Thursday 30 April 2015

Review: A Shattered Moment by Tiffany King

A Shattered Moment by Tiffany King
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: May 5th 2015
My rating:  3.5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20957871-return-to-me
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…
 


My Thoughts:
Mac’s life after accident made it so she climbed into a shell of isolation, which was understandable because she lost all her closest friends in the accident, whether emotionally or by death. Mac’s also permanently injured and has to deal with walking with a cane probably for the rest of her life. Just getting around at her college campus is a huge feat.

There are short flashbacks giving a glimpse into Mac’s relationship with her then boyfriend, Zach, and her friends before the accident.  You can see why guilt, grief, and low self-image, would cause her shut herself off from any possible new friends.  When she meets Bentley, he pushes for a way in, chipping away at her armor. Slowly, Mac starts to come back to the land of the living, falling for Bentley in the process.

Bentley was a complete sweetheart with a carefree and happy demeanor that’s infectious. It’s impossible to be miserable around this guy.  As the EMT who was there at Mac’s darkest hour, he remembers Mac and that night vividly.  There’s something special about Mac to Bentley that draws him in, over and over to her, even with the resistance she puts up. He doesn’t see her as damaged goods, but rather a strong survivor, which goes a long way in healing Mac’s self-image.

Mac and Bentley’s romance felt like it could’ve been taken from real life, just a sweet, slow and steady progression instead of rooted in fiction or fantasy. I appreciated the low level of angst, never any huge blowups or setbacks. While A Shattered Moment does seem to follow the same recipe for a lot of New Adult reads out there (the main character reeling after a tragic event), Tiffany King wrote and engrossing story without it feeling overly dramatic. 





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10 comments:

Aimee (Aimee, Always) said...

Aw, this definitely does sound super sweet, Rachel! <3 Slow-burn romances always get an A+ from me. ;) I can't wait to meet Bentley! The happy-go-lucky type is just adorable. Adding this to my TBR asap!

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a very sweet story. I especially love the sound of Bentley and the lovely romance. I have to admit that I'm a little tired of the tragic event story line in NA books. Still, I'm glad this was a success for you, Rachel.
Beautiful review!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

It sounds like a nice romance, but I am not thrilled it is a bit of the same old same old. At least it isn't overly dramatic.

Piecraft Bucharest said...

A lot of promise in this one. I like natural progressions and steadiness too, they can be so refreshing after so many fantastic plots :) Great review.

Melanie said...

Aw this one sounds so cute! I'll definitely know where to look if I'm looking for a steady and adorable romance.

Lovely review, Rach! <33

Faye M. said...

This is the kind of NA I would also love to read (aside from romance mystery, as Leah Raeder mastered in Black Iris) - something that you could actually see happening and progressing in real life, something that you feel is more grounded in reality. Plus, little to no drama is perfect for me.

Faye at The Social Potato

Unknown said...

I feel like I've read a Tiffany King book before? At least I think I have? I'll have to check my shelves, but anyway I hear her named a lot on Goodreads. Glad this one worked for you for the most part, despite it night being all that original. NA is such a crapshoot for me, but lately I've found some good ones.
Lovely review, lady!

brandileigh2003 said...

Aw Bentley sounds wonderful

Beena said...

This one is news to me, I haven't heard about it before but your review does have me intrigued enough. The romance does sound sweet as well, atleast you enjoyed this one and found a decent read in NA books. Wonderful review <3 Benish| Feminist Reflections

Carina Olsen said...

Gorgeous review Rachel :D I'm glad you liked this book; but sorry you didn't love it :\ But aw, yay for liking the romance. <3 And oh, I think the cover looks so cute. Ack. Maybe not a book for me, but I'm curious :)

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