Things That Break Us

by Michelle Heard

Some happily ever afters begin in tragedy.

I’m an actor who hates the limelight. Everyone wants Easton Rowe’s attention—my money, my fame. It’s impossible to have a real relationship with a woman, so I don’t even try.

But then there’s Nova. My sister’s best friend. She’s been there our whole lives, and she’s here now to help us when we need her most. When I need her most.

I should keep my guard up, focus on my dying sister and her daughter. But I can’t ignore Nova. Not with the way she carries this grief with me. The way she flinches when I move too fast, the ghost of something lurking in her eyes. The way she blushes when I get too close, making me wonder how close I can get.

For once, I don’t want to keep my distance. Nova thinks she has nothing to give, but all I need is a chance. I know we can take our broken pieces and make something whole.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Found Family, Slow Burn, Contemporary Romance

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 17, 2026

About the author

Michelle Heard is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon #3 Bestselling romance author.

She writes emotional heart-shattering stories with a whole lot of Mafia & Romance that will leave you smiling with satisfaction. Every book has an unexpected twist that will show the strength of the characters.

Before becoming an author, Michelle had a career in banking. She lives in South Africa with her son, Sheldon, who's also her right-hand man when it comes to all things publishing, and her daughter-in-law, Tayla, who's her best friend.

Reading Order on AMAZON


STANDALONE NOVELS:
***Mafia & Bratva Romance (in order)***

THE SAINTS SERIES:
Merciless Saints - Damien Vetrov
Cruel Saints - Lucian Cotroni
Ruthless Saints - Carson Koslov
Tears of Betrayal - Demitri Vetrov
Tears of Salvation - Alexei Koslov

THE SINNERS SERIES:
Taken By A Sinner - Nikolas Stathoulis
Owned By A Sinner - Liam Byrne
Stolen By A Sinner - Gabriel Demir
Chosen By A Sinner - Luca Cotroni
Captured By A Sinner - Viktor Vetrov


THE CORRUPTED ROYALS SERIES:
Destroy Me - Misha Petrov
Control Me - Nikolai Vetrov
Brutalize Me - Armani De Santis
Restrain Me - Maxim Levin
Possess Me - Alek Aslanhov


SERIES (In Order):

ENEMIES TO LOVERS SERIES:
***College & New Adult Romance***

Heartless - Carter & Della
Reckless - Logan & Mia
Careless - Jaxson & Leigh
Ruthless - Marcus & Willow
Shameless - Rhett & Evie

TRINITY ACADEMY SERIES:
***College Romance***

Falcon - Falcon & Layla
Mason - Mason & Kingsley
Lake - Lake & Lee
Julian - Julian & Jamie
The Epilogue

THE HEIRS:
***College & New Adult Romance***

Coldhearted Heir - Hunter & Jade
Arrogant Heir - Jase & Mila
Defiant Heir - Kao & Fallon
Loyal Heir - Forest & Aria
Callous Heir - Noah & Carla
Sinful Heir - Tristan & Hana
Tempted Heir - Christopher & Dash
Forbidden Heir - Ryker & Danny


SOUTHERN HEROES SERIES:
***Suspense Romance***

The Ocean Between Us – Aiden & Emma
The Girl In The Closet – Cole & Birdie
The Lies We Tell Ourselves – Alec & Reece
All The Wasted Time – Wyatt & Scarlett
We Were Lost – Zac & Chloe


OTHER STANDALONE NOVELS:

Not My Hero - Dark YA Romance

Reviews

[Leeann Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely shattered me in the best way.

It’s a story about best friends, Nova and Rachel. When Nova learns that Rachel is dying, she leaves her broken life behind to be by her side. Nova has secretly loved Easton, Rachel’s older brother since she was seventeen.

Nova’s past is full of pain and abuse, so she’s cautious and unsure around Easton, the world famous actor who never lets anyone close.
But as they care for Rachel in her final weeks, they find comfort and strength in each other.

This story tore my heart out. I cried so many times watching the way Easton loved his sister and her daughter with everything he had. And his protectiveness over Nova absolutely swoon-worthy.

Michelle Heard may be best known for her heart pounding mafia romances, but Things That Break Us proves she also writes the most beautiful, emotional contemporary love stories. Her words are raw, healing, and full of heart. I’m already looking forward to more of her contemporary romances.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️🎧

This started off emotionally devastating…
and then quietly lost me along the way.

