It's taken me a few days since I read The Wreckage Of Us -- in one night! -- to collect my thoughts about this book. I know whenever I begin a Brittainy Cherry book that I am going to be tossed around, gutted, and put back together. I can't remember a book of hers that I've read where that didn't happen. And The Wreckage Of Us was certainly no different.

Hazel has not had an easy go at life. She is desperately trying to move out of the hole she's been stuck living in thanks to her drug addict mom and drug dealer stepdad, and getting a job at the ranch is a step in the right direction. But Ian, her supervisor and the ranch owner's grandson, hates everything about Hazel on first sight -- because of who her drug dealer stepdad is. But when they become unlikely roommates, Ian soon learns that there is so much more to sweet, giving Hazel than who her POS stepdad is. He just wasn't willing to open his eyes at first.

This story beautifully covers so much ground as it goes through Ian and Hazel's friendship -- becoming best friends -- to a sweet, slow-burn romance and then through their personal struggles with him becoming a rock star and her becoming guardian to her little sister. I really loved the growth of Ian as a character through his arc. The jaded jerk is really a sweet and tender guy underneath the icy exterior, and he's still the scared little boy who was left behind by his parents. But through Hazel's love -- and the love and support of his grandparents -- we get to see so much more to Ian as a character. And while I didn't like him much as first, I came to adore him by the end.

Hazel, meanwhile, is such a strong heroine. She doesn't think she is, and isn't that what always makes them the best kind of heroine? She never puts herself first, and even when it breaks her heart to do so, she puts her own happiness way behind the safety of Ian and Rosie.

The twists and turns that this book took were fabulous. The connection that Ian and Hazel had as a couple was magnificent and I loved seeing how Big Paw became such a mush around little baby Rosie. But beyond that, the six degrees of separation that exist between Big Paw, Hazel, her mom and Ian's parents was an unexpected surprise, and tied everything together so wonderfully.

The Wreckage Of Us is a wonderful story of wrong first impressions, not judging a book by its cover, sacrificing for love and family, forgiveness and never forgetting where you came from and who is leaving the porch light on for you to come home. Brilliant, BCherry. Absolutely brilliant.

I received an advanced copy and voluntarily left a review.

4.5 Stars!
Hazel Stone is eighteen, and lives in the small town of Eres, Nebraska where she has been through hard times, and not had an easy life. She cares about others, and tries to do the right thing, but still felt overlooked, overwhelmed, lost, and desperately wanted to escape the world she lived in. She wanted to one day leave this town and truly live. She wasn't sure what her future would hold, but she knew she wanted more. Then she's shown kindness by a family that owns a local farm. It's then she encounters musician Ian Parker, and the highlight of her day becomes pushing the cocky, arrogant, moody rockstars buttons.

Ian Parker is trying to get his big break, and is on his way to being a superstar. He's talented, and creating music kept him grounded. Until his dreams came true he was stuck living in the countryside in the middle of nowhere Nebraska. He loved his grandparents, but other than that his heart was closed off. Then he meets Hazel Stone and everything changes. She's full of fire, sass, and knew just how to get under his skin and irritate him. She didn't know how to mind her own business, and challenges him at every turn. They clash and then sparks fly between them.

Their lives are set on different courses, but for the first time in her life Hazel felt like she belonged somewhere. She finally has a chance at real love, but will she get her happily ever after?

The Wreckage of Us by Brittainy Cherry is a small town enemies to lovers, slow burn, standalone rockstar romance about friendship, family, survival, determination, and beautiful connections. It's a deeply emotional love story full of angst, drama, heartache, and undeniable chemistry that will capture your heart!

Whenever I pick up a book by this author, I am already preparing myself for a roller coaster of emotions, because if any author knows how to make me feel with her books, it is Brittainy C Cherry, and here it was no different, that book got me laughs, some tears and also sighs throughout the reading.

