Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. What an amazing and touching story! The story was excellent and the characters were so relatable. I thought I knew exactly where this story was going but in the end it surprised me. Very heartwarming and charming read. Highly recommend

This was such a heartwarming read about found family.

It was interesting to read how the characters found each other when they needed each other most. Also interesting to now read a book where COVID is the time frame.

Will definitely read more by this author!

I think what I said on my Bookstagram sums it up best: OMG. This. Book!!! Seriously, do yourself a favor and read Morning in This Broken World. It's everything I love in a book and more. So. So. SO incredible!!! I loved all the characters and the narrative was just...*chef's kiss*.
The story touches on a lot of different topics: grief, LGBTQ+, disability, poverty, Alzheimer's, and, of course, Covid. It takes place at the beginning of the pandemic, when it was still such a scary time for everyone and toilet paper was scarce. Most of it takes place in the spring and summer and I could actually feel the heat on the hottest days. The descriptions brought everything to life so well without taking away from the narrative. Everything and everyone just felt so real.

I just loved the relationships between the characters and how it took a while to build trust, but how rewarding it felt when that trust was achieved. There's just so much heart to the story and I loved seeing the perspectives of Vivian, Luna, Wren, and Cooper. They each had distinct voices and I cared so much about all four of them. Cooper even reminded me a bit of Kenny from Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter's Dead.

All I can say to sum this up is...just go read it!!! I still can't stop thinking about it and I have a feeling it will stick with me for a long time.

Movie casting suggestions:
Vivian: Annette O'Toole
Luna: Catalina Sandino Moreno
Cooper: Christopher Convery
Cal: Aaron Paul

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TW: suicidal ideation, cancer, addiction

Absolutely loved this. The way the whole story flowed through each character was so refreshing.
I ugly cried at this one because it was so relevant and so well written that you genuinely cared for the characters.

A story of love and hope told in a very thoughtful and poignant way!

I love Katrina Kittle’s books and was thrilled when this novel was released. In just a few pages I was once again engrossed in a fantastic story.

Story begins in March 2020 at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s told from the perspective of four main characters. Those amazing characters, Vivian, Luna, Cooper, and Wren quickly stole my heart.

The story was engaging and well written. Though it dealt with difficult subject matter like the pandemic, illness, death, addiction, and poverty, it still had many lighthearted laugh out loud moments. A story about what it means to be a family. Not just the family we are born into but the family we choose to create ourselves.

A beautifully written life-affirming read!

Katrina Kittle knows how to evoke the emotions of readers with her writing. I shed many tears while reading this book.

Once again, Katrina Kittle has written a story with a terrific cast of characters I won’t soon forget.



I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

As a 70 year old, I often think in fear of being alone. So this book immediately sparked my interest. It was filled with hope and kindness, and I’m so glad and found so much comfort and reading it. Great interaction between the characters and I totally believable plied. Thank you for my advanced copy.

I had wanted to read this right away, but it had pretty much a checklist of traumas I had recently experienced so I needed a pause before diving in.

Eventually I dive in because I knew I could trust Katrina Kittle to write a story about painful, difficult and uncomfortable things while keeping her readers safe. Which she did.

I love a book about extended found families and coming-of-age stories where those growing are of all different ages.

Beautiful book full of hope and advocacy and acceptance and love. Thank you, Katrina. Thank you.

This book was pretty good. I couldn’t get into it the first 3 times I tried but I decided to give it another try and it finally captured my interest. Think it was because I knew where the storyline was going. In the end it was the writing and the few surprises that made this a worthwhile read. I didn’t want to DNF a Katrina Kittle book.

This book will have you laughing out loud and sniffling the next. I loved all the characters in the book and how each one was unique and different. Vivian Laurent is devastated she has just lost the love of her life and living in assisted living. She becomes friends with one of the aids and falls deeply for her daughter. Covid hits and turns life upside down. They decided to seek refuge in Vivian’s big home. She discovers that she has cancer and her friends are hiding from an abusive husband and father. The book will have you feeling lots of emotions. Definitely a page turner.

The bright cover is what drew me to this book and the compelling story is what led me to reading it fairly quickly. I loved the idea of “found family” throughout and enjoyed getting to know all the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this novel of an older woman who is struggling after her husband dies during the Covid pandemic. She finds purpose in helping one of his caregivers who is also having a difficult time. I love the main and the ancillary characters.

My heart was aching for Vivian in this book. I was able to feel her pain and the author made sure we understand how difficult life is for her. On the contrary, Wren was such a breath of fresh air. She brought life into the book. I loved the balance of the character and how the plot turned out to be. This is my first book by Katrina Kittle but for sure its not going to be the last.

Morning in the broken world is set during the Covid lockdown. Following the death of Vivian’s husband, she moves from the assisted living facility and invites one of his favourite nursing assistants and her children to move in with her. It’s a lovely heart warming story about what makes a family and that it’s not always blood!

This sweet, poignant story will remind you that the family we choose is family indeed. Seventy-four year old Vivian Laurent has recently been widowed after losing the love of her life. Her adult daughter hasn’t been heard from in years and Vivian is not even sure if she is still alive. When the assisted living facility where her husband lived goes into lockdown, Vivian discovers that her favorite nurse Luna and her children are facing eviction with nowhere to go. Feisty and loving Vivian will make a decision that will change everyone’s lives including her own.

With strong themes of friendship, family and the human experience we all share, the characters in this story are lovable, caring and compassionate. I was unsure about how much I would enjoy another story set during Covid but this one was really special and truly enjoyable.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Katrina Kittle for the opportunity to read Morning in This Broken World in exchange for my honest opinion.

I could not put this down! As someone who worked in healthcare during the pandemic I felt this book in my soul. What an amazing story! I freaking loved Vivian. I will not be able to forget about this book. So so good. 5 Stars!!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read this book.

I have said multiple times that Covid doesn’t bother me in books, but it’s more than a backdrop in this book. And the early scenes brought back a lot of emotion on how we felt as the pandemic first hit. If you aren’t ready for that, skip this one. At the heart of the book, it’s about found family but there are so many other issues brought in - family estrangement, death of a spouse, cancer, a disabled child, eviction, divorce, homophobia, long covid, coming out, even addiction is touched upon. It’s a lot and I feel like the book might have landed a little better if only a few issues had been the focus. It’s a relatively quick read so a lot seems to get glossed over. But I loved Vivian, as well as Steve and Drew and how protective they were of her. I cried at the end (duh). Another reviewer mentioned this would be a great limited series, and I can totally see that!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

"Morning in This Broken World" by Katrina Kittle promises to be an emotionally resonant and uplifting tale of resilience, healing, and the bonds of unlikely companionship. The description sets the stage for a heartwarming story that explores the complexities of grief, family, and new beginnings.

Vivian Laurent, the grieving widow at the center of the story, is portrayed as a strong and determined character despite her heartache and the challenges she faces in the later stages of her life. Her decision to invite Luna, a nursing assistant facing her own struggles, and Luna's two children into her home reflects an act of compassion and kindness that has the potential to change all of their lives.

The inclusion of Luna's children, including the exuberant Wren and troubled Cooper, adds depth and complexity to the narrative. It suggests a tale of characters from different walks of life coming together to support and uplift one another, especially in the face of adversity and the backdrop of a pandemic.

The themes of healing, reconciliation, and finding hope during difficult times are likely to resonate with readers, especially given the challenges faced by individuals and families in recent years. The story seems to emphasize the idea that even in a broken world, there can be moments of connection and redemption.

Overall, "Morning in This Broken World" appears to be a moving and hopeful novel that explores the power of human connection and the potential for new beginnings, even when life seems at its darkest. Readers who appreciate stories of personal growth, family dynamics, and the resilience of the human spirit are likely to find this book both heartwarming and inspiring.

I have so many feelings about this story.

Morning in this Broken World by Katrina Kittle is a depiction of an upper-middle class woman named Vivian, who has recently lost her husband and her experience through the Covid-19 lockdown alongside Luna, her favorite nurse, and Luna's children Cooper and Wren. All four are POV characters, which rotate in sequence.

The writing style is compelling, and I really enjoyed the found family dynamics of this Covid-19 pod. I would suggest picking it up and giving it a read.

I'm sticking with three stars (3.5 rounding down) because while this is a well written book that gave me a lot that I wanted to talk about, some of that discussion was things that upset me about the story. I didn't fully agree with how some of the social issue discussions were handled (some felt performative and others just never felt fully addressed properly or felt hypocritical), which may well have been the intention for realism but it left me unfulfilled.

I also felt like there were times certain plot threads jumped around or just worked themselves out overly conveniently off screen. The ending of this story did not land satisfactorily for me, although I can see it worked wonderfully for others.

Overall I loved seeing the characters grow together as they reclaimed a sense of joy and community.

I think this book will work well for those who enjoy character driven stories who are looking for the slightest of mysteries (done well!) and no romance, with an emphasis on family of choice and grief recovery.

You will also enjoy this book if you are looking for a non-magical fantasy (money is no obstacle whatsoever for Vivian, in direct contrast to Luna who starts out the story with an eviction notice). Perhaps consider it your do-over for the pandemic, where the obstacles, though many, can't ever fully keep you from your dreams.

I've never read this author before, but I would give Kittle another try.

As a heads up: there are a lot of heavy themes including ableism, homophobia, addiction, and suicide that all get a decent amount of page time.

This was a really beautiful story and a great description of what it was like to live through the pandemic. It had such heartbreaking ending, and like real life, not all the strings tied up perfectly. I always love found family vibes, so the "family" in this book was the highlight of the story for me. I'm not totally sure I was ready to read a pandemic narrative, but this was a great first go for me. It felt a little bit political a couple of times, but not overwhelmingly so and definitely still readable.

Really liked it! Thanks to net galley for the advanced copy to read.

Katrina Kittle's "Morning in This Broken World" is a profound and beautifully crafted novel that deep dives into the human experience, exploring themes of resilience, connection, and the enduring power of compassion. This exceptional work is not just a book; it's an emotionally charged and transformative journey that will resonate with readers on a profound level.

At the heart of the story are the characters, each meticulously drawn and profoundly relatable. As readers follow the interconnected stories of individuals who have faced unimaginable challenges, they will find themselves not only empathizing with their struggles but also celebrating their strength and resilience.

"Morning in This Broken World" masterfully portrays the way in which acts of kindness and compassion can mend even the deepest wounds. It reminds us that in a world often marked by brokenness, there is also the potential for profound healing and transformation.

The storytelling is poignant and thought-provoking. Kittle's novel unfolds with grace and sensitivity, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the lives of the characters. The prose is exquisite, striking the perfect balance between evocative descriptions and insightful introspection.

The novel is not just a story; it's a reflection on the human condition and the capacity for redemption. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is the possibility for hope to shine through.

"Morning in This Broken World" is proof of the author's storytelling gifts and her ability to craft a narrative that is at once heart-wrenching and heartwarming. It is a book that invites readers to reflect on their own lives, their relationships, and their capacity for empathy.

Katrina Kittle's "Morning in This Broken World" a profound exploration of the human spirit, and a celebration of the resilience of the human heart. It is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately believe in the power of human connection.

"Morning in This Broken World" is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is beauty, there is hope, and there is the enduring capacity for love and compassion. It is a literary gem that deserves to be cherished and shared with readers who are ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and profound emotional connection.

This is a book to be loved and celebrated for its ability to remind us of our shared humanity and the boundless potential for healing and renewal.