Also in this series: Once Loved
Series: Shattered Past #1
Published by Flirt on October 7th 2014
Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Pages: 272
Format: eBook
Source: Self Purchased
ISBN: 9780553391
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.
Summary
Evelyn Preston once had the picture perfect life that anyone would have envied, but then her life was destroyed when her father commited scandal and suicide and she was left on her own. Now she is doing everything she can to work and pay for her college tuition as a waitress at a high end nightclub. But there is one man, that draws her attention, a man she knows is way out of her league. Handsome, sexy, built like a MMA fighter, and could have any woman. But when her past comes to haunt her and causes her to have panic attacks, Mateo is the one she leans on. Mateo and Evelyn have led very different lives from each other, but when they fall in love they learn and grow together and must fight for their love…
The Hero
Mateo grew up with a abusive father and has had to watch while he terrorized his mother and his sisters. Now Mateo works as hard as he can to provide for his sisters safety and security. Mateo doesn’t consider himself worthy of Evelyn, but ends up falling for her anyway. Mateo was a hero you just gravitate towards. He is responsible, hard working, devoted to his family and is willing to sacrifice everything for them. I loved his close bond he has to his sisters. How protective he is of women especially of his family and Evelyn. Definitely a hero you can swoon over. He has all the characteristics that make the best hero. He is kind, charming and sweet with a tough exterior. What’s not to love about him?
The Heroine
Evelyn is a strong and courageous heroine you can get behind. I love how easily she adjusts to her situation. She goes from having money and security to having to work hard and study hard and she fits Mateo so well. She does have some horrors from her past that are causing her panic attacks. I liked seeing the PTSD effects here, where she doesn’t know why she is having them at first. But I like that she doesn’t back away, she just keeps going forward. And I really admired the way she handles the truth when she realizes what is causing her attacks. I did like how loyal and committed she is to Mateo, she stays true to him and what they feel for each other, and fights for him. Gotta admire that.
Plot and Story Line
Once Perfect is a soul shattering romance that instantly pulled me in quite quickly. I want to thank Sophia @ Delighted Reader for recommending this to me on her site. When I learned that this was on sale for $.99 (still is for a limited time) I grabbed it up very very quickly. I have learned to trust in her recommendations and I was NOT disappointed. In fact, I can’t wait to read book two of this series. On the surface this appears to be a “bad boy” type of romance but whew…this author really pulls out all the stops on this one and I couldn’t resist. I read this in one sitting and what a fun romance it was to read. And I liked that this was the first new adult romance that wasn’t angsty. The flow was so well done, the switch from plot line to character development of the romance was done so flawlessly. The romance between these two was superb and what made a difference was the way it grows.
Life hadn’t initially been good to either of us. But we were good to each other. And regardless of the demons of our pasts, nothing would change that.
I love seeing these two “opposites” be so attracted to each other and act on their feelings. I loved the realistic feel to this story, the emotions and vibes you feel are vividly portrayed and so well conveyed to the reader. A romance you can’t put down and not one you want to overlook picking up.
The Cover
What a sexy cover….I love his pose, the muscles and the grey tones add a nice effect.
Overall View
Once Perfect is a shattering love story with characters that win your heart over instantly. A compelling new adult romance you can look forward to reading. MOUTHWATERING DELICIOUS
Books N Tunes Pick #3: Cowboys and Angels by Dustin Lynch
Why: I LOVE and adore this song, and it fits Mateo and Evelyn so well!!
Yes. I have loved Cecy’s books forever. And in October I became her virtual assistant (talk about dream job). Have you read her O’Brien series? I love the crazy family!
Dancing on my toes with happiness that you loved it. You appreciated just the elements I did about this story. Look forward to what you think of his sisters’ stories and then, as Kimberly suggests, there are the big O’Brien family of stories, too. 🙂
Love this song.
I have really enjoyed all of Cecy’s books! This series and the spin off O’Brien books are AMAZING! So well written and full of the feels!
Believe it or not, I’ve had this book sitting on my TBR for a while now. I might’ve started it at one point but had to put it down for whatever reason. I’m kicking myself now after reading your review!
I have only tried her other series, but I sure am curious
I just got ma hands on this one last week, Renee, as it was on sale, and so many of my blogger friends are huge fans of Cecy 🙂 I’m really happy you loved Once Perfect! I need more hours. Like every day 😉
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews