Release Promo and ARC Reviews: Beautiful Broken Promises: Kimberly Lauren

by - Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Beautiful Broken Promises
Kimberly Lauren
Expected release May 27, 2014
Add to Goodreads
Buy Amazon/B&N
Every day you stay gone
I die a thousand more deaths

Lane Parker has secrets he hasn’t even told his closest friends. He may have earned their respect but it’s undeserved. He may seem genuine but he’s a total fraud. He may look strong, but on the inside he’s weak and drowning with no chance of catching his breath any time soon.

After four years, Lane finally gets the call he’s been waiting for. Given the opportunity to live the life he’s been fighting so hard to get back, will he be able to make things right? And if so, can all of his broken promises be forgiven?

So, I don’t give up and I won’t let them win 
I will find you and I will make sure that you know

THIS IS A total STAND-ALONE NOVEL. No need to read the first two books in the series to enjoy this book. This is not a dark romance. 

I had made those promises and I was doing everything in my power to make things right. 

We met Lane in Beautiful Broken Mess as Audrey's protective best friend who had a mysterious past. I knew he had some secrets, but I never imagined what his story would really entail.

And I can't really tell you without ruining it. You need to just start this book blind and let the story and mystery unravel as you go. Believe me it will suck you in quickly, make you want to figure it all out, mess with your emotions, and surprise you.

I loved Lane before, but in this one we see him as even more alpha and even quite bad ass at times. But he also had a soft vulnerable core that had been hurting for years. He hid it from most of his friends and did not burden them. But it was a huge emotional burden and pull for him. He had been missing something for years and nothing could fill that void. I think Audrey and Lane became so close because in reality he needed her for support as much she she did him, even if she was not aware of his full story. But he never stopped hoping and fighting to get back what he lost and was willing to do whatever he had to to keep fighting. I fell even harder for Lane.

Lane's life changed again in an instant and became complicated in good and bad ways. He had to face his past, deal with guilt and pain, and navigate his changing world. And he also found himself in close quarters with Raegan. She was sassy, strong, protective, and determined. And she was not afraid to stand up to Lane and make her own demands. But she had been through a traumatic experience herself and had her own demons and fears. But she was amazingly resilient. I could not help but like her. Her attitude and how she took on the world was admirable. 

Their complicated lives were mixed up and intertwined due to history, but they also gravitated towards each other. They had a natural ease about them and complimented each other so well that it made me smile. Their lives really just fit together and even though it was somewhat fast, I understood how connected and intense their situation was and how it could progress at a faster rate.

"Hate to break it to you, but nothing about this situation has been normal. Let's roll with the punches because I've damn sure never been this happy."

But sometimes the past does not stay buried. And they still have more challenges to face. Are they strong enough to face their demons and fight them together or will Lane end up hurt and broken once again?

This can easily be read as a stand alone since the author provided enough background on the side characters, but fans of the series will love spending more time with the rest of the crew: Em and Jaxon (Beautiful Broken Rules), Audrey and Jace (Beautiful Broken Mess), and Quinn and Cole. They are such a fun and quirky bunch of characters. They taunt and tease, but they are there for each other and are truly family. I loved the additions of Kate and Braden. Their sparkling personalities, enthusiasm, and devotion just melted my heart. 

This was a beautiful love story about redemption, family, devotion and keeping promises. It was born from tragedy and pain, but was also inspiring and hopeful. It was told in both Lane and Raegan's points of view and I completely enjoyed each of these characters. They were multi-facted, and showed courage, strength, loyalty, and deep emotions. They were more mature and grounded so this was not as angsty as the other two books when they were college-aged, but it was more emotional and heart warming. I would have never imagined that this was how Lane's story was going to go, but thoroughly enjoyed all of it. It was so full of foreshadowing, surprises, and twists that it kept me intrigued, but was also sweet, funny, and emotional.  I have loved all of the books in this series and am looking forward to more from Kimberly Lauren.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. 



