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Whitlock Family #2

Broken Dreams

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What could possibly go wrong fake dating the gorgeous single dad in a small town?

The answer, you fall for him.

It started out perfect. Grady Whitlock needed a plus one for his business meetings, and I needed a date for a wedding.

We had a plan. It was a good one.

Until it wasn’t.

I was not supposed to have feelings for him. I was not going to let my heart race when his soulful blue eyes stared into mine. No way should I have noticed his smile or the dimple on his right cheek or his strong arms when he held me close. I especially wasn’t going to melt when I saw him play with my daughter.

Most of all I was not going to sleep with him.

Nope. None of that was supposed to happen, but it does.

Now I find myself dreaming of him every night. Wishing we were really a couple because the way he kisses me doesn’t feel as if it’s pretend.

But we’ve both watched our dreams shatter, and I can’t handle another broken heart.

365 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2023

About the author

Corinne Michaels

66 books14.2k followers
Corinne Michaels is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of romance novels. Her stories are chock full of emotion, humor, and unrelenting love, and she enjoys putting her characters through intense heartbreak before finding a way to heal them through their struggles.

Corinne is a former Navy wife and happily married to the man of her dreams. She began her writing career after spending months away from her husband while he was deployed—reading and writing were her escapes from the loneliness. Corinne now lives in Virginia with her husband and is the emotional, witty, sarcastic, and fun-loving mom of two beautiful children.


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5 stars
4,713 (46%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,006 reviews
Profile Image for jada.
233 reviews70 followers
December 2, 2023
Grady is a little baby ass bitch and Addison is pathetic.

This book follows two widows. Both of their spouses died about 3 years ago and both have a 3 year old child. Addison is ready to move on and find love again. She doesn’t want to spend the rest of her life alone, she wants a good man to have a family with and more children. Grady does not want to move on. He has no desire to ever have another relationship. He does not want to give either him or his son Jett the opportunity to get hurt again.

Addison starts dating. She really wants someone to take home to a wedding so she can show everyone she’s not a sad widow anymore. Grady is trying to get investors for a business venture but everyone wants him to be in a steady relationship. The two start fake dating and as per usual things get out of hand. We see in Addy’s pov how she is starting to have feelings for Grady. She constantly wishes things weren’t fake, has to keep reminding herself that they will end soon. Grady is the typical man. In my opinion he takes such advantage of Addison. He knows she has feelings yet they continue having a sexual relationship knowing she isn’t that type of woman (sex w/ no feelings)
He is determined to not change his mind. They both get what they want and the relationship will end. They will stay friends. She basically BEGS him to change his mind but he doesn’t budge.

In the end he pulls his head out of his ass and they stay together but I hate this couple tbh
Profile Image for Christy.
4,269 reviews35.2k followers
December 6, 2023
4 stars

I'm loving this 'Whitlock Family' series by Corinne. The first book was amazing, and Addy & Grady's story was a perfect addition.

I love fake dating, single parents, and cute kids, so this was a total win for me. Both the hero and heroine were widowed so they had that in common, also their kids were little besties which I loved.

This was super cute and sweet. Such an enjoyable listen. The ending had me smiling so big! I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Sebastian York & Kit Swann
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9h 54m


Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,339 reviews3,640 followers
November 27, 2023
Another great read in this series. I am loving the Whitlock Family and I adore the connections and love between them. Sugarloaf seems like a great place to put down roots and I wish I could go visit.

This book has:
-2 Single parents
-2 adorable three year olds
-ex-military pilot MMC
-boss babe FMC
-fake dating that doesn't fell so fake
-nosy small town antics
-late night slumber parties
-a chili contest that gets.. HOT
-spicy good times

Grady and Addison have both lost their spouses, both have three-year-olds, and are BOTH dealing with nosy and well meaning family and friends. When it becomes beneficial for them to fake date. There are supposed to be clear lines and an end date. But with the crazy chemistry and all the similarities between them it was only a matter of time til those lines blurred.

I was charmed by this story all the way through, these two were just so easy with each other and they became friends so quickly. While Grady is trying to hold back and is a little TOO adamant that he can't love again. But it is something we see with a hero like this.

Grady and Addison were so fun to read about and I can't wait for the next book. I'm really looking forward to watching this family grow.


