It has taken Casey three years to realize that her boyfriend, Kyle, doesn't really love her and that he could have dark secrets of his own. Her friends, Aster and Matt, might have figured it out and that could be the reason they act like they are protecting her from the one man she loves. Aster's relationship with Matt is also shaky, because Matt doesn't seem to want to grow career wise and has developed a new religious interest. This novel explores the dynamics of relationships among four friends and develops a very strong conflict. A moment comes when the bond that binds them is threatened by a harsh tragedy, and can each find the strength to stand up for the other?

Broken and Beautiful by Elizabeth Courtright is a great read in the area of contemporary romance, a well-written story with a language that has a colloquial feel to it. This is a compelling romance with powerful lessons in love, friendship, and the power of facing adversity together. The story is beautifully written and the reader is greeted with interesting dialogue as they open the first page. The dialogue turns out to be the best I have read in such books, well-crafted to read naturally, to enhance the plot, and to unveil different layers of the characters. I enjoyed the way the characters are developed, with emotions that readers will easily identify with. The plot lines are strong, the writing a delightful read, and the conflict compelling. It reads so realistically that the reader will feel as if this story is about the characters next door.

Warm, entertaining, deeply human, real, and infused with a rare sense of humanity, Broken and Beautiful by Elizabeth Courtright is a book that will have the reader laughing and crying as they walk alongside the characters, unable to leave them for a moment. It’s a great story of romance, developed around the themes of friendship, compassion, and interpersonal relationships. Readers are introduced to a compelling cast of characters, crisis in love and relationships, and a conflict that helps to move the plot forward.

Casey finally accepts the truth that her secretive boyfriend, Kyle, might not have loved her the way she’d wanted to be loved. It is curiously funny and heartbreaking because it’s a fact that even her best friends, Aster and Matt, a couple in their own right and living through their own relationship challenges, have noticed it. Now, they are all involved in a tragedy that will test their friendship and devotion to each other.

This story is told in the first person narrative and in a voice that is delightful, even hypnotic. Character development is awesome and readers get clear ideas about the characters and the kind of influence they have on each other. Broken and Beautiful by Elizabeth Courtright is a wonderful tale. I was attracted to the title of the book, but then as I started reading, I couldn’t help but agree that we can shine in our brokenness, that we can reach out and touch someone, even when we are feeling helpless and burdened with our own pain. The story is both entertaining and inspiring, with a fresh take on love and friendship.

Broken and Beautiful by Elizabeth Courtright is a story that brilliantly captures the drama that happens in many relationships, a heartfelt story that should be read with emotion. Everyone around Casey can see that her boyfriend, Kyle, doesn’t really love her. He has secrets of his own and they could hurt Casey so much, which is why Matt and Aster, her closest friends, are doing all they can to protect Casey from the man she loves. It has taken her three years to begin to wake up to the reality that this man may not actually love her. For them to give Casey the emotional support she needs, Aster and Matt need to be strong in their relationship too, but they have problems of their own. Readers are introduced to four friends, two couples, who have been through a lot together, but who are yet to face the worst tragedy. Do they have what it takes to survive one more time?

I love Elizabeth Courtright’s writing. It is intelligent. It is highly creative, real, and arresting. The characters are well-developed and the reader can feel the familiarity of their world, thanks to the author’s gift for setting. The writing is impeccable and it is a great delight for readers. Although this is entered as contemporary romance, it stands out in that it doesn’t dwell much on the sexual aspects of the story, but the writing is emotionally charged and the characters are explored in great depth. Broken and Beautiful is an enticing read, one of the finest stories I have read in this genre.

Broken and Beautiful by Elizabeth Courtright is a story that is more than what readers would expect in a run-of-the-mill contemporary romance. In this spellbinding novel, readers are introduced to four compelling, interesting, and well-developed characters, and they will enjoy seeing what makes each of these characters different from the other, the conflicts that rock their friendships and relationships, and how they evolve throughout the story.

Kyle and Casey are in a relationship and their best friends, Matt and Aster, are in a relationship, too. Casey is uncertain about Kyle’s love for her, because he is secretive and seems to be involved in a lot of things that could destroy what they have. Matt and his girlfriend can feel it, but they, too, have relationship problems of their own. Smart-ass Aster knows that Matt doesn’t think seriously about the future, and even less of their future together. The reader will navigate the dynamics of friendship and relationships between these characters, and discover what happens when an unexpected tragedy strikes.

This is a story told in the first person narrative, with points of views alternating between the different characters, which allows the reader to connect with each character’s emotions and thoughts. Character development is impeccable and whether it’s Matt talking about his girl as drop dead gorgeous and super intelligent, or Casey expressing her insecurities, the voice comes across as clear and delightful. The prose is excellent and it reflects contemporary language usage, allowing readers vivid images and clear ideas of the backgrounds of the characters. Elizabeth Courtright creates characters with depth and she knows how to make them come alive in their humanity. Broken and Beautiful is a gripping tale of love and acceptance and the power of facing difficulties together.

Amazing book!

Great Book, felt like these two couples were plucked right out of my life.