Hazel is a determined, courageous, dreamy young woman with a heart of gold. She sees an opportunity to remake her life by getting a job on the ranch in her small town, where Ian helps his grandfather to command. Ian is such a character, at first he may look like an asshole character, but we soon realized that behind the tough guy's surface we have a young man hurt by the past and trying to protect himself.Although the relationship of these two young people started with an enmity, we soon see these young people forming a beautiful friendship where Hazel little by little makes Ian start to open up and she also ends up becoming Ian's music, which is an uninspired musician in his lyrics. On the other hand Ian becomes hazel's best friend who shows that she now has someone to tell.

I loved how the author developed the relationship, where two broken and scarred youths from the past find each other someone to tell. Their relationship was pure and beautiful to read. It left me with a smile on my face at various times. I would like their relationship to be a little more developed before the obstacles appear.

I admired Hazel for her decision at one point in history, and it just showed how altruistic she was. In addition to her relationship with Ian I loved seeing her form her family along the way after years of not being able to count on her mother. Ian and his relationship with his friends was also one of the points that I liked about the book.

I really liked the book, I just wish we had their moments together, because at a certain point in the story, although their conflicts and achievements were interesting individually, I felt disconnected from the novel. And also a drama towards the end of the book that I found cliché and silly because the way it was formed it was solved without further development.

The fact is that The Wreckage Of Us not only brings a beautiful love story, it talks about family, friendships, losses and new beginnings all in one package.
➖➖➖

ços tudo isso em um pacote só.

I Received an unreleased copy of this book

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
Anytime there is a new book coming out from this author, I want it even before I know what it is about. Her stories are the best, they pull at your heartstrings and sometimes make you think. You will hate a character, be sad, want to throw things, and fall in love. But in the end, you will be happy you read the story because you fell in love!

Hazel has lived a rough life, now 18, and looking for a job so she can save some money and move away from her mom and stepfather. She demands a job at a ranch. Big Paw tells her she is at the wrong place to apply for a job at the restaurant. But Hazel fires right back that she needs to make some money and she can't do that unless she works at the ranch. And she will work harder than most of the workers he has now. So Big Paw gives her a chance to prove she can do it.

Ian Parker is Big Paw's grandson and he has to train Hazel. They both hate each other from the beginning. On her first day, Ian is a no-show, when Hazel goes looking for him, she finds him in the office with a girl in an inappropriate position.

Needless to say, neither of them wants to be around the other, but there are forces working that will bring them together in a way that will last forever. They will ground each other. As they grow closer, Hazel helps Ian write music for his band and Ian lets her (with the push of Big Paw) move into the cabin with him.

I am not going to tell you anymore, just to read this one. If you are a Brittainy C. Cherry fan, then you know. And if you haven't read her before, you should. She is an awesome author that will automatically become one of your favorites. So sit back and enjoy this one. I loved it!

3,75 stars




Well I am really feeling all alone like the odd sheep as the time has come to write my review.

Enthusiastic reviews are piling up for this story, many speaks about angst and perfection while I did like the book (it’s Brittainy we are speaking of and the day I’ll dislike one of her stories will probably be when hell has frozen) but was not as amazed by it as I usually am.

And I feel bereft as I had rated Southern Storm 5 stars, as The Gravity of Us is among my best of the best books and as this one had seemingly all the ingredients to be a resounding success!




So why not me?




I have raked my brain to come with an explanation and I think that what one of the other reviewers said about it “being angsty but not as heavy as her other books” might be the key.




Let’s get back now and talk about what this book is about and what I liked.




This book is a enemies to lovers kind of books, happening in a small town where most people despair and many take meths, ruining their lives.

At the beginning of the story, Hazel who has turned 18 dreams of leaving this town, going to college and protecting her pregnant mom from her dealer of a boyfriend.

As they live in near poverty, Hazel will ask Big Paw for a job at his ranch. Not to cook or anything no, as a ranch hand as she needs the pay to afford vitamins and doctor visits for her mom.




Let’s say right away that I love Hazel and that every reader will most likely love her.

She is courageous, works like three men on a ranch, takes care of everyone like a mother hen and is no doormat.

The proof lies in her first encounter with Ian, Big Paw’s grandson and town golden boy, who is determined for personal reasons to make Hazel’s life a living hell. Ian does not want hazel on his ranch.

Only, Hazel rises to every challenge Ian throws her way.

These were really “Atta girl” moments!




That first scene with Ian made him seem like a jerk. And how he acted with hazel in the beginning made me want to throttle him!

But soon enough we grasped his reasons and how this was all an act as he was a good guy inside.




I loved:

- Hazel and Ian.

- Big Paw so gruff but with a golden heart.

-The backstory that we’ll discover later on.

-Hazel’s support of Ian’s dream and her will to help her family

-The sweet in this story




But…I missed something to really drown me in the character’s feelings. Hell if I know why exactly but if you had angst I never felt overcome by it.

That’s why I give this very personal and very biased rating of 3,75, all knowing that I will read the next Brittainy as she remains one of my top favorite authors.

That was just one story that was not completely for me.

Chances are high though that you will be among the 5 stars raters so don’t let this discourage you.


Thank you to the publisher Montlake Romance for my gifted copy. It had no influence whatsoever on my always honest and willing review.

I loved this book! The writing was incredible and the characters were memorable. One of my favorite books of 2020.

When Hazel Stone shows up for her first day working on Big Paw’s ranch she immediately wants to quit when she sees who her trainer is, but she needs money. She has to find a way to get her pregnant mother away from her abusive, drug-dealing stepfather and if it means dealing with Ian Parker, then so be it. From day one, Ian let’s he be known he is not a fan of hers and he makes every day a challenge for Hazel and doesn’t hide his disdain for her. When Hazel finds herself homeless, the last person she expects to help her is Ian. Working with Ian, Hazels starts to see the true Ian. The Ian that his grandparents and his best friends see. She sees the man who loves his grandparents, the man who has dreams of being a Rockstar and leaving their small town and the man who she has more in common with than what she thought.

Ian Parker can’t believe his grandfather not only hired Hazel Stone but expects Ian to train her. When Hazel falls on really hard times, his grandfather forces him to not only help her but befriend her. For Ian, Hazel is the enemy. If it weren’t for her and her family, his family wouldn’t be fractured. Training Hazel opens Ian’s eyes to who Hazel really is and how hard she works to protect and loves her family. He begins to see that other than his best friends and bandmates, Hazel gets him. When his Rockstar dreams begin to take off, it’s Hazel who helps keep him grounded.

This is a new author for me and if her other books are anything like this one, she has a new fan. This was such a shock to me, based on the title, it was nothing I was expecting. I can’t adequately describe how much I enjoyed this book. Ian and Hazel’s story is so beautifully told that this was a book hangover for me. I had the hardest time putting it down. The story itself was face-paced but it worked for me. The banter between Ian and Hazel is first class (I adore witty banter). The dialogue between all of the characters was realistic. The characters were perfectly developed, so well rounded.

I absolutely adored Ian and Hazel. The supporting characters were perfectly written, even those you didn’t like. The emotions jumped off the page. There wasn’t too much I didn’t love about this book. The only thing stopping me from making this a five-star read, was the narration was sometimes too much.

I love a series so I wonder if Ian’s bandmates will have stories at some point.

I’m definitely adding Ms. Cherry’s books to my TBR list.

I absolutely love Brittainy and her genius flow of words. She always finds a way into her audience's heart and soul. She did exactly that and so much more with this poetic expression of love, grief, demons and issues of abandonment. This story is a work of creative art and it reveals itself in every page and in every chapter. The only negative is the editing. This is the 2nd or third book (sorry, senior moment) that has editing issues that should be caught right away. Regardless, the editing in no way reflected my honest review.

The story of Hazel and Ian is history in the making once you connect the dots. This story is about the relationship of individuals that feat abandonment and place all their focus on loyalty and love. In some cases, the feelings and reassurance plays more of a pivotal role and allows you to dig deeper into the characters and their true selves. Ian's journey albeit different from Hazel has stunning similarities and allows Ian to really open his eyes to the beauty that us all Hazel. You will seriously swoon over Uan and his teddy bear heart. Hazel is a gard nut to crack and she keeps things so close that its surprising how she allowed Ian to see even her jagged edges and genuine personality. I loved the banter and the atmosphere that surrounds them and reveals to you this hidden gem this story truly is.

