saradavcamp's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fantastic tearjerker of a story. The main character has so many tough things happening to her, but it is amazing to watch her strength and see her become such a strong person. I loved watching her growth. She is definitely a "broken thing" needing mending. I also enjoyed the fact that her love interest is also somewhat broken. They were a great compliment to each other and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow.
I have to warn you to have tissues nearby! There were so many times that I teared up--in a good way, though. It's a story with a lot of sad and also a lot of happy--since I'm a female, that also makes tears at times. Really great story! I highly recommend it and I can't wait to see what the other books in this series will be like.
I have to warn you to have tissues nearby! There were so many times that I teared up--in a good way, though. It's a story with a lot of sad and also a lot of happy--since I'm a female, that also makes tears at times. Really great story! I highly recommend it and I can't wait to see what the other books in this series will be like.
valeriew's review against another edition
4.0
This is a cute series. I did like that we got to see into pearls thoughts a little. In the other books she's so mysterious and you are trying not to guess If it's her. But not this one. Silas was a good man.
amy_inthecatacombs's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy from the blog tour host, Kathy @ I Am a Reader
I have only read one other book my Karey White, My Own Mr. Darcy and really loved that one. I was excited for the chance to review this one. This book is the first book of a 12 book series that is loosely related. I use the term loosely because the string tying the series together is Pearl, a Chinese Matchmaker, has visions of people and tries to get them together. As far as I can tell, that is the only thing that connects the series. Each following book is written by another author that releases the start of each month.
There was a time or two that the book seemed a little slow, but I did enjoy this story. I felt bad for Celia's past and current situation. She had a rough childhood that spread to her early adulthood, but Sisters, OR offers her a chance at a new beginning and the making of a support system that she never truly had when she was growing up.
At first, I wasn't sure how I liked Silas. I grew attached to Celia quickly, but it took a little bit for me to warm up to Silas. Silas has something he needed to mend some in his life. Silas has problems stuttering and does not talk to people much. I liked seeing them open up to each other and wished there was more growth with them shown. I feel like their relationship was rocky in places and then seemed to speed up all of the sudden. The story and the struggles that Celia faced is what sold me most on this book. I do wish Pearl made more appearances. This story touches on several issues that a reader can feel touched by and does have quite a few moments of hope and laughter. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
I have only read one other book my Karey White, My Own Mr. Darcy and really loved that one. I was excited for the chance to review this one. This book is the first book of a 12 book series that is loosely related. I use the term loosely because the string tying the series together is Pearl, a Chinese Matchmaker, has visions of people and tries to get them together. As far as I can tell, that is the only thing that connects the series. Each following book is written by another author that releases the start of each month.
There was a time or two that the book seemed a little slow, but I did enjoy this story. I felt bad for Celia's past and current situation. She had a rough childhood that spread to her early adulthood, but Sisters, OR offers her a chance at a new beginning and the making of a support system that she never truly had when she was growing up.
At first, I wasn't sure how I liked Silas. I grew attached to Celia quickly, but it took a little bit for me to warm up to Silas. Silas has something he needed to mend some in his life. Silas has problems stuttering and does not talk to people much. I liked seeing them open up to each other and wished there was more growth with them shown. I feel like their relationship was rocky in places and then seemed to speed up all of the sudden. The story and the struggles that Celia faced is what sold me most on this book. I do wish Pearl made more appearances. This story touches on several issues that a reader can feel touched by and does have quite a few moments of hope and laughter. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series!
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
4.0
Celia has had a hard life. After one horrible night, she climbs on a bus and heads for a new life in Sisters, Oregon. I really enjoyed this book and it's themes about forgiveness and not judging others.
momwithareadingproblem's review
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from I Am a Reader in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Broken Things to Mend by Karey White is a sweet, heart-breaking story about a young woman on the run who finds a home in a small town in Oregon. This is the first book in a standalone series called Power of the Matchmaker. The only character that is the same throughout the books is the Matchmaker and I’m really excited and intrigued to see how that plays out!
