SOMETIMES MOVING ON MEANS MOVING INPixie Marshall wishes every day she could turn back time and fix the past. But she can't. And the damage is done. She's hoping that a summer of free room and board working with her aunt at the Willow Inn will help her forget. Except there's a problem: the resident handyman is none other than Levi Andrews. The handsome quarterback was once her friend-and maybe more--until everything changed in a life-shattering instant. She was hoping to avoid him, possibly forever. Now he's right down the hall and stirring up feelings Pixie thought she'd long buried . . .Levi can't believe he's living with the one person who holds all his painful memories. More than anything he wants to make things right, but a simple "sorry" won't suffice--not when the tragedy that scarred them was his fault. Levi knows Pixie's better off without him, but every part of him screams to touch her, protect her, wrap her in his arms, and kiss away the pain. Yet even though she's so close, Pixie's heart seems more unreachable than ever. Seeing those stunning green eyes again has made one thing perfectly clear--he can't live without her.
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This book was received from Inkslinger PR
in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved Chelsea’s YA Archers of Avalon series, so
when I saw that she was coming out with a NA book, I had to have it! And I
loved it so much!
Pixie was my type of heroine. She was really sweet and clumsy
and I loved the sass that she had, especially when she dealt with Levi. She was
kind of awkward but really lovable and had the kind of quirk I really like in
heroines. Her inner monologue was a total delight to read, especially her
reactions to Levi.
Now on to Levi. Side note: I really love his name! Goodness
I loved him. He is weighed down so much by something that shouldn’t and I hated
to see him suffering. He was really the sweetest guy ever so I couldn’t fault
him on anything he did. Can I pretty please have my own Levi?
Chelsea’s writing is really relatable and hilarious. In her
YA series, the two main characters had such great chemisty and it is the same
with Pixie and Levi. Sharing a bathroom between two rooms can be a bit weird
but I loved their strange encounters and heated glances.
There is just something about Chelsea Fine’s books that hook
me in and make me want to stay forever. Best Kind of Broken was no different!
Favorite Swoon-worthy Quote: His mouth moves against mine and he wraps his hands around my body,
holding me steady, setting me free. My lips part and his tongue sweeps inside,
pulling hot breaths from my chest as our tongues meet and mend. I grip his
shoulders, trying to climb up his body so I can sink into him. His hands lock
on to my waist and his fingers slip under the raised hem on my shirt, pressing
into my back. I can feel each pad of his fingers, like small flames branding
fingerprints into my hips, my spine, my bare skin.
Rating: 4.5/5 Tar Heels!
1- When did you begin writing? Why did you decide to become a writer?I guess I’ve always been writing in some way or another—short stories, poems, songs—ever since I learned how to read. But my passion for writing books began in college. I took a creative writing course that made me realize how much writing energized me. I didn’t decide to become a “writer” (at least not as far as a profession) until after my first book, Sophie & Carter, was published. Sophie & Carter came out and, at first, it was just a really fun and incredible experience for me. Like “Wow! This little writing hobby of mine just went hardcore!” But then my husband encouraged me to pursue writing as a full-time career. So I took a leap and oh! Best. Decision. Ever.
2- I LOVE Best Kind of Broken, so I am curious as to what your inspiration was for the book?Oh yay! I’m so happy you liked BKOB! J My inspiration for it was the song “One More Night” by Maroon 5. Listening to that song, I thought up a story idea about two ex-childhood friends who are forced to be neighbors and share a bathroom, and fight all the time as their sexual tension grows. Originally, I wanted it to be a really light-hearted comedy. But once I started writing it, my characters started to get a little deep and ended up having a tragic thread in their backstory. Haha. Oh characters. Always changing the rules. But I’m glad it went that way because I love Levi and Pixie’s story now.
3- What books or authors have influenced you the most in life?The most influential book I’ve ever read was the War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It completely changed the way I view my creative energy and motivation. But as far as novels go, The Notebook was the first love story that ever made me want to write a love story. Before reading Nicholas Sparks, I was really into writing mysteries. But after reading The Notebook I was like, “Oh man. I never knew love stories could be be powerful.” And Veronica Roth’s writing style is what I would call AH-MAZING. When I finished Divergent, I closed the book and said, out loud, “I will never be able to write that well for as long as I live.” I was FLOORED by her voice. I want to be Veronica Roth when I grow up.
4- What was the hardest part in writing this book?The heartache. Best Kind Of Broken has some tragic story elements and even though I knew what was coming and that my characters were going to be okay, I still went on that sorrowful journey with them. And I cried. Haha. Boy did I cry! I cried all over my keyboard. The emotional turmoil really did a number on me. But I like it when my books kick my butt like that. Haha.
5- How do you begin to organize your writing process when you are starting a new project?Organize? Uh… Well, the short answer is I don’t. Haha. I mean, I try, but no matter how much planning and prep I put into a project, things always take a wild turn. But generally speaking, I write a loose outline (no more than a few paragraphs) and set a word count goal. Then based on my goal, I set up a writing schedule with a targeted word count minimum each day. Then I throw on my music and start typing!
6- Are any of your character's traits similar to you or to people you know?Oh yeah! J Most of my characters are based on people in my real life. (Loosely.) In Best Kind Of Broken, I based Jenna’s character (with all her tattoos and honesty and laid back nature) on my good friend, Kristen. I based Zack (with his happiness and charismatic energy) on my friend, Josh. And I based my male protagonist, Levi, (with his brooding guilt, competitive nature, and protective instincts) on my husband, Brett.
7- What advice would you give to aspiring writers?BE FEARLESS! Writing is like giving life to a piece of your soul so it can be scary sometimes to share your writing with the world. But I say, “Take a chance!” Put yourself—and your story—out there and believe in yourself. And BE FEARLESS.
This or That: 1- Peeta or Gale? Gale!
2- Ron or Harry? Harry!
3- Physical book or e-copy? Physical book!
4- Pen and paper or computer? Pen and paper for personal notes of affection or encouragement. Computer for everything else!
5- Prince William or Prince Harry? Prince Harry!
6- Beach or mountains? Beach!
7- Cookies or brownies? Brownies! Mmm…
About the Author:
Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She’s ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.Find Chelsea at:
