Broken Country (Reese's Book Club) Hardcover – March 4, 2025

Broken Country was my first experience reading Clare Leslie Hall, and let me just say — it absolutely will not be my last. This story was unlike anything I've ever picked up before. It took a little bit to get my bearings (this book does not hold your hand through the first few chapters), but once I figured out what was happening, I was hooked — completely and hopelessly. A week later, and I'm still turning parts of it over in my head.I can't honestly say I ever fully connected with any of the characters — but oddly enough, that didn’t feel like a flaw. This story wasn't about bonding with the characters; it was about the ride. And what a ride it was: fast-paced, nerve-wracking, and totally readable once you get the rhythm of the different chapters. By the time I hit the last 1/3 rd of the book, I could not put it down.And then the twists started. Not just one, but several. Some came out of left field; others I only barely saw coming. Hall doesn’t spoon-feed you any of it, and I appreciated that. I like a book that makes me feel slightly outsmarted.As for the ending — I loved it. It didn’t go the way I had predicted (because clearly, my brain was going one way and this authors was going another), but it absolutely felt like the ending the story needed. It landed perfectly.Hall’s writing is phenomenal — sharp, vivid, and fearless. I would absolutely recommend Broken Country to anyone looking for something gripping, original, and just a little bit devastating.

You know the cliché, don’t judge a book by its cover? Well, I definitely did and I am so glad that I did because I’m not sure I would have picked up this book otherwise.This book successfully transported me back to the past. The feelings of being a young naive girl in love and the many mistakes and life altering decisions that can be made when fueled by emotions and a lack of maturity in realizing that all it takes is a few seconds for everything to change. Forever.Beth, the FMC was a beautiful representation of this. A short summer fueled by love, hopes and dreams begins a domino effect in her life. Many years later, her first love unintentionally comes back into her life and she must navigate the life she once knew with the life she now lives as they merge into one. So many secrets, so many unspoken words, so many decisions made in the dark… all leading to heartbreak, tragedy and sorrow. It isn’t until those who have been hurt the most are ready open to letting go that the real healing begins and everyone is able to move forward. Overall, a well written story that was both touching and moving.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I can’t say enough about how beautifully written this book is. Every page feels purposeful—never dull, never overdone, and never falling flat. The story maintains a steady, engaging pace from beginning to end. The characters, each with their own flaws, are deeply relatable and authentic. I especially appreciated how the narrative embraces the complexity and messiness of real life with honesty and vulnerability. The author captures the main character’s sadness, joy, and inner conflict with remarkable depth and clarity.

I read this book in three days. I did not want to put it down. I loved the characters depicted in this story. They were real, likable and Frank was a Special guy you could not help but love. The storyline pulled me in. I would suggest you have a box of tissues handy.

I kept seeing this book on multiple TBRs and in IG videos and I was looking for a break in a series I was reading. Beth’s story, as told from present day and in reflections from the past, felt like a sweet love story where her heart lead her to a life she deserved, a good home, a good husband, a child. Tragedy strikes but it doesn’t kill her marriage; they seem strengthened by it. Then at about the last fourth of the book, more details, events, and the repercussions of everyone’s actions turns Beth’s life completely around, and it just doesn’t seem fair. The way the story is written is that you don’t really have a sense of something truly bad happening until you are so caught up in the characters that it almost feels like an “oh no, this can’t be happening” but believable at the same time. I liked it. ❤️

Such a fantastic read! Must read- for sure.Give it a few chapters- it’s a littttttle slow to start but then- I was hooked. It is so, so, sooooooo good. I would dare say my new favorite book- of all time.

I recommend this book - my only regret is that I had to rush through the second half for book club. Silver lining is that it was my recommendation and we shall see what everyone else thinks when we meet tonight

The story stars in this tale. The costar is openness & honesty.And then it veers.Maybe that's the author' s intent to make it reality. It was not to me. Gabriel, with his vain glorious personality was a paper tiger,as well as apoor parent,much like his mother,but with a nicer facade. Frank,as Mr. Always Nice guy,was a lovely character until the accident at the end,when he became a caricature. I liked the book,appreciated the human foibles,but found the treatment of Leo disingenuous and lacking in his evolvement. The ending was a pretty package,tied with a pretty bow.