime he got mad because he would “stick out his arm and swipe everything off of a shelf” he does this twice. Like an angry toddler, he just makes eye contact and shoves stuff off the shelf with one arm.
One thing that frustrated me was that the author would describe scenes that happened off-book, that would have been great WITH DIALOGUE. Like, “The hero had yelled at the heroine in front of everyone, accusing her of his sisters death.” Are you serious? This one sentence has no effect on me. I want to see this scene with dialogue, with Everly being devastated and Patrick yelling at her. I literally kept pausing to check if this was in fact the first book of the series because why else would you summarize major plot points unless you already described them in detail? But alas, this was the first book.
Oh my heart! These two! Everly and Patrick were together until the tragedy of her best friend/his sister’s mysterious death. Everly keeps Darcey’s secret to protect Patrick, but all he can see is lies and betrayal. This enemies to lovers is amazing. He hates her, but she’s the one he seeks when he’s in pain and who he can’t keep his gaze off at a party. She is his everything.
“Because whether I would ever admit that to her or not, that’s what she was to me. My entire fucking universe.”
Delicious angst!!
Next up “Damaged Elite”, Kennedy and Zachary’s story ❤️
He’s broken and torment. She’s hopelessly in love and willing to give up all for him.
What do we have here. A very stubborn and broken man with a way to much patient and caring women. But if I’ve ever seen a more perfect couple. Patrick is a possessive guy and that’s an understatement. He’s so protective of his girl Everly even though he pushes her away at the start. They go through a lot of stuff at the start of the book, Patrick greiveing his sisters death and Everly trying to “heal” Patrick after losing her best friend. It doesn’t help that Patrick can be a massive jackass and treats Ever really bad. But boy if he doesn’t make up for it in the end.
I love Everlya relationship with Patrick but also the boys of the house. She’s such a great influence on them all. Kind, caring and funny. Especially over labeling food boys stuff and girls stuff😂. Truely hilarious. The is a gripping and intense read that has me begging Waverly to hurry up and make the next book.
Author, Waverly Alexander pens a book that romance readers will want to read. This book features hot sex and hotter characters...Yes, please! You can say that this first book in this series is off to a great start. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
Patrick and his team mates were good friends. They had each other's back. Plus, there was good old fashion teasing. I like that they treated Everly as one of their own. Part of the title of this book features the word "angst". This is no joke. I felt "angst" every time that Patrick pushed Everly away. I really felt for him. Luckily, he had Everly by his side. She was his rock.
Yes, the sex is hot and there is plenty of it. However, it was not over the top or too slutty. It was filled with emotions that made it more than just sex. Romance readers will be in for a yummy treat reading this book.
I'm so happy to have found Waverly Alexander, she's truly Amazing!
I finished this book and sat there for a moment. I'm in shock, I was teary eyed and worried. Omg! What will happen next?! What happened to Patrick's sister Darcey? What's going on with the Leary Brothers, what are they planning?...
I really like Everly and Patrick but I'll say this he definitely aggravated the crap out of me at times. His possessiveness, his overbearing self, his jealousy, I love toxic and broody but jeezz he's a whole new level of emotional issues/toxicity. I don't think they're great for each other but I do at the same time. Ugh. I find myself rooting for them anyway. Hopeless romantic or crazy, idk. Lol. I liked the characters, they grew on me. Patrick, Everly, Henry, Zach, Tommy and Miles... Then Came Kennedy and Cassandra. I want the best for these characters and it's killing me. The twist and turns, the trying to unravel what's going on and so much more. I was so wrapped up in this book, it was absolutely addicting and amazing and it ended to soon for me. I wasn't ready. Can't wait for Zach and Kennedy's story and to get more of the Elite. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
What a way to introduce yourself to the writing world. Debut novel and absolutely. Nailed. It. Welcome to the Darlington Elite. They’re exclusive. You won’t get into their little group. And if you do, there’s no real way out. They’re close as can be, and they protect what is theirs. The death of a sister leaves a gaping hole in Patrick’s life. He’s already an asshole 90% of the time, but after Darcey’s death it rockets up to 99.9% of the time. That .01%. Everley. Aaaaand even then he’s still an asshole. This story took me in ways I never expected it too. Just when I thought I knew how’s things would go, nope, another twist thrown in to shake things up. The characters I thought I should like, I end up having to think twice about. I just did not know what to expect and I loved it. I loved how the story opened as a reconnection rather than the standard meet-cute. I loved the change up and how we still got the character and relationship development without the slow burn build. You won’t be disappointed with Patrick’s and Everley’s introduction to the Elite. It’s one hell of a ride.