This story along with previous stories by Brittainy reflect the amount of emotional baggage and heartfelt passion she truly digs into in order to give her readers the best of her best!!!

6 STARS if possible
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

4.5 Stars this author has a way with words that just suck me in from the get go. I devoured the first half of this book in no time. Hazel and Ian’s story is full of angst, struggle, family, and love. Hazel has a heart of gold and a past that doesn’t hold her down. As she crosses paths with Ian the stars align just right for a lovely love story.

4.5⭐

Summary
Hazel Stone is determined to make something of her life. When she's kicked out by her drug-dealing step father, she finds herself hiding in a shed at the one place she feels safe - the Parker family farm. When Ian Parker, the town player and her least favorite fan, finds her hiding spot, she thinks she will lose both her job and safety net. But instead Ian shocks her and offers her his spare bedroom.
As Ian and Hazel spend more time together, they discover they may have been quick to judge one another. And they might not hate each other quite as much as they thought.

Overview
➸ POV: 1st Person, Hazel & Ian's POV

➸ Hazel Stone: 18, Abusive drug-dealing step-father, Trying to get back on her feet after being kicked out, Dresses in all black, Caring & driven

➸ Ian Parker: 21, Musician/Lead singer of The Wreckage, Works on the ranch owned by his grandfather, Abandoned by parents, Self-proclaimed asshole, Cold & Closed off, Town player

➸ Content Warnings: Drug Abuse, Abuse, Blackmail, Grief (often dealt with in unhealthy ways), Unhealthy Pregnancy (+ scenes in the NICU), Alcohol Abuse, Prison + Arrest of a parent

My Thoughts
Brittainy Cherry never ceases to pull on my heartstrings. Her books are so beautifully written and heartfelt and this was absolutely no exception. This small town and character pulled me and held me captive the entire way through this.

This book deals with a lot of heavy topics - especially abuse and addiction. But from all these terrible things, this book unravels one the most beautiful and heartwarming romances. I loved how this story used these dark themes to highlight hope, family, and love.

The characters in here were so well written and developed. Everyone was so flawed and broken but real and relatable. I love that Brittainy Cherry writes her characters in a way that allows you to fall in love with them right along with the story. Ian was definitely a piece of work at the beginning, but by getting chapters from his POV you really got to see inside his head. And I slowly fell in love with him alongside Hazel.

Hazel and Ian's romance was honestly everything I love. I loved that they developed a friendship first because grounded their strong feelings in something other than physical attraction. The connection between these two characters was so electric and palpable that I was dying for them together by the time it actually happened. They gave me all the dang butterflies.

One of the best things about this story was the side characters. Brittainy Cherry blew it away with these characters and I'm desperate for more. I would sacrifice a limb for books for the other band members!! Everyone felt so real and alive - you could tell that every character was fully developed despite them not being the lead.

Overall this was another book by this author that completely captured my heart. I always know going into one of Brittainy Cherry's books that I'm going to go through it emotionally. She makes the stacks feel so high and so real that I question how these 2 could possibly make it work. I love this small town and would love more time with this world and characters!

Wow... I just love Ian!! He’s such a strong and Loving character. I was really impressed with Hazel, such a sweet character. Like most of Brittainy C Cherry’s books, I walked away with a story that melted my heart. The story was so sweet. I would like to think I have some of Hazel’s strength and good character traits. Or at least I can hope I am. This story left me feeling really happy. I just loved it.

I really enjoyed this coming of age, overcoming significant odds story. Brittainy C. Cherry has been a one-click author for me since her very first book. Go in blind and enjoy the ride is how I prefer to read her stories and The Wreckage of Us was no different. Hazel and Ian hardly know one another but that doesn't stop Ian from drawing conclusions about Hazel that eventually he'll regret. Their story about love, redemption and following your heart will leave you emotionally tethered to these two characters. Their hardships and histories intertwine and leave you rooting for them both to make it safely to the other side.

I absolutely love every book this author brings to us. This one is no exception. The small town, struggling characters, and good heartfelt story-line draws me in with every book this author publishes.