This book took so many turns, many happening so early in the story that I was constantly on my feet wondering what would come up next. 

Lane’s pain is nearly palpable in the beginning. His search brings more frustration that it does answers, and exactly what he is searching for is unclear to readers. He is fiercely protective, a trait that is obvious from early on, both of his family and his friends. In the beginning it wasn’t exactly clear what Lane was trying to make up for, but the guilt from broken promises was tearing him up inside. When things start to become clearer, I was shocked by how much he had kept from those closest to him. 

Raegan has similar protective streak, though hers developed from different experiences. She had a quiet strength that kept her moving forward through situations that would cripple a weaker person, all the while protecting and sheltering the ones who need it most. 

Their relationship felt really rushed until I took a step back to think about how they ended up in the present situation. Considering the pieces of the story that are beyond their control and the way that would change their relationship, the speed made a lot more sense and their relationship took on a serendipitous nature that would have been missing without the events that take place before the book begins. 

I love a happy ending in my books, and this one had a happy ending before I knew to be watching for one, and that first one wasn’t even close to the end of the story, or the happys. At several points I wasn’t sure what else Raegan and Lane had to overcome because things were looking pretty good, and each time, a new challenge popped up to challenge them once again. Neither were exempt from facing demons from their pasts. 

I haven’t read the other books in this series, but as close as the characters all are, I quickly got a good feeling about the other two couples and the extended family they have all created. I will be adding Beautiful Broken Rules and Beautiful Broken Mess to my reading list.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
\Beautiful Broken Rules( Broken # 1)
Add to Goodreads   Buy Amazon/B&N
Kim's 4.5 star review
What happens when you create rules to keep others out?

One thing Emerson Moore has come to terms with is that she is the school slut. She knows her way around a frat house and how to get what she wants. She doesn’t make any excuses for her actions and she doesn’t pretend to be anything different. She is who she is and with that she knows how to have a good time. She’s made rules to keep relationships at bay and avoid the demons of her past. 

When her best friend, Cole has his two friends from back home move in with him she begins to think she has met her match with Jaxon Riley. Jax is the perfect mixture of tattooed muscle and a sweet-talking mouth. With “hand” written notes, a voice that exudes sex and knowing just how to get under her skin, Jaxon learns how to break all the rules. But will he just end up breaking her heart anyway? 

Beautiful Broken Mess( Broken # 2)
Add to Goodreads
Buy Amazon/AmazonUK/B&N/kobo

Kim's 4.5 star review


Jace Riley’s close connection with his identical twin brother, Jaxon, is put to the test when he tries to choose between keeping his promises and following his heart. Is this girl that still haunts his dreams, even after four years, really worth it? Jace can’t help but wonder if he made a huge mistake all that time ago when he let her walk into someone else’s arms, especially since that someone was his twin.


Audrey Mills often wonders at what point she should throw her hands up in defeat and allow all of the horrible circumstances of her life to overtake her. Despite the demons she has faced, however, something inside her won’t give in. When she leaves her small town in Texas to attend college in California, Audrey runs into the one guy who could make her or break her. But is the past they share too painful for them to overcome?

This is the second book in the broken series. While each book can stand on its own, it's recommended you read Beautiful Broken Rules before Beautiful Broken Mess.

This is the second book in the broken series. While each book can stand on it's own, it's recommended you read Beautiful Broken Rules before Beautiful Broken Mess.
Kimberly Lauren


I’m a wanderer, an adventurer, a traveler.

I want to see it all. I haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list."She travels the world & home is always in her heart."

Lately if I'm not traveling or chasing a toddler, I'm writing. Which is weird because I hated writing in college. Oh wait, that's because that was boring. Who really wants to sit there and cite all your sources into APA format? Not this girl. Writing for yourself is enjoyable and cathartic. Please try it. Then tell me about because I love indie authors.

I'm a Texas girl living in Southern California, who misses living in Europe! 

You May Also Like

0 comments