This is a feel-good, life-affirming story, as advertised. I don't usually read books like this but I needed a break from the mystery/suspense. Sweet story and likable characters. This is a book I feel safe enough to recommend to anyone and believe they could enjoy it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Morning in this Broken World Katrina Kittle

Vivian’s husband Jack suffered from Alzheimer’s and recently died in the assisted living facility both had moved to. Vivian does not need assistance so plans on moving to the independent living section of Sycamore Place and is selling her large home. The date is March 2020, and a strange, often deadly virus is circulating.
When Vivian learns they are all going to be in lock-down, because of the virus, she decides to cancel the sale of her house and move back in, however not alone. She learns that Luna, one of her favorite nursing assistants who cared for Jack, is being evicted from her apartment, along with her two children, teenage son, Cooper, and eleven-year-old Wren, who is in a wheelchair. Wren reminds Vivian of her own daughter, Ann-Marie, who she has not seen in many years, in fact, she believes she is most likely dead. Towards the end of his illness, jack thought Wren was his very own Ann-Marie.
Vivian, who was on the verge of ending her own life with some left-over pain pills, makes a hasty decision to take Luna and her family with her and move back into the big house.
This is a heartfelt story of how those not related by blood can come together as a family. They each have issues of their own, there are several ups and down, many surprises all while dealing with new rules resulted from Covid. This impromptu family brings Vivian back to life and give Luna and her kids hope for the future.
Although this is a heartwarming story, I felt the use of the F word did not enhance the story and the use of profanity was disappointing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions and comments are my own.

Loved it!!! I have missed reading Katrina Kittle's books. I was so excited to read this because I loved the author's previous books and it definitely didn't disappoint. The story was beautifully written and I loved every part of it. My favorite character was Vivian (followed very closely by Ox). She knew exactly how to be around people and said what was on her mind. She connected with everyone she met. Luna and her family were exactly what Vivian needed and vice versa. She stood her ground with Ann-Marie, even though it was tough. The real hero of the book had to be Ox, with his fat, chubby self. He gave love to everyone he met. Loved how he road around with Wren on her wheelchair. Vivian's birthday party was quite the disaster with all the uninvited guests showing up. Loved how she sat at the table with Ox on her lap. Drew and Steven were so protective of Vivian and would do anything for them. They were also the best people for Cooper. Loved everything about this book. I wished it ended differently, but everyone was brought together for a reason. They all helped each other.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved the characters, story and writing style. I felt like I was right there with Vivian and Luna. I couldn't put the book down, but was sad when I got to the end. I wanted to keep reading about everyone. I felt like I was part of the family. The book was full of love, loss, forgiveness and so much more. I look forward to reading more books by the author and hope there's many more to come.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

There are many sayings out there about family is not always about blood. This book demonstrates this fact. Family can also be about choosing the people you want around you because of the goodness in their hearts.

This book is about people who come to live together during Covid. Circumstances threw them together. There are many different personalities. Everything is not always rosy but everyone finds their place. They have growing pains adapting. And they also have growth as characters.

Some may find parts of the story a bit too “sweet” but for me, it worked. I loved that one of the characters is a young girl with Cerebral Palsy. And, she IS a character.

Love, forgiveness, acceptance, resilience and hope. All of these play a big part in the story.

And, there may have been a tear or two at the end.

**Huge trigger warning for this book. It takes place during Covid and is quite involved with the Pandemic. It might be too soon for some people. Other triggers: suicidal thoughts, drug addiction.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Readers Copy.

Morning In This Broken World was absolutely lovely. Filled with complex but likeable characters- and even some more unlikeable characters who received some growth and redemption in their arcs- I found myself flying through this story in one sitting, unable to tear myself away. I would have loved to ride out pandemic lockdown with them all- especially the powerhouse that is Vivian.

I had not previously been familiar with the author, Katrina Kittle, but given how well she captured the moment here and created such full and lifelike characters, I will definitely be reading more of her work. Can’t recommend this one enough.

Thank you Katrina Kittle, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Morning in This Broken World by Katrina Kittle is an engaging and thoughtful story.
The characters were so well written and vivid to me. I felt like I knew them personally.
I also felt so attached to the characters in this novel.
The writing is absolutely incredible. No other way to describe it.
Morning in This Broken World is a compelling novel of families we choose, unlikely friendships and finding love and hope!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

It's COVID lockdown and Vivian, Luna, Cooper, and Wren all take their turns telling the story of the family they made. Vivian is aging and angry (as well as depressed), Cooper is a teen who has his own issues, Wren is in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, and Luna, well Luna is the single mom who ties them all together. This could have gone several ways but Kittle does a really nice job of world building and with the characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A heart warmer.

I'm just beginning to be comfortable with reading books about life in the pandemic. Kittle did such a great job with this story. I felt all the feels! Beautiful characters and it was very well written like her other books. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

I loved the main character who is an elderly lady with so much strength and conviction to do what was in her heart to help the people she loved and to make her own final days the very best.
All taking place during the pandemic
days! (We won’t forget those challenging ,scary days!)
This book will surely warm your heart!
*Tissues will be needed!*

Ms. Kittle has given her readers an ensemble cast of characters mired in separate states of grief, loneliness and desperation. They are loosely connected by single-mother Luna's employment as a nursing assistant at the senior living facility at which the recently widowed, now suicidal Vivian lives. The virtually simultaneous arrival of Covid lockdowns, and an eviction notice for Luna--her young daughter has cerebral palsy and her teenage son is a hotbed of anger--are the catalyst for deeper connection. The result is a thoroughly optimistic, compassionate novel that is woven together of surprisingly realistic suspicions, fears, tragedies, griefs, and earned joys.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of MORNING IN THIS BROKEN WORLD by Katrina Kittle. I've been a fan of hers since I first read TRAVELING LIGHT, which of course prompted me to read her other works and then wait eagerly for more! In this emotional and poignant read, Kittle brings truly memorable characters to life. We hear from four of them (Vivian, Luna, Cooper, and Wren), but the secondary cast is just as appealing. These people seem real to me--they could be my friends, my neighbors, my family, me--and their experience with the stress of life juxtaposed with the stress of the pandemic will be relatable for just about everyone. Kittle is a master at her craft: she evokes emotion on every page and reminds the reader of the importance of human connection even at, or especially during, the most dire of circumstances. Humorous, thoughtful, and engaging, Kittle has written another winner. And that cover! Swoon (as Kittle herself likes to say!).