by Tiffany King
Series: Fractured Lives #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
In the new series by Tiffany King, the USA Today bestselling author of the Woodfalls Girls novels, six friends—fresh from high school graduation—discover that the future can come at you from out of nowhere. This is Mackenzie’s story… Mackenzie Wilson once had hope for what life had to offer, but everything changed on the night of her graduation. A year later, the only way she can find comfort is by keeping her head down and hoping she remains unnoticed at college. When Bentley James discovered Mac in that twisted SUV, he was just a newbie EMT on his first call. It was a gut-wrenching moment that made him realize not everyone can be saved—and sometimes they don’t want to be. A chance encounter on campus brings Bentley back into Mac’s life. Despite her initial resistance, he sets out to discover the girl hiding beneath a shield of seclusion. He evokes painful memories in Mac—but also feelings. As the spark between them grows, Mac must decide if she can let go of the past and believe in something as fragile as love…
Funny story, I never intended to read A Shattered Moment by Tiffany King the first in her Fractured Lives series. I accidentally accepted it for review and thought-here, we go another New Adult with drama. Then I took a closer look at the synopsis, grabbed a box of truffles, a glass of wine and settled in. Guess What! I absolutely adored this touching story of overcoming, pain, loss, love and growth. I could not put it down and tip my hat to King for offering a new adult contemporary with depth and characters who will steal your heart.
My truffle induced coffee dates with A Shattered Moment
- First date: Our date begins with a prologue of Mackenzie Wilson’s graduation night. She is with her best friends, Zack, Kathleen, Dan, Jessica and Tracey. Their parents refer to this group of levelheaded kids as the “Brat Pack.” King immediately grabbed me and I knew instantly I would need those truffles. The scene fades as EMT Bentley James speaks to her, as she lay trapped in a twisted SUV.
- Second date: A year has passed and Mackenzie has changed. She is enrolled in college and living on campus. She prefers to be called Mac now. She moves about trying to be invisible. She spends her days at the library, avoiding her parent’s concerned calls and feigning sleep at night to avoid talking to her roommate. Bentley James also a college student begins to utilize the library as a quiet place to study away from his loud roommates. The two accidentally meet and immediately recognize the other. For Mac he brings back painful memories but she also remembers how he made her feel safe. Bentley is curious and sweetly attempts to get to know her. There is a spark and watching these two create a slow-building relationship was delightful. King does not rush things and allows us to experience it all. Along the way, we learn about Graduation Night and the rest of the Brat Pack. King introduces us to friends on campus and I loved that even the secondary characters were unique and fleshed out.
- Third date: Who says “good guys” cannot be totally swoon-worthy. I am in love with Bentley. Sometimes he is adorkably awkward but he makes up for it with his wonderful patience. Mac is scared. Scared of her developing feelings for Bentley and even more scared of beginning to live again. She is taking chances and making friends but can she risk her heart again. AS much as this is a romance, it also delves into Mac’s healing process as she mends relationships and deals with guilt. A Shattered Moment is low on heat and high on kisses, but the tension and slow-building romance, heated the pages and was laced with humor and sweetness. I am enjoying the slow progression but anxious for the final dance. I really do not want this last date to end.
Final thoughts on my dates with A Shattered Moment: This wonderful, beautifully written story left me with a smile and an empty box of truffles. It had all the feels with realistic issues, fleshed out characters and story that you will want to share with others. If you have abandoned NA or want something refreshing then I encourage you to grab A Shattered Moment. I may have read this by accident, but I fully intend to continue the Fractured Lives series and read more of Tiffany King’s work.
Trish
Aw I love this book totally blew your expectations out of the water. It sounds like one I’d love too as I love well developed characters and of course adorakable good guys!
kimbacaffeinate
It was refreshing, and heartwarming.
Michelle
Yay! It’s always awesome when an accidental review book turns into a keeper. I read The Write Stuff by the same author and ADORED it, I don’t even remember why I started reading it. Tiffany’s a great writer and she does make some swoony guys!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, I am glad I tried her
Mary
I love those adorably awkward good guys! And I’d love to read more romances with them as the MC/love interest. (Of course, I do love my alphas…)
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I love my alphas too but sometimes a sweet guy comes along and makes me swoon 🙂
MIchelle
Yay I am so glad that you enjoyed this one! I have this one waiting on my TBR for me. Now that I know you enjoyed it, I’m even more excited to read it 🙂 Maybe that will encourage me to get to it faster. haha
Great Review!
Michelle @ Book Briefs
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy..it was soooo good!
Sharon
That’s great that you’ve accepted by accident and ended up enjoying it. That’s a nice surprise. I do like Tiffany Kings writing though and this one sounds like one I’d love too. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I know right. My first King but not my last
Red Iza
Some of the best books are discovered by accident (or through other bloggers 😉 ) . Now I want to read it too ! I wouldn’t have paid attention to it weren’t it for your review, but the cover is beautiful 🙂 (And keep those truffles out of reach !!)
Pain Slater
It sounds fantastic! Great review! I think I might add truffles to my reading as well;)! Hehe
Naomi
Oh wow! This sounds like a great read Kimberly! Bentley seems like my kind of guy *wink* I think I would enjoy this read!
Lorna
You are so bad for my one click button! I bought it-it sounds wonderful-Thanks!
Aubrey Wynne
Sounds like s great chick lit. And adding a truffle … YES!
kimbacaffeinate
Truffles make the world go round!
Benish
Yay to awkward and dorky guys, I barely have seen them in books though. I mostly dislike NA books, but here is to hoping 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
*nods in agreement*
Christy
That’s funny. This is one of the books you accidentally accepted? It was fate!
kimbacaffeinate
Right…yes this is one of those books.