Celia is a beautifully written character that the author gives strength, faith, and hope. An orphan who bounced from foster home to foster home, Celia has zero self-confidence and no sense of self-worth. She believes that everything that has happened to her was supposed to happen. She doesn’t believe she deserves better. Then despite the horrific circumstances that land her in the small town of Sisters, Celia keeps her head up, she works hard, and she gives no one a reason to doubt her sincerity. However she also keeps a big secret, one that eats at her, gives her nightmares, and breaks her. Celia is broken when she arrives in Sisters yet somehow the kindness of strangers mends her and it is truly a beautiful journey to read!
Silas is just :::swoon::: He’s amazing! Like Celia, he’s an orphan, but he had his aunt who took him in. The accident that killed his parents left Silas shaken and broken, though he’s come a lot farther than Celia in mending himself. He believes that everyone he loves leaves and there is no reason for him to find a special someone. Truly Silas is just as heart-breaking as Celia.
The beauty of this book is the way in which Karey White conveys the feelings of the characters, their growth, and their relationships through the characters’ own POVs. It was so easy to lose myself in their story, cry for them, laugh with them, and be scared for them. That is a feat not many authors achieve, but White does it masterfully!
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Celia and Silas are two characters that you will root for and want to know more with every turn of the page. If you enjoy clean contemporary romance, I highly suggest you check out this book!
Broken Things to Mend by Karey White is a sweet, heart-breaking story about a young woman on the run who finds a home in a small town in Oregon. This is the first book in a standalone series called Power of the Matchmaker. The only character that is the same throughout the books is the Matchmaker and I’m really excited and intrigued to see how that plays out!
Celia is a beautifully written character that the author gives strength, faith, and hope. An orphan who bounced from foster home to foster home, Celia has zero self-confidence and no sense of self-worth. She believes that everything that has happened to her was supposed to happen. She doesn’t believe she deserves better. Then despite the horrific circumstances that land her in the small town of Sisters, Celia keeps her head up, she works hard, and she gives no one a reason to doubt her sincerity. However she also keeps a big secret, one that eats at her, gives her nightmares, and breaks her. Celia is broken when she arrives in Sisters yet somehow the kindness of strangers mends her and it is truly a beautiful journey to read!
Silas is just :::swoon::: He’s amazing! Like Celia, he’s an orphan, but he had his aunt who took him in. The accident that killed his parents left Silas shaken and broken, though he’s come a lot farther than Celia in mending himself. He believes that everyone he loves leaves and there is no reason for him to find a special someone. Truly Silas is just as heart-breaking as Celia.
The beauty of this book is the way in which Karey White conveys the feelings of the characters, their growth, and their relationships through the characters’ own POVs. It was so easy to lose myself in their story, cry for them, laugh with them, and be scared for them. That is a feat not many authors achieve, but White does it masterfully!
Overall I really enjoyed this book. Celia and Silas are two characters that you will root for and want to know more with every turn of the page. If you enjoy clean contemporary romance, I highly suggest you check out this book!
izmirlimelike's review against another edition
2.0
I listened to this book on Audible and the performance was not the best. I imagine if I had read the book it would have been a better experience. Nevertheless, I did not think the story was executed well, Celia and Silas were not that likable and Aunt Nancy was VERY annoying. I kept scrunching up my face every time that woman stuck her nose where it didn't belong.
I am still planning on listening to the rest of the series though. This one just happened to be a miss for me.
I am still planning on listening to the rest of the series though. This one just happened to be a miss for me.
ghumpherys's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a sweet, heartbreaking and yet hopeful story. Both characters have been through some really tragic things in their past and they are both a little shy and hesitant to trust. I loved watching their relationship develop and especially seeing Silas work at overcoming some of his shyness. So sweet! I wished at times that Celia would have been more willing to follow-up with what she left behind (trying not to give spoilers!), but at the same time I could understand why she wanted to leave it all in the past. I also wanted her to open up and trust those that were helping her, but again, with her situation I could see why she would be hesitant.
I thought the matchmaker's involvement was just right -- she was not an integral part of the story but without her, Silas and his aunt would probably not have helped Celia like they did. And I thought the ending was just perfect!
I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thought the matchmaker's involvement was just right -- she was not an integral part of the story but without her, Silas and his aunt would probably not have helped Celia like they did. And I thought the ending was just perfect!
