Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first in a new series, but links to earlier ones if you are a Cardello faithful. The Corisi links are, I am guessing, going to be revealed as we progress through the series – as they weave through the Romano story.

Undoubtedly this is a very sweet and chemistry driven romance, but it is also full of wonderful humour – I laughed many times at the funny things which (mainly) Heather said, although Sebastian's brothers are good sources too. Usually not intentionally funny, they were fabulous at balancing out the dark which had enveloped Sebastian for far too long. Heather's best friend, Erica, is a great side character and, with her children in tow, she is the vision of normality. I did laugh at the description of the rooms in the house where the two first meet up... I dare you not to create a picture in your mind!

There is not really a good sense of time in the book, mention of a week here and a week there, which sort of makes it seem rather a rushed realisation of their love for each other, but I have a feeling that it worked because once Sebastian woke up, he had no need to be uncertain.

This is a good start to a new series, sets the family dynamics of the Romanos well, and gives us a very enjoyable romance too.

I typically enjoy Ruth Cardello’s books but I struggled with The Broken One. It’s the first in her new Billionaire series but the prologue and the epilogue could have been blended with the rest of the novel a little better. I didn’t see how either helped tell Heather and Sebastian’s story.

Sebastian turned into a ruthless business man even more so after the loss of his wife and unborn child. He doesn’t need anyone but this family until he finds a missing stuffed animal. I struggled to like his character at times. He was portrayed as a loner but jumped in when Heather needed help. A few chapters later he’s running off to Italy only to find he can’t live without Heather and her daughter and declared his undying love.

Heather is a single parent who has carved out a good life for her and her daughter. She has friends who watch out for her and support her. The issue I had with her is she was too wishy washy with Sebastian. I didn’t like how he treated her but she kept reaching out to him. Despite her initial reaction, she didn’t hesitate bringing him into her life.

The drama that was created lacked any angst. I had a hard time with the certain storylines. One being his business and the store takeovers. why someone would visit Heather to discuss his business. They didn’t know it other. The storyline with her father was a bit disjointed for me as well. I still didn’t understand why he contacted her only to berate her life choices.

Since this is the beginning of a series, I’m hopeful the storylines and character development may flow better in the later books. Show the reader how this book and their relationship blends with the prologue and the epilogue.

This book was really special. Sebastian-oh how my heart broke for him. And Heather, well she was exactly what he needed even if he didn't think it was possible. I love how they were brought together by Wolfie, and their family and friends are just the best! The underlying mystery didn't flow really well with the rest of the book, but it didn't distract me from the main story!

I m a huge fan of this author and her first series was outstanding. This book fell short for me, however. The main character was stubborn and annoying, rather than coming off as a tragic hero. The story was just too predictable for me and not unique in my opinion.

This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this book! There were so many layers to this story. Heather and Sebastian have a great romance that shows them healing each other and supporting each other on their journey together. Second chances at love are some of my favorite story types and this one does not disappoint!

The hero Sebastian has been indulging his grief over the loss of his family for years and resists any situations that challenge him to adapt a more optimistic and engaging outlook on life.Enter Heather and her daughter Ava into his life and he has to decide whether to open up his heart and his life to them.Woven into the story is "the secret" that elicits cryptic remarks and sparks curiosity as to the nature of the secret,with subtle hints pointing to one possibility.The swiftness of the main character falling in love was comical, as was the way he tried to sabotage the relationship on more than one occasion.It was however heartwarming to see the changes wrought in the main characters as they learn about each other.Thanks Netgalley for this ARC.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This appears to be the first in a series. I am wondering if it is a spinoff? It seems like things are missing from the very beginning. It reads as 2 separate stories, but there doesn't seem to be a connection. Frustrating. I liked the characters but thought things went very quickly from lust to love like 5 pages and then suddenly wham. It has potential. I give it a 3.

I struggled with this book. It was well written and it had intriguing characters but I just didn't connect with them.

The Broken One had an angsty storyline but the back and forth between the two characters became too overwhelming. I enjoy heartache and drama but it was just a bit too much for me.

