Sinamen Reads Romance: OVERDUE BOOK REVIEW ❤ Once Loved by Cecy Robson

TITLE: Once Loved

SERIES: Shattered Past

AUTHOR: Cecy Robson

GENRE: New Adult, College Romance

SOURCE: Netgalley

PUBLISHED: January 20th 2015 by Loveswept

He’s the campus golden boy. She’s picking up the pieces of her broken past. But in Cecy Robson’s scorching novel of second chances—perfect for readers of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—their differences only make their connection more explosive.

Every memory Lety Tres Santos has from her childhood comes with a scar—some emotional, some physical. Her father is an abusive drug addict, and her mother enables his destructive behavior. College offers Lety a fresh start . . . until her father finds a way to ruin that, too. Now, after losing her scholarship to kick off junior year, Lety must somehow stay in school, pay tuition, and turn a deaf ear to the whispers that follow her. And she intends to do it all without Brody Quaid’s help.

Brody is a lacrosse star, a 4.0 student—and as a freshman, he fell hard for the beautiful and spirited Lety. But their relationship crashed and burned because he couldn’t break through the walls she’s put up around her heart. With Lety hurting more than ever, Brody strives to win her back and make her believe in real love and true partnership. That will mean opening up secrets locked away in his own past—and trusting someone more than he’s ever dared.

Lety knows how painful it can be to depend on the wrong man. She also knows how much Brody wants to do this the right way. But it takes more than sizzling desire to move on and build a future together.

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Once Loved is the second novel I've read by Cecy Robson, and it won’t be the last. This book is my favorite of the Shattered Past series. Cecy Robson takes her readers on an emotional ride in this beautifully written story that delicately covers the subjects of domestic abuse, cultural differences, and family secrets. I would recommend reading Once Perfect prior as it provides some background on the Santos family dynamics. Once Loved is Lety and Brody’s story of overcoming the past and learning how to love and be loved.

I love the parallels between the Santos and Moore families. Even though Brody’s family is wealthy and appears to have it all together that couldn’t be further from the truth. When Brody’s secrets are revealed, Lety begins to see him as someone that COULD love her. She realizes that there are no perfect families and regardless of financial status happiness guaranteed.

Once Loved is a very intense story that pulls the reader in from the beginning and holds your attention until the end. You feel the shame, the sadness, the fear and eventually the happiness that the characters experience throughout the story. Cecy Robson truly outdid herself with this story, earning 4.5- 5 hearts with this emotionally charged story. I highly recommend adding this book to your TBR.