What Worked For Me
(aka: when the emotional damage was actually damaging)

The first half of this book?
Heavy. Raw. genuinely sad.

Between Nova’s abusive past and everything surrounding Rachel’s illness there’s a constant undercurrent of grief that gives the story real emotional weight.

And to be fair, I did feel that.

Rachel’s storyline carries the book. Watching everything unfold knowing what’s coming and then actually getting there… it lands. Those early chapters are where this book is at its strongest.

There are also moments where Easton works. The way he’s mindful of Nova’s past and adjusts his behaviour to make her feel safe adds a softness to his character that I appreciated.

The audiobook helped too, it added just enough emotional nuance to keep me engaged when the story itself started to lose momentum.

Where It Lost Me
(aka: where the connection never quite connected)

While I felt the grief…
I didn’t feel the romance the way I needed to.

Nova loving Easton for years? Completely believable.
Easton falling for Nova?

That’s where it started to feel shaky.

Because their relationship develops in the middle of shared grief it often felt less like organic romantic growth and more like trauma bonding dressed up as love. I understood why it was happening but I didn’t fully believe it.

And once the story moves into the second half the pacing slows down significantly.
The emotional intensity that carried the first half fades and nothing really replaces it. Instead of building toward something deeper, the story starts to feel like it’s coasting.

The resolution didn’t help.

Everything tying together through Rachel’s letters felt too convenient and a little trite especially after such a heavy emotional setup. It wrapped things up neatly but without the depth I was expecting.

Even the audiobook (which was solid) couldn’t fully hold my attention by the end.

Final Thoughts

This had all the ingredients for an emotional, character-driven romance but the connection between Easton and Nova never fully landed for me and the second half lacked the weight needed to carry it through.

2.75 stars

The grief hit but the romance didn’t quite follow.

Tropes and Vibes:

• Best friend’s brother
• First love (one-sided > mutual)
• Grief and loss
• Trauma and healing
• Forced proximity (caretaking era)
• Celebrity hero (low-key hates fame)

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selfless Love

Nova has just left her abusive boyfriend when her best friend called telling Nova that she needed her. Nova didn’t think twice, making a twenty-eight hour drive straight through.

Rachel wrapped Nova in her arms and started to cry, telling her that she was dying. She hadn’t told her daughter or her brother yet, and wanted Nova to lean on during the hardest time in her life.

Rachel’s brother was Easton Rowe, a big name action movie star that Nova had a crush on before he became someone beyond her reach. Rachel’s daughter, Lainey was Nova’s godchild and they were all like family.

This is one of the most emotional books I have read in a while. It’s sad and very moving how they all care about each other as Rachel tries to live life rather than just die.

Rachel and Lainey bond and Easton sees something in Nova that he never saw before… selfless love.

This was a five star mildly spicy romance and drama.

[Kiandra 🦋 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not for me… It’s just lacking something and was so incredibly boring.

[Lilyya ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I’ve read a fair amount of Michelle Heard’s books, and Things That break Us is, without contest, my favorite from her entire collection. the title alone perfectly captures the story, because it truly did break me.

the narrative explores grief in a way I don’t often come across: following a character whose fate feels inevitable, and experiencing that slow, sorrowful descent through the perspectives of the people (protagonists) who love her most. it was, to say the least, an emotionally challenging read, a real tornado of pain and tenderness. i cried through a good three-quarters of it.

yet, despite all the heaviness, the story is showered with hope and love. I especially appreciated how the romance unfolded slowly alongside the looming heartbreak with both characters (the protagonists) leaning on each other, needing one another to survive what was coming and its aftermath .

it was beautifully concluded. even in loss there was something to be found. a hopefully yet elegiac read that I would definitely recommend for anyone wanting to get their heart crushed. (please read the TW)

many thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

[Farida · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is what happens when the author's top priority is to add as many tropes and viral parts as possible, regardless of how they fit within the storyline.
Nova and Easton were awful together, the couple didn't make any sense. For starters, someone like Easton; successful actor, older, established in every possible way, wouldn't go for someone like Nova. Even in bookish logic, she was was written so fragile and fidgety. It went from traumatized to infant-like, and since we are talking about a 28/29 year old woman, it wasn't a good look.
There's also the timing problem. I can't fathom having your sister, the only remaining part of your family, struggling through her last days because of cancer and you still have the capacity to suddenly form a strong connection with someone. That's trauma bonding, and spoiler alert, not romantic!!
It genuinely felt uncomfortable in some parts where Rachel had to play wing woman for Nova and Easton while going through one of the toughest struggles someone could go through🤦🏻‍♀️
I won't go into detail on the second half of the book but let's just say, everything was going way too well for it to be realistic or even plausible.
*I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[iremucka · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bizi Yıkan Şeyler aka Bunun bir Romans olduğuna emin miyiz? !