“I wouldn’t have called, but he was yelling for you and…” I put my hand up to silence him. I can’t stomach it. I already know why he called me, I already know how bad Patrick’s episodes can be, and I know that I’m the one he screams for. I blink back tears that have already wet my lashes and give him a nod, pushing by him to grasp the knob of his bedroom door.
Wow! I'm blown away. This is my first book by this author and I'm already craving the next.
I was completely mesmerized by the authors storytelling and I've fallen in love with characters so quickly. Not only for the main characters, but the whole Elite gang. The way they are with each other, the way they care is just inspiring! You'll find love, angst, betrayal, you'll be on the verge of shedding a tear, and you'll curse the author and want to kiss her at the same time.
There's also a mystery going on and it spices up everything.
Broken Elite is the first book a new adult series and debut novel of Waverly Alexander. To be a debut novel, the story was not boring and written well. But there were some things that didn't make me give it five full stars.
Story and Plot: 4/5 Characters: 3/5 Heat Level: 4/5
The story starts with Everly going to a fraternity house to help Patrick, who we discover used to be her "boyfriend". I used the " " because technically, they were exclusive, but they never officially started dating. Their relationship was still developing when, one month before the events start, Patrick's sister Darcey was found dead, and he blamed Everly, who was her best friend, for not being with her and preventing this tragedy.
I read almost half of the book in a few hours because the book threw you right into action and I liked the love-hate relationship between Everly and Patrick. She came to his frat-house every time his hockey friends called for her, because they knew only she could soothe and calm him when he had his episodes. His sister's death really destroyed him, and he was a wreck because he also thought that Everly did not look out for her, thus breaking his trust for her and for the world in general. Despite everything, he couldn't deny that Everly was his only link to his dead sister and that she may knew something about the night of the accident.
Patrick was a jerk, he treated Everly like she was nothing and she tried to keep her composure to show him she didn't care how she was treated, because he needed to let out his anger and unleash at her and his friends. He was mean but not too much. If I have to be honest, he was a bit psychotic and unstable. At first, I accepted it because I believed that he was suffering and he was young, so it was normal for him to be all over the place. But then, in the second half of the story, he In general, Patrick was like a high school guy in this second part. I can stand his jealousy (although at times I just wanted to punch him in the face because he was too possessive and seemed like he never even wanted his close friends to even look at Everly in the eyes!) but I can't stand his stubbornness. He often repeated that he needed to calm down and not be impulsive when it came to the evil guys in the story, but then he snapped and almost beat them to a pulp! I don't know, I felt like he changed a bit but was still a jerk in the end. I don't know, he's too short-fused for my taste, but I didn't like how he handled some things.
As for Everly, she was more mature than Patrick and somehow, it's her who made the couple seem more believable. I liked that she tried to be strong despite everything and that she held on because she understood Patrick was going through a bad moment and he wasn't like that all the time. Say, now I want to suppose that before the story starts Everly and Patrick were quite good and he wasn't super cranky like after his sister died. Or so I hope.
I liked that this story didn't only feature Everly and Patrick's romance but it also had a suspense/thriller plot that we see unravel as the story goes. What I liked was the strong friendship between the main couple and the secondary characters, who I think will have their own book, especially Everly's cousin Zach and his love interest Kennedy. Some of these suspense bits don't finish in this book so I'll have to read the second book when it comes out to see what happens.
In conclusion, this is a strong debut novel, but I would have characterized Patrick a bit more. I don't know, I still feel he was too crazy at times and that he didn't deserve Everly's affection (as he says too at some point), and I frowned when he said something in his mind and then did the opposite.
Anyway, I'll read the second book to see what happens!
Fantastic, how can so much happen in one college the elite are just that, elite the guys who watch each others back and the girls who make them crazy. Patrick lost his sister Darcy and his girlfriend Everly at the same time, Darcy died, Everly kept her secret from Patrick and now the storm is about to hit. First time reading this Author will definitely not be the last, she describes events, people and places so perfectly you can visualise it happening great dark edgy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first Waverly read and I will definitely be reading more!
I really enjoyed this book and the story line. The characters were also really great.
Patrick and Everly were each dealing with the loss and grieving the same person. His sister, her best friend. Patrick blames Everly for his sister's death and hates her for it because he doesn't know the truth. But Everly is also the only person he wants and needs when the grief hits him so hard he can't breathe. Despite how he treats her, Everly continues to show up without question and be there for him until he all but throws her out. Despite claiming to not want Everly anymore, Patrick also does not want anyone else to have her.
Everly never claimed to not want Patrick. She will do and be whatever he needs whenever he needs it. The guilt of the secret she is hiding is eating her alive but telling this secret would feel like a betrayal to her dead best friend. How does one decide what to do?
Patrick's friends and hockey teammates are worried about him and how he is handling the grief. They are also concerned about Everly and wish he would treat her better. However, they also hold some resentment because they feel like Everly could end Patrick's suffering if she just told him the truth of that night. Will she do it?
This story follows the group as they struggle with loss, grief, heartache, betrayal, lies, and a new mystery. There is definitely something going on on campus and it involves another teammate's brothers and the locked cellar of the Frat house. Can the group figure it out? They go to great lengths to figure out what is happening, who is involved, and how to stop it. Everly and Kennedy are unfortunately not allowed to be alone like ever for their own safety.
I loved the relationships and banter between the teammates and the girls. Miles and his snacks are not to be messed with. Patrick and Everly both really grow and develop throughout the story in order to cope with their grief. They are able to come together so much better than before as well. Everly meets Kennedy through Patrick and her cousin Zach who is also part of the hockey team. Everly and Kennedy become quick friends. I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens with the rest of the group and if they are able to solve the situation at hand.
Waverly was able to take a heavy topic and weave in some lightness, love, steam, and humor which I really appreciated.
This cliffhanger oh my God. I'm to going read the 2nd book right now this was such a steamy read with a murder mystery element that is set in college. I didn't like Patrick at the being of the book until the 50% mark. In my opinion, Patrick needs to do more grovelling. This was such a Page turner leaving you thinking what's going to happen next. I really loved Everly and I can't wait to read Kennedy's book right now I really want know how this duet ends. So many feelings on this book.🖤
I've read half of it and I'm going to DNF. This starts out a bit oddly because the big driving force for the story happened off-screen. The suspicious death that is the whole reason behind the story is treated more as an afterthought and little details are given. One of the big things I've struggled with while reading this is that it seems the author did not research a lot of the things she's writing about, making simple basic stuff grate.
Broken Elite is the definition of angsty and swoony. Everly and Patrick’s second chance love story is filled with emotional turmoil, and it’s set against the backdrop of drama in the elite hockey world at Darlington University.
The chemistry between the two characters is off the charts, but will they be able to truly open up to each other and trust again after everything they have been through? Or will the events they are wrapped up in at their school serve to tear them apart?
I loved the emotional drama between Everly and Patrick, it was quite a rollercoaster. The plot is fresh and keeps you guessing, and it’s a great backdrop for the development of the characters relationship. However, one of my favorite parts about this book is that all the secondary characters feel like actual people- the fantastic character development isn’t reserved for just the main couple. It really makes you feel like you are living in their world.
This book left me wanting more (in the very best way)- I can’t wait for the story to continue! Waverly has knocked it out of the park on her first release!
