There are times when I read and get lost in the story, the people, the places, their thoughts, their pains, their happiness and their truths. You will find all those facets in The Wreckage of Us. But Brittainy C. Cherry always finds a way to make each step down the road so much more vivid, so much more alive. 

Hazel Stone is young with strengths unseen. Independent and smart, she is the uncut diamond people don’t know about. Her skillset is too large to count and she holds all cards close to the vest. But Hazel has demons in her life that constantly torture her spirit, mind and soul. And while she battles those elements, the human factors around her are no less tasking. Destined for great things, her path is clear, but her ability to get there is blurred.

Ian Parker is that driven alpha you hear about. As so many small town young men do, his goal is to get the hell out of town, no matter what it takes. If he can just get that break he is looking for his wishes could come true. But behind that hard yet sexy persona lies pain that is so much deeper, and so much more damaging. Ian may look the part and play the part but maintaining the illusion when reality strikes could destroy him.

Two young people from opposite sides of town can make a very powerful force. What one may see in the other can be a positive strengthening thing, and vice-versa. Reading this story I could feel their struggles as if they were my own yet I have never been exposed to their hardships. Watching those that loved them, support and encourage them to grow individually and together was heartwarming. Watching them discover what so many others around them already knew was special.

Once started, this story was hard to put down. Brittainy C. Cherry pushed buttons on subjects that not many are aware of… or refuse to acknowledge exist. But I can say WOW what a way to bring it together and give them that happily ever after I was cheering for. There are not enough stars to begin to attach to this story to express my appreciation and enjoy in reading it. I will end by saying so very well done and I look forward to your next endeavor.

I loved this book, its depth, its heart, the pacing, the relationship between the main and the secondary characters... Brittainy C Cherry's words hurt you, make you cry, make you love and heal you.

Ian first seems like a grumpy, arrogant and mean guy, he's not kind with Hazel because he's angry with the two people she lives with. But he quickly grows on you and shows his best side. He becomes her best friend, her support, her first and only love. I loved his relationship with his amazing grandparents and his friends who are more like brothers. I loved his passion for music, his need to play and sing but always by staying true to himself. With his band, they play because they love music and making people happy, and because they have things to say and to feel. Absolutely not to be famous and rich, losing their souls on the way. I loved how Hazel becomes his muse, how she helps the band again and again.
Hazel is so mature for her young age, she's a true fighter, she's caring and protective. With her drug addict mother she was the one responsible, the one who took care and she does this with everyone. Even if her childhood was really tough she never built walls around her, she feels, she loves, she hopes.
I loved watching them get to know each other, fight together and become this sweet and strong couple. Despite their young age they both know what's really important in life and they are not afraid to work very hard. They want what's best for the other and they love each other with their whole heart.
"It's possible this is forever ours. It's possible we'll reach the stars. We'll fight for this, we'll make it real. "
The secondary characters will steal your heart! Especially Ian's grandfather.

The Wreckage of Us is the emotional story of two young enemies who become lovers. A story of passion, dreams, family, friendship, hope and love. The funny parts balanced perfectly with the sad ones. It's raw, it's painful, it's beautiful.

My advice though : don't read the blurb, it reveals too much of the story. ;-)

All her life Hazel Stone never knew the security and comfort of a safe home. Determined to change her life, she worked hard on the farm owned by the town’s rockstar Ian Parker’s family. But he didn’t make it easy for her life or her heart.

This book was definitely different from the author’s usual works. It was younger, lighter, and funnier. I loved the first haft if the book but as I feared it reached the point where it was stereotypically cliche and somewhat cheesy later in the book.

I loved Hazel’s sassy goth personality. There were several hilarious situations throughout the book between her and Ian. Even though I didn’t like some of the decisions they made, I liked how their lives were connected.

The Wreckage of Us is a story of life-changing decisions. It would appeal to readers who enjoy small-town N/A Romance.

Note: If you plan to read this book I suggest don't read the blurb. I'm glad I didn't because it gave away major plots in the story.

5 confession-I-want-you stars!

Beautiful, funny, emotional and heart-melting. Loved this story so much!

"The hard shell that she wore on the daily was to protect her from getting hurt, and in that split second, I saw her truths slip out through her eyes."

Hazel Stone is eighteen and lives in nowhere town of Eres, Nebraska. The jobs are few and far between but she's desperate and willing to do anything to earn a wage. When she lands a job at the local ranch, she's horrified to be trained by Ian Parker, the "Playboy Rockstar of Eres". He thinks he's God's gift and she seriously can't stand his arrogant ass, especially when they get off to a very inauspicious start.

