Crime reporter Mari Alvarez was never able to solve her mother’s murder ten years ago, but when another body turns up on the doorstep of her neighborhood, she gets an eerie feeling. Another body is found, now there are 2. Are these messages for Mari, or clues as to whom the killer is? Can she solve the murders, or will it destroy her?

All the broken girls is the first book by Linda Hurtado that I have read. Her bio describes her as an author of romantic thrillers. I'm not normally a fan of the romance genre but this book caught my eye because (1) the book description intimates that an inconvenient yet irresistible relationship between our smart and funny protagonist and the beefy but stoic, emotionally restrained cop is not a story angle; and, (2) like the main protagonist, crime reporter Mari, I am Cuban-American and grew up mainly in Florida among a large Cuban community. I was curious to see how the Cuban lifestyle compared betwwen Tampa, where this story takes place and Miami, where I grew up.

The premise of the book has promise but the author is inconsistent in her storytelling abilities. Some parts move at a fast pace, as expected from a thriller, thereby keeping my attention and desire to keep on reading; unfortunately, there is also too much content that changes the tempo and makes reading a bit of a drag. For me, the best part is when the author focuses on the murders; other aspects seem superfluous and weigh down an otherwise decent story.

Another point that was confusing for me was how the author introduced certain characters into the story. At times, it felt very random and unexpected and there was little clarity as to their role or purpose. As a result, I had to jump back too often to find the initial description to recall the character.

On a positive note, the main character was very likeable and relatable. I was moved by her concern for the younger girls. The empathy she felt for the girls because of her own traumatic past was compelling. Furthermore, representation matters and I was happy to see a strong Cuban-American woman as the lead in a book.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. That is exactly how I felt while reading this book and after finishing this book. Bond never gives the reader a second to breathe! In this action-packed thriller, the mystery is constant, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Not one thing felt rushed; I was along for the ride with Mari. The character development is like none other; I understood these characters and felt these characters feelings. Honestly, I was a little sad when the book ended! I would love for this to be a series as I want to continue these characters’ journeys. This is absolutely one of the best books of 2022.

Choosing a book is hard enough with all the choices out there. You try to find THE interesting, grabbing book to read next. You check out the author (maybe a favorite), the cover, the description on the book jacket and reviews. Sometimes you end up with a dud and then there are the times where the books hooks you right in. All the Broken Girls by Linda Hurtado Bond is one of those books that hooks one in.

When I started the book it was before breakfast. I had my cup of tea and a little snack while I was reading. My husband woke up, came into the kitchen and made me breakfast because I was too engrossed in the story. Lunchtime came. My husband, again, made me something to eat. I just could not stop reading. Linda had me at the edge of my seat. Needless to say it is a very suspenseful story! But there is some romance blossoming and sadness also. Linda occasionally lightens up the atmosphere with a little humor. Nice touch!

I loved the book and my husband making me breakfast and lunch was an added bonus!!

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for the copy of All the Broken Girls.

All the Broken Girls by Linda Hurtado Bond is an intriguing read full of old-world superstitions and a well-written storyline. This well-written story pulled me in from the beginning and held my attention until the shocking ending. All the Broken Girls is a satisfying mystery with black magic vibes.

Lina Hurtado Bond creates a mystery using the Cuban culture in Florida as the black drop and several characters that readers will hope will come back for another book by the author.

The story doesn't as well as others author as the story slows down and speeds up giving readers a little whiplash. In the end the story is a whodunit that readers of mystery and a romance will want to get their hand on this book. Hope for more.

Thank you to Netgalley for the Advance copy of All The Broken Girls.

I received this book as an ARC and this is my review. This story goes back and forth between a ten year old murder and the current victims of a serial killer in Tampa, Florida. The characters are extremely flawed and most of them were around for the past crime and have their own ideas about who might still be killing. This book is loaded with great food and diverse religious philosophies. I could feel the beat of the friends and families who carry on traditions and beliefs from their ancestors. I recommend this story to readers who enjoy a quirky approach to murder and its methods.

A crime journalist Mari, is suspended for a story that got a lawsuit filed against the station. The trouble is she is accurate in her findings but the law couldn't make the serial killer charges stick. So they didn't believe her. Now a new case of murder happens and it is eerily similar to the murder of her mother years ago. Mari has the ability to dig into a case with almost a sixth sense for investigating and she wants in on this case. However, trying to get the lead investigator Garcia to listen to her hypotheses is a challenge. She's just a journalist he is the investigator but he does start to listen and realizes Mari’s life could also be in danger and for some reason he is caring what happens to her. Things get even more of a mystery when there is another murder. Garcia has to decide if he can let Mari involve herself in this investigation, could this be making her a target too? I recommend this book I liked Mari and Garcia's characters and their dynamic together. It's written well and makes you want to find out what is happening next. Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing LLC. for this eARC. This is my viewpoint.

The premise sounded interesting, but this missed the mark for me. The dialogue felt "off" or stilted in many occasions. It just didn't feel genuine, and as a result, I had a hard time engaging with the characters or storyline. The heroine didn't feel authentic, either. There was no "gotcha" moment to really grab my attention.

All the Broken Girls by Linda Hurtado Bond is a thriller.