Full disclosure: I did developmental editing and proofreading on this book. I was not asked to write or compensated for this review, I did it because I truly enjoyed the book.
Broken Elite by @wavesalexander Book 1 in The Darlington Elite Series ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a different take on a Bully book but make no mistake this book is good!!!
The overall plot is unresolved and moves onto the next book but along the way we find out so many twists & turns to what happened between all the characters.
Trick is a hockey player 🥵🥵🥵 so we already know he’s gonna be ready to throw down at any given moment and Everly is the one both bright spot and void in his life.
Throughout the book we see other members of the crew (I love you Henry and Tommy 👀👀👀) and Trick and Ever work with the others not only to figure their shit out but to figure out what in the fuck happened to Darcey 😱😱😱
If you want angst in a book that can bring you to your knees this would be it. I do love how the author has thrown some humor in to help you just at the right time because it is so intense. Everly was best friends with Darcey who happened to have a brother named Patrick. Darcy and Patrick were a “thing” until Darcey died and that left Everly getting the blame for her death from Patrick because she wasn’t there for his sister.
Patrick was so broken after this and Everly took it upon herself to be his whipping post of emotions because of the intense feelings she had for him. This story was full of plenty of steam and was extremely emotional for me. I loved it and can’t wait to read more from this series.
“She’s my refuge, she’s the reason anything matters to me.”
Intense. Gripping. Steamy.
My first time reading this author and I am hooked!!
Broken Elite is full of angst and heart-pounding moments that captivate you. The steam is off the charts, the characters are absolutely hilarious, and the story is full of twists and turns that leave you on the edge of your seat.
Patrick is everything I need in a MC. He’s hot, possessive, protective, a total brute.
I am excited to see where Waverly takes this series!
“I’m not good for you, Everly, everyone knows it. But I’m what you want, and I won’t have anything less than you. All of you.”
3.5 but more as a 4 than a 3, I JUST WANT TO SAY WHAT A SHITTY END IT WAS OMG I DON'T FREAKING CARE IF THERE'S A HUNDRED MORE BOOKS HOW DARE YOU ENDING THE BOOK LIKE THAT IT WAS LIKE THE END OF A CHAPTER NOT A BOOK but hey, in general, I did like it a lot, and honestly, I found it pretty similar to the Off Campus series of Elle Kennedy but you know with more "suspense" and a dead sister and drugs and stuff but I couldn't stop thinking about Garrett and his friends
Broken Elite is the story of love, friendship, family, devastated destruction and growing into the person you are supposed to be. It is set in the world of Darlington University where Patrick, is a star hockey player who surrounds himself with a group of friends who consider each other brothers. Everly, is his recently cut off girlfriend, whose best friend, Patrick’s sister, just died. The aftermath of this death is where this book begins, and it is absolute book crack! The Alpha Male, protective goodness that I love was in full effect with Patrick and his crew. I loved all of the guys and I adored the way they all were with Everly. This is the group that we all wish we were a part of in high school or college. I couldn’t have put this down if I tried. I read late into the night just, so I could finish this book. It is the first in a series but can be read as a standalone. The love story resolves, but the big bad doesn’t.
Going into the book i was excited and nervous at the same time, but I eventually got through it. The beginning was really awesome until we met the alpha / love interest he was not really giving me alpha , and more like moody prick. I understand that he was going through some things and if in that type of situation I would probably act an ass too, but I only give one free pass and used that up quickly. The main female character has some balls because I would not be able to deal with moody pricks emotional ass. she had moments that she broke down that i felt was understandable, but she also had moments that I was like "ummm okay she's crying again". The middle was a little slow for me but it instantly picked back up towards the end. The side characters gave me life with exception of Beth's (i don't trust her) and the Leary boys ( they need their asses whooped). The story has suspense, emotional breakdowns, and laughs, and i honestly can't wait to see what will happen next!!! This is the author's first book and I want to continue to see how she will develop her characters in her next book. Also I NEED TO SEE WTF IS GOING DOWN IN THE BASEMENT!!!!!!!!