4.5 stars
3.5 on the spice scale

CW: grief, loss of spouse

*Thank you to Valentine PR and the author for an ARC of this title.*
Profile Image for Christi (christireadsalot).
2,375 reviews965 followers
December 9, 2023
3.5 stars! Broken Dreams is the second book in Corinne Michaels’ Whitlock Family series. I loved the first book in the series and was excited to get to this one! This is a small town, fake dating romance, with two single parents!

Grady Whitlock moved back to Sugarloaf after the loss of his wife, he’s currently living with his sister while trying to get his flight business going. He also has his hands full with his 3.5-year old son Jett. He meets Addison one day while dropping Jett off at school, he’s in the same class as her daughter Elodie. Elodie is a founder of Run to Me, a safe haven in town for runaways and knows his brother Asher. Grady ends up helping Addison out when her tire and spare are flat, and finds out she’s a widow as well like him.

Addison decides to get out and date again, since she misses sharing her life with someone and doesn’t want to be continually seen as a widow when she returns home to Rose Canyon. Her best friend is getting married and Addison wants a date to take to the wedding…the only thing is all her first dates are going horribly. Around the same time Grady realizes he’s in need of a fake date. The investors he needs for purchasing a plane tell him they want a “family man” who has someone to bring to their parties and he tells them he does. When he sees her on another awful date, and his date is a no-show, they end up leaving together and he hatches up the fake dating idea. Only problem is he doesn’t want to really date, she does, and they start to have feelings…

“Sometimes I wish this wasn’t fake. That all of this was real.”
“There is nothing fake about desire.”

The first book in the series is still my fav so this one did fall somewhat short for me. It was fun seeing the crossover moments in this book, the Arrowood and Rose Canyon characters. The whole town is also alllll in their business. The couple felt different during their steamy times than they did the rest of the story, or just like a disconnect there for me. I wanted a bit more emotional moments for them. I will say I did appreciate seeing two single parents falling for one another who both connected over their mutual losses of their spouses! Usually it’s one widowed spouse in a story, so seeing both was an interesting take!

I received an ARC from Valentine PR, all thoughts in this review are my own. Broken Dreams is out December 1, 2023!
Profile Image for Syndi.
3,314 reviews961 followers
October 23, 2024
It has been a long time since I read Miss Michaels book. When I got a chance to snatch Broken Dreams, I was super exicited. The story and the plot has so much promise. Both characters are single parent.

However I can not help to find that the story is boring. The banter back and forth is not supporting the romantic feeling between the characters.

3 stars
Profile Image for Tori Ann.
218 reviews177 followers
December 29, 2023
LET ME TELL YOU THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK 😭😭❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 I was terrified I’d accidentally spill the beans so I’ve been holding my review in for a while. I’m so glad I can finally obsess over Grady & Addison with y’all ✨

Huge thank you to Corinne and VPR for the ARC🤍 I’ve been dying for this book & enjoyed every second.

I read this book in one sitting.. in 5 hours.. because I could not put it down.

Broken Dreams is the second book in the Whitlock Family series and is connected to the Rose Canyon series - though it can be completely read as a standalone. You cannot go wrong with either way of reading it.

Two single parents, hilarious dating scenarios, one bed, fake dating, a man with a mouth… you will absolutely adore this book. I promise. It’s so amazing.

I was so terrified that I would accidentally build up Addy’s book too much in my head and then be sad, but no. Not even close. I think Corinne truly outdid herself and I couldn’t have pictured a better book for Addy.

With having two single parents, we got a unique look on what it’s like for people to get out there and date after losing a spouse and how it’s different for every single person. Their immediate connection is Addy having a more genuine reaction to finding out that Grady’s wife has passed. It’s not the simple “I’m sorry for your loss” statement, and little did Addy know that would immediately put her in his orbit for good.

In my own opinion, Addy is much farther down the grieving process than Grady is, so I felt for Grady a lot when he couldn’t cope as well as Addy did or maybe it was just that it was in a completely different way. Either way, his story and watching him figure out what the best course of action for him is was amazing to read.

I cannot recommend a book more. Grady and Addison are now my favorite Corinne couple.. I said what I said.

5⭐️ | 3.5🌶️
Profile Image for glavreads.
431 reviews6,905 followers
December 5, 2023
one of the most emotional fake dating romances ever and i lovedddd it.

this is double single parent where both of them have lost a spouse and a fake relationship just happens to work out perfectly for them right now. their connection was EVERYTHING. they truly built a friendship first and i was just so excited for them to be vulnerable and fall in love. so so so good.
Profile Image for Grecia Robles.
1,641 reviews431 followers
December 27, 2023
Single Parents
Fake Dating
Small Town

Me encanta el estilo de Corinne muy parecido a Melanie, historias ambientadas en small Town, ligeras, románticas a excepción de que a Corinne le gusta más el drama.

