Title: Beautiful Broken Mess
Author: Kimberly Lauren
First published January 1, 2012
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.22
Overview
Beautiful Broken Mess by Kimberly Lauren is a passionate and heart-wrenching tale of two star-crossed lovers, Jace Riley and Audrey Mills. After years of being apart, Audrey still can’t forget the moments they shared.
But their romance was cut short when Audrey broke Jace’s heart. Now, fate has brought them back together at the same graduate school.
Jace’s identical twin brother, Jaxon, also has a complicated history with Audrey. One look at Audrey and Jace is once again drawn to her.
However, he’s determined not to fall for her again. But what if Jace has misjudged Audrey all along?
What if he has one last chance to make things right? This New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance is recommended for ages 18 and up.
About the Author
Connect with Kimberly Lauren on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyLaurenAuthor. Known for her captivating storytelling, Kimberly is the author of the popular novels Beautiful Broken Rules, Beautiful Broken Mess, and Beautiful Broken Promises.
When she’s not busy exploring new places and experiencing new adventures, Kimberly resides in Texas with her husband, two sons, and three furry companions. Writing is a passion for her, and she spends every spare moment crafting compelling stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Join her on her literary journey and discover the magic of her words.
Editoral Review
Kimberly Laurens debut novel, Beautiful Broken Mess, is a captivating and emotionally complex story about two young adults struggling to overcome their past traumas and find love and acceptance. Set in small-town Texas, the novel explores themes of family, identity, addiction, and mental illness in a realistic and poignant way, with fully developed characters and a compelling plot.
The main character, Mckayla, is a seventeen-year-old girl trying to cope with her mothers abandonment, her fathers alcoholism, and her own self-destructive behavior, including a secret drug addiction. When she meets the charming and caring William, a college-bound senior, she starts to believe that maybe she can have a future worth fighting for.
But William has his own demons to face, including a tragic loss and a controlling father who disapproves of his relationship with Mckayla. Laurens writing style is simple yet effective, with realistic dialogue and vivid descriptions that convey the characters thoughts and feelings.
She also uses flashbacks and alternating perspectives to reveal the characters backstories and motivations, which helps the reader understand their actions and sympathize with their struggles. One of the strengths of Beautiful Broken Mess is its portrayal of mental illness and addiction.
Lauren doesnt shy away from depicting the harsh realities of these issues, but she also shows that recovery and support are possible, even in the face of setbacks and relapses. Mckaylas journey towards sobriety and self-acceptance is inspiring and relatable, and Williams role as a supportive boyfriend is admirable and refreshing.
However, the novels pacing can be a bit slow at times, and some of the subplots, such as Mckaylas relationship with her best friend and Williams conflicts with his father, feel underdeveloped or predictable. Additionally, the novels ending may leave some readers wanting more closure or resolution.
Overall, Beautiful Broken Mess is a well-written and heartfelt novel that will appeal to fans of young adult fiction and contemporary romance. Its themes of self-discovery and resilience are universal and timely, and its characters are memorable and authentic.
Lauren has a promising career ahead of her, and her debut is a testament to her talent and vision. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.