Bir yakınınızı kaybettiyseniz kesinlikle okumayın!! Michelle Hanım ne yazsa okuruzun da bir sınırı var !!

Euston (35) ve Nova (28) ‘ nın asla bana geçmeyen 190 sayfalık ilişkisi.. Sırf Franco’ yu yazdın diye +1 puan verdim yoksa çöp..

Nova’ nın memleketinde hayatı 💩
Erkek arkadaşından dayak yiyor vs vs.. Tam toplanıp onu terkedecekken en yakın arkadaşından bir telefon alıyor”Gel sana ihtiyacım var diye” ve olaylar gelişiyor.. Tam da meğersem Nova en yakın arkadaşının abisine aşık mıymış.. Ama en yakın arkadaşı hasta?! Bu ortamda nasıl romans oluyor?! Hep bir zaman atlaması olur diye bekledim ama hiç gelmedi..

Yazar bütün temaları ortaya atıp karıştırmış ve bişi çıkmamış.. Çorbayı da yiyiyoruz üstüne köfteyi de ama ikisini karıştırıp aynı anda tüketmiyoruz!!! Umarım bu dünyanın devamı gelmez..

[Yuee 📚 🎧 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh fuck she did it again

But this time she broke my heart through the whole book
I wanted to cry ( kept self from crying cause my family thinks I’m already crazy)

Thank you Michelle for this amazing book🥹❤️

[✨Crystal✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ALC provided by NetGalley for an honest review✨

Things That Break Us is a book full of tragedy, trauma, and loss. But it’s also about family, friendship, and overwhelming love. Nova and Rachel have been best friends since elementary school and have been there for each other through all the ups and downs in their lives. When Rachel calls Nova and says she needs her to come to LA immediately for something serious, Nova packs her bags leaving her abusive boyfriend behind and moves to LA to be with Rachel and her daughter. When she gets there though, she hears the worst news she ever expected to hear. Her best friend has an untreatable cancer and doesn’t have much longer to live. Nova has to be Rachel’s rock and help her tell her brother the news, the brother that Nova’s been secretly in love with since she was a teen 👀 Easton is a famous actor now and provides everything for his sister and niece. He hasn’t seen Nova for years and when he gets called home from filming for his sister’s news, he can’t help but notice the beautiful woman that she’s become. After finding out the devastating news his sister called him home for, their small little family had to come to terms with their new reality. Life can be unfair, death is inevitable, and through dark times the light can shine through in unexpected ways.

The audiobook was duet narrated by Christian Fox and Chloe Ryan, and their performances brought out the raw emotions of these characters. I have to admit, this was a hard book to get through. I had to stop several times and take a break from listening to it because I was crying so hard! This book was emotionally exhausting, but it was a beautiful heartbreaking story with a sweet HEA in the end 🥹

[lucialeelibros · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book by Michelle confirmed something I’ve always known but don’t always want to admit: you’re not going to love every book an author writes, even if you’ve loved their previous ones. This was my first contemporary romance by her, and honestly, I don’t think I’ll be picking up another one from this genre.

The story felt chaotic to me from beginning to end. I couldn’t connect with the characters or the emotional progression of the plot. I did finish it, but it was a struggle, the kind where you keep telling yourself, “Come on, just a little more,” hoping for that spark that never quite arrives. It just wasn’t my story. It wasn’t what I expected.

However, Michelle’s essence is still there. The voice, the writing style, the familiarity of her tone. But I’m used to her mafia books, to obsessive men, to dark intensity, to powerful dynamics and tension that grabs you from the throat. Shifting from that to a contemporary setting was a jarring contrast for me, and it simply didn’t work in my case.