However, I will happily check out other books from this author and possibly this series.

I enjoyed the characters, including little Ava and Judy. I became really intrigued at the beginning with the story about Judy and the family tree. It also left me wanting more at the end...what IS the connection??
Heather and Sebastian were good...then not...then good. I felt like they'd just start to connect and then something would happen or be said to push them apart. I felt like Heather's behavior was childish at times, ignoring him and walking away instead of talking.
Then when things did go right it happened too quickly and then done. There were also instances where information was missing, like how did she know his last name? He never told her. I'd also question how he came to be at her house, because I'm sure her address wasn't listed on the Facebook message about Wolfie. Just little things that bugged me so stars got knocked off.
Will I read more in this series? I will definitely read the next one, only because I want to know the connection between the Romano's and the Corisi's.

This was a disappointment. There's been quite a bit of promotion around this series and the high reviews had this as a Want to Read on my Goodreads TBR pile. When I finally had the chance via NetGalley, I stumbled over the opening where the story kicks off. The dialogue between Judy and her aunt didn't jive for me. Judy, particularly, was poorly written as a precocious fantasy child that rang false and annoyed me. Anytime her segment came up, I was ready to throw this story in the trash.

This was a disappointment. There's been quite a bit of promotion around this series and the high reviews had this as a Want to Read on my Goodreads TBR pile. When I finally had the chance via NetGalley, I stumbled over the opening where the story kicks off. The dialogue between Judy and her aunt didn't jive for me. Judy, particularly, was poorly written as a precocious fantasy child that rang false and annoyed me. Anytime her segment came up, I was ready to throw this story in the trash.

Which means, getting through the opening was an ordeal. I thought about dropping this e-galley after a few pages in.

Yes, I stuck it out. The rest was meh -- nothing to deserve the high ratings I've seen. In fact, I wasn't drawn into the insta-lust for the main characters: Him = tragic Beast. Her = single working mom.

The only bright spots were the self-help stuff. Will not waste my time on #2 in series with more Judy.

3.5 Stars
Ruth Cardello has the talent to touch readers' hearts. This tale was no different. She gives us two mail characters who have experienced loss and need to accept the time to move on. By crossing their paths, life has given them a second chance for love.

Oh my goodness so many feels. I greatly adored this story. I haven't read much from Ruth Cardello if anything, but after reading The Broken One she will definitely be one of those authors who I am anxiously watching the release of.

The Broken One wasn't anything I expected. It seemed like there were two stories going on that I think will build throughout the series and I am definitely interested to follow the characters. It seems like the end result will be the two families getting together, but we shall see.

Anyway, let's talk about our main characters. Heather has been taking care of her adopted daughter since the death of her best friend when Ava was born. Heather doesn't regret a single aspect of her life with Ava, but as parents know children have their moments. Ava's is when she lets her stuffed animal get some air while in the car and he falls out. After looking everywhere Heather takes to the internet to see if anyone has spotted Ava's stuffed animal.

Then there's Sebastian. He was a douche canoe. After losing his wife and unborn child in a car accident he closed himself off to everything except work. He grew his father and family empire to a mega-million dollar cooperation and he closed off all feelings for anything outside of work. When he came across Ava's little baby he threw it in the trash. Yeah, in the freaking trash. Upon meeting Heather and Ava he was rude and short but he had an immediate reaction to both of them that he struggled with to his core.

Heather was such a cute and sweet character that just wanted what was best for her daughter. I totally empathized with Heather and just loved her. I liked Sebastian's character as well and I'm glad that when he came out of his shell he was a good person and not a complete troll.

I adored The Broken One and can't wait to see where this series goes. The pacing was very well done.

I liked that each character had their own path to work through and treated their relationship like a real relationship and not some overdramatized thing. It felt like a real relationship. I loved that Heather and Sebastian had a real relationship outside of the sexy times. There were dates and texting and teasing each other. It was very cute.

The Broken One is a must-read with a great and unique story and amazing characters.

