Title: Breaking Beautiful
Author: Jennifer Shaw Wolf
Release date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Pages: 354
Source: ALA
Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.
When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.
Breaking Beautiful is one heck of a debut novel from Jennifer Shaw Wolf. Contemporary and suspense fans will devour this one. It’s impossible to put down.
Allie is a pretty pitiful main character but I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just that she has no self esteem or sense of worth. She thinks so little of herself. Before the accident she at least thought she was pretty but now she doesn’t even have that. She is so lost and confused and she feels so alone. She keeps everything to herself even though there are people that truly care for her and want to help her. At times it can be frustrating watching her keep everything bottled up but she is still a great main character.
There isn’t an overabundance of secondary characters but there are some and most of them are great. Blake is sweet, caring, and so good to Allie (also good for Allie.) He’s kind of a misunderstood bad boy. There there is Andrew, Allie’s twin brother. Andrew is the sweetest guy and the best brother. He loves Allie and he wants what’s best for her. Caitlyn doesn’t have a huge role but she is fun and helps show Allie what she’s missing. Randall and James were the two most confusing characters. James was pretty much just a jerk but I really wanted to know some of his motives for doing the things he did. Randall seemed like an okay guy but he just did some things that contradicted other things he did. I thought he could have been better developed. Otherwise it was a pretty good cast of characters.
The plot is never slow. It’s mainly your regular contemporary story but there’s a little murder mystery thrown in. There’s romance too and it’s so sweet. There’s a good mix of everything in Breaking Beautiful and it makes for one very gripping story.
Overall, Breaking Beautiful is one that I highly recommend. Personally, I couldn’t put it down and I think other readers will have the same “problem.”
Looking for more reviews of Breaking Beautiful?
Portrait of a Book’s review
a sweet romance and a little mystery and a fast plot..sounds awesome. The protagonist sounds complicated but I am glad you liked her. Thanks for sharing this..awesome review!
Sounds great! Your review has definitely made me add this to my to-read list. I wasn’t convinced at first, but now I am! The characters seem great, even if some of them weren’t perfect! Thanks for the review, Katie! =)
Been wondering about this one. Thanks for the fab review Katie.
Valerie
StuckInBooks.com
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I love when contemporaries include some mystery. Your review has made me even more excited for Breaking Beautiful 🙂
Ooh intersting. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. I really love the title of this book, though i’m not a HUGE fan of the cover. Ah well, still sounds like a good read!
-Lauren
Ooooo this sounds intriguing! I like the sound of the mystery and the romance thrown in and it’s good that the plot isn’t slow…that is something ehich usually makes makes me put a book down. Great review- I will be keeping my eyes open for this one x
I haven’t come across Breaking Beautiful before and I find books in which relationships have a hidden reality very interesting to read.
It’s been a long time since I read any suspense books and from your review, to pass on a contemporary book with suspense wouldn’t be a good idea.
Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile
ooh, I thought the whole book is ABOUT the murder mystery, but I guess its mainly a contemporary? and ugh, I really don’t like characters that don’t have any self worth and I also can’t stand characters that confuse the hell out of me but breaking beautiful has been on my tbr for the longest time, and since you said it has a sweet romance?
Im in!
– juhina
Oh my God I loved this book!! I loved how it was a contemporary first and foremost. I loved Allie. I felt for her and rooted for her and she and Blake were awesome together.
The big twist at the end was perfect.
Love this author!! Have you read Dead Girls Don’t Lie?
Lovely review 🙂