What do you think?
Rate this book
Broken #1
Irreversibly Broken
Danielle Moyer has been attracted to her supervisor, Mike Connelly, since the day she walked into the Philadelphia Probation and Parole. But there’s a rule: Subordinates cannot date supervisors. Danielle doesn’t act on it. She’s convinced herself that any stolen glance, slight touch or innuendo is all in her mind. And then..
One ride
One kiss
One night
Changes everything
Mike Connelly never meant to cross the line with one of his staff, but there is something very inviting about Danielle and he can’t help himself. The two give in and find themselves navigating a very dicey office romance. With pasts that are riddled with things that have left them broken, making it an uneasy road.
Add in the rule: supervisors can’t date their subordinates and you’ve got a situation that could easily break in more ways than one.
Can they endure or will it leave them broken?
One ride
One kiss
One night
Changes everything
Mike Connelly never meant to cross the line with one of his staff, but there is something very inviting about Danielle and he can’t help himself. The two give in and find themselves navigating a very dicey office romance. With pasts that are riddled with things that have left them broken, making it an uneasy road.
Add in the rule: supervisors can’t date their subordinates and you’ve got a situation that could easily break in more ways than one.
Can they endure or will it leave them broken?
380 pages, ebook
Published September 24, 2020
About the author
J.L. Stray
10 books79 followersJL Stray has always enjoyed reading books and writing stories. Finally, she gathered up enough courage to publish one herself. A former Policy Specialist and current Consultant, she spends any extra moment she has writing, outlining and scheming her next book.
Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, she graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Most days she uses one of those degrees in either her career or dealing with her children.
J.L. lives in that same small town, with her three very active children, who always have her at a diamond, field or court. She is a lover of books, shoes, beaches, and a strong drink.
Raised in a small town in Pennsylvania, she graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy. Most days she uses one of those degrees in either her career or dealing with her children.
J.L. lives in that same small town, with her three very active children, who always have her at a diamond, field or court. She is a lover of books, shoes, beaches, and a strong drink.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 22, 2021
Feels 4
Steam 5
Storyline 4.5
Overall Rating 4.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin
Definitely a different type of story with lots of angst, frustration, lack of communication and everything else that a toxic relationship brings along with it. Danielle and Mike have a forbidden relationship that has a low chance of success even though their chemistry and desire to be together is off the charts. Too much damage from the past...baggage...and the inability to share and come to grips with it together dooms their newfound happiness. Once it falters...it was excruciating to watch them unable to move on from their obsession with each other. I am curious where they go from here. This book sucked me in and I feel pulled in so many directions. I’m not sure where I even want to end up.
Steam 5
Storyline 4.5
Overall Rating 4.5
Kindle eArc provided by Author
Reviewed by Robin
Definitely a different type of story with lots of angst, frustration, lack of communication and everything else that a toxic relationship brings along with it. Danielle and Mike have a forbidden relationship that has a low chance of success even though their chemistry and desire to be together is off the charts. Too much damage from the past...baggage...and the inability to share and come to grips with it together dooms their newfound happiness. Once it falters...it was excruciating to watch them unable to move on from their obsession with each other. I am curious where they go from here. This book sucked me in and I feel pulled in so many directions. I’m not sure where I even want to end up.
September 19, 2020
This is book one in the broken series. What a emotional journey that was. 2 desperately broken people. The chemistry was intense and emotional all rolled up into a hot sexy pull. Danielle and Mike were just getting passed thief baggage and walls when all of a sudden they are discovered having a office romance. Can they get past this? Are they making the correct decision? The next book in the series can not come fast enough for me!
September 17, 2020
What a ride! Every Action has a Consequence, you just need to decide if it's worth it!
September 24, 2020
First off, I did not realize this was part of a duet. Imagine my surprise at the ending! Now I am impatiently awaiting part two. I'm only slightly grumpy at this unexpected turn of events; the book is gritty and real. The characters are dealing with baggage, feelings, and office politics. Mike and Danielle are very realistic in handling their relationship, and honestly, you feel like you want to smack them both at times.
In some books, their relationship would be considered a pretty big age gap, that was not an issue in their story. It ended up being a bit of a joke between the two of them. I enjoyed that joking aspect of their relationship, and I liked that Mike was not perfect in the looks department. He didn't have six-pack abs. Oh, it's nice to picture the ideal bodies of men in romance novels, but it's not reality. Mike does have other issues that we still don't know about and has driven a wedge in his relationship with Danielle.
Danielle has her share of the fault in this relationship. She seems to go hot and cold--totally human. However, their last misadventure seemed to break things beyond compare. Their most significant issue is hiding behind the walls they have constructed to protect themselves. And they are not on the same timetable apparently. So for the reader who wants these two to work their mess out, it's doubly frustrating they can't seem to get it right. So this reader is left bleeding for both of these characters as the book comes to a close. Doggone it! How long must I wait now to find out?
This book takes an honest look at building relationships and how it doesn't always go smoothly. I know I will get my HEA at the end, but the joy in that will be much nicer knowing that Mike and Danielle have to work on themselves in order to make their HEA work.
In some books, their relationship would be considered a pretty big age gap, that was not an issue in their story. It ended up being a bit of a joke between the two of them. I enjoyed that joking aspect of their relationship, and I liked that Mike was not perfect in the looks department. He didn't have six-pack abs. Oh, it's nice to picture the ideal bodies of men in romance novels, but it's not reality. Mike does have other issues that we still don't know about and has driven a wedge in his relationship with Danielle.
Danielle has her share of the fault in this relationship. She seems to go hot and cold--totally human. However, their last misadventure seemed to break things beyond compare. Their most significant issue is hiding behind the walls they have constructed to protect themselves. And they are not on the same timetable apparently. So for the reader who wants these two to work their mess out, it's doubly frustrating they can't seem to get it right. So this reader is left bleeding for both of these characters as the book comes to a close. Doggone it! How long must I wait now to find out?