Sophia Rose
And yes, I have accidentally clicked my way to a surprise winner for review. 😉 Glad this one was really good. I have a different book by her from her previous series that I set aside when I got mad at the heroine, but I’ve heard wonderful things so I know that it’s in my best interests to pick it up again and finish it.
kimbacaffeinate
I am delighted it happened
Tyler H Jolley
“My truffle induced coffee date,” lol, Kimba you crack me up. I’m glad it was a great surprise and you liked it!
kimbacaffeinate
hehe *bows* your welcome Sir
blodeuedd
For me, nah.
The cover is weird too
kimbacaffeinate
I liked that it was realistic without angst.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Now this is my kind of NA read! I’m with you, don’t care for the unnecessary drama, but I do love the sound of the growth in this one. Oh I do think I’m going to have to try this one. I’ve been wanting to try something from the author!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes Melissa I wish we saw more of this caliber,
Ramona
The buzz about this one has been phenomenal. I can’t recall a single uncomplimentary review. It’s on my list and I can’t wait for my own dates with Mackenzie and the adorkable Bentley 😀
kimbacaffeinate
hehe..he was adorkable 🙂
Angela Adams
Love the title! Thanks for the post!!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Angela
Lindy
I’m so glad that you loved, A Shattered Moment! I have it for review as well! I agree, “good guys,” can totally be swoon-worthy, and Bentley so sweet. I love slow building romance in a story, it gives the book so much more depth. Great Review Kim!!!
kimbacaffeinate
I am so glad to see you enjoyed it too 🙂
Brandi Breathes Books
The good handling of the emotional issues sounds well done in this one and I like the simplicity but beauty of the cover
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..I like how realistic it all felt Brandi
Heidi
I have been seeing this one around and it sounds like a nice NA read, sure it has some angst, but not what we have come to expect. So all in all, I am glad it worked for you, and I am considering it for myself.
kimbacaffeinate
I wouldn’t even call it angst…it is very realistic.
tonyalee
FUnny, because I would have thought the same thing about this book you did! I am happy to see that there is more to this story than I thought! Great review lady!
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly..but it was realistic, heart warming and filled with good kids just trying to figure life out.
Lanie
Awesome review, I’ve been debating over this book for awhile. Like you, I’m kinda avoiding NA books for awhile, but since you said it was good, I’ll have to add it to the pile. 😀 Love the cover as well, it’s so pretty.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Lanie
Laurel-Rain Snow
This one does sound good….and I wouldn’t have picked it up, based on the cover and title…but now I’m intrigued. Especially intrigued by the wine and truffles! LOL
kimbacaffeinate
Her back-story requires truffles and the wine is for watching her come back and find herself again.
Katherine
Bentley sounds like my kind of good guy and while NA isn’t one of my favorite genres this sounds like it skips the immaturity that I so often seem to find. Plus I’ve heard great things about this author!
kimbacaffeinate
This was done like an adult book but with twenty something characters.
Sarah
I’m not too big a fan of new adult drama, either, but the cover and synopsis really grabs you, doesn’t it? I’m glad to here the story isn’t rushed and the romance is slow building. Doesn’t happen enough in NA for my liking. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Totally not a typical NA read at all Sarah
Jenny
I’m loving the sound of this one Kim! I need more “good guy” book boyfriends in my life, especially adorkably awkward ones. I can’t wait to meet Bentley and see these two build something together:) I’m assuming each book is about a different couple, or will Bentley and Mac’s lives be thrown into chaos again in the next book?
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you pick it up Jenny! Each book is about another couple
Nick
This sounds like such a sweet story, Kim. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed this book so much and YES to good boys also being capable of being swoony. I’ll have to check this one out and probably go get some truffles too.
Lovely review, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
You would love the good guy in this tale Nick
kindlemom1
Ahh I really love Tiffany. Glad this was such an unexpected read for you Kim! Love it!
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first, but it won’t be my last Ali
Braine
This is one NA I can read. I spent Mother’s Day with a similar NA novel too.
And I’m with you re:good guys. Bad boys are overrated
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet, I look forward to hearing what NA that was. This was my first King book and I was down right pleased 🙂
Tracy Terry
Loving the cover but alas unless its a book received for review I’ve sworn off beginning books that are part of a series. Still, glad you enjoyed it so much that you couldn’t put it down, its always great when you discover a book like this.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL..I understand that I have so many series I am juggling!
Silvia
I haven’t read any Tiffany King’s books yet, but you got me curious about this one! I think it’s amazing when we find a book by ‘accident’ and end up getting so excited that we want to read more. Really glad this title was such a good surprise for you, Kimberly! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first King book, and I like the depth she brings while keeping it realistic.
Tanja
I haven’t heard of this series, but good guys are totally my thing. I love reading about them. Also writing here seems so good. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I had not either but I am so glad I mistakenly clicked the accept button and not the goodreads button..LOL
Faye
GOOD GUYS ARE SWOON-WORTHY! Sometimes I find them even more delicious than the usual brooding ones (except for ACOTAR. Rhysand is to die for). Mac sounds terribly scarred and I would love to see her self-healing process!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, as much as I like bad boys. I married a good guy..and this reminded me why.
Blessie (Mischievous Reads)
Oh wow, this sounds like a really touching novel. Though I got the shivers when I read the part of her trapped in a twisted SUV. Awesome review, Kimba! 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah..I loved the depth this brought and the characters are well done
About Happy Books
Sounds like a great start into this new series and like something that could work for me. I think I will give the book a chance in a few weeks, thanks for making me excited about it.
Happy Reading!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..I am excited about secondary characters and look forward to their stories.
Melliane
It’s great when it’s like that, when you find books you don’t expect to be that good mainly if you didn’t intend to read it at first. It’s the first time I hear about it but I’m curious now! great review!
kimbacaffeinate
It is great when this happens.