Two broken individuals dealing with the outcome of living in a small town. Where you are either pregnant at a very young age or addicted to drugs.

Ian and Hazel have made it a life goal to finally escape the stereotype of Eres, Nebraska. Make something for themselves. Ian is the local rock star hoping to make it big. Hazel is the goth dressing gal who will graduate from college and make a better life for herself.

We journey through so much with these two! I couldn't turn the pages quick enough. Would love to have more from the boys in the band (pretty please). As I loved them just as much as I loved Ian and Hazel's story.

Oh!!!! This story wrecked me. I read it in one sitting and I was hooked by blurb itself. The story was just amazing.

Hazel loves her mother and would do anything to help her. But she’s not ready for the help. When Hazel finds herself in need of it herself, even if doesn’t want it, Ian is there. He’s a jerk and a womanizer but they do have a lot more in common then they thought.

I devoured this amazing 6 star story and even then I wanted more. A solid heartfelt page turner. The storyline was unique and beautifully executed to perfection. The characters were perfectly created for this story. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride. Bottomline this is a must read.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.

4,5 stars

Everytime. Everytime I pick up a book written by Brittainy Cherry I feel like this one is gonna be amazing. And I'm right everytime.

The story takes place in a small town where Ian works with his grandparents but dreams to be successful with his band. And Hazel didn't grow up in a good environment and just wants to work and save money to get out of that town. Both have to work together and they don't get along at first sight. But we slowly get to know each of them and discover that that is more to them than the hard exterior they show to others.

I loved almost every one in this book. Big Paw and his wife was the best grandparents and has the most beautiful souls that anyone could ask for. And I wasn't a fan of Ian in the beginning of the story but he showed that underneath all the layers was an amazing and caring boy. In just a few chapters I changed my mind about him and he took the opportunity to get into my heart and take all my love to him. And I LOVED how strong Hazel was since the beginning. She was determined and she discovered her power during the story. She was a marvelous heroine to follow.

I think that the original blurb for this book gives away way too much if the whole story, so if you didn't read the synopsis yet I encourage you to start this book without reading it. And a thing that kinda bothered me was that I expected a character to have a more shocking ending but it turned out to be more simpler. But that didn't made me love the story less. Ian and Hazel are a perfect hero and heroine.

THE WRECKAGE OF US is a powerful, beautiful story. It made me feel all kinds of feelings. It's emotional and romantic. It has the boy that didn't like the girl and vice versa, but they grew in each other's heart and in our heart. It was so amazing to follow Ian and Hazel path with them. They developed a great and innocent friendship that in the eyes of the reader it could only mean perfect soulmates. I loved this book so much. I highly recommend it.

Confession time. THIS BOOK WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!

The Wreckage of Us is an enemies to lovers, masterpiece. It's full of all the heart and angst that Brittainy so famously delivers. No matter my mood or my schedule, when I see a new book from Brittainy, I stop what I'm doing to read it. She's a truly gifted writer and, I'm always here for it.

Life didn't make it easy for Ian and Hazel. Their story is full of real-life ups and downs. With those, we get many laughs and a few heartaches. I relished both. Ian is the asshole that we all love to hate. He gives Hazel hell, luckily for him, she can handle it. As he starts to see the real Hazel, we get to see the real Ian. You'll fall in love with him, trust me. And, I can't leave out the secondary characters, the grandparents, the bandmates all bring something wonderful to the story. I always finish, wanting more. I went straight to audible to download Disgrace, time to reread a favorite.

Brittainy C Cherry is an author that delivers a story that will most certainly touch you to your soul no matter the story line. Her words and characters are just magical and always bring out the emotions for me. Ian and Hazel are two souls looking for their "one"(whether they know it or not), the one that look at them and see more than what is on the outside, the one that will always stand by them, the one that will be their forever. These two have their battles that they each have to fight but they are strong characters that don't give up. To watch these two from the beginning of this story until the very end was pure perfection, the laughs, the screams, the swoony moments, and everything in between made The Wreckage of Us worth every minute.

This was an emotional ride!