En esta ocasión tenemos la historia de dos padres solteros con niños de tres años que están viviendo el duelo de haber perdido a sus respectivos esposos.
Cada uno en diferente etapa, mientras Addison ya está lista para salir en citas y encontrar al hombre que la pueda amar y formar una familia; Grady no quiere tener citas tiene miedo de volver a perder a alguien importante y que lo lastimen tanto a él como a su hijo.

Grady es testigo de las desastrosas citas de Addy y en la última decide intervenir y la ayuda, van a un bar y cuando empiezan a platicar ella le dice que es difícil encontrar a un hombre con quién salir y que tiene miedo de ir a la boda de su amiga y que la sigan viendo con lástima como la mujer que perdió a, por otro lado el necesita una pareja para que inviertan en su negocio y se le ocurre la idea de tener un relación falsa por un lado él consigue su inversión y ella una cita para la boda y después puede estar sin presión de encontrar a la persona adecuada.

Ellos entran en esta relación falsa, sintiéndose atraídos, empiezan a ser amigos se preocupan el uno por el otro y por los hijos de cada uno ya después la relación no es tan fingida .

Fue una historia muy dulce con momentos muy Spicy.

Lo único que no me gustó es que los niños no tuvieron tanta interacción hasta casi al final.
Profile Image for Ashley.
476 reviews2,043 followers
November 30, 2023
4.5 ⭐️

“Thank God for giving you a second chance at finding an incredible man.”

I really enjoyed Addison & Grady’s story. It was so beautiful and emotional 🥹 I loved reading about them creating something so special (especially for their children)!!

Fake dating
Widowed/ single parents
Small town
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Judy Portelles.
407 reviews49 followers
November 27, 2023
I absolutely loved this book and so happy to finally get Addison’s story. I loved Grady and Addison they are perfect together. Both widowed, single parents and the kids were adorable. I loved everything about this book. I can’t wait for Rowan and Charlotte’s story in the next book.
Profile Image for Anna.
709 reviews565 followers
November 23, 2023
4.25⭐️

There is something so magical about two single parents (both widowed) coming together & having something so beyond special that neither could’ve imagined!!!

This was so different than the first book in the series but I absolutely loved seeing two people so deserving of love find it in one another😭 also their kiddos are so cute ugh made me kinda want one.

There were so many moments that I absolutely loved while reading. The chili contest especially had me DYINGGGGG. Honestly so did the drunken bathtub moment. The wedding night though…. *fans self dramatically* OW OWWWWW. Mr. Grady is one dirty daddy, and it’s just the way I like them hehehe. Addison really brought it bc she went from a blushing, innocent mom to DIRTY TALKING MOMMYYYYY! #proud

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
Single mom x single dad
Small town
Close proximity
Found family
Fake dating
Profile Image for Amy.
2,268 reviews1,946 followers
November 26, 2023
To say I’ve been highly anticipating the second book in the Whitlock family series is putting it mildly, I’ve been totally dying for this book and it did not disappoint! Single parent has my number one trope this year and this book gives you two single parents 🥰 Both Addison and Grady are widows so their stories are super emotional, but this one definitely wasn’t all sad, it was charming, sexy and sweet too. Single parent means a cute kid and Jett and Elodie were beyond adorable. You also get fake dating and while it’s apparent from the start there’s nothing fake about their feelings, it takes these two a little time to figure their shit out. If you’ve been wondering about Addy since the Rose Canyon series you’re gonna be delighted, she seriously cracked me up and appearances by past characters was just so fun. This made me swoon, (especially that ending!) and if anyone deserves an incredible HEA it’s Addy and Grady. I need book 3 asap
Profile Image for mariee.reads.
212 reviews
December 1, 2023
not me in love with another whitlock man

Edit:

this is my second corinne michaels book and it did not disappoint !!

i’ve been excited to dive back into sugarloaf since finishing forbidden hearts, and i love that it was with addy and grady. i’m such a sucker for a small town romance, but combining it with fake dating was just the cherry on top for me. and hello, not only one but two single-parents? yes please !!

this book had every aspect that i adore about a small town romance. the community, the family banter, the cute niche events for the small town, it all makes my heart so happy.