"Never in a million years did I think it would be Ian Parker who saved me during some of the hardest days of my life."

Ian can't wait to hit the big time and leave the small town where he grew up. Sure, he loves his grandparents but he knows his future is far from Eres. He's angry when he has to train up Hazel Stone. Not just because a girl like her can't possibly cope with the labour required on the ranch, but also because of her connections and how they affected his life. He plans to make her life miserable so she'll quit. However, the snarky, sarcastic young woman surprises him over and over again with her determination and work ethic. When circumstance force them to co-habitat, he uncovers more sides to Hazel - sides that he is undeniably attracted to.

"You've been my light, my muse, my inspiration, Haze...you are every star in the goddamn sky. You are my galaxy."

Gaaah!! The writing in this story really grabbed me. Hazel has such an indomitable spirit. She's so focused on doing what's right. She's unafraid to step up and courageous in speaking her truths. She had such a rough time of it with her family background but her kindness and light shone through, and I loved how she found her niche and her tribe at the ranch. Her budding friendship with Ian was delightful, tender and heart-melting. I loved the comfort she found in his presence and his care of her.

"You're kind of my compass. I don't want to lose myself in this world. You're my roadmap home."

Ian was such a jerk towards her initially although he was actually a pretty decent guy. I enjoyed that he was willing to get to know her once he'd seen a glimpse of the real Hazel beneath her Goth armour. I thrilled at his desire for her and charmed by the "Confession" game he loved to play with her, just so he could delve deeper into what made her tick. I loved that she changed him, brought down his walls, and made him see the good and wonderful in what life and love had to offer.

This was a beautiful, humorous and passionate love song of a story. Ian and Hazel were a match made in heaven.

This is a typical Brittainy Cherry love story and its brilliant.  Brittainy just has a way of grabbing her reader’s attention and not letting go. This is exactly what happened to me while reading The Wreckage of Us.

Hazel is a young, 18 year old girl who has never had it easy. And she’s determined to succeed and make it on her own while trying to save up all she can to try to support her drug addicted mom who is pregnant with her sister. She goes to work at Big Paw’s Ranch because they pay the best of anywhere in town. Little did she know that she would have to work alongside Ian Parker, the town’s rockstar heartthrob and manwhore.

But Hazel’s first impression of Ian was completely wrong, as most are and the two characters develop the greatest relationship over the course of the book.

Not one to be missed, The Wreckage of Us is worth the time investment. A thoroughly enjoyable and magical read for sure.

The first part of this book, I had a knot in my throat, I was so immensely moved and saddened.  This author took her heroine to the worst possible situation, touch rock bottom, and instead of bowing down in defeat, she straightened those shoulders and literally crawled out of that deep hole.  I loved the heroine, and admired her strong spirit, so courageous!

The story happens in Eres, Nebraska, a nowhere town. “Eres, Nebraska was a place unknown to most of the world. We walked on dirt roads and most of our pockets were dirt poor. If you had a job in Eres, you were a lucky one, though still, it probably didn’t pay you much of anything. You worked paycheck-to-paycheck if you were fortunate. If you weren’t lucky, you’d probably take a loan out with Big Paw.”

Hazel wants to work in Big Paw’s ranch, although Big Paw expected her to work in the restaurant.  Hazel wants to work in the ranch because the wages are higher and she needs money to prepare for her mother’s pregnancy.  They live with her mother’s husband who is the town’s drug lord.  He’s abusive, dangerous and evil.  He has her mother under his control, drugging her to make her compliant.  When he throws her out of the house, and her mother agrees, Hazel is devastated.  Suddenly homeless and with nowhere to go, she shelters in a rundown shed in Big Paw’s ranch.  

She’s assigned to train under Ian Parker, Big Paw’s grandson.  Hazel wasn’t happy about the assignment but had no choice.  He works her hard, giving her the worst tasks with no consideration.  Instead of running scared, Hazel works endlessly and hard and comes on top.

“The idea of being trained by Ian Parker made me want to gag. He was known as the playboy Rockstar of Eres. Ian graduated three years before me, and I was the lucky girl to have my locker right beside his during my freshman year. Which meant I had a front row and center viewing of him swapping spit with whatever small town groupie was wrapped around his pinky at the time.”

Initially, I disliked Ian, thought he was a spoiled pretty boy who had it easy.  Living rent-free in his grandfather’s house, singing in a rock band and writing songs.  He scorned Hazel because she represented to him the scourge of drugs that took his parents away.  He was forced to offer her a room in his house, but kept the attitude until eventually her character and disposition started to change his mind.