Oh my!!! This book is one of those books that has you gripping your seat and your heart the whole way through. Patrick and Everly's relationship is the most tumultuous I think I have ever read.
Patrick is a hockey player at Darlington University. They are the division one reigning champions. Their team is untouchable in more ways than just on the ice. They like to party and they like the puck bunnies that are always available.
But Patrick falls for his sister's best friend, Everly, and everything is right in the world, until it's not. When Patrick's sister is found dead, his world shifts underneath him and he blames everything on Everly. He hates her, but he NEEDS her at the same time. Patrick is brutal with his words trying to make Everly feel the same pain and heartbreak that he feels. However, she still comes when he needs her. She has patience with him beyond measure. She embodies her love for him.
What happens when the core group of hockey players, also known as the ELITE, start to become suspicious of how Darcy, Patrick's sister, actually died? They begin to realize that the secrets go far deeper than anyone could ever have imagined. Brace yourself for this heart-thumping, pulse-racing, absolutely thrilling, suspense romance.
This book starts off in a heated place between the main characters Patrick and Everly, that’s sucks you in immediately. Making you want to know what happened to get them to this place. Finding out what’s happened, you watch as these two fight to find their way back to each other, but in the process they start to find out more disturbing things happening on campus and it directly affects them both. This is a mystery and love story and you read wanting to find out what is happening, but you also love the chemistry between Patrick and Everly. Not to mention the other characters in the story as well. Patrick and Everly’s chemistry starts out explosive and never wanes. Patrick is possessive in his love for Everly. He’s a bit dark, and he’s no bs, making you love him. Everly is practical, pretty and sweet, but she has a fire inside her and only she can handle Patrick. She’s the calm in his storm.
This book is intense, the love story is intense but so is the rest of the book. This book isn’t just about Patrick and Everly. It’s a bout the death of Patrick’s sister, it’s about a college ruled buy a family that has their hands dipped into drugs, sex and who knows what else. This book is about a love so intense that even though Patrick wants to hate Everly he just can’t stay away.
This story will hook you right from the start and keep you guessing right to the very end. Patrick and Everly’s story might be done but the story is far from over and I can’t wait for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow what a great start to this series. The characters are well developed and engaging and the chemistry between Everly and Patrick is hot and steamy. The drama that is unfolding after Patrick’s sisters death is suspenseful filled with twists and turns. I am looking forward to reading more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So excited for this series after reading this first book.
This book is filled with all the angst drama intrigue and romance we all love in a good romantic read and while it does end in a HEA for now for the lead couple there is an ongoing story that seems to link to following books about other couples. This part of the story is quiet dark and could possibly be a trigger so just be aware
All in all a great 5 star read and can’t wait for the next one.
I am so glad that I came across this author. I love a good angsty sports romance and this book is one of the best I have read. I love the characters in this book. As you read you see how each character develops and some you love and some you will hate. As I read along, I had a love/hate relationship for Patrick. For Everly I just loved to death and she is strong to deal with Patrick. They both have been through tragedy and it was devastating. However, will their feelings be enough to help them get through the bad times. The build up is there and it is INTENSE and heart pounding. You may need some tissue when you get about halfway through by the way. The chemistry with Patrick and Everly is steamy and great. You will not be disappointed with this book. Also the ending was epic like O.M.G, no I did not just read that type of ending. I cannot wait for the next book.
I gave it 2 stars because it did hold my attention real good until about 35-40%.
Let's set aside the grammar issues and the repetitiveness in this book. The plot was just ridiculous. Lol. It's the first book and the author shortened the death of Darcey (not a spoiler) right off the bat. Who does that? The main guy was basically a man child who blamed his girlfriend for the death of his sister yet still wanted her in every way. The main girl took the abuse from him saying "it's ok. He just needs someone to blame" basically. He was complete shit to her and she loved it. And yes, there is a huge difference between possessiveness and protectiveness and being treated like crap.
Then I get to the end, everything is unresolved, but the next book is from the view point of two different people. No thanks.