i love that their connection was built up throughout the book, going from friends to opening up to the possibility of love. though it was a bit of a slower-burn than i’m used to, it was absolutely perfect for grady and addy given the circumstances. and the tension !! SO. GOOD.

let’s not even BEGIN to talk about the mouth on this man when the tension finally broke because oh my GOD i will literally go on for hours. i was blushing and kicking my feet the entire time.

if you’re a fan of small town romance, this series and this book is a MUST READ !

thank you to valentine pr and corinne michaels for the arc in exchange for an honest review<3
Profile Image for Diana.
601 reviews18 followers
August 18, 2024
3-3.5 stars

I’m not sure how to rate this one. At times, I loved it and other times I seriously wanted to scream, mainly at the MMC, Grady. He was so wishy washy, it got on my last nerve. Why the reason he was wishy washy was understandable, I just didn’t like the way he handled the situation. Surprisingly, I did like the FMC, Addy. She did not get on my nerves and although she was trying to live her life after a heartbreaking loss, she held herself together and also vulnerable at the same time.

I should mention that you will not get lost if you have not read the Rose Canyon or Arrowood Brothers series yet. Although the characters from both series do have parts, it was not confusing at all. I only read a book or two from each series, and I was fine.
Profile Image for Stephanie Hubenak.
438 reviews81 followers
December 4, 2023
Well, friends. She did it again. She made me cry! Can you believe it? Is anyone surprised? Anyone? Yeah, me either. BUTTTTTT it's not what you think. I didn't cry because she ripped my heart on it and stomped on it before putting in back where it goes. NO...I cried because she absolutely, without a doubt, NAILED THE ENDING. It was utter and absolute PERFECTION!

Listen, you throw a single dad into a book and I'm like "say less" so I knew that this one was gonna get me good. The banter and slow build of a beautiful relationship between Addy and Grady was so stunning. I just couldn't look away. I was so ready for Addy to get her HEA after the devastation that she suffered and endured in Rose Canyon. She is such a strong and resilient character and I loved her back then and love her even more after this book. Grady was....made for her. They both lost something that I don't wish on anyone and came out the other side of it. Those two ending up together was nothing short of Kismet. I will accept nothing less from here on out.

Thank you, my friend, for yet another bingeworthy and beautiful book. While I STILL believe that I should have been in the dedication ( hehe ), I forgive you and will continue to fight with you whenever you heart desires! Big love!

Broken Dreams is book two in The Whitlock Family and I highly suggest going and falling for Daddy Asher first. ;) Broken Dreams will be available to fall in love with on December 1st.
Profile Image for Melissa.
104 reviews6 followers
December 1, 2023
We looOoOove a single dad trope AND fake dating. I was so excited because I loved Forbidden Hearts and Asher and Phoebe, so I was HYPED for this. However, this book missed the mark for me a bit.

This book follows Grady Whitlock, Asher's brother, who is a single dad to secure some business deals while also doing the best for his son. Addison Davis is a single mom who doesn't want to be pitied anymore for her losing her husband. So obvi, they have to fake date to get what they want, but will they fall in love? (lowkey wish they did not)

Ok, first the parts that worked. I LOVED all the Whitlock family cameos and interactions. They were super fun and funny, and I loved how realistic their dialogue was. Bullying your siblings when they're being stupid is a must. I also liked Grady and Addison's meet cute. Meeting ANOTHER single parent while dropping off your kids to school and bonding over similar difficulties and having kids who are friends is the ideal situation. The small town romance was doing its thangggg during this. The annual Chili cook-off was such a good addition. Gave me Hallmark in a good way. And ofc, Grady's mouth is DIRTY. Absolutely love that. Smut leveled UP for this book.

While I loved Grady's mouth, I did not love Grady. He was way too indecisive. Yes, I understand that they made a mutual agreement to keep it casual. Don't use "doing what's best for your son" as an excuse to not deal with your own insecurities. And let's NOT
have women as collateral damage. Addison was great tho. Loved her. Also - this book is meant to be a standalone, but it referenced wayyy too many characters from other books that it got confusing. I genuinely thought some of the women fighting in the chili cook-off were cute lil' golden girl grandmas. They were not.

I think the plot of this book had great potential and that the writing was good, but the first half was a bit boring and Grady kinda ruined it for me. However, this does not mean I won't read other books in this series. I love Corinne's writing, I just think this book was not for me.