I loved Hazel.  Even when she was rock bottom, she kept loving her mother and trying to help her.  When things went down in the worst way, she kept looking for ways to help her mother and insisted on taking care of her baby sister.  In the midst of chaos and disaster, she keeps on loving and giving.  She’s the definition of true grit.  

Ian started as a spoiled guy but he grew up.  I loved that even though he achieved fame, he stayed devoted to his girl.  Even with their rocky relation, with all the events coming up against them, they were true to each other.

This story was so emotional and satisfying.  Many times I was brought to tears with Hazel’s trials, then made happy again with all the help she got from unexpected sources.  There’s a lot of love and family feelings in this intense story! Loved it!

Am I all that surprised of all the feelings that were unleashed while reading this book? No, not one bit. When it comes to Brittainy C. Cherry it’s expected for her writing to bring all the emotions and leave you a teary-eyed mess. And one thing is abundantly clear, once you finish reading a Ms. Cherry novel a piece of your heart will be left scattered in those pages.

Ian Parker was something else. He had me feeling so many things and I honestly didn’t know how to feel about him after some of the things he did, but in the end I more than warmed up to him. He burrowed so deep in my heart—I loved him so much. There’s so much more to Ian than what he lets people see. He’s built walls in order not to get hurt. But one bright side in his life is music. More than anything he wants to make music and for his band and him to get their big break.

Hazel Stone is a fighter. She hasn’t had the best childhood and is determined to make something of her life. She’s caring and selfless and will do anything in her power for the people she loves. I loved her kind heart and wanted her to find that happiness she more than deserved.  

Ian and Hazel were so perfect for each other. They might have not started off that way, but once they got to know each other there was no mistaking their connection. I loved how Hazel was real with Ian and didn’t sugarcoat things. She was there for him and helped him dig deep and find the emotional side to his music. And Ian was just as an amazing friend and was there for Hazel no matter what. I loved Ian and Hazel’s friendship so much and when they gave in to their feelings it was just another reason why they fit perfectly.

The Wreckage of Us was an absolute treasure. A beautiful story about two people trying to find their way and ultimately leading them to each other. Ian and Hazel’s love story is everything heartfelt and exceptional. I loved Ian and Hazel and also loved the secondary characters, especially Big Paw and Holly. Ms. Cherry once again delivered with the emotional aspect and also with a beautiful story—I loved this book.

Every melody chases her heartbeat...

What. How does Brittainy do this every time?! She writes such amazing stories that always touch my heart. The Wreckage of Us is no exception I loved this story! It’s such a sweet small town story with great lives all around. I love how magical Brittainy makes it all feel, and of course all the good angst! This is such a perfect love story, it doesn’t get better than this...until Brittainy’s next release!!

Brittainy Cherry is one of my favorite authors. She has been since I read her first book years ago and she always will be. It pains me to give any of her books below a 4 star, but alas, here we are. This is not to say in any way, shape, or form that this book is bad, because it's not. It's good. It's entertaining and you're not entirely sure what to expect. The reason for the 3 stars is simply because it's missing the Brittainy Cherry "pizazz." I feel like the emotion and depth that we usually get from her books is just not there. There were moments where the interactions between Ian and Hazel came off as a little cookie cutter and cheesy, which doesn't jive with her usual writing style. 

However, there are a lot of good points. The storyline was well developed and very much thought all the way through. There aren't any loose ends and we definitely get a HEA. I did really like both characters and I thought they brought out the best in each other. Their never ending support and unconditional love for each other was perfect and I loved how they went from enemies to lovers. 

Overall, you'll more than likely like this book, but if you're an avid BC reader, just don't expect the usual water works and grittiness we're used to getting from her stories.

My Review:
Another good book from Brittainy C. Cherry. It was good to read, but it wasn't my favorite book from the author.
The story is about a guy, named Ian who is an amazing musician, the lead singer of a band which is so popular in his hometown. He is a ladies man, every girl  wants him and he has a lot of affairs. But it seems that he is more than a womanizer, he helps his grandparents and works on their farm, Ian has some problems because of his childhood. Of course he just needed a extravagant girl who changed him. It was predictable but I didn't care. 
Hazel (I love her name) is in a really difficult situation. Her mother is pregnant and a drug addict, her stepfather a drug dealer. Because of this she is alone, doesn't have friends, she has to take care of herself. As I said, she is extravagant- she always wears black and her makeup is too much- but everything is for a reason, and of course she slowly changed because of Ian.
Despite the fact that the story was predictable I liked it. But I was missing something. I loved the book's second half more, it became more exciting. I think the characters were too good. Ian became a perfect boyfriend, and a too perfect guy, and Hazel was too self-sacrificing in my opinion.
So I liked the story, especially the second half of it. The plot was good, but I think there could have been more complications in it. The dual point of view was good for the story, but the characters could have been more complex, not so perfect. But these aside I liked the book and the author's style (as always). It was a beautifully written story. 4*
 
