Connected By A.E. Murphy

There are very few stories that live up to their expectations when they go into part two territory. I am happy and proud to say that I wasn't wrong about this series/author and it was worth the wait. We got the past, present and the future in a lovely, as real as it can get in story land, package!

I loved every minute of it and the epilogue was written so that we could get the future without it feeling all kinds of rushed and incomplete. We covered so much and got to see the outcome of their struggles from book 1 and 2. Normally I don't go for trilogies these days because most of them are just cash cows but I could use a next novel on these two. I am not ready to let them go :(

As for Caleb, boy did we get some light on him! Unfortunately, I can't hate him. I get his point and determination however unscrupulous and an argument can be made that he was a sadistic little one but we didn't get that Caleb so I can't hate him and I still miss him. I actually hope he could be around to defend himself. Plus, we got Dillan and that little boy was just as awesome as a baby as he was as a hungry 16 year old. Yup! We go way up in the future and I start to wonder if we might get a novel on the children of this novel. They are now more interesting than all the parents :)

Nathan was his usual self but he cut himself open this time and laid vulnerable for all to see. I connected even more with him and Gwen and got comfortable in their ability to understand and navigate each other's personalities.

I felt their frustration, anger, betrayal, love and passion and I found that there is something to be said about having half way sex with Nathan. I have never seen it done before and it can be quite the kick to an ego but I surely would wanna try! It's just so erotic and weird o.O

The emotions of this level were high! Even though I had already figured out half of the major conflict, I had no problem going through the motions to reveal the rest. We were literally being taken through a day by day summary of their lives a few months after Gwen leaves the village. I didn't mind and I felt like I could spend every single day in their lives and not get bored.

There is also an element in this novel that makes you able to relate to different situations as they arise, like the breaking down of friendships and the struggles new mother's face. Ms. Murphy also has the ability to write guys that we love but can easily hate and this go it was Eric.

He was extremely pushy but he was a nice guy with solid friends and family. You can't hate the characters of this novel but you will get upset with them all from time to time. The addition of Valentine, Tiffany and Elle helped to cement and transition to the next level in Gwen's life. I also did what I thought I would never do and forgave her mom.

She made mistakes and abandon her only child when she needed her the most but I love the mom she became in this installment and how she never hid behind anything. Every one's personality in the novel was distinct and memorable and made me feel like I was apart of the group. I knew what to expect from every one.

This matched part of my expectation but still left me satisfied and with an addition to my favourite authors list. The culture was thick and true Brit, the friendships tentative and the emotions believable. I loved every minute and wish I didn't read it so I could read it again. It didn't need the heavy erotica or calculated deviants because it was more vulnerable and therefore memorable. All I can say is, Gwen needs to redo her Food Handler's course and Nathan should play poker with that face.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22079377-connected

Broken By A.E. Murphy

I need to process this book that I just read and I don't even know how. My skin is literally prickling after reading this novel and between the ending and the preview of book 2 I am left shaken, confused and hoping Nathan isn't as crazy as I think he is, because from germaphobe to killer is quite a bracket.

This story has three distinct tones that you might miss because you are so wrapped up in the story line. There is the light and fluffy bordering on unrealistic beginning, the changes and growth in the middle and the convoluted and uncertain ending.

I was tempted to stop reading when I began because the beginning wasn't the most solid of starts. It felt very naive and filled with childish fantasies and actions, so I was skeptic while wondering who are these Disney kids? Then everything goes to hell and I literally see the story switch to heartache and unbearable pain. They might not have fell but my eyes did quite the job today at holding my tears at bay. One more painful description and I'd have been weeping like a baby. We moved into a more mature setting until we finally transitioned into the unpredictable ending and even more frightening preview.

I connected with every single one of the main characters. Caleb was the fun, fairy tale side and I loved and missed him with every bone in my body. There will never be enough time passed for you to forget this character. I was depressed with her and felt every pity stare and brick wall to a shelter.

I love Gwen. I thought her silly at first but she completely won me over. She was loyal, fierce, opinionated and real. Yes, she's hormonal but she respected herself and Caleb even when he was no longer around. She had literally found her soul mate and no matter what any one else says I will always love him for her. There is no man in the world like Caleb and even though we might learn some of his secrets in the next novel people can change and he did. We never saw a bad side. He was the loving, caring, compassionate boyfriend to the point of being selfish. Prevention is better than cure and he could have prevented half the pain Gwen endured if he had prepared properly and spoke to her about what they were really up against.

Though I am irrevocably in love with Caleb this story has two sides and the lead for the next is Nathan. I like Nathan but I don't trust him. It took not only Gwen, but myself as a reader, time to warm to his character and before I know it, I was acclimating to his current role and medical condition. What came at the end though just stirred me even more and got me wondering what will happen next. His next move will determine if I continue to get to know and like him or loathe him forever.

It's impossible to not get tangled up in this story. The characters are real, their decisions are tough but their own and resentment runs rampant with hate and indifference. The sex in this novel is virginal and is PG at best. It was all about the story line and I love that. We followed the lost of a promising life; a single, homeless, unemployed almost widow trying to get by and a man with a literal vault of secrets and quite the mental illness.

Once this story picks up speed, it doesn't slow. It holds you and dare you to take this journey across the pond. As usual, nothing beats a good UK novel written by someone from the UK or at the very least, with a strong hold in their culture. The dialect was definitely British and I love using my dictionary as I sorted through British slang.

It was an emotional roller coaster and I didn't wanna get off this ride. There is a moment for every one and after the first 10% I was hooked and couldn't put it down. I read it all in an afternoon as I was unable to move until I saw 100% on my kindle. This is normally when I know a book is good and has you right where it wants you.

 I was surprised at the authors age  because the pain and struggles were real and spoke of more worldly experience than her 23 years. All the same though, congratulations on tapping and unlocking some intense feelings and reactions.

I love it. I recommend it and what makes it even better, it's currently FREE on Amazon and Smashword.

- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22018461-broken