Thank you to Valentine PR and Corinne Michaels for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Morgan.
405 reviews155 followers
December 1, 2023
Broken Dreams is the second book in Corinne Michaels’ Whitlock Family series. I loved the first book in the series, and loved this one just as much! Grady is a single dad who lost his wife a few years ago. He moved back to Sugarloaf and is currently living with his sister while trying to get his business going and build his house. He son Jett goes to the same preschool as Addison’s daughter, Elodie. Grady and Addison meet this way, and he ends up helping her one day when her tire is flat.

Addison is also a single parent widow, and after three years she decides to start dating again. All of her dates go horribly, and she always happens to run into Grady while on a date. He ends up saving her from the last bad date, and they go to a bar and talk and dance. This is when they decide to fake date. She needs a date to take home to a wedding, and he needs to look like a family man to potential investors.

I loved the fake dating aspect of this book, as it is one of my favorite tropes. I really enjoy watching the couple be forced together. Their small town became so invested in them too. It was sweet! The romance between these two was so good, and I was screaming to Grady to realize he was gone for her! They had to work through some of the grief, and fear of losing someone again, due to their past. I thought this was done really well.
Profile Image for AJ.
3,113 reviews1,042 followers
November 27, 2023
5 stars!

I loved this book! A fun, emotional, swoony and sexy friends-to-lovers, fake dating romance between two widowed single parents. I was so completely wrapped up in this story, and I loved every moment!

This is the second book in the Whitlock Family series, and while it could be read as a standalone, it’s set in the same world as the Arrowood series, so we see a bit of that family, and it’s a genuine crossover with the Rose Canyon series. If you’re a Corinne fan, you’ll be in cameo heaven, and I loved seeing so many beloved characters again.

Grady Whitlock is a former military pilot, now a single dad to an adorable three-year-old son. It’s been three years since his wife died, and he has left the military and returned to his home town to be near his siblings and give his son the stable, settled life that he’s dreamed of. And part of his plan to do that includes staying away from relationships.

We first met Addison in Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1) when she was newly widowed, and during the course of that series she packed up her life and her baby girl and moved to Sugarloaf for a fresh start. She’s created a great life for herself and little Elodie, and after three years of grieving, she feels ready to get out there and find love again. But entering the dating pool is not as easy as it sounds.

Grady and Addison meet because their kids attend the same pre-school and have become instant best friends. They’re also tied together through friends and family (as is the case in a small town). When Grady realises that he needs to be seen as a stable ‘relationship man’ in order to woo an investor into his new business, and he learns that Addy needs a date for an upcoming wedding, he proposes that they pretend to date. Bonus that it gets their well-meaning, matchmaking friends and family off their backs.

It's a great set-up, made all the more awesome because Grady and Addison share an instant connection as friends, but they’re also wildly attracted to each other. They’re honest from the very beginning about how they’re feeling and what they want, and they know they want different things. But the fake dating gives them plenty of opportunity to spend time together, and the chemistry becomes harder and harder to ignore… until they can’t.

“Sometimes I wish this wasn’t fake. That all of this was real.”
“There is nothing fake about desire.”
“No?”
“Want me to show you?”

Holy freaking hell, this book is SO freaking steamy! Grady is bossy and a little bit wild in the bedroom. He’s a filthy talker, is supremely confident, and man, he delivers in all the ways. Addison is shy, but Grady shows her things she’s only dreamed of, and the two of them are on fire together. The sex leaves both of their worlds are well and truly rocked, which just makes their situation all the more complicated.

It's friends-with-benefits, but not. They’re pretty much in a real relationship, but not. They say and do all of the right things, and God, Grady is a dream partner – caring, supportive, funny and so, so damn hot. They both know they’re developing real feelings for each other, but given their circumstances, they’re also holding back.

Addison rests her hand on my chest, right over my heart. “Hope is what keeps us going forward. Don’t ever lose it, Grady.”
“And what do you hope for?”
She pulls her lower lip between her teeth for a second. “Love. I hope for love.”
I wish I could be the one to give it to her.

It’s not easy, but it’s never angsty, because they’re completely honest with each other every step of the way. The emotion is beautiful as they are both coming out of their grief and moving on with their lives in a realistic way – putting their kids first while figuring out what they want and what they need. They talk about all of it, and it’s such a beautiful journey for both of them.

I want this man. I want this man to want me – forever.