I’m grateful to Netgalley for providing me with this advance copy. Even though this book wasn’t for me, I’ll continue to read all of Michelle’s mafia novels, because that’s where her storytelling truly resonates with me.

[RebeccaRootes · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Notes. Loved everything.
Favourite read for March x

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Things That Break Us by Michelle Heard

Things That Break Us by Michelle Heard is an emotional, character-driven romance that begins in the middle of grief and slowly unfolds into a story about healing, love, and second chances. The book centers on Easton Rowe, a famous actor who has grown to distrust relationships because of his fame, and Nova Allen, his sister’s best friend, who has been part of his life for years but always from a distance.

The story is set in motion when Nova receives a call from her best friend Rachel Rowe, asking her to come home during a deeply difficult time. Rachel, who shares a lifelong bond with Nova, is a single mother to Lainey, and her diagnosis of a terminal illness brings everyone together under heartbreaking circumstances. This moment becomes the emotional foundation of the book, shifting the focus from past connections to present responsibilities and unspoken feelings.

As Nova moves into the Rowe household, the dynamic between her and Easton begins to change. Nova has quietly loved Easton for years, while Easton has always kept emotional distance, convinced that real relationships aren’t possible in his world. But grief has a way of breaking down walls, and as they support Rachel and care for Lainey, their connection deepens in ways neither of them can ignore. The story carefully builds this relationship, balancing emotional vulnerability with the weight of their shared situation.

At the same time, Nova is dealing with her own past, particularly the trauma of an abusive relationship, which shapes how she responds to closeness and trust. This adds another layer to the story, as both she and Easton are navigating emotional baggage while trying to be present for each other and for Rachel’s family. External pressures, including Easton’s fame and the presence of the media, further complicate things, making their growing relationship feel both fragile and intense.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars because it's an emotionally heavy, slow-burn romance that earns its impact through raw grief, layered characters, and a love story. The connection between Easton and Nova feels natural and grounded, especially as it develops in the midst of loss and responsibility, and the added depth of Nova’s past trauma makes her journey toward trust and healing even more compelling.

Overall, this isn't a light story. It deals with loss, trauma, and difficult choices but it also highlights the possibility of building something meaningful from broken pieces.

I'll recommend this book to you If you enjoy angsty, slow-burn romances with strong emotional stakes and found-family dynamics.

[Camii · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lo que llore con este libro es inexplicable 😭.

Creo que el libro se puede dividir en dos partes, la primera sobre la enfermedad de Rechel y el reencuentro de los protagonistas y la segunda sobre el duelo y la vida después de sufrir una perdida tan grande... que fue lo que los unió nuevamente.

Nova viene de una relación abusiva y sufre de TEPT y la primera vez que Rechel ve sus moretones ella siente vergüenza porque estuvo en dos relaciones abusivas y no se dió cuenta hasta que fue demasiado tarde, ella se culpa diciendo que eligió mal sus parejas cuando la realidad es que ella fue víctima de hombres cobardes que disfrutaban haciéndole dañó y el camino que recorrió para súperar esto fue muy grande y parte de ese miedo desapareció gracias a la amabilidad que tuvo Easton (de quién lleva enamorada desde que era adolecente - el fue su primer amor-) en todo momento porque desde que ella llego a su casa se esforzo para demostrarle que con el estaba segura y nunca le haría daño.

El libro se centra mucho la unión de la familia y el doloroso camino de darle un final feliz a alguien con cáncer y si bien había romance entre Easton y Nova siento que falto mas o que el libro quedo corto para todas las cosas que sucedieron, me hubiera gustado ver un poquito más del crecimiento de Nova con la psicóloga que la ayudaba a súperar sus miedo y también que se hablara mas de Rachel porque solo quedaron recuerdos y videos cosa que era linda pero hasta el final se notaba que su perdida seguía fresca porque tanto su hermano como la niña seguían sufriendo por eso y se sintió como si simplemente omitiran sus emociones 🤍🫂

[Rin ⭐️🌖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

كتاب يستحق الانتظار🥹🥹🥹بكيت معهم بكي اخخخخ طريقه الكاتبه انها تعلقنا في شخصيه رايتشل الطيفه ر الحنونه بعدين تموتها بسرعه تحزننننن اخخخ و ويستون و نوفا يهبلون مره و كيوت بس نوفا شوي اوفر بس نقول انها عانت و زياده مقدر اخذها بجديه لان اسمها نفس اسم العامله المنزليه حقتي فا أتخيلها مكان البطله😭😭😭 المهم الكتاب مره حلو و انصح فيه
ويستون&نوفا

[Michelle Alvarado · Rating 1 out of 5]

Look this author has her tried and true formula for her books but this one just didn’t work nor make sense. We were told and not shown the romance blooming between both characters, everything about this book made me cringe

[Marisa Kment · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley.