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Brittainy has become one of my must read authors. Every book that she writes is different than the last one and every one is exceptional. I don't know how she does it but there is something about her writing that never fails to pull me in. I loved the way Ian and Hazel's relationship develops. The prickly way they are with each other, the way they try and dodge their feelings it all felt so natural. I adored Hazel she was such a selfless young woman. Ian was not someone I liked from the start but as the story progressed you realise it is all a defense mechanism. Grams and Big Paw Paw were the glue that bound all of them together their kindness and support made be love them so much.  Another amazing book from one of my favourite storytellers.

Hazel and Ian were amazing. They both come from troubled backgrounds that made them strong people. Hazel is a person who would do anything for the people that she loves. She has grown up not really being shown a lot of love. She finds herself homeless and in need of work. She begins working on Ian’s family ranch. Ian does not like her from the start. He really has no idea what kind of person she is until he eventually gives her a chance. This was a sweet love story.

If the summer is not hot enough for you then pick up The Wreckage of Us by Brittainy Cherry.  This enemies to lover’s romance is a slow burn that will set your summer on fire.   I just couldn’t put this book down.  I loved the characters and the small-town country scenes; Brittainy Cherry did a wonderful job telling Ian and Hazel’s story, there is nothing you can do but fall in love with these characters.  If only there were real men out there like Ian who can shovel pig-poop and sing you to sleep and tell you everything’s going to be ok, and if it’s not…well it’s not the end of the story.  5-stars for The Wreckage of Us by Brittainy Cherry. 
Hazel Stone needed a job and the only place to get that in her small Nebraska town was at Eres Ranch.  The Ranch is a hard job and Hazel almost gets discouraged when she finds out that her immediate supervisor and trainer will be none other than Ian Parker. Ian was the lead singer of The Wreckage and the band was going to make it big one day.  Hazel is determined to make enough money to get her mom away from her drug dealing stepfather, but Hazel’s plan goes sideways.  With Ian now gone, Hazel is taking on the Ranch, trying to go to school and raise her infant sister while her mom is in prison.   Ian and Hazel almost had a shot but outside force seem to control their lives and push them apart.   Only a miracle can fix the relationship between Ian and Hazel, but maybe with the stars twinkling down on them they can repair The Wreckage that they have become.

LOOOOVVVVVED the story line!

I always enjoy Brittainy C Cherry's books and this was no different. This made my heart feel happy. I enjoyed the way the characters stayed true to themselves, unlike so many "musician" books. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to make their soul feel happy.

When we meet Hazel, it is clear that she is in dire straits. Her only saving grace is getting a job at the local ranch, but that also means working alongside Ian. At the beginning of this book, Ian is a big jerk. He has a giant chip on his shoulder that distorts how he sees Hazel. He blames her for things that are beyond her control and while he doesn't want to give her a chance, he doesn't have a choice. And Hazel's perception of Ian is not great either. Let's just say their first interaction pretty much sums up why she is not a fan of Ian's. They don't get off to a great start, but Hazel is determined to prove her worth to those around her. 

It doesn't take long for either of them to realize their mistake. Ian and Hazel form a unlikely friendship that slowly turns into one hell of love story. It's one that will definitely take you on an emotional journey, but it it is well worth it!

Brittainy's books always feel different from everything else that I read. The stories shes tells feel rooted in the real world and I appreciate that. She stays away from the stereotypical billionaire characters and the women who love them. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I've read plenty of those books, but it's nice to read something different every now and then. 

I always look forward to Brittainy's books and I can't wait to see what she brings us next.

”Sometimes it just takes time to get to the happy lyrics.”

Brittainy Cherry gives us another beautiful standalone with The Wreckage of Us.

This is the story of Hazel Stone and Ian Parker. I wouldn’t say they’re enemies, but Ian sure makes Hazel’s life pretty hellish for the first few chapters. They’re both still reeling from their poor home lives and learning to cope. Their commonalities and connection are electric.

