Shattered Vows

4.25 stars-- SHATTERED VOWS is the third instalment in Kaylea Cross’ contemporary, adult CRIMSON POINT romantic suspense series focusing on the people of Crimson Point, Oregon, and a group of former Special Forces soldiers. This is ER nurse Molly Boyd, and thirty-four year old, former Special Forces soldier Sergeant Jase Weaver’s story line. SHATTERED VOWS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an on-going premise throughout.

NOTE: SHATTERED VOWS contains scenes of graphic violence that may not be suitable for more sensitive readers.

If you have not read the previous instalments, there may be some spoilers in my reviews.

Told from several third person perspectives including Molly and Jase SHATTERED VOWS follows the friends to lovers relationship between ER nurse Molly Boyd, and thirty -four year old, former Special Forces soldier Sergeant Jase Weaver. Molly’s husband Carter Boyd’s life spiralled out of control following an IED attack that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Weeks after Carter’s death Molly discovers her late husband’s past has come seeking retribution, retribution Molly is unable to pay. For years Jase Weaver has stayed on the sidelines watching the woman he loves marry his best friend, a friend whose injury destroyed them all. With a second chance to make things right, Jase starts a slow seduction of the woman he loves but a seduction that is stopped before it begins. What ensues is the building romance between Molly and Jase, and the fall-out as Molly is targeted by her late-husband’s past.

Jase Weaver has been in love with his best friend’s wife from the first time they met but Molly fell in love with someone else. Molly’s life was never the same following the IED attack that damaged her husband beyond repair, damages that would destroy Carter’s life.

The relationship between Molly and Jase is a best friend’s wife to lovers romance that focuses on heart break, grief, and the fall-out of war. Molly and Jase struggled with the guilt of moving on while the man they once loved was no longer alive. The $ex scenes are passionate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to Sierra and Beckett (Fractured Honor #1), Noah and Poppy (Buried Lies #2), as well as the return of Royal Marine Aidan MacIntyre; and Tiana Fitzgerald. Tiana and Aidan’s story line is next in Rocky Ground.

The world building continues to focus on the friendships and relationships of the former Special Forces soldiers: their struggle to move forward as the ghosts from the past continue to haunt their days and nights.

SHATTERED VOWS is a story of grief and loss, friendships and love, struggle and battling demons from the past. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the characters are colourful, charismatic and spirited; the romance is captivating and seductive. SHATTERED VOWS is a sexy, sensitive and edgy story of second chances and HEA.

Another winning book in this series. While this story had the danger and suspense element to it, the highlight was how Molly and Jase were able to overcome all the emotional issues and finally become a couple, with the heartwarming arrival of her baby the best ending ever.