Shatter by Erin McCarthy
Series: True Believers #4
on 2014-09-02
Pages: 304
Goodreads

From the USA Today bestselling author of True, Sweet, and Believe comes a tantalizing New Adult novel about finding love in the most unexpected ways... Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again... While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child. With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole...

Everyone has topics they don’t particularly like to read about. Unplanned pregnancies are one of those for me. But I’ve enjoyed the previous books in Erin McCarthy’s True Believers series. I was willing to keep my opinions to myself and reserve my judgement on Shatter and I’m glad I did because I was pleasantly surprised.

A few months ago Kylie Warner’s life was going exactly as planned. She was doing well at college, she had a loving boyfriend and her friends were pretty amazing. But then her boyfriend cheated on her, her best friend betrayed her and she was flunking a mandatory college class. Enter Jonathan – a chemistry tutor who is equal parts geek and bad boy. Covered in tattoos sprouting scientific formulas, he is nothing like Kylie was expecting. He’s gorgeous and the chemistry them is more than just the science type. Sparks fly and neither of them can resist the attraction.

It was only going to be a one night stand but Kylie finds out she’s pregnant. It’s unplanned and unexpected but not unwanted. Kylie plans on keeping the baby with or without Jonathan.

What I liked most about Shatter is how different it was from books I’ve read before concerning unplanned pregnancies. Kylie and Jonathan approach the situation as the adults they are and they both take responsibility for their actions. They may be opposites with Kylie being a pink loving girly girl and Jonathan life being consumed by science but they do work as a couple. Their practical approach to their situation is refreshing. The drama in this book comes about from their feelings towards each other rather than being entirely baby related. Jonathan is willing to give up his plans to be there 100 percent for Kylie and the baby whereas Kylie doesn’t want Jonathan to only be with her out of obligation. Their families both impact on their actions and bring more drama to Kylie and Jonathan’s story. I didn’t like Jonathan’s father’s part in the story with parts of it seeming out of character of some characters but overall I thought the parents was a great addition to the plot.

Whilst this book isn’t just about the pregnancy, it is a main theme in the story. Both parties have to deal with their feelings and it makes their relationship so much more complicated. Neither Kylie or Jonathan know each other well enough to know how the other is feeling and it makes both of them make mistakes and deal with the consequences. It’s heartbreaking, wonderful, bittersweet and lovely. It may seem slightly contradictory but I don’t want to give too much away. Just to say I thought Erin McCarthy wrote Kyle and Jonathan’s story in a beautiful and touching way.

IF you have liked the previous books in the True Believers series – you will enjoy Shatter. It has all the romantic tension, gorgeous tattooed men and Erin McCarthy’s patented style. The main characters from True, Sweet and Believe all make appearances which just adds an extra something to the novel.