REVIEW: Breaking Hearts, by Melissa Shirley

Breaking Hearts, by Melissa Shirley: Breaking Hearts tells the story of Danielle, who is on trial and also trying to escape an abusive marriage. The trial is for a murder she says she did not commit. Should she be acquitted, she has a chance at a “happily ever after” with Simon, if she can free herself of “baggage” and secrets from the past.
As I was reading and trying to become engaged in the story, I realized that this is part of a series, the beginning of which I have not read. While some books in series can be read as a stand alone novel, this did not appear to be one of those. I felt at a disadvantage trying to become involved, as I did not feel I truly “knew” the characters or their histories. To be fair, I will make an effort to read earlier books in the series, and perhaps that will help to have a better understanding of what lead to this installment of the series. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Book Info:

August 2, 2016 | Kensington Publishing | Storybook Lake

Can tragedies have a happy ending in Storybook Lake?Every town has one-a mean girl, hell-bent on taking down everything in her path-and Danielle Ranier played the role to a tee. She broke up Storybook Lake’s most beloved couple and to save herself from a lifetime of lectures on morality, she hopped on the first plane out of town. Six years, one child, and a big secret later, she’s back, fleeing from her abusive husband, who isn’t quite willing to set her free. Now on trial for a murder she didn’t commit, Simon Hunter, the only man she’s ever loved is offering her a lifetime of love and security. If she could only reveal the secrets long-held inside her, a family that never was might finally come together