Hazel becomes Ian’s muse for his band, The Wreckage. After they make it big, the story unfolds. Without giving it away, Ian and Hazel are soulmates if I’ve ever read them. Small town live with big time dreams.

Another ace in the hole. Brittainy Cherry brings us tears and laughter on each page. This one is a book to be savored.

This was super cute. It’s no secret I love Brittany Cherry’s books, she definitely has a way with words and her stories are some of my favorites. This was definitely a solid story and I enjoyed it so much more than the last book of hers I read, Southern Storms. I went into this story completely blind and was definitely surprised by the story and the plot, which I wasn’t expecting at all. Not sure why I thought this would be a second chance romance, but instead it was more of a friends to lovers/small town/rockstar romance. Ian and Hazel were both super cute and super likable and extremely romantic, once their romance bloomed, they were both completely all in and it was just beautiful to read. I gave this one 4 stars because I feel it’s missing some of the feels and magic that some previous B. Cherry books have had, but it was a great read nonetheless. Absolutely recommend!

You know when you are lucky enough to receive a ARC of this author, and you try to put it off, because you know its going to be so good that you wont be able to stop yourself from finishing the whole book, but also because you know its going to be flippen emotional.
Hazel hasn’t had the easiest of lives. When she turns eighteen she is thrown out of the house by her stepdad. So when she looks for work and gets a job on a ranch owned by the Parkers she counts herself lucky. However the grandson of the owners cant understand why his grandparents hired this goth-looking women. And he sure doesn’t want to be the one to show her around. So he tries to make her life difficult and vows that he will make her work harder than anyone else, in hopes that that she will leave. But in the end does he really want her to leave?

Why did I get the feeling that there was nothing black about her soul? It felt more like her soul was simply battered and bruised-something else we had in common.

The both of them have different views on life. He is a musician who wants to make it big and all Hazel wants is a better life for her and her mother. So of course they are doomed from the start, right… But the more time they spend together the tighter their bond becomes.

"You've been my light, my muse, my inspiration. Haze...you are every star in the sky. You are my galaxy."

As usual Brittainy C Cherry tells a story filled with friendship, family, loyalty. Fun, sweet, angst filled and sadness is what you feel reading this book. I loved this couple. You would have thought that when you first met Ian that he would be a total a** but you get to see him change as he has some issues himself to get through. Hazel was my hero. What she went through you would think that it would break her, but she is strong determined to work hard and build a better life for herself. Another story by this author that is a favorite of mine and one that I can highly recommend.

This book was an emotional journey. 

Hazel is such a strong and determined lady who is rising up and taking charge of her life despite her circumstances. She is such a fierce female character. She is hard-working and so caring of her mother and family. 

Ian is a complex person. He is rude to Hazel because of her connections. So their relationship starts out as a hate relationship that forms into friendship and then love. I loved reading about their relationship changing. It was amazing to see them warm up to each other. Their relationship definitely had its moment when Ian was on tour with the band, The Wreckage.

This book gave me all the feels and emotions. I loved every minute of it.

Another Winner!

With a title like The Wreckage of Us, I expecting nothing but a heart wrenching tale from Brittainy Cherry. The woman can write angst and heart ache like no other and I couldn't wait to see what was in store for Ian and Hazel.

Hazel hasn't had it easy and at eighteen years old, she's looking for a job to help support her mother and unborn sibling, which is how she finds herself working on Ian's family farm. In her small town, jobs are rare, so slopping pig pens it is for Hazel. She's not afraid of a hard days work, anything for her family. What she is scared of, well not scared as much as annoyed by, is Ian Parker, royalty of the farm, a spoiled womanizer. What she doesn't realize is that her and Ian have more in common than she could ever imagine.

Hazel was written strong with a soft side. She will fight tooth and nail for her family, yet still put herself aside to help others. I really liked her character and how she never changed her ways throughout the story. She started strong and finished strong. Ian on the other hand, was a different story. I wasn't a huge fan of his and he never really grew on me. I can't pinpoint why, it was a number of things I suppose.

We are on a roller coaster ride of feelings and emotions with these two. Are they a couple, are they just friends? There was a lot to figure out and I was glad to have all kinds of friends and family to help the story along. These are young kids with big decisions to make and as you read, all you can hope for is the best. With Brittainy Cherry, you know the road isn't going to be an easy one to travel for our main characters. There will be lots of angst along the way.

The Wreckage of Us is well written and reads as a stand alone. I have been a fan of this author for years and this book shows why. There is a little bit of everything in Hazel and Ian's story and I enjoyed every page.

Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.