I have always loved Ruth Cardello’s books so I was very excited to read her new series! I was drawn in by these characters & their journey!

I can’t wait for more in this series!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

“The Broken One” definitely pulls at your heartstrings....it’s a sweet romance with all the feels that will have your emotions all over the place. When these characters get their HEA it will make you all warm and fuzzy inside that they got their HEA in the end. There is a lot of drama, emotions and romance throughout the whole story that you can not stop reading till you have read every word. This is going to be one epic series by this very talented and amazing author who has me coming back for more and doesn’t matter what she writes I just can’t stop loving her stories and would be lost without her books. One of the best books of 2019 and is on the top five for me. You need this book on your reading list like right now and not just on it but it should be the next book you read. You won’t regret it at all! Happy reading!

The Broken One by Ruth Cardello is my first book by this author. In it we meet Sebastian, a beautifully damaged and scarred widower. Not only did he lose his college sweetheart in a car accident but his unborn child as well. Years later and he is still suffering the loss as if it were yesterday. Heather is a motivated young woman with a heart of gold. When her unwed college roommate dies giving birth to a beautiful little girl, Heather adopts her and raises her as her own. These two unlikely people meet and an instant attraction draws them together in a cat and mouse game of give and take, should I shouldn’t I, hot together chemistry that cannot be denied moments. When they both finally accept their need for one another their happily ever after is ever so sweet and together they both are no longer broken.

I loved this book and stayed up all night reading it. It’s interesting that it’s two stories in one. Loved getting to know young Judy Corisi as she’s trying to figure out her family tree. The main story is of how Sebastian finds a stuffed animal (Wolfie). This leads him to meeting Heather and her daughter Ava. But is he broken? He’s still mourning the loss of his pregnant wife. It’s an emotional journey for these two and they help each other heal. It’s a great ending too that left me with happy tears. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this book to its core. A very heart felt emotional read. I don't know how I got through those first few chapters because it was so heart wrenching. I felt bad for both of their losses. Then I experienced happy tears. Just thankful that they found each other.

Arc provided for honest review.

I have to say that I enjoy reading and the best thing I enjoy is not just the story but also finding new authors. And this was my first book by this author and it was an awesome read.

Sebastian Romano was a broken man. He lost his pregnant wife and he is just lost, sad and alone, angry, guilt-ridden and just done. Until he find a stuffed animal along the road. And for some reason he just can't seem to make himself get rid of this toy. And well good for him on not getting rid of this toy, cause it might just be what saves him from his brokenness

Ava was Heather's adopted daughter and her "Wolfe" (stuffed animal) was her angel. And now she has lost him and she can't sleep without him. Heather being the best mother she can be did everything to find her daughter's toy even placing an add and offering a reward. What she didn't expect was Sebastian Romano.

This book is about being broken after you have lost something that is priceless and you can never get that back, or you think you can't. And that is how Sebastian was. He was angry over his lost and didnt want to get to know Heather and her daughter. But fate wont be denied and these two were definitely a good match. Heather was strong, independent and definitely not a pushover. Heather not just helped Sebastian but he also healed her in a way she didn't think she needed. Definitely a story that you cant stop reading and you can't stop hoping that Heather will break through to Sebastian but also rooting for them to have their happily ever after

Sebastian was broken by the deaths of his wife and unborn child in a car accident. He spent the next several years focused almost exclusively on building the family business, ignoring his family’s attempts to bring him back among the living.

Heather has built an accounting business, while also raising an adopted daughter as a single mother. While she misses having a man in her life, she isn’t sure that she has time for anyone else or that she could trust a man to not leave her like her mother did when she was a child.

Sebastian and Heather meet under unusual circumstances and definitely do not hit it off at first, despite being attracted to each other. Can two lonely people with a lot of emotional baggage overcome that to find love?

(I found the sidebars with nine-year old Judy to be distracting and confusing. Isn’t there a different way to create a connection between the books in this series?)

I absolutely love reading every second of this book. Didn't want to stop reading it. I love reading.