Things That Break Us surprised me. I went in expecting a fairly standard contemporary romance with a childhood crush, a slow build, and a rescue leading to a happily ever after. But the book quickly became something far more affecting. The first half is a gut-wrenching, intimate portrayal of caretaking, grief, and end-of-life preparation. Those chapters are utterly devastating in the best way: raw, honest, and impossible to put down. The author captures the small, painful details of loss so well that I kept reading even when it hurt.
That said, the second half did not land for me. After such a powerful opening, the back half loses its footing. The central relationship becomes uneven and, at times, implausible. It reads as if the characters’ bond is built almost exclusively from shared trauma rather than from a fuller, more believable connection. Instead of scenes that show the couple learning each other’s quirks, laughing together, or growing through ordinary moments, the story repeatedly returns to crises and trauma to force intimacy. That makes their relationship feel reactive rather than chosen.
Easton’s sudden overprotectiveness is one of the biggest problems. In many romances, protective behavior can be an attractive trope, but here it crosses into something that feels more like a red flag than romantic tension. The book treats those extremes as passionate and heroic, but I found them concerning and ultimately less convincing.
A few plot choices also pushed the story into melodrama for me. The celebrity press conference about their relationship felt needlessly over the top and broke the otherwise quiet, realistic tone the author had established. The emotional swings became hard to follow, and the ups and downs felt abrupt rather than earned.
Overall, there is so much potential here. The first half is a standout: honest, painful, and beautifully written. But the second half undercuts that strength with uneven character development, repetitive trauma-driven moments, and some implausible plot turns. I wanted to love this from start to finish, and I was blown away early on, but ultimately it fell flat for me.

[Lupita_333 (on a break) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I didn’t like this story for various reasons.

It lacked much needed emotional depth during the diagnosis reveal and grieving process.

I love romance stories but sometimes relationships in stories are just full of unnecessary tropes and that ruin the book like this one. The romance felt unromantic since it was only due to a trauma bond. The characters didn’t have any romantic connection. Their romance was more tell than show. The story could have been so much better without the relationship between Nova and Easton.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things That Break Us is the newest Standalone release from Michelle Heard.
This Best Friend’s Older Brother/Sister’s Best Friend, Found Family, Contemporary Romance has us following Nova Allen and Easton Rowe through their dual POVs.

Make sure to have a box of tissues handy because this story hit you with all the feels from the emotional outpour it released in many ways. Particularly with how intense it will get, so just know you have be warned.

Nova and Easton’s story was quite the whirlwind, mostly due to the emotional side, considering the wringer they were both put through both in similar ways from the shared pain and heartache they faced, endured and suffered through.
But also individually too, given the differences in the lives they lived, considering what we see and learn of Nova and her past.
It’s ultimately what led to their journey taking them through ups and downs and highs and low, but it was to be expected from all that we see and learn in following along.

Other than the emotional side, there was also intensity within the storyline that came from a sensitive subject matter that was mentioned and played an important part within the narrative. Further adding to the overall story, since it added more to Nova and her character development. Considering how it played into her overall storyline and affected her as her journey continued to progress.
Especially within the development of hers and Easton’s relationship, which author Michelle did well in the way she presented, addressed and showcased throughout IMO making for a good read overall.

I won’t deny there were some issues for me that just couldn’t be ignored or denied.
One being the story felt like it was split into two, with Rachel and without Rachel.
During the without Rachel, to me it read like quite a different story since had it not been for the mentioning of Rachel here and there in the aftermath, it would’ve felt like it was just a love story between Nova and Easton since that was when the spotlight was shining on their relationship and the building of it.
And although it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, however the subplot surrounding Rachel not only added to the overall story, so that it wasn’t just a Best Friend’s Brother/Little Sister’s Best Friend Romance.
It’s what ultimately paved way for Nova and Easton journey together.

The other issue came from the ending feeling rushed within last few chapters IMO.
Seeing how quickly everything happened and came together just left me a little unsatisfied by it.
Particularly with the fastness of Nova and Easton’s relationship, IMO their relationship most definitely could’ve done with some more building and evolving.

All in all, Things That Break Us still made for a pleasant read.
Author Michelle Heard did a good job in writing such an emotionally heartfelt journey that brought together two heartbroken people who were able to heal one another’s pain and heartache through the love and comfort they found in each other’s arms.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Luna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

»So if you get the urge to kiss someone, just lay one on me.«

★ ★ ★ ★

❥ 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒂 𝜗𝜚˚⋆
I really liked her. She‘s a good friend, empathetic and just lovely.

❥ 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏 ⋆✮
He‘s a famous movie star but still down on earth. I liked him.

✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I ate it up. It‘s very sad and I cried a lot. Michelle Heard sure knows how to transport feelings through the book. The plot is heavy and there is a lot of grief going on. So it‘s not a nice, silly, little romance (please be aware!). I enjoyed this book and I couldn‘t put it down. I‘m a big fan of Michelle Heard and she always delivers with her books. She‘s an instant buy author for me. This was such a tragic but wonderful romance story filled with love and friendship. I adored the characters and my heart broke with them.

𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤?
Yes.

𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓 ׂㅤ𐙚 ࣪ ⭒
plot: 5/5
spice: 2/5
humor: 3/5
couple/tension: 5/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes

𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ₊ ⊹
second chance, healing and grief, celebrity, found family, slow burn, forbidden attraction, best friends brother, protective hero, unexpected romance, forced proximity, rich x poor, childhood connection, age gap

[Paperback Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This book was super emotional. For the first 50% I couldn’t read a paragraph without breaking out into tears. For me it was too much almost to the point where I was like damn die already so we can move past this LOL!!! The last 50% concentrated on the actual relationship between the hero and the heroine and that was pretty boring. I didn’t really buy the hero falling in love with the heroine so fast..it was more like a trauma bond than anything else. Overall not a bad book but I think I prefer this authors mafia books instead.

[The Dragon Den Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of Things That Break Us
* * * * *
A best friend's brother/sister's best friend celebrity romance filled with unrequited love, toxic relationships, true friendship, and healing.

Nova was escaping her own hell, but didn't realise even in that disaster she would have her heart broken more in her santuary.
A she faces the loss of a great hearbreak, she choses to stay strong and do so with her best friend's older brother Easton. Hot global superstar who always puts family first. How could you not love him?
As Nova juggles all the chaos for her friend, she adds to the pile the intense growing feeling she has for Easton that maybe no longer one sided.

A very emotional read where the MCS face a short amount of time getting ready to accept loss, pain, anger and healing. Well written, great characters. I honestly was expecting a certain character, whose type I have come across in other books, to be a villan of sorts. However, the author has put a refreshing spin on this style of character, especially in a book that requires more care and love.
Still carries steamy scenes, sexual tension, and sparks.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hands down became a top read of mine for not only the year, but of all time.

This book broke me and then healed me piece by piece.

This is about two people navigating losing someone very close to them and trying to move forward.

It is VERY emotional and you need to have your tissues ready.

It is emotional, raw, and just so beautifully told.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️/1.5 🌶️

Michelle might actually need to pay for my therapy bills after this one 😭

I was bawling. Like, full-on ugly crying while reading. The emotions in this story were so heavy, so raw and so achingly real that I don’t even have the words to fully explain how it felt. The longing, the grief, the quiet pain woven through every chapter, it just hit so deeply. 🥹

I think, in some way, we’ve all been Nova at some point in our lives. We’ve all lost someone we still miss every single day. I know I have. Reading her journey made me feel like I wasn’t alone in that hurt. It was incredibly relatable, incredibly human and it truly made me feel seen. 💕

And Easton! I loved him so much. The big actor with a heart of gold, written with so much warmth and sincerity. He was the perfect balance to Nova’s pain and their dynamic made the story even more emotional and meaningful.

If this is what Michelle plans to do with contemporary romance, I’m going to need to emotionally prepare myself (and maybe actually book therapy 😂). But honestly? Totally worth it 🙌🏼

[Ioana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️5 emotional damaged stars
2.5🌶 (sincer, nu ma deranja daca povestea era closed door)

Inca încerc sa-mi revin dupa această lectură..suntem 100% siguri ca e aceeași autoare ce scrie mafia romance?🙈

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more stars I would! it was such a sad beautiful story well done Michelle 👏

[Nouf · Rating 2 out of 5]

☆2☆ for making me cry.

