Exquisitely Broken

A Sin City Tale, Book 1

By: M. Jay Granberry

Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Jakobi Diem

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Exquisitely Broken is a second-chance romance set in the glittery world of Las Vegas, Nevada. Four years ago, one bad decision irrevocably destroyed a six-year relationship. 

There are some mistakes you can't get over, some things that an apology can't fix.

Sinclair James walked away from Jacob Johnson with her heart in pieces and her pride in shreds. She took the pain of betrayal, harnessed it, and turned it into a best-selling album that changed her life. She was no longer the girl defined by what she didn’t have because she had everything - money, fame, an award-winning album. But there was always something missing. Some small shard of what used to be. 

Now she’s back, her band unknowingly signing a yearlong residency to work for a new hotel on the Las Vegas Strip and, subsequently, Jacob Johnson. Back in the same city, working for the same hotel, sparks that had died to embers suddenly burst into flame. 

Jacob finally has a second chance to remind Sinclair just how good they were, just how good they can be again. This time, he refuses to her go. He can’t. He works to prove to Sinclair he's worth a second chance. That sometimes, love can be enough to erase a disastrous past and embrace a promising future.

©2019 Megan Burton (P)2019 Megan Burton

just ok

I read all the reviews for this book and they were all 5 stars. this book was long drawn out and annoying. I really hate that I used my credit for this book. Tha lady narrartor sounded like she was just whispering in a loud tone. Not my type

Jakobi Jakobi Jakobi

The only reason I listened was for the sexy voice of Jakobi Diem. I was tired of Sin by chapter 5.

Ultimate second chance romance and much more

I think I may have found a new to me author to love. I loved every inch of this story! This is the ultimate rock star, second chance lovers romance. But it's also so much more. Sin (Sinclair) has come from nothing and is rising up to the top of the music world with her best friend Adam and their band Sin City. At the start of her college life she met Jake and a passionate relationship was created. But betrayal years later broke it. Now Sin and Jake are back in each other lives. He's pushing for forgiveness. She is pushing to keep him in her past. She can't let him break her again. But you can't stop true love sometimes. That doesn't mean it'll be easy. If they don't have their own selves standing in the way, they have his judgmental mother, the media, and a life altering experience. This author is amazing. There were so many times I was captivated by her writing. She had me cracking up, swooning hard, in shock, and just fully consumed by this story. And these narrators were perfect. One thing I loved they did was they were in each others chapters as the male and female voice. It really made the story more real to me. I am so excited this is a series because Sin & Jake weren't the only characters I fell in love with. I can't wait for more! I highly recommend this book. But listeners, get those head phone one because it's gonna get hot!

Narration was the problem

I like the story but the narration kept me from giving this a 5. Jakobi was wonderful as usual but the woman did not match the story at all. Whenever she spoke I tried to imagine I was listening to Wesleigh or Adenrele. Thanks for listening.

loved this!

loved this story! This was my first by this author and I was impressed!
*Audiobook Obsession Reviewer*

A Sweet POC Second-Chance Romance

*I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.*

This is my first book with M. Jay Granberry and I am thoroughly impressed with the writing style overall. I am so exuberant of the fact the story focuses on two black characters (Representation!). Each character had a distinct voice and there were moments I teared up.

*******Possible Spoilers*********

Story: I’m still grappling if Jake deserved another chance. I mean we get his perspective and 100% know he’s earnest in his love for Sin. My heart goes to him. I get that. He was young, jealous, and insecure. But I felt he only had beautiful words to convince Sin. Beautiful, heart wrenching words, but just words nonetheless. It’s like time and reuniting healed and tackled the pegs that ruined their relationship in the first place. Jake isn’t young and naive anymore. By the end, he doesn’t feel jealous of Sin’s best friend Adam. And I think he found who he is since he doesn’t want to hurt Sin again. He knows Sin is his forever and learns to be patient with her career. I kind of liked how both Sin and Jake didn’t have to give up their occupations and learned to compromise.

We got a lot of backstory about Jake but I also wished I knew more about Sinclair’s past other than quick mentions of her life.

The external conflict isn’t as contrived as other people think since the author was very obvious about the foreshadowing. And I think it became the final thread that stitched up Sin and Jake’s relationship.

One major no no for me was their first hookup after 4 years. Sin was drinking way too much and getting tipsy before Jake made a move. I don’t know if she sobers quickly, but that part bothered the hell out of me.

Narration: I enjoyed the entwined dual narration. Makes it more immersive. Jakobi Diem is a good match for the male characters. He gives a certain enthusiasm for dirty flirty talking that I think suits Jake. For Lacy Laurel, she’s a good narrator but not right for Sinclair James. Laurel sounds like a white woman with a western/southern drawl that appears frequently. She is not very good at a British accent either.

Good story, but the female narrator.

The story was good. As usual the male narrator Jakobi Diem does an excellent job bringing the story to life. Unfortunately the female narrators voice was distracting and took away my enjoyment. The main character Syn was described as a dark skin black women. The female narrators voice made her sound like a blonde blue eyed surfer boy. I don't understand how this womens voice was selected. Please be more mindful of the narrators selected to tell our story.

Follows a lyrical flow

This was my first work by MJ Granberry and I like her writing style. It’s poetic and lyrical in a lot of ways, and I enjoyed the story.

The duet narration was also new for me, and it was enjoyable in this story. Jakobi Diem was a standout as always.

Moderate angst, and there’s childhood and current life trauma (involving gun violence) with the female character.

very good

I usually don't like Lacy but her voice wasn't as annoying in this narration. The book itself was really good!

Delicious

This steamy romance is a must listen. It's full of delectable lust and filled with complicated unpredictable plot twists.

Good Listen

Jake broke Sins heart years ago but know she is back in Vegas and he will use it as a chance to get her back. Their unexpected first meeting causes issues and they must fix it or both of their careers will have issues. Jake must show Sin that she is the one for him but he must make up for his past mistakes.
🎧 Audiobook Obsession

Second Chances

She took her pain and turned it into art. She healed her shattered heart with music. Can she forgive him and let love in again?

3.5 Stars

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this and the audio was AMAZING. For a debut this really hits a lot of high notes. The writing was crisp and the chemistry between Jacob and Sin was off the charts, even given their past. This hit a lot of tropes I really enjoy.I'd very much recommend the audio for this as it's done in the duel style and Jacobi Diem's voice plays off Lacy Laurel's very well. A huge thank you to Foreword PR for allowing me to volunteer to review the audio version of this. My opinions are my own and haven't been influenced.

Interesting.

I found the characters interesting and enjoyed their story. Jakob Diem and Lacy Laurel worked well together.

Good Book!

This book was good. It was a good take on a second chance romance. I like that the characters didn't jest fall completely back into each other right away. I like that they had to work It makes the story more reilistic to me. I also loved the way this book was narrated. 🎧AudiobookObsession

Jake and Sin!

Sinclair (Sin) and Jake were college sweethearts who had been together six years however his life and family was firmly rooted in Vegas while her career with her band was just beginning to take off. The time they spent apart when she was on tour caused Jake to make a mistake that she was unable to forgive and they haven’t spoken since.

Four years later when her band wants to return to Vegas for one year she agrees as it is unlikely that she and Jake’s paths would ever cross however fate has other ideas when he manages the hotel where she is staying. Her determination to protect her heart was no match for his determination that she give him a second chance and it was only a matter of time before the chemistry between them ignites but will this be their chance to live the life they always planned or are they destined to end in heartbreak once again?

With this story we not only get to see their current relationship but their past relationship as well. There was no denying the love and chemistry between them but trying to merge their lives will be the biggest challenge of all. I thought that both narrators were not only a perfect match for the main characters but the secondary characters as well. 🎧 Audiobook Obsession

Exquisitely Broken

Talk about a second chance novel! This is probably the best second chance I have read in a long time, possibly ever. The struggle between heart and head is huge here and the twist towards the end had me crying like a baby. A must read listen for anyone who loves romance.

#AudiobookObsessionReviewer

Exquisitely Broken

A love that was broken and lost and the found and glued back together. I wanted Jacob and Sinclair's love for one another to work from the very beginning. This mix of second chance love story and rockstar romance. The beautiful voice of Lacy Laurel and Jakobi Diem made this an amazing love story.

#AudiobookObessesion

Fantastic storyline

This is not your usual rockstar book. It’s more about life in general than the fame. Good characters with good chemistry. Excellent narration from both Lacy and Jakobi.
#audiobookobsessionreviewer

Amazing!

Sinclair (aka Sin) had her heart broken in Las Vegas four years ago when the love of her life cheated on her. Now she’s back, hoping she won’t cross paths with Jacob Johnson. As it turns out, her band signed a year-long residency to work for his hotel and Jacob is determined to prove to her how much he deserves a second chance…

It’s hard to believe this is Jay M. Granberry’s debut novel because the writing is so amazing! The depth and emotional intensity of the story make it captivating. The flashbacks add dimension to an already interesting plot. I can’t wait to listen to Adam’s story!

Narrators Lacy Laurel and Jakobi Diem did an excellent job bringing this story to life. Their voices compliment each other, making this book a joy to listen to.

Exquisitely Broken is a second chance contemporary rockstar romance written in dual first-person POV and performed duet style. It’s a standalone that ends with an HEA. No cliffhanger.

I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.