Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Fracture

SERIES: Unbreakable Bonds #6

AUTHOR: Rinda Elliot & Jocelynn Drake

NARRATOR: Kenneth Obi

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 6 hours, 55 minutes

RELEASE DATE: February 29, 2020

BLURB:

After three years, Snow and Jude’s relationship is still passionate and strong. They’re getting ready for a romantic vacation at home, when Jude receives a horrifying call no one wants to receive. His youngest brother was found barely clinging to life. While Jude’s family is rallying around Jordan, Jude is determined to find out what happened to him.

Snow and Jude follow the clues, investigating a side of Jordan’s life none of them knew about…and is far darker than any would have believed possible. They get pulled deeper into the seedy side of life, while echoes from a past Snow thought he walked away from return to offer an unexpected insight into the cause of Jordan’s injuries.

But someone else has noticed their involvement and is furious, putting them both in danger. The risk is high but so is Jude’s determination to find the truth – though the knowledge could very well fracture his heart.

Trigger warning: This book has a scene that some might find triggering, but the triggers are also spoilers to the plot, so they can be found at the front of the book.

REVIEW:

Snow and Jude are living and enjoying their happily ever after. It’s not perfect but they love every second of it – and each other. Until one night when Jude gets a phone call from his mother informing him that his baby brother was in the hospital after being badly assaulted and the outcome did not look promising. Jude spirals at the news and embark on a quest to find the one/s responsible and to make them pay. But that vow comes at a price. The dangers he can live with, but the consequences he might not.

Unbreakable Bonds undoubtedly deals with many heavy subjects and some darker than others; human trafficking and child abuse to name a couple. And when you add the myriad of dangerous and life threatening situations these guys have managed to get out of you kind of marvel at how they are still alive. Still, having gone through all that with these guys I have to say that Fracture was darker than any of the previous books. I don’t know if that was because it was present day and we got all the gruesome and horrible details or not. Either way I was physically nauseous more than once while listening to some parts, remembering. Now, this is not a feeling I particularly enjoy so it did dampen my enjoyment of the book. At the same time it’s also a great testament to the authors and narrator for being able to bring such strong feelings to the reader and listener. Because at the end of the day isn’t that what they strive for? Making their readers and listeners feel. And I did feel – a lot.

I absolutely loved Kenneth Obi’s narration. It was always spot on and he transferred so many feelings to the listener, some more pleasant than others. I love how he lived in the story and varied his narration to fit the moment; reflecting how they were out of breath after sprinting after a suspect or Ian’s fierceness at wanting to help. It’s always a treat to listen to Obi, this book included, and if for nothing else, this book is definitely worth picking up for the narration alone.

Fracture was an intense and emotional ride, and at times I did wonder when these guys would be allowed to breathe. To live free of fear or dangers looming in the horizon. After all they’d all gone through they all deserve some peace and quiet. On a different note, there was one thing that made me grin. I loved the Addams Family code names, they were hilarious and made me a bit nostalgic – to the point where I might just have to go and dig up an old copy of the movie to make my night complete.

RATING:

Narration: 5 hearts

Story: 3.75 hearts

BUY LINKS: 

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