I enjoyed this one but it was also boring after Rachel died. Maybe because it was very different from her usual mafia romances and there was no action or plot other than Rachel's illness.

To be honest I cried a lot in the first half of the book and felt really sorry for Rachel honestly it was heartbreaking to read. The only thing I didn't like was Lainey who seemed too old for her age in how she talked and acted giving off more of a 16 year old vibe rather than 10. I think Rachel was my fav and that's why I didn't like it that much but at the same time it was a fast read like her other books.

[Bookslover09 · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the very first moment, an overwhelming heaviness settled deep within my chest. Tears streamed down my face long, uncontrollable, and relentless as a wave of profound sadness crashed over me, so powerful it almost stole my breath. By the time I reached 65% through, I had to pause, gasping for air, completely overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions.

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 "Always & Forever!!!" stars***



I have read more than 40 books by Michelle Heard and she had hurt me many times, but never like this time!!! This time I was completely destroyed and devastated!!! I couldn't stop the tears in certain moments and I have to admit that it took me a while to finish this story, cause I had to pause reading for some days!!! After I mourned, I got back into Easton and Nova's world and I am glad for that!!!

Nova is leaving Verona behind to get away from an abusive relationship and to be there for her best friend, Rachel!!! Rachel asked of her to be by her side cause everything was about to change into her life, her daughter's and her big brother's!!! She needed her best friend to be there in this difficult time and Nova was determined to go, even though she was devastated!!!

Easton was a famous actor who didn't enjoy the fame so much!!! He had dedicated his life to his job and his familhy!!! His sister, Rachel and her daughter!!!T hey were his entire world and he didn't need a shallow woman to come into their lives and make it a mess, so he stayed out of dating...
And now, his world is about to change and tragedy to hit him with a mighty force... Thank God for his sister's best friend who is there, by their sides, to support them!!!

Nova had always feelings for Easton, but she knew that he was a dream that will never come true...
Easton's feelings are starting to change for his sister's best friend while she is staying with them...
But Nova can not trust easily men, not after what happened to her in the past... Easton needs to be patient and while tragedy is striking them, they will become each other's rock!!!!
Can their love bloom in the worst conditions???

I liked Nova and Easton very much!!! They were lovely together!!!
Nova was a survivor and while staying in the Rowes' home, she is starting to bloom!!!
Easton was down to earth for a famous actor and I liked how devoted he was to his family!!!
Rachel broke my heart and she was the real star in here!!! I have loved her so much!!! The same goes for her adorable daughter!!!
My heart hurt for these characters and I will always remember them!!!

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**

[A Rush Of Emotions · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry! It's such a heartbreaking portrayal of finding love through loss, and battling your past demons to get your happily ever after.

When we first meet Nova, it's easy to cling into her character. She's fighting for survival in a tiring life and with an abusive partner. When her best friend calls and cries out for help, it's easy for Nova to drop what she's doing and give 100% of herself for the one person who has never let her down. Her best friends brother, Easton, is the guy she's crushed on since she was a kid, so being in his presence will be a little difficult not only because he's her first crush, but also because he's now a famous actor.

This book follows Easton and Nova through the tumultuous new reality they've been thrust into together. There's so much heartbreak in this book, yet it's also filled with so much love and hope. I love how these two worked through their emotions, built a relationship based on honesty and trust, and battled through their mutual heartbreak. I'm so glad I picked this book up.

[Romance_book_obsessed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for this ARC!

I’m an avid reader of Michelle’s mafia romances, so this was a change of pace! Nova has been abused by her exes in the past and always found solace in her best friend Rachel. She harbored a crush on Rachel’s older brother, Easton. He’s now a Hollywood actor.

When Rachel informs Nova that she is a terminal diagnosis, Nova rushes to her side to help with her daughter. When Easton returns home for Rachel’s end of life care, he reconnects with Nova. They grieve and heal together. This one is definitely emotional! I really loved Easton’s patience with Nova when she wanted to take things slow. They had Rachel’s daughter and her past trauma to deal with.

So thankful they got their HEA!