Today I’m bringing you the writer’s first book, she’s none other than A.M. Brooks. I could not imagine a better debut for her. If she continues to do this in the future, she will achieve major success. What is certain is that I will read her books and recommend to you. Her style is absolutely unique, captivating, freaky, but in a good way. The story can be read in the present time, the plot was built gradually; her characters’ personality developed first, and then declined. I don’t describe this as a problem; it was good.

Read more on GCK's Book Review Blog.

Hearts and Bruises is A.M. Brooks debut novel and OMG did she knock this one out of the park! If I hadn’t been told this was her first release, I never would have known! If this is the type of writing we are getting already then I can not wait to see what she comes up with next! The writing was excellent, the plot was awesome, I am just in total shock that I enjoyed this book as much as I did!

Hearts and Bruises is told from Nora’s POV and then the epilogue is told from Darrian’s POV. I love dual POV so I’m hoping that means book #2 will be dual. There is a HUGE cliffhanger, like seriously HUGE but the 2nd book, Hearts and Flowers is set to release summer of 2019 so we don’t have too long to wait- THANK GOD!

Hearts and Bruises is a story about two kids from different backgrounds just trying to get through high school. Nora, trying to figure out how to fit in with the wealthy popular clique, and Darrian trying to navigate between who’s really his friend and who’s just using him because his last name is King as well as dealing with all the other pressures that come with being in high school.

Nora is no stranger to change. Her father has packed them up and moved more times then I have fingers. Their latest move has them in Araminta, California and at this point, she doesn’t even bother unpacking.

Everything changes when Nora gets an invitation to a beach party her first night in Araminta.

“The Kings?” I asked. “Mmmhmm,” she said, taking a drink. “Ethan, his twin brother Elijah, and their cousin, Darrian King. The Kings.”

The Kings are the popular kids, the boys who rule the school, and one of them has taken an interest in Nora.

Darrian King is a typical high school boy, except he feels like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Between the expectations his father has for him, trying to excel in his basketball career, and not knowing who really is his friend and not just around because of who his family is, he’s close to cracking but still keeps that ‘oh so sexy’ smirk firmly in place.

After a rough introduction, Darrian and Nora become fast friends and even though he doesn’t want a relationship and that they are NOT in a relationship, the way he is with Nora sure seems like they are.

After my interview with A.M Brooks, who said that the first sex scene was one of the hardest scenes for her to write, I was blown away by the hotness level! 🔥🔥🔥

"Darrian pushed my legs wider with his thigh before pushing in. I drew a breath at the fullness of him stretching me. “Nora,” he said, laying his forehead on mine again."

Although I really loved this book, there were a couple of things that I didn’t care for. The back and forth between the two was starting to get a little carried away. Just when you think things are going so good for them BOOM knucklehead does the next stupid thing to hurt Nora.

Then Nora would just forgive him! No groveling, no ass kissing, nothing! Just a few sly words and a couple smirks and she was back fawning all over him.

It was just confusing because of the way Nora’s sarcastic, snarky attitude is written, you would think she would be a whole lot stronger than that. I wanted her to just slap his ass in the mouth or key his car, SOMETHING other than breaking down. Especially after that conversation in front of everyone in the cafeteria, ohhh I wanted to slap Darrian’s ass sooo bad!

“Darlin’, I’m a King. I don’t know what you thought was happening but we” —he pointed between myself and him— “are nothing. I’m not your boyfriend, I’m not your friend. These guys over here” —he pointed to the table full of the people I had been spending the past two weeks with— “are my friends, not yours. I get enough pussy. I don’t need you hanging on me offering low-grade quality.”

Darrian is very, very close to being unredeemable but I still have hope for him yet! I’m really hoping that he gets his shit together and stops making assumptions because of things other people (A.K.A haters!) say!

That cliffhanger, OMG! I can’t even…. all I’m going to say (again) is THANK GOD book #2 releases soon! I will impatiently be waiting for Hearts and Flowers to release this summer!

If you like YA reads with a whole lot of angst and drama, a total asshole hero, and a sweet but snarky heroine then Hearts and Bruises is for you!

*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.

Let’s me start by saying that this a solid 5 star story. This is a first book by this author and if I wouldn’t have known this before going in, I couldn’t have said it was. It was addicting, captivating and entertaining. I was hooked from the get go. The storyline was solid and it didn’t have any unnecessarily details just to fill a page. If I a story gets a reaction out of me then it’s a 5 star for sure.

Let’s talk about the storyline a bit without given out spoilers. This is a YA story that deals with some difficult subjects. Addiction. This story deals with drug and emotional kind.

Let’s focus on the characters. Darrian was an A*^!*le. He wants to change for Nora but he ends up hurting her more then anything else. He’s conflicted. I wanted to throw my kindle a time or two. I hated him but then he’s a young man who’s being rules by his parents. He tried, I’ll give him that. There’s Nora whom I wanted to shake a time or two. I wanted to say “WAKE UP”. But she’s survived things that left her emotionally vulnerable. An absent father so she turns to Darrian who gives her some attention.

All this said I devoured this story in a matter of a few short hours. There is a cliffhanger. The story is told in Nora’s POV mostly. Bottomline this comes highly recommended.

5 EMOTIONAL STARS!! This story had my emotions all over the place. I have such a Love/Hate relationship for Darrian. Nora is so strong and beautiful, this girl has confidence like no other. My heart ached for her and Darrian. Their story is full of angst and love, it had me flipping pages so fast I finished in one sitting. I need the next book.....NOW! I definitely think this story is a 1-Click book.

Nora has moved with her father more times than she can count. When she gets invited to a beach party to make some new friends she meets Darrian King and that moment will change her life forever. When two teenagers from very different backgrounds like each other & fall for one another can it truly work or does your families wealth, influences & school cliques get in the way. This YA gives you a true picture of a girl trying to fit into a world way out of her means and a boy that doesn’t know what he wants. I really hated Darrian in this book!! There is also bullying in this book if that is a trigger for you. Told in Nora’s POV and ends in a major cliffhanger.