Review: Fine will keep you engaged and leave you hanging on to every word!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2014
Best Kind of Broken is one of those stories that you read holding your breath. The whole 'will they or won't they' is enough to keep you engaged and will leave you hanging on to every word. Chelsea Fine does an excellent job of slowly unraveling Pixie and Levi's past, only giving bits and pieces at a time, until finally the truth comes out. I liked the anticipation of finding out why these two were so at odds with one another and why they were both so charged with sexual tension. This is definitely an emotional read, as we have two characters who are so filled with such sadness and longing, all while the crushing weight of grief hangs over their heads.I really liked Pixie and Levi together. They will do anything to piss the other off and while it started off humorous, we quickly realize there is a deeply rooted story there that is filled with pain and heartache. It's easier to hate and express anger, rather than let themselves feel what they have been hiding and holding back which is why we constantly see them at each other's throats. Their relationship is very slow building, as the two have some really heavy issues to work through and a friendship to repair first and foremost. But once their resolve wavers, all bets are off and these two are explosive together.I felt for Pixie. She has lived a difficult life. Levi's family was her own growing up, and she felt a closeness to them that her relationship with her own mother could even compare. Pixie's mother is a piece of work. Having gotten pregnant at too young of an age, she really resents Pixie and doesn't raise her as a loving, nurturing mother should. Instead, Pixie's mother constantly picks at and puts her down over and over again. She tears Pixie down to make herself feel superior, but even through all of that Pixie turned out ok, because she had Levi's family to love and care for her. After the incident, Pixie is completely lost and hurting because the family that held her together, has come apart at the seams.Watching Levi battle his own desire and emotions over Pixie really hurt my heart. He cares for her so much, but the incident has changed him and made him hollow inside. He is trapped and suffocated by his own guilt and cannot face Pixie for fear he has done irreparable damage to her. He doesn't realize just how much she needs him to talk to her about what happened or the damage he's doing to her by NOT talking it out.I really loved Pixie's aunt Ellen. She's a great role model for Pixie and Levi as well. I love that she gives it to them straight and both of them have such respect for her. They are staying with her and working for her in the hotel she runs, for the summer. I also really enjoyed Pixie's friend Jenna. Jenna is one of those friends you just need in your life. She can see through Pixie's crap and isn't afraid to call her on it. She pushes just enough not to break her, but instead gives her someone to trust in.Finally, I can't NOT talk about Daren, as the next book in the series involves him. Daren has known Pixie and Levi since high school and there is some history between them. Daren comes across as a cocky, self-assured jerk but I actually liked him. With the exception of one scene in particular, that is. Still, he manages to give Levi a push in the right direction when it comes to Pixie and I think that finally resonated with Levi. In fact, Daren reminded me of Garth from Nicole Williams' Lost and Found series!Overall, I really enjoyed Best Kind of Broken and I feel Fine really did a great job breaking onto the NA contemporary scene and I am looking forward to reading more from her in the future!