Cover Image: Fractured

Fractured

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

"Fractured" by Shay Siegel delves into the complexities of teenage life, touching on themes of trauma, friendship, and the journey to self-discovery. Siegel's approach to these topics is both raw and genuine, presenting a narrative that aims to resonate with a young adult audience grappling with their own challenges.

Siegel’s prose is straightforward and accessible, making "Fractured" an easy read for a wide range of readers. The simplicity of the language does not detract from the depth of the story; rather, it serves to underscore the emotional weight of the characters' experiences. The author demonstrates a clear understanding of the teenage psyche, effectively capturing the voices of her characters and rendering their struggles with authenticity.

The protagonist of "Fractured" is well-developed, offering readers a nuanced portrayal of a young person facing life-altering circumstances. Through this character, Siegel explores the impact of physical and emotional trauma, effectively conveying the sense of isolation and despair that can accompany such experiences. The supporting characters, while less fleshed out, provide necessary contrasts and complement the protagonist’s journey.

However, "Fractured" may not satisfy all readers. Some may find the plot predictable, with certain themes and character arcs feeling familiar or reminiscent of other works in the young adult genre. This sense of familiarity might detract from the novel's impact for those seeking a more innovative or unexpected narrative.

Additionally, the pacing of the story fluctuates. At times, the narrative moves swiftly, drawing the reader in with compelling developments and emotional depth. At other points, the story seems to stall, lingering on moments or details that contribute little to the overall advancement of the plot or development of the characters.

The book's exploration of serious issues is commendable, yet the resolution of these themes might feel rushed or overly simplified to some readers. While Siegel makes a valiant effort to tackle complex issues within the confines of a relatively short novel, the depth and nuance of these topics may not be fully explored to the satisfaction of those looking for a more exhaustive examination.

In summary, "Fractured" by Shay Siegel is a heartfelt attempt to navigate the turbulent waters of adolescence and trauma through the lens of young adult fiction. It offers an empathetic look into the challenges faced by its protagonist, with a narrative voice that is both sincere and compelling. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it stands as a solid contribution, particularly for readers who find solace and understanding in the reflection of their own experiences within its pages.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This book is one that I had a bit of trouble with, I wasn't expecting it to get so heavy and dark from the description. I was expecting a YA opposites attract romance that touched on some major issues but at its heart was fluffy. This book looks at consent and readers should check triggers before they delve in.
This book wasn't for me, but the writing was good and I'm sure it will be a great choice for emotionally mature readers.
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I hated Mason. Just the picture he shared with his friends, that was not supposed to be shared and bragging about it? The trying to get with her, almost rape-like...when he knew she had experienced something awful in the past...and why did she run back to him? I mean UGH. AARGH!!

Was this review helpful?

TW for self harm and mental health.
Wow what a surprising book! Initially I did not think I would enjoy this book as it had a typical beginning with a high school jock who treated women like their own personal plaything but was I mistaken.
Mason Vance is the high school jock and hero who lives and breathes football. But after a misjudged tackle breaks his wrist Mason is left on the sidelines until it heals. His focus has always been football and the thought of not being able to play again is a devastating blow to him.
While attending physiotherapist he meets a girl Lace who is the opposite of the type of girl Mason usually goes for and shockingly for him seems immune to his charm and pick up lines. Mason is determined to win Lace over but as he gets to know her more he starts to think and act differently leading to a fall out with his best friend since kindergarten.
After going to a party with Lace and they both end up having too much to drink Mason pushes Lace too far and she breaks up with him.. Mason is devastated not only by the loss of Lace but also by his actions towards not only Lace but all the other girls he has been with.
I loved the storyline and underlying messages in this book. Initially Mason was not going to be an endearing character but he grew and developed through the book which led me to like him to a point.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this eARC to review

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this book in exchange of a honest review!

Originally, I was captivated by the description and the cover intrigued me all at the same time. Once I dived into the pages, I immediately disliked the majority of characters. I understand that they are younger than me, so it can be tricky to personally relate, however, Mason's actions and way of thinking, specially at the start, was something I could not help but hate, and at that point, it is impossible to cheer for him to turn it around.

Even after awful and unfortunate events happened in Mason's life, I was not satisfied by the redemption, perhaps because, in my opinion, it did not occur for the right reasons.

I wish I had liked this book, therefore, recommend it. Sadly, that's not the case.

Was this review helpful?

At first I thought this was a contemporary sports romance, where the popular quarterback would fall for the emo outcast girl. This does happen, but the book is a lot darker than I thought it would be. The story deals with self harm, rape, and depression. The way rape and consent was approached was well done and I really liked the lesson from it.