This book takes an honest look at building relationships and how it doesn't always go smoothly. I know I will get my HEA at the end, but the joy in that will be much nicer knowing that Mike and Danielle have to work on themselves in order to make their HEA work.
September 26, 2020
I just loved the way this book kicked off – right into the heat and steam of it all. Danielle is overwhelmingly attracted to her boss and she struggles to focus on her daily tasks, especially when she’s in meetings with him. She starts fantasizing all about him and then completely gets distracted in these meetings. The joy he takes in calling her out of her daydreams and noticing the way she looks at him, really just pulls you right into this one.
But no romance, especially an office romance, is an easy thing. They struggle to hide their relationship and all the things they want to do with each other. While also contending with the demons they both have in their past. I thought that Mike was going to be a boring male character because in the beginning he just seemed kind of dry and reserved. But as this story unfolds, you really get to see just how much depth there is to him and Danielle.
This is one of those chance romances mixed with a heavy work place romance where you will enjoy the secrecy of them trying not to interact romantically while at work, but watching their relationship bloom and develop outside of the work environment. A really great read that was filled with emotional depth and character development, this is one I’d recommend to those looking for that work place romance where a relationship cannot be out in the open and there are a lot of dangers involved in them being together.
But no romance, especially an office romance, is an easy thing. They struggle to hide their relationship and all the things they want to do with each other. While also contending with the demons they both have in their past. I thought that Mike was going to be a boring male character because in the beginning he just seemed kind of dry and reserved. But as this story unfolds, you really get to see just how much depth there is to him and Danielle.
This is one of those chance romances mixed with a heavy work place romance where you will enjoy the secrecy of them trying not to interact romantically while at work, but watching their relationship bloom and develop outside of the work environment. A really great read that was filled with emotional depth and character development, this is one I’d recommend to those looking for that work place romance where a relationship cannot be out in the open and there are a lot of dangers involved in them being together.
September 24, 2020
Irreversibly Broken is one of those books that is very emotional and angsty. Not your typical workplace romance. There are so many layers to Danielle and Mike's story. I'm not sure I'd call it a true love story in the fairytale, happily ever after sort of way. Instead, you have two people who are truly broken and struggle with some very heavy past issues and have a hard time stepping over the threshold of total honesty and openness. A few times, they get close to opening up, but it's crumbs here and there. Danielle is much more forthcoming with Mike about her past to gain his trust and possibly his love. Mike, however, does not do the same, which is quite frustrating. I also question whether his feelings are genuine or if his attraction is an obsession vs love.
Their physical attraction is off the charts, sizzling hot. Of course, if they're not careful, the secret relationship they are trying to hide from co workers may get them in trouble.
I liked this book, but am disappointed that it's a cliffhanger. I really want to find out what happens with Mike and Danielle. I'm dying to know what Mike is holding back about his past.
The writing is well balanced and fully engaging with an intriguing storyline and wonderful support characters who break the tension of a sometimes heavy plot.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Their physical attraction is off the charts, sizzling hot. Of course, if they're not careful, the secret relationship they are trying to hide from co workers may get them in trouble.
I liked this book, but am disappointed that it's a cliffhanger. I really want to find out what happens with Mike and Danielle. I'm dying to know what Mike is holding back about his past.
The writing is well balanced and fully engaging with an intriguing storyline and wonderful support characters who break the tension of a sometimes heavy plot.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2020
Irreversibly Broken was all kinds of angst filled which had my girly girl emotions running amok. Danielle & Mike are both broken individuals who work together. He's her supervisor so she kept her secret crush to herself because it's not just frowned upon, it's an absolute no go situation. However, the chemistry they have actually won't be denied any longer so they cross that line & hook up. After that, it's all kinds of anxiety for me because I'm all in waiting for that other shoe to drop since dirty little secrets always come out. They both have plus size baggage, and while she's willing to reveal her past, something held him back so I have questions. It all leads up to a cliffhanger (I guess I didn't see that it's a duet), and now I'm left waiting for the next book to see how it will all play out! Anyway, J.L Stray did a great job with her debut, and I'm really excited to see where her writing takes us all in the future! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
September 24, 2020
What a ride!
I did not realize this was a duet. Mike and Danielle start a forbidden office romance. Both have a lot if baggage. Danielle is much more open with her background than Mike. This book shows how relationships have many ups and downs and you have to work together and listen.
This is a very emotional story and the last few chapters made me cry. Now I need the next book and I hope we don't have long to wait for it.
I did not realize this was a duet. Mike and Danielle start a forbidden office romance. Both have a lot if baggage. Danielle is much more open with her background than Mike. This book shows how relationships have many ups and downs and you have to work together and listen.
This is a very emotional story and the last few chapters made me cry. Now I need the next book and I hope we don't have long to wait for it.
September 23, 2020
This is the 1st in a new series and is Danielle and Mike’s story. These two are both broken souls who work together and Mike is her supervisor. This is an emotional story which is intense and steamy and is a forbidden office romance tale. I was intrigued throughout and recommend for all.
February 22, 2021
Definitely a different type of story with lots of angst, frustration, lack of communication and everything else that a toxic relationship brings along with it. Danielle and Mike have a forbidden relationship that has a low chance of success even though their chemistry and desire to be together is off the charts. Too much damage from the past...baggage...and the inability to share and come to grips with it together dooms their newfound happiness. Once it falters...it was excruciating to watch them unable to move on from their obsession with each other. I am curious where they go from here. This book sucked me in and I feel pulled in so many directions. I’m not sure where I even want to end up.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews