Pretty Broken Things

A Forbidden Romance (Pretty Broken Duet, Book 1)

De: Kimberly Carrillo

Narrado por: Michael Joss, Phillipa Miller

I might be the most promising quarterback in college football today, but once I was just a boy desperately in love with the wrong girl, one I’d very much like to win back. She blocks me better than any player on the field, but to figure out my best play, first I need to understand how we got here.

We have been apart longer than we were together but we can’t seem to stop torturing each other. Every guy she touches or allows to touch her is like a knife right to my heart.

Not to be outdone, I play her game. No one will ever accuse me of giving less than everything. These are her rules after all, and I’ve always been competitive.

I thought her being my stepsister would keep us apart forever, but it’s the damage we did trying to resist each other that sealed our fate. And yet, despite the ways we’ve betrayed each other over and over, I can’t let her go.

What we have could almost be love if it didn’t hurt so much.

My heart, black and broken as it may be, will always belong to the girl with sad eyes. Are we damaged beyond repair, or do we dare try one more time?

This is book one of the Pretty Broken Duet.

©2023 Kimberly Carrillo (P)2025 Pink Flamingo Productions

I NEED BOOK 2, STAT

Off the bat, I couldn’t help but appreciate the depiction of ‘rich kids’ who still aren’t having all their needs met and the way Carillo seemed to really capture loneliness for these kids. If you enjoy indulging in some YA drama, I recommend this one, it’s got substance.

This was an addictive read, it gripped me early in. Imagine my delight when it crossed over with another world of Carillo’s, thought it contained some spoilers. (I was provided with books 1 & 2 by the audio publisher to read/review, but denied book 3. While I’m a smidge disappointed in the spoiler, I appreciate the update. Pretty Monsters Trilogy, FYI.)

GUYS! I NEED BOOK 2 LIKE I NEED AIR-OMFG.


YA.
Academy vibes.
V!rg!n heroine.
Rich kids.
“Pseudo-inc3$t.”
Football.
Domestic v|0lence.
Football.
Fresh starts.
Suspense.
SA.
Trafficking.
Vengeance.


Overall:
This read was excellent. It refreshed the sting of the rejection of Pretty Monsters 3 😂 , but honestly worth it. Addictive read.


Carillo really captured the moment a person changes into something else completely—and I am so very here for it. Well done!

4 stars.


🎧 Audio:
This is a fantastic production, excellent narrators and perfect overall sound quality.
5 stars. 🦩

Lots of Angst!

Tessa and Ford's story is a dark romance that is full of danger and suspense, Tessa is a spoiled rich girl while Ford is from the wrong side of the tracks but both had a difficult childhood with awful parents which has shaped them into who they are today. Tessa is likable, in my opinion, but Ford is not. Hopefully he can redeem himself in book two of this duet. This book is very angsty and does span a few years. It does have dual points of view which I really like in a story. There are many difficult subject matters which could be triggering for some.

This is a spin off of the Pretty Monsters Trilogy which I listened to last year so I didn't make the connection until after I finished this book. That trilogy is Raven and Sin's story who do appear in this book. It is definitely not necessary to read the Pretty Monsters Trilogy first but if you like this one, then you might want to check that one out as well.

Michael Joss and Phillipa Miller both did a great job bringing this story to life.

🎧Pink Flamingo Productions, The Flock Reviewer
#TheFlockVIPReviewTeam

I need the 2nd book!

Wow! So many quotes from this story I loved. And the moment I realized the connection this story had to the Pretty Monsters trilogy I'd listened to awhile ago- shock but it also made me so much more invested, realizing that niggling feeling these characters were familiar wasn't just in my imagination. So much angst and suspense in this story as these young characters try to find their way in life... reminds me of the teenage drama tv shows I watched back in the day. Can't wait for the next to come to audio to finish Ford and Tessa's story!

Ford and Tessa Part 1

I started my journey on this author's work with the Pretty Monsters Trilogy. A lot of the characters are in the trilogy as "side characters". Ford and Tessa play a role in that series but I'm so glad that we get their story because it's a lot more than the impressions we get in the other series. You don't have to have read it first to enjoy this book and I don't know if it will change your impression of these characters. These are different points of view from the same time/life events. In this we get a real view of Tessa and Ford vs the assumptions or limited interactions of Sin and Raven. I do think this book is one I wish I was reading along with the audio so I could stop and highlight quotes! "Two broken people whose edges might cut each other", was a quote that left impact. This forbidden love "step siblings", isn't a trope I usually would seek out but it's so much more. I definitely need the next book to know what happens, if these two broken people can heal together or if they'll leave each other bleeding out! I was so drawn in by this audiobook. I will say characters that I thought I wouldn't like changed my opinion of them and one that "seemingly" had things more together and had overcome demons surprised me by how much they were still struggling/dealing with. I don't want to spoil any of the book because I want you to have authentic feelings like I did. While listening and things were unfolding, I think my opinions on the characters were constantly evolving. So yes read/listen to this one and Pretty Monsters trilogy if you think it even sounds remotely interesting.

Pretty Broken Things

Pretty Broken Things is the first book in the Pretty Broken Duet. This book is about Ford and Tessa and is told from both of their points of view.

This book starts with Ford and Tessa as enemies. She's the popular girl, and he's from the wrong side of the tracks. They form a friendship that turns into more.

When something happens, it forces Tessa to make some hard decisions. Now, Ford hates Tess, and she will do anything to fix what she broke.

There were some twists and turns I did not see coming. There were some hard bits to listen to, so I would check trigger warnings if you are sensitive to some things. I can't wait to see the conclusion in the next book.

I can't wait to get some answers to some questions, and to see if Ford and Tessa will get their happy ending.

Tessa and Ford

Ford and Tessa

Two things one this is a spin off from Pretty Monsters Trilogy they were side characters doesn't need to be read but doesn't hurt. Two this ends in a cliffhanger the other part is available just not on audio which is what I used to listen to this story.

Wow. This is one packed up story. First this is your typical high school romance where the guy from the wrong side of the tracks and the girl which everyone calls the ice queen. They come together when Tessa comes to request something from Ford. Thinking she's a spoiled brat he can't stand her. But something about her has him intrigued and he finds out everything isn't what it seems. So you get the ups and down of that. Throw in some obstacles and poor Tessa after everything she does keeps being betrayed as the bad guy. Then years later they try again but it's different and Tessa is still looked at as the bad person. This is the aggravated part because Shane Ford's best friend and knows the truth too doesn't even speak up but to me is a big instigator. Then the story takes a turn and it's a whole new story that has Tessa after everything is still thinking of others as I believe how much can someone take. This was one interesting and intriguing story I don't want to give anything away but I was entertained and invested with everything going on listening to this. The narrators did a good job. Hoping the second part comes out in audio soon even though this just came out.