Hello friends! Glad to share another book review with y’all. Today, I’m reviewing Shatter Girl by Shay Miranda. I originally read this book last year and it recently got a cute glow-up! I’m loving the new cover. Let’s dive into this book review.
Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis
A playboy who’s never out of the spotlight.
A sheltered girl who’s always been left in the dark.
A summer that will change their lives.
Just because Jude Taylor is surrounded by people every minute of his life doesn’t mean he isn’t lonely. He lives the party boy lifestyle, spending his billionaire father’s money, and regularly gets his name plastered across the Internet tabloid sites. But constantly clashing with his dad has had him running from his family for years. When Jude is forced to return to Manhattan, his parents aren’t exactly ready to welcome him home. A favor is called in from a family friend to take him in for the summer.
Aubrey Vestergaard —with a name among the likes of New York royalty—is her mother’s secret shame, thanks to a hereditary disease that leaves Aubrey unable to feel pain. Reclusive, isolated, and left in the fierce, protective care of her staff, nineteen-year-old Aubrey has never left her home. She likes strict schedules, quiet, and hates change. Complete opposites, Jude and Aubrey have nothing in common.
Jude has always lived his life in the spotlight. Aubrey has always lived her life in the shadows and longs to discover life beyond her front door. Jude could be the key that unlocks that life. From late-night escapes to an extravagant gala, the magic of summer in New York City wraps Jude and Aubrey in its warm, exciting embrace. As the young adults grow closer, the sweet rush of first love will turn their journey of personal discovery into the summer of a lifetime.
What I Enjoyed
As someone with unseen health problems, it was really refreshing to see a heroine who we love and root for without romanticizing her pain. We love her because of her personality; not because we feel sorry for her. I don’t really see this a lot in contemporary romance. I’m not as well-versed in romance novels, so I understand that I could be wrong.
We also get a man who goes to therapy! These scenes were SO relatable, especially if you’ve ever gone to therapy but don’t like feeling overly analyzed. Jude has some realistic ups and downs as he manages his mental health on his own terms.
Overall, this book is a huge win for mental health representation. It’s messy, painstakingly long, anything but linear, and yet Miranda depicts these challenges so well.
My Final Thoughts
Shatter Girl is a great read—the dialogue, the attraction between the characters, and the setting all felt realistic and very enjoyable. This book is definitely ideal for adult romance readers who understand that love isn’t always straightforward. You’ll find yourself rooting for the characters throughout the book.
Hopefully, I shared enough to pique your curiosity. Want to get reading? If so, I highly recommend you look Shay Miranda up on social media:
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