Even though I know that if it is written by Brittainy it will be a wonderful story she comes back and shows us that our expectations were not even closer to the amazing, touching and loveliest work she’s offered to us. Her stories are full of all kinds of feelings and emotions that with every word and action of her protagonists you can't help but feel them as if they were part of you.

On this occasion Brittainy brings us characters so full of dreams, of goals to achieve but also of obstacles and people who will try to stop them in their struggle to realize them.

Hazel is a girl who has grown up with a mother so involved in her drugs and alcohol addictions that she has completely forgotten about her and lives only for her partner who is nothing more than a man who lives off of illicit business. When her mother, on her partner's orders, kicks her out of the house, she goes to the ranch where she has found a job and snoozing in a broken down shed to take refuge until she finds a place to live. The owner of the ranch who is also her employer discovers her, but far from fire or telling her to move out, he forces his grandson to offer her a room in his house and threatens to throw him out if he doesn't.

Ian is not at all happy about training Hazel in ranch work, let alone housing her in his home. He has judge her immediately just for being related to her mother's partner whom Ian blames for not having her parents with him. But the more time passes and he meets Hazel, Ian discovers that she has nothing to do with her stepfather, she loves her mother and does everything to help her even if her help is not welcome.

Ian and Hazel will begin to discover and trust each other, share and support each other, he’s leading The Wreckage, a music band with he’s best friends and Hazel work hard and take online classes to graduate, all of this while taking care of a new born little sister, but who said dreams come for easy? Evil always lurks and jumps out at you when you least expect it and Hazel and Ian will be victims of it.

Without a doubt Brittainy is right again and catches us with another story of struggle, suffering and overcoming, of dreams fulfilled, but above all with such adorable characters that as I read I could imagine them growing, loving and supporting each other at all times.

A very special mention for Big Paws and Grams, this two were a big support to everyone in this book.

As always my eternal gratitude to Brittainy Cherry, Montlake and Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this amazing story, I voluntarily and honestly read and review. Thank you so much.

**4.5 Stars**

The Wreckage of Us is an emotional and tumultuous, yet inspirational story about overcoming odds and not letting your past define you, and it goes to great lengths to solidify the message that family is not always blood and what you are born into, but what you make it.

Ian is the lead singer of The Wreckage with his friends, who are from a small town in Nebraska and work on his grandparents ranch as their main job. Hazel gets a job on the ranch, hoping to make money and maybe find a way to help her mom out of the bad situation she is in. Things go from bad to worse when Hazel's stepfather kicks her out of the house and she starts living in a shed at the ranch. Ian and Hazel try to naviagte their relationship as friends and then as more as he tries to chase his dreams and as she struggles with family drama.

The Wreckage of Us is a enemies/friends to lovers story. I really enjoyed the story line and I absolutely love Brittainy Cherry's writing style. She has an amazing gift of words and story telling. I was hooked into the story from the start to finish and read the book in one sitting. I am a huge fan of the author's and would highly recommend the story.

There is something magical in Brittainy Cherry’s writing; I always like her storylines but I always fall in love with her words. Her emotional pen in The Wreckage of Us made my heart beat harder . This book is about a young couple that connects despite all the hardships. It is romantic, funny and with the right amount of angst.

Hazel has lived a lonely and difficult life with her addict of a mother. When she is kicked out of the only home she knows, she finds a job and shelter in a ranch. Ian is the grandson of her boss and the one resposible for showing the work. These two do not get along at first but slowly they become friends.

Hazel helps Ian writing the lyrics for his music band and he supports her whenever needed. These two make a really lovely couple. They are young but they know what they have is something unique.

Hazel is a fighter, a stubborn girl who does not give up. I admire her work ethics and how hard she tries for everything. Ian is a little gruff in the beginning but he does not abandon his family, his friends and of course his girl! The things they go through are so difficult for such a young age but they overcome their problems together. There is only little drama due to miscommunication otherwise this book is really sweet.

The secondary characters won me over especially Ian’s grandfather. It’s always nice seeing a family truly caring for each other.

Brittainy Cherry once again poored her soul in her writing, so I suggest you should read this raw love story!