I hate writing bad reviews cause I don't want to come across as rude or mean- but I have to be honest.I'm just truly honestly flabbergasted how this story has so many high reviews. The story had a great plot idea but it wasn't executed well and this was probably due to the bad writing. The story didn't flow well and the characters were very flat. Where the story was supposed to draw emotion- I felt nothing. I skimmed and skipped paragraphs and pages cause I was so bored and I hated being in the characters minds. The main character was also unlikable. Her husband treats her like shit- constantly abusing her, cheating on her, and even hurting their son and she doesn't leave. I could understand being a victim of domestic abuse (though technically all his abuse is just emotional with cheating, name calling, snapping at her, ect. except for the last time where he chocks her and throws their son)-but there was no excuse for her staying except she was hoping he would change. I'm sorry but after years of him cheating on you- he's clearly never going to change- and you staying just makes you his doormat. It's pathetic when her very young little boy has to talk some sense into her for her to leave her POS husband. It all felt a little ridiculous and unrealistic- her little boy talked like a grown man half the time. As far as the love story went between her and the Bestfriend it felt just as flat as the rest of the story. I wanted to like it but I just couldn't. I think with some practice, time, and a good editor this author has the potential to write a good book but with this one. . . I just feel like I wasted my time. What if your one true love was never really who you thought he was? What if the one that was made for you was standing by your side your entire life? What if everything had happened differently in your life? What if you had married someone else to begin with?Shattered Promises opens Lani’s life to so many questions. So much has happened and she has no idea what to do, where to turn, how to deal. Lani grew up with the best friend ever. He swore he would always look after her. He swore he would always take care of her. But what he didn’t say was the one thing that would have changed everything. But that’s not how it happened so there is no use dwelling on the past.Lani married her first boyfriend, her first love, Kade. And though Parker never got his chance, he still stood beside his friend. But when Lani’s life is tossed into a big heap one night, everything changes. Kade is in a horrible accident, but putting life back together after the accident, everything changes. Everything that she thought she knew about her life, everything she thought about her future… nothing was real and nothing was secure.This book was emotional and parts of it were hard to digest. Not because it was poorly written but because of the subject matter. It was touching and moving and heartbreaking and healing all at the same time. This book had great characters, great banter and I loved the duel perspectives. I loved Parker and the way he thought. But this wasn’t really Parker’s story to tell. But his input was valuable and I just couldn’t help but fall in love with his character. The desire and need he had to take care of Lani was amazing.Lani’s character wasn’t deeply flawed, her life was. Though not her fault, it was the root of so much pain. Lani loved hard and Lani loved long. There was no reason for her to stay in her situation except for the love of those two boys. They were her world. She never wanted them to suffer the pain of losing their father but she would never stand by and let them take the brunt of his anger either. Do I think things would have been different if the accident hadn’t occurred? If it were only the accident that caused the issues, yes. But the fact of the matter was that there was so much more going on with Kade.This book was touching and moving and just gripped my heart. I felt like I struggled right along with Lani. I wanted Parker to rescue her and protector and be the man she deserved. But I also wanted Lani to see the amazing man that was standing right in front of her.Though this book did leave me with a few unanswered questions, the important question were answered the the transformation of Lani’s character from beginning to end was remarkable and moving. I loved the characters, the story line and the Parker. This book is a great read. I cannot wait to read Ryder and Cruz’s story!
What do You think about Shattered Promises (2000)?
I loved this story. I felt every emotion the author poured into the characters.
—Kelli
