Broken Dreams

By: Kelly Elliott

Narrated by: Shirl Rae, Nelson Hobbs

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Courtney Will always dreamed of finding her Prince Charming and living happily ever after. However, her dreams were shattered one fateful night when her prince turned out to be her worst nightmare. Reed Moore's past filled his world with guilt and anger. Then, a mistake in college deepened these feelings. Fearing he will one day repeat his father's mistakes with the woman he loves, Reed has vowed to never give his heart to anyone. Reed and Courtney have each spent years building walls to guard their hearts, so when their feelings for each other explode into something unexpected, they argue and throw hurtful words at each other in hopes of avoiding the truth. Can their broken dreams become their happily ever after? Contains mature themes.

©2014 Kelly Elliott (P)2014 Tantor

AS SWEET AS ICE TEA IN THE SUMMER

If you have not read the first book, "Broken," then I suggest you back up and start reading that book first as you will be lost since "Broken Dreams" follows, and starts where "Broken" ended. It has been a while since I read Broken and I really wish I would have listened to it again before venturing into this one. However, after a while I was right on board with the characters & where all the drama had left off.

First of all, be prepared for a fabulous audiobook. Shirl Rae is excellent. She is one of my favorite female narrators. I especially love the southern accent she provided for Reed. And, NELSON Hobbs….OMG…HOT-SOUTHERN-MAN-VOICE-ALERT. What a gorgeous voice Nelson has! I need to find more audiobooks he performs in! The combination of both Shirl and Nelson made this one sumptuous listen!

As far as the story is concerned, the love development between Reed and Courtney is low on the angst and high on the fun and romance. In fact, this is what I consider an indulgence for the helpless romantic. Reed and Courtney do face personal issues and conflicts brought on by outside sources, however, they are resolved or addressed either quickly or within their proper timing in the plot development. But, the romance between Reed and Courtney is fun, sexy, cute and continuous. The best part is that if you liked Layton and Whitely from "Broken," then you will adore this book because not only does it explore Reed & Courtney's love story, but simultaneously gives you more of Layton and Whitely which is awesome! What a perfect combination for two best friends from NYC, Whitely and Courtney, to fall in love with their gorgeous southern gentlemen, Layton and Reed. This is a sweet romance that takes readers into the beautiful landscape of the Texan countryside, to the range riding horses, to the vibe of dancing in hot night clubs, and two-stepping in town circles.

I recommend this listen/read when readers need a break from more ansty, drama-injected reads. It is all smooth sailing and as Reed & Courtney would put it….it passes the "swoon-worthy" test.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Super Cheesy

Cheesiest book I’ve ever read. Book 1 was so much better! Hopefully, book 3 will be like number 1.

Recommended for 18+

This is the second story in the Broken series. Due to the close contact between the two couples, I recommend reading in order.

I liked this story better than the first, whether it is because it was better or I had gotten used to the characters immaturity I don't know. As the last story is also part of the Romance listening bundle, I will go on to that now.

