Anything but Broken by Joelle Knox [Review]

Anything but Broken (Hurricane Creek #1) by Joelle Knox
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 19, 2015

Hurricane Creek
1. Anything but Broken - Kindle
2. Anything but Tempted
3. Anything but Perfect

Joelle Knox
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Synopsis (Goodreads):

After five years, tragedy brings Hannah Casey back to Hurricane Creek to bury what’s left of her family. She’s flunking out of college, haunted by scandal, and the only person who cares is Sean Whitlow, an irresistible bad boy with a soft spot for her. The problem? He’s her dead sister’s ex.

Sean doesn’t bleed red, he bleeds motor oil. During the week, he struggles to turn his auto repair shop into a profitable business. But when Saturday night rolls around, he’s the reigning stock-car king of the local race track. He doesn’t know how to lose–or how to walk away and leave Hannah alone with her grief.

Between her grades and her wealthy family’s dark secrets, Hannah’s barely holding her life together. And the last thing Sean needs is to get tangled up with another Casey girl. As the attraction between them spins out of control, they’ll either find a love with no limits–or go up in flames.

Thoughts on Anything but Broken: Holy wow, this was a good book. Not a little good. A LOT GOOD. Like, I want more good. Basically, it was a punch to the emotional gut in the most wonderful way. It's painful at times and sweet at times and always heartbreaking in one way or another. I'm not saying I teared up or anything, but you might want to have a tissue or two handy. Just in case.

Hannah's circumstances were just painful. Her reaction to a friendly touch said so much about her. And her parents, come to think of it. All the lies she's been forced to tell, all the times she felt like she fell short, they hurt. As the truth began to come to light, it hurt even more. Because no child should be expected to do the things she had to do to maintain the facade of perfection for her family.

And Sean. SEAN. Trying to reconcile these new feelings he's having for Hannah against EVERYONE reminding him he needs to stay away from her because of his history with her sister was rough. I honestly adored him and could NOT get enough of his sweetness. Sweet as hell bad boys do it for me, apparently.

Loved, loved, loved the small town setup and all the characters. Given how this book emotionally gutted me, book 2 is going to kill me dead. I can feel it.