Post Reading: Breaking Nova - Jessica Sorenson

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Breaking Nova 
Author: Jessica Sorensen 
Series: Nova #1 
Published: October 9th 2014 by Sphere
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Nova Reed used to have dreams of becoming a famous drummer, of marrying her true love. But all of that was taken away in an instant. Now she's getting by as best she can, though sometimes that means doing things the old Nova would never do. Things that are slowly eating away at her spirit. Every day blends into the next, until she meets Quinton Carter.

Quinton once got a second chance at life, but he doesn't want it. The tattoos on his chest are a constant reminder of what he's done, what he's lost. He's sworn to never allow happiness into his life, but then beautiful, sweet Nova makes him smile. He knows he's too damaged to get close to her, yet she's the only one who can make him feel alive again. Quinton will have to decide: does he deserve to start over? Or should he pay for his past forever?

THE REVIEW

Passionate. Intense. All Consuming. 

Breaking Nova is as breathtakingly beautiful as the dedication that Jessica Sorensen has penned for her readers.

“For anyone who's ever felt lost and struggled to find their way back.” 

This emotionally powerful novel follows the story of two people whose lives have been changed by death. Nova Reed's unanswered questions are slowly killing her and she is lost in the longing to understand what really happened that night. Quinton Carter's refusal to forgive himself is driving him down the path of self-destruction. 

 Both Nova and Quinton are coping in different ways, they are just going through motions and not quite living. When their paths meet, there's a pull and a somewhat reluctant (on Quinton's part) connection begins. It soon develops into a relationship despite Quinton trying to stay away from Nova. One thing that I loved about Breaking Nova was that it is free of fluff - This not a book that (falsely) perpetuates the myth that somehow love magically cures everything. Quinton and Nova do not just magically come together to heal each other. If anything, it's the very opposite. They lose control and things soon take a turn for the worse for both of them. 

Jessica Sorenson has mastered the art of making her readers care. With every page my emotions ran higher. I was rooting for these characters who have had to live with the toughest cards that life had dealt them. There is no doubt that Sorenson's writing brings to life the depth of the pain that the characters felt. 

Major kudos to Sorenson for delving into sensitive subjects like suicide, drugs, growing up, depression and survivor's guilt. She has captured all the emotions that the characters go through so beautifully. I was hooked on this devastating and complex novel.

I was expecting the cliches and plot tropes that come with New Adult but Breaking Nova surprised me with it's depth and swept me away with it's dark yet compelling storyline.

I adored watching Nova grow as a character and I was cheering for her throughout the book. The dual POVs were a wonderful touch that only doubled the emotional complexity. However, there were times when I felt that the drug use became the focus and I could have done without that.

Breaking Nova does not have a pretty ending, there is no happily ever after but I can promise you a read that will make push your limits and make you feel everything.

Surprisingly, romance is not the focus of the Breaking Nova. While I'm thankful for this I would love to see some love and redemption in the next book, Saving Quinton.


THE RATING

4 Stars

QUOTE-WORTHY

“You're like my favorite song, Nova. The one that I never want to forget. That I want to play over and over again.” 

“Stuff happens. We get lost. We try to control what will happen. We give up. We do things that don’t make sense. We search for things in the wrongest of ways. We lose our way, but sometimes, if we’re really, really strong, we manage to find our way back.” 

I'm learning that it's okay. It's okay to hurt. It's okay to cry. It's okay to admit we need help. It's okay to let go.

FINAL VERDICT:

If you are strong enough for a raw and gritty novel that spares no one, go ahead and read it.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

• The Sea of Tranquility - Katja Millay
• Going Under - S. Walden
• Slammed - Colleen Hoover

OVER TO YOU:

Are you a Jessica Sorenson junkie? Have you read any of her other works? What are your thoughts on Breaking Nova? 

Have you got any New Adult recommendations for me?

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