Finished by Sheer Determination Alone

I really enjoyed Broken, (book 1 in the series.) I'm a believer in sticking to a series once I start, I hated giving up on Courtney and Reed. I must say, I was tempted way too many times, but I stuck it out through sheer grit and determination.
First, the characters. There's Courtney, the over-blunt, seemingly over-sexed best friend of Whitley, whom we remember from Broken. Broken also introduces us to Reed, the sexy, cocky best friend of Layton. Throughout Whitley and Layton's story, we watch Courtney and Reed exchange verbal jabs and insults at one another, hurting one another to deny their mutual attraction. Their dynamic in Broken takes a whiplash-inducing 180 turn in Broken Dreams.
In Broken Dreams, we learn Courtney is the OPPOSITE of over-sexed, to the shock of even her best friend. Similarly, Reed is the opposite of cocky, especially when it comes to his feelings for Courtney. The 'suspension of reality' normally reserved for romance novels is pushed far beyond its limits in so many ways all throughout this novel.
--Courtney has PTSD-level nightmares about sexual abuse suffered in her teens. Yet, once she gets with Reed, and despite having never had sex with her former boyfriend, she becomes a sex starved lover who 'only feels safe' in bed with Reed. Right.
--Reed has deep seeded daddy issues that have made it impossible for him to commit to a relationship. Yet once with Courtney, those fears just melt away without any exploration. Suddenly, the first night he's with Courtney he's declaring his love and promising forever. Right.
--There are way too many declarations of undying love, and way too early, considering the hostile early days of their relationship. Oh, and there are waaay too many happy tears, from both Courtney AND Reed.
--Even for a romance novel, the impulsive-yet-perfect events are over the top. Elope, yet STILL get the perfect venue, dress, and setting? No. Courtney's brother's wedding, booked and obsessively planned for over a year, is ruined - but NO PROBLEM. Reed, a forestry guy, is able to pull together a scaled down, yet just as exquisite, substitute event on the way back to the hotel, via a series of text messages.
--The glossing over of some really serious issues is almost shameful. Specifically...You don't reveal your past sexual abuse at the hands of a close family friend, TO YOUR WHOLE FAMILY, and then lighten the mood by taking everyone to PLAY COUPLES' LASER TAG. {Cringe.}
--Reed and Courtney could barely brush their arms together without becoming instantly, uncontrollably, and compulsively horny. There is no sexual tension, no foreplay, and, no restraint between these two. "Oh Reed...we're FIVE MINUTES from home. I just CAN'T WAIT that long! Take me NOW...PLEASE!!" (Eye roll.) Every couple has those moments occasionally...but this was like Every. Single. Chapter.
--The constant sexual competition between Whitley and Courtney was juvenile. They were incessantly one-upping one another in terms of location, position, and number of rounds. The men were constantly upset by the behavior, but the girls persisted. So High School.
--For a couple who were constantly declaring their deep, undying love and devotion, there were way too many emotional tantrums and 'Does He Really Love Me' snits. Courtney was too often knocked off her game by miscommunications and misreading situations.
Given the material, the narrators did a great job. For a cocky cowboy, Reed is a whiny, insecure sissy. He cried. Like, All. The. Time. And, he was terrified of hurting Courtney's feelings, even with meaningless sarcasm.
Finally...and yes, this is a spoiler. (But frankly, if you even GET this far in the book, you'll have to come to terms with the over-the-top, sex in any situation aspect of this story.) Listen...I don't care who you are, or how much you LOVE romance novels. If you've ever had a baby, or know someone who has, you CANNOT resist cringing through a sex scene (ESPECIALLY one where the WIFE is begging for it!) barely an hour after getting home from the hospital with your NEWBORN. Do I even need to list all the reasons? Seriously, it was just too much. Sheesh.
If you want a story with a whole lot of random, gratuitous sex, and without a whole lot of emotional depth or plot complexity, this is a 5-star read for you. Otherwise, enjoy Broken as a standalone - and skip the epilogue that introduces this novel.

Unrealistic

This story did not feel real to me for several reasons: our heroine is a NY City girl and constantly giggles and and is too clueless, our heroine had a boyfriend she loved but stopped having sex with him for six months with no talking about why (really?). Our hero had a girl he was having sex with regularly. So it was ok for him but not for her. Then they get together and want to marry immediately (eye roll). The declarations of love are too sweet and the sex reads as fake as porn. I couldn’t finish the story. The narrator is pretty good except when she does the fake giggles. I liked the first book a lot more.

Kelly Elliott did it again! ❤️

She can tell a Texas love story like no other. Love her books and characters they're so easy to get wrapped up in.

Narrator is horrible !!

The female narrators voice is like a nasal valley girl , I couldn't even get half way through it because of her voice. Plus the fact that everyone of these books are the same ( just insert a different name).

love

love book wood see it a more book love book love it a more book

Slow

I liked the story as a whole, but there was no real want to keep listening. There was way too much sex in a way that I feel like the author was looking for ways to add more that were really unrealistic. Just boring.. very boring..

Sweet Country Love Story

This was a sweet country love story. Reed and Courtney had their share of ups and downs throughout their love/hate relationship. But while house sitting they finally got it right. While I loved the story and the sweetness that is Reed Moore. I loved all the references to book boyfriends and the live for the Kindle just as much. It made them both relatable. Love to read about women who love to read and the men that love them for it.

Fell good love story broken dreams

Where does Broken Dreams rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

in my top 10 list for sure probably lol number 6 it was so good

What other book might you compare Broken Dreams to, and why?

this book is by Kelly Elliott and all her books are alike some people don't like authors who write same storylines but I like it because when I need a good love story to put me in a good mood I know Kelly Elliott's books will do the job x

They reminded me of Jeff and ari from Wanted #2 Saved because they hurt each at first fighting their felling for each other but once get got to together they kept making me smile like crazy

Have you listened to any of Shirl Rae and Nelson Hobbs ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

nelson was the voice for the male in the twist me which was a messed up sick man character he played the voice very well and he was in the previous Broken book of this series and so was shirl Rae and I think they did fabulous job on broken book #1 and this one #2

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes I fell asleep for a fees but had to finished it I did in less than 24 hours I was very lazy just listening but this book was so worth it to me

Any additional comments?

i loved this book so much I finished it less than a hour ago and I'm relistening to my favourite moments I think out of all Kelly Elliott's book Thai book is the one I'm most personally connected to you and emotionally because I am most like Courtney in real life loving my love Storting and unlike her doing editing I love writing and wish I could have a Prince Charming like in the books and TV and movies even knowing this is real life I would for a love and guy like Reid funny his name is Reid because it sound like read as books which she loves if you get it.

And her past is familiar to my mine I felt like her as reading love this book more than the first broken series book