I love these characters so much. I love their easy banter and the way they so deeply care for each other and their children. I love that their stories and their feelings are realistic, I love that there’s no unnecessary drama, and I love that they find their way to each other without too much heartache. It’s beautiful and heartwarming, and I was swept up in all of it as they both get the happy ending that they deserve.

“You love me?” …
“More than I ever knew I could. More than I ever wanted to. I love you … and I was a fool to ever think I could stop myself.”

Along the way, there are lots of fun little moments between them, their friends and families. I loved catching up with characters from previous books, and I loved getting to know Grady’s siblings better, and I’m so looking forward to continuing on with this series.

This is a gorgeous read, and a fave for 2023.

5 huge stars!

An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Profile Image for Haily Therres.
324 reviews87 followers
November 27, 2023
4.5/5 ⭐️
3/5🌶️

Tropes:
✨Single Mom x Single Dad
✨Small Town
✨Close Proximity
✨Fake Dating
✨Found Family
✨One Bed

ARC REVIEW

This is my second read by Corinne Michaels and let me tell you, I am obsessed. I couldn’t put this down. I just wanted to keep reading. There is something so magical about two single parents (both widowed) coming together & having something so beautiful.

Broken Dreams is the second book in the whitlock family series following Grady Whitlock & Addison Davis. Who are both widows, so their stories are super emotional. Corinne made me cry which isn’t surprising. Addison is now starting to want to get yourself out there and start dating again to have a date for a wedding she is going to from her hometown. Grady doesn’t want to find anyone to date because of his past and doesn’t want to go through the heartbreak again. He does need to find a girlfriend to make a business deal so he can give his son a good life. They both decided to fake date to get what they both want. Will they be able to go back to friends after they realize they have an attraction towards each other?

I love the single parent trope!! Elodie & Jett are so cute together and the way they become friends right away warms my heart. I was swooning over Grady. Plus, the mouth on him! Even had Addy coming out of her shell. I loved this book so much and I can’t wait for the 3rd book
Profile Image for Whispering Chapters.
1,195 reviews378 followers
December 10, 2023
“You are the reason I breathe. You’re the stars, the sky, the moon, the planets, and what we don’t even know exists.”


BROKEN DREAMS by Corinne Michaels is one of my top favorite reads of the year! This book has so much to offer, especially with Grady Whitlock; he SURPRISED me! 😍

After both losing their spouses years ago, they’ve found they need a partner: for Grady, to help with some investors; for Addy, to help her jump back into the dating pool.

I was giggling, kicking my feet in the air, with permanent grin on my face! Grady and Addy are the cutest! 😍🥰🤭

Their friendship is so beautiful and gives me all the giddiness, which makes their fake relationship effortless. I was SWOONING!!! The cherry on top? He’s a single dad, she’s a single mom.

– single dad romance
– single mom romance
– fake dating trope
– small town romance
– one bed trope

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Profile Image for Grace.
437 reviews329 followers
December 7, 2023
4.25 / 5 ✉️🌷

This book was so good, it's two single parents both experiencing loss of a spouse coming together to find a home in each other and a family beyond their wildest dreams. It was fake dating with tension and some serious spice. But it was so sweet and no third-act which fitted their story absolutely perfectly.

I do wish we saw more of Elodie and Jett with Addy and Grady all together. One thing I absolutely loved about this book was all the Rose Canyon and Arrowood cameos in this book (as someone who has read most of Corinne's backlist including these series this was so cool to see and it was nice to have some familiar, lovely faces and see them just living their lives post falling in love).

So if you love small town romance interconnected series look no further than Corinne because she has plenty to read and they all are so good and if you finish those, you can alwayd read Melanie Harlow's universe which sometimes crosses over with Corinne's (it's just one big small town romance universe and I love it).

tropes
✉️ small town
🌷 single mum and single dad
🤍 love after loss
☁️ fake dating arrangement
Profile Image for Deepthi.
445 reviews26 followers
November 20, 2023
I adore single parent trope, but haven’t read a book where both MCs are single parents and suffered loss of their respective partners.
You’re mistaken if you think this would be some sappy book. This is so fun with the banter and cute moments between them, a good fake dating , friends to lovers story.
Addy and Grady are so fun together with their witty way of talking & flirting. They understood each other’s grief so well and build their relationship from friends and communicated well with each other.

"Why do you call me dove?"
"Because doves are precious, beautiful, innocent, and calming. They symbolize grace and beauty and inner peace. When I look at you, Addy, I see only that."

