Once Perfect (Shattered Past #1)

by Cecy Robson

Synopsis

His life was never easy. Hers wasn’t supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson’s raw, steamy New Adult debut—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn.

Evelyn Preston’s future once looked perfect—until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and underground MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they’ve led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love.

Mateo is ex-army who wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he’s feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid.

As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn’s past—even if that means tackling his own to save her.

My Review

Simply loved this, could not put it down, the characters wove themselves into my heart, Teo and Evie ignited the pages with their determination, domination, strength and passion for each other. Evie had that Once Perfect life or so she thought, this is her journey to discover what is truly important and she discovers in her past something that does shatter her and to see a female character determined to succeed was a beautiful thing for me.

I loved the way Teo and Evie fought through obstacles, where one perhaps took a wrong turn the other one was there to bring them back on the right path towards them ultimately being together.

The author wove this tale really well, we advanced through time in places that I thought was relevant and I did not feel I missed out on something important, I really liked how we saw their relationship progress through turbulent times but also happy times.

The supporting characters of Teo’s sisters and their work colleagues provided great laughs especially one particular scene involving Ant talking about cookies Evie made to thank Teo, which I just have to quote below, laughed my ass off – Ant rocks !!

“Listen up, peeps. If anyone, and I mean anyone, pulls the dealing shit tonight, I want you to bash their skulls in with one of these.” He lifted one of my cookies over his head. “These bitches will knock a motherfucker out”.

Donovan was a surprise to me as was Teo’s extended family and Sam her boss I fist pumped when he stepped up to the plate for Teo. Noelle was another favourite character for me, she was so funny and I loved how she became a great support to Evie.

Simply a great read, if you are looking for a Romance that encompasses it all, suspense, action, friendship, new beginnings, great passion and alpha protective men – then you will simply love this.