Mason is a stereotypical jock, he's popular at school and has slept with more girls than he can remember. When he breaks his wrist in a game, he starts to evaluate his life and what's important to him. He meets Lace at the doctor's office and she challenges him. Lace has been through a lot and doesn't immediately fall for Mason's charm. She keeps her distance and won't be just another girl he hooks up with. We don't get to know her as much as I'd like, but she really changed Mason for the better.

The consent talks are well done in this. Lace helps Mason see that rape isn't just forceful, it's cajoling and pressuring and making the other person feel like they have to have sex or be punished in some way. When Mason evaluates himself and sees the things he's done to girls, he sort of breaks, but it helps him grow and be a better man.

The first half of this is slow and I would have appreciated more likeable characters. I did enjoy Mason's character development and thought the ending fit the theme of the story well.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC

There really isn’t much for me to say about this book honestly. I feel very board reading it and ended up skimming the end. It was very cookie cutter for a high school romance and comtempary book but I didn’t get much out of it. Mason and all the boys annoyed me go now end and I didn’t feel like Lace had much to her either. The plot was a bit slow and it felt like the same thing just kept happening. Overall just not the book for me.

Was this review helpful?

DNF'd around 30% in. I found the main character to be unbearably obnoxious, and couldn't stand his inner monologue. He sounded twelve instead of seventeen. The writing and the dialogue was cringey as hell, and the story wasn't interesting enough for me to overlook it. I'm sure there are better sports romance books out there for you instead of this one.

Was this review helpful?

3 1/2 stars...

Fractured is a tough book to review. The subject matter was much heavier than I originally anticipated. I believe the author's attempt to show the evolution of a young high school male to a more sensitive and respectful young man was well-intentioned. The story is told from Mason's point of view. Unfortunately, he is so over the top disrespectful to women that it was extremely hard to find anything about him that could be viewed as redeemable. Eventually, you do see him gain the realization that his viewpoint and behavior all along have not only been horrible, but that he's influenced and encouraged other guys to treat women the same way. He's perpetuated the abusive behavior.

When Mason meets Lace, he gets a wake up call because she doesn't fall at his feet and think he's the best. Just because he's the "it" guy of his high school, the quarterback of the football team and has pretty much never been told "no" by a female, he's shocked that Lace acts so unimpressed. Of course, he's also intrigued. They get to know one another and through the good and bad things that occur in their relationship, Mason is stunned to begin to feel shame and guilt at his past behavior and treatment of women. It takes hearing things from Lace's side for him to realize that he never really listened to what the girls he's been with in the past were really saying to him. He was truly only after one thing and he assumed they were too.

Sadly, I know this type of behavior happens a great deal in society today. I tip my hat to the author for taking on this topic and doing so from the male perspective. There were times in the book where it drug a little for me. I know Mason's injury sort of led him to his meeting with Lace. So, I understand the necessity for it in the storyline. However, I got bogged down with some of the details regarding his healing, surgery and rehab of his wrist. It just felt like more detail than was needed for that portion of the story, in my opinion. I, personally, would have liked to see more time spent with Mason working through his emotional rehab with his therapist. However, overall, this book does what it intends to....it shows Mason gradually changing into a young man with a stronger character and more respect for females as well as their feelings and wishes.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review and the opinions contained within are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC.
The premise of the book is what made me intrigued to pick up this book but I found myself disappointed by the time I finished the book. I gave this book a 2 stars out of 5 because I feel like it had the potential to be a great book but just fell short in the character development.

There was so much toxic masculinity in Mason and his friends, that I couldn't find myself feeling bad for Mason; most of the time I spent it rolling my eyes. I understand that the author was trying to show how teenage boys can sometimes be very womanizing but I got tired of reading Mason and his friends commenting on the girls at their school. I also feel like Mason didn't really make much progress, you would think he was going to take a step in the right direction and then he would go and do the opposite, it was quite frustrating to read.

Was this review helpful?

Oh no, this was bad.

I really did think this book was going to be sort of ironic when talking about how teenage boys can be so toxic, but it was not ironic. His narrative just made me so uncomfortable. The way he talks about women, just a huge no. Though, I will admit, he's pretty accurate for a teenage boy.

And the plot... the popular boy who falls in love with the outcast girl who's so beautiful, but she doesn't know it, but guess what: he notices her and tells her how beautiful she is and she just grows confident. I think that for this, the plot was not entirely predictable, specially because of the ending and tackling darker topics, but it was poorly done.

It got offensive at times, at least I felt like it, for the things he said, mainly because it is a book that talks about depression and rape culture, and it felt careless. I cringed a lot in here.

The worst thing is, the writing was good. It flowed well, but I just can't shake the way she brought up such serious topics in a terrible way.

Was this review helpful?