I received a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
bardo's review
3.0
Broken Things To Mend... Easy Like a Sunday Morning Celia is running from a dark past. One that she hopes she can put behind her in a small rural community called Sisters. Can she move past her dark past to find love and friendship when its right in front of her? Or will she make the same mistakes as her mother?
Pro:
- Celia and Silas relationship is quite unusual and one could say that it boarders on awkward. Yet the way White writes their interaction its a sincere awkwardness. An awkwardness that comes from pasts that have not been good ones. Experiences and situations that weigh the tongue down when in social situations. But that's what makes this relationship work and not at the same time. It was a great change of pace to read about tow main characters that didn't instantly fall in love. They had to go through hardships and overcome personal turmoil.
- The main character Silas isnt perfect. To think a romantic male not being 100% perfect. The fact that Silas has a stutter made him more realistic and made you cheer for him through out the book. It also made him a deeper character and stand out for me.
- Celia is also "damaged and has a dark past. Not coming from a happy home or have a great childhood. The reasons she comes to Sisters is dark and only becomes more complicated as the story progresses. I appreciated the dimensions of having both characters have a rough childhood. Because really who has the perfect childhood?
Con:
-Reading this book was pleasant. I cant say I hated it or loved it. It was sorta like watching a movie once and being glad you saw it but would probably never view it again. The pace was comfortable and wasn't really a page turner. But one that was constant. I would have just liked a little more excitement.....
- This book brings a lot of sensitive topic up. Such as rape, abortion and adoption. Although the processes, resources and explanation was only superficial. I wanted more depth in each one. I didn't really walk away from the book with a greater understanding of either of them.
- White shows how Silas interacts at work and is seen as a hard worker through examples in the book. He's fighting fires and saving lives while risking his own at the same time. White really does not describe Celia in the same manner. The reader is given rough glimpses at what Celia does at the gallery. The reader knows she does well because she sells the art displayed there. But the reader doesn't know why. Getting to know Celia and her growing as a person both mentally and spiritually seemed secondary to the relationships she had .
Pro:
- Celia and Silas relationship is quite unusual and one could say that it boarders on awkward. Yet the way White writes their interaction its a sincere awkwardness. An awkwardness that comes from pasts that have not been good ones. Experiences and situations that weigh the tongue down when in social situations. But that's what makes this relationship work and not at the same time. It was a great change of pace to read about tow main characters that didn't instantly fall in love. They had to go through hardships and overcome personal turmoil.
- The main character Silas isnt perfect. To think a romantic male not being 100% perfect. The fact that Silas has a stutter made him more realistic and made you cheer for him through out the book. It also made him a deeper character and stand out for me.
- Celia is also "damaged and has a dark past. Not coming from a happy home or have a great childhood. The reasons she comes to Sisters is dark and only becomes more complicated as the story progresses. I appreciated the dimensions of having both characters have a rough childhood. Because really who has the perfect childhood?
Con:
-Reading this book was pleasant. I cant say I hated it or loved it. It was sorta like watching a movie once and being glad you saw it but would probably never view it again. The pace was comfortable and wasn't really a page turner. But one that was constant. I would have just liked a little more excitement.....
- This book brings a lot of sensitive topic up. Such as rape, abortion and adoption. Although the processes, resources and explanation was only superficial. I wanted more depth in each one. I didn't really walk away from the book with a greater understanding of either of them.
- White shows how Silas interacts at work and is seen as a hard worker through examples in the book. He's fighting fires and saving lives while risking his own at the same time. White really does not describe Celia in the same manner. The reader is given rough glimpses at what Celia does at the gallery. The reader knows she does well because she sells the art displayed there. But the reader doesn't know why. Getting to know Celia and her growing as a person both mentally and spiritually seemed secondary to the relationships she had .
magickislife's review
5.0
This is a wonderful book, so full of emotion. I am super excited for this series, I love Pearl (the match maker) as a character.
rachearl's review
4.0
Pearl helps bring two broken souls together.
A little slow in the beginning but picks up for a tender ending.
A little slow in the beginning but picks up for a tender ending.
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