I enjoyed all the appearances of sugarloaf and Arrowwood series💕

I enjoy a steamy romances, but it seemed that it overshadowed the more emotional components between them. Felt something missing between them like the involvement of children in their relationship.This seemed like impressing the friends of Abby more .
But there was never a dull moment in this story everything flowed so easily, that’s the beauty of Corinne’s writing.

Tropes:
Fake dating
Small town
Single parents
Close proximity
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️


Thankyou for the ARC .This is my honest review
Profile Image for Erin Lewis.
5,327 reviews190 followers
December 29, 2023
5 Star Review Broken Dreams (Whitlock Family #2) by Corinne Michaels

After reading Forbidden Hearts I wasn’t sure how Ms. Michaels could improve on this series as that is one of my all time favourite books.

Broken Dreams was everything I was hoping for and more. Corinne Michaels writes wonderful small town romances and the fact that this is set in Sugarloaf means that we will be seeing some of my favourite characters making appearances. She also managed to tear my heart out, but thankfully put it back together again.

This is Addison Davis and Grady Whitlock’s story and it was an entertaining journey as they accompany one another to a wedding. Both are single parents to wonderful children.

Broken Dreams was exactly what I have come to expect when I pick up a Corinne Michaels book, it was angsty, emotional, witty, romantic and had plenty of heat.

Could Addison and Grady find in one another what they have been searching for? One click and find out.
Profile Image for E-Reader Addict.
1,230 reviews46 followers
December 9, 2023
For a fake dating story (a trope I’m generally not a fan of), I ended up enjoying this one more than I thought I would. But I can’t think of another author who swings the pendulum so wide between silly, over the top saccharine sweet (the town of Sugarloaf and all the antics are so much y’all), and jaw-dropping, uber-steamy. It’s an often unsettling dichotomy to me - like I’m not exactly sure what kind of book I’m reading.

Not sure if I’ll keep reading the series. The first two books were decent, but it looks like the next book will be enemies-to-lovers and I’m not sure I can hang with that…
Profile Image for Chelsea.
327 reviews
December 1, 2023
O my heart! I highly recommend you read this book as soon as you can 😍 What’s better than a single dad romance? A single dad AND single mom romance!!

Grady and Addy both experienced great loss 3 years ago when they each lost their spouses. Now they are both trying to move forward. Addy needs a date for a wedding and Grady needs a date for some business gatherings. They decide they will be in a fake relationship and help each other out. What could go wrong? Famous last words lol

The emotional journey Addy and Grady take together is so beautiful and natural. I love that their friendship blossoms in to love. They truly care about each other and have such an understanding of what the other has gone through. They are so perfect for each other!

Grady is a sweet AND dirty talker - the most perfect combo that has you swooning so hard! I’ve been rooting for Addy’s happily ever after since we met her in Help Me Remember. You will not be disappointed! She gets everything and more!

There is a second relationship in this book though that will have your heart melting. That is the friendship between Grady’s son Jett, and Addy’s daughter Elodie. Cutest thing ever!

Tropes:
- Single Dad
- Single Mom
- Small Town
- Love After Loss
- Fake Relationship
Profile Image for nikki.
721 reviews376 followers
November 28, 2023
This was a quick, light hearted read about two people who'd lost their respective spouses find their soulmate in the other. Grady and Addy's story was sweet and tender along with a hefty dose of spice - I'd go as far as to say that Broken Dreams is one of Corinne's spiciest books that I've read to date. I really enjoyed reading about these two and especially seeing how cute their kids were. It was my first time reading a romance between a widow and a widower - hence why I was a bit hesitant - but I'm glad that I picked this up. I loved seeing those little found family moments + how the story was set in a small town. Would def recommend this book if you love a small town romance with spice, tension and lots of swoonworthy moments!

*Thank you to Corinne Michaels and Valentine PR for providing me with an ARC!
Profile Image for Sierra (boundtoread).
206 reviews391 followers
December 1, 2023
I loved loved loved this book so much!!
Double single parent + fake dating, I knew I was going to love it, yet Corinne still managed to amaze me and make me fall in love even more than I could imagine.
I just loved their bond. It was so authentic and beautiful and the grief that both of them endured to find each other…I could cry.
Her daughter and his son were ADORABLE!! Made the book that much better for me!!
And the spice!? Corinne popped OFF!!!

Highly recommend, 5 stars, many tears, the cutest hea…I loved it so much!!
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