A big thank you is owed to author Shay Siegel and NetGalley for providing me a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. First, I would like to list some trigger warnings: self-harm (cutting), talk of rape/sexual assault, drug and alcohol use. When going into this book I really had no expectations because this is a debut book. So I can't really tell you if I liked this book or not. This book had some very heavy topics discussed and brought to light throughout the story. Mason is written as a very unlikeable character, especially in his views on girls/women. His character gave me so many "The Catcher in the Rye" feels. It was nice to read his character transform from a shallow boy into a young man wanting to change into a man for Lace. Lace was a very realistic character. She is dealing with many issues that teens/young adult face in the real world, but are not really discussed widely. I just wanted to hug Lace and reassure her that she is not alone and she will find her way. The pacing of the story kept my attention. At times, I wanted to punch Mason and his friends for the things they would say about girls/women, but then I wanted to listen to Mason as he struggles with the guilt of his self destructive behavior. The ending left me a little dissatisfied, but I could not really imagine another ending that would make sense for Mason and Lace. Overall, this is not a book I would recommend for everyone due to the trigger warnings, but this book will definitely make you think about the characters' actions and personalities in relation to the real world. I believe readers will either like this book or hate this book. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Was this review helpful?

26% and I give up. That book is a perfect example for everything that's wrong with our society and I don't need my books to make me uncomfortable as well.
Mason is so unbelievably stereotypical American Male that I am extremely ashamed to identify as male. Mason is everything that's wrong in our society. He's rude, disrespectful and he thinks just because he's handsome and a football player, he can get away with everything. It makes me sick.
Also, the way that Lacy is referred to - "Mental chick". Are you bloody kidding me? Stop stigmatising mental illness. It's disgusting and I am done with it. I wish I could rate this book 0 stars because there was literally nothing likeable about this book and I really can't be bothered to finish it if I have to endure toxic masculinity for the majority of the book. I honestly think there are other books more worthy of my time.
I received an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book was not at all like I thought it would be. First, the story was told by a teenage males POV and discussed topics like respecting females, peer pressure and toxic masculinity very realistically. Very much shows how things are not just black and white, but lots of shades of grey.

Was this review helpful?

This book is beautifully written and makes y9ou feel all the emotion of the characters. The story focuses on Mason, who I really did hate at first, which is a different experience for me because I have not read many books where I really hate the main character to the level I felt hatred towards Mason. The way the author writes the book made me hate him but at the same time feel bad for him, just slightly albeit, for a good amount of the book. The other character the book focuses on is Lace and I think that a lot of people will be able to connect with her in some shape or form. This book did make me cry at one point and it does take a lot in a book to get me to cry. It says a lot to me about how it was written, that it was written with enough emotion to make me feel everything so deeply. I think that anyone who reads this will enjoy it immensely especially if you are looking for something with romance (with it not being the main focus) and the discussion of real-life topics that are completely relatable.

Was this review helpful?

I didnt like this book at all. Let me start by saying I gave it till 50% before dnfing. Mason is such an unlikable character and there isn't any growth at all. The way he talks about girls, showing pictures without consent....is disgusting. Especially with all the underage drinking and it seems like he's only 16.

So wish there was more growth in the characters and it would have been nice to see these boys being called out about their disgusting behavior.

Was this review helpful?

i enjoyed reading this book, I liked getting to know Mason and Lace, it was interesting to see the difference from Mason's former life.

Was this review helpful?

Mason, a teenage football star who ruins his season after breaking his wrist, is not a likeable character. He thinks way too highly of himself and plays the pity card too often. He's supposedly trying to change for the better, but doesn't seem to be trying very hard. The book seemed promising when he met Lace, a teenage girl struggling with depression, at a doctor's office. Then, after it took Mason multiple times of Lace saying to stop and then physically pushing him away before be stopped, I pretty much gave up on Mason. He knew Lace's history and he still pushed too far. The way the teenage boys in this novel talk about girls/women as objects is disgusting.

There are situations that come up in the book that I believe are meant to teach the reader about right and wrong. However, I don't feel that the character or plot development were enough to succeed.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before publication.

I would not recommend this book.
#Fractured#NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Fractured is one of those books that you will either instantly love, or instantly hate. While it's not my cup of tea, I find that this book can be very useful for teaching young adults how women should not be viewed or treated.

Was this review helpful?

A major thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this!

This is a book you're either going to love or hate. I originally picked this book because it sounded like something I'd enjoy and the cover was a bonus.I expected a light romance going into this, but this is definitely not a lighthearted read. It deals with many sensitive topics. I found the main character to be very unlikeable. Every time he tried to redeem himself he only made himself look so much worse. I just found him to be extremely manipulative.

Overall this book just wasn't for me!

Was this review helpful?