This is a very well-written book with good world-building and detailed descriptions when it was needed. The plot is engaging, it's a slow built, with suspense and many twists, some of them quite unexpected. Religion, superstitions, and the vigilante act are the main clues in this story. The characters were interesting. Mari was my favorite, she was so stubborn and had a big heart. I liked the chemistry she had with the Detective. The stalker was a nice touch to the story, although I would have liked to find out his intentions.
My favorite part was when she was trying to solve the mystery.

I enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend this to everyone. I will rate it with 4,5 stars.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it’s has me running to find more.

I went into this story blind, not knowing what to expect. It was one of those stories that has you thinking, and wondering what’s going to happen next. Full of suspense!

I’m not sure if there’s another book after this one, but I hope so. It was so good!

All the broken girls take you on a journey of a woman trying to tie the loose ends of a childhood trauma that connects to happenings in current times in her neighborhood.

It was well written but I do feel it was pretty predictable and I figured out the direction of the book pretty early on.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book!

Readers who enjoy reading about other cultures will like this story. Lots of focus on the Cuban-American community and the Santeria religion. Mari, crime reporter has a lot of baggage and difficulties to sort through in this thriller. Interesting read.

Mari is a disgraced crime reporter looking for redemption but when a neighborhood murder is almost identical to her mother's murder years ago her career and possibly her life threatens to go off the rails again. Now she has to team up with a no nonsense Tampa homicide detective to solve several connected murders and outwit a stalker who may also be the murderer.
All the Broken Girls is full of twists, suspects who will keep you guessing, Florida flavor and Santeria. The characters are very complex and well written. I really liked the descriptive writing which puts the reader in the scene right away. The mystery kept me guessing until the reveal with plenty of suspects and twists just when I thought I had it all figured out.

In “All the Broken Girls“ by Linda Hurtado Bond we are thrown into the life of Mari Alvarez. Her mother was murdered ten years ago and the unsolved homicide is always on her mind, especially with her work as a crime reporter. When there are suddenly new murders happening, Mari can’t shack the idea that there are clues meant for her hidden within the crime scenes. But as she puts the puzzle pieces together will she get more than she bargained for?

A nice read with a who done it open ending.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC and Linda Hurtado Bond for the ARC of All the Broken Girls.

It was a pretty good book that started off strong. I enjoyed learning more about Cuban culture and Santeria. The characters were well developed, and the plot was interesting. There were some twists, and there was of subplots going on in the book. I wish it would have been a bit more focused and fleshed out some of the other plots more. I recommend reading All the Broken Girls as it was interesting to try to figure out the killer and to learn about Cuban culture.

Review of eBook

Ten years ago, Marisol Alvarez saw her mother gunned down in the doorway of their home. Now, ten years later, the doorstep murder of another woman right in her West Tampa neighborhood gives Mari an eerie feeling that the two murders are connected.

Two days, two murders. Clues abound, but the killer leaves no DNA behind. However, the killer leaves a doll; one is missing an eye, one is missing a heart. Messages that will trap the killer or personal messages for crime reporter Mari?

What does Santeria have to do with the murders? And can Mari find the answers she seeks before someone else dies?

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Mari’s strength is inspiring and readers will find themselves rooting for her to find the answers she seeks. /with well-defined characters and a strong sense of place, readers will find themselves pulled into the telling of the tale from the outset.

Immersing the reader in the Cuban-American culture and the inclusion of the Santeria rites provide the reader with insight into important elements in the character’s life. The suspense continually builds; an undercurrent of apprehension keeps readers on edge and keeps the tension building throughout the telling of the tale. Family relationships play a large part in the unfolding story and the reader will find the intriguing plot captivating.

There are several interesting plot twists as Mari seeks answers; readers are sure to be caught up in all that’s happening.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Entangled Publishing LLC. Entangled: Amara and NetGalley
#AllTheBrokenGirls #NetGalley

Wow! Linda Hurtado Bond’s All the Broken Girls blew me away! What a wonderful, unique murder mystery! Bond introduces the reader to the Cuban American culture and the Santeria religion in this page turner. Before reading this book, I knew nothing about this culture. Bond does a fabulous job introducing her readers to the culture and traditions and setting the stage for mystifying murders.

Packed with suspense that kept me up late into the night to finish, All the Broken Girls is set in Tampa and tells the story of what transpires in the life of journalist, Marisol Alvarez, when she is brought to a murder scene much like the scene of her own mama’s murder. As similarities occur in more murder scenes and it begins to look as these murders may be related, the reader begins to wonder if justice should be “an eye for an eye.”

Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mari Alvarez is a TV reporter in Tampa. She is back on the job after a brief suspension, but is on shaky ground and essentially on probation and has been taken off the crime beat. However, on her first story, she comes across a murdered woman where elements of the murder harken back to the murder of her mother 10 years ago. More murders follow and Mari is investigating on the sly, convinced the murderer is sending her messages at the crime scenes.

This was suspenseful, and I really enjoyed the immersion in Cuban American culture. The author sets the scene in terms of food, family connections to her abuela, and elements of a Cuban-Afro religion, Santeria. This was a different type of mystery for me.

Santería is a large part of this story and I have to admit I was confused with a lot of the terminology.

The story was super suspenseful and fast paced. Marisol was a crime reporter. She’s been demoted but it’s still in her blood and she can’t help but still investigate.

The backstory was an integral part of what was happening. The ending was left open for more to come.

Broken girls blossom into warriors. Be a warrior, Marisol. Be a warrior.

Overall I enjoyed this